He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 462

(462) If You Can’t Beat the Rasputitsa, Go Around It

Rasputitsa [a seasonal mud-creating condition of roads or terrain, common in Russia during spring and autumn], an unavoidable disaster on the road to Russia.

“Confronting this disaster is meaningless, Your Majesty,” Poniatowski, a man with a splendid mustache, stated.

Originally, even in the original history, Poniatowski argued that the French army should avoid the northern route.

Of course, Napoleon, naturally overconfident in his plans, rejected it, also concerned about the supply disruptions that would arise from choosing the southern route.

However, Poniatowski’s Polish legion was fine with choosing the south, but as a result, they were all annihilated on the way back from Moscow.

Now, having heard a completely different alternative, Napoleon asked with a relaxed smile.

“Then, what do you think we should do? Senior General Poniatowski?”

“Of course, we must go around it. I propose passing through the territory of the Hetmanщина [a Cossack state in Central Ukraine], north of the Black Sea.”

“Hetmanщина?”

Just as Napoleon was tilting his head at the unfamiliar term, Poniatowski quickly explained.

“Yes, it is the land ruled by the Zaporozhian Cossacks, and it is still a disquiet place.”

It would have been better not to explain it at all.

What does Napoleon know about Cossacks, nomadic people called Cossacks in English?

However, thanks to Eugene’s explanation in advance, Napoleon knows roughly.

They are a nomadic confederation roaming the southern Russian steppes, originally belonging to Poland.

Since the dissolution of Poland, it was annexed to Russia as an autonomous state, but now it has been completely dismantled as a political entity.

Also, a significant number of Russian light cavalry are drawn from the Cossacks.

Years ago, Napoleon briefly clashed with them when fighting Suvorov.

However, there are still those who remember the days of autonomy, and anti-Russian sentiment is strong.

“But how do we handle the supply issue?”

“Well, first, transport it through Hungary.”

“Will Hungary willingly submit to our French Empire? We should have eliminated them long ago! Or even arranged a political marriage!”

He was angry about something he hadn’t prepared in advance.

But wasn’t that preparation something Napoleon should have done?

Just as a momentarily flustered Poniatowski couldn’t continue his words, Napoleon smiled and asked.

“Then, what about the Ottoman Empire, Senior General Poniatowski?”

Instantly, Poniatowski’s mouth dropped open.

“Your Majesty, how can you trust those barbarians who believe in Islam?”

It is a skill of those in power to mentally exhaust people by manipulating them, then make them reveal their true feelings.

Moreover, Napoleon is originally capricious, so he can easily shake others without even intending to.

With a satisfied face, Napoleon looked back at Eugene, who was watching from the side.

“I said it would be like this, didn’t I, Eugene?”

“It is as Your Majesty predicted.”

“Even if it is strategically efficient, there are things that are politically impossible. You need to learn more. Heh heh.”

Eugene smiled at Napoleon, who was acting very smug.

“Then, what would be a good method? Using the Ottoman Empire is the best method, Your Majesty.”

Heathens, different races, different civilizations.

The Ottoman Empire possesses all these differences in the eyes of Europeans.

So, it is natural that Napoleon ultimately failed to choose the Ottoman Empire as a partner in the original history.

Moreover, the military leaders commanding the French Imperial Army are even more staunch children of the [Revolution] than Napoleon.

Napoleon himself even considered converting during the Egyptian expedition in the original history.

However, the revolutionary generals, the embodiment of the Enlightenment, despise the pre-modern society of the Ottoman Empire.

How can they be persuaded?

Napoleon tilted his head and twisted his lips.

“First, gather all the marshals, senior generals, corps commanders, and staff officers for a meeting.”

“A meeting?”

“Yes. Let’s call it the Imperial High Command Joint Conference.”

Napoleon, who likes to give fancy names, laughed heartily, then became serious.

“It’s not to get excellent strategies from everyone, but a place to persuade them, Eugene.”

Eugene knows that this is the problem with Napoleon’s strategy.

It is, of course, a misunderstanding of later generations that Napoleon waged wars independently.

He granted autonomous operational rights to the corps commanders, and Napoleon’s failures mostly stemmed from the corps commanders moving their troops as they pleased.

However, the reason why autonomous operational plans did not emerge despite the existence of the General Staff was also because Napoleon acted unilaterally.

But this time, it is necessary to enforce a conclusion rather than listen to ideas.

“There, throw out an irresistible proposal.”

Especially to persuade the entire Grande Armée [the main army of Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars].

***

The stars leading the French Imperial Army gathered.

“Traction artillery wagons? What are those?”

Bernadotte, commander of the Duchy of Warsaw, tilted his head, and Marmont explained in a heated tone.

“Currently, the artillery is divided into foot artillery and horse artillery. His Majesty the Emperor rose to his position with the horse artillery.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but horse artillery is the core of the Grande Armée’s operations. But?”

“The numbers are too small. The cost, the skilled riders accustomed to the sound of gunfire, and the skilled artillerymen.”

Currently, Marmont is a duke by noble title.

However, in terms of military rank, he is below Bernadotte, a senior general and commander of overseas stationed forces.

The reason why he needs to explain a new type of artillery is also because of that.

“So, there is a need to create a specialized wagon force to lead the foot artillery. This is the traction artillery wagon unit. Currently, the Helvetia front corps is mainly using it.”

In short, it is an enhanced version of the foot artillery’s mobility.

In the actual original history, it is also the cause of changing the main force on the battlefield from cavalry to artillery.

Although the sight of artillerymen concentrating their fire is not yet very prominent.

Bernadotte smiled and asked.

“Interesting, Duke Marmont of Naples. Then are you also participating? Not staying in Naples?”

“Heh heh, I also want to try being a king this time.”

“You really have big dreams. It must be nice to be a member of the Bonaparte family.”

Bernadotte, who was subtly sarcastic, flashed his eyes.

“This Bernadotte also needs to make achievements this time!”

On the other side, there are generals who are more happy to see their newly met comrades than ambitious.

“Hey, Davout! I’m seeing you here. Have you been stationed in the Rhine Confederation?”

“It’s been a while, Brune. You must have been living comfortably in Paris. His Royal Highness, no, His Majesty the King of Spain summoned me.”

“The 4th Corps personnel will all gather. Oh, Soult seems to have arrived too?”

Just as Brune, the commander of the Emperor’s direct guard corps, was laughing heartily, Soult approached and saluted.

“It’s been a while, Senior General Brune.”

“Weren’t you going to Spain? When did you return? Isn’t Suchet coming?”

“His Royal Highness King Eugene came as an attendant. I’ve somehow become stuck in the expeditionary force. Major General Suchet will probably come with Marshal Masséna.”

Originally, they are some of the so-called 26 marshals in the original history.

However, now that the position of Imperial Marshal has become more precious, most of them remain in the newly established position of Senior General.

It is natural that everyone considers this great expedition as an opportunity to be promoted to marshal and acquire noble titles.

Because they have already received the Legion of Honor medal [France’s highest decoration] at the highest rank.

On the opposite side, cavalry commanders were also seen arguing with each other.

“Bessières! This time, the vanguard is mine. Don’t even think about taking it.”

“Lieutenant General Murat, I wouldn’t even think of it. This march is a super long journey. Just because you march at the front doesn’t mean you’ll be the vanguard in battle.”

“Hmph, stop showing off! Change your old-fashioned hairstyle! White powder will flutter when you charge!”

This is a jab at Bessières for sticking to the powdered hair style that nobles used to wear in the Ancien Régime [the political and social system of France before the Revolution] era.

Anyway, Bessières is the only one with white paint on his head in this place.

Hearing Murat’s loud voice, one marshal frowned.

“Noisy, tsk.”

At that time, a sturdy-looking general stood in front of the marshal and saluted.

“It’s been a while, Marshal Augereau. No, should I call you Duke of [Montenotte] now?”

“La Harpe? It’s been a while. I thought you were dead because you haven’t shown your face lately.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll live longer than you, Your Excellency.”

With a welcoming face that had not been seen before, the gruff Marshal Augereau grabbed his hand.

“Are you also participating? If Masséna comes too, and only old man Sérurier comes, it’ll be the perfect Italian expedition member.”

For both Augereau and La Harpe, the Italian expedition is an unforgettable campaign.

Augereau, who is called the savior of the Empire today, exists because he participated in that expedition.

Also, La Harpe, who failed in Switzerland and jumped into the revolution, was saved.

Of course, the biggest beneficiary of that campaign was naturally the Emperor.

La Harpe replied with eyes filled with emotion.

“Those were good times. But Senior General Sérurier will probably be guarding Paris.”

“What’s wrong with giving the old man some glory? His Majesty the Emperor is stingy.”

“Isn’t he being considerate instead? There’s a lot of talk that this expedition will be difficult.”

Suddenly, La Harpe smiled awkwardly and told a joke.

“There’s a rumor going around that His Majesty the Emperor is trying to start a war because he had illegitimate children with a Polish woman and the wife of a military attaché at the American embassy.”

The problem is that half of it is true.

However, the Emperor would never start a war because of a scandal.

Marshal Augereau snorted and shook his head.

“Surely not. But he’ll be happy that the noisy affair has quieted down, whether it’s an illegitimate son or daughter.”

“Duke, you wouldn’t have any illegitimate children, would you?”

“I am faithful to my wife. I just got married and I have to leave for war, so she cries every day. Tsk.”

Coincidentally, in 1809, Augereau is newly married.

After his first wife, Gabrielle, died in 1805, he recently met and married his second wife, Adélaïde.

She is only 19 years old, so she seems to be afraid of Augereau going to the battlefield.

La Harpe chuckled and his eyes sparkled.

“Oh, His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness are coming.”

The French Emperor and the King of Spain entered the central hall of the Palace of Fontainebleau.

“Everyone, stand up. Salute to His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness!”

With the call of Chief of Staff, Marshal Berthier, the Imperial Marshals, Senior Generals, and staff-level generals all stood up and saluted.

-Clack!

In front of the generals representing the French Imperial Army, the Grande Armée, Berthier declared.

“The French Imperial High Command [Strategic Joint Conference] begins.”

However, none of the generals imagined that this conference would be a one-sided notice.

***

Of course, the Ottoman Empire has never been considered a partner by the Grande Armée generals.

“The Ottoman Empire? How can we trust those guys?”

When Augereau protested first, other generals shouted in unison.

“No way! If the Turks betray us, we’re all finished in the Black Sea!”

“If it’s south of Kyiv, I don’t think there are any cities? It’s harsher than the Polish route!”

“This will be a disaster. Everyone will freeze to death, starve to death, or die in a surprise attack!”

Lannes, Davout, and Bernadotte jumped up.

The reason why Murat is not jumping is because he has no sense of terrain or strategy in the first place.

If left unchecked, all the marshals, corps commanders, and staff officers will be shouting their opposition.

Eugene swung his marshal’s baton and struck the pillar.

-Clang!

In the momentary silence caused by the noise, Eugene looked down at everyone and said.

“Marshals, corps commanders, and staff officers of the Empire. You do not trust your comrades.”

Augereau, who can be said to be the most senior, stood up abruptly.

“Comrades? What are you talking about?”

“Duke Augereau of Montenotte, Marceau, one of the nine marshals, is already in the Ottoman Empire.”

“Marceau alone cannot guarantee the trust of the Ottoman Empire. War is not simply conducted with personal trust, Your Royal Highness Eugene.”

Augereau always speaks the orthodox way.

Also, the orthodox way is the answer with a high probability of success.

However, Eugene knows that he cannot win the Russian Great Expedition with the orthodox way.

Eugene took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“That, I will go and solve it myself.”

Augereau blinked.

“Your Highness, what did you just say?”

“I will go to the Ottoman Empire myself and get a definite answer to this problem. Instead, I have a petition for His Majesty the Emperor and a request for you.”

“It’s too dangerous!”

Just as the other marshals, corps commanders, and staff officers were about to object, Napoleon raised his hand.

“Let’s hear the story. What are you petitioning me for?”

Eugene stared at Napoleon.

“Speed and schedule are the top priorities in this war. If we’re not going to postpone it to next year, we need to start the march this month.”

“So?”

“When I get the Ottoman’s confirmation, you and I must meet in the Black Sea.”

Eugene’s eyes flashed.

“As soon as I depart, please send the entire army out.”

This is Eugene’s proposal that neither Napoleon nor the Imperial Marshals can refuse.