He has been holding on behind enemy lines for a year, and his army has shrunk from 60,000 at its peak to 30,000. They are short of food and clothing, and they basically rely on captured ammunition.
As the situation became more and more severe, he could only rely on the dense forests in the Black Forest area to continue fighting. At first, he could still receive a small amount of supplies from the Holy City. Since mid-August, he has not received any supplies from the Holy City for a month.
No news until September 15th.
The bad news broke Gene's sensitive heart beneath his strong appearance. He contracted pneumonia, had a persistent high fever and was talking nonsense.
Generals Nicholas Hermann and Michael Schmidt were always by his side. These two brave and capable generals looked sad at this time. This was the most miserable moment in life.
The old Duke Hermann died on the night of August 10. It is said that the mob dismembered his body and threw it on the street. Fortunately, Nicholas Hermann's other relatives lived in the family's traditional fiefdom at the time and escaped.
The first heir of the Hermann family originally had a very delicate relationship with Jean, because he was the queen's younger brother, so he was naturally closer to the second prince. If he was placed between the crown prince and the second prince,
Of course he would choose the second prince.
But now everything has changed.
"Fight back to the Holy City!"
Jean, who was lying in the tent, suddenly screamed, which could be heard far away. The busy soldiers and officers outside the tent stopped what they were doing and looked at Jean's tent with concern on their faces.
Hermann and Schmidt both wanted to go in, but the guards stopped them:
"General, you can't go in, His Highness's disease will be contagious."
Schmidt roughly pushed the guard aside and cursed: "Damn it, I just want to lie down, so I don't need to worry."
Herman comforted the guard: "Sergeant, we know you are right, but don't stick to orders at this time."
The smell of medicinal herbs wafted through the tent. Due to the lack of medicine, the military doctors could only use earthworks from local hunters to reduce the crown prince's fever, almost resigning themselves to fate.
Dean Gay said that the Crown Prince's complexion looked much better than the past few days. Although he still had a low fever, it was much better than the high fever that had made his face red and red a few days ago.
When Gene woke up, he asked someone to help him sit up halfway and looked at his two generals:
"We have to fight back to the Holy City! Otherwise we won't be able to wait until winter comes."
The two generals nodded silently. They had no choice. Once winter came, they would starve to death and freeze to death.
Herman thought for a while and said:
"Your Highness, the most important thing right now is your health. If you cannot afford to fall ill, we will have no one to rely on. We are starving here, braving the hail of bullets, and resisting the brutal enemy's invasion. What are we doing for that? Please
You must cheer up, it will make our sacrifice seem not so insignificant."
"Yes, Your Highness, please cheer up. You need to protect the dignity of the royal family." General Schmidt also advised.
The army quickly gathered, and Jean asked the guards to carry him to inspect the soldiers.
They were dressed in rags, including many officers. Many wore straw sandals, and some were even barefoot, like beggars.
However, they stood upright, saluted with attention, and followed their commander with firm eyes.
Jean, who was still very weak, selected a dozen guards with loud voices to go to each regiment and issue a pre-war mobilization order on his behalf. His mobilization order was very simple:
Let's go home!
This is the best mobilization order.
The 21st Division set off first, and its most powerful 1st Brigade, led by brigade commander Horns, took the initiative to enter the grassland area and attracted most of the Assyrians' attention.
Within three days, Horns' brigade fought thirteen times in a row, inflicting heavy losses on the Assyrians with their proud fighting will.
This proactive attack was beyond the Assyrians' expectations. In the initial stage, the 21st Division obtained some captures, and they even successfully ambush an Assyrian supply point, which allowed the 21st Division to maintain its combat effectiveness.
However, after entering October, the temperature in the north dropped sharply, and coupled with long-term and high-intensity marches and battles, the 21st Division suffered a reduction in non-combat strength, and was faced with heavy Assyrian troop pursuit and interception.
By October 5, there were only 5,000 men left in the 21st Division. Its 1st Brigade lost its combat effectiveness due to heavy losses, but they had reached the southern edge of the grassland.
General Schmidt's troops took advantage of the gap created by the bloody battle of the 21st Division to escort the crown prince to break out from the other direction to the south, and successfully dispatched a small group of troops to cross the defense line and meet with the Assyrians who were still resisting the Assyrians in the northern part of Gyeonggi Province.
The First Division of the Guards made contact.
Although the upper echelons of these old armies were almost bribed by the new regime, the middle and lower-level officers still maintained respect for the old empire. When they heard that the crown prince had broken through the Assyrians and moved south, they all agitated and petitioned their superiors, hoping to launch a counterattack.
.
This news spread to the Holy City, causing panic among the Tulip Party members. As long as the crown prince actually arrives in Gyeonggi, those who are superficially submissive to the new regime will definitely take advantage of this to rebel, putting the new regime, which is still not very strong, in jeopardy.
The Tulip Party members immediately took action. They cut off the news and moved most of the newly formed army to the north to prepare for any eventuality.
At the same time, they adopted a high-pressure policy and purged the troops who had surrendered to them on a large scale. In just half a month, a large number of middle- and low-level officers were arrested, and many were shot without trial.
Although this was an act of self-mutilation, the Tulip Party members took this opportunity to truly take control of the army. Together with the newly formed 150,000 troops, the total force reached 300,000.
At the same time, the crown prince's army also found a place to live near the capital. The local old army surrendered to him, opening a gap and allowing him to finally take a breath. At this time, the crown prince's direct troops were the only ones left.
There are more than 10,000 people, but this time-tested army has amazing combat power.
In this way, in the north, the crown prince's army, the Assyrians, and the so-called new army of the Tulip Party formed a situation of staggered and temporary balance of forces in the northern part of Gyeonggi.
The main area of Irulson Province is the alluvial plain formed by the Osela River and one of its main tributaries. These two rivers became a natural barrier for the crown prince's army to block the Assyrians and the New Army.
I don't know whether it was the climate in the south or the situation that was a little calmer, but Crown Prince Jean was recovering from his lung disease. He was so thin that his appearance almost changed. Even Dean Gay thought it was a miracle that he survived.
With this base, Jean finally had the opportunity to figure out what happened in the Holy City, but he could only sigh.
Regardless of morality or family affection, he had to send troops to the Holy City to rescue him. However, he knew that he was unable to do so and urgently needed to recuperate and accumulate strength.
However, time waits for no one, and the newspapers in the Holy City are openly discussing the trial of the noble Emperor.
"Why don't those rebels take the initiative to attack?" Gene asked a question.
"Most of the new army is newly formed and lacks experienced and reliable officers. Besides..." Franco Frank, who was in charge of intelligence, explained.
"Besides what?" Gene said dissatisfied. His authority was growing day by day, and even the rebellious General Schmidt was as docile as a sheep in front of him.
"There is a rumor in the Holy City." Franco looked at the senior officers in the conference room, "I request to report to you privately."
"No need. Since it is a rumor, it means that many people know about it. Therefore, everyone here will know about it one day." Gene waved his hand.
"This rumor is related to Sean Connery." Franco said bravely, "It is said that, Your Highness, the rumors I mentioned are that Count Connery is your illegitimate son."
"Um, what?"
Gene was stunned for half a minute, and his mouth was big enough to stuff a duck egg. The expressions of the senior officers present were also very exciting, and Schmidt cursed and said:
"Sean Connery is really haunting. Ah, Your Highness, please forgive me, I mean he is thousands of miles away from us, but he always affects us in various ways."
Gene said awkwardly: "Everyone, this is definitely a rumor."
But his subordinates did not completely believe it, just as Jean did not deny that he had a love affair in his youth that was not recognized by the royal family. From a real life perspective, it is not big news that someone in the upper class has an illegitimate child.
Herman said:
"This can explain the strange display of restraint by the new army. I heard that Earl Connery's army launched a series of counterattacks in September. He had driven the Billis people to less than 500 kilometers from the border.
We have recovered three provinces and our military strength is at its peak."
After a pause, Herman suggested: "We should contact Count Connery immediately."
"He also came from your 21st Division. Colonel Horns has a good personal relationship with him. I have to say that the 21st Division produces talented people." Schmidt said enviously.
"Michael, Count Connery was once your subordinate. You spent much more time with him than I did." Herman smiled.
Franco poured cold water on him: "But he accepted the position of commander of the Western Front given by the rebellious group in the Holy City."
The young intelligence major regarded this as a grave betrayal.
Schmidt said indifferently: "So I have always thought that this person is too slippery. But we have to admit that this person is really capable. If we can get him to side with us, the situation will be very different."
Gene looked around: "Nicholas, how is Colonel Horns's injury?"
Herman replied: "It's almost good. Fortunately, the lead bullet only passed through his ribs, breaking two ribs and missed his vital points. Otherwise, we would have lost an outstanding person."
An officer. Your Highness, I assure you that in another week, he will be full of life."
"Very good, I need him to be my special envoy in a week. I hope he can convince Sean to side with us." Gene decided, "In addition, from today on, he will be a major general."
"As you command!"
However, Jean's mood was broken by the rumors brought by Franco, and the scenes from his youth once again came to mind, with sweetness, pain and regret, which made him confused.
The officers also saw that the commander's heart had been disturbed, and they all left.
Herman frowned and walked out of the conference room. He called Schmidt: "Michael, about that rumor..."
Schmidt shook his head and said: "Don't bother me with such nonsense!"