War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

The main reason why the Congreve rocket did not shine on the battlefields of the 19th century was that its accuracy was extremely poor, but this weakness did not exist when the target was a fortress.

Hundreds of rockets rose into the sky at the same time, drawing gray trails. The sharp roar was like the call of death. Some French soldiers were desperate and looked at the sky with empty eyes.

The rockets rose into the sky like an angry dragon, and after exhausting its last strength, they turned into flaming meteors and smashed into Salburg.

A rocket landed on the dilapidated tower. First, the light and heat from the rocket explosion lit up the entire sky, and then came the gravel, dust, and gunpowder smoke swept up by the air waves.

Then came the second and third rounds. Rockets fell and exploded one after another. Flames rose into the sky. Bricks and rubble continued to rain down like raindrops, making it inevitable for people to avoid them.

As time goes by, the raindrops fall faster and faster, and every drop is so shocking.

In addition to the French soldiers who were already desperate and waiting for death, more people were panicked. They were running around like headless flies, screaming, calling for help, crying, and explosions intertwined together.

The French soldiers looked for all possible places to hide, but most of those seemingly safe places had already been buried with explosives.

The ubiquitous explosions caused the entire fortress to collapse quickly, and for the first time the French troops felt what true cruelty and helplessness meant.

Since the first Alsace-Lorraine crisis in 1844, Franz has been sending war materials to the Alsace region, either openly or covertly.

As for why they were not sent to the Lorraine area without losing any ground, the answer is that the defense line is too long and cannot be defended.

As the northern gate of Alsace, Salburg naturally received Franz's attention. Dozens of tons of gunpowder were stored underground, enough to support several large-scale battles.

Moreover, it is impossible for Franz to really leave his fate to a group of militiamen and mercenaries. His backup plan is to directly detonate all the explosives that have been preset if he cannot hold on.

The French were left with a ruin for the Austrian army to recover.

Those hundreds of rockets were just an appetizer, and more rockets rose into the sky from all directions.

The horrific explosion lasted for nearly thirty minutes, and the French army's leading troops entering Saarburg suffered a devastating blow.

However, the one with the most serious losses was Lamosilière's headquarters. After this attack, his command system was completely blown to pieces.

Two of the three legion commanders were seriously injured, and the remaining one temporarily lost his hearing. Lamosilière's own adjutant, as well as more than a dozen senior staff officers and dozens of members of the guard died.

Even if the headquarters is like this, the casualties of ordinary soldiers are even more difficult to count.

And this is not the end, but just the beginning.

Lamosilière arrived at a relatively safe place with the support of several guards. He looked at the ruins in front of him and the troops who suffered heavy losses and sighed.

"What a bunch of despicable rats. They actually planted so many explosives in the fortress. And where did they get so many Congreve rockets? This is so unusual! Is it a British conspiracy?"

The stereotype is that the Congreve rocket is a product of the British. After all, the incident that burned Copenhagen is still famous.

The adjutant is no longer here, and the others are either too low-level or not in the mood to talk about this matter at all. They have not yet recovered from the catastrophe just now.

"Report! Your Excellency, Marshal!"

At this time, a reconnaissance cavalry rushed over in a panic, and Lamosilier's heart skipped a beat.

The reality was just as he expected. This attack was not a spur-of-the-moment attack, but a long-planned conspiracy.

"It was reported that an army was approaching, numbering at least ten thousand, and carrying a large number of artillery. They also sent a herald."

"Bring him here to see me!"

Lamosilier looked at the mess around him and changed his words.

"Let them wait."

Lamosilière's move was naturally to protect his own image and the face of the Second French Republic, but at the same time he was also buying time to regroup and allow more troops to enter Salburg.

Although it has been bombed into ruins, it is still the only passage from Lorraine to northern Alsace, so its strategic position has not changed.

In the end, he was somewhat vindictive. The explosion just now was more than just a shock. If his luck had been worse, he might have died.

Half an hour later, the French army temporarily cleared a clearing in the ruins, and all the wounded soldiers and corpses on the roadside were treated urgently.

The envoys of the German coalition led by the officers of the follow-up troops came to Lamosilier.

The envoy was told that Marshal Lamosilière was resting, but the former only gave a disdainful laugh.

At this time, the envoy of the German Allied Forces was the famous radical Hernan Noy in history. In the original world line, he should have wanted to rebel against the German Empire.

However, due to too many historical differences, this radical populist became a pawn of the German Allied Forces and was willing to serve as the most unpopular messenger.

No matter what the situation is, it is impossible for the French to give him a good look, and no matter how well he does, no one will remember it. However, as long as he makes a mistake, he may be sent to a military court.

However, Hernan Noy was not afraid. He just thought the French were funny. He had witnessed the grand "fireworks show" just now.

It was obvious that the soldiers standing guard at the outermost periphery were all haggard, but the French troops inside the ruins were bright and beautiful. Some people believed that they were a guard of honor.

As for Lamosilière taking a rest, he felt it was even more unlikely. With the intensity just now, it was somewhat believable to say that he was receiving treatment.

The French officers in charge of the reception were also unhappy, but did not break out because what they needed most now was time.

Almost all of the first 10,000 people who entered Saarburg were maimed, and it took time for follow-up troops to come over to stabilize the situation.

There was silence all the way, and finally we arrived at Lamosilière's temporary headquarters.

Lamosilière said he was resting, but he was sitting upright on a collapsed boulder, still holding his marshal's scepter in his hand, and his clothes were brand new.

There is also a rather majestic war horse on the side. The muscles are sharp and angular under the dark mane, which perfectly embodies the words "tall and mighty".

In addition to the war horse, a large flag was erected next to Lamosilière, which was the flag of the Second French Republic.

The blue, white, and red tricolor flags fluttering in the wind and making a hunting sound, coupled with the majestic guards on both sides, will definitely give the visitor a disarming power.

However, Hernan Noy only thought it was funny. What's so cool about a group of French people in the ruins?

"Your Excellency, Marshal, on the orders of Archduke Albrecht of Austria, commander-in-chief of the Second Army of the German Allied Forces, I request you to unconditionally withdraw from Saarburg to avoid unnecessary sacrifices of soldiers on both sides."

Lamosilier was a little surprised, and then said angrily.

"Has Albrecht figured out the situation? Now our army has occupied Salburg, and the advantage is on our French side!"

Hernan Noy said calmly.

"Then you mean to start a war immediately?"

"Uh" Lamosilière was at a loss for words for a moment, but he changed his words helplessly.

"I did not mean that."