He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 476

Bernadotte Charges with a Steam-Powered Car (1)

The 19th century is the age of the steam engine.

“Still, I never thought I’d see one of these on the battlefield.”

Bernadotte muttered, watching the steel steam engine rushing forward.

-Beeeeep!

Its size is 2 meters high and 4 meters long, resembling a massive steel carriage.

However, what truly makes it terrifying is the steel armor.

The driver’s protective shield, made to block bullets, and the protruding rifle muzzles create a strangely eerie feeling.

Of course, the roar of the steam engine is so loud that it doesn’t even allow time to think about such things.

Bernadotte, seeing such a thing for the first time, was utterly stunned.

At that moment, Marceau approached leisurely on horseback, patting his horse as he replied,

“I didn’t expect to use this in Russia either.”

“Were you experimenting with these things with the Turks, Marshal Marceau? You must have had a lot of fun.”

“There were quite a few interesting things, but not this, Senior Commander Bernadotte. This came from Egypt.”

The Duke of Constantinople, Marceau, twisted his lips and scoffed.

“Ironically, Egypt is probably the most experimental proving ground in the French Empire right now, if you exclude Nouvelle France [New France, referring to French territories in North America], that is.”

Originally, Eugene had showcased the world’s first steam-powered car on the battlefield during the Egyptian expedition.

However, it wasn’t well-known in Europe because it was a war zone and the item was experimental.

Since then, Eugene and the Beauharnais Cartel have mainly researched or used steam-powered cars in Nouvelle France.

However, in Egypt, Hoche had been independently and continuously improving steam-powered cars.

That very steam-powered car was transported across the Black Sea and arrived here.

As Marceau shook his head, recalling the trouble he had gone through to transport it, Bernadotte, who had been admiring its appearance, quickly asked,

“So, what is the performance of that war car, or tank for short?”

“20 kilometers per hour? Of course, that’s the maximum speed, and usually, it’s lucky to get 10 kilometers per hour. Moreover, just like the old real chariots, it needs a separate ‘charioteer’.”

“Hmm, but since you’ve installed a bulletproof shield, it seems more advantageous for charging.”

Marceau waved his hand dismissively at Bernadotte, who was clearly impressed.

“It can’t stop concentrated fire from infantry. It’s only useful for anti-cavalry purposes.”

Although it’s covered with steel armor, it’s not enough to stop close-range, focused fire.

If that were possible with the technology of this era, there would be no reason for cuirassiers [heavy cavalry] to be shot and killed in the first place.

However, when cavalrymen fire their guns, it’s only a single shot, so it can block that much.

-Rumble!

Watching the car running in front, surprising both enemy and friendly cavalry, Bernadotte said to his adjutant,

“Good, Major General Dufas! Is the preparation for the advance complete!”

“Of course, Commander! Today, I am prepared to give my life on this battlefield of Borodino!”

“You must protect your life. Only then can you live and gain glory!”

Pierre Louis Dufas, soon to be known as a boisterous assault commander in the Russian battlefield, shouted as he ran with Bernadotte.

“With this charge, our 6th Corps will gain immortal fame!”

Clearly, whether the steam-powered car charge fails or succeeds, it will be recorded in history.

However, Marceau watched the scene with a nonchalant face, along with the transportation unit from Constantinople.

Suddenly, a man watching the situation from the side asked,

“Marshal, shouldn’t you have led the charge yourself?”

“Chief Rochejaquelein, with what soldiers? Are you suggesting I call in the remnants of the Crimean Khanate or something?”

“But, this is the first steam-powered car charge in Europe. There are risks, but it would still be truly historic, wouldn’t it?”

Chief Surte, Rochejaquelein had seen countless battlefields.

However, this was virtually the first time he had seen a machine, not men or horses, running on the battlefield.

Except for when they threatened the natives in the New World battlefield.

But is Marceau, who brought the steam-powered car to the battlefield, not going to enjoy this glory?

Marceau scoffed.

“Come on, Rochejaquelein. You’re getting old. I’m already the conqueror of Constantinople. Do I really need to covet such a bizarre glory? Besides.”

In fact, it was Hoche who made the steam-powered car.

But even if Hoche had come here, he would have reacted the same way as Marceau.

There’s no need for the fame of being the first to charge with a strange steel monster.

Above all, if Marceau wants to seek achievements, there are still many opportunities.

“Do you really think this war will end with this single battle?”

However, Rochejaquelein reacted as if he was puzzled.

“What do you mean? Both His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty King Eugene plan to end it with this battle.”

“Ah, I know. Eugene has a knack for this kind of thing. He’s probably at the peak of his skills right now, right? But the enemy isn’t just the usurper of Russia.”

“Who else is there? Blücher of Prussia?”

Conversely, Rochejaquelein, who has been in charge of foreign intelligence for the French Empire, reacted skeptically.

If the Russian Empire falls, won’t there be no rivals to France on the European continent?

Prussia remains an independent country, but it is no match for the Grande Armée [the main Imperial French army commanded by Napoleon].

But Marceau shook his head.

“In Constantinople, information comes in that you can’t hear in Europe. It’s the world of Muslims.”

“Muslims? Ah, you mean Islamic believers?”

“You know that there are Muslims in India now, right? Muslims have ruled for a long time, but recently Hindus have taken the lead. Of course, that’s also in the past tense.”

After briefly summarizing the history of the Mughal Empire, Marceau lowered his voice.

“There is a conqueror of England, of India. That person will come to Europe.”

At that moment, gunfire was fired from the steam-powered car.

-Rumble, Bang!

The first battle between the cavalry and the steam-powered car, or the primitive tank, took place.

***

This bizarre sight was naturally seen by the Emperor, who was on relatively high ground.

“Bernadotte? No, is that Eugene!”

Napoleon jumped up.

In fact, Bernadotte was an army that had been left as a reserve.

Although Napoleon summoned him, it’s clear that he had prepared in advance, seeing how quickly he came.

But something that Napoleon had not discussed at all before the start of the war appeared.

Chief of Staff Berthier also shook his head in embarrassment.

“Your Majesty, that thing is… anyway, that bizarre thing seems to be hitting the enemy’s cuirassier corps!”

“Call Poniatowski!”

“Yes?”

Napoleon looked back at Berthier with sparkling eyes and shouted.

“Tell him to support Murat! Murat is good at breaking through, but he’s not good at defense and close combat! Now is the time for the Polish Uhlans [Polish light cavalry] to play an active role!”

Whether the steam-powered car has any historical significance is another matter.

What’s important now is that the steam-powered car’s charge has stopped the Russian Imperial Guard cavalry.

Moreover, even the line infantry regiment is flustered and hesitant.

This is the moment when the right wing, or the Uhlans, the Polish lancer corps, should be active.

“Your Majesty, I will go!”

Lannes jumped up, but Napoleon refused again this time.

“No, Lannes, you go with me.”

“Yes?”

“Wait. The decisive moment has not yet come. If Russia withstands that offensive, a counterattack may begin instead!”

Napoleon watched the center.

This war is not a battlefield where small armies clash, but a battlefield where truly large armies clash.

If the momentum suddenly reverses, everything can collapse at once.

That applies not only to the Russian army but also to the French army.

Suddenly looking up at the sky, Napoleon ordered again.

“Duroc! Prepare the Guard artillery. Tell Marmont to concentrate the horse artillery in the center as well!”

Napoleon realized that the cannon fire had stopped.

However, preparing cannons is an instruction that does not fit the battlefield where fierce battles are taking place.

Duroc, the chief of staff, was surprised and reported.

“Your Majesty, our troops are still charging.”

“Surely you don’t think I’m going to bombard our own troops like those Russian ‘Ivan’ [a common Russian name, often used derisively] bastards? If I did that, I’d be deposed!”

“Then, what are you waiting for?”

Napoleon looked back at the central front again.

“Bernadotte can’t break through. But Murat and Poniatowski, or…”

Still, neither Massena on the right wing nor Augereau on the left wing has sent any news.

Then, in this battle, it is difficult to carry out La Mob Sheur des Leerieurs [likely a mangled French phrase, perhaps referring to a strategic maneuver], that is, a strategic rear breakthrough maneuver.

The answer is a central breakthrough.

If Murat breaks through, that could decide the battle.

If that doesn’t work.

“If it’s Eugene, he might be able to break through the enemy’s depths.”

In an instant, the sound of Polish cavalry running and neighing loudly rang out.

-Heeheehee!

A cavalry battle began in the center.

***

Kutuzov, with his one eye, is also seeing this battlefield for the first time.

“The front is a bizarre iron monster! The flanks are French hussars, no, Polish Uhlans!”

It’s been exactly 50 years since he jumped into the battlefield in 1760.

In the meantime, he has seen countless scenes of the principles of war changing.

But the sight of a steel carriage, not humans or horses, running on its own is also a first for Kutuzov.

After staring blankly for a moment, Kutuzov barely regained his senses and shouted.

“Send the Guards grenadier regiment to the iron monsters!”

“Yes? Commander-in-Chief, then they will be annihilated!”

“Just delay them! I don’t know what it is, but it must be powered by coal! Then it will stop when the fuel runs out!”

Kutuzov’s judgment is accurate.

However, the situation where the enemy is breaking through the gaps in the Russian Empire remains unchanged.

To stop this situation, you have to send humans, that is, soldiers.

Kutuzov, scanning the remaining troops, ordered his adjutant, Count Mikhail Andreyevich Miloradovich.

“The Guards cavalry must stop the enemy hussars! Until the line infantry regiment kills all the Polish Uhlans!”

Miloradovich quickly ran to carry out the order.

Soon after, the last remaining light cavalry redeployed and charged.

A cavalry battle began on the central front.

-Clang, clang, clang!

Kutuzov gritted his teeth as he watched the battlefield where sabers clashed.

“If only there were Cossacks, we could have finished them off here!”

He doesn’t usually rate the troops that highly.

But in this situation, the Cossacks’ mobility could have decided the war.

But Tolstoy, the Emperor’s messenger standing next to Kutuzov, replied with an astonished face.

“Your Excellency, it’s the Cossacks.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? The only Cossack cavalry in our army is a regiment-level unit guarding the rear.”

“No, I think it’s a division level.”

Tolstoy raised his hand and pointed to the north, towards the left flank.

“There, there, I see the Cossacks.”

Kutuzov frowned and turned his one eye, then widened it.

-Waaaa!

There, 10,000 former Russian Imperial Army light cavalry, the Cossacks, were rushing in.