War and Peace

Chapter 42

The French troops under his own command met their morally superior enemies for the first time at Polagello, and they began to crumble.

The third part

[One]

The human mind cannot fully comprehend the uninterrupted nature of motion. Only by dividing the entire motion process into independent parts can people find these laws.However, this artificial division and independent exploration will lead to many fallacies when people study this kind of movement.

This is the case in the study of history.Because any event cannot be separated from other events, and the actions of any historical figure are not a manifestation of his personal will, so it is impossible to approach the truth of history by independently exploring an artificially separated event.

It is true that there are conquerors in all wars, and there will be wars every time a conqueror appears, but this does not mean that the origin of war is the conqueror, and the law of war does not exist in isolation in individual actions alone.If we want to find out the laws of history, we should change the object of our research and study those infinitesimal factors.Although using such a method may not have obvious results, only in this way may it be possible to discover the laws of history.Compared with everyone's research on emperors, generals, and marshals, our research on these factors is far from enough.

[two]

The entry of Europeans speaking different languages ​​into Russia drove back the Russian army and population, first to Smolensk and then through Smolensk to Polajero.The French kept pushing forward to their destination - Moscow.Behind them is thousands of versts of angry land, and the distance ahead is only a few tens of versts.With a kind of inertia, they kept rushing forward.

As the soldiers retreated steadily, the Russians' hatred of the enemy became more and more obvious. The result of the gathering of this angry force was the battle of Polagello.The Russian army won this battle, but due to the ferocious approach of the opponent, they had to take a step back.Therefore, after the Battle of Polagello, the Russian army retreated immediately.

The Russians have retreated past Moscow and surrendered Moscow to the French.The two sides faced off in this state for five weeks.After five weeks in Moscow, the French suddenly turned around and fled like a mortally wounded beast.They first ran towards the Kaluzhskaya road, then fled at constant lightning speed towards Smolensk, Vilna, the Berezina River and beyond.On the night of August 26, all officers and soldiers of Kotusov firmly believed that they had won the battle at Polagello.But judging from the reports of casualties, a battle was quite impossible, for the losses of the Russian army were also unprecedented, and they lost almost one-half of their own strength.Under such circumstances, they had to retreat to the right for several days in a row, until September [-], when they came to Moscow, and after weighing their strength, they could only retreat one step further, and Moscow fell to the in the hands of the French.

Some people may feel afterwards that this is the result of some commanders' strategizing. They always think about why Kotusov deployed in this way but did not act in that way.In fact, people who think this way ignore certain things, which are the necessary conditions for those who affect the commander.Today we can sit at a desk and discuss wars based on the strength of both the enemy and ourselves, but the commander-in-chief at that time simply did not consider and decide everything under the conditions we are now.

To some the certainties of a commander-in-chief in his battles can be disregarded.For example, they often think that the Russian army's retreat and abandonment of Moscow were decided on September [-], but in fact, this decision was made in Drissa, as well as in Smolensk, in Polajero and when it arrived in the Philippines. Benefits are made in every moment.

[three]

Kotusov came to Poklony Hill and sat down on a bench on either side of the road.A large group of generals from Moscow to here, including Rushdoppich, surrounded him.Although this large group was not called to talk, but they obviously considered themselves the war staff, they divided into several groups, and talked about the layout of the positions, the condition and deployment of the army.Kotusov did not take part in the conversation, and listened with a disappointed expression to their conversation, which obviously dissatisfied him.

In these discussions, Kotusov simply felt that it was impossible to keep Moscow.The senior commanders here not only admitted that Moscow could not be defended, but also thought about what to do if Moscow fell.How can such a commander lead the soldiers to stick to the country?

Bennigsen found a position where he decided to defend Moscow as a show of patriotism.Kotusov was very clear about this move: he did it in order to remove all responsibility.If Moscow had not been held, he could lay the blame on Kotusov, who had retreated with his army to the Sparrow Hills; if the defense was victorious, the credit would naturally belong to him.But now, Kotusov no longer thinks about these calculations of Bennigsen.The question he considered unanswerable was: "Did I bring Napoleon to Moscow? When did I do it?"

Kotusov, however, believed that he was destined to save Russia, and that his appointment as commander-in-chief took place against the will of the Emperor, since it was the will of the people.Under such difficult conditions, he was the only one who firmly believed that he was the only person in the world who could defeat Napoleon.However, as soon as he realized the order that was about to be issued, he could not help being afraid.

[Four]

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the military meeting was held at the home of a local peasant named Andrey Savostyanov.This is a spacious hut, and the owners of this family are all crowded in a room stacked with sundries on the opposite side. Only Andre's six-year-old granddaughter Ma Lasha stays on the kang stove in this room where the meeting is held. .

Kotusov was sitting alone in a dark corner behind the stove, sinking deep in a chair, clearing his throat constantly.

On the wooden table in the room, there are maps, plans, pens and paper.Many people gathered around this table, among them were Ermolov, Kesarov, Thor, but also Barclay, Uvarov, and Dokhturov, all of whom were Waiting for Bennigsen.

As soon as Bennigsen entered, Kotusov moved from the corner to the table, but the candles on the table did not see his face.

Bennigsen immediately raised the question at the beginning of the meeting: "To lose the sacred capital without a fight, or to defend it?" After hearing what he said, everyone fell silent.

Kotusov repeated his words in an angry voice, pointed out that his words were not true, and set out that the purpose of this military meeting should be: "The purpose of my inviting you here is to discuss military issues. The main point of the question is The reason is that it is the army that is needed to save Russia. But the current choice is that if you go to battle, you will risk losing the army and Moscow. To preserve the army, you will definitely have to give up Moscow. I hope to know everyone's opinions. Which of the two options is better." The discussion began.Bennigsen still refuses to admit defeat. Everyone has their own opinions. They don't seem to understand that the current meeting can no longer change the inevitable development of events, and Moscow has now been abandoned.

During a break in a conversation, the general sighed deeply, then walked away slowly, approached the table, and said, "Gentlemen, I've heard all of your opinions. I don't agree with some of them. Thus, I issue a mission by the authority entrusted to me by the emperor and the motherland: retreat."

After that, the generals dispersed.There was a serious and cautious look on their faces, as if they were people who had just attended a funeral.

After seeing off these people, Kotusov sat alone for a long time.That dreadful subject still haunted his thoughts: when did he decide to abandon Moscow?When did all this happen?Who is in charge?Facing the adjutant Schneider who entered the room very late, he said over and over again: "I didn't expect this! I didn't expect this!"

[five]

Even more serious than the retreat of the army without a fight was the abandonment and burning of Moscow.For these occurrences, we think it seems that Rushdoppich should be responsible.

After Polaghero, the abandonment and burning of Moscow were equally inevitable as was the army's retreat without a fight.Every Russian is capable of foretelling what is going to happen without knowing the consequences and only relying on the intuition that we share with our ancestors.

This was the only way the Russians could handle the matter.In [-], Moscow society then had the idea that Moscow would be occupied by the French.Those who left Moscow in July and August were the first to anticipate this outbreak.Many later fled, leaving their homes and possessions behind, a testament to the latent patriotism in them.Such patriotism is not expressed through words or other unnatural behaviors, but only a direct and natural expression.But it's the involuntary behavior that's often the most impactful.The Muscovites left Moscow because they never thought about surviving under the French.For these people, being ruled by the French was worse than any outcome.They escaped separately, and this act became the greatest act of the Russian people in Russian history.

But what about the Earl of Lustoparch?He did not understand the significance of the current events.What he wanted to do with all his heart was how to make a heroic performance in a blockbuster way.Faced with the inevitable loss and destruction of Moscow, he tried with his little hands to hold back the mighty currents that in the end carried him with him.

[six]

After the Russian court returned to base camp from Vilna, Hanli was in trouble.At the banquet held on Shidao, people introduced her to a Jesuit priest, Mr. Djobert, and under his influence, Hanli finally joined the Catholic Church.But she understood that all their rhetoric and rushing was aimed at getting a large donation from her after her conversion to Catholicism, while Hanli insisted on helping her get rid of her husband before she gave the money. Various procedures.In her view, the purpose of any religion is to satisfy all human desires and at the same time make human behavior conform to certain etiquette.During the conversation and confession with the priest, she insisted even more that the priest should tell her how binding her marriage was on her.

"Since I believe in the real Jesus, why should I be bound by a false religion?!"

Hanli's words ended her conversation with the director of conscience, an old priest who was obviously fascinated by the beauty of her interlocutor, but still absorbed in his work. He was very surprised by her words, and he Satisfied with the extras of my own students.

[seven]

Hanli knew that from a religious point of view, this matter was simple and easy, but her instructors complicated them because of scruples about being bound by public opinion.

Hanli decided to solve this problem and prepare for the nobility.She aroused the jealousy of the elderly dignitaries, intending to tell others: To get her, you must marry her.

Then she told her good friends, with naivety, that the Prince and some dignitary were all proposing to her, and that she did not know whom to marry, and she was troubled, for she loved both.She knew that even if she said her words to her friends, it was equivalent to telling everyone in Petersburg.

Indeed, the whole of Petersburg soon had a story to tell, and the rumor was not, of course, that Hanli wanted to abandon her husband, but that the beautiful and unfortunate Hanli did not know which of the two suitors was the better choice.The question now avoids whether marriage is possible, and instead discusses which side to choose and how it is viewed at court.

Except for Hanli's mother, the Duchess Kuragin, everyone else was suspicious of the ongoing marriage.Jealousy of her daughter, which she was often grieved at, and which, at present, was her chief concern, made it all the more intolerable.

However, when His Royal Highness appeared, many of her thoughts completely disappeared. "It seems she is right. Why didn't we think of doing this in our past youth? It is so easy," the old princess thought all the way back.

Moliye Dmitrievna Ahrosimova was the only one in society who had the audacity to defy public opinion, but she was regarded only as a ridiculous person.

At the beginning of August, Hanli's affairs were completely decided.She wrote to her husband, telling him of her intention to marry someone else, telling him that she had embraced the only true religion, and she let him go through all the necessary procedures for a divorce.

When this letter was sent to Bin-air's house, Bin-air was on the battlefield in Polagello.

[eight]

Towards the end of the battle of Polajero he ran down from the Laevsky battery and walked with the wounded towards the village of Knyazkovo.

Now, there is only one thing on Bin-Air's mind, which is to quickly get away from all the horrible impressions he saw that day, return to his normal life, and sleep soundly in his own bed.But this kind of peaceful living environment is nowhere to be found now.

After traveling about three versts, Binair sat down on both sides of the Mozhaisk Avenue.

In the middle of the night, three soldiers stopped beside him and started a fire with dry sticks they had found.In order to know the soldiers and be known by them, Bin-Air felt compelled to lower his social status as much as possible.Facing the soldiers' questioning, Bin-Air lied that he was a militia officer, and came here alone because he lost contact with his own people.

At the invitation of the soldiers, Bin-Air began to take the batter they cooked. He felt that he had never eaten such a delicious thing.After eating, he and the soldiers walked towards Mozhaisk in the dark.

Bin-Air had been walking behind the soldiers, and had long since forgotten the matter of going to the inn. If he had not met his coachman halfway up the mountain, he would never have thought of it again.Only then did he realize that he had already passed the inn.

When he followed the coachman back to the inn, it was full.He had to sleep with his head covered in his carriage.

[Nine]

"Thank God, there will never be such a terrible thing again. But how shameful and horrible I succumbed to the horror! They have remained calm and composed from the beginning to the end..." Bin-air covered his head with the quilt. thinking.In Bin-Air's mind, these artillerymen who had given him food and prayed to the icons, these strange people he had never known, were quite different from those he had known in the past.

"To be a soldier! To live this life with all my heart, to understand what made them, but how am I going to get rid of those diabolical foreign burdens?" Bin-Air thought drowsily.

At this time, he seemed to be talking with his dead teacher.A voice said to him: "War is the obedience of human power to the laws of God, and the most difficult obedience. Simplicity is also the obedience to God, where all soldiers say nothing but do it. If a man fears death , then he will get nothing. Everything belongs only to those who are brave. Without suffering, a person will not understand his limitations and fully know himself. It seems that all thoughts are combined in the brain. It's not easy, but it has to be done! Yes, it should be combined!" Bin-Air said to himself repeatedly, and he felt that this was the thought he wanted to express, and this was the only way to relieve him. Confused key.

"Get up! It's time!" the groom called Bin-Air, and they continued on to Moscow.On the way, he heard the news of the death of his brother-in-law and the Duke of Andrele.

[ten]

Bin-Air arrived in Moscow on August [-]th.When he arrived, just at the gate of the city, he met the general's adjutant who was looking for him.

(End of this chapter)