Chapter 366 366-Choosing the Commander-in-Chief
Faced with discontent among the commanders involved in the war, the Osland Kingdom general responded only with silence, his forehead beaded with sweat in the sweltering summer heat of the Mediterranean climate.
Whether it was Howard or this less capable military leader from Osland Kingdom, both seemed to substitute their anxiety for action.
Eventually, the Osland Kingdom detachment, initially intended to defend or annihilate enemy forces on their homeland, ended up making no significant impact.
Instead, they marched deeper into the heart of Osland Kingdom, planning to join forces with the main army that would eventually retreat and launch a combined assault against the troops of Oli Kingdom and Phrus.
The performance of this 30000-strong force, objectively speaking, was almost comical in its ineffectiveness, highlighting the realities of warfare execution and the practical aspects of tactical implementation.
War is not merely a theoretical concept; it involves a multitude of considerations.
Often, what others see as absurd outcomes of battles contains a depth of underlying factors.
The war continued, with the situation rapidly evolving in favor of Oli Kingdom.
A month later, Howard successfully breached another fortress, and Osland Kingdom's forces finally began to reorganize their defense.
Howard, candidly speaking, was reluctant to engage directly with Osland Kingdom's forces, but given the circumstances of the ongoing conflict, it was inevitable that the opposing armies would eventually clash.
Howard sought a consultation with Frederick, eager to hear his perspective on the impending decisive battle between their combined forces.
Their conversation began with rather basic military concepts but gradually escalated in complexity.
Initially, Howard found the discussion with Frederick enjoyable, readily answering the questions posed.
However, as the conversation progressed, he found himself responding more slowly, some queries requiring him to pause and think.
Soon, Howard realized the questions were becoming increasingly intricate and challenging.
Finally, when Frederick broached the topic of whether dual-line or quadruple-line formations with artillery support were preferable, Howard came to an understanding.
A bit disheartened, yet also feeling a sense of relief, he conceded, "Alright, I get it now. For a war of this magnitude, one that will shape the future of the continent, it's better that I hand over command."
Frederick, inwardly displeased but considering the welfare of the entire army, did not object to Howard's decision.
He expressed his reluctance to collaborate with Neplon, but at that moment, no one in Howard's army had a higher military acumen than Neplon.
Indeed, after Resarite and his son Cotler departed for Phrus, within Howard's entire feudal system and among all the nobles whose names he could recall, none possessed a military insight surpassing Howard's own.
Boshni, since ascending to nobility, had devoted most of her time to learning noble knowledge and etiquette.
Her foray into military theory or personal martial training had yielded little success.
Specializing mainly in cavalry, in an era where artillery was undoubtedly a vital arm, Howard did not trust her to command the entire army.
Ness's military prowess was inadequate, far inferior to that of her sister, Anna.
In the past, Anna had managed to besiege cities through bribery and inside-outside cooperation.
However, Ness, faced with a prolonged siege, could only gaze at the herring swimming in the lake, lost in a seemingly contemplative daze.
Howard was reluctant to describe Ness as merely daydreaming.
However, the results of her watching these fish were far from profound contemplation or strategic planning.
It seemed more like a diversion, an effort to avoid thinking about the siege.
But what use is a military noble on the battlefield who refrains from contemplating military matters?
Where is the feudal essence of a military noble who, possessing power, lands, and wealth, chooses to evade problems?
Or rather, where is her military capability displayed?
A military noble devoid of any military skill is of little use in this era.
The sharp edge of noble etiquette was gradually being overshadowed by the interests of merchants, just as the noble's sword was being outmatched by the era's new artillery.
Howard did not blame Ness for this but silently noted it, planning to discuss it with her after the war.
It was clear that Ness was undoubtedly not a candidate for the chief military command.
That left Bosiden, Vettel, and Alonso, none of whom were adept at military strategy or campaigning, and thus not in the running for the position.
The only candidates remaining were Kaido and Golan.
Howard summoned Kaido and Golan and, taking an unconventional approach, proposed a condition for the role of military commander: the victor of the war would be granted additional lands, but defeat would mean surrendering their current holdings.
Upon hearing this, neither dared to accept the challenge.
Kaido, shaking his head like a bobblehead toy, exclaimed, "Oh, we are all relatives here. Let's not talk about surrendering lands, shall we?"
Howard replied, "If you don't take up the role of commander-in-
chief, just manage the division I've assigned to you, and that will be fine."
Kaido, however, tried to negotiate, "What I mean is, let me be the commander, but if we lose, don't penalize anything, okay?"
Howard, sitting on an iron stool with his feet dangling, lowered his head to inspect Kaido's military boots, which were spotlessly clean, devoid of any battlefield mud.
Disheartened, Howard said to Kaido, "You better stay inside your tent. I have to be responsible for my soldiers; I can't entrust them to a commander whose boots, after so long at war, are still impeccably clean."
Kaido, taken aback, looked down at his boots and realized his mistake.
His face grew warm with embarrassment, yet he tried to defend himself, "I just changed into a new pair of boots today…"
Exasperated, Howard waved his hand dismissively, signaling Kaido to leave quickly.
Seeing Howard's expression, Kaido left, visibly uneasy.
Golan, in a straightforward manner, admitted his lack of military expertise and expressed fear of endangering the entire army, which Howard understood and respected.
Thus, without a doubt, Neplon was the only viable choice to take on the crucial role of confronting Osland Kingdom.
Neplon was the only talent Howard felt comfortable appointing as the military commander without imposing any conditions.
Howard asked Golan to summon Neplon, and Golan promptly left to carry out the order.
Watching Golan's departing figure, Howard reflected on the absence of a truly trustworthy military minister since Resarite's departure, feeling a sense of loss.
Neplon's military prowess was unquestionably brilliant, but his ambition was equally notable.
Howard's use of Neplon was marked by a reluctance to delegate authority unless absolutely necessary.
This cautious approach was partly why Howard had quickly retracted Neplon's command at the first sign of friction between Neplon and Frederick.
Objectively, Howard did not fully trust Neplon.
Upon receiving Golan's message, Neplon hurried to Howard's tent, encountering Kaido on the way.
Kaido, showing no warmth, spat and said to Neplon, "Ah, rushing to become a general, are you? Our sovereign seems to disregard us old followers, eventually having to rely on you. Heh, what a clever tactic you have."
Unfazed, Neplon retorted, "If you had military skills that reassured His Majesty, he wouldn't have had to specifically request my presence."
This remark hit the nail on the head – since Resarite and Anna left, there was no one among Howard's nobles who could be considered a truly talented military leader.
Kaido, seething with indignation, sarcastically mentioned to Neplon, "Hah, but perhaps you don't know yet. Our sovereign has come up with a novel idea. You can aspire to be the commander, but there's a condition you have to agree to."
Casually, Neplon inquired, "What condition?"
Kaido elaborated, "If you win, you'll be generously granted more land. But if you lose, you must be entirely accountable, surrendering your lands and title! So, what do you think? Does our Bornapa family's brave warrior still dare to step up?"
Neplon remained silent and approached Howard's tent.
Kaido, not daring to enter, found an excuse to leave when he was near the tent.
Howard sighed and said to Neplon, "I have no other capable persons at hand, Neplon. To be honest with you, I'm quite apprehensive about the upcoming battle with Osland Kingdom's main forces. I want to offer you the position of commander-in-chief."
Neplon responded, "No problem. As long as everything is done according to my decisions, even the condition you're about to propose is acceptable to me."
Howard's astuteness is demonstrated when he realizes that Neplon has likely been informed about a recent incident by either Golan or Kaido.
Addressing Neplon with a smile, Howard explains, "Oh, those were specific conditions set for those two. Given their rather impulsive nature, I had to impose certain thresholds for them to weigh and consider. Your situation is different. I've always been intrigued by your march routes."
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦