He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 465

(465) The Grande Armée Advances via the Turkish Bypass

Kraków, a city in the Duchy of Galicia and the old capital of the Kingdom of Poland.

“Heh heh, neither Russia, nor England, nor our allied forces would have expected us to come this way!”

From Warsaw to Kraków is about 300 kilometers.

Originally, Kraków was the capital of Poland in the Middle Ages, and Warsaw only emerged as the center in modern times.

Thus, by the 19th century, it was already a declining city.

It was also incorporated into the Austrian Empire during the so-called Partitions of Poland.

As a result of the Austrian partition, the ruler of Kraków is an unexpected man.

Friedrich Salm-Kyrburg, who became a Grand Duke thanks to Eugene’s intervention.

Friedrich wrung his hands and bowed repeatedly.

To Emperor Napoleon himself.

“Oh, what an honor it is for me to host Your Majesty!”

“Enough, Friedrich. We’re at war anyway, so you don’t have to observe formalities. What’s important is food, weaponry, and lodging. Everything is in order, I presume?”

“Of course. We have mobilized all the resources of Galicia and Bohemia in Kraków. Grand Duke Louis was originally supposed to come out to greet you here, but he couldn’t make it because he had to welcome the Rhine Confederation forces.”

Listening to the Grand Duke’s fuss, Ozhuro spoke from beside the Emperor.

“The people of the former Kingdom of Poland are making tremendous sacrifices in this war, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed. 100,000 as auxiliary troops for our Grande Armée, and 100,000 as guards for the northern allied forces, right?”

“Only complete Polish independence will satisfy their aspirations. Can you truly make that happen?”

Grande Armée, Polish soldiers are visible everywhere in the encampment.

It’s called the 600,000-strong Grande Armée, but in reality, only 200,000 of them are French soldiers whom Napoleon considers elite.

However, an army cannot function with elites alone.

Soldiers are needed for supply, support, and reinforcement.

Napoleon passed that role onto the Poles.

As well as the role of guarding the disloyal Rhine Confederation, Hungarian, and Prussian allied forces heading north.

Thanks to this, as many as 200,000 Poles have been drafted to participate in this war.

However, Napoleon replied with a face that showed no burden at all.

“Ozhuro, why is that difficult? Poland has already been half-independent since the establishment of the Duchy of Warsaw. So, if we annex Russian territory and attach it to the Duchy of Warsaw, wouldn’t that solve it?”

Then, a man who had rushed from Spain and joined them in Kraków, Masséna, sneered.

“Oh, Emperor. You’re thinking of replacing the Grand Duke of Warsaw.”

“Yes. I plan to bestow the title of Grand Duke upon someone who has distinguished themselves in this great expedition. Who knows? The Duke of Saxony might achieve tremendous military 功績 [meritorious deeds].”

“Does that apply to our Marshals as well?”

Turning to the quick-witted Masséna, Napoleon burst into laughter.

“Of course. You, the Imperial Marshals and Senior Generals, are the most suitable to become Grand Dukes! Achieve merits, and becoming a Grand Duke will be nothing!”

Masséna, Ozhuro, Berthier, Junot, Lannes, and Moreau are with the Grande Armée.

The six Marshals of the Empire, except for Deseze in Pensacola, Marceau in Constantinople, and Hoche in Cairo, are currently here.

Furthermore, Davout, Soult, Marmont, Bernadotte, Suchet, Bessières, Murat, Grouchy, and Laharpe are also present.

Napoleon’s generals, who will be remembered in history, are shining their eyes.

Not because of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw.

It was because they sensed that if this great expedition succeeded, the entire Russia would become the titles and territories of the Marshals and Senior Generals.

However, only Ozhuro spoke coldly.

“Your Majesty, everything is fine, but the marching speed cannot keep up with the wagons.”

Then the Marshals, realizing the situation, stepped forward.

“Most of them are left behind. At this rate, we may enter the Russian border without receiving supplies.”

“Unfortunately, [Forced Conscription] is very difficult in this area. If it were Italy, supplies would be filled even if we sent out troops for only a day.”

“At this rate, will there be a setback in the advance? It’s almost summer, Your Majesty.”

To the criticisms of Berthier, Masséna, and Lannes, the Emperor replied leisurely.

“That will be resolved soon. Huh?”

Suddenly, a cavalryman broke through the military camp and rushed in from the outskirts of Kraków like a whirlwind.

-Thud!

Murat and Grouchy stopped him.

“Lasalle?”

Just as Berthier frowned, Lasalle jumped off his horse and shouted.

“Hi-ho! Greetings, glorious Grande Armée Imperial Marshals! Long time no see. Huh? Oh, Your Majesty is here too!”

“Eugene’s impudent standard-bearer. I heard you messed with our old goose’s sister-in-law?”

“She’s my wife now, Your Majesty. Heh heh.”

Lasalle chuckled and then flashed his eyes.

“Soon, the promised supply train will be coming from the Romanian direction. Emperor.”

Napoleon laughed heartily and shouted to the entire army.

“Indeed, Eugene kept his promise. Prepare to march again!”

March first, supply later.

It is the fundamental principle of blitzkrieg that Napoleon adhered to throughout his life.

Originally, it was a strategy that would have ended in a miserable failure in the Russian expedition in the original history.

However, at this moment, there is a country that has jumped into the supply war at the [Imperial] level.

That is the Ottoman Turkey.

***

The march of a large army is like the movement of a small city.

“Hey! Kill all the [lice] there! Burn everything if pests are found!”

“Are you telling me to burn precious uniforms?”

“Shut up and listen to the orders! Anyway, the Boarneh Cartel and allied countries are responsible for military supplies! We’ll distribute new uniforms at the next supply depot!”

Lviv, in the original history, a city on the border between Ukraine and Poland, Lviv.

A huge encampment with as many as 300,000 troops swarming around has been set up here.

However, as soon as they arrive, medics and nurse officers in white uniforms are running wild.

For the reason that they have to exterminate pests called [lice].

Originally, Lannes, the commander of the Imperial Guard, a man accustomed to camping, field battles, and the wild, grumbled as he watched the scene.

“Why are the medics making such a fuss? Lareille is having a great time!”

Just as Lannes was cynically watching Lareille shouting.

“Well, when a large army gathers, an epidemic is bound to occur. Especially typhus!”

“Who, eek! Your Highness the Princess!”

“Call me the Duchess of Parma, Lannes. I came to check the sanitation of the Imperial Guard, and looking at your condition, it’s a mess?”

The Duchess of Parma, or rather, Pauline, stood in front of Lannes with a displeased expression.

On the other hand, Lannes is dumbfounded by Pauline in her white uniform.

Of course, Pauline is just doing what she used to do in New France.

From the [nurses] moving behind her, the scale is already that of a regiment.

After a moment of gaping, Lannes looked at Pauline and asked.

“Are you perhaps directly participating in this war?”

“Why not? I’m the Paris branch manager of the Knights Hospitaller and the commander of the nursing unit. The Knights Hospitaller and the Vatican have also decided to fully support the French Empire’s expedition. What was it, the condition is to integrate the Moscow Orthodox Church?”

“I don’t know about that, but this isn’t a battlefield where it’s good to have women together.”

Lannes doesn’t know about the Orthodox Concordat, the Vatican’s international support, or the nursing unit.

Of course, it’s natural since he doesn’t even know the importance of hygiene.

However, he knows that it’s not good to see women involved in the battlefield.

If soldiers driven mad by lust cause an accident, who will take responsibility then?

However, the bold Pauline burst into laughter.

“Why don’t you wash up a bit before saying that? Besides, aren’t there plenty of ‘women’ who are with the military unit anyway?”

Lannes looked in the direction Pauline was talking about and clicked his tongue.

The women, so-called vivandières or cantinières [female merchants and provisioners], can be seen collecting laundry.

Vivandière means a soldier’s wife, and cantinière means a woman in the camp.

Since the Middle Ages, there has been a group of female merchants who follow the army in Europe, and in fact, it continued even after the modern era and the French Revolution.

They are usually general stores that sell laundry, soldiers’ snacks, wig powder, stationery, ink, etc., but it is generally accepted that they also acted as [prostitutes].

Of course, Eugene’s army has eradicated this problem, but not everyone thinks like Eugene.

Especially in the Russian expedition, which has become a long-distance expedition, they naturally came along.

Lannes shrugged as if making an excuse.

“Well, until now, most of the expeditions have been short-term, so these people weren’t needed.”

“In order to protect the chastity of my husband, His Majesty, and Eugene, I must participate.”

“It’s not Your Highness’s business to worry about His Majesty Eugene’s chastity. Hmm.”

Then Pauline twisted her lips and wore a strange smile.

“Lannes, should I write a letter home telling them that you’re playing around with my nurses here too? I think your remarried wife would love it.”

Of course, it is common on the battlefield for love affairs to always occur where there are nurses.

The only problem is that many of the generals, officers, and soldiers who are the objects of romance are married men.

Immediately, Lannes stood at attention and said.

“If the King of Spain is ever alone, I will be sure to let you know.”

“Good posture. By the way, when is Eugene joining us?”

“That’s probably [Kherson]. He said he’s going to receive the final supplies there and go straight to Moscow.”

Suddenly, Lannes recalled what was said at the Kraków strategy meeting last time and nodded.

“It’s the last supplies coming from the Ottoman Empire.”

Pauline, who was turning her gaze, showed a gleam in her eyes.

“I don’t know about the last, but that’s the first supply. I need to start with a hygiene inspection.”

Far away from the south, soldiers and porters wearing turbans, and wagons were approaching.

This is why the French Imperial Army, which took the southern route, has not had any supply problems so far.

In an instant, the Arabian horse of the approaching wagon snorted.

-Puh-r-r-r!

Of course, that horse will be transformed into a reserve horse for the cavalry.

***

Kherson, a historic city located just north of the Crimean Peninsula on the northern Black Sea.

“Is this where the Romans ruled? Heh heh.”

Napoleon looked at the coast of Kherson, the Black Sea, and laughed.

Of course, Kherson is not a city founded by the Romans, but a fortress founded by Empress Catherine.

It was named after Chersonesos, a colony founded by the Greeks in the Crimean Peninsula, though.

Still, it is certain that it was an area ruled by the Romans.

Eugene, wearing a turban, smiled brightly and said.

“Your Majesty has already achieved achievements that even the Romans could not achieve.”

“What is it, Eugene? Flattery in a place like this?”

“That’s not it.”

Eugene, who came by ship from Constantinople, shouted as he looked at the huge [Grand Encampment].

“600,000 troops, 150,000 horses, 10,000 wagons. Reaching here in just two months is something that no Roman has ever achieved. Not even Caesar!”

Of course, in fact, there is only half of that here.

300,000 troops, 80,000 horses, 5,000 wagons.

Among them, horses and wagons were conscripted from Prussia, Austria, and Poland in the original history, but now most of them are conscripted from the Ottoman Empire.

Also, reaching the Russian border in just two months is similar to the original history, but it is easier now.

This is because the Russian Empire is in the midst of a civil war, so there were no Cossack light cavalry to interfere.

Even so, it is true that Napoleon has achieved an amazing feat.

Without even railroads, he has carried out a super-long-distance march that could not even be imagined in the late 19th century.

Napoleon laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! It’s meaningless if you don’t win. Now, how should we go?”

“Supply and movement will proceed along the Dnieper River. We will advance to Yekaterinoslav, Kharkiv, and Belgorod, Kursk, Orel, Tula, and Podolsk.”

“Am I going to meet the famous Volga River? No, it’s the Oka River, a tributary. Hmm.”

After looking at the map for a while, Napoleon turned his head.

“Poniatowski, have you contacted the commander-in-chief of the [Don Cossack] unit?”

Don Cossacks, the Cossack tribal army that dominates the area of present-day Ukraine.

Since the dissolution of the Hetman Cossacks, which was the Cossack autonomous government, the person appointed by the Russian Tsar handles the corps.

In the original history, he was the general who blocked Napoleon’s advance into western Russia.

Poniatowski bowed his head.

“He seems to be hesitating.”

“His name is Matvey Ivanovich Platov?”

“Yes, he is the one who oversees the entire Cossack area and is highly trusted by the Cossack nomads.”

For a moment, Napoleon stroked his well-shaved chin and smiled strangely.

“Eugene, throw away the turban. I’ll give you back your 4th Corps. Can you open the way?”

Eugene threw off his turban and smiled brightly.

“I will gladly take on the mission. Father Emperor.”

Finally, the Grande Armée has come to Russia.

Now, the moment has come for Eugene to move his troops as well.