He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 461

(461) If We’re Going, We Must Win

What would the author of *On War* think of this war?

“Well, war is ultimately a means to achieve political ends. I believe this war is the same,” Clausewitz said, looking at Eugene.

Before Eugene left for the New World, he took certain measures.

He sought out two key figures involved in the Prussian military reforms of the early 19th century.

One was Gneisenau, and the other was Clausewitz, the author of *On War*.

Gneisenau, close to becoming a general, was said to still be working in the General Staff.

However, Clausewitz, a staff officer, had adapted well to the French army.

He was now a central figure in planning the Russian Grand Campaign.

Eugene stared at Clausewitz, who had been summoned to the Palace of Fontainebleau, and tilted his head.

“So, that’s why Babeuf supported the war.”

“As a foreigner, I don’t know the complex internal affairs of France. But he must have felt there was much to gain by encouraging the war.”

“Indeed, there is much to gain. If we win, he will benefit from supporting the war, and if we lose, he will have the opportunity to overthrow the regime.”

Clausewitz was surprised by Eugene’s remark, as if he had seen through Babeuf’s intentions.

“Knowing that, do you leave him alone?”

*That was practically an anti-nationalist, wasn’t it?* he thought.

If it were Prussia, he would be immediately imprisoned or deported.

However, the Napoleonic regime didn’t easily expel anti-nationalists, even in the original timeline.

Of course, Madame de Staël was a bit different.

In the original history, she tried to seduce Napoleon, which greatly annoyed him.

*What about now?*

Eugene chuckled and turned his gaze.

“The security of Paris is Fouché and Savary’s responsibility. Isn’t that right, Rochejaquelein?”

“The Sûreté [French intelligence agency] is only in charge of foreign intelligence.”

“Then, share the collected information with Chief of Staff Clausewitz here. Jomini has already heard it.”

In other words, he replied that it was okay as long as Fouché and Savary did their part.

Of course, it wasn’t that simple, but Eugene wasn’t too worried about Babeuf.

Besides, if the Russian Grand Campaign failed, Babeuf would be a problem in a different sense.

Rochejaquelein, the head of the Sûreté, reported with his face still tanned.

“Russia is currently virtually controlled by Crown Prince Alexander. The main force commanding the army is the 200,000-strong Indian Expeditionary Force.”

“30,000 cavalry and 620 cannons, right?”

“The situation is actually increasing. Border guards from various regions are also surrendering to Alexander one after another. It seems that only Commander Buxhoeveden, stationed in Finland, remains loyal to the Tsar.”

In effect, all of Russia was in Alexander’s grasp.

However, Eugene, listening to the report, noticed something strange.

The most important person was missing.

“Has Kutuzov’s Polish border guard surrendered?”

Rochejaquelein flipped through the documents and shook his head.

“Not yet. He is preparing a desperate defense near Saint Petersburg. However, desertions are rampant.”

“How long will he last?”

“That depends on when France deploys.”

Eugene nodded.

Probably Bagration, like Bennigsen, had gone over to the new Tsar pretender.

It was an example of how lacking Pavel was in popularity.

“Well, that’s the situation. Clausewitz, what do you think?”

Clausewitz stared intently at the report Rochejaquelein handed him.

The situation of Tsar Pavel and the [Usurper] Alexander clashing in Russia, the preparations of the French Grande Armée, and above all, the supply plan Clausewitz himself was devising.

Clausewitz, piecing together the three pieces of information, looked up.

“I am from Prussia, so I know the road conditions in this area.”

“It must be a mud pit.”

“Yes. The road maintenance is different from France, Austria, and Central Europe.”

But Clausewitz pointed to the south of the map.

“However, the south is the same.”

In terms of modern geographical concepts, it was the northern part of Ukraine.

On the other hand, the route Napoleon originally intended to advance was Poland, Belarus, and western Russia.

However, Clausewitz stated that both Belarus and Ukraine were mud pits.

Eugene’s eyes gleamed.

“General Poniatowski suggested the southern route.”

“I know why. There is much less rain there, the further south you go. But there are no cities to supply. It’s a grassland area, so only Cossacks, or Kazakhs as they call them there, can mobilize.”

“Then, what route would you suggest?”

Clausewitz no longer stammered and asked clearly.

“War depends on strategic goals and means. What are the goals and means of this war? I will tell you after hearing that.”

That’s what Clausewitz emphasizes in *On War*.

There is no set answer.

There are different solutions depending on the situation, environment, tactician, soldier, and time.

Among them, the most important thing is the goal and means of the war itself.

Eugene recalled that memory and replied.

“The goal of this war is to unite the emperors of Europe into one. The means are the Grande Armée, the French legions that fought in the Third Coalition War, the Rhine Confederation, and the Hungarian and Duchy of Warsaw armies.”

A total of 600,000 troops.

Of these, only 200,000 are French elites.

Considering that the original history mobilized 300,000, it is an even smaller number.

The majority of the legions are foreign troops.

Clausewitz nodded.

“Then, you must choose the northern route.”

“Why?”

“The current time is spring, and the Rasputitsa [mud season] should have disappeared. Also, if you take the southern route, a significant problem may occur.”

Clausewitz’s gaze fixed on Eugene.

“Hungary will definitely betray you.”

It was the country where King Karl still held the throne.

***

Originally, tacticians are said to look at local phases, while strategists look at extreme phases.

“The stuttering Clausewitz is not wrong, Your Majesty. If Hungary counterattacks, the risk will be very high.”

Jomini, who left his name in history with *The Art of War*, came to the same conclusion as the author of *On War*.

Anyone would see Hungary as a risk factor.

Of course, various means can be used in the process of the Grande Armée’s advance.

Various factors can be restricted, from commanders to supplies to processions.

Just as Napoleon did in the original history when he used Austrian soldiers during the Russian campaign.

However, just as Napoleon was eventually defeated by Austria, there is no way to control new soldiers sent from the home country.

Therefore, Hungary’s betrayal must be considered as a variable.

Eugene was lost in thought and told Jomini.

“Assign Clausewitz from the General Staff to our side, the [4th Corps]. Have him participate in the supply plan and the advance plan.”

“Then, will you choose the northern route?”

“War is originally deception. There is no need to reveal our advance route as it is. The Rhine Confederation will advance to the north.”

In this campaign, Eugene commands the 4th Corps.

It was the very corps he commanded in the Battle of Jena.

However, Lasalle was missing because of Berthier, and the main force of the Guard Cavalry also remained in Spain.

However, the staff led by Jomini, Junot, and Hippolyte remained the same.

However, Eugene came to a conclusion that even these staff members did not predict.

“But, the main force of the Grande Armée will take the southern route.”

Jomini raised his eyebrows and asked.

“Your Majesty, why are you saying this while ordering Clausewitz to be assigned?”

He doesn’t accept any of Clausewitz’s conclusions.

Doesn’t that mean he sees Clausewitz as wrong?

Why does Eugene employ Clausewitz and at the same time give the opposite instructions?

Eugene replied simply.

“Basically, Clausewitz is a man who sticks to the orthodox.”

“Yes?”

“He is capable of establishing grand strategies, but he is not good at using tricks in actual combat. Hungary? That’s what Serbia, Croatia, and Greece will take care of.”

With a very simple method, Eugene solved the concerns of Clausewitz and the entire French Imperial Army.

Are you afraid of being backstabbed?

Then, prepare another enemy behind the opponent’s back.

The Serbian, Croatian, and Greek forces, which had not yet become independent, are behind Hungary.

So, the part that Eugene is worried about is different.

“The problem is, speed. Can our main French force really arrive before autumn?”

Originally, even in the original history, Napoleon boasted that he would arrive in Moscow before autumn.

However, the advance was delayed due to unpaved roads, unexpected rainfall, and epidemics.

Can Eugene really solve this problem?

Rochejaquelein, who was accompanying him, narrowed his brows.

“It’s precarious. Currently, we are allocating supplies with all our might, but.”

“What about canned food production?”

“It’s being urgently airlifted from the Milan factory in Italy. It’s currently in the Venice supply depot, but it will soon be transferred to Warsaw.”

Eugene stared intently at the map and clicked his tongue.

“It’s a pity that it’s difficult to use the Hungarian passage route because of the Carpathian Mountains. Have it transported to Vienna. Bypass Vienna, Krakow, Lviv, and the area south of Kyiv.”

If the Grande Armée could be advanced to Hungary, it would be a win-win situation.

While intimidating Hungary, supplies could be entrusted to Hungary, freeing up resources.

However, the Carpathian Mountains between Hungary and Russia make the advance not so easy.

So, it is necessary to bypass southern Poland, northern Ukraine, and the southern Ukrainian steppes, centered on Vienna.

As Clausewitz said, it is a road that only the nomads of Russia, the Kazakhs, can mobilize.

Hippolyte hurriedly stepped forward.

“Canned food produced in Milan alone will not be enough for complete supply.”

“No, there is a country that will take charge of the supply.”

“Where is that?”

Eugene stared at only one place on the map.

A place where a country located in the south of Ukraine, in the original history, is located.

***

The Emperor looked at the King and asked again.

“What path will you take?”

Eugene took a deep breath.

The strategy that Eugene is presenting now is truly reckless.

What could be more reckless than the Russian Grand Campaign, but it is reckless to overturn the thinking of the grand strategist who carried out that campaign.

But if it is not reckless, the failure of that grand strategist cannot be overcome.

Eugene stared intently at the grand strategist, Napoleon, and said.

“It is a path that avoids the Rasputitsa [mud season].”

Rasputitsa, the sea of mud that is like a fortress of Russia.

Neither Eugene nor Napoleon has ever seen it directly.

But it is clear that it will hinder the path the legions must take.

Napoleon tilted his head.

“Then, what method will you use?”

“I will have them choose a route that advances to southern Ukraine, no, the Black Sea coast. It is grassland, so the mud will be reduced, and furthermore, there will be less cold and rain.”

“Then the supply plan using Poland will be a mess, won’t it?”

At that moment, Eugene’s eyes lit up.

“The Ottoman Empire will be our supply depot, Your Majesty.”

Originally, there is a reason why Napoleon ultimately did not choose the southern route in the original history.

The Ottoman Empire was pro-French, but at this time, it turned pro-British.

However, since Marceau is still stationed there, the Ottoman Empire is still a pro-French ally.

Napoleon slapped his knee.

“Indeed! I like it! That’s it!”

With this, the Grande Armée’s marching route was completely reversed.

Not the failed northern route, but the unknown southern route.