Chapter 1208: 1113: A New Strategy

Chapter 1208: Chapter 1113: A New Strategy

The captain lowered his head, trembling all over with clenched teeth.

He wasn’t afraid of the whipping; that would at most leave him bedridden for half a month, but the humiliation of being whipped by the direct order of the Tsar would follow him for life!

Paul I glared at him and shouted, “Are you guys so used to being lax that you even dawdle when executing orders?!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The captain hurriedly stood at attention, and before the gendarme arrived, he turned and ran in long strides toward the officer of military discipline.

Suvorov immediately felt a bit anxious.

He had just confirmed through the flags that an infantry regiment of the Izmailovo Guard was training here at the Gatchina Palace, the elite of the Empire’s elite.

And if that officer was publicly whipped, he would basically be ruined—how could an officer ridiculed by all soldiers ever command in battle?

He immediately stepped quickly to Paul I, ready to habitually bow in salute, but suddenly remembered the decree about executing knightly etiquette, the most important part of which was that all nobles had to kneel on one knee to the Tsar and, if necessary, kiss the back of his hand.

Suvorov had no choice but to lead the kneeling: “Your Imperial Majesty, your humble servant pays his respects.”

The few behind him also hurriedly knelt down to salute.

Paul I’s face showed a satisfied smile, and he gestured to them, “Please rise.

“Have you come to attend the military review?”

Suvorov had already forgotten the original intention of entering the palace, glanced at the officer in the corner of the square who had already removed his shirt, and hastily said, “Your Majesty, the mistake made by that captain… perhaps does not warrant such a severe punishment.

“If this must be done, please at least leave him some basic dignity, perhaps in the execution room of the military court…”

Paul I immediately interrupted him: “Absolute discipline, the strictest drill, and ruthless punishment are the paths to a strong army.

“Frederick the Great personally beat officers who violated military discipline many times, and in the end, he forged the invincible Prussian Army!”

Suvorov mumbled to himself, “He lost quite a few battles,” but patiently explained: “Your Majesty, the Prussians won wars with courage and through training tailored to the battlefield, such as high-intensity reloading, aiming practice, and group charging capability.

“As for formations and things like controlling marching speed, those were more just to make them look formidable.”

Paul I said coldly: “You don’t need to make excuses for the army’s laxity and laziness.

“The fact is, our nation’s military combat capability is the worst among the major powers in Europe.

“It’s time to change this situation!”

The crack of the whip piercing the air had already resounded from the corner of the square.

Suvorov turned his head just as a phalanx of the Guard marched past him.

The soldiers were wearing German-style tight uniforms, tall leather boots, and wigs on their heads, all of which looked extremely comical. Even powder from the wigs kept falling.

Then he saw that there were at least 20 people in each infantry company holding long spears, and he couldn’t hold back any longer, shouting to Paul I:

“Your Majesty, you cannot use the powder from the wigs as gunpowder! Nor can you use shoe buckles as bullets! And the braid on the wig is absolutely not as useful as a bayonet.

“We are not Prussians, we are born Russians. And we have beaten the Prussian Army many times, why should we learn from them?

“If you truly want to enhance the army’s combat effectiveness, you should learn from the French. Their Crown Prince defeated nearly 100,000 British and Prussian Alliance Army soldiers with only 50,000 troops!”

Paul I was momentarily stunned and reflexively argued, “The French Army is indeed strong, but that’s because of their sophisticated weaponry and ample military budget. But the harsh training and absolute discipline of the Prussian Army are what better suit us…”

A muffled groan from that captain came from afar.

Suvorov said with a grim expression, “Your Majesty, you are destroying the combat effectiveness of the army!”

He was currently Russia’s most accomplished and prestigious general, even Ye Er had to show him some respect, and now in his urgency and anger, he was blunt with Paul I.

“You! You…”

Paul I, who had been slighted by Ye Er since childhood, had developed an insecure, paranoid, and sensitive character.

Suvorov’s previous words suddenly made him feel as if he was being scolded with disdain by his mother.

He instantly erupted in rage.

He was now the great Tsar, the most powerful person in all of Russia, and he would no longer allow anyone to chastise him!

“How dare you question me?” He stared hard at Suvorov and suddenly pointed in the direction of the palace gates, “Now, you’re dismissed. Go home to retire!”

Suvorov was taken aback. The ministers around him hurriedly pleaded for him, but Paul I haughtily raised his head, unmoved.

Moments later, the God of War of Russia, Suvorov, withdrew with a livid face, took a few steps back, turned around, and left the Gatchina Palace in anger.

Count Osterman and Count Bezbediko exchanged glances in confusion; they had not even had a chance to discuss serious matters before losing Suvorov, their backbone.

Count Osterman was about to start planning how to save Suvorov and was about to bow and leave when Paul I smiled and said, “Just as you are all here, let me tell you about the Empire’s future plans.”

Indeed, he had been unwelcome everywhere during Ye Er’s reign, but now he could easily manipulate the most famous marshal and felt extremely gratified.

Count Osterman and the others had no choice but to stand still and listen attentively.

Paul I seemed very satisfied, looking around at the group and saying: “First, I plan to withdraw all troops from Transcaucasia.

“We wasted millions of rubles there and only obtained some barren mountains.

“The war with the Persians was a huge mistake from the start!”

He spoke increasingly cheerfully—deploying troops to the Middle East was a strategy crafted by his mother, and now he could brazenly criticize it, stirring a strong sense of retribution.

Count Osterman took a deep breath; with Suvorov not present, he had to step up.

Unexpectedly, before he could speak, Arakcheev stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the central area of Persia may hold no value, but it holds significant importance for us in stabilizing the Caspian Sea situation.”

Count Osterman was immediately elated. Arakcheev was one of the Tsar’s most trusted confidants and held positions such as the Military Chief Prosecutor and Director of Military Standardization; who would have thought he too opposed withdrawing from the Middle East?

Indeed, any Russian with a sane mind would not agree to abandon millions of square kilometers of land.

This time, Paul I did not get angry but instead smiled smugly, “Why must we occupy Persia to resolve the Caspian issue?

“We can adopt a better strategy.

“For example, establishing an alliance with the Persians.”