He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 131

(131) Europe Learns of Napoleon’s Victory

Paris is now seething.

Perhaps even more so than on that day of the Bastille when the revolution broke out.

“We won, didn’t we? We won. We won!”

In the Tuileries Palace, in the office of the Directory where the five Directors, the heads of the Directory government, reside.

Among them, a man boasting the most massive physique was shouting.

It was Danton, the de facto leader of the five Directors.

“Flanders is in stalemate, the Rhine is defeated, the economy is in turmoil! This was the report card of our Directory government. But finally, news of victory!”

Suddenly, the sound of singing echoes from outside the palace.

-Arise, children of the fatherland! The day of glory has arrived!

Danton blinked and looked out the window.

Citizens singing La Marseillaise [the French national anthem] are visible throughout the city.

Everyone seems to be celebrating the victory, waving the tricolor flag and cheering.

Clearly, even the Directors have only just received the official victory report.

But how are the citizens already cheering?

With a dumbfounded expression, Danton turned to Auguste, who had just arrived from the city.

“What do those fellows know to be singing like that?”

“We have to receive formal reports, but the citizens of Paris receive letters. The Marseille Postal Brigade, or now the Parisian Army Postal Brigade, delivers letters to them.”

“Good heavens! Then you must have been the first to know the news of victory, Commander Marceau. Isn’t that so?”

The Paris Chief of Police, Marceau, smiled and shook his head.

“I only just learned about Rivoli. I heard other news sooner, though.”

In fact, it couldn’t be helped.

The official victory report that rushed to the Paris Directory government went through a three-step process.

First, Napoleon writes the report through his aide, especially Eugene.

Next, after revising the wording several times, it is sent to Paris via a mounted grenadier from the Postal Brigade.

Afterward, it is confirmed as an official report through the Public Safety Command and comes to the Directory.

In the end, it is natural that it arrives later than the private letters sent by soldiers through the Postal Brigade or the Milan Bank.

Suddenly, the stuttering Director Camille Desmoulins nodded.

“G, good! We must use this victory! This year’s financial deficit has been resolved at once thanks to Milan. Now we have to solve the deficit for n, next year!”

“Camille, this isn’t something to approach so passively.”

“Yes? What do you mean by that, D, Director Danton?”

Danton lightly clicked his tongue and waved his finger.

“I know you hate war. But we can’t avoid war now, Camille.”

Desmoulins is only a year younger than Danton.

Moreover, he was at the pinnacle of French power as a Director.

However, just as he did when Robespierre was alive, Danton treats Desmoulins as inferior.

Calling him by his first name is one of those habits.

At that time, another man called by his first name, Auguste Robespierre, nodded.

“That’s right, we should aim for a direct strike at Vienna this time.”

“M, Monsieur Auguste. Th, that’s difficult.”

“Difficult? General Bonaparte is capable. That general has performed miracles!”

For a different reason than Danton, Auguste, who is a fanatical fan of Napoleon, shouted as if roaring.

“No one expected anything from the Italian Army. Didn’t you think they would just hold their ground and come back? Especially you, Director Danton!”

In fact, Danton sent Napoleon, thinking that Italy was a difficult land to achieve merit in.

If he fought moderately and returned, he would appease Napoleon’s ambition as Minister of War.

But the miracle in Italy saved the Directory government, which was in a financial crisis.

As if he knew and sent him, Danton cleared his throat and replied.

“Hmm, I know Bonaparte’s extraordinary ability. Why would I think that way?”

“Really?”

“Isn’t it obvious! Why would I send him to a war he couldn’t win! Ahem!”

At that time, a Director who had been silent opened his mouth.

“I object.”

It was Lafayette, the representative of the Feuillant faction among the five Directors.

Currently, the Directory government has a structure in which the five Directors represent each republican faction.

Danton and Auguste, representing the old Jacobin faction.

Desmoulins, also from the old Jacobin faction, seeking compromise with the Girondins.

And Lafayette of the Feuillant faction, who was a constitutional monarchist, and Salicetti, representing the military Napoleon faction.

Among these, Lafayette encompasses not only the Feuillants but also Brissot and Condorcet of the Girondins.

In short, he is the politician with the strongest support in the parliament.

In addition, he is also the French leader of the Freemasons, although he does not reveal it much.

A man with literally immense political weight, Lafayette, spoke with weight.

“We must wait until Salicetti arrives.”

“Director Lafayette, what are you suddenly talking about? He sent a victory report!”

“A direct strike at Vienna has too many variables. Moreover, the Italian Army will need urgent reorganization right now. Haven’t they already fought three fierce battles in a row?”

Originally a general, Lafayette once saved the republic.

He pointed out that most of the Directors in this position are lawyers or journalists and have nothing to do with the military.

Besides, the only soldier, Marceau, also seems to agree.

Lafayette stared at Danton.

“It is more important to completely take control of Lombardy, Venice, and the Papal States first. Furthermore, the Kingdom of Naples as well.”

“Then a direct strike at Vienna will become difficult!”

“Instead, Italy will fall into the hands of France. War must be done in order, step by step. Otherwise, victory will easily collapse.”

In short, Lafayette mentioned the standard theory of moving the military.

“The enemies will also slow down their momentum. Let’s reorganize the Rhine front at this opportunity.”

Danton looked displeased, but the other Directors all nodded.

Certainly, it is dangerous to make unreasonable demands on Napoleon, who has already achieved a great victory.

Rather, it is urgent to solidify the victory and recover the Rhine front, which is in crisis.

Suddenly, the passionate voices of citizens were heard from outside.

“Oh, take up arms-! Citizens!”

However, it is also the duty of politicians to sometimes tell soldiers with weapons to stop.

Of course, that’s only if the soldiers listen well.

***

This is Mainz, once a French city, taken by Kleber and then retaken by Moreau.

Moreau used Mainz as his headquarters to penetrate into the heart of the Holy Roman Empire.

However, after pushing into Bavaria, he was attacked in reverse and defeated.

He was pushed back to Mainz by the Austrian and Prussian allied forces who counterattacked again.

However, Archduke Karl, the very person who defeated and pushed Moreau to Mainz, was shouting like a scream.

“That can’t be. How could Marshal Wurmser be followed by Marshal Alvinczy?”

At that time, the sound of cannons echoed from afar.

-Bang!

The battle is in a lull.

However, there is a reason why the Austrian army is firing threatening cannons.

Moreau was floating reconnaissance balloons in the sky.

It doesn’t reach the balloons, but it was necessary to attack to prevent them from getting close.

Looking at the reconnaissance balloon from the headquarters barracks, Archduke Karl frowned.

It’s extremely annoying.

Of course, the balloon itself is not a significant threat.

However, the fact that balloons are being used on the battlefield shows that France is more flexible than Austria.

Could that be why the Austrian Southern Army was annihilated in Italy?

At that time, the 55-year-old middle-aged general, the Archduke’s aide Kerpen, opened his mouth.

“Your Highness, you must make a decision quickly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Whether to continue the Rhine offensive or retreat to Vienna.”

The man who led Bavaria to victory with Archduke Karl.

Wilhelm Lothar von Kerpen.

Originally, in the original history, he would have gone to Montenotte and been greatly defeated.

However, as a veteran, he was accurately aware of the situation.

“If we continue like this, we will be forced into a two-front war by France this time.”

Archduke Karl was holding his throbbing head and turned his gaze.

“Colli, you have fought Bonaparte before. What kind of man is he? Will he come to Vienna?”

Michelangelo Alessandro Colli Marquis, former Sardinian commander, licked his lips.

Originally, Colli was badly defeated by Sérurier’s division just before the Kingdom of Sardinia was occupied.

So he has never fought Napoleon directly.

After the fall of the Kingdom of Sardinia, he barely escaped to his home country, Austria, but that is the reason why he did not take on a decent position.

Nevertheless, Colli is the only person in this position who has fought the Napoleonic army.

Colli sighed and replied.

“It is entirely possible, Your Highness.”

“Why do you judge so?”

“No one predicted the direction of advance when France first invaded Sardinia. Bonaparte can go anywhere, and he may not go anywhere.”

It sounds like a Zen riddle, but Colli’s analysis was accurate.

The core of Napoleon’s maneuver is to hide his intentions and deceive the enemy.

So going to Vienna itself is not necessarily important to Napoleon.

On the other hand, even if he doesn’t go to Vienna, he can go anywhere if he can deceive the Austrian army and exploit their weaknesses.

Of course, it’s just wordplay to other generals.

“Isn’t that a pointless story? You might as well say that the enemy is bold enough to attack the capital directly. Your Highness, the Brenner Pass has already been breached.”

Suddenly, a general in his 40s interjected gruffly.

Karl Mack von Leiberich, who was the military aide to the late Emperor Joseph.

He is young for an Austrian general, but Leiberich’s military career was brilliant.

The War of the Bavarian Succession, the defense of the Turks, and the victory in the early Flanders campaign of the Revolutionary War.

Above all, he is the very person who drew out the success of Dumouriez’s betrayal operation as a staff officer under Duke Josias.

General Leiberich, who is skilled in tactics and a master of operations, pointed to the map and said.

“The Italian countries are competing to surrender. In particular, even the Grand Duchy of Tuscany has raised both hands.”

“At one time, our late Emperor was the Grand Duke there, which is unfortunate.”

“There is no other way now. We must abandon the Rhine and defend Vienna.”

It is a very clear conclusion.

Leiberich saw that Napoleon would come to Vienna.

Karl also agreed with that.

Even he wouldn’t miss this good opportunity.

But there is a problem.

“But Moreau in front of us is attacking like that?”

Moreau’s army, still showing off its offensive posture in Mainz, can be seen in the distance.

It is a large army of at least 100,000 men.

Perhaps if you include the reserve forces in the rear, it may reach 300,000.

France is really putting its main force into the Rhine front.

Karl is currently launching an offensive, but if he shows even a slight gap, they will surely attack again.

Above all, the front was not only spread along the Rhine River.

“Besides, Flanders is virtually stalemated, but it is already on the verge of occupying Amsterdam.”

“That is something that England and Prussia should worry about more than us. Hasn’t the imperial territory of Flanders been taken away a long time ago?”

“That’s true. We don’t have the capacity to launch an offensive to reclaim the land that has already been taken.”

Lightly clicking his tongue, Archduke Karl grabbed his head again.

“150,000 have died. Good heavens, is Bonaparte really a devil?”

Thanks to that, Austria now has barely 150,000 troops even if they scrape together all their forces.

Except for the minimum defense force on the Turkish border, almost all troops are concentrated on the Rhine.

If Napoleon crosses the Brenner, there are no troops to stop him.

In the end, Karl made a decision.

“Dispatch a messenger to Vienna immediately. I will leave this place to you for now, Leiberich.”

“Understood. Then, where will Your Highness go?”

“I am going to the Duchy of Bavaria. Tell Elector Karl Theodor to hasten preparations for war as well!”

Austria’s last hope, Archduke Karl, also began to move.

To stop Napoleon’s direct strike at the Alps.

However, no one knows whether Napoleon will move according to Karl’s wishes.

***

It takes quite a while for news from the continent to cross the English Channel.

-Ding! Ding! Ding!

Hearing the sound of the bell ringing, a gray-haired young man clicked his tongue.

“The clock tower is making a fuss. There’s nothing that should be so noisy.”

Now 36 years old, the same age as Danton.

But a man who is so skinny that he cannot be compared to Danton is drumming his head.

On the other side, a 41-year-old middle-aged man with an elegant attitude was lightly enjoying the food.

The middle-aged man cut the goose liver with a knife and smiled.

“I like that bell sound, Your Excellency Prime Minister.”

“Really? Somehow it doesn’t suit me either.”

“Is the food not to your liking? Then I will tell the chef to bring it out again.”

Prime Minister, leader of Parliament, and representative of Great Britain.

The already insane ‘King’ cannot represent England.

Although still young, his solemn face is full of dignity.

The British Prime Minister, William Pitt, frowned.

“No, I like to eat simply. French formal dinners are very uncomfortable. Besides, what I think doesn’t suit ‘Mr.’ Talleyrand the most is something else.”

Prime Minister Pitt glared at the man in front of him.

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord.

A priest-turned-supporter of the French Revolution and a gourmet.

He is currently a priestly aristocrat who has defected to England.

Of course, Pitt doesn’t hate this man just because he is French.

Being a gourmet is not very pleasing, but there is no reason to get angry.

The problem is always at a different point.

“You meet our good friend, Fox, too often. Isn’t that so?”

The problem is that he is close to Pitt’s political enemy.

Of course, Talleyrand has a private reason to be close to that political enemy, Fox.

Fox is not only Pitt’s political enemy but also a strong advocate of the French Revolution.

Instead of mentioning that story, Talleyrand smiled elegantly and replied.

“Your Excellency Prime Minister, as an exile, I simply enjoy making friends with influential figures in England.”

“Is that all? Fox is an advocate of the French Revolution. I thought you originally advocated the Revolution too?”

“I am also a former clergyman who almost died at the hands of the revolutionary government and came to London in search of true freedom.”

Pitt snorted, staring at Talleyrand, who was still elegantly avoiding the argument.

“Then, you might not like returning home soon?”

This time, Talleyrand was a little surprised.

“Returning home? Are you perhaps deporting me?”

“No, that can’t be. It’s a matter decided in today’s cabinet meeting. We will select one reliable person from among the French exiles and send them as a special envoy to the French Republic.”

“Do you trust me?”

Pitt glared at Talleyrand and stood up from his seat.

“I don’t trust your sense of balance. Soon, I will deliver our King’s personal letter. Prepare to depart.”

Talleyrand slightly raised his eyebrows and smiled.

Talleyrand was slightly upset just now for no particular reason.

It was because he didn’t like getting up in the middle of eating.

To a gourmet, food is sacred.

But there is no need to show displeasure to a powerful person.

Also, Talleyrand is a person who does not show his inner thoughts to the outside.

“Willingly, a path that benefits everyone. Farewell, Your Excellency Prime Minister.”

On the way out, Pitt was the one who couldn’t stand it.

While walking, Pitt picked up a stone rolling on the street and kicked it.

William Wilberforce, a member of the House of Commons who was accompanying him, was so surprised.

“Damn it!”

“Pitt, what’s wrong? Talleyrand didn’t say anything to provoke you.”

“That’s not it! That fox knows. That France won in Italy! So, he’s so relaxed. He didn’t even ask why he was being sent!”

He is already aware of the victory at the Battle of Rivoli.

If not, there is no reason for the British Parliament to send a special envoy to France.

Also, no matter how high-ranking a French exile Talleyrand is, there is no reason for Prime Minister Pitt to come to see him.

However, if you think about it the other way around, it means that Talleyrand, an ordinary exile, has a strong network to obtain internal French information.

So, despite not liking it, Pitt is sending Talleyrand as a special envoy.

Suddenly, Pitt looked up at the sky and shouted.

“What the hell is that Napoleon or something! I need to demand intelligence gathering from the navy right away. No, did the stupid navy even lose Corsica?”

“Don’t rush. The war isn’t over yet.”

“It could end depending on the direction that ‘dwarf’ Napoleon or something advances! Amsterdam is about to be occupied anyway!”

Wilberforce hurriedly looked around.

Fortunately, there are only the Prime Minister’s bodyguards nearby, and there are no passing citizens.

Pitt, the British Prime Minister who was angrily ranting about military secrets, suddenly stopped.

“Where the hell will this Napoleon go? I really want to know!”

At the end of the 18th century, even though the United States had become independent, England was the richest country in Europe.

He was also the one who led the anti-French alliance.

In addition, the British Navy is being dispatched to the Indian subcontinent and the West Indies to destroy French bases.

In a situation where an overwhelming victory was in sight.

Nevertheless, the war situation in distant Italy was turning everything upside down.

-Ding! Ding! Ding!