Chapter 727: War and Generals
Tormasov noticed Suvorov's grim expression and quickly asked, "Marshal, is something wrong?"
Without a word, Suvorov tossed the battle report to him and exhaled sharply. "Perhaps we won't be staying in Minsk for long."
Tormasov skimmed through the report, his brows furrowing. "The losses… are indeed quite severe."
Then, realization struck him, and he turned to Suvorov. "You mean… we're leaving?"
"That's right."
"But we've just broken through! We should continue advancing west—"
Suvorov waved his hand dismissively. "The empire's finances can no longer sustain this war—unless the Tsar chooses to abandon Crimea."
Tormasov immediately understood.
Crimea had been devastated by the Polish forces, and rebuilding it would require an enormous investment.
Moreover, to encircle and destroy Kościuszko's army, Russia had deployed over 60,000–70,000 troops in total.
Kakhovsky's corps had marched from Mozyr to Crimea on a forced march without supply lines, relying entirely on constant resupply from behind.
But the vast stretch of land between Seversk and Yekaterinoslav was barren, making it impossible to sustain the army with local resources. Supplies had to be transported from central cities like Lipetsk, requiring the mobilization of at least 100,000–150,000 serfs for logistics.
The financial burden was unimaginable.
Compared to this, the destruction of Bryansk and the fall of Kursk Fortress seemed like minor setbacks.
Initially, Russia's treasury had enough funds to sustain a year-long war against Poland.
But after Kościuszko's campaign, that timeline had shrunk to just four or five months.
And now, nearly four months had already passed.
Tormasov clenched his fists. "We can seek loans."
Suvorov shook his head, disinterested. "Even if we secure funding, we're running out of troops."
"How can that be?" Tormasov asked in disbelief. "We still have over 80,000 troops in Poland, while the Poles have, at most, the same number. I believe you could defeat them with just 60,000 men!"
He ignored Kakhovsky's corps—although the report didn't specify casualties, the fact that they needed six months to recover meant their unit structure had likely been shattered.
Suvorov sighed. "But soon, I won't even have 60,000 men."
"What?!"
"Don't forget the Ottomans," Suvorov said. "Crimea is vulnerable now. They won't sit idle."
Tormasov fell silent.
Indeed, with Bakhchisarai destroyed, the Ottomans could easily invade Crimea.
Russia would have to station at least 20,000–30,000 troops there to defend it until the city was rebuilt.
Moreover, troops had been diverted from Moldavia, a region the Ottomans still claimed as their territory and refused to recognize as Russian-controlled.
Those soldiers would have to be sent back as well.
After recalculating, it became clear—Russia's available forces in Poland might not even reach 60,000 men.
Still, Tormasov wasn't ready to give up. "If the Tsar mobilizes the central provinces, we could reinforce Poland—"
Suvorov had lost interest in sightseeing in Minsk. He turned his horse around. "Let's return to headquarters. The empire will need at least three years to recover before it can mobilize on this scale again."
Tormasov hurried after him. "No, there must be another way—"
St. Petersburg
Winter Palace
Catherine II clenched her fists, her voice cold. "There must be another way!"
Zubov cautiously stepped forward. "Your Majesty, if we secure a loan, we could continue reinforcing our armies."
The Tsar pondered for a moment, then turned to Rumyantsev. "How much funding would be needed to sustain Suvorov's offensive?"
Rumyantsev hesitated. "At least 8 million rubles, Your Majesty. If we could secure 12 million rubles, it would be much safer."
Catherine II tensed.
Russia's entire annual revenue was only 100 million rubles.
She quickly ran through potential lenders.
The German states were financially strained.France was drowning in debt.Spain was likely looking to borrow from Russia, not lend to it.
That left only one option—Britain, the wealthiest empire in Europe.
She abruptly stood up. "Zubov, go to Britain immediately and secure a loan of at least 8 million rubles. Take Bezborodko with you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As Zubov turned to leave, a military officer strode into the room and whispered something to Rumyantsev.
Rumyantsev's expression darkened.
After hesitating for a moment, he turned back to Catherine II. "Your Majesty, we've just received a report from Crimea."
"What is it?"
"Among the bodies… Kościuszko was not found."
"He may have been obliterated by artillery," he added quickly.
The Tsar massaged her temples in frustration. "Anything else?"
"Nearly 2,000 Polish soldiers are still active in eastern Crimea. General Kakhovsky has sent forces to hunt them down—"
"Enough!"
Catherine II slammed her pen holder onto the floor.
Somewhere in Crimea
Kościuszko awoke to pain.
He gasped, struggling to move, and looked down.
His left leg was gone from the knee down, wrapped in bandages soaked with blood.
For several minutes, he could only breathe heavily, trying to endure the agony.
"I… I'm alive?"
He looked around.
The room was small and dusty, with mud walls. He lay on a simple dirt bed, and his uniform had been replaced with a Cossack tunic.
The door opened.
An elderly woman in Ottoman clothing rushed in, speaking rapidly in a language he didn't understand.
Seeing his confusion, she left and returned with a middle-aged man.
The man spoke in Russian. "Honorable sir, Mesih told me to hide you here. He joined the resistance."
Kościuszko, weak and struggling to speak, slowly pieced together the story.
On the day of the battle, a cannonball had struck his left leg, knocking him unconscious.
His bodyguards had carried him to the riverbank, where Ottoman rebels spotted them from the opposite shore.
They had managed to smuggle him across in a small boat and hide him in this farmhouse.
"Thank you… Am I the only survivor?"
"Yes. Mesih only managed to bring you."
Vienna
Schönbrunn Palace
Emperor Francis II frowned at Baron Thugut.
"You're saying Russia might make peace with Poland?"
"At the moment, it seems likely, Your Majesty. The Russian offensives in Minsk and Mozyr have halted, and some forces are retreating to Russia. Reports indicate their losses in Crimea were enormous."
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