Before Victor left for Napo, he made sure to stay for an extra day to help the new infantry division settle in. The city was focusing on rebuilding since the siege had caused major damage.
The two Brigade Commanders worked with Victor and Field Marshal Wellesley to organise logistical deployments and patrols. Prato may have been captured, but there was always the possibility of another Joltz situation. Victor did not wish for that to happen, especially in the middle of the Green Visconte territory.
When everything was somewhat in order, Victor began a five-week march to Napo.
The column wound its way through a land of sun-baked hills and cypress-lined roads, the sound of drums and boot leather carrying on the warm breeze. For five weeks, they had marched past golden fields of wheat swaying side to side.
Muskets were slung across tired shoulders, bayonets sheathed and glinting in the light, while powder-stained packs sagged with the burden of long travel. Horses clopped alongside the ranks, pulling carts heavy with powder kegs, crates, and cannons.
The road was long, the heat was bothersome, yet the column pressed on—its banners hanging heavy in the still air, each step bringing them closer to Napo, whose walls would be the mustering ground for an invasion into Red Visconte territory.
By the time Victor arrived, Prince Alphonse had been camped there for three days. He was glad to see the Luxenberg Army marching in all its glory. They would win him this war and see to it that he sat upon his father's throne. What was once stolen would soon be his.
With the forces gathered in Napo, another strategy meeting was held to determine who would go after what targets. If they wanted to stick to their three-pronged attack, there needed to be an understanding of where the enemy army was.
Napo was situated 3 weeks away from the capital, with only one city in its path, the city of Lodi. This city had been the Red Viscontes' staging ground for multiple incursions into Green Visconte territory. In fact, there had been half a dozen siege attempts at Lodi, but Prince Alphonse and his men could not capture it; each time, they were repelled.
If the capital was to be captured, the first thing that needed to be done was to conquer Lodi. Prince Alphonse laid out a map in a drawing room that had all the commanders from both armies present. He then began giving a detailed analysis of the situation.
"At present, Lodi has a confirmed garrison of 40,000 infantrymen, 5,000 cavalrymen and 400 cannons. This may not seem like a lot, however, there are rumours that the entire Red Visconte Army of 310,000 infantrymen, 41,000 cavalrymen and 1,450 cannons has been gathering there."
Victor did not see this as an issue; if the Red Visconte Army was crushed in battle, then the capital would be more inclined to open the gates. But Queen Maria and Prince Lorenzo may be enough of a deterrent to make sure that those gates stay closed. Nevertheless, Victor put forward his thoughts.
"This does not have to be a bad thing. With the Red Visconte gathering in full force, it means we can deal with them in one swift blow. If we defeat them all, then the capital may be more inclined to open the gates for the return of its true ruler. It could also help sway some of the Red Visconte Counts who stayed couped up in their fiefs doing nothing."
Victor's commanders had no clue what he said since he was speaking Zandarian. But for their sake, Victor repeated what he said in Bulgartic. His commanders agreed that dealing with the whole army was not an issue, but an opportunity to fast-track this war significantly.
Alphonse was unsure of their confidence, and as such, he was quick to state it. "I am not sure if that is a wise tactic. If we are caught in a crossfire between the Lodi garrison and the main Red Visconte Army, we will be pinned down. Surely it is better to look at splitting the army and fighting smaller engagements."
Translators were able to dutifully relay the Prince's concerns to the Luxenberg commanders. Some showed signs of arrogance, like General Picton, while others, like General Bertrand, showed an understanding expression.
Field Marshal Wellesley wanted to put the Prince and the Zandarian commanders' worries to rest, so he offered an idea that could work for both armies. "Prince Alphonse, I understand your concern, but what if you only had to worry about the garrison? With my King's permission, I would advise that the Luxenberg Army hunts down the Red Visconte Army."
"Our army will deal with them while you and your army besiege Lodi. If you encircle the city and keep it under bombardment, we will be able to reinforce you after the Red Visconte Army is defeated."
Field Marshal Wellesley's idea was sort of like a compromise; Prince Alphonse would have his worries lessened by only having to worry about the Lodi garrison, and the Luxenberg Army would be able to deal a fatal blow to the Red Visconte faction.
Victor was on board with the decision and reassured Prince Alphonse that this plan had his support. "I am onboard with Field Marshal Wellesley's plan. With us as a sword, you can strike down the enemy army, while being the shield that protects us from behind."
Alphonse and his commanders could not argue against such a plan. They were given the easier task of the two. With their full army committed, the Green Visconte Army could successfully besiege the city and keep the garrison contained in there. By doing so, the main Red Visconte Army would remain isolated with no reinforcements.
The crux of this plan was luring the enemy army away from the city. If they could not, the plan was useless, and there would be no point in trying to go on the attack when the enemy could just as easily go on their own offensive.
Lodi was only a week's march away; he decided that getting the exact location of the Red Visconte Army was needed before formulating the finer details of the plan. Cavalrymen from the Royal Guard were entrusted with this important task.
Within a week, a messenger pigeon arrived at Napo with important news.