He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 253

(253) Impossible Is Not in My Vocabulary

Once again, the war situation began to accelerate.

“Currently, the Austrian forces are concentrated in the Duchy of Bavaria. The Moreau Corps, which had retreated to the Rhine front, is advancing, and Austria’s entire military force is concentrated in the Alps and Bavaria.”

Arnhem, the capital of the Gelderland province in the western Batavian Republic.

In the central encampment where 70,000 Prussian troops were gathered, a middle-aged general eating sausage looked up.

Hamburg sausage, much thicker and tougher than the sausages of later historical accounts.

Therefore, it’s better not to eat it when hearing news that is hard to digest.

The general, Blücher, who had put down his fork and was staring at the plate, stroked his chin and said,

“I don’t understand the reason.”

“Yes? Well, since the Russian army was annihilated in Italy, isn’t it natural to retreat?”

“Not that, but how does Bonaparte know where to go and concentrate in Bavaria?”

Suddenly, Blücher glared at the young general who was giving the fervent report.

“Don’t tell me, you think Bonaparte is aiming for the Archduke himself, not Vienna?”

However, the 44-year-old adjutant, Colonel Scharnhorst, instead of answering, asked back.

“Field Marshal Blücher, that’s not important. What are you going to do?”

“About what?”

“France and Austria are both concentrating their forces in the rear of the central Rhine. If we strike first at this time…”

The current battlefield where the Prussian army is concentrated is in the Flanders region.

In other words, it can be said to be the lower Rhine area of northeastern France.

On the other hand, France and Austria are concentrating their main forces in the middle Rhine.

Then the defense of the north becomes relatively weak.

If we take this opportunity, Prussia can directly target Paris, just like before the Battle of Valmy.

At that time, France barely prevented a direct attack on Paris thanks to the desperate efforts of Lafayette and Jourdan.

But now, it’s not just the Prussian army here.

Then Blücher tapped the plate with his fork and asked.

“Do you know that three countries’ corps are currently deployed throughout the Netherlands, Major General Scharnhorst?”

“I know. England, Russia, and us. So, isn’t it possible?”

“Yes. England even sent the Duke of York, the King’s second son. Of course, the actual commander is Ralph Abercromby. And Russia sent as many as 45,000 men? The general is someone I don’t even know.”

Scharnhorst calmly corrected Blücher’s sarcastic remarks.

“The Russian army commander, General Ivan Ivanovich Hermann, is the Russian Quartermaster General. Also, he is known to have made outstanding achievements in the conquest of Poland. His credibility with the Russian Emperor is also high.”

But Blücher retorted with a sneer.

“Now, if you understand that far, do you understand now? Why we can’t go?”

“Politics?”

“Yes. It’s politics, Scharnhorst. I understand you want to target Paris. But…”

Suddenly, Blücher frowned, tearing the sausage with his fork as if it were the enemy.

“The British bastards, the real [sponsors] of this war, want Amsterdam more than Paris. That’s how London is safe!”

Of course, Blücher’s reputation in later generations is actually [Marshal Vorwärts – the ‘Forward’ or ‘Charge-Forward’ Marshal, a title reflecting his aggressive tactics].

However, he is not reckless enough to order an attack when circumstances do not allow it.

It’s why he couldn’t accept the operation proposed by the strategist Colonel Scharnhorst, even though it was very tempting.

The cautious staff officer, Scharnhorst, pondered for a moment and nodded.

If this recklessly brave general does not charge forward, it is the will of the Prussian King.

“I understand.”

“Good. Then think about how to put Willem V back as the Stadtholder [Head of State] of the Netherlands. You know? That guy is our King’s brother-in-law.”

“I know he’s a cousin of King George III of England.”

Discussing the former Stadtholder of the Netherlands, Willem V, Blücher frowned.

“So, this Dutch campaign is much more important, from our Prussian perspective.”

Willem van Oranje, the hereditary Stadtholder of the aristocratic republic of the Netherlands.

This former monarch in a strange position was also a relative of the European royal family.

Of course, the fact that his wife is the niece of Frederick the Great and the sister of the current Prussian King, or that he himself is the cousin of the British King, is just an excuse.

What is important is the Netherlands itself.

A country that possesses the 5th largest navy in Europe, has vast colonies in Southeast Asia, and is also the home of the financial industry.

In particular, it possesses the [Low Countries] coast, which is the core of British coastal defense.

If you seize this coast, it becomes easier to directly strike London due to the currents.

It’s also why England sent as many as its army to the Netherlands.

Moreover, Prussia, which lacks finances, cannot ignore British support.

Scharnhorst, who understood the situation, nodded again.

“I understand.”

“How to break through?”

“There is a way to take advantage of Jourdan being a passive general.”

Scharnhorst once again put forward an extraordinary proactive tactic.

“Rather, we tie him down from the front, and our army goes around the rear, cutting off his retreat.”

Blücher glanced at the strategist who would later become the founder of the famous Prussian [General Staff] and nodded.

He likes this operation too.

Especially the fact that it is a recklessly offensive operation.

“Good. I’ll talk to the Duke of York. No, Abercromby. Soon, we’ll enter Amsterdam.”

With this, the Prussian version of the Netherlands September Grand Offensive was decided.

***

Of course, it’s not always good for our side to move actively.

“Moreau is coming, Father.”

Como, the northern border of Milan and the gateway to the Alps, is where the French army gathered.

The number is 100,000 in total.

One side is naturally Napoleon’s Italian Corps.

But the other side is quite heterogeneous.

The Egyptian expeditionary corps, commonly known as the Orient Corps.

A unit of Eugene’s 13,000 returning soldiers and 20,000 Greek soldiers from Moldavia.

Extremely heterogeneous forces gathered in Como for one purpose.

That is, the destruction of the Austrian Empire.

But unexpected news was spread first.

Napoleon frowned as he sipped hot coffee in the headquarters barracks.

“Is this the result of your ‘toy’?”

“Sukowski almost failed, but Surte’s intelligence network is quite good. Besides, this is our side’s movement.”

“I heard it too, that much. Don’t underestimate the French General Headquarters too much.”

Napoleon put the cup on the table, making a remark that seemed to ignore Eugene’s Surte.

“So, Moreau crossed the Rhine?”

The generals who were having a meeting while having coffee in the headquarters barracks looked at each other.

Moreau, the hero of the Rhine during the First War of the Revolution.

He recently experienced failure in the Irish expedition and was defeated by Suvorov in Switzerland.

But the generals of the Italian Corps who faced Suvorov head-on know.

Suvorov would have won no matter who fought him, not just Napoleon.

Even Napoleon almost lost until Eugene arrived, or until Suvorov died.

Therefore, Moreau’s arrival means that a strong support force has appeared for the French army.

Dezaix, who came to this military conclusion, tilted his head.

“Isn’t that a good thing? If we join forces with General Moreau, we can fight in a superior form.”

“Shh, Dezaix. Be quiet.”

“Yes? What’s wrong, General Masséna?”

On the other hand, the more skillful Masséna clicked his tongue and urged in a low voice.

“Oh, are you asking because you don’t know? Moreau is the Commander-in-Chief’s rival, a rival! What good would it be to join forces with that friend?”

So, political and military problems arise at the same time.

Napoleon became the Commander-in-Chief based on military achievements.

But what if someone emerges who has made military achievements comparable to Napoleon?

Of course, the generals are looking at Eugene, who has become the conqueror of the Orient before their eyes.

But Eugene is not only Napoleon’s adopted son, but also still a teenager.

No matter how much he contributes, he is not a member of the royal family, and what can a teenage boy do under a republican system?

Moreau is completely different.

If Moreau defeats Austria, the highest credit may go to Moreau.

There are also military problems.

Will Moreau listen to Napoleon’s orders?

Dezaix asked with an absurd face.

“No, isn’t General Bonaparte the Commander-in-Chief? You can suppress him with the right to command.”

“Is Moreau the kind of person who listens? An army led by two excellent generals is worse than an army led by one mediocre general!”

“Oh, it’s convincing when Lannes says it. You don’t listen to anyone, do you? Hehe.”

Just as Masséna was about to point out Lannes’ words, Eugene spoke again.

“Besides, Moreau is slow.”

As all the generals stared, Eugene shrugged.

“The success or failure of this operation depends on speed. Moreau prefers traditional tactics: maintaining supply lines, connecting communication networks, and thorough reconnaissance.”

“There will be no defeat, unless there is an accident like the last surprise attack on Bern.”

“Then, of course, the enemy will have time to prepare. Junot.”

Eugene lightly retorted to Junot and asserted.

“We must not give the enemy time. Then, we cannot end the war in the next decisive battle.”

This is what actually happened in the original history.

Moreau really defeats Austria.

But he gave them considerable time to prepare, so Austria suffered a kind of pyrrhic victory [a victory won at too great a cost].

Therefore, what Moreau could force was not a surrender negotiation, but an armistice negotiation.

The dissolution of the Empire is out of the question.

“How?”

When Napoleon asked intently, Eugene replied concisely.

“We cross the Alps.”

“Again?”

“Masséna, if you have another way, tell me. Are you thinking of crossing on a balloon?”

Masséna rolled his eyes and sighed.

“I can’t go. Then, are we not taking the artillery?”

Just as Eugene was about to answer, Napoleon shook his head firmly.

“No, we’re taking it.”

“Yes? Commander-in-Chief, that’s!”

“Cannons are essential in this war, Goos. Especially!”

Just as Chief of Staff Berthier exclaimed in surprise, Napoleon pointed outside the headquarters barracks and declared.

“That Russian-made monster must be there!”

That is, 100 howitzers called [Unicorn], or [Licorne] in French.

***

Originally, the fastest route from Como is the Zurich route.

“Aaaagh!”

It’s not for nothing that Suvorov, who won in Switzerland, came down to Milan through Como.

However, if Napoleon takes the Como route, he will arrive later than Moreau.

So, the path that the French soldier who is screaming now is taking is another path.

A route that goes west from Como, up to Lecco, and passes through the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The problem was that this road was even more treacherous.

Looking at the soldiers falling off the cliff, other soldiers shouted.

“Another one died!”

“Oh my god, this is crazy. Do we really have to take the cannons?”

“We have to stop the carts!”

So narrow that soldiers have rarely passed this road since ancient times.

Therefore, the 70,000 infantrymen are marching in columns, and about 5,000 cavalrymen are also marching on foot.

But the real problem is the 100 Unicorn cannons that Napoleon is stubbornly dragging along.

The soldiers’ complaints were piercing the sky.

“Listen, soldiers!”

A general wearing a hat shouted from the highest hill.

His name is Napoleon, the head of the corps crossing the Alps in autumn.

So, he is the man who decided on this crazy act.

“We are making history now. If we cross that hill, the ghost of the old empire, Austria, awaits!”

As the frowning soldiers turned around, Napoleon’s baton pointed north.

“The source of counter-revolution and the root that ruined France! It’s time to end all of that at once.”

Mountain marching is difficult.

Moreover, the soldiers here are those who became soldiers through conscription.

Therefore, they move willingly when they win or get spoils, but fundamentally, they are forcibly mobilized.

But in this Italian expedition, it was virtually a defensive battle, so there were no spoils.

But the desire for revolution exists in all soldiers.

The Great Revolution that overthrew the old regime and opened a new world.

Those who endanger that revolution are in the north.

Furthermore, the [enemies] who make the soldiers 힘들게 [himdeulge – Korean for ‘have a hard time’] cross the Alps.

“Now is the time to change history. Furthermore, the time has come for the treasury of the Austrian Empire to become yours!”

In an instant, the soldiers’ eyes changed.

The Imperial Family’s treasury.

The soldiers who had been to Vienna before recall the luxurious palace, and those who had not imagine it.

Although the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved, Vienna of Austria had been the base of the Habsburgs for 800 years.

How many treasures will there be?

During the victory of the First War of the Revolution, they could not loot properly due to a kind of compromise.

At that moment, Napoleon shouted.

“Soldiers, I believe there is no such thing as impossible in the French dictionary! What do you think!”

At that moment, Eugene, who was leading the cavalry from below, shouted.

“There is no such thing as impossible!”

At the same time, the soldiers shouted in rough French, Gascon dialect, and Provençal dialect.

“Let’s go! To the Alps! To Austria!”

“Let’s kill them all!”

“The Emperor’s treasury is mine!”

Again, just as the soldiers were moving forward vigorously, Ippolito grumbled next to Eugene.

“Fucking Jesus! It looks impossible to me?”

But Eugene chuckled and retorted in a low voice.

“Don’t worry, there’s a supply unit sent in advance when we get over there. Can’t you see King Constantine?”

“What?”

“Did you think we’d cross the Alps just believing in the speech?”

A total of 100,000 expeditionary forces.

30,000 of them came from Greece.

But only French is heard here.

Where did they all go?

They had already crossed the Alps through a different route in advance.

It is an operation that only Eugene, who knows that Austria does not have the capacity to defend the Alps, can decide.

Eugene smiled brightly.

“This battle is all happening under a plan.”

At that moment, Napoleon’s horse burst into tears.

-Heeheeheeing!

The horse’s name is Marengo.

It is an Arabian horse that Eugene brought from Egypt and gifted.

It was the moment Marengo’s horse crossed the Alps.

Along with that famous immortal dictionary.