I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 685: Holy Alliance, Eliminate Heresy

Francis II looked at the Minister of State in surprise:

"Why are there only more than 2 people? Is this what the Military Commission meant?"

It is no wonder that he would ask such a question. You know, Austria mobilized 4 troops to suppress the rebellion in Slavonia, but only sent 2 troops to the national war against Poland.

Baron Turgut was slightly embarrassed:
"Your Majesty, if our target is only the Lesser Poland region, these troops should be enough. You know our financial situation..."

Upon hearing this, Franz II waved his hand impatiently.

In fact, Austria's financial situation at this time was not much better than Prussia's.

Having also experienced the devastation of the Silesian War, Austria had previously fought a war in the Southern Netherlands. Although the fighting mainly relied on the French army, the logistics were borne by Austria, and the rebellion in Serbia had not yet been completely quelled.

The empire has been "bleeding" everywhere in recent years.

In addition, the southern German market faced competition from France, revenue dropped sharply, and the national treasury was already in a precarious situation.

This is also the reason why Francis II was eager to tear a piece of flesh from Poland to recover his blood.

However, due to the huge pressure of military expenditure, the empire could only send more than 2 troops to attack Poland.

Baron Turgut continued:

"Your Majesty, Russia has attracted the vast majority of the Polish troops, and the War Council has judged that we will not encounter many obstacles."

As he was speaking, he saw the emperor's attendant coming over.

Francis II looked at his attendant and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, Count Schmalz, Marquis Androsch and some nobles are here to request an audience with you."

"What do they want?"

"Well, Count Schmalz seemed to have mentioned that he would obey the call of the Holy See and send troops to participate in the holy war..."

The Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire turned green in the face and shouted, "What holy war? That's just a rumor spread by the Poles! Tell them not to mention it again!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

In the corridor of Schönbrunn Palace, Count Schmalz was passionately speaking to a group of people waiting to be summoned by the emperor:

"One hundred years ago, the 'Spear of God' helped the Empire repel the pagans who besieged Vienna! Now, it is time for new crusaders to go to the Dnieper River to help them! Your Majesty will definitely agree to send troops."

He was talking about the Ottoman army besieging Vienna at the end of the 17th century. At that time, Pope Innocent XI formed the "Holy Alliance" to reinforce Austria, and the main force was the Polish Winged Hussars.

Someone immediately shouted:
"In the name of God!"

"Holy Alliance, eliminate heresy!"

However, the emperor's attendant came out with a stern face and scolded everyone:
"Please be quiet! His Majesty said that the so-called holy war is just a Polish rumor, and no one is allowed to mention it."

A group of nobles were stunned on the spot...

North of Kyiv.

Gornostapol.

General Smirnov, commander of the Ukrainian Corps, stared blankly at the team of cavalrymen in red uniforms and with white wings on their backs, who were like surging magma, cutting into his infantry line from the side and rear without any hindrance.

The Cossack cavalry battalion he had just sent to block the attack almost collapsed at the first touch of this "lava", and then the flank of the Ukrainian infantry was exposed to the "lava".

"Winged Hussars?"

Smirnov murmured with a pale face. His soldiers had already begun to collapse and flee. "How...how is this possible?"

Just this morning he had been discussing with his staff how he would intercept the Polish troops heading to harass Kiev if they tried to escape.

Yes, he didn't take the Polish army seriously at all.

Although the Poles in Mozyr were not afraid of death, they were always suppressed by the Russian army and had no ability to fight back.

He always believed that as long as he could catch the Polish army in front of him, he could easily destroy them.

Unexpectedly, just two hours ago, the Poles suddenly turned around and launched a fierce attack on him.

Smirnov was quite happy at first, thinking that he could gain some military merit, and immediately ordered the entire army to attack.

However, what he did not expect was that the combat effectiveness of this Polish army was extremely amazing - from training to morale, to equipment, it was not inferior to the Ukrainian Legion at all.

In fact, it is much higher.

Kościuszko led the most elite Polish troops, and their morale was undoubtedly high. They had fought the Serbian rebels for more than half a year. Although the weapons they used were the same Tula M1753 as the Russian army, they were produced under the guidance of French technicians, and their accuracy and reliability exceeded the Russian originals.

Moreover, the Polish army had 1 men, while the Russian army that came to intercept them had only about 7 men.

As for Chaperov's Kiev garrison, due to the lack of sufficient coordination with Smirnov, it is still wandering around the city of Kiev.

As a result, as soon as the Ukrainian Legion and the Polish Royal Third Division came into contact, they were unable to resist.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Smirnov was preparing to retreat towards Mozyr when a winged cavalry of more than a thousand men suddenly rushed out from the lower reaches of the Teterev River.

Then, it became the current situation.

Lieutenant Colonel Madarinsky, commander of the Winged Hussars, was extremely calm. After passing through the Russian infantry, he immediately reorganized his formation and turned around to attack the Cossack cavalry that had just been dispersed.

Then, the Polish infantry lines immediately pressed forward and completely defeated the Russian defense line.

Smirnov had no choice but to send all his reserve troops to the battlefield, hoping to delay the Polish offensive. Then, the Winged Hussars rushed back to the Ukrainian infantry who were assembling their troops...

Mazyr.

Town of Marecce.

Morkov rode his horse past the collapsed bell tower, and everywhere he looked were wounded Russian soldiers - the bodies had already been moved away, otherwise it would have looked even more miserable.

He lost more than 2 soldiers and more than 30 cannons in his attempt to capture the town.

He had previously taken the risk of pushing all the artillery to the front to launch close bombardment on the Polish troops hiding in the buildings, and indeed achieved good results, as the Polish defense line quickly retreated.

However, a group of Polish skirmishers risked their lives to attack his artillery position, and at the cost of all their men being killed, more than 30 of his cannons were destroyed.

"These Polish lunatics!"

Morkov's scalp tingled when he thought of the hellish scene he had just seen at the artillery position - more than 700 corpses covered the narrow artillery position, and almost every cannon was covered with dead Poles.

Fortunately, the town has fallen into his hands.

Rest for a day, and then we can launch a general attack on Mozyr.

At this moment, two blood-soaked rangers came running. When they saw Morkov, they didn't have time to stop and shouted in panic:

"Report, the Ukrainian Legion was attacked, requesting support!"

(End of this chapter)