He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 470

(470) Kutuzov Steps Forward

Defeat invariably leads to personnel changes.

-Step, step, step.

A man entered the headquarters barracks of the Russian Imperial Army stationed in Tula, south of Moscow.

It was Count Tolstoy, sent as a messenger by Tsar Alexander.

However, in times like these, a messenger rarely brings good news.

Inside the barracks, Bennigsen, who had been staring intently at a map, looked up.

“What is it, Count Alexander Ivanovich Tolstoy?”

“It is the order of His Majesty Tsar Alexander. Effective immediately, Marshal Bennigsen’s command is revoked.”

“Then, who will succeed me? Barclay? Or Bagration?”

Bennigsen asked with a hollow expression.

Revocation of military command was expected.

Although it was Barclay de Tolly’s strategy, it was Bennigsen who decided on the operation and reported it to the Tsar.

However, entrusting the southern defense to the Don Cossacks resulted in a disastrous outcome.

Almost 300 years since the time of Ivan the Great, and more than 50 years since the Pugachev Rebellion, the [Nomadic Cavalry] had all defected to France.

It was enough to enrage Tsar Alexander, who was residing in Podolsk, south of Moscow.

However, Bennigsen was shocked by Tolstoy’s next words.

“It is Marshal Kutuzov.”

Bennigsen glared at Tolstoy.

“Madness! Kutuzov is a subject of Tsar, no, ‘Emperor’ Paul!”

“Not anymore, as of today.”

“What?”

Clearly, Kutuzov was the commander of the garrison in Russian Poland and had sided with Paul.

It was Kutuzov who retreated Paul from Moscow to Saint Petersburg.

Why would he now turn to Alexander’s side?

Count Tolstoy gave a very simple answer.

“Tsar Alexander has promised Kutuzov the title of [Grand Duke of Finland].”

Originally, the title of Grand Duke of Finland was held by the King of Sweden.

Moreover, after it became part of the Russian Empire, it was a title mainly held by the Crown Prince in the original history.

That meant Finland, located right in front of the capital Saint Petersburg, was considered important.

Although Kutuzov was of noble birth, he was not of a lineage that would warrant the title of Grand Duke, so it would be a truly glorious promotion.

Of course, Bennigsen was dumbfounded and slammed his fist on the portable table in the barracks.

-Bang!

Bennigsen, glaring at the startled Tolstoy, said through gritted teeth.

“That’s insane.”

“Your Excellency, to resolve the current crisis facing Russia, we must promise even more than that…”

“That’s not it! Entrusting military authority to Kutuzov to that extent is madness!”

Of course, Bennigsen was envious of the title of Grand Duke of Finland to the point of being sick.

But with the French Imperial Army approaching, what good is the title of Grand Duke?

What is important now is a strategist to stop the Grande Armée [the main army of Napoleon].

“Kutuzov is not Suvorov! He has never properly defeated the French army! He is quick to retreat when war breaks out, and above all, he is slow!”

In Bennigsen’s view, Kutuzov was by no means an outstanding general.

In fact, in the original history, Kutuzov’s most active battlefields were mainly in wars against the Ottoman Empire.

Also, when the Russian Empire fought Napoleon several times in the original history, Bennigsen, Barclay, and Bagration achieved results, but Kutuzov did not.

But now, he was even caught by Eugene in the Battle of Adrianople.

So, from Bennigsen’s perspective, Kutuzov is the worst possible choice.

“Count Tolstoy, you understand, don’t you? How fast the French army is!”

“Yes? Well, I have cousins in France and have studied there, but I don’t know much about the military.”

“Then, you can see it now! They have already passed Poltava and Kursk! Soon, [Oryol] will be under their hooves!”

Bennigsen pointed to the map he had been staring at and cried out.

“Now we have to retreat to [Kazan] in the direction of Siberia! That is the only way to save the Russian Empire! As Barclay said!”

Scorched earth and retreat to the rear.

In this era, movement is only possible with the power of people and animals.

Of course, Eugene has created steam automobiles and steamships, and England is slowly experimenting with steam locomotives.

However, steam-powered transportation is not yet widespread, and it is not in a situation to cover vast areas like Russia.

Therefore, if the Tsar leads the imperial family and the army to flee to the outskirts of Russia, it will be difficult for Napoleon to catch up.

This is also the grand strategy that the Russian Empire used against Napoleon in the original history.

However, Tolstoy shook his head.

“Marshal Kutuzov said there is another way.”

“What way?”

“Total firepower warfare.”

As Bennigsen’s eyes widened, Tolstoy recited what he had heard in detail.

“Gather all the nobles, commoners, and serfs of the entire Russian Empire and concentrate them on the plains, and then gather the firepower of the entire empire to fight a decisive battle.”

This is also a solution that the Russian Empire chose in the original history.

In fact, the Russian Empire confronted Napoleon more systematically in the original history than one might think.

They struggled in Smolensk but were defeated, retreated in Polotsk, and finally fought a major battle in front of Moscow.

They poured all available forces and firepower into it.

However, because the Grande Armée had run out of food by then, Napoleon could not hold out even after winning.

To put it kindly, it was a victory that dramatically utilized Russia’s vast space.

But now, southern Russia and Ottoman Turkey are fully responsible for French supplies.

Tolstoy spoke as Bennigsen’s face turned blue, knowing the situation even if he didn’t know the history.

“That is Marshal Kutuzov’s solution.”

However, Bennigsen kicked the table.

“Are you really going to bet the entire country on this war! That flattering one-eyed bastard!”

What will happen to Russia if we lose like this?

***

Of course, Kutuzov suffers from headaches, but he is not a fool.

“Of course not, Your Majesty.”

Kutuzov said smoothly, pressing gently on his slightly aching head.

When he became one-eyed in the past, Kutuzov suffered a gunshot wound that penetrated his brain.

The fact that he survived despite having his frontal lobe pierced may be evidence that Kutuzov is favored by the goddess of fortune.

However, because of that, Kutuzov always suffered from headaches, became relatively fat, and became a lazy person who did not diligently inspect the battlefield.

Despite having learned [advanced] tactics by traveling between England and the Netherlands, this is the main reason why Russian generals think of Kutuzov as a slow, old-fashioned general.

However, Kutuzov, who learned tactics and strategy under Suvorov, had abilities that other Russian generals did not.

That is the power to find [solutions] in complex situations.

Alexander, looking at Kutuzov, who had been a subject of his [late father] until recently, asked with a displeased face.

“Betting everything on a single battle, isn’t that a gamble?”

“Even if the Russian army loses this battle, Napoleon cannot conquer the empire.”

“Does that make sense?”

In fact, the title of Grand Duke of Finland was a card that Alexander had been saving.

The opponent Alexander originally intended to use was Buxhoeveden.

He is a general currently in charge of the defense of Saint Petersburg and a great nobleman who is suitable for the title of Grand Duke, having served as the Governor of Finland.

Also, it would have been a great help in overthrowing Paul and reunifying Russia.

However, with Napoleon approaching, Russia desperately needed Kutuzov, the highest-ranking general.

Anyway, Bennigsen is a traitor, Bagration is a foreign royal, and Barclay lacks trust.

Kutuzov was the only one who could oversee the entire military.

Moreover, Kutuzov also had a very clear countermeasure.

“Of course, it makes sense, Your Majesty. Napoleon cannot stay in Russia for long. Even if he wins, the enemy’s attrition rate will increase if you fight according to my strategy. Your Majesty can wait in the rear.”

Suddenly, Kutuzov smiled, his one eye gleaming.

“Napoleon buried in the snow, defeated in [winter].”

Victory or defeat cannot be guaranteed.

However, firepower warfare that concentrates artillery is the antithesis of mobile warfare.

Unlike other Western European countries, the Russian Empire clearly knows this.

Because they had tested it against the Ottoman Turks and Persia, who had strong light cavalry.

Archduke Constantine, Alexander’s brother and a general in the military, who was listening next to him, nodded.

“That’s right, brother. The Russian winter is something the French have never experienced. So, it would be best to retreat to Kazan first and wait.”

“Constantine, are you coveting my position?”

“Yes? N, no, brother! How could I ever!”

Just as Archduke Constantine was horrified, Alexander shouted through gritted teeth.

“Or, if the entire army is fighting with the fate of the nation at stake, how can you tell me to run away alone?”

In fact, in the original history, Archduke Constantine was the commander-in-chief of the Russian expedition, or the [Patriotic War] in Russian terms.

However, he was only a nominal commander-in-chief, and at the time, there was no civil war, and above all, Moscow was intact.

But now, there is another Tsar, Paul, in Saint Petersburg.

Also, the secondary capital, Moscow, is burned and difficult to become the center of the empire.

But Alexander, who claims to be the Tsar, runs away alone?

Whatever the military situation, it is suicide politically.

Stroganov, Novosiltsev, and Kochubey, who are the closest aides to Tsar Alexander, also nodded.

However, it was the worst decision militarily, and Kutuzov was flustered and waved his hand.

“Your Majesty, war is the work of soldiers. Your Majesty is the foundation of the country, so it is best to wait in the rear.”

“Nonsense! I will lead the army in person.”

“Yes?”

Kutuzov was about to open his mouth in shock at the sound of him going to the battlefield.

“Listen, nobles, clergy, and soldiers!”

The Tsar claimant, Alexander, raised his voice in the temporary court of Podolsk.

“I am the Tsar of Russia, the highest flying eagle! God has commanded me to protect this land and faith, so I will fight against the [atheists] and win!”

Of course, Napoleon is more of a deist than an atheist.

In fact, unlike during the French Revolution, the French Empire recognizes the Vatican and Catholicism.

However, it is also true that from the perspective of the Russian Empire, they appear to be no different from atheists.

The young [Tsar], who carried the nation, the throne, and faith on his shoulders, shouted.

“Therefore, I will be with the army that defends Russia!”

At that moment, the moved Russian nobles, soldiers, and a small number of clergy shouted.

“Waaa!”

However, it is not always a good thing for the final decision-maker to come to the battlefield.

Especially in a [firepower concentration battle] like this war, where much can be lost in a single battle.

Rostopchin, who was still holding the position of Chancellor, stood next to Kutuzov.

“Kutuzov, try to stop him.”

However, like Rostopchin, Kutuzov does not have a strong voice in this court.

Originally, he was a subject of Tsar Paul, and his relationship with Alexander was not very good.

Kutuzov smiled bitterly and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, let’s just move Archduke Constantine to the rear. Since it has come to this, the fewer [mothers-in-law] on the battlefield, the better. Chancellor Rostopchin.”

With that alone, Kutuzov would at least be relieved of the burden of tactical command.

***

Soldiers forcibly conscripted from all over the country can be seen walking.

-Clack, clack, clack!

They are mainly soldiers from northern and western Russia.

The south, which had been the empire’s recruitment base, had already fallen into French hands.

Therefore, although it was originally possible to mobilize a reserve force of at least 600,000, only about half of them have responded to the call.

However, it was possible to form a defense force of approximately 400,000, including the already assembled Indian expeditionary force.

Even compared to the French Imperial Grande Armée, it is by no means a lagging number.

Kutuzov, who was watching the march from the hill with a telescope, tilted his head.

“The cavalry seems a bit lacking, Barclay.”

“There is no shortage of heavy cavalry. The problem is light cavalry. All the Cossacks have defected to France.”

“Of course, artillery will determine this war. What is the number of cannons?”

Barclay reported cautiously.

“A total of 1,000 are gathering.”

Originally, in the original history, Barclay would have been appointed as the Minister of War and would have been above Kutuzov.

However, because Paul, who valued Kutuzov and disregarded Barclay, reigned for a long time, Kutuzov is still senior to Barclay.

After briefly lowering the telescope, Kutuzov, who was devising a future strategy, turned to his left.

“In case of emergency, prepare to evacuate His Majesty Alexander. Bagration.”

“What is it? Are you preparing for defeat before even starting the war?”

“The opponent is not just Napoleon.”

Kutuzov grimaced with his one eye.

“Didn’t we both see what the Sharpshooter can do?”

In the past, Bagration had clashed with the French army under Suvorov.

It was a battle fought against Napoleon’s army, which was called the [Revolutionary Army] before it was called the Grande Armée.

Bagration remembers a boy who came running from the Orient and shot relentlessly.

Suddenly, Bagration turned his horse, grinding his teeth.

“I saw it painfully in Marengo. I understand. But we will win the war!”

Kutuzov turned his one eye again.

“That’s not as easy as it sounds. Of course, not for Napoleon either.”

As if in response, the marching, expressionless Russian soldiers shouted.

-Hurrah!

Now it was time for the Russian Empire to clash with the Grande Armée with all its might.