I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 182

Each War

France is strong in the army, and England is strong in the navy.

This perception, once ingrained like a simple formula, was shattered during the Seven Years’ War in the 18th century.

The French army, in which they had placed so much pride, failed to demonstrate overwhelming superiority against the Prussian-British Hanoverian personal union.

In the final year of the Seven Years’ War, they even suffered the humiliation of consecutive defeats at the Battle of Wilhelmsthal and the Second Battle of Lutterberg.

Prussia and Hanover’s decision to fight was rooted in these past victories.

The foundation of France’s current strength largely relies on its extensive network of alliances.

The New World was already largely claimed by New France and the American colonies.

Russia in the east, Spain in the west, and France at the heart of the Holy Roman Empire were all vying for dominance over the European continent.

However, Russia lacked the resources to fully commit to this war, and Spain was primarily focused on observing the British navy.

Moreover, New France and America were too distant to effectively send troops to Northern Europe, where the main front would be established.

Crucially, France had been successfully reforming its government and experiencing significant growth.

The resources and supplies flowing from New France posed a direct threat to neighboring countries.

In other words, if their enemies didn’t achieve victory now, France might genuinely rise to become the dominant power in Europe.

Prussia, however, possessed its own confidence.

Even with France’s growing strength, Prussia was not the same nation it had been during the Seven Years’ War.

It had annexed Silesia and participated in the partitions of Poland, significantly expanding its territory and nearly doubling in size.

Unlike the Holy Roman Empire, plagued by internal disunity, Prussia’s national power had grown proportionally with its expanded territory.

With the added support of the British-Hanoverian army, the endeavor seemed worthwhile.

The Prussian army confidently amassed its forces.

However, the French army’s power was increasing at an astonishing rate, far beyond Prussia’s expectations.

French 1st Corps: Commanded by Marshal André Masséna. Approximately 20,000 soldiers.

2nd Corps: Commanded by Marshal Nicolas Davout. Approximately 25,000 soldiers.

3rd Corps: Commanded by Marshal Jean Lannes. Approximately 30,000 soldiers.

4th Corps: Commanded by Marshal Michel Ney. Approximately 25,000 soldiers.

5th Corps: Commanded by Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessières. Approximately 30,000 soldiers.

Cavalry Corps: Commanded by Marshal Joachim Murat. Approximately 30,000 soldiers.

Royal Guard: Commanded by Marshal Napoleon Bonaparte. Approximately 25,000 soldiers.

A total of 180,000 troops began their northward march with incredible speed.

Upon receiving this news, Prussia issued a general mobilization order for its 190,000-strong standing army.

While the troop numbers were roughly equivalent, the Prussian generals were unaware of the French army’s advanced warfare capabilities.

If they had known that even 400,000 troops wouldn’t be enough to stop them, let alone 190,000, the King of Prussia might have tearfully begged for a draw.

※※※

“The structure of this war is simple.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. There’s no need to directly attack Prussia. If we advance north towards Hanover, they’ll be forced to engage us. Prime Minister, your role is simply to remain by my side.”

“I appreciate your consideration. Warfare is not my area of expertise.”

Having accompanied him to war for the first time, I intended to stay quietly in the rear, ensuring I wouldn’t be a burden.

The objective of this war isn’t to crush Prussia entirely.

It’s sufficient to achieve a victory in a manner reminiscent of the Seven Years’ War, thereby elevating France’s standing. The Saarland, rich in steel and coal, would be a sufficient spoil of war, along with the accolades I would receive for leading this war to victory.

That’s why I chose to participate in the war myself, despite my apprehension.

Fortunately, the morale of the soldiers, who viewed this as a sort of royal visit, was exceptionally high.

Of course, I merely maintained this facade and entrusted the actual command to Napoleon.

I refrained from interfering, instead observing Napoleon orchestrate the war alongside the marshals.

I was watching Napoleon, none other than him, commanding the soldiers with the marshals from the closest place.

In fact, though I concealed it, my heart was brimming with excitement after such a long time.

“But will the Prussian army commit its forces here? They also need to be wary of the Holy Roman Empire’s army to the south.”

“I’ve deliberately instructed them to simply maintain the front there. I don’t have high expectations for the Austrian army. It’s enough if they merely provide supplies to our side.”

“…Are you intentionally luring the enemy’s main force here to annihilate them?”

“Yes.”

Napoleon’s voice, as he calmly nodded, was remarkably composed.

Despite the seemingly arrogant statement, I detected no arrogance or carelessness, strangely enough.

“The quickest way to conclude a war is to destroy the enemy’s main force. Of course, certain conditions must be met to achieve this.”

“And those conditions are all satisfied this time?”

“Yes. Furthermore, the situation is optimal because our supply lines, which are paramount, are perfectly secure.”

‘I can’t lose even if I wanted to,’ he seemed to imply. With that, Napoleon resumed examining the area’s map.

Usually, such bold pronouncements serve as a jinx, but for some reason, I didn’t believe that such a cliché would apply here, not even in the slightest.

In any case, in this war, I didn’t need to overthink anything.

I simply had to observe from the best seat in the house the amazing strategies and tactics employed by Napoleon and the marshals.

Wow! A war I can win without lifting a finger – I’m ecstatic!

“Prime Minister, the 2nd Corps, led by Davout, has encountered the Prussian army. It appears to be the army commanded by the Duke of Brunswick.”

“Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand? I’ve heard he’s a renowned general who distinguished himself in the Seven Years’ War.”

“Yes, that’s correct. I understand he was the general who commanded the army during Prussia’s invasion of the Netherlands previously.”

Having reviewed all the historical records and completed his analysis, Napoleon casually added, “I’ve instructed Masséna to support Davout, so there shouldn’t be any issues. In any case, Davout could have handled it on his own.”

Oh… he’s reliable, as expected.

※※※

“The French army is a formidable force. It would be prudent to avoid a direct confrontation until our main force arrives.”

The Prussian army, under the command of the aging General Duke of Brunswick, nearing 60 years old, had not yet fully assembled its forces.

Nevertheless, the old general’s face, who had not experienced any major defeats so far, was full of confidence.

In any case, he didn’t have any intention of crushing France in an all-out war right now.

The Duke of Brunswick was originally a master of unconventional warfare, enjoying the method of attacking the enemy’s camp without realizing it and causing damage.

The Duke of Brunswick was originally a master of unconventional warfare, favoring tactics like surprise attacks on enemy camps to inflict damage. During the Seven Years’ War, he achieved numerous successes using this approach, earning praise even from Frederick the Great.

“This side has the experience of overcoming that terrible war. Everyone has seen the information of the marshals who are currently commanding the French army, right? They are just youngsters who don’t even know what a real war is.”

“Of course, but we can’t underestimate them. There is the fact that the aristocratic marshal who was active in the Seven Years’ War was defeated by them in the French civil war.”

“What activity? That guy was just an incompetent commander who was defeated by this side and escaped with his life. Rather, it would be even better for us if they were arrogant after defeating such a third-rate.”

The main force of the Prussian army and the British army will arrive soon.

If the Hanoverian forces are added to this, they will not be inferior to the French army in terms of size at least.

If the number of heads is matched, the rest depends on the commander’s ability and the combat ability of the corps.

There is no way that the strong Prussian army will be pushed back by the weak French who drink wine every day.

The Duke of Brunswick pointed to a part of the map with his hand and confidently declared.

“First of all, I will avoid guerrilla tactics to slow down their advance. There is no need to worry about the large number of French troops. The scale of the troops does not determine the difference in power.”

“Yes! I will follow the general!”

If the commander-in-chief shows even a little bit of anxiety, it will have a negative impact on the atmosphere of the entire army.

The Duke of Brunswick rose from his seat, showing confidence to the point of appearing somewhat arrogant.

“Send a messenger to Hanover to tell them to join us as soon as the British army arrives.”

Thus, his corps launched a surprise operation to slow down the speed of the French 1st and 2nd Corps, which were coming up from the south.

He did not even think that this tactic, which had brought him victory so many times, would fail.

※※※

The Electorate of Hanover, while not vast in territory, wielded considerable influence.

It had steadily made its mark on history through interactions with various territorial states, and its importance grew further when it entered into a personal union with England.

This union served as a conduit for England to openly intervene in German affairs.

However, England’s interest was gradually shifting away from Germany, a reality Hanover had yet to fully grasp.

“Duke! The Duke of Brunswick’s army has arrived!”

“Okay. Bring the Duke here.”

Frederick, in command of the Hanoverian army, anxiously awaited reinforcements.

The British army, which had promised support, was inexplicably delayed.

Was it any consolation that the Prussian army seemed so confident?

However, as the Duke of Brunswick, who had boasted that he would slow down the French army’s advance, entered the barracks, Frederick closed his eyes tightly.

His haggard appearance spoke volumes about the operation’s outcome.

“…The French army’s advance was more intense than anticipated?”

“The operation was disrupted by the French army’s zerg rush [overwhelming numbers].”

“I see. The scale of troops in war is not something that can be easily overcome.”

“······.”

He was trying to comfort him, but strangely, the Duke of Brunswick’s expression soured.

What is it? Did this side commit some kind of rudeness?

Just as an inexplicable cold atmosphere was about to envelop the barracks, fortunately, a young officer whom Frederick favored returned with the news he had been waiting for.

“Reinforcements have arrived from England.”

“Oh, they finally came. Duke of Brunswick, please rest here for a moment.”

Frederick, who had hurriedly got up, was about to leave the barracks, but stopped for a moment.

The expression of the young officer who had brought this very welcome news was somehow strange.

“Gerhardt, is there something wrong?”

“That’s…the size of the British army is a bit strange.”

“······?”

Frederick, unable to comprehend, was speechless upon seeing the British reinforcements gathered before him.

Troops that were questionable whether they would be a few regiments, let alone a division.

Even a young officer who looked barely over twenty years old was representing the British army and saluting him.

“I have arrived under the orders of His Majesty the King and the Parliament! I promise to do my best to fight for the allied countries!”

“…Okay, thank you very much. But your name is…”

“Colonel Arthur Wellesley, Commander of the British Army Regiment!”

“Colonel Wellesley. Of course not, but what has arrived here now is not all of the reinforcements promised by England, right?”

Frederick and the young aide next to him had faces that were stiffer than ever.

It was like a volcano about to erupt.

Nevertheless, Arthur Wellesley answered calmly, as if he did not feel any pressure at all.

“Of course not. The second group will arrive soon. But unfortunately, a typhoon hit the port, delaying the departure of the warships.”

“…A typhoon suddenly at this time?”

“Yes. But don’t worry. Our British army is confident that one soldier can face five enemy soldiers. We will show you a performance that we are not ashamed of!”

I felt like I was being deceived, but what could I do when they were saying it so forcefully?

Frederick reluctantly accepted it for the time being and told Colonel Wellesley what he had to do.

However, apart from that, the young officer who was guarding Frederick, Gerhard von Scharnhorst, never took his suspicious gaze off Arthur Wellesley.

< Each War > End