Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 933 - 841: The Crown Prince’s Attraction

"Hmm?" Duke of Brunswick glanced casually at the staff officer, "Please continue."

Scharnhorst quickly said, "Marshal, our army hasn’t strengthened its offensive in recent days, yet the French have suddenly retreated. I’m worried, this might be a trap..."

Duke of Brunswick sneered, "You are overly cautious. It’s common for a defensive side on the battlefield to suddenly collapse after a certain accumulation of casualties."

He gestured towards the vast open land in the distance, "This place couldn’t even hide a flea, what tricks could the French possibly have?"

Scharnhorst insisted, "Perhaps we should slow our attack and strengthen the cover on both wings..."

Duke of Brunswick interrupting unceremoniously said, "My suggestion is that you need more courage."

The staff officer caught up, "Marshal, at least increase the frequency and distance of reconnaissance..."

"Hmph, suit yourself."

Scharnhorst watched the old marshal’s back, sighed, and tried to persuade other senior officers.

It should be said that the insight of this chief of staff, who would later lead the revival reforms of the Prussian army, was very keen and proposed suggestions that could save the allied forces.

West of Budescheid.

French Army temporary headquarters.

Massena looked at the staff officer, frowned and said, "You mean the enemy’s offensive is starting to weaken?"

"Yes, Commander." The latter looked at the battle reports, "Moreover, the enemy’s right wing is closing ranks, seemingly preparing for our counterattack."

Saint Iler added, "Not only that, today at noon, the Prussian Cuirassiers even circled to scout east of Viertz."

Massena said, "Could Ferdinand have seen through our plan?"

Saint Iler considered and shook his head, "I think the enemy is just worried about our ambush."

Massena’s expression was tense, "But the enemy’s attack speed will slow down because of this, and we may not be able to lure them to a sufficiently distant position..."

The group was so engrossed in their discussion that they didn’t notice they had arrived at the Crown Prince’s carriage—they were here to send the Crown Prince to Viertz, as the intertwined frontlines were too dangerous.

Joseph vaguely heard Massena mention "will be very troublesome," so he asked, "Has something gone wrong on the battlefield?"

Massena and the others turned and saw His Highness the Crown Prince, hurriedly bowed in salute.

Saint Iler explained the enemy’s abnormal movements, then said, "Your Highness, we must launch a counterattack before the Duke of York’s corps breaks through the northern defense line. But if by then the main enemy forces have not reached west of Viertz, they will easily retreat out of Luxembourg during the counterattack."

"It seems the Prussians are very cautious."

Joseph also frowned slightly. At this rate, a major victory might only become a minor one.

Suddenly, he had a flash of inspiration and smiled at Massena, "So we must give Duke of Brunswick more motivation."

"Motivation? You mean?"

Joseph pointed to himself, "Do you think if Duke of Brunswick knew the Crown Prince of France was at Budescheid, he would become reckless?"

"No, that’s too dangerous!" exclaimed Massena and Saint Iler in unison.

Joseph waved dismissively, "The Prussians haven’t yet harmed my capabilities."

Actually, he was confident in France’s new army. If the combined forces of the Royal First, Second, Fourth Infantry Division, and the Cavalry Artillery Barracks couldn’t protect him, then there’d be no need for competing on the European Continent.

Massena continuously attempted to dissuade him, but saw His Highness the Crown Prince already mounted and galloping southeast.

On the other side, Duke of Brunswick was inquiring about Taunus and Blucher’s battle progress from the previous day—the latter two had accepted Scharnhorst’s advice and heightened vigilance within their jurisdiction, which also somewhat weakened their offensive.

At this moment, a hussar officer rushed forward on his horse, his face flushed, and shouted to Duke of Brunswick, "Marshal, we’ve spotted the Crown Prince of France on the front line!"

"What?" The duke abruptly stood up, "Are you sure it’s him?"

"Yes, Marshal. Colonel Ziegler and others have seen him, they’ve witnessed it with their own eyes."

Ziegler and others were officers from Bavaria, who had conducted joint operations meetings with Joseph as allied forces in the Southern Netherlands, and were very familiar with Joseph.

Blucher joyously exclaimed, "It must be the Crown Prince of France attempting to stabilize the defense line and boost morale at the front line."

Duke of Brunswick excitedly swung his cane, instructing the hussars to continue reconnaissance, while he turned to the map and loudly ordered, "Block the French retreat with two Bavarian infantry brigades from Bavigne.

"General Blucher, you personally command the frontal attack, breaking through the Budescheid line by 3 PM!

"Leave two regiments to encircle Kautenbach. General Taunus’ right-wing corps to directly attack Viertz.

"Austrian Army as reserve force..."

If they could successfully capture the Crown Prince of France, it would provide the allied forces with a strategic-level chip, severely demoralizing the French army. The French royal family might even seek to protect the heir and directly request a ceasefire.

Scharnhorst watched the exuberant marshal, feeling that something seemed amiss but unable to rain on the parade under such circumstances...

An hour later, with Duke of Brunswick’s orders communicated, the allied forces almost completely mobilized, crazily pouncing towards the French positions.

Two days later.

Arlon, a border town on the western side of Luxembourg.

It was now less than 7 kilometers from Bastogne in the Southern Netherlands.

Joseph looked at the map with red crosses marked everywhere, masking his unconcealed smile.

The red crosses indicated the locations of the allied forces at this moment, with the most aggressive unit near Arlon, while the rear units had reached west of Viertz.

He couldn’t help but feel his allure was indeed strong enough.

On that day, less than an hour after showing up on the front line, the allied forces initiated a full-scale offensive, attacking on multiple fronts, clearly aiming to block all his retreat paths.

Joseph estimated that if he further risked appearing before Duke of Brunswick, he might indeed chase him across the Or River into Southern Netherlands.

However, this was understandable, as in other countries, even if a royal member is sent to the battlefield, they are at most a legitimate son or a prince; the presence of a crown prince on the front lines was unprecedented.

Of course, he had also faced dangerous situations during the preceding luring tactics. Once, Prussian Cuirassiers were only about 1.5 kilometers away from him; fortunately, the Royal Cavalry Battalion arrived in time to disperse the enemy.

Joseph relaxedly folded the map, as the allied forces had chased to such a deep position, once Massena launches the counterattack, they almost have no chance to retreat back to Trier.

And it had only been 4 and a half days since he and Massena formulated the deep luring plan.

The allied forces had almost continuously pursued them to this location.