He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 129

(129) Italy Falls at Napoleon’s Feet

Rivoli, a strategic point, but when you think about it, it’s just a rural area nestled below the Alps.

However, on October 8, 1795, everything changed.

The Battle of Rivoli, a clash that would determine the fate of Northern Italy, unfolded.

News of Napoleon’s complete victory spread like wildfire, reaching all the powers in the Italian Peninsula in just three days.

The place that was once a simple rural village has become a name that all of Italy, and even Europe, will remember.

Now, not only Northern Italy but the entire Italian region has fallen into France’s sphere of influence.

More precisely, into Napoleon’s sights.

The evidence of this was about to be revealed.

– Creak!

Lake surrounds Mantua Fortress, a strategic stronghold.

Even after Napoleon’s sweeping victories through Northern Italy, the fortress’s solid gate slowly creaked open.

The defenders inside had already suffered devastating losses at Arcole, with more than half their forces decimated.

Still, they held on, clinging to one last hope.

The expectation that Alvinczy’s army would break through Napoleon’s lines and come to their rescue.

But now that even Alvinczy was defeated, despair had settled over Mantua Fortress.

The general guarding the fortress walked out and bowed his head deeply in surrender.

“We surrender to the French army.”

At 41, Laharpe was considered quite young for a general, a rising mid-level officer in Napoleon’s army.

Laharpe politely greeted the commander of Mantua Fortress, who was nearing old age.

Until now, the French army in Italy had rarely taken prisoners.

But now, the situation was different.

Having seized power, it was necessary to accept the enemy’s surrender with grace.

“I accept your honorable surrender. What is your name?”

“I am Major General Ferdinand Minkwitz, the deputy commander of the Mantua garrison.”

“Where is the commander?”

Minkwitz smiled bitterly at Laharpe’s question and replied.

“He died at Arcole by your hands.”

This referred to the Battle of Arcole, where Eugene played a key role.

The commander of the Mantua garrison, Kanto, who advanced believing in Radetzky’s forged order, was defeated at Arcole.

Minkwitz barely managed to return to Mantua and waited desperately for Alvinczy’s victory.

But in the end, his last hope was shattered when a division under Napoleon arrived at Mantua.

It was a fortress surrounded by a lake, so if they wanted to fight, they could have held out.

However, the number of troops was only about 10,000, and most of the fortress’s guns were lost at Arcole.

In a situation where defeat was almost certain, Minkwitz had no choice but to give up.

Laharpe nodded politely.

“That’s regrettable.”

“We lost the battle, so there’s nothing we can do. It’s not like we went through the surrender process reluctantly.”

“There will be no more fighting.”

Minkwitz sighed deeply and asked in return.

“I don’t know about that, but it seems so at least in Northern Italy. I hope we are not the only ones surrendering?”

If only Mantua had surrendered, Minkwitz’s responsibility would have been even greater.

Perhaps Vienna might have mistakenly believed that they could have changed the tide of the war if they had resisted.

Of course, fortunately, that was not the case.

The result of the Battle of Rivoli was too decisive to ignore.

Laharpe said in a heavy tone.

“There’s no need to feel humiliated. Venice, Parma, and Tuscany have already declared their surrender. I heard that the Grand Duke of Tuscany has escaped and is fleeing to Naples.”

“So the entire Northern Italy has fallen into the hands of France. Or, is it General Bonaparte’s hand?”

“There’s no need to be sarcastic. Commander Bonaparte and we are all just generals of the Republic.”

Minkwitz scoffed for the first time.

“Hmph, you know very well that it won’t end like that. What’s your name, General? You speak German well.”

Laharpe was born in the French-speaking region of ‘Holle’ in Switzerland.

However, as a nobleman of the Swiss Confederation who spoke four languages, he was quite fluent in German as well.

Of course, this was High German, which was used in nearby Austria, as there was no standardized German language at the time.

Instead of talking about his own story, Laharpe revealed his identity.

“I am Amédée Emmanuel François Laharpe, Commander Bonaparte’s division commander.”

A soldier of the Republic.

But at the same time, he implicitly revealed that he was Napoleon’s man.

Already, not only Laharpe but also everyone in the Italian army, from generals to soldiers, shared the same sentiment.

On the battlefield of glory, Italy, they had become Napoleon’s soldiers.

Bathed in the sun of Rivoli.

Minkwitz, who knew the French army organization quite well, whistled.

“A major general came in person, so I guess I’m honored. Where did General Bonaparte go? To the thousand-year Republic of Venice?”

“General Junot is scheduled to go to Venice. He is a general who achieved outstanding achievements in the Rivoli highlands.”

“Not even a brigadier general? Oh my, I’m really honored.”

The victory at the Battle of Rivoli gave birth to new generals.

In particular, members of the Napoleon Club, including Junot, Marmont, and Duroc, were promoted to brigadier general.

However, as soon as they were promoted, Napoleon ordered them to march on Venice.

It’s as if the Republic of Venice has also fallen under France’s feet.

Conversely, Napoleon seems to have valued the capture of Mantua more than Venice, sending only a brigadier general.

In the original history, he even sent Masséna to Mantua, so it’s true that he valued it very much.

However, it seems that he did not value it enough to come himself.

Minkwitz, who felt strangely disappointed, widened his eyes.

“Then, where on earth did General Bonaparte go? Florence?”

The careful and polite General Laharpe shook his head politely.

“He went where he needed to go.”

There was no need to tell the enemy commander where the commander was.

***

Venice, a thousand-year-old city-state famous as a city on the water.

– Swish!

Therefore, a ship is always needed to enter from the outside.

However, the Napoleon army is composed entirely of land forces.

Although there is Admiral Brueys’ fleet that captured Corsica, it would have to go through Sicily to get to Venice.

So how could Junot enter Venice?

Suddenly, Junot looked at the famous jet-shaped Grand Canal and whistled.

“Whew, it’s really spectacular. Thank you for guiding me so kindly, Messer [Mister] Battaglia.”

Francesco Battaglia, commander of the Verona militia and a Venetian nobleman.

Battaglia also became a French prisoner in the last Battle of Padua.

Originally, he had to defend Verona, but he went to Padua to seek cooperation at Alvinczy’s request and was captured.

After France’s victory became certain, he became a guide to Venice.

Like the Governor of Padua, Alvise Contarini, who entered Venice in advance and conveyed Napoleon’s demands.

Battaglia stood on the boat with a gloomy expression and bowed his head.

“The Republic will fully cooperate with France and Commander Bonaparte.”

“Hmm, does that mean you will also cooperate with the independence of Verona, Padua, and Brescia?”

“Yes. The Senate has declared that it will not prevent the mainland cities from deciding to become independent on their own, as long as Venice itself is maintained.”

This refers to the decree that Napoleon declared as a temporary measure after occupying Padua.

At the time, Napoleon declared the establishment of the Republic of Padua in order to neutralize Venice.

It was a strategy to divide and separate each city that makes up Venice’s mainland territory.

Now that he has defeated Alvinczy, it is a promise that Napoleon does not have to keep.

Rather, from Napoleon’s point of view, there is a way to annex Venice’s mainland territory to France.

However, Venice, as a republic skilled in diplomacy, is trying to use Napoleon’s decree in reverse.

Junot, who is not very skilled in tactics but came with Napoleon’s order, smiled.

“Well, let’s talk about it later. For now, you can just dismantle all the battleships and galleys.”

“Yes? No, what are you talking about?”

“As evidence of cooperation with the French Revolutionary Government, you must give up all naval power. That’s why I’m here.”

Junot simply said to Battaglia, who was literally shocked.

“Well, you don’t have to listen if you don’t want to. I’ll just take that answer and go back to General Bonaparte.”

The troops Junot brought were one company, only about 100 infantrymen.

Even if these troops land in Venice, occupation is impossible.

But behind Junot is the Napoleon army that conquered Italy.

Nevertheless, naval dismantling is too important a demand.

Battaglia, who was gritting his teeth, asked.

“Our Senate will want to send a letter directly to Commander Bonaparte. By any chance, where is the commander? Is he in Milan? Or, to Florence?”

Unlike Laharpe, Junot did not hide it.

“Rome.”

At this moment, Napoleon was running towards the thousand-year-old city.

***

At that time, a six-horse carriage was heading to Rome first.

– Dudu! [Sound of horses hooves]

In 1795, the late 18th century, Italy was not unified.

Of course, we would have to wait a hundred years for the roads to be improved.

The same goes for public order, and there were countless robbers, not just enemy soldiers.

However, no robber would dare to touch this six-horse carriage.

Because there was a whopping escort of 1,000 people running alongside it.

Moreover, they were soldiers of the French Revolutionary Army in blue uniforms, who were now intimidating Italy.

Suddenly, a black-faced man running next to the carriage shouted.

“We will arrive in Rome soon, Madam!”

Then, a beautiful woman with a pale face slightly revealed herself in the carriage and responded.

“Thank you, Colonel Dumas.”

Colonel Dumas saluted and hurried forward again to perform his escort duties.

Josephine, who was watching the scene, sighed softly.

She came running in a hurry, but she was not sure.

“Will Napoleon really come to Rome?”

Just as Josephine was about to ask a question without realizing it, another woman in the carriage replied.

“He will come.”

“How are you so sure? He might come back to Milan.”

“That child would never miss the glory of entering Rome. Since he was young, he was a child who never avoided being noticed.”

A woman calling Napoleon a child, Letizia, stared at Josephine, who was sitting opposite her.

“Besides, your son is also going, isn’t he? I don’t know about war, but I know that entering Rome now is very meaningful. Your son, ‘our’ Eugene, would have advised you that much, right?”

Eugene, Josephine’s son and Letizia’s beloved former boarding student.

Of course, he is currently famous in the Italian Peninsula under a different name.

The Sharpshooter, the god of death who led the commanders to their deaths one by one.

Josephine, who did not know her terrible son’s nickname, burst into laughter.

“I guess so. Eugene is always prioritizing official matters over family.”

At that moment, Letizia’s hardened face also showed a smile.

“That’s the same as our child.”

“Pfft, I found a common ground for the first time.”

“It doesn’t sound like a welcome story, but let’s get along well in the future anyway.”

In an instant, Letizia’s gaze turned to Josephine’s belly.

“We can’t make that child a bastard.”

Josephine smiled as she unknowingly stroked her slightly swollen belly.