He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 405

(405) Napoleon Faces a Battle at a Disadvantage

A situation unfolded that France had never experienced before.

“The number of soldiers is, like, twice ours?”

At Austerlitz, in the encampment of the Imperial Guard, Napoleon, who was on patrol, stared in disbelief.

Of course, Napoleon had plenty of experience fighting at a disadvantage.

But it was also true that he fought after creating a favorable situation in some form on the battlefield.

Also, in the overall structure of France, he had been operating a large army that could barely match all the enemy countries combined.

However, on this battlefield, which was to decide the fate of Europe, France’s forces were less than half the size of the enemy army.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Exactly as you said. In fact, strictly speaking, if you include the skirmishers, who are irregular forces, it may be up to three times as many.”

“What kind of ridiculous war situation is this? Was Austria’s mobilization power this high?”

“Strictly speaking, it is not Austria, but Hungary’s mobilization power that is high. Austria has just declared a national conscription mobilization order.”

Chief of Staff Berthier summarized the reports of the General Staff in one sentence.

“In the end, we have to fight against 220,000 troops from three countries.”

Originally, in the original history, Napoleon only faced two countries, Austria and Russia, here.

Also, the Austrian army had been defeated once at Ulm and was a completely routed remnant.

On the other hand, the Prussian army is a lively force that has not even fought a single battle.

So, Napoleon was facing the enemy in truly the best condition.

Clicking his tongue as if dumbfounded, Napoleon chuckled.

“Hmm, I guess that friend named Beethoven will release another song criticizing me.”

“Who is that?”

“He’s a famous pianist from Vienna, who is deaf and only composes. I found out because he released a song praising me when I was still a general, but suddenly changed the title when I ascended to the throne.”

Berthier, who was bewildered by the Emperor’s irrelevant remarks for a moment, was shocked by the following words.

“There will be quite a few dissatisfied friends in our army as well. They follow me because I win.”

They only follow if you win.

It is a reality that can never be denied.

Although he is a genius, Napoleon is not a particularly charming or legitimate monarch.

The only reason all French people recognize Napoleon as Emperor is one thing.

Because he has always won in war.

But to lose in this battle?

The imperial system itself could collapse.

Just as Berthier was speechless, Lannes stepped forward.

“The Imperial Guard is loyal to Your Majesty. Like me.”

“Oh, Lannes. Be honest, tell the truth. You’re the same age as me, aren’t you? Your birthday is earlier. I think of you as a comrade who has gone through the chaos of the revolution together, so speak comfortably.”

“If you say so.”

Lannes shrugged and replied.

“I think you’ll win, Napoleon. Like our Guards! So, don’t talk weak!”

This time, not only Berthier but also the generals and staff lined up around him were all gaping.

Even the daring Murat could only roll his eyes and say nothing.

Of course, as in the original history, there are quite a few generals, including Lannes, who use so-called French informal speech to Napoleon.

But isn’t it too reckless?

At that moment, Napoleon burst into laughter.

“Puhahaha!”

When the generals, who had been very nervous, finally breathed a sigh of relief, Napoleon slapped Lannes hard on the shoulder and shouted.

“Yes. If I looked like I lacked confidence, Eugene would probably laugh at me!”

“Come to think of it, Viceroy Eugene won.”

“That’s right, Lannes. Khahaha! I was testing the Viceroy, but I was hesitating over those who were defeated by me!”

Suddenly, Napoleon’s eyes flashed as he turned to Berthier.

“Berthier, bring the map! I will decide how to annihilate the Holy Roman Emperor, the Prussian King of the Army, and the Hungarian King!”

Of course, the Chief of Staff does not bring the map himself.

Naturally, adjutants, staff officers of each level, and orderlies are supposed to do the errands.

Furthermore, Napoleon had not only the Chief of Staff but also officers called exclusive senior adjutants.

These included Guro, Lauriston, Lobau, and Rapp, who would mainly be active during the Russian expedition in later original history as the new generation.

However, this time, Clausewitz, whose rank was still low and who was in charge of chores, quickly brought a handmade map.

Clausewitz, the operations staff officer of the so-called [General Staff] led by Berthier, unfolded the map and swallowed hard.

For Clausewitz, a foreigner, especially from the enemy country of Prussia, this was a golden opportunity to fully enter the French Imperial Army.

Clausewitz pointed to the map made by Bacler d’Albe, the chief of the French army’s topographical staff, and said.

“The main points are as follows. This area is not very high, with plains to the east and hills to the west. The Santon Hill where our general headquarters is located, and the Zuran Hill next to it, are located with Brno in between.”

“There are rivers behind and to the south?”

“The Bosenitz River is behind to the east, and the Goldbach River is to the south. Currently, Prussia is approaching from the northeast, and the Austrian and Hungarian allied forces are advancing from the southeast.”

Napoleon stared at the map for a moment, his eyes gleaming.

“There’s a high ground in the center.”

Clausewitz blinked and nodded, adding.

“Yes? Ah, it’s the Pratzen Heights. This area is not very high, so this is also just a hill. Shall we send out reconnaissance?”

“We need to lure them.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

Napoleon narrowed his eyes, chuckled, and looked around.

“We have to pretend to covet this high ground and give it to the enemy. Who will step forward?”

Instantly, the generals exchanged glances.

For some reason, it was clear that it was an important mission.

However, securing high ground is an important task whether it is artillery fire, reconnaissance of the enemy’s position, or a bayonet charge by line infantry.

Why is Napoleon telling them to aim to hand over the high ground?

Then Lannes stepped forward.

“If you allow me, I will do it myself.”

“Oh, Lannes? You are forgetting your duty. The commander of the Guard must protect me.”

“Isn’t this the decisive moment of the battle?”

Lannes exclaimed with sparkling eyes.

“Anyway, once the war starts, I have to watch by Your Majesty’s side! Please entrust this lure operation to me!”

In fact, being the commander of the Imperial Guard is good for getting ahead, but bad for gaining merit.

Originally, in the original history, Lannes is cut off early and instead takes the lead on the battlefield and gains merit.

But now, instead of having more trust, he has lost the opportunity to gain achievements.

Looking at Lannes, who was impatient with the premonition of victory, Napoleon smiled with satisfaction.

“Good. Then, go with Oudinot. I’ve heard that he is expected to have both breakthrough power and self-control. To Moreau.”

Oudinot, who had been standing behind the ranks of generals without expectation, stepped forward in surprise.

“I will do my best to meet Your Majesty’s expectations!”

It was the day that the man who would later be called the Grenadier General in the original history was properly employed by Napoleon for the first time.

***

Lannes’s Gascon cavalry rode through the hills of Austerlitz.

-Dududu!

Suddenly, seeing the enemy approaching in the distance, Lannes asked Oudinot.

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“What’s there to be afraid of? Our Imperial Army has defeated Austria even when our weapons, preparations, and supplies were worse than this. It won’t be any different even if Prussia joins.”

“Indeed, a guy whose liver is so swollen that it’s sticking out of his belly.”

Oudinot was originally a man famous in the French army for charging without sparing his body.

However, unlike the original history, there was a problem that he only became famous as a so-called charge leader.

Because originally, he became Massena’s chief of staff while Napoleon was away on the Egyptian expedition, and then he began to rise in earnest.

Since Eugene went on the Egyptian expedition, Oudinot’s position became under Moreau’s corps, and naturally, his path to success was twisted.

So, as if he couldn’t miss this opportunity, he was enthusiastically knocking down the enemy on horseback.

Of course, Lannes was also a grenadier and got along quite well with Oudinot.

Lannes, who would later be Oudinot’s superior in the original history, smiled and said.

“Actually, I was going to tell you to retreat.”

Oudinot, who was feeding a saber to the rushing enemy soldiers, was startled.

“Eucha! Marshal, how can you say such a thing!”

“I have never systematically learned tactics at the military academy, but I have a sense of war. The enemy is twice as large, and according to the Krakow battle report, the enemy has introduced breech-loading cannons. They are superior in firepower.”

“If firepower is lacking, we can face it with mobility and courage!”

Lannes laughed and shook his head.

“That’s not how war is done, Major General Oudinot. But even so, I changed my mind after hearing the victory report.”

Suddenly, Lannes narrowed his eyes and stared not at the front, but beyond the sky.

“Our Sharpshooter annihilated the enemy. Just like Karl.”

The victory of the Battle of Jena.

It was not only the enemy who was shocked by this victory.

All the generals rejoice and are jealous of their comrades’ victories.

If Eugene had not become Viceroy, he would certainly have risen to the rank of Marshal.

Oudinot nodded.

“That’s right. We must never fall behind Viceroy!”

“Oh, you don’t understand me. It’s not about competition for merit. It’s about tactics to deal with breech-loading cannons and the enemy’s large army.”

“Yes?”

Lannes gestured to command the cavalry and said.

“No matter how superior the firepower is, in order to deal with the enemy with artillery, the soldiers must be within range. Viceroy Eugene and Karl showed that. In other words.”

The essence of victory is the same for both Eugene and Karl.

Using artillery, especially maximizing the use of new cannons.

There have been many victories using artillery in Europe so far, but there are not many generals who have achieved this level of firepower concentration.

But what if you turn it upside down?

If you can’t use cannons, you win.

“Victory begins when the enemy mistakes that they are within range. His Majesty realized that. Ik!”

Suddenly, Lannes, pulled out of his thoughts by the sudden rush of the enemy’s large army, shouted.

“Okay, retreat. Guys! Let’s run away with our tails between our legs!”

The Gascon cavalry turned around at once and began to leave the Pratzen Heights.

***

Seizing the high ground is a happy thing for the army at any time.

“Puhahaha! Napoleon was flustered and made a big mistake!”

As Blücher burst into laughter, Scharnhorst stroked his chin with one arm in the barracks.

“That’s strange.”

“That’s right! To lose such a high ground, Napoleon made an unprecedented mistake. Ah, I heard he spends the night playing with women in Paris, is that why?”

“Even so, the opponent is Napoleon. Doesn’t he know that occupying the high ground is much more advantageous for artillery and reconnaissance?”

However, no one in the Allied Forces General Headquarters barracks listened to Scharnhorst’s words.

In any case, it is a battlefield where everything overwhelms, whether it is manpower, supplies, or firepower.

But even the position is superior.

Since the chances of winning are increasing exponentially, no one doubts Napoleon’s mistake.

Suddenly, Prussian General Rüchel laughed and replied to Scharnhorst.

“So, he sent out the cavalry and ran away. It’s thanks to our Prussian grenadiers being fast! Hahaha!”

Soon after, the Prussian, Austrian, and Hungarian Allied Forces commanders all raised their glasses.

“Now, let’s chase the Corsican bumpkin back to the island!”

“For victory!”

“Glory to the three kings here!”

However, Scharnhorst only narrowed his brows and stared at the enemy camp beyond the high ground.