"Interesting. After all that nonsense, it turns out he just wants to provoke us into a decisive battle with the Venice Navy." Giovanni looked at the Venice Navy's battle flag fluttering in the distance, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Delaying time should be to their advantage, but now the other side is more eager than us. Something is indeed strange."
"Could it be that the other side is bluffing, deliberately making us think they are eager for battle, using this to delay time, or even to make us retreat without a fight?" Karl, recalling a story the Pope once told him about a distant and mysterious Eastern empire, offered a different opinion.
"It's certainly possible; they've already delayed us for half a day." Riccardo agreed, his voice a bit rushed. "Actually, in my opinion, even if the other side truly has an ambush, the power they can deploy is extremely limited. We are better prepared for this battle. Even if we fulfill their wish and fight a decisive battle here, our chances of winning are still very high."
"No, the enemy's situation is unclear, and I cannot risk everyone's lives. Moreover…" Giovanni paused, his eyes as clear as a mirror, "This is a completely unnecessary risk."
Karl immediately understood: "You mean, we bypass these enemies directly and head straight for Venice?"
"Precisely! My idea is that we can first feign a retreat, and once we are out of the Venice Navy's line of sight, turn east, bypass Lido Island, and then launch a direct attack on Venice from the east!"
"I think it's feasible." Karl expressed his approval directly, then added, "Additionally, I suggest leaving small teams of light, fast warships along the way to guard the rear and keep a close eye on the Venice Navy. Because after they discover our retreat, Venice will most likely send out small fleets to track and monitor us, or even pursue with their entire force.
If small teams of light, fast warships are left along the way, and the other side attempts to send out small fleets to track us, if the enemy ships are few, they can directly intercept them. If the enemy ships are too numerous, they can retreat and rendezvous with friendly forces, forming an absolute advantage in ship numbers and combat power before encircling and annihilating them.
If the other side pursues with their entire force, the light, fast warships left along the way can quickly catch up with the main fleet and inform us, allowing us to prepare our deployment in time to face the enemy, preventing us from falling into a passive situation."
Giovanni nodded in agreement repeatedly, praising unreservedly, "Excellent strategy! I never thought Karl, as an army Commander, would also have such profound insights into naval warfare!"
Karl remained silent, smiling and nodding to show his humility. Only he knew that after learning he would be leading his army to attack Venice from the sea, he had put no less effort into naval warfare than the Admirals of the Navy. The Pope trusted him, and he dared not slack off for a moment."
"This way, any ambush Venice might have prepared in advance will be completely useless. If the Venice Navy pursues us, we will still hold the initiative. Considering the geographical location, Venice Island's key defenses should be in the west, while the east might be lightly guarded, perhaps even yielding unexpected results. It can be said to be a triple win!" After carefully considering their ideas, Riccardo also reached an agreement.
"Alright, it's decided then. The light, fast warships left along the way…"
"We'll do it!" Before Giovanni could finish, Riccardo interjected, "My brave generals are all skilled in naval warfare and harbor a deep hatred for Venice; they've long wanted to compete against the Venice Navy!"
Although Riccardo's unit was an auxiliary force, they not only did not shy away from battle but were also high-spirited and volunteered to fight. While Giovanni was happy, he was also somewhat worried about Riccardo's overly eager attitude.
"That's good, but you must ensure your generals remember not to linger in battle. They must clearly remember their primary task. Maintain distance from enemy ships as much as possible, and do not engage unless you have absolute certainty. If they get entangled too close to the enemy's main force, it will be difficult to disengage."
"Understood, I will explain it clearly to my officers and soldiers. I will now go and select the most skilled fighters from my unit to guard the rear." Having received permission to fight, Riccardo saluted cheerfully and returned to his left-wing fleet to select his men.
"Riccardo, he…" Looking at Riccardo's retreating figure, Karl hesitated to speak.
Giovanni saw through Karl's thoughts and asked, "Do you also think he's too eager? Or perhaps you should send some ships to assist him?"
Karl pondered for a long time, then shook his head: "No, Riccardo has been fighting at sea for many years. We should trust him. It might not be a good thing if I send ships to assist him after agreeing to his participation."
...
"Huh? What's going on? Why are they turning around? Oh my! Why are they running?" Veronese, who had been closely watching the other side through his telescope, almost dropped his jaw when he saw the Papal States fleet's series of actions.
"What? The Papal States' navy ran away?" Hearing this, Pisani was equally astonished. The Papal States' long-term scheming was all for today; why would they turn around and run at the last minute?
Before Pisani could react, Veronese pointed at Pisani and cursed him, "It's all your fault, you defeated general, you useless person who spoils everything! I told you to provoke them into battle, and you provoked them into running away!"
Looking at the furious Veronese, not only Pisani but also Lavallette was bewildered.
Pisani wanted to defend himself but was speechless for a moment. The situation was indeed as described, but how could it be his fault?
After a long while, Lavallette cautiously advised, "Commander, now is not the time for accountability. If the Papal States truly fled without a fight, it wouldn't be a bad thing. But look, the Papal States appears to be retreating, yet they are leaving light, fast warships along the way.
In fact, the Papal States could not abandon a plan they had prepared for so long without reason. From what we can see, it should be because they discovered our army was too eager, so they guessed we had an ambush here…"
Upon hearing this, Lavallette glared fiercely at Pisani, who lowered his head, at a loss.
Lavallette swallowed and said solemnly, "So I deduce that the Papal States is not retreating, but rather bypassing us to attack Venice directly from another direction!"
"What?" Hearing this, Veronese no longer had the heart to blame Pisani and immediately picked up his telescope to observe the other side.
Indeed, just as Lavallette had said, although the Papal States Navy had seemingly retreated, they had left small, widely dispersed ships along the way.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry and pursue them!" Saying this, Veronese was about to call for the signal officer.
Lavallette quickly stopped him: "Commander, since they guessed we had an ambush, the Papal States might also set up an ambush along their route, just waiting for our entire army to pursue and fall into a trap."
"Then what do you suggest? If you have an idea, speak quickly; if not, shut up! Don't talk so much nonsense!" Veronese roared.
"Commander, let me go out and destroy the ships the Papal States left along the way. If the main force of the Papal States Navy returns to assist, then we will press on with our entire army, thus regaining the initiative.
If the Papal States ignores these small units and heads straight for Venice, we can continuously deplete the Papal States Navy's effective strength, catch up with the main force of the Papal States Navy, monitor and harass them. Even if there is an ambush, the light, fast warships can quickly disengage. After clarifying their true strength, we can then press on with our main army."
"Good, then go quickly." Veronese agreed without hesitation.