Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 937 - 845: Betrayed by Everyone

The Duke of York was stunned on the spot.

Kleinfeld commanded over 14,000 Austrian Army. If he withdrew, the nearby French Army would outnumber us.

Especially after the previous prolonged siege, the morale of the British soldiers was very low. Now, the formation was very disorganized. If the Walloon people attacked at this time, the situation would be critical...

He dared not think further. He shouted at the Order Officer: "Catch up with the Austrians, order them to return immediately, or I will definitely complain to the Emperor of Holy Rome about them!"

"Damn it! Haven’t these cowards learned the word ’shame’?!"

An hour and a half later, the Captain who went to deliver orders returned, lowered his head and said to the Duke of York: "Your Highness, Count Cléfart has refused your order. He said..."

"Said what?!"

"He said Cologne is more important than everyone, including your life. He can’t just waste time here because of our army’s blun... uh, mistakes."

The Duke of York’s face turned as black as coal.

He walked to the map, trying to find a way to escape through the gaps in the French Army, but before he could discover anything, he heard dense gunshots from the northeast side.

Soon, a cavalry arrived to report: "Your Highness, the French people have launched an attack from our army’s left flank with around 4,000 troops."

If it were other commanders experienced in leadership, seeing the sudden withdrawal of the Klephate Corps might suspect it was a trap by the Allied Forces and be indecisive.

But Jiaya’er, who hailed from the Walloon Police, didn’t think so much and immediately ordered his troops to charge through the gaps...

West Bank of the Wuer River.

Blucher frowned and turned his head, seeing a large number of soldiers pass by him in panic. The surrounding officers didn’t care about formations, only urging the soldiers to quicken their pace.

He was about to reprimand those officers, but the staff officer rushed over, didn’t even salute, and said urgently: "General, the Duke of Brunswick’s troops are surrounded by Massena west of Rhodeshausen."

Blucher, as if stung by a scorpion, suddenly stood up in the stirrups and shouted at the nearby Order Officer: "Form ranks! Quick! Get these fools in formation, then immediately turn south to aid the Duke!"

He commanded the left-wing troops of the Allied Forces, with more than 23,000 people. Because they were the furthest from the battlefield before, their retreat was the fastest, hence they’ve not been pursued by the French Army these days.

"Yes, General!"

The Order Officer was about to turn around when Scharnhorst rode forward to stop him, then returned to Blucher’s side and whispered: "General, do you think even if we rush to Rhodeshausen immediately, is there a certainty of defeating the French?"

"Of course, I’ll send those damn French bastards all to hell..." Blucher roared halfway, but suddenly glimpsed the indifference in the eyes of the corps staff officer, and his whole spirit deflated, "If we could seize the enemy’s mistakes, perhaps there’s a chance."

Scharnhorst said in a deep voice: "General, even if you break through the French Army’s encirclement and rescue the Duke, what then?

"We’ll face the obstruction of the Wuer River.

"Even if we cross the Wuer River, what then?

"Koblenz and Mainz have already fallen, and both we and the Duke will be stuck on the West Bank of the Rhine!"

Blucher tightly gripped the whip, veins bulging on the back of his hand, yet he couldn’t utter a word.

Seeing this, Scharnhorst continued: "Our only chance is to head towards Cologne immediately.

"This is also to keep the Duke’s return route to the East Rhine."

Blucher knew he was right but still shook his head and said: "No, we can’t just watch the Commander-in-Chief get surrounded and do nothing!"

Scharnhorst sighed quietly and asked again: "General, did the Duke order you to assist him?"

"No."

The Duke of Brunswick was surrounded by Massena’s main force, and his Order Officer couldn’t possibly break through the encirclement to come.

"But..."

Blucher was about to speak again but was interrupted by the corps staff officer: "Since the Duke didn’t send anyone, obviously he wants you to find a way to escape on your own."

As he was speaking, a Cavalry Captain galloped over, saying to Blucher: "General, French Army sightings have been found to the west, about two-thirds of a league away."

He meant Pri. Two-thirds of a league is less than 5 kilometers.

Scharnhorst said urgently: "General, I’ll stay behind to hold off the French. You quickly lead the main force across the river. If you hesitate, it will be too late!"

Blucher finally stopped struggling, forcefully patting the corps staff officer, then turned to call the officers to prepare to cross the river.

Half-past four in the afternoon.

Scharnhorst could already see the French Army’s flags through the binoculars and let out a heavy sigh.

He came from humble beginnings. Despite his extraordinary military talent, he only managed to rise to the rank of Major, which was because he had saved the Duke of Brunswick in the Southern Netherlands and was exceptionally promoted.

However, his just budding military career was destined to conclude today.

He knew very well that with only three to four thousand people left by Blucher to him, it was impossible to execute the rear-guard mission and escape.

He was about to check the defense lines once more when he saw Blucher’s Order Officer riding exuberantly waving and shouting: "Major Scharnhorst, retract, you don’t need to cover the rear anymore!"

"Retreat? Why?"

"The Wuer River is frozen!"

Half an hour before dark, Scharnhorst led the rear-guard troops to the Wuer River.

Then he saw cannons, wagons, and even many war horses discarded everywhere.

He instantly understood that the ice on the river was thin and couldn’t bear heavy loads.

As he crossed the river, night swiftly descended.

The next day at dawn, Blucher assembled his troops, ready to head towards Cologne, when the cavalry responsible for guard brought an ensign wearing a British Army uniform before him.

The British man delivered Duke of York’s letter to him, speaking in clumsy German: "General, Prince Frederick is entangled by French Army in Dylan, please go immediately for reinforcements."

"We are about to head to Cologne." Blucher said, "You go tell the Duke of York, we will be there soon."

After the British seeking help left, Scharnhorst immediately said to him: "General, we cannot go to Cologne anymore."

"Ah? Speak your reason."

"Since French Army appeared near Dylan, more enemies will soon arrive there. We may also be held back."

"Then what should we do?" Blucher almost broke the whip in his hand, gritting his teeth said, "We’ll go back to regroup with the Duke of Brunswick!"

"No, no," Scharnhorst hurriedly stopped him, "We should immediately turn east instead."