Chapter 139: Tension in Hanover

The situation in France didn’t just change things in Caracas or the colonies. When news spread that the French had executed their king—killed not by a rival monarch or during a civil war, but by a government born from commoners—the shockwave hit all of Europe. Fear and anger spread through every court. And Francisco Grandfather, living in Hanover, was among the first to feel it.

Krügger, Francisco’s grandfather, was the most affected. For months he had been training nearly two thousand troops in Hanover, which already made the chief minister and his circle uneasy. Now, with the precedent set by the French Revolution, the ministers feared that Krüger might not sail to the colonies at all. Instead, he could rebel in Hanover and claim the throne. Even though the British government, with King George III’s permission, had already given tacit approval for the expedition, the ministers couldn’t stop imagining the worst. If Krüger rebelled, their heads would be the first to roll—and the king could retake the territory whenever he wished.

Krügger stood in the camp, looking over his men, and spoke solemnly:

“It seems we cannot delay any longer. We must start packing and prepare to set sail in April. Karl, you will stay by my grandson’s side until he leaves Hanover. In the meantime, from July to April, send more troops. After hearing my grandson describe the colonies, we must prepare reserves. From what I understand, the greatest danger there is disease—together with the harsh environment. Most likely, we will lose at least ten percent of our men before they even have a chance to fight.”

The officers around Krügger fell silent and somber. Illness did not distinguish between officers and common soldiers—and they, being older, were at even greater risk. Some had families, wives and children they might never see again.

A heavy silence settled among the men. Sensing their fear, Krüger attempted to lift their spirits:

“Well, at least once we arrive, you will finally be able to eat until you’re full. Francisco told me the colonies have so much food that they throw fruit and vegetables into the forest after only two days because they’re no longer good for market.”

The men in the tent were stunned—and for the first time that day, they smiled. Many of them had lived through the famine twenty years earlier. Even Krügger himself had nearly lost his wife and daughter, believing they had been eaten by desperate people. Knowing this, many of the men felt contempt toward the Spanish colonos, who wasted food simply because it was “two days old.”

“Now go. I need to find my grandson and speak with him,” Krügger said, dismissing his men. “Karl, you stay. I’m taking you to Francisco so you two can understand each other.”

Karl nodded seriously. As a young man not yet thirty, he understood Krügger’s intentions perfectly. The captain wanted him trained as Francisco’s aide so that, even if Krügger died in the colonies, Karl could use Francisco’s prestige as Krüger’s grandson to keep control of the army—preventing a revolt. But for that to work, he first had to earn Francisco’s trust.

Krügger was heading toward the camp’s exit when one of his men ran to him.

“Sir, Baron August is here to see you. This time he came personally, and I didn’t dare lie about your presence.”

Krügger sighed and glanced at Karl helplessly.”You need to learn to deal with these people after I leave, or else we may lose the training center.”

Karl nodded again, though inwardly he wondered how in hell his commander expected him to deal with nobles.

Krügger walked to the exit. There stood the baron, surrounded by several Hanoverian soldiers for protection, and behind him a luxurious carriage—clearly what he had traveled in.

“What do you want now, Baron? I already told you we plan to leave in the next few days. You should be a little more patient.”

Unlike with most people, the baron wasn’t intimidated by Krügger. He scolded him openly.

“You old man, don’t you understand the situation right now?”

Krügger shrugged.”I heard the British Empire broke relations with France and expelled their ambassador, but that’s not enough for you to be this anxious about kicking us out.”

The baron sighed heavily.

“Your information is outdated. Five days ago, the French Republic declared war on England—and on the Low Countries. We are too close to them. And considering our status as part of the United Kingdom, we cannot ignore the possibility of an invasion. Your men are forcing us to keep troops here watching over you, troops that should be on the frontier.”

Krügger froze in shock.”Wait… they took the initiative to declare war on the United Kingdom? Are they insane?”

The baron shrugged.”I have no idea what that Robespierre is thinking. Taking the initiative to start a war… Even the British Parliament was in an uproar. Everyone expected France to remain quiet until they stabilized internally. But it seems those republican idiots decided this was the best time to attack.”

Krugger frowned and said, “Maybe they aren’t wrong. What better way to unite a whole country than declaring war on its greatest enemy?”

The baron was speechless. He knew it was indeed an effective tactic to stabilize France’s internal situation, but choosing the rising United Kingdom still sounded foolish no matter how he looked at it. Even so, he shook his head and said, “Well, that doesn’t matter. I need you and your men out as soon as possible so I can focus all my resources on guarding the frontier. Unless, of course, you want to stay and help us—in that case, I’d be more than happy to let you remain until the end of the war.”

Krugger shrugged. “Sorry, I can’t. The British government is supporting us because they want to push the Spanish colonies toward independence after the war. Weakening Spain, their main rival, is their goal.”

The baron sighed. “I know… but could you at least help us devise some defensive tactics? Something my generals can use, in case France decides to invade.”

Krugger suddenly understood. This cunning man didn’t want him to leave—at least not yet. He expected Krugger to help strengthen Hanover’s defenses so they wouldn’t be so terrified of France. It seemed the war had caught the Hanoverian ministers completely off guard. After thinking for a moment, he nodded.

“I can help. But I don’t have much time after April. I’m expected to board British ships to New Granada, so I can only assist you before that.”

The baron let out a breath of relief. Even though Hanover had high-quality, well-trained soldiers, their actual combat experience was extremely low. Their last conflict had been the War of the seven years—and they had fought only on the defensive. Meanwhile, Krugger had served as a general under Frederick the Great, had taken part in the partition of Poland, and had fought aggressively during the earlier seven years War. Even a fraction of his experience could greatly strengthen their forces. He had heard from other officers how fearsome Krugger had been in that campaign; despite not yet holding a general’s rank at the time, he had risen from second lieutenant to major over the course of eight brutal years, enough to catch Frederick the Great’s personal attention.

“Let me speak to my grandson first,” Krugger added. “And I hope you’ll look after him once I’m gone—as payment for this help.”

The baron nodded, pleased. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure nothing happens to him. But please, be quick. The ministers are nervous—we don’t know when this cursed war will reach us.”

Krugger shook the baron’s hand, then mounted a horse and rode toward the hotel where his grandson was staying.

Krugger shook the baron’s hand and mounted his horse, calling out loudly as he rode off toward the hotel where his grandson lived,”Don’t worry, I’ll do what I can. Prepare the soldiers.”

The baron let out a long sigh and headed back to his carriage. Once inside, he ordered his men to gather several officers and generals—Krugger would train them. He knew this would spark controversy; after all, Krugger’s success under Prussia during the war had come at the cost of countless Hanoverian soldiers and officers.But with the war already underway, there was no better option.

As he glanced back at the distant camp, he murmured to himself,”Wouldn’t it be perfect if those mercenaries were ours?”

His aide, startled, leaned in and whispered,”My lord… you know we can’t. The British government expects them to weaken Spain. We can’t interfere. And from what I’ve heard, Krugger is training them differently from the German armies.”

The baron frowned, then slowly relaxed.”I suppose it’s because of the different climate and terrain. The United Kingdom has different training methods for different types of troops as well.”

The aide nodded, not fully understanding, and the carriage set off toward the city of Hanover, capital of the Electorate.

Meanwhile, Krugger arrived at the hotel. He marched to Francisco’s room and knocked hard on the door.

“Francisco! I need to talk to you—open up!”

He knocked for five full minutes. Receiving no answer, he turned to go downstairs and ask the staff, when suddenly the door creaked open.

Catalina stepped out, dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep.”He’s not here,” she said. “He went to the library. I think he was preparing things for your trip to New Granada.”

Krugger looked embarrassed.”Sorry for waking you, kid. I’ll go find him.”

Catalina waved her hand dismissively and closed the door.

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