I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1193 Sometimes, patience is harder than death.

Prince Heinrich asked calmly, "Do you think there's some kind of conspiracy in Warsaw?"

“Definitely not,” Hodkiewicz said. “You should see for yourself how chaotic Warsaw is. The serf issue caused such a commotion that even the Grand Sham was dissolved, and elections still haven’t been held.”

“The Lithuanians and Rossenes to the east have no desire to fight. Poniatowski knew very well that without peace talks, he and the king would lose their positions.”

“Go back and tell the Polish Regent that if we cede the land west of Vinccia, our country can choose to cease hostilities. Oh, and the port of Gdansk must be handed over within ten days.”

Thus, the Prussian and Austrian armies entered Gdansk and Lublin without firing a single shot.

However, after the news that "Poland is about to surrender" spread among the two armies, the originally high morale gradually turned into lethargy.

In Warsaw, the loss of two important cities due to the Polish army's lack of resistance sparked an unprecedented movement to denounce the government.

Following the advice of the French Dauphin, Regent Poniatowski sent his chief secretary, Piateli, to give a public speech outside the Parliament building.

“In recent years, the Federation has been subjected to trade suppression by countries such as Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and its financial situation has deteriorated drastically,” Piatoli said earnestly. “In addition, the war broke out too quickly, and we can’t even afford to purchase logistical supplies.”

"The soldiers at the front can only be guaranteed two meals a day, and vehicles and tents are in extremely short supply. Under such circumstances, the soldiers will only be slaughtered by the enemy..."

"His Highness the Regent didn't want our young men to bleed in vain, so he had no choice but to negotiate within certain limits..."

The previously noisy crowd gradually quieted down. Everyone knew that Poland's financial situation was indeed very bad, and many civil servants hadn't received their salaries for several months.

Suddenly, an older woman wearing an apron pushed through the crowd to the front of the stage. She fumbled under her apron for a while, hesitated for two seconds, and finally gently placed two silver coins on the wooden table: "This is all I can give you, otherwise the children will starve. Please defeat those shameless invaders."

As soon as she turned around, several middle-aged men placed money on the wooden platform: "I will donate half of my wages to the army in the future."

"We must take Gdansk back!"

"I only have these two zlotys left. I'll donate more after I sell my house..."

A nobleman also called out, "Please set up a donation office in the city hall; I still have a thousand zlotys."

"Yes! As long as we can drive out the invaders, we will find a way to raise military funds!"

As people surged toward the podium, Piatori had to temporarily halt his speech, watching helplessly as more and more silver and paper coins piled up at his feet, his fists clenching involuntarily.

Two hours later, after returning to the Siddham Palace with 2445 zlotys, he immediately resigned from his post as regent.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I feel I’m still capable of carrying a gun, and perhaps I could go to the front lines and do something.”

To Joseph's surprise, his "financial delaying tactics" lasted less than a week, and more than 270 million złoty, equivalent to 430 million francs, were donated from all over Poland.

For impoverished Poles, this was essentially giving up everything they had.

That much money is enough to cover the expenses of 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers on the battlefield.

However, Poniatovsky's envoy held a second round of negotiations with Russia, Prussia, and Austria—yes, seeing that Prussia and Austria had easily gained benefits, Russia also quickly dispatched troops.

After a series of humble compromises, Russia obtained Minsk and Bobruisk, Prussia continued south to Kuyavi, and Austria also got its wish by acquiring the Krakow region except for the silver mines.

Polish troops, however, were constantly being redeployed without any purpose, and were always kept far away from the enemy.

Time quickly moved into mid-May.

Pinsk, a city in east-central Poland. In the temporary camp of the 12th Royal Infantry Regiment, Major Karosław looked at the red markings on the map and irritably rubbed his short blond hair.

Those were all areas already under Russian control, including cities like Moziri, where he had fought valiantly.

"Damn it, where are they sending us to fight?" he yelled. "Are the old men on the Military Commission still asleep? If this keeps up, we'll be left only with the defense of Warsaw!"

Major Yannick, standing to the side with a horrifying scar on his collarbone, shook his head: "These years of peaceful life have allowed many good-for-nothings to climb to high positions. Poland will be destroyed by them sooner or later!"

Karosław lashed a nearby tree with his riding crop: "What should we do? Are we really going to wait for the Russians to reach Warsaw?"

Just then, two cavalrymen galloped up and shouted to Yannick, "Commander, we have spotted Russian troops north of Slutsk. There should be more than two thousand of them."

Yannick gritted his teeth and said, "Do these bastards really think we're all dead?"

Just then, a messenger arrived, held up his hat, and said, "Major Yannik, our commander is preparing to go to Slutsk. He asked if you would like to come with us."

Yannick looked at the staff officer with a puzzled expression: "Is there a transfer order?"

The latter shook his head: "No, Commander."

The messenger lowered his voice and said, "Are you planning to watch Slutsk be occupied by the Russians? Forget about any transfer orders, we have three regiments, enough to wipe out that Russian army!"

Yannick and Karosław exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously: "Okay, we'll go too."

"At worst, we'll go to a military court. What's there to be afraid of!"

The following morning, three Polish infantry regiments stationed in Pinsk quietly headed east.

Just as Yannick and the other two commanders were excitedly discussing the next tactics, they heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats from their side and rear.

Then Yannick's staff officer approached with a dark expression: "Commander, it's the Military Commission. They've ordered us to return to our base immediately."

"Damn it!"

A dark-skinned, thin regimental commander roared, "Magorkov, take my guards and stop them!"

Just then, Yannick suddenly heard a very familiar voice: "Young men, for the sake of the motherland, I beg you to continue to endure."

Yannick turned around abruptly and saw an old officer with his trousers hanging loosely beside the saddle.

He jumped off his horse excitedly, straightened his back, and stood at attention: "Marshal! What brings you here?"

Koschusko nodded to the officers: "Go back, it's not time yet. But I swear, on that day, I will tear the invaders to pieces with you!"

All three regimental commanders lowered their heads. After a moment, they ordered a retreat one after another.

Koschusko then turned to the guard and asked, "What's next?"

The latter immediately replied, "The Fifth Cavalry Brigade of Vladimir's Guard, Marshal."

"Cavalry? Then we need to speed things up."

And so, Koschuszko tirelessly traveled between the various legions, using his immense prestige within the Polish army to personally keep the passionate soldiers firmly at bay.

(End of this chapter)