Chapter 1697 - 1603: The Ultimate Gambit

Chapter 1697: Chapter 1603: The Ultimate Gambit

In the command center of the Rebel Army in Rome, Charles stared at the map marked with the enemy’s positions, his brow furrowed.

Given the Citizen Guard’s level of military expertise, there were surely many enemy troops not marked, yet even so, the battlefield situation was dire.

He pondered for a long time, eventually fixing his gaze on the Colosseum: "I can’t believe you withdrew from the Colosseum two days ago."

Lieutenant Colonel Puccini, standing nearby, quickly explained: "It was Captain Archaeo’s order. He instructed us to strike flexibly, not to hold ground stubbornly."

Archaeo was one of the two Modena officers brought to Rome by the Security Bureau; however, he was killed by a stray bullet two days ago. The other one slipped away before the Neapolitan army reached Rome.

Thus, Puccini once again took on the responsibility of commanding the Rebel Army—he was the most militarily knowledgeable person in the Free Rome Party. As for his rank of lieutenant colonel, it was naturally granted by the Rebel Army; he had only served as a lieutenant before.

Charles pointed to the Colosseum and said loudly: "This is the core of the city’s defense and attack. Whoever occupies it will have a huge advantage.

"Please gather the soldiers immediately; we must retake it!"

Yes, he had completely forgotten his intention to take Josiah and the others away from here.

When he saw the fervent and fearless eyes of the revolutionaries, the words "please leave Rome with me" just wouldn’t come out.

And the scene of the Rebel Army cheering around him made him feel responsible for leading them to victory.

He immediately thought that if they defeated the Neapolitan army, Josiah and the others would naturally be safe.

Just like that, he once again began planning their battle strategy under everyone’s expectant gaze.

Puccini and several officers exchanged glances, hesitatingly saying: "Mr. Charlie, we simply don’t have enough troops to launch a counterattack. In fact, Saint Anastasia Cathedral is barely holding.

Charles looked at him and asked, "How many soldiers do we have left?"

"About 2,800," a lieutenant said, "but most are defending near the highlands or important buildings, and no more than 400 can be mobilized."

Charles immediately brought out the teachings of teacher Massena: "Use proactive attacks to mobilize the enemy.

"Temporarily withdraw defensive forces from the south and launch a surprise attack on the Colosseum. At that time, the enemy will panic and reinforce the Colosseum, leaving the southern city without pressure."

Puccini and the others’ eyes lit up.

Turns out, only with Mr. Charlie back could they defeat the enemy!

Yes, Mr. Charlie had long become the god of war in every Rebel Army member’s heart—the victories in the early stages of the uprising were all in accordance with Charles’s plans. After Archaeo took command, they faced continuous defeats.

Of course, no one cared about the almost coincidental timing of Archaeo taking over and the Neapolitan army’s deployment.

Puccini waved to the lieutenant beside him: "Waldo, gather the soldiers immediately!"

"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel!"

Charles thought of something else and asked: "There are hundreds of thousands of people in Rome, why did only 2,800 join the Citizen Guard? This is a war for all of us."

Puccini sighed helplessly: "You know, many people just want to get by, and others are cowards."

The officer next to him added: "We don’t even have money to pay the soldiers, so we can’t completely blame them."

Charles looked as if it was a minor issue: "If there were enough pay, could more soldiers be gathered?"

Puccini and the others exchanged glances and nodded cautiously: "If we could pay 3 scudo per month, I think hundreds would join the fight against the Holy See."

One scudo is approximately equal to 3.5 francs. That’s about 10.5 francs per month.

Charles, imitating his brother, squinted and said: "What about 7 scudo per person?"

Puccini showed an expression of joy: "That might increase our numbers by a thousand soldiers."

Charles nodded: "Please spread the word that after defeating the Holy See’s army, the Citizen Guard will receive 30 scudo each. Those who are wounded or display bravery will receive 80 scudo."

scudo per month was already a substantial income for ordinary people in Rome. And 80 silver coins could sustain a family for over two years.

Puccini widened his eyes: "How much money will that require! We can’t even..."

Charles smiled and nodded towards Rosh.

The latter reluctantly placed his suitcase on the table and opened it.

The stacks of light yellow banknotes with a denomination of 10 francs made everyone in the room dizzy.

"This totals about 65,000 francs."

Charles had brought 170,000 francs from Genoa, enough to pay the 5,000 Rebel Army soldiers for a month and a half.

As for the high bonuses afterward, he could provide that too—assuming 5,000 people, it would be only five or six hundred thousand francs.

Several officers began crossing themselves: "Thank you, Jesus, for sending Mr. Charlie to save us."

The next morning.

Charles, in a new military uniform, stood on the open ground outside Saint Anastasia Cathedral, his gaze scanning the 1,600 Rebel Army soldiers before him—at least 300 of whom had joined the Citizen Guard overnight—he turned and pointed to the distant Colosseum, shouting loudly:

"I know you doubt whether you can defeat the enemy there. Yes, they number over a thousand, but I want you to look at the stones beneath your feet.

"Five hundred years ago, people kneeled here in prayer. Fifteen hundred years ago, blood was shed here. And today, it is our turn to leave our mark here!

"God may stand with the enemy, after all, they wear priest robes, light candles, and call themselves God’s servants. But we have something they never will—a fierce desire for freedom and equality burning in our chests!

"It is a fire that will ultimately consume all injustice, fuel our lives, and devour every enemy in our path!

"Victory will be ours!"

He spoke in Italian, having spent last night writing and rehearsing his speech in Italian, working tirelessly until 3 AM.

Nevertheless, the speech had an excellent effect, with soldiers roaring in unison: "Devour the enemy!"

"We will win!"

"Long live freedom!"

Charlie nodded in satisfaction, drew the pistol from behind him, and strode towards the Colosseum: "Follow me, I don’t like cowards."

Rosh was taken aback and hurriedly stepped forward to hold the Prince back: "Mr. Charlie, you need to command the entire battlefield. You cannot let the smoke extinguish your sight."

Charlie recalled his brother observing the battle from the rear with a telescope and did not insist, signaling Puccini to continue leading the team, while he himself ascended the bell tower on the south side.

At eight-thirty, with the sound of intensive military drums, over 700 Citizen Guard soldiers formed a loose formation and rushed towards the southwest side of the Colosseum.

The Neapolitans evidently did not expect the rebels to organize a counterattack, and it wasn’t until the Rebel Army closed in to over a hundred meters away that they hastily fired the first shot.

Puccini drew his sword and shouted: "Maintain your pace, do not panic. Do not stop to shoot!"

The soldiers, recalling Mr. Charlie’s inspiring speech, continued forward with firm expressions, meeting the fire head-on.

Soon, someone was shot and fell down, but the others merely glanced before proceeding without hesitation.

Soon, Puccini estimated that there were only a little more than 50 steps left to the enemy under the stone wall, and loudly ordered: "Stop advancing. Prepare to shoot!"

However, his words had just left his mouth when there was a loud explosion on the arch of the second level of the Colosseum, and a barrage of grapeshot fired from a Six-pound Cannon plunged into the Rebel Army’s ranks, embedding into the houses and barricades across the street with a sound of breaking bones.

The advance of the Rebel Army immediately stalled.

These merchants, masons, and laborers could persuade themselves to ignore bullets, but the shattering iron ball pierced through their nerves, causing their legs to instinctively tremble.

The second cannon fired.

The left wing of the Rebel Army, hit by cannon fire, began to retreat.

On the bell tower, Charlie angrily put away his telescope and shouted to the Order Officer: "Cannons! Where are our cannons?"

He had never seen such useless soldiers—even the weakest Thuringian troops rarely retreated after only two cannon shots.

Finally, with over 600 soldiers in the rear, the Rebel Army’s two cannons arrived at the south side of the Colosseum, and a dozen gunners began to frantically aim at the Neapolitan artillery positions.

With two cannon sounds, there was no reaction, and the cannonballs were nowhere to be found.

The volunteer artillerymen from Milan had long fled, and now the cannons were operated entirely by native Roman citizens. It was already an achievement that they managed to fire, let alone hit the target.

The cannons on the Colosseum immediately switched to solid shot and began to counterattack.

Charlie saw this scene through the telescope and immediately gave an excited order for the infantry to continue the assault.

In the battles he witnessed, such scenarios almost equaled victory—the fierce French Army would use volleys to tear through enemy lines, followed by cleaning up the battlefield.

However, after three or four rounds of shooting, more than 1,200 Rebel Army soldiers began to retreat against less than 700 Neapolitan line infantry.

Charlie’s face turned sour.

He realized he might not match his brother, who always achieved victory over larger forces with fewer troops, but here he had superior strength and still couldn’t break through the enemy’s first line of defense...

Until near noon, hundreds of Neapolitan reinforcements arrived at the Colosseum, and the Rebel Army had already suffered fifty or so casualties, with morale starting to wane.

Charlie had no choice but to order a retreat to the Saint Anastasia Cathedral.

That night, while Charlie was drinking gloomily, Josiah came in, bowing respectfully: "Mr. Charlie, I heard from the logistics department that they received over 800 new soldiers today, and many more were queuing to sign up. This is all thanks to you."

Charlie avoided her gaze, thinking only of the day’s failed offensive.

The situation was entirely different from his expectations—the Neapolitans, under his brilliant command, should have been defenseless and driven out of Rome within days.

In reality, if not for Puccini’s experience organizing the rear, the Rebel Army would have suffered greater losses during the retreat.

"Are you alright, Mr. Charlie?" Josiah asked with concern upon seeing his dark expression.

"Yes, please give me a moment of peace."

...

The mouth of the Tiber River, Fiumicino Port.

France’s Tyrrhenian Sea temporary squadron commander, Major Jean-Jacques Etienne Luka, frowned towards the direction of Rome with an almost desperate tone: "Is everything you say true?"

Security Bureau agent Lieutenant Kamas moved aside, revealing the slightly chubby middle-aged nobleman standing behind him: "Your Excellency Baron, please explain in detail."

Baron Belgerlon swallowed and began with difficulty: "The Rebel Army...ah, no, the insurgents suddenly launched a fierce attack on the Neapolitans, and there have been intense battles all over the city these past two days..."

Major Luka impatiently interrupted him: "I don’t want to hear this; what about His Highness?"

"This, I only know that he should still be in the city, but beyond that...I have not received any information..."

Major Luka could only think of ordering the sailors to hang him on the mast, letting him dry into jerky.

If he knew nothing of this, even if His Highness Charlie died in Rome, it would have had nothing to do with him.

But this damned Kamas had brought this even more damned Belgerlon onto his ship!

Now he had to ensure the Prince’s safety!

(Today’s was a large Chapter, making up for what was owed the day before yesterday.)