Chapter 362: The 800,000 Ransom
Joseph and Berthier exchanged glances. Although they didn't fully understand the situation, they spoke almost simultaneously:
"Your Highness, I recommend launching the attack immediately!" Joseph urged.
"I think we should coordinate with Captain Lacoste's forces for a full assault," Berthier quickly added, then bowed slightly, "Yes, Your Highness!"
Soon, the Imperial Guard's skirmishers began closing in on the village of Aughenay, while their cannons roared, tearing through the thin Hanoverian defensive lines.
Berthier glanced worriedly at Joseph and whispered, "Your Highness, could it be that the mounted artillery didn't manage to outflank them and the enemy reinforcements have already joined up with the rear guard?"
He frowned deeply, "Or worse, were they overwhelmed by the enemy reinforcements?"
Joseph shook his head thoughtfully, "At the very least, it's not the latter. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to maintain such a fierce bombardment. You mentioned earlier that there are dozens of cannons firing at the enemy."
Hearing this, Berthier relaxed a little, "You're right, at least they haven't suffered any major losses. Even if they couldn't stop the Hanoverian reinforcements, the fact that they're attacking Aughenay alongside us has put the enemy in a tough spot."
As they continued to discuss their concerns, a soldier covered in black soot, his body thick and sturdy, was led over by a guard.
Berthier immediately recognized him, "You're Matthew, the messenger from the mounted artillery, right?"
"Yes, General. Matthew Dubois," the messenger replied, saluting. "The captain heard your cannons firing and sent me to report that the mounted artillery and dragoons have successfully defeated the Hanoverian reinforcements heading to support their rear guard. Then, after capturing some prisoners, the captain learned that the enemy was fortifying Aughenay, so he decided to launch an attack on them."
Berthier paused for a second before a smile broke across his face, "Captain Lacoste is truly... ah, too brave! He's made a significant contribution to our victory!"
He then looked at Joseph and whispered, "He used to be a very cautious officer."
Joseph immediately thought of a certain daring artillery officer and smirked, "Maybe one of his adventurous subordinates gave him the idea."
The Hanoverian forces in Aughenay clearly hadn't anticipated an attack from behind, and chaos quickly spread among them. Commander Major Schmidt shouted desperately, trying to rally his troops to the northern side to block the enemy, but it took him half an hour just to move less than three companies into position, as many of his men were still confused, not knowing whether to stay on the rooftops or abandon them for fear of being caught between the French forces advancing from the south and north.
In the north, the mounted artillery faced almost no resistance as they entered the village. Captain Lacoste ordered his men to haul their cannons to within a hundred paces of a few farmhouses occupied by Hanoverian soldiers and then blasted them to rubble. Witnessing this, the surrounding Hanoverian soldiers were terrified and hurriedly abandoned their positions, fearing they might end up buried under the collapsing buildings like their comrades.
To the south, Davout pointed to a burning farmhouse ahead and shouted to the messenger, "The fire has broken their lines—everyone, follow me, charge!"
Without hesitation, the drummers and flag bearers carried out his orders. Under the rapid drumbeats, hundreds of Imperial Guard soldiers rushed through the flames licking at both sides of the farmhouse, even as their eyebrows, beards, and sometimes their clothes caught fire. But there were indeed no Hanoverian soldiers left near that area.
Davout quickly had his men extinguish the flames on their bodies, reformed the ranks, and immediately launched a volley at the enemy's line. The gap widened, and more Imperial Guard soldiers surged into the village, shouting as they went.
Less than an hour later, soldiers from both the north and south met in the middle of the village, completing their pincer attack.
Shortly after, Major Schmidt, his hair singed and his uniform torn, was brought before Joseph by a captain. Upon learning of Joseph's identity, the Hanoverian officer courteously placed his hand over his chest and said, "I never expected the commander of this formidable army to be the young Prince of France. Your command skills have left a lasting impression on me."
Joseph nodded in acknowledgment, "Well then, please tell me, how much longer will it take for His Excellency Carl II to finish setting up his defenses?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but out of loyalty to His Majesty the King, I cannot speak a word."
Joseph waved him off and looked at Berthier, whispering, "What can you tell me about his family background?"
Berthier thought for a moment, then consulted with a nearby aide before replying, "Your Highness, Major Schmidt is from a prominent family in Verden. His grandfather was a lieutenant general under George II of Hanover."
Joseph nodded, smiling slightly. It seemed the major came from a wealthy family.
He gestured to a nearby guard, "Please have Major Schmidt provided with clean clothes and offer him some tea in my tent. Even an enemy deserves the respect due to a gentleman."
Just as Major Schmidt was about to express his gratitude, he heard the Prince continue, "As for the ransom, let's set it at 800,000 livres. That should reflect your noble status."
Schmidt nearly choked on his words—this was the first time he'd ever heard of being "priced" on the spot after being captured. Eight hundred thousand livres—that was over three hundred thousand florins! Even if he sold everything he owned, he couldn't raise that kind of money!
"Your Highness, you can't..." He was about to bargain when he overheard the French prince whispering to a general, "Too much? No, no, I heard it's quite easy for high-ranking officers to get loans from British banks."
His protest died in his throat as a French officer politely escorted him to the tent...
Meanwhile, Carl II was asking his aides the same question every half hour: "How much longer until the troops are fully assembled?"
This time, instead of the usual status update, his aide, face pale, whispered, "Marshal, we've just received word that Aughenay village has fallen..."
Carl II felt the world spin around him. It had only been four hours, and the famously defensive Schmidt had already been defeated?!
This meant that only about three miles of open ground now separated the French from him.
He glanced at the map. His furthest unit was still over a mile and a half away. By the time the French launched their attack, his forces might not even be fully assembled.
The worst part was that there was still no word from the rear guard, which was supposed to be bringing up the artillery.
Without artillery, even if he engaged the French head-on, he would only be setting his men up to be pummeled.
He hesitated for a long moment, then called over a nearby officer and said loudly, "Sir Dill, you are now in command of the army."
(End of Chapter)
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