I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 183

< Black Wave >

Prussia committed over 120,000 troops to France, a significant portion of its standing army of 190,000.

When combined with the forces mobilized by the Prince-Electors allied with Prussia, the scale was comparable to, if not greater than, that of France.

France also amassed a large force of 180,000, but they couldn’t deploy all of them in a single area.

King Frederick William II of Prussia, not known for his military expertise, refrained from personally leading the army.

The individuals effectively in command were the Duke of Brunswick, the Duke of Hohenlohe, and Frederick.

However, unlike the French army, the Prussian command structure was disorganized, leading to poor coordination between units.

The Prussian army was essentially a coalition force, comprising not only the Prussian main force but also troops from Hanover, the Electorate of Saxony, and even British forces.

It would have been surprising if a unified command system had emerged from such a hastily assembled coalition.

“For the smooth operation of the army, I plan to divide the forces into four main groups.”

The commander-in-chief, the Duke of Brunswick, spread out a large map and moved his baton across it.

“I will personally command the main force, the elite center, from the homeland. Trusted individuals will lead the right flank. The Duke of Hohenlohe will lead the left flank, and the Hanoverian and British forces will support the right flank, which is relatively weaker.”

Unlike France, which was already operating an improved version of the divisional system, Prussia was only beginning to introduce a basic one.

Therefore, dividing the army into such large blocks was deemed the most practical option.

The commanders, aware of this limitation, raised no significant objections.

The Duke of Hohenlohe, responsible for the left flank, was displeased with the uncooperative attitude of the British forces.

He glared at Arthur Wellesley, who was calmly observing the meeting, and snapped.

“What exactly are the British forces doing? When will the second contingent arrive? Can anyone tell me?”

“The ships sustained damage from a typhoon, so our home country is in a difficult situation. But don’t worry, we will do our best to fulfill our mission.”

“What can you accomplish with only 8,000 troops? It’s barely enough for a reserve force. If you had any sense of duty, you would have sent supplies in advance.”

“As I said, the ships were damaged by the typhoon, so our home country is in a difficult situation.”

“Sigh… I shouldn’t have bothered asking.”

What constructive answer could he expect from someone who only repeated the typhoon excuse like a parrot?

Still, combined with the forces of the Electorate of Hanover, they would have over 20,000 troops, so he had no choice but to make do.

In fact, the coalition forces gathered here included many remarkable figures.

From Arthur Wellesley, praised as the future of the British army, to Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, who would assist the Prussian right flank, and Gerhard von Scharnhorst, who had the full confidence of Frederick of Hanover.

Compared to the French army, which boasted a concentration of stars, the coalition forces seemed relatively lacking in established names, but they certainly had many outstanding young individuals.

The problem was that while these individuals wielded total command in the French army, the promising talents in the coalition forces had not yet received roles beyond that of aides.

Arthur Wellesley was merely a nominal leader, not even a division commander, and Blücher was still only a colonel.

Scharnhorst’s calls for a major reform of the army system were still only being considered.

The seeds had been sown, but more time was needed for them to sprout.

The leaders of Prussia were still unable to shake off the inertia of the past.

That was why figures like the Duke of Hohenlohe did not hesitate to engage the French army.

“We must engage in a short, decisive battle. The French army, overconfident in their strength, has advanced north independently. If the Habsburgs [Austrian rulers] finish their preparations, our homeland will no longer be able to concentrate its forces here.”

“…That’s true, but I don’t think the French army would have charged alone without considering such basic things…”

The Duke of Brunswick, who had suffered a setback trying to probe the French army before the main force joined, was noticeably cautious.

The Duke of Hohenlohe frowned as if he couldn’t understand him.

“Aren’t the ones leading the French army young soldiers who are not even thirty years old? It’s not surprising if they are acting this way because they are intoxicated with their own power and abilities.”

“I thought so at first, but after fighting them directly, I realized they were not enemies to be underestimated. They immediately launched a counterattack as if they had anticipated our moves. Their command skills are excellent, and the combat power of their soldiers is extraordinary.”

In the battle that was essentially a preliminary skirmish, the Duke of Brunswick was clearly outmatched by Davout’s corps.

They suffered about 400 casualties, while the French army suffered only about one-tenth of that.

It took only two days for the Duke of Brunswick, who had believed that the difference in troop numbers would not determine the outcome, to rationalize his defeat by blaming it on the difference in troop numbers.

Of course, the Duke of Hohenlohe, who had no experience fighting the current French army, could only conclude that the commander was simply frightened.

“Such things can certainly happen in battles involving a small number of troops. However, the upcoming battle will involve armies of over 100,000 soldiers clashing. The young and inexperienced French army will surely reveal its weaknesses.”

“Well… doesn’t the British side have a lot of information about the French army? I know they have shown considerable interest in the French civil war and the civil war in America.”

“Yes, we have done some research of our own.”

Arthur Wellesley knew very well how much Pitt [British Prime Minister] had pressured the relevant departments.

By combining the testimonies of aristocratic retired officers who had fled France and slave plantation owners who had been pushed out of the South, they could get a rough estimate.

“In short, Napoleon, who leads the French army, is a god of war, and his comrades are also masters of war comparable to Napoleon. Of course, please keep in mind that there may be some exaggeration.”

“A god of war? They must be exaggerating their opponents to save face after being crushed without even being able to put up a fight.”

The others nodded in agreement with the Duke of Hohenlohe’s sarcasm.

Even the Duke of Brunswick thought that Wellesley’s remarks contained not just a little, but a considerable amount of exaggeration.

“Your Grace, you must make a decision now.”

The Duke of Hohenlohe, backed by everyone’s support, continued in a firm tone.

“It is true that the young commanders of the French army are talented and extraordinary. That is why they have achieved so many victories so far. In other words, the more time we give them, the stronger they will become.”

“…That’s certainly true.”

“If we delay here, there will be no elements that are favorable to our side. The only positive factor would be the arrival of additional British reinforcements, but that would become meaningless the moment the Habsburgs join the war. The French army is young, and we are experienced. We must start the offensive as soon as possible before our relative advantage fades!”

Even though it was extreme, the Duke of Hohenlohe’s words made sense.

It was undeniable that the more time they gave the French army, the stronger they would become.

Originally, the best experience for young talents was actual combat.

How much growth had he shown himself during the Seven Years’ War?

Then, perhaps now was the right time, before they became accustomed to commanding an army of well over 100,000.

Having made up his mind, the Duke of Brunswick resolutely looked around and slammed the map on the table with his baton.

With a thud, the torn map pointed directly to the right flank of the French army.

It indicated the area where the 2nd Corps, commanded by Davout, was stationed.

“All corps commanders, return to your units and prepare them. The decisive battle will be in two days. We will launch a surprise attack on the seemingly weak right flank of the French army to determine the outcome!”

※※※

“…Therefore, the enemy is likely to attack along this route, so tell everyone to prepare thoroughly. Also, don’t forget to tell them that if an unexpected situation arises, they should not rely on orders and make the best choice according to their own judgment.”

“Understood!”

No sooner had Napoleon finished his explanation than the messengers left the barracks with orders to deliver to the corps commanders.

And, of course, I was watching this entire process right next to him.

When you think of a genius, you often imagine someone who wins with a flash of insight or intuition, but Napoleon was different.

He was undoubtedly a genius, but he was not the type to rely solely on simple hunches or his own genius.

Perhaps it was thanks to the intensive gifted education he received from a young age and the continuous combat experience he gained in Nouvelle France [French colony in North America].

Now, Napoleon thoroughly calculated every element of the battlefield, considered dozens of variables, and reviewed all possible scenarios.

There would be no other commander to whom the term ‘complete form’—a combination of theory, experience, and genius—would be more fitting.

The Napoleon of the original history was a similar type, but the current Napoleon had overcome his chronic habit of blaming others.

That alone made him so different from the historical Napoleon that he could be considered a different person altogether.

“What is the probability that the Prussian army will strike Davout’s side?”

“Over 80 percent.”

“Is the remaining 20 percent assuming that the opponent is more capable than expected?”

“About 10 percent is, but the other 10 percent is assuming that the enemy is even more incompetent than I think. They might not even notice the gap I deliberately showed.”

Napoleon answered without taking his eyes off the dozens of maps piled high on the table.

From what I’ve seen so far, Napoleon always preferred to perfectly grasp the terrain of the battlefield with an almost obsessive attention to detail and to move the enemy according to his intentions.

Of course, that’s easier said than done, and it’s impossible unless you’re on top of the opponent’s head.

The opponent’s commanders all have their own experience in war and have thinking minds, so how easily would they fall into a trap?

When I said that, Napoleon chuckled and nodded.

“Perhaps this is a method that I won’t be able to use again after this war. Even if I deliberately show a gap, they will unconditionally say that it is Napoleon’s trap.”

“Ah… so the assessment of you isn’t at that level yet, so it’s highly likely to work?”

“Yes. Thankfully, the enemies still don’t know me properly. On the other hand, I have already reviewed all the records of the battles in which the commanders leading the Prussian, Saxon, and Hanoverian armies participated. In other words…”

Napoleon glanced at the north, where the Prussian army was stationed, and added calmly.

“The outcome has already been decided.”

I could tell from his expression that it wasn’t just lip service to reassure me before a big battle.

The generals who will command the battle are all doing their part, so I can’t just stand still.

It is the job of a politician like me to achieve the best results through this promised victory.

And if I can find a way to lighten the burden on the soldiers even a little, there would be nothing better.

Until now, I couldn’t think of anything other than directly encouraging the soldiers and walking around, but after being on the ground, I got a sense of it.

Napoleon’s first, second, and third most important thing is still the supply of his troops.

In this era, preserved food was not yet well developed, so naturally, combat rations were extremely poor.

And naturally, I groaned while banging my head.

If I had called in technicians earlier to make canned food, how useful it would have been in this war.

I had been too focused on macro perspectives and failed to take care of the details.

This is a clear mistake, so let’s keep it firmly in mind.

Of course, if I were to make it, I would have to solve the sterilization problem, which was a chronic problem of modern canned food.

Anyway, I felt guilty because if I had prepared more thoroughly, I would have been able to help this war even by a fingernail.

Still, it’s enough to contribute in other ways instead of being idle.

I turned my steps towards the area defended by the 2nd Corps, which played an important role in the upcoming battle.

※※※

The 2nd Corps, led by Davout, was a unit that originated from Nouvelle France.

The loyalty of the 2nd Corps, mainly composed of blacks and natives, to Davout was almost comparable to that of a religious devotee to a religious leader.

The catalyst was, of course, when he stood up for a black non-commissioned officer who was being discriminated against.

After that rumor spread, Davout was regarded as a guardian deity of people of color in Nouvelle France, and the number of blacks volunteering for the army skyrocketed.

When I arrived, the 2nd Corps was busy making shelters using trees and boulders in preparation for an enemy attack.

“Everyone is working hard.”

“Prime Minister! You really came.”

Davout, who was directly encouraging the soldiers on the spot, quickly turned his horse towards me and approached.

“The morale of the soldiers is higher than ever. If you give a speech here, the strongest army that knows no fear will be complete.”

Perhaps because we had already discussed it to some extent, the non-commissioned officers and soldiers who were working began to gather around us.

I came here to do that from the beginning, so why would I refuse?

I took a deep breath, looked around at the soldiers, and shouted as loudly as I could.

“Soldiers of France! You are fighting a war here in Europe, across the Atlantic from the distant New World. I feel an indescribable gratitude for your loyalty and dedication. So I will make it clear here! I believe that you know how much effort I have made for your future.”

“Of course!”

“We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Prime Minister!”

“Long live the Prime Minister! Long live France!”

“Yes, since you trust me so much, I will tell you a sincere story without any embellishments.”

At my gesture, the 2nd Corps, which had been shouting enthusiastically, suddenly fell silent like kindergarten children.

“Pr, Prime Minister! The soldiers are agitated, so please tell them a hopeful story…”

Davout, who had not expected this situation, stammered and interrupted the speech.

Such a reaction representing the soldiers, very good. Thanks to that, I can unravel the story even more easily.

“I will never instill false hope in you with empty words. What do you think is the reason why the 2nd Corps was assigned to this role, which must bear the brunt of the enemy’s offensive? Simply because they have a lot of experience? No! It’s because you are a unit made up of people of color!”

“…”

“Do you silently and diligently take on the hard work? Then blacks will inevitably be evaluated as former slaves who work hard! What about the natives? They will say that they are used to being beggars and do as they are told. And if the results are not good, I can’t even imagine what kind of contempt and ridicule will be directed at you from behind!”

“Th, then what should we do!”

The soldiers, who had only thought of fighting hard and being recognized, cried out anxiously.

I can’t help it.

This is a process that must be gone through in order for France to develop into a nation that embraces all races.

“It’s simple! Just get results! And build an overwhelming achievement that no one can dare to belittle! Show Prussia and all the European countries watching this war clearly! From now on, you must become the embodiment of fear that symbolizes the power of France! Then this France will have no choice but to treat you well. Do you understand me?”

Of course, fighting is not just about killing as many enemies as you want.

Especially since the importance of gunpowder weapons has increased, even if you are armed with spiritualism, you will only become a moving punching bag.

But if you have the technology and equipment to do so, the story is different.

“The enemies you will soon face will judge you as easy opponents. They will be sneering, saying that the French needed bullet shields and brought in poor blacks. They will be determined to properly educate those who have only had childish fights and have not experienced real war.”

Anger and resentment slowly began to settle in the eyes of the soldiers, which had been stained with apprehension.

I raised my voice even louder, meeting their gaze with my whole being.

“But who is it that doesn’t know real war? I hope you will prove it in the upcoming battle! Erase everything else from your head! You have a corps commander next to you who is better than anyone else, and you have the experience and skills that have been accumulated so far. I believe you understand me and ask. What is it that you must do from now on?”

“It is to kill all the enemies of France!”

“Death to the Prussians and the British!”

The soldiers, who had been acting as well-behaved comrades, finally began to explode with their inherent murderous intent and violence.

That’s it.

If I had to pick one corps that has the strongest potential in France right now, it would definitely be the 2nd Corps.

The soldiers of the 2nd Corps are those who have constantly experienced battles and grown up under the current French marshals since Nouvelle France was established.

However, after coming to Europe, they had not been able to exert their power because of the passive attitude of being conscious of the gaze of other corps or trying to help them.

That won’t do.

You are the children I raised as beasts. You are predators. And this stage I have prepared is the stage for you.

Soon everyone will know.

How much power do those war machines that came from across the ocean have?

The person who will make a name for himself in this war is not only Napoleon Bonaparte.

The black wave caused by the 2nd Corps, which this Louis Christian completed with all his might, will swallow this continent, all of Europe.”