I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 183: Preparing To Invade Ostarica (3)

“First of all, the fact I want to mention is that His Majesty has been preparing for this war for the past 14 months. About five spies have already been dispatched into enemy territory. The dispatched spies are those five who were dishonorably discharged after the last Swiss Confederation expedition, and Lieutenant Benner is currently trying to make direct contact with the Ostarica army headquarters through them. And with His Majesty’s permission, one piece of top-secret information has already been leaked.”

With a bit of an exaggeration, second-class confidential information was at the level that contained the operation and detailed information of a single battalion.

Therefore, by analyzing this well, they could understand that the units affiliated with the imperial army operated roughly in such a structure. So, it was at a level that would help them plan tactics against us.

Top-secret information meant it contained the blueprint and weaknesses of how a single corps of the imperial army uses tactics and fights.

Therefore, even by obtaining just one, it was possible to research and design a method to effectively break down the entire imperial army.

“Even if it’s to bait the enemy, leaking top-secret information is something else. Isn’t it as if the Grand Duke of Ostarica has our imperial army in the palm of his hand to scrutinize?”

“That’s too much. Even if His Majesty permitted it, isn’t that too extreme?”

“First, let’s hear the details. If he’s talking nonsense, we can impeach him to His Majesty, and if not, we should applaud him.”

Well, the information related to military training methods, combat power, and military doctrine that I let slip, which corresponded to the top-secret information, was still valid for now.

But it wasn’t a big problem because it would become outdated information that needed to be shredded in a few months after this announcement.

So, if we could perfectly bait the Grand Duke of Ostarica with such top-secret information destined for shredding, how cost-effective would this backstabbing be?

I quickly put the documents related to the training methods, combat power, and military doctrine that were to be revised—already tested in the 7th Guard Division—on the desk and said,

“This is the data on the unit training method that became the driving force behind my success on the Chekovia Front, the resulting statistics on increased combat power, and a summary of the new military doctrine written by the Staff College. This data has already been pre-screened by Marshal Benner and Chancellor Bismarck, and both have acknowledged that it is far superior to the current imperial military doctrine or unit training methods.”

As I spoke confidently, the other generals around me turned their heads to look intently at the chancellor and my father-in-law.

Both of them quietly nodded their heads, closing their eyes in acknowledgment that what I was saying was true.

“This document is currently classified as top-secret, only accessible to His Majesty, Marshal Benner, and the generals below him. And its effectiveness has already been proven by the 7th Guard Division under my command.”

The capability enhancement of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the 7th Guard Division, to which I applied my material, was truly remarkable.

Even the newly enlisted recruits achieved combat power equivalent to that of 2nd or 3rd-year sergeants from other units after about half a year.

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Once, when I dispatched a few of our division’s sergeants undercover as private soldiers to a nearby unit to test their abilities, the division commander of that unit praised me, saying he was envious of having such capable non-commissioned officers.

Considering that becoming a non-commissioned officer was a position only elites selected among fully served sergeants could hold…

Perhaps our division’s sergeants could perform the duties of a platoon leader in a unit with a different military doctrine.

After I mentioned the 7th Guard Division, the generals in front started a lively conversation.

“My nephew, the commander of the 12th Division, said they were soundly defeated in a mock battle with the 7th Guard Division. From what I heard, it wasn’t just a defeat; they were no match at all.”

“In a combat situation, one squad of 8 men faced off against 15, and oh, the 15 lost.”

“So, when I looked into the secret behind it, I heard that the soldiers’ movements were as precise as a knife and as solid as a rock, which really hurt to hear. If our unit could be trained and led in such a way, victory in the next expedition would be guaranteed, and we could each secure more territories, couldn’t we?”

If I had come with just a theory, arguments over its verifiability would have started.

But with such solid achievements, everyone not only happily accepted it but also actively agreed and embraced it.

It was a truly beautiful and heartwarming scene.

As everyone was reading through the training doctrine, showing signs of satisfaction, my father-in-law then asked with a playful smile, urging me to confess.

“General Yaeger, set that aside for now. Looking at these records, it seems you’ve blatantly leaked plans related to supply. What is this? It’s as if you’re openly telling them that the imperial army is coming their way, so if they want to stop us, they should pack their fortress with troops, from the supply base installation plans to the military provisions. Explain this. Is this a ruse?”

I could feel the eyes of all the generals present turning to me all at once.

In their eyes, I could read the expectation, ‘Come on, it’s okay, tell us. This is a lie, right?’ but unfortunately, everything written in that plan was true.

“The imperial army will build a base for loading provisions with not a single error in the plan, located in the eastern part of the empire, between Ostarica and the Grand Duchy of Chekovia. At the same time, provisions will be stockpiled to that extent; it’s all true.”

“As you know, from the basic military studies at the academy, it’s written that ‘an army always passes where supply bases and provisions are stored.’ So, unless they’re fools, they will try to deploy as many troops as possible near there.”

“Surely they will. I mean, it’s practically giving away the path we will take. If they don’t deploy troops, they would be complete fools, wouldn’t they?”

So, as per my conversation with my father-in-law, the Ostaricans would surely deploy their soldiers in their western border plains.

“Therefore, we will prepare to advance not towards Ostarica but towards the Grand Duchy of Chekovia. All officers below the rank of colonel will be thoroughly prepared with this understanding, but once everyone is ready to head to the northern plains of Linz, we will announce a change in the marching route.”

I pointed to the northern part of Ostarica with my command baton.

“Then, the enemy will gather as many soldiers as possible near Linz, and our forces will invade the Grand Duchy of Ostarica through Innsbruck. We plan to continue advancing eastward and occupy Ostarica’s territory.”

“So, because a massive number of soldiers will be gathered in Linz, leaving the western part of Ostarica practically empty, we’re going to raid it like it’s a deserted house, right?”

“Yes, if we do well, we will be able to capture Gmund Castle without much resistance from the enemy. After that, the expeditionary force will face the Ostarica Grand Duchy’s army head-on in the Mond Plains.”

At this point, they would underestimate our significantly strengthened forces, which had adopted completely new combat doctrines and training methods based on the information they had obtained.

They would willingly come out to the plains to confront our forces.

“By achieving victory in this way, we will be able to take over some of the vast plains in the western and northern parts of Ostarica. Furthermore, as Ostarica will lose much of its economic heartland in the west and north, it will not be easy for them to rebuild their army. Through this, the empire will be able to overcome the threats to the east.”

Having said this, I finished explaining the additional operational plans.

Looking outside, it was getting dark, so it was about time to start thinking about heading home.

“Haha, son-in-law. Laura is in Hamburg, so she can’t be here with us, but you should have a drink with me, shouldn’t you?”

“Yes, anticipating this, I had taken a day off.”

“That’s very commendable. However, you’re under one misconception.”

I thought he’d be happy to hear I had taken a day off.

“The Grand Marshal of the Imperial Army, myself, and you, a General, are scheduled to discuss work until tomorrow afternoon. What kind of holiday is that? I’ll void that leave request, just so you know. If it bothers you, you can use the revoked leave for Laura.”

“Yes, thank you. On second thought, it wasn’t an occasion for me to take leave. Then, I’ll use the revoked leave for Laura and Friedrich.”

“Right, that’s how it should be. By the way, every time you’ve been coming to the capital lately, you’ve been meeting with Her Highness the 4th Princess. Is there something special going on?”

Indeed, there was something special.

“Yes, every time Her Highness the 4th Princess comes to the capital, she asks me to stop by and give her detailed reports about the 7th Guard Division, which bears her name. So, unless there’s an urgent schedule, I make sure to visit her. Last time, I told her about a battalion that has been actively participating in the training, and Her Highness personally wrote a letter of encouragement and bestowed meat and alcohol, which made all the division’s soldiers very happy.”

The 4th Princess taking such care of the 7th Guard Division could potentially be a problem.

However, His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince have said this and tacitly consented, so in fact, there was no problem.

‘She has no political ambitions, so let her do that much. Do not interfere unless it involves direct involvement in personnel decisions or training.’

“Isn’t it truly a blessing? Usually, even a guard division bearing a princess’s name wouldn’t receive such care except from Her Highness the 4th Princess. Thanks to her, everyone feels motivated and participates more actively in training, which is very good.”

As I said this, my father-in-law sighed and said,

“Indeed, that’s true. You really are born with the blessing of good superiors. His Majesty the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Her Highness the Princess are all good people. But don’t just live for work. The day after tomorrow, when you return to your unit, take immediate leave to spend time with Laura. Don’t ask why.”