Chapter 896: 804: What isn't obtained on the battlefield can be gained in advance at the negotiating table

Chapter 896: Chapter 804: What isn’t obtained on the battlefield can be gained in advance at the negotiating table

The officers carefully digested the Crown Prince’s strategy for a while and couldn’t help but nod one after another.

It’s evident that if the Latour Army forcefully attacks Basel, the soldiers will barely be crossing the river before news is transmitted to Luxembourg. Massena will immediately halt his offensive and dispatch reinforcements to Moro, while Napoleon, upon confirming the enemy lacks support, will unleash a fierce assault on Mantua.

On the contrary, if Latour splits his forces and heads for Italy, Napoleon will shift to defensive operations upon receiving the news, and Massena and Moro will launch their attack concurrently.

Of course, many variables exist on the battlefield, but as the Crown Prince mentioned, with the aid of the Sharp Signal Machine, the French Army can certainly respond to deployments faster than their opponents.

It’s worth noting that traveling from Rhein North to Rhein South or from Rhein South to Italy under normal marching conditions takes at least half a month.

This means the French Army can secure more than ten days of preparation time.

The longer the battlefront stretches and the more divisions engaged, the clearer the French advantage in information becomes!

Suddenly, Dawu noticed an issue and turned to Joseph, saying, “Your Highness, if Colonel Bonaparte fails to gain the upper hand in Mantua, our entire battlefront will be forced into a defensive position…”

Joseph displayed a confident smile, “I trust him. I trust the brave soldiers of France just as much.”

It’s a joke—Napoleon took a bunch of rookies and managed to send the Aus Alliance Army scrambling. Now, with both the Royal Third Infantry Division and the Royal Cavalry Artillery Battalion under his command, let alone Mantua, he’d dare march straight to Vienna!

With reinforcements, Napoleon will command a force of over 60,000 troops, almost equivalent to Austria’s presence in Italy.

This constitutes a massive strategic advantage for Napoleon.

The most challenging position on the frontlines might be Moro’s, who faces consistent shortages in manpower.

Joseph continued, “In addition, Mr. Talleyrand and the Count of Provence should be arriving in Turin by now.”

“Huh? Turin?” The officers exchanged astonished looks—Sardinia is an enemy state.

…

Sardinia.

Turin.

The Count of Provence and Talleyrand, dressed in long cloaks with their hats pulled low to hide their faces, avoided everyone as they followed the palace steward into Amadeo III’s study.

Talleyrand glanced at the Count of Provence, whose round face was drenched in sweat from nervousness, and softly reassured him, “You’re here as a victor; it’s His Majesty who ought to feel uneasy.”

The latter nodded but still felt deeply unsettled inside.

Sardinia and France are at war, after all. If Sardinia detained him as a bargaining chip, the consequences would be dire…

However, he couldn’t refuse his strong-willed nephew—the Crown Prince’s request.

Thus he had come here.

The palace steward closed the study doors, and King Amadeo III of Sardinia stepped out from the inner chamber almost immediately.

The Count of Provence moved forward two steps, bowed, and greeted, “It has been a long time since we last met, Your Majesty.”

Talleyrand made a symbolic bow but remained silent.

Amadeo III glanced at Talleyrand briefly, then turned to the Count of Provence with a stiff smile and spread his arms, saying, “Who could say otherwise, my dear Stanisław? Meeting you during these turbulent times truly brings me comfort.”

The latter nodded, “Maria asked me to extend her sincere regards to you; she often thinks fondly of you and Her Majesty, the Queen.”

Maria Giuseppina was his wife and also Amadeo III’s eldest daughter.

This was precisely why Joseph sent his uncle to Sardinia.

“We’ve missed her deeply as well…”

Talleyrand suddenly coughed lightly from the side, “Ahem, Your Majesty, though this may seem discourteous, familial chatter can continue after we’ve discussed serious matters.”

Amadeo III nodded, “Ah, of course. Please, have a seat.”

As the three seated themselves, Talleyrand fixed his gaze on the Sardinian King with a compelling presence and said, “Your Majesty, you’ve no doubt heard that General Demobin’s forces are about to encircle Alexandria. The Meiras Army will soon face total annihilation.”

Amadeo III frowned, “You may be speaking a bit prematurely…”

Talleyrand immediately interjected, “Then allow me to share some information you might be unaware of. The Crown Prince commissioned Lieutenant Colonel Desai to lead a force of 50,000 troops to cross the Cadipona Pass in half a month.

“Frankly, even without reinforcements, with General Demobin’s leadership, Alexandria would fall easily.

“Let me also reveal part of the General Staff’s plan.

“General Demobin will continue advancing westward to besiege Turin.”

Amadeo III immediately retorted with a bravado tinged with fear, “If he arrives here, he will witness the resolute resistance of the Sardinians!”

Talleyrand smirked, “You’re surely aware that General Demobin could capture this city with just a single infantry division.”

“If your intent is to threaten me, you’ve miscalculated.”

Although Amadeo III put up a defiant front, internally he was panicking.

The French forces shattered Austrians on the Italian Peninsula before, dominating fiercely—even Milan had fallen.

If Meiras fails to hold Alexandria, Turin’s defeat is inevitable—even without a siege, a simple blockade could break the city in three months.

And don’t forget the additional 50,000 French reinforcements—they could thoroughly plow through Sardinia in under three months.

Talleyrand discreetly shot the Count of Provence a meaningful look, prompting the latter to awkwardly chuckle, shaking his chubby face as he said, “You see, it was actually my idea to come to Turin this time.

“War is always detestable; I cannot bear to see you suffer harm because of it.”

Amadeo’s expression softened, “Then, what is your suggestion?”

The Count of Provence straightened his posture, “Withdraw from the Anti-French Alliance. Oh, strictly speaking, Sardinia hasn’t declared war on France—we don’t have irreconcilable differences.

“I’ve discussed this with my brother. He assured me that Sardinia’s safety would be guaranteed.

“This includes addressing threats from Austria.

“You wouldn’t even need to make this public; simply find an excuse to pull back the Sardinian Army to Turin and, when necessary, provide assistance to our military efforts.”

Amadeo III appeared swayed.

Though Meiras promised that Vienna would send reinforcements, he judged Austria might do little more than hold Mantua—they couldn’t even reclaim Milan.

And he would face France’s wrath alone.

He murmured, “Then what about Bres and Chambéry?”

These two provinces were “incidentally” occupied by Napoleon during his crossing of the Great St. Bernard Pass, mainly because Sardinia’s forces in the Savoy Region were too weak—almost taken without a fight.

Talleyrand immediately declared with a raised voice, “Savoy is His Majesty’s sacred territory, won by the blood and swords of French soldiers.”

Savoy was Sardinia’s domain west of the Alps.

Amadeo III angrily replied, “Is this the promise of the King of France?”

The Count of Provence hurriedly interjected, “I don’t entirely support this matter, but you’re aware, the military is incredibly firm on these matters. However, I’ve argued strongly with His Majesty, and he agreed to compensate you with Cham.”

Cham is the far-west province of Lombardy, previously Austrian territory.

He leaned slightly closer to Amadeo III, lowering his tone, “Furthermore, His Majesty instructed me to inform you that he will fully support Sardinia in reclaiming territories occupied by the Papal State.”