He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 394

(394) Eugene’s Blitzkrieg Shakes Germany

Hesse-Kassel, historically a principality, is remembered for two contradictory reasons.

“T-The Viceroy of France is looking for me?”

A young man, showing the beginnings of wrinkles around his eyes, stammered, clearly intimidated by the prospect of meeting such a high-ranking figure.

In the former Holy Roman Empire, soon to become Germany, the proportion of nobles was far smaller than in France.

Just before the French Revolution, nobles comprised about 2 percent of France’s population, but in the German region, it was less than 0.01 percent.

Moreover, unlike France, where social advancement was possible through the military or commerce, it was difficult for commoners to become nobles in the old empire.

To commoners, nobles were figures of immense stature, difficult to approach. This contrasted sharply with France, where commoners could more easily look down on nobles.

The ruler of Hesse-Kassel, Duke Wilhelm IX, nodded.

“That’s right, Professor Jacob Grimm. I understand the Viceroy is very interested in your paper published in Paris.”

“Yes? W-Well, all I’ve written is a grammar book on the [German language].”

“That must be it. The very act of codifying ‘German’ seems dangerous. Tsk!”

Duke Wilhelm clicked his tongue, causing Grimm to bow his head in alarm.

“I-I am definitely not anti-French, Your Excellency!”

If Eugene had witnessed this scene, he would have advised Jacob, the elder of the [Grimm Brothers], to stand his ground.

Jacob Grimm, later known as one half of the famous Grimm Brothers, was a scholar who studied German dictionaries, folklore, and law with his younger brother Wilhelm. Eugene knew he was in Kassel and saw an opportunity to scout talent, perhaps to preemptively counter any burgeoning Germanic nationalism.

“I know, but the French Viceroy insisted. After this war, he will come to collect you, so keep yourself ‘safe’.”

“Good heavens, isn’t that protection just confinement?”

“It can’t be helped. If you, Professor Grimm, were to disappear, Hesse-Kassel would be in danger.”

As Professor Grimm despaired at the prospect of being confined to his hometown, Wilhelm IX offered encouragement.

“Please bear with it for the sake of your hometown. Viceroy Eugene is not known to be cruel, so your life will not be in danger.”

Just as Professor Grimm was about to leave, a ‘guest’ who had been waiting while drinking coffee spoke up.

“Who is that person, Your Excellency?”

“He is a disciple of Professor Friedrich Carl von Savigny, a master of Roman law. I only learned of it recently.”

“Viceroy Eugene personally requested him, so he must possess some special talent.”

Wilhelm snorted and turned to the guest.

“Come to think of it, I recall Viceroy Eugene specifically hiring your family as well. I thought I was the only one who recognized the [Rothschild] family’s potential. Where did he hear about you?”

“Haha! We sought him out ourselves, Your Excellency. By the way, has Viceroy Eugene already left?”

“That’s right. He was like a whirlwind, Salomon.”

Duke Wilhelm shuddered as he spoke to Salomon ‘Rothschild’.

“He crossed the Rhine last week and has already passed through our city, without a single cavalryman.”

This is the second reason why Hesse-Kassel is historically significant: its connection to the Rothschilds, a Jewish financial family based in Frankfurt.

The Rothschilds’ success was largely due to Kassel, located about 200 kilometers north.

The Principality of Hesse-Kassel, formerly the Landgraviate, profited from [mercenary service].

In the 18th century, lacking a conscription system, as many as 5 percent of the population served in the military. Among adult males, at least 10 percent were soldiers.

During the American Revolutionary War, they were hired en masse by the British, who lacked a large army. Americans often referred to the British army as the ‘Hessian army’.

But how to manage the income from mercenary work?

The Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel had struggled with this question, eventually turning to the Rothschild family.

Mayer Amschel Rothschild offered a solution, guaranteeing unprecedented profits and security.

This enriched the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, who, upon the empire’s dissolution, declared himself a duke while maintaining neutrality.

However, when war returned, Hesse-Kassel, a small country, could not resist the French army.

Thus, Eugene passed through Hesse-Kassel without resistance.

Salomon listened intently, his eyes gleaming.

“There were no cavalry?”

“Why, didn’t you meet him, Salomon? I assumed he would have visited you, given your partnership.”

“Well, my father is currently focused on establishing connections with England, making things precarious. Still, since he entered the former imperial territory, I came to Kassel hoping to see him.”

This relates to the recent Pavel assassination.

The Rothschilds had not yet achieved the financial dominance they would later possess in the late 19th century.

However, at the British government’s request, they were providing financial support to rebel forces operating in Russia.

The failure of that venture forced them to retreat, abandoning their branches.

Salomon remained concerned and hoped to meet with Eugene.

But Eugene was moving faster than Salomon anticipated.

Salomon licked his lips and asked again.

“But, no cavalry… I’m not a military expert, but that doesn’t seem like standard practice?”

If anyone could be called the [Mercenary King] in this world, it was Wilhelm IX.

Duke Wilhelm snorted, regarding the banker as a lowly Jew meddling in military matters.

“Hmph, are you questioning me, who made his fortune from mercenary work? Of course, it’s unorthodox. Prioritizing speed sacrifices the army’s formation. If a battle erupts during such a march, the infantry, cavalry, and artillery would have to fight independently.”

“Yes? What artillery are you talking about?”

“Huh? It seems you’re genuinely gathering information for the first time?”

Wilhelm smiled mockingly, and Salomon waved his hand in protest.

“Your Excellency, I only came to greet you, a long-time client, and to see the Viceroy.”

Salomon, the second son of the Rothschild family, had indeed come to pay his respects.

However, gathering information was ingrained in the Rothschild family’s nature as financiers.

The war’s outcome could drastically alter their financial prospects.

Wilhelm, convinced that Salomon was gathering information, nodded.

“Okay. It’s typical for Jewish money changers to indulge in gathering information! Anyway, since you asked, I’ll tell you. Viceroy Eugene is marching his army by dividing them according to type. Unbelievable.”

Salomon swallowed hard, feeling a sense of foreboding.

“That’s incredibly bold of Viceroy Eugene.”

Such a strategy would leave the army vulnerable to a devastating ambush.

***

In an era lacking real-time communication, it was impossible for the enemy to fully grasp the situation.

“We must advance the entire army to Leipzig! Otherwise, Berlin will be in danger!”

Magdeburg, a key point connecting the Kingdom of Prussia and Hanover, was the headquarters of the 200,000-strong Prussian army.

Prussia had never mobilized so many troops before.

Previously, Russia had to be considered, making a full mobilization impossible.

However, Metternich and Castlereagh’s diplomatic efforts yielded surprising results.

With Hungary and Austria mobilizing their armies, Russia was unable to intervene.

Pavel, facing internal instability due to the aristocratic coup, could not risk sending troops.

All available troops were deployed to the Prussian Western Front.

The Prussian army, primarily composed of line infantry, had only 10 cavalry regiments, and its artillery, while numerous, lacked systematization.

This hindered their movement.

They had only just gathered in Magdeburg, the kingdom’s central hub.

As Commander-in-Chief Duke Braunschweig paced anxiously, Chief of Staff Scharnhorst calmly stated.

“Duke Braunschweig, to reach Leipzig, we must pass through the Duchy of Saxony.”

“His Majesty the King will seek the Duke of Saxony’s understanding separately! Protecting the kingdom takes precedence!”

“Intelligence suggests that only cavalry has appeared in Leipzig.”

Scharnhorst surveyed the assembled generals and shook his head.

“This could be a deception.”

Lieutenant General Karl Ludwig von Phull, Duke Braunschweig’s Chief of Staff, widened his eyes.

“Deception? Why?”

“There’s a staff report analyzing Napoleon’s [Italian Campaign]. It was written by Colonel Boyen.”

“Enough! What’s the point!”

Lieutenant General Phull, one of the architects of Russia’s scorched earth defense in later history, was strong on orthodoxy but weak on unorthodox strategies.

He struggled to believe that only cavalry was advancing.

Scharnhorst smiled and summarized the report.

“The French, or Napoleonic, army’s tactical movements prioritize avoiding siege warfare and attrition warfare, aiming for decisive battles of annihilation.”

This was the essence of Napoleon’s lifelong strategy.

He failed in later history when he couldn’t employ this tactic.

However, this tactic was considered taboo on 18th-century battlefields, as it risked losing the capital or key strongholds.

But why did this tactic become viable in the 19th century?

Because of firepower.

Braunschweig, understanding the surface but not the underlying principles, asked urgently.

“In short, is it unlikely that the French army will rush to Berlin and engage in a siege?”

“That’s what the analysis suggests. The French army aims to destroy the army itself, not defenses or strongholds.”

“In other words, no matter how the enemy moves, they will eventually confront our Prussian army. As long as our army remains intact, they cannot win, regardless of their advances.”

Prince Louis Ferdinand’s eyes lit up.

“The cavalry is a feint, Chief of Staff Scharnhorst.”

“Indeed, Prinz.”

“Now, use your brilliant mind to tell me where the real threat lies. Where should we go?”

Scharnhorst smiled calmly and replied.

“Soon, we will have intelligence on the location of Viceroy Eugene’s main army.”

At that moment, Grollman, Scharnhorst’s adjutant, rushed into the headquarters.

“A messenger from Bavaria!”

Grollman quickly summarized the lengthy report and announced to the generals.

“The French 4th Corps is advancing into the Weimar area! A slight detour is observed, but it is considered a feint!”

The generals exchanged glances.

Weimar was located in southern Prussia.

The French army’s route was confirmed to be away from Berlin.

Suddenly, Blücher laughed fiercely.

“It’s worth threatening the Duchy of Bavaria. Let’s make this place the enemies’ tomb.”

The Prussian generals joined in the laughter.

200,000 versus 30,000.

A battle they couldn’t possibly lose.

***

An imperial army remained on the Rhine.

“Eugene has already reached the heart of [Germany], the Duchy of Saxony?”

Emperor Napoleon asked, and Commander of the Guard Lan reported.

“Strictly speaking, it’s the territory of the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar, a ‘branch family’ of the Duchy of Saxony.”

“The territories of the old empire are so complicated. I fear Eugene will sweep everything away before we arrive?”

“Haha! If you wish, we can accelerate the march?”

Napoleon smiled and turned to Berthier.

“We cannot deviate from the pre-determined marching plan. Mobilize all of Suhrte’s spies to continuously report the situation!”

It was up to Berthier to enable such spy activities in enemy territory.

As Berthier bowed his head, inwardly groaning, Napoleon turned his gaze back to the map.

A variable named Eugene had been added to Napoleon’s [plan].

Napoleon fiddled with a bullet-shaped object and placed it in the middle of Germany.

“Eugene, show me how much you have grown in the New World.”

The sound of horses neighing echoed in the distance.

-Heeheeheeing!

Foreshadowing the war that would unfold on the map, with Saxe-Weimar as the stage.

It was the day before Eugene arrived in Jena.