He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 121

(121) Finally, the eve of the decisive battle in the Italian campaign has arrived.

Sometimes, even those unfamiliar with war can sense a pivotal moment.

“Did you hear? The Mantua Legion has been annihilated!”

A piece of good news reached the Serbelloni Palace in Milan.

It was Antoine Damas, the head of the Beauharnais Cartel stationed at the Milan branch, who delivered the news.

Originally, Damas had planned to escort Josephine to Milan and then return to Paris.

However, as the Italian campaign rapidly progressed, Damas ended up staying in Milan.

As a result, he was among the first to receive news of this victory.

The *Patronne* [French for ‘boss’ or ‘female head’] of the Beauharnais Cartel, the mistress Marie, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news.

“My God, that’s a relief. I thought they would break through to Milan.”

“Come now, *Patronne*, unless General Bonaparte had lost, no army advances leaving a large force behind.”

“So, did we win?”

Damas clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Not yet. Alvinczy remains. However, defeating Alvinczy would be as good as ending the entire North Italian campaign.”

Marie blinked.

Marie knew nothing about military matters.

However, she knew a little about the interests of European royalty.

The current Holy Roman Emperor of Austria is Franz II.

He is the nephew of the former Queen of France, Marie Antoinette.

So, he is a cousin to Marie Therese.

However, the Austrian monarch cannot give up Northern Italy.

“Why? My cousin Franz—no, the Austrian Emperor—won’t give up, will he?”

“He has to give up. The Austrian army currently has only about 300,000 troops, but they’ve already lost 100,000 fighting General Bonaparte. If they lose again in this state, it will be difficult to continue the war.”

“100,000 people? Goodness, did that many die?”

Damas smiled awkwardly at the surprised Marie.

“It’s war, *Patronne*.”

“Isn’t the custom to spare prisoners of war?”

“That’s true, but General Bonaparte doesn’t seem to take many prisoners. Or rather, he doesn’t even give them time to surrender, to be exact.”

Originally, in the original history, Napoleon did take a fair number of prisoners.

However, Eugene introduced some new weapons, and Napoleon had experienced a major battle in the Vendée [a counterrevolutionary region in France], so the Italian Legion is achieving much greater results than in the original history.

Thanks to that, the French army was able to swiftly annihilate the enemy.

The problem is that in the 18th century, surrender was also a kind of etiquette.

It required a procedure where the commander sent a surrender envoy, and the enemy commander accepted it.

The enemy forces that fought Napoleon did not have time for such procedures.

Moreover, they were driven so relentlessly that defeat immediately led to annihilation.

That is why there is an almost 80 percent casualty rate, which is rare in modern warfare.

Marie sighed.

“How terrifying. Eugene is in such a battlefield.”

It is said that defeat leads to death in battle.

She is once again aware of how much Eugene is risking his life to fight.

Just as Marie was biting her lip, feeling pained,

Another resident of the Serbelloni Palace suddenly approached from across the hallway and asked.

“Are Eugene and Napoleon really alright?”

“Oh! Madame Pajet, you should be resting. If you move now…”

“Staying still only makes me more anxious. How busy are they that even Napoleon, who loved to send letters, hasn’t sent one?”

Neither Marie nor Damas could easily answer.

Madame Pajet, that is, Josephine, was trembling her lips.

Certainly, she had received hundreds of letters when she was in Paris.

However, now that she is in Milan, she has not received any letters.

This is because Napoleon’s movements have become too fast, and the situation has become urgent.

Will Napoleon and Eugene be safe?

No one can guarantee it.

Just then.

–Clang.

The door dividing the palace in half opened.

Marie was startled.

Because there are those who consider Josephine an enemy on the east side of that door.

The Bonaparte family.

However, the people who appeared when the door opened were not only the Bonaparte family.

There was also General Sérurier, who was defending Milan.

Sérurier nodded after confirming Marie and Josephine.

“You were here.”

“General Sérurier? What’s going on?”

“It seems you all need to prepare—all of the Bonaparte family as well.”

The middle-aged General Sérurier looked at Josephine, Marie, and the Bonaparte family and said.

“We must prepare for evacuation in case of emergency.”

Instantly, Letizia, who had been listening with a pale face, cried out.

“What does that mean? Did we lose? Did Napoleone!”

Marie was also surprised and covered her mouth.

Napoleon’s family and fiancée have to evacuate Milan?

It is difficult to think of anything other than defeat in war.

But just now, didn’t Damas bring news of victory?

Indeed, Sérurier shook his head and calmly stated.

“No, Madame Bonaparte. On the contrary, the commander is winning. However, there is a high possibility that a decisive battle will take place soon.”

“A decisive battle?”

“Yes. Currently, Commander Bonaparte and the Austrian army are both moving near Lake Garda, leading the entire army.”

Sérurier calmly brought up an incredible story.

“Perhaps this single battle will determine the outcome of the expedition. So, depending on the result…”

Until now, Napoleon has continued to win.

But what if he loses even once?

The entire conquered territory will be shaken.

In particular, Milan, which is guarded by only Sérurier’s division, is even more so.

Marie inhaled and nodded.

“I understand. I’ll prepare to evacuate.”

“Princess! No, Mademoiselle Marie, what are you saying!”

“Madame Bonaparte, please listen to me. Even if Commander Napoleon and Eugene don’t die, they can still lose the battle. I’ve seen the French army lose several times at the royal palace.”

Marie grabbed Letizia and persuaded her.

“If that happens, to prevent the defeat in battle from leading to defeat in the war, you must not be taken hostage.”

This is Napoleon’s army, which has always won until now.

Even if they lose, the possibility of annihilation is low.

However, if his family is taken hostage, Napoleon’s actions will be severely restricted.

At that moment, Josephine approached and stared at Letizia.

“That’s right, Mother.”

“M, Mother?”

“Yes, because we will have no choice but to marry when he returns.”

Josephine stroked her belly and smiled slightly.

“‘Napoleone’ will also want his child’s grandmother to return to France safely, right?”

It has already been three months since Napoleon left Milan.

She can still hide it, but you can see her slightly swollen belly, which she doesn’t bother to hide.

She is pregnant, that is, she is carrying Napoleon’s child.

Letizia chewed her lip and sighed.

Affection for blood ties won over her aversion to Josephine.

“Yes, that’s right.”

The Bonaparte family glared at Josephine with less than pleasant expressions.

Especially Eliza and Caroline had dissatisfied faces.

However, Pauline, who had been watching the scene indifferently, opened her lips.

“Everyone is too worried.”

Marie couldn’t help but question Pauline.

“Aren’t you worried, Pauline?”

“No.”

“You’re so heartless. After doing that to Eugene!”

Marie blushed, recalling the kiss on the eve of the departure.

How could a virgin do such a thing so casually in front of so many soldiers?

However, Pauline glanced at Marie as if it were nothing and giggled.

“It’s the opposite, Princess. I don’t think my brother will lose. Neither will the Boy General.”

Just as Marie was startled, Pauline whispered in Marie’s ear.

“Rather, worry about after the victory. When will I be taken away from Eugene?”

Marie gritted her teeth once more and sighed.

Because all of this would not even be a concern without victory anyway.

***

The Alvinczy Legion has no intention of being easily defeated either.

“Chief of Staff Weyrother, find a good place to engage the enemy near the Trambasore Heights. Absolutely.”

Although they are being forced into battle, they can still choose the location of the decisive battle.

Chief of Staff Weyrother, who received Alvinczy’s instructions, sat in the headquarters barracks and pondered.

During the march, Weyrother has no time to devise strategies.

So, he has no choice but to worry with a candle lit in the middle of the night.

How can the location of the decisive battle be changed in a limited battlefield?

Suddenly, Weyrother lamented to Colonel Dannenfeldt, the commander of the regiment directly under the commander, who was looking at the map together inside the barracks.

“It’s difficult—the commander’s orders.”

“Weyrother, this is the first time I’ve seen you say an operation is difficult. Weren’t you the one who mathematically calculates every operation?”

“Unfortunately, the enemy is not moving mathematically, Major General Dannenfeldt.”

Originally, in the original history, Weyrother was the architect of the famous Battle of Austerlitz [one of Napoleon’s greatest victories].

That means he was renowned as a master of strategy in the Austrian army.

Yet, at this moment, Weyrother has not found a solution.

The enemy, that is, the Napoleon Legion, is not moving with any mathematical calculation at all.

It almost seems as if they are moving on intuition, like a gambler.

But that can’t be.

Napoleon is also a graduate of a military academy.

Marching and positioning will move under the basics of orthodoxy.

That’s what’s bothering Weyrother.

He clearly knows the orthodoxy, but he is ignoring it and moving.

Then Dannenfeldt looked outside the barracks and said.

“But if a complete army and an incomplete army collide, in theory, the complete army is bound to win.”

“A complete army?”

“Yes, our Friuli Legion is such an army. Look.”

When Dannenfeldt pulled back the barracks curtain, the sound of hooves was heard loudly.

–Thud thud!

It is the sound of hussar [light cavalry], rifle cavalry, and jaeger [light infantry] cavalry patrolling the area.

It was Alvinczy’s orthodox defensive posture that did not neglect vigilance even at night.

Staring at the cavalry illuminated by the torch, Dannenfeldt said.

“Schwirz’s Hussars, Major Xavier’s Rifle Cavalry, and Bravek’s Jaeger Cavalry. We have almost all types of cavalry.”

“That’s certainly our strength. Marshal Wurmser, Lieutenant General Quosdanovich, and Count Argenteau did not have all types of cavalry.”

“Is that all? We’re taking all the artillery too. In particular, we have a full complement of transport wagons. Even compared to the French’s proud horse artillery, we are by no means inferior.”

In the distance, the sound of the artillery moving, still catching up with the infantry on a night march, can be heard.

–Rumble!

Instead of having horse artillery, they matched the speed by having the artillery take turns marching at night.

Alvinczy had a great determination.

Dannenfeldt added here.

“And what about the infantry? The veteran Roselmini, the steadfast Bravek, the rising Laudon, and even the reserve forces of Liftai and Lucavina. Isn’t it really a complete unit?”

“Except for Bravek, the infantry is a bit lacking. But I admit it. They are all veterans and have survived various battles.”

“Huhu, what if we push forward in formation and bombard them? Who would beat us? Even if that Frederick [likely referring to Frederick the Great of Prussia] came back, he wouldn’t be able to win.”

However, General Weyrother, who mathematically calculates war, shook his head.

“The problem is that the enemy will be faster than us, Your Excellency.”

When Dannenfeldt raised his eyebrows, Weyrother calmly explained.

“The enemy has shown incredible speed warfare so far.”

“Isn’t that because they ignore supplies?”

“It’s not a disadvantage in a short-term battle, let alone a long-term one. But we are going to the battlefield they are drawing us into.”

The Austrians misunderstand that Napoleon runs ignoring supplies.

In fact, it’s not all wrong.

If it were the original history, the Napoleon Legion would solve the supply problem by requisitioning locally.

Although they are now solving the supply problem with canned goods and supply wagons.

Either way, Weyrother’s judgment is one.

The enemy’s speed is the problem.

In an instant, Weyrother nodded as if he had made up his mind.

“It’s an absurd situation. There is only one mathematical way to overcome this situation.”

“What is it?”

“Encirclement and annihilation.”

The chalk in Weyrother’s hand drew on the map.

“Find the best stronghold that the enemy will definitely occupy, and surround it and tighten it. There is no other solution.”

The speed of the French army is not something the Austrians can catch up with right now.

But there is a way to win even if you arrive late.

Encirclement.

Suddenly, the curtain of the barracks opened.

Commander Alvinczy was smiling coldly.

“Good mathematical method.”

“Commander.”

“Establish it and implement it immediately. Ah, where is the stronghold that the enemy will occupy?”

Weyrother swallowed hard and reported.

“The Trambasore Heights, or the Rivoli Gorge below it.”

Just then.

–Bang!

At the sound of gunfire, Alvinczy ran out of the headquarters barracks again.

“What’s going on!”

The young general, Baron Laudon, ran up and reported.

“It’s the enemy reconnaissance unit. What should we do? Should we pursue them?”

“Send the Hussars! But there’s no need to go in deep.”

“I understand. General Schwirz!”

They are very bold.

They came to scout near the main camp of the Austrian Legion.

But Alvinczy frowned and had a strange expression.

“Wow, the enemy is also afraid.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“They are worried that we will carry out an encirclement. Otherwise, there is no reason to come out for reconnaissance so recklessly.”

At this moment, Alvinczy made a gambling decision like Napoleon.

“Then we have to make them even more afraid. Change the order! Tell the Hussars to go to Trambasore and Rivoli Gorge first. I will send follow-up troops! No, advance the entire army sequentially in an encirclement formation!”

At that moment, Weyrother was briefly swept away by anxiety.

There is a reason why Weyrother hesitated about this operation.

Because if the encirclement and annihilation operation fails, there is a risk that the attackers will be defeated individually.

However, the commander’s decision has already been made, and the number of troops is greater in the Alvinczy Legion.

“Yes, Commander.”

As a result, the vanguard of the Austrian Friuli Legion was dispatched to Rivoli first.

***

Napoleon is not just marching day and night either.

–Thud!

In front of the field bonfire that was set up to take a short nap at night,

Napoleon kicked the firewood violently.

Fortunately, the wood is not very hard, so Napoleon’s leg does not seem to be injured.

It is even more certain when he vents his anger vigorously.

“Colonel Vial! Is that true? The enemy is entering the Trambasore area first?”

“It’s not the main force, but the Hussars have definitely advanced to Trambasore.”

“The Austrian bastards have prepared thoroughly this time. Did they launch the lacking cavalry in a blitz?”

Napoleon frowned at the report of the daring reconnaissance cavalry, Vial, and asked.

“Vacler, what is right below Trambasore?”

Colonel Vacler, the map maker, immediately opened the map and reported.

“It’s Rivoli. It is composed of gorges, mountains, and highlands.”

“Occupying that is the key.”

“That’s right in terms of terrain.”

Napoleon, who was staring intently at the map, suddenly turned his gaze.

“The enemy knows that too, right?”

This time it’s Chief of Staff Berthier’s turn.

Unlike Napoleon, who was taking a nap, Berthier was in a situation where he had just woken up.

However, even in this situation, Berthier’s brain was working calmly.

Berthier, who was quietly looking at Napoleon’s words and the map, asked back.

“Do you see it as a trap?”

“There’s no reason not to.”

“Then, should we slow down the advance speed?”

Napoleon shook his head violently.

“That’s what Chief of Staff Goose thinks. There’s something they don’t know.”

“Yes?”

“Eugene! My son went first! With Lannes! Alvinczy doesn’t know that!”

Suddenly, Napoleon’s gaze turned to Vial.

“Can you catch up with Eugene, Colonel Vial? The success or failure of this operation depends on you.”

Honoré Vial, originally active in Flanders [a region in present-day Belgium].

He is a cavalry commander who came as a reinforcement under Kellermann, the commander of the Alpine Front.

He does not have outstanding capabilities, but he is brave, calm, and accurate.

Above all, he originally becomes the governor who controls the Italian region with Eugene.

Vial, a brave man with a historical connection to Eugene, nodded.

“I will definitely catch up with Brigadier General Freischütz!”

October 6, 1795.

Two days after the annihilation of the Mantua Legion.

The cavalry began to run to Rivoli.