Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 26: Chapter 26, Diary of a Pig Teammate’s Rescue

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The hard days were brief, and after more than half a month of training, these Nobility Officers finally began to look a bit like soldiers.

At this time, the training content also changed; besides pure physical training, there were also military command classes.

This time the learning was very targeted. The examples discussed were all about urban warfare, something Franz had chosen with great care, naturally because it interested him.

Everyone came from a military background, so listening to these lectures wasn’t strenuous. Compared to the earlier physical training, many displayed an eager enthusiasm.

“This is our strength, after all. How absurd to train us as if we were clueless grunts!”

With a sneer, Albrecht said, “Alright, I’ve finished speaking! You will form groups by squad and assume the enemy is attacking Vienna; develop a corresponding defensive plan; or assume the enemy has already occupied Vienna, and we are launching a counterattack; create an appropriate battle plan.

You have three days. I will grade you, and those who fail to pass prove their incompetence in military command, fit only to be brutes. In that case, you might as well return to physical training!”

A chill descended from the skies, and many wore bitter expressions, casting hopeful looks at their teammates.

“Incompetence in military command, fit only to be a brute.” If they were labeled with that comment, it wasn’t just a minor issue of a ruined military career; it was also a stain on their honor!

They were all young; who would willingly admit they were nothing but thoughtless brutes?

No one doubted that Albrecht was capable of doing this, as his family had traditions.

When Grand Duke Carl undertook military reforms in the past, he did the same, turning a group of nobles he deemed unfit for officership into rank and file soldiers, forcing them into retirement.

Those retired Nobility Officers truly faced “no bright prospects”!

In the Nobility circles, their tales are still told, known as the disgrace of the Austrian Nobility.

Nobles in the Germany Region retained the tradition of military service, with everyone raised from childhood to be officers. After more than a decade of such influence, even a pig would be cultured!

In short, during this period, the Austrian Nobility hadn’t completely degenerated; there was still a sense of honor.

Even during the Prussia-Austria War, the Austrian Army demonstrated combat effectiveness that was amongst the leading forces in Europe.

Of course, the City Defense Army might be an exception, perhaps representing the lower boundaries of the Austrian Army, with Vienna’s prosperity eroding the will of its officers.

Who can speak clearly of this problem? Right now, the most crucial task is to rescue these eight hundred misguided youths, pulling them back from the brink of decline, and then the Vienna March Revolution will no longer be an issue.

“How about it, Albrecht? Are there any promising individuals among these men?” Franz inquired.

“I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. Their level is just barely adequate. They still owe a lot and need to fill their gaps in knowledge. Let’s see after they finish!” Albrecht said, shaking his head.

“And what about serving as company or platoon officers? Right now, if we were to send them to a troop to command a company or a platoon in battle, how much fighting force could they exhibit?” Franz asked with concern.

“You really set a low bar for them. Most of them are currently unfit for frontline commanders. If they had to be used forcefully, they might muster around sixty to seventy percent of a unit’s fighting strength,” Albrecht thought for a moment before replying.

Having received this answer, Franz breathed a sigh of relief. With this combat strength, they could almost cope with the upcoming situation.

“Then let’s give them another boost. Regardless of their abilities, at least these people are loyal and passionate. You don’t have to worry about them turning into deserters!” Franz said with a smiling eye.

It was worth the personal trip, having both the City Defense Army and the Royal Guard in hand, the overall situation was basically settled.

“That’s true, they are indeed better than the slick old-timers in the City Defense Army. But Franz, what good does this do, we’re not going to war now, are we? Are you planning to use them to replace those old-timers?” Albrecht asked, puzzled.

“Replacing so many officers at once would have too great an impact. We could, under the guise of training, assign them to deputy positions within the units.

Then organize a military exercise, let them take command and see how it goes!” Franz lied without batting an eye.

Even as he spoke, he didn’t believe his own words. Had all this effort really been just to replace those parasites in the City Defense Army?

Fortunately, this was the European Continent. If it had been in the East, a Crown Prince doing this would have prompted people to think: trouble, the Crown Prince is plotting a coup!

Franz didn’t mention it, and Albrecht didn’t bother to ask further. After all, it was Ferdinand I himself who had ordered it, with Franz now overseeing the City Defense Army.

The issue of plotting a coup wasn’t even a consideration; such actions had no market in Europe. Besides, Franz didn’t have to do anything drastic, in two or three years, he could act as Regent.

Everyone was aware of Ferdinand I’s condition, that he wouldn’t have any more children, and all were just waiting for Franz to reach the proper age. Then he would exercise the Emperor’s power as Crown Prince, which would be even greater than the current Regency Council’s power.

To become Emperor, one could also wait for his uncle to pass away! Franz had absolutely no reason to take risks, did he?

Otherwise, Albrecht wouldn’t have bothered to join in this charade. These Nobility Officers wouldn’t be so willing to follow him either!

“All right, suit yourself. As long as you don’t cause any trouble, I’ll cooperate with you!” Albrecht said helplessly.

To Albrecht, Franz’s behavior seemed to be youthful ambition to accomplish something noteworthy.

Albrecht had been through the same phase at that age and knew that opposition was futile. The more you tried to stop him, the more determined he would become.

As things stood, what Franz was doing still fell within the rules; he wasn’t creating a mess.

On the surface, it looked like Franz was preparing young Nobility Officers to replace the decayed ones, which wouldn’t provoke a strong backlash from the Nobility class.

In everyone’s eyes, this was not excessive; after all, the meat would rot in their own pot, and these Nobles were relying on these military positions for their livelihood.

Perhaps removing one Nobility Officer from his post would result in his son, or his brother, or even a distant relative taking his place.

If Franz had promoted commoner officers, Albrecht would not have been so amenable. Class stance could not be forsaken.

If Franz knew what he was thinking, he would certainly tell him that he was overthinking it. Promoting commoner officers in this era? Wasn’t that nonsense?

Putting aside all other external factors, just considering military acumen, the two groups were not on the same level.

Unless one was a genius, turning a soldier, who was illiterate as a basket, into a qualified officer would take years.