Chapter 653: The Outcome We Want
Prince Poniatowski nodded almost immediately.
"Of course, Your Highness, we'll use francs."
Poland's situation was akin to a family of eight surviving on half a loaf of stale bread—any help, no matter how small, was met with profound gratitude. Who would complain if the soup had less salt?
Moreover, the franc was exceptionally stable and widely circulated across Germany and Italy. It was rumored that recent steam engine deals in Upper Hesse had been settled in franc banknotes—transactions worth millions, proving the currency's strong purchasing power.
"Then it's settled," Joseph said with a smile, gesturing toward the teacup on the table.
"Please try it. It's 'Wuyi' tea, freshly imported from the Far East.
"Oh, and regarding the matter of Prussian officers?"
The prince hesitated for a fraction of a second before smiling.
"I'll discuss it with them. Perhaps we can reassign them as instructors for new recruits in the conscription offices."
On one side was Prussia, perpetually demanding control of Gdańsk and offering little in return. On the other side was France, investing vast sums of real money and actively supporting Poland's defense against invasion. The choice was obvious.
For the few Prussian officers who had genuinely contributed to Poland, the prince planned to compensate them generously with high-ranking positions or honorary titles.
Lifting the teacup, the prince took a sip. The unadulterated green tea made him frown slightly, but its unique aroma soon filled his palate.
Looking at the clear liquid, he asked curiously,
"Wuyi?"
"That's a mountain in the East known for producing premium tea," Joseph explained.
"In fact, we often refer to it as 'Bohai.'"
"No wonder it's so fragrant. Thank you for the treat. Although, drinking it like this feels quite unusual."
"The people of the East prefer it this way. They don't even add sugar," Joseph replied, sipping his tea before continuing.
"Earlier, you mentioned new recruit training. To be frank, Prussian training methods are already outdated.
"Perhaps I should help you establish a new military academy..."
Laying the Groundwork
By noon, Joseph and Prince Poniatowski had finalized Poland's major strategic plans.
After a simple lunch at the Royal Armory, they headed to a makeshift war room for a more detailed discussion.
Inside, French officers led by General Berthier were already waiting, alongside Poland's top military commanders, including General Wacław Rzewuski. However, Rzewuski and Tadeusz Kościuszko were dressed as diplomats or attendants, having traveled to France incognito.
Without unnecessary formalities, the officers saluted, and the meeting began promptly.
Berthier rose to address the group.
"The situation on the eastern front is well known to all of us.
"At best, Poland will face 100,000 Russian troops.
"But realistically, we're looking at an invasion force of 120,000 to 150,000 Russians. And we cannot ignore the possibility of other nations exploiting this opportunity to attack."
Having already been briefed on the Crown Prince's discussions with Prince Poniatowski, Berthier didn't mention the matter of Prussian officers.
Rzewuski, visibly concerned, responded immediately.
"The situation is indeed dire. Currently, we're fortifying the Volhynia-Minsk line. Our main strategy is to hold..."
Before he could finish, Joseph suddenly stood and strode to the large map of Eastern Europe hanging on the western wall of the room.
"What are you doing?" Rzewuski asked hesitantly.
Under the astonished gaze of everyone present, Joseph grabbed a marker and drew a thick black vertical line on the map.
The line slashed through Minsk and Volhynia, bisecting Poland into two halves.
Joseph slammed his hand on the eastern side of the line—the southeastern corner of Poland—and said in a voice filled with suppressed anger,
"Is this the outcome you're willing to accept?
"To stand behind your Volhynia defensive line and watch as Russians rampage across your territory, seize half of Poland, enslave the Poles living west of the Dnieper River and in Podolia, force them to kneel and call themselves Russians, and send their meager earnings as tribute to the Tsar?
"Is this what you want?!"
The room fell silent. Every Polish officer, including Prince Poniatowski, lowered their heads, their hands trembling ever so slightly.
"Answer me!" Joseph roared.
"Do you want only half of Poland?!"
"No!" Tadeusz Kościuszko stood abruptly, his eyes red with emotion.
"We don't want to lose a single inch of land! Even if it costs me my life, I refuse to let those damned Russians set foot in Poland!"
Other officers joined in, their voices firm:
"It's our duty to protect Poland! We won't give up our land!"
"I want a united Poland, not a divided one!"
Prince Poniatowski also stood, visibly moved and about to speak. But his expression faltered, and he grew despondent.
"Your Highness, please understand—no Pole wishes to abandon the southeast.
"But Russia is too powerful. There's no way we can hold them at Ovruch or Mazyr.
"My soldiers and I aren't afraid to die, but we don't want our deaths to be meaningless. Fighting the Russians on the eastern border would deplete our already limited forces, leaving even Volhynia defenseless..."
As one of Poland's finest generals, the prince had a clear grasp of both armies' capabilities.
Historically, during Russia's second partition of Poland, the Lithuanian forces in the north had lasted only 19 days before collapsing. In the south, under Poniatowski's command, they resisted for just over a month before Russian troops reached the outskirts of Warsaw.
Although Poland's current military was stronger and better prepared than in history, it was still unlikely to repel Russian forces in the impoverished and indefensible eastern regions.
Joseph scanned the room, noting the mix of anger and despair on the Polish officers' faces. He spoke deliberately, his voice steady.
"If we cannot hold the line, then we must fight differently. We will make the Russians understand that Poland is unconquerable."
Kościuszko's keen mind immediately picked up on the Crown Prince's implication. He raised his head.
"Do you mean… there's another strategy?"
Joseph nodded confidently and stepped aside, gesturing for Berthier to take over.
The French Chief of Staff moved to the map, ready to meticulously outline the plan.
In fact, over the past few weeks, the French General Staff had already developed several strategies tailored to Poland's defense.
Yet when Joseph reviewed them, he found himself frustrated. Even the best-case scenario only allowed Poland to hold off the Russians for three to four years, culminating in a desperate defense of Warsaw.
But that wasn't the outcome he wanted.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen10