Amidst the flattery, Lorenzo did not lose himself but instead raised a very realistic concern: "Although we have an army of 50,000, most of them are scattered in various places. Some are along the supply lines, and some are in training camps. Currently, we can only directly mobilize just over 10,000 men.
The garrison in Rome consists of two regiments of the National Defense Force. This force of just over 10,000 men is not enough. How to gather enough men to attack Rome without alerting Augustus is a major problem."
"Why don't we keep the uprising a secret for now? We can announce to the outside that there has been progress on the front lines, and the supply lines have been extended, requiring more personnel to maintain them. We can then transfer the troops that cannot be gathered on the way to Rome, and then, while marching towards Rome, gather surrounding troops along the way," a noble officer suggested, his spirits high.
"That's a good idea," Lorenzo nodded in approval.
Seeing that Lorenzo approved of the plan, Loretto quickly stepped forward to stop him: "Absolutely not. Carducao and Duke have just started fighting Venice and cannot extricate themselves. This is the best time for our uprising.
If we wait here for the troops to gather, it will take at least three to five days, or as long as half a month. By then, Carducao and Duke will likely have dealt with Venice's main force and can return to deal with us with peace of mind!
Moreover, for this plan to be successfully implemented, absolute secrecy of the uprising must first be guaranteed. There are so many people present today, and everyone will have to make arrangements in advance when they return to their respective camps. The number of people involved and the scope are unimaginable. Who can guarantee that no news will be leaked?
Even if the news is not leaked, will Augustus not be wary when he sees such a large-scale troop movement from us? As long as he is given time to make even a little preparation, it will be extremely difficult for us to enter Rome!"
"Hmm, now that you mention it, I also see that there are indeed improprieties. So, in your opinion, what should we do?" Although Lorenzo was displeased at being publicly contradicted by his own man, he knew Loretto's loyalty and that his words were not without reason, so he humbly asked for advice.
Loretto did not hide anything and straightforwardly explained his plan: "In my opinion, our uprising cannot be kept secret for long, so we must make good use of information asymmetry and act immediately to catch Augustus off guard.
First, we must quickly capture Urbino while Maria II (Duke of Urbino) is completely unaware. Firstly, this can serve as our base of operations and supply point for the uprising; secondly, it will serve as a strong fortress to intercept Carducao's returning relief forces in the future; thirdly, by looting Urbino, we will have enough wealth and treasures to boost morale. Fourthly, Maria II has no heir, so as soon as he dies, after the matter is settled, you will be the undisputed ruler of Urbino.
Then, leave a small number of reliable soldiers to guard Urbino, and the main force will immediately advance towards Rome..."
"Cough, cough," Loretto was speaking enthusiastically when he was suddenly interrupted by two heavy coughs from an old general, "May I interrupt. Loretto, have you forgotten what our initial problem was? You keep emphasizing speed, but even if we appear before the walls of Rome tomorrow morning, with this small number of men, we still won't be able to take Rome!"
"Of course, I haven't forgotten. Don't worry, this is exactly what I'm going to talk about next," Loretto's eyes, instead, gained a few points of confidence when asked this, "While the army sets out, we will send people to issue orders to our various units without stating the reason, and contact the nobles who support us to explain the reason and seek their support, agreeing to meet together outside the walls of Rome.
Even if they don't respond in time or don't come, I don't think there's any need to worry about the problem of insufficient manpower. As one of the world's foremost great cities, Rome is certainly not lacking in people.
We only need to reach Rome as quickly as possible and surround the city, then conscript civilians from surrounding towns and villages to serve as the vanguard for the siege. We won't have to worry about insufficient manpower. If Augustus is unwilling to shoot civilians, he will undoubtedly lose; if Augustus orders the shooting of Roman civilians attacking the city, he will lose the people's support!"
"Loretto! What you're doing is no different from a beast! If we really do as you say, we will all go to hell!" A young officer couldn't help but rebuke him.
Loretto's expression did not change: "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! So indecisive, I think you, I'm afraid, haven't yet come to terms with a life-or-death struggle against Augustus!"
Another of Lorenzo's confidants agreed: "I think so too. How can such a soft-hearted person conspire with us for such a great cause? General Lorenzo, I suggest temporarily relieving him of his duties and detaining him, and then releasing him after the matter is accomplished."
"Why bother? At such a critical moment, if he cannot be used by me, then he is our enemy." Lorenzo raised his hand, and several soldiers behind him immediately rushed forward. Before the young officer could react, he was stabbed to death in his seat.
Boasting so much, how many reserve noble officers have actually been on a battlefield? Seeing such a bloody scene, several officers immediately trembled with fear, and the few generals who had originally held dissenting opinions no longer dared to utter a single word.
Loretto remained unmoved and continued: "By the way, Claudio is not far from Carducao, so he must know more about the situation on the front lines than we do. Whether to fight or retreat, I think we don't necessarily have to give him direct orders, but can let him decide for himself.
If there's an opportunity to flank and annihilate a part or all of Carducao's forces with Venice, that would naturally be ideal. If there's no opportunity, finding a way to tie them down would also work."
"Good, let's do it!"
With a feasible plan, Lorenzo had no more reservations and immediately set to work.
The Duchy of Urbino was originally a vassal state of the Papal States, enjoying great autonomy. Historically, it only formally became part of the Papal States after Maria II died without an heir.
Maria II, far removed from court politics, had originally enjoyed himself in Urbino. Upon learning that the Papal States was going to wage war abroad, he generously contributed money, men, and land, showing no disrespect whatsoever. He never expected that a political upheaval in the Papal States would make his Urbino the first to bear the brunt.
Moments later, the once peaceful and prosperous Urbino was filled with billowing smoke everywhere. Countless civilian houses and villages were burned down, and countless families were torn apart.
Urbino's sturdy surrounding fortresses were breached from within and replaced with flags that belonged neither to Urbino nor to the Papal States.
On the ground of the Ducal Palace, blood flowed freely, and the bodies of soldiers and servants were scattered everywhere, including Maria II. On the walls, in the library, on the ground, countless displayed artworks were completely looted...
A single plunder instantly motivated many reserve soldiers who didn't know what they were fighting for. Because their officers told them that their goal was Rome, a city dozens of times richer than Urbino.