When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 1218 General Staff Headquarters
The autumn wind is bleak, and withered leaves are flying everywhere.

The lawn in front of the Holy See Building was covered with maple leaves, and the two rows of plane trees at the entrance were also red.

The squirrels wandered around on the grass shed, and when they saw Bernardo approaching, they all stood up to look at him.

Several incidents last year, in which fanatical fans of Saint Sun stormed the Holy See, severely disrupted its order.

Although Horn didn't think it was a big deal, he still built walls around the institutions, including the Council of State, and a quarter of the official residence square.

Inside the walled area, flowerbeds and lawns were added, and patrolling guards were stationed.

Bernardo believes it should have been done long ago.

Stepping into the lobby of the Holy See building, one finds it still bustling with people, monks hurrying by with documents in their hands.

However, since most of the Holy Alliance's important official institutions are located in the Official Residence Square, they don't need to travel too far.

Upon reaching the second floor, Bernardo headed straight for the office of the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Western Army Group.

But as he passed by the large office of the new staff officers, he paused, turned around, and went inside.

This large office consists of eight long tables, with four people sitting at each table, and the surfaces piled high with documents.

One of the young staff officers was not working, but packing documents.

Stepping forward and clearing his throat, Bernardo couldn't help but ask, "Where are you going?"

Raising his head, the young Privy Councilor Delavan placed the package on the table and gave Petitie a shy smile.

"Thank you for your guidance during this time. I have volunteered to serve as an operations staff officer in the Western Theater Command."

Horn's establishment of the battle group army was not simply a matter of parachuting in a battle group army commander to command the other three battle groups.

When Horn was commanding three or four battle groups, he still had to bring a large number of staff officers and adjutants, as well as a personal guard.

The same applies to the Western Theater Command.

A battle group commander must have a professional team to command so many battle groups.

According to Horn's calculations, a war group's staff office needs at least 20 to 30 staff officers, led by the chief of staff.

The most important of these are operations staff, intelligence staff, and logistics staff.

The operations staff consists of three to four people who are responsible for formulating marching routes, troop deployments, and operational plans, as well as surveying the terrain and conducting tactical simulations.

The three intelligence staff officers were responsible for managing the army group's direct reconnaissance units, conducting intelligence analysis and prisoner interrogation, and cooperating with local intelligence networks.

The three logistics staff officers were responsible for coordinating supply transportation, camp arrangements, and the evacuation of the wounded and sick, as well as coordinating with local administrative departments to requisition supplies.

The chief of staff is responsible for turning the decisions of the corps commanders into action manuals and specific orders, which are then issued to the corps commanders.

In addition to the General Staff, the Warband Army also has a General Piety Office, led by the Chief Reverend.

This was naturally for the chaplains who were in charge of all the warbands.

This brings us to the changes in the chaplains accompanying the Holy Alliance during its development.

Originally, the military chaplain and chief clerk were essentially one and the same person, because most military chaplains were not very competent and could not perform many of their duties.

However, the secondary school system established by Horn provided a large number of talented individuals for military chaplains.

Gradually, the chaplains were finally able to achieve the initial goals that Horn had set for them.

Ideological education, organizational development, discipline inspection, and work with the masses...

Although the chaplains accompanying the army were not particularly intellectually advanced, they were at least able to accomplish Horn's tasks.

Besides, in this era, as long as you're not too bad, you're already doing very well.

In addition, there is a document room under the General Piety Office, which is responsible for recording daily actions and reporting upwards.

Each army corps was equipped with one accompanying chaplain, and each battle group had three chief and deputy chief chaplains.

So a warband army would have about 30 to 40 accompanying chaplains.

The chaplains were responsible for political work, while the staff officers were responsible for assisting in decision-making and ensuring the implementation of policies.

However, such places are usually places where people with poor foundations or bad grades try to stand out. Where did Delavan go?
Delavan was previously a Privy Councillor in charge of dispatching, but he was unwilling to work in a civilian position and eventually chose to study at a military academy. After returning from his studies, he interned for a year in the General Staff of the Privy Council.

Upon learning that the Holy Alliance was about to go to war, he volunteered to go to the front lines.

"Your Excellency, I would much rather be a general than sit in an office writing reports."

Bernardo looked at Delavan with a complicated expression.

After Delavan joined the General Staff, he was essentially Delavan's mentor.

He originally wanted to keep Delaven by his side, and he had even hinted at it to Delaven.

Whether this kid was too stupid or too smart, he still chose to go to the front line.

Has your application been approved?

"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but the order from the General Staff has already been issued."

“The General Staff no longer exists.” Bernardo looked at him with a complicated expression. “The General Staff was separated from the Privy Council.”

"what?"

"Your Majesty has established three major institutions: the General Staff Department, the Military Affairs Department, and the Administrative Headquarters, which are responsible for overall coordination, decision-making, and command during wartime."

Others might not know, but Horn knew how difficult it would be to command 10 men in a vast territory.

The complex military orders, the slow and unreliable intelligence, the pressure from logistics and local authorities...

Horn originally led four or five battle groups, personally went into battle with his personal advisors, and almost suffered a defeat in the Battle of Grey Hill.

There are currently twenty battle groups. Once the fighting starts, there could be battles taking place in several places across the country.

The days when a small group of staff members could assist a commander in fighting, or when a dozen or twenty staff officers could assist a commander in fighting, are long gone.

It's not that we can't fight even without advisors.

It's bound to be an ugly fight, but Horn is sparing no effort in preparing for the upcoming battle.

It's better to be over-prepared than not prepared at all.

"Then you?"

Bernardo laughed heartily, "Your Majesty thinks highly of me, appointing me as Minister of the Military Affairs Department. You will learn about my specific duties later."

Dellavan pursed his lips: "It's as if the General Staff was set up just for Petit."

Before he could finish speaking, Bernardo kicked Delavan in the butt: "Talking nonsense is a major taboo in the military. Have you forgotten how long you've been away from the army?"

Delavan could only chuckle.

In his view, Petit was merely a mouthpiece for the saint's grandson, whose daily job was to relay His Majesty's wishes, and anyone could do it.

As for Bernardo, he was actually writing summary reports and planning tactics, so it was clear who the main force was.

“When you get to the army, you have to be careful what you say,” Bernardo patted him on the shoulder. “You must build good relationships with the soldiers, observe and listen carefully…”

Looking at Bernardo, who was giving him earnest advice like a teacher, Delavan said nothing, only nodded emphatically.

“Perfect timing. I’m going to the General Staff to find your Western Group’s Chief of Staff, Sochette. I’ll show you around.”

De Lavan was taken aback at first, but said nothing and bowed again.

"Stop with the mushy stuff, I'm just about to deliver a message." Bernardo grabbed Delavan by the collar and lifted him up. "Let's go."

"May I ask what message you are conveying?" Delavan asked, half-jokingly, because of their close relationship.

"Pravda should already be in print, so I'll just tell you directly," Bernardo's reply was also unexpected.

However, Delavan knew that Bernardo was quite sensible and would tell him what he could.

Walking with his hands behind his back along the corridor of the Holy See, Bernardo said softly, "The pioneers have left the French navy and officially launched an uprising a week ago. We need to make strategic adjustments."

"Open land?" Delawan exclaimed in shock. "At this time?"

(End of this chapter)