I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 84: Northern Conquest War (2)

“That position isn’t bad, but the best place to achieve military merit is surely the vanguard. If you want it, I’ll give you the central vanguard position; no one else.”

The front-center position of our forces was the most favored by capable commanders and generals.

This was because the center was usually where the fiercest battles occurred, although it led to significant losses.

If one managed to defeat the enemy unit they faced and penetrate the enemy lines, the offensive would develop centered around their unit.

Then, upon returning victorious, one would be acknowledged for greatly contributing to the army’s victory, leading to promotions or generous rewards.

That was why the high-ranking generals fiercely competed for the vanguard position.

“Our brigade has been active in the North for four years and has subdued as many as 30 tribes. Therefore, there is no unit as proven as ours in combating them. We are very skilled in subduing barbarians.”

“The Paltz Division is new to the Northern battles, but our military prowess, accumulated over many battles, proves our strength. Especially two years ago, in the battle against the Switzland guys, where we defeated Robin Hood’s unit…”

“Our Chellier Brigade, as an elite unit, was granted permission by His Majesty himself to use the title ‘Imperial Guards’ last year…”

However, that was when facing regular troops; when fighting a rabble, the side positions, which allowed for more space, were much better.

By deploying the unit thinly and widely on the left or right to attack like an encirclement, not only could we engage and kill more enemies in a short time due to the larger contact area with the enemy, but the sides being attacked might even mistake our fierce onslaught for an attack by a larger force, not just one regiment.

Adding to that the lessons learned from previous battles against infantry,

“Their infantry is frankly not even on par with imperial soldiers fresh out of boot camp. Thus, by deploying our forces widely, we can engage many at once.”

If I had said this when facing soldiers from a nation like Chekovia or Francois, Count Benner would have questioned if I was severely ill.

Because if one were to spread out their forces to engage many regular infantry at once, they might initially do well, but once the front-line soldiers were killed or injured, with no one to replace them, the unit would quickly become ineffective.

Like thin paper that could cover a wide area but was easily torn or penetrated.

“Then do you suggest that other units should also deploy widely horizontally? That way, even with 70,000 men, we could encircle their infantry.”

“Barbarians may be savage, but they are not fools. If they realize we are attempting to encircle and annihilate 40-50 thousand infantry with just 70 thousand men, they will deploy their cavalry to create gaps in our forces. Then, the enemy infantry can exploit these gaps and tear our army apart. After causing confusion in their ranks, we plan to reassemble our forces as originally intended.”

Otherwise, the harassing archers circling around would attack the thinly spread rear of my regiment.

“Is that so? Then, do you need anything else?”

“To deceive the enemy, we must also deceive our own forces, right?”

“You’re asking to borrow the division flag. Alright. Additionally, I grant you the authority to impersonate as if you are in command of the division when necessary.”

By doing this, I could cause great confusion among the enemy.

“Do so. By the way, I hope that within a few years, you won’t need to disguise as if commanding a division, but instead, you will actually be carrying the division commander’s flag.”

In response to that, I just smiled without replying, and Count Benner generously told the generals,

“Colonel Yaeger’s 24th Regiment will be placed on the far left of the left wing. The placement of other units will be announced later through a messenger after further deliberation by the commanding officer. With this, we conclude the operation meeting. All troops should prepare thoroughly for deployment the day after tomorrow.”

**

And two weeks later, the expeditionary force of 70,000, led by General Benner, who called me son-in-law, continued marching in division units to avoid being divided and conquered by the enemy’s archer cavalry.

They continued marching in the state of being divided into division units.

Normally, such a march would result in the troops being stretched for kilometers along narrow paths, obstructed by mountains or forests, where only a few people could pass at a time, but here, with almost no forests, mountains, or hills, just continuous plains, each regiment could march together as a unit.

And as the news that such a large force had been mobilized to strike at Ludwig spread across the barbarians’ lands, there were those who changed their minds to survive…

“Great people of the empire, please forgive us miserable and poor shepherds! Please spare our lives!”

Of course they appeared.

Because, after all, they had submitted to Ludwig out of coercion and necessity, and for those who had lived as nomads, their individual tribes were what mattered most.

And they had seen that their important tribes, under his control, would just be destroyed by the empire’s invasion.

Furthermore, as per the tactics I proposed, we had declared before departing that those who surrendered in the barbarians’ territory would be treated with relative courtesy.

It was like giving a slap to someone who wanted to cry.

“I am Colonel Peter Yaeger, Commander of the 24th Regiment of the Imperial Army. Have you come to surrender?”

“Yes, please save us.”

In the past, the imperial army would have accepted such surrendering individuals into their ranks to fight or extract information from them.

And the surrendered barbarians, to prove their worth, would have collaborated with the imperial army to subdue Ludwig.

“Understood. Then, how many tribe members have you, the chieftain, brought?”

“There are 600 women, 500 men, and among them, 200 men can fight as warriors.”

“The imperial army, unlike Ludwig, keeps its promises. Therefore, we won’t take your lives and will preserve your property and village.”

Upon hearing this, the chieftain, genuinely moved, bowed his head, and said,

“Thank you, Sir. From now on, we will serve diligently with renewed hearts. We will offer tributes such as leather to the empire every year…”

“Your tribe members must be with you. Bring them here.”

“Understood.”

Then the chieftain led his tribe members towards us, and my soldiers aimed their crossbows and spears at them.

“What is this?”

“We are currently at war with Ludwig. Therefore, you can’t join the imperial army armed as before. Surrender your weapons to us and surrender. Then, as promised, we will preserve your village and property and allow you to work in better lands to the south.”

Saying this, I drew my sword, pressed it to the chieftain’s neck to draw a bit of blood, and said,

“Choose to die here or drop your weapons and surrender. Also, spill all you know about Ludwig’s army.”

“…Understood. Chief Ludwig has mobilized 50,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry, raising an army of 60,000, and is now preparing to confront us at Chainop Plains.”

Whether the chieftain’s words were true or false must be verified later, but for now, I kicked his shin hard enough with my steel boot not to break it.

He rolled on the ground, crying and shouting in pain… I lifted him up again and said,

“Having joined us, Ludwig is no longer your chief but an enemy. Speak properly. Unless you want to die.”

Like an old saying I once read, a stick is the remedy for a mad dog, and a whip can instill sense in a senseless barbarian.

Kicked by a steel boot, he suddenly began to speak in a groveling tone.

“I’m sorry. Originally, we planned to lure the imperial army inside from the Chainop Plains and then encircle and annihilate them in an unfavorable position. But if we pull them too far in, our villages might be rendered useless, so we couldn’t do that. I also think there are not a few tribes like ours considering surrender.”

It seemed barbarians had an instinct to move as we had planned when beaten or when their homes were set ablaze.

When we subdued the Toiner Tribe, beheading all warriors and men who committed human trafficking, robbery, murder, and rape, and taking their wives and children to work in a warm place opposite to where they lived, seemed effective.

“Alright. Any other information?”

“Also, truth be told… Ludwig is short on provisions. Because he was preparing for the empire’s attack…”

So, I sent the details of the interrogation, which took about 30 minutes, to the Division Commander.

Now, we will compare and analyze the information obtained from this chieftain with that provided by other surrendered tribes.

If anyone was found lying, their tribe would be annihilated as retribution, and we would catch the spies.

“I’ll ask again. If you have told any lies, this is your chance to correct them. Is what you said really true?”

“Yes, it is… Please, just spare my life.”

“Disarm those brats, women, and even children completely and send them to the Commander. Tie them up with ropes as if they are prisoners, and mobilize two infantry companies for transport. Also, convey to the Commander that they should be well-fed.”

Now, by managing this tribe chieftain and the tribe’s people in this way, even if that guy was suspected of being a spy, he wouldn’t be able to pass information to Ludwig.

Furthermore, Ludwig wouldn’t even think of sending spies to our unit in this manner anymore.

In addition, if that guy with false information was exposed, he was a spy, so we could eliminate him… We wouldn’t fall for their deception tactics.