Chapter 358: The Collapse of Karl II

Chapter 359 The Collapse of Karl II

"Please tell Mr. Onk that France still firmly supports the founding of the Southern Netherlands." Joseph smiled and signaled to Viscount Flot, "As he thought, our army is indeed pursuing the Dutch army.

"Oh, and thank you for the oats and precious information you brought."

"It's my honor to serve you and your army." Viscount Flott said some compliments with a red face, then bowed and exited the military tent, not even doubting why the French army came to Ghent. Chase the Dutch army.

Yes, he just brought a dozen carts of oats, which are extremely precious war horse feed, and the news that the Hanoverian army turned south near Brussels.

As a Southern Netherlands native who was born in Zwevelgem, grew up reading French, and yearned for French life all his life, he had always looked forward to Wallonia's integration into France. Then he would be a true Frenchman.

So when he learned that the French army was nearby - which was what his serfs told him when he wanted to use French banknotes to repay his debt - he immediately came personally with oats and wine to "support the army".

Of course, for such a rich man, Joseph did not pay the "payment". I believe that Viscount Flot is not short of ten thousand or twenty thousand livres.

With this batch of oats, the Guards Corps can reduce the time of on-site replenishment and speed up the march.

In fact, since arriving in the southern Netherlands, similar "supplies from heaven" have been flowing in continuously, and there is even too much wine to carry.

After the nobles of the Southern Netherlands left, Berthier immediately looked at the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, if the information brought by this gentleman is correct, then we have to hope that Major Masson will take action."

He came to the map on the table and pointed to the south of Brussels: "There are enemy troops from the town of Gialli to the town of Waterloo, which shows that their march is at least 6 kilometers long."

The legion staff officer on the side immediately said: "This may be a good opportunity for us to launch an attack!"

Joseph also looked at the map, but he was a little hesitant. The hussars had not yet sent back the specific situation of the enemy army, and he was far away from the Hanover army. If he rushed to the decisive battle immediately, there would still be great uncertainty.

He suddenly tapped Antolfo on the map with his hand and said with a smile: "Let's go back again!"

…

In the east of Brussels, Major Masson grabbed the hussar who came to report the enemy's situation, his eyes flashed with excitement: "Are you sure? The Dutch are still near Waterloo?"

"Yes, Mr. Battalion Commander, I saw with my own eyes the Dutch cannons and a large number of tents."

The hussar next to him added: "We also heard from the shoemakers in the town that they were still doing business in the Dutch camp yesterday afternoon. At that time, the Hanoverian army had already left for the south."

"Great!" Masson firmly grasped the hilt of the sword at his waist. There is at least half a day's gap between the Dutch army and the Hanover army. This is the best way to implement the "interspersed" tactic mentioned by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Chance.

He raised his hand and waved to the herald: "Order the whole army to march immediately to Waterloo!"

"Yes, battalion commander!"

Half a day later.

General Bronkhorst glanced at the listless marching column beside him and shook his head helplessly. Anyone who has to go back and forth three times in less than a week will feel bored.

He was about to give a speech to boost morale when he saw several hussars galloping towards him in a panic. From a distance, he shouted loudly: "Report! General, the enemy has been found on the northeast side, and the distance is less than 3 kilometers." !”

Bronckhorst frowned. He knew that a group of French troops had been wandering near them, and Marshal Karl II had sent cavalry to drive them away. However, the French were always far away from them and seemed to be only responsible for reconnaissance, so they didn't pay much attention.

He asked the hussar: "Is it the French army from before?"

"It seems they are the ones." The hussar nodded and added hurriedly, "But this time there are more people, there should be thousands of people."

Bronkhorst suddenly felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten a fly. There are thousands of enemy troops who must not be ignored, but his own marching speed is already a bit slow. If he does this, he may fall further behind Karl II.

He angrily ordered his staff: "Stop the entire army's advance and line up in the open area south of the town to meet the enemy!"

"Yes, General!"

The French army's speed was much faster than Bronkhorst expected. In less than an hour, the French army's skirmishers began to attack the Dutch baggage convoy.

He immediately mobilized his infantry lines to squeeze the space of the French army to the west, but the latter was not willing to fight at all. Taking advantage of the chaos, he launched a counterattack against the Dutch forward, killing sixty or seventy people, and then did not look back. The ground fled towards the southwest.

Bronkhorst was initially worried about an ambush by the French army, and waited for several hours before finally confirming that the enemy was really gone.

Angrily, he sent cavalry to pursue them, but they encountered the French infantry line that had been prepared and had to retreat hastily.

Bronkhorst then ordered his men to count the losses, and was relieved to learn that the casualties were less than a hundred, plus some food and tents had been lost.

He looked at his pocket watch. After all the trouble just now, it was almost 5 p.m.

He looked at the soldiers who had been standing in line formation all day, and had no choice but to order the entire army to return to Waterloo Town to rest, and then continue to Liege at noon tomorrow.

On the other hand, Charles II, who was marching quickly, heard that the Dutch army was attacked by the French, and he immediately felt something was wrong. Although Bronckhorst reported that there were only 1,000 French troops, who knew if that was just the vanguard.

He discussed with his staff for a long time, and finally decided cautiously to send an infantry regiment and 3 squadrons of cavalry to Waterloo to meet the Dutch.

As long as his main force could join Blücher, there would be more than enough troops, and there would be no impact if less than 2,000 people were sent.

Less than half a day after the reinforcements sent by Charles II left, the Southern Netherlands in Brussels sent "bad news" again - the French army suddenly turned around and went back to Antolf.

For a moment, Charles II wanted to rush directly to Liege without hesitation, first annihilate the Austrian army in Rennes, and then go back with Blücher to deal with the damn French.

But he knew that the French didn't care about the life or death of the Austrian army, but he had to care about the survival of the Southern Netherlands Parliament.

After cursing for more than ten minutes, he ordered the Hanover Army to turn north again and rush back to Antolf.

Less than two days after his troops set out, the infantry regiment that was previously sent to support the Dutch sent back news that it was ambushed by the French army on the way and lost hundreds of people.