Chapter 899: 807: Standard Operating Procedures

Chapter 899: Chapter 807: Standard Operating Procedures

Victor cautiously reminded, “Commander, there are currently 53,000 troops of the Aus Alliance Army in Alexandria.

“Even after we merge forces with General Demobin, we’ll have less than 40,000 soldiers.

“Yes, I understand the enemy’s morale might not be very high. If it’s a field battle, we can definitely win. But if Melas decides to hold his ground in Alexandria, a forced assault will cause massive casualties for our army…”

Demobin suffered significant losses during the month and a half of defending Genoa. By the time Melas retreated, out of the original nearly 30,000 French Army soldiers, only 25,000 were still combat-effective.

Combined with Napoleon’s forces, their total numbers were just under 39,000, leaving a considerable gap compared to the Aus Alliance Army.

It must be noted that Alexandria, as a military stronghold in Northern Italy, is bordered to the east by the Bormida River and to the north-west by the Tanaro River, making it very defensible.

Overcoming this location even with superior numbers is challenging, let alone with inferior ones.

Napoleon, fiddling with the wooden stick he was using to point at the map, spoke without raising his head, “No, Melas will never choose to hold his ground passively.

“Because his communication with Austria has been severed, and soon he’ll face shortages in weapons and ammunition. Meanwhile, our army can receive reinforcements continuously from home.

“Thus, he will undoubtedly take advantage of his current numerical superiority and the remaining ammunition replenished during the siege of Genoa to launch an offensive, aiming to create the most favorable strategic scenario for himself.

“Only by doing so can he later collaborate with the Vilmos Army to launch a counteroffensive on Milan.”

The officers exchanged surprised glances. “Vilmos Army?”

“Aren’t they supposed to be in Freiburg?”

Napoleon responded, “Six days ago, Wilmze led 30,000 troops to march toward Mantua.”

Marmon immediately exclaimed, “Then shouldn’t we strengthen the defenses between Milan and Lodi?”

Napoleon leaned forward, his voice rising, “It takes at least three weeks to march from Freiburg to Mantua. This time is enough for us to defeat Melas.

“No, what I aim for is the annihilation of the Meiras Army. Only then will our attack on Mantua encounter less resistance!”

He deliberately refrained from mentioning that the Royal Third Infantry Division would come to reinforce them, fearing that his officers might develop a sense of dependency on the elite direct command units and become complacent.

Napoleon tapped the map north of Alexandria with the wooden stick. “Melas is most likely to adopt one of two strategies—

“First, he may head north, crossing the Tanaro and Po Rivers, to seize Pavia and threaten Milan from the south.”

He then pointed to Piacenza on the map, “Second, he may maneuver eastward, crossing the Palma Duchy territory, then turn north, crossing the Po River to attack Lodi.”

Victor immediately added, “Isn’t that the same route we took during our surprise attack on Milan?”

“Exactly.” Napoleon nodded. “Our current task is to confirm whether the Austrians will move north or east, while also preventing them from retreating to the Mantua Fortress if things go poorly for them.”

He turned to Victor, “I order you to lead the Montpellier Legion and head to the northern bank of the Tanaro River to guard the riverbank south of Valenza. If Melas appears there, do your utmost to stall him and wait for the main force.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Napoleon then addressed Marmon, “You’ll command the Corsican Legion, patrolling north and south along San Gilliano. I will personally await the Austrians near Pavia.”

San Gilliano is a small town located over ten kilometers east of Alexandria. It is a critical passage for Melas en route to Palma.

After completing the battle deployment, Napoleon gestured to Lucien, who was standing at the tent’s entrance, “Head toward Genoa immediately and urge General Demobin’s army to reach San Gilliano as quickly as possible.”

Lucien, having sustained injuries during the crossing of the Great St. Bernard Pass, missed almost all the battles. He had only recently recovered and resumed his duties as an Order Officer.

The following afternoon.

Genoa.

Upon meeting General Demobin, Lucien learned that the army had already departed toward Alexandria two days ago.

Demobin was simply too old; after over 40 days of intense fighting in Genoa, his body was nearly exhausted, forcing him to hand over the task of leading the northward campaign to officers like Joubert and Sailu Li’er.

After completing his mission, Lucien left Demobin’s office and glanced at the distant port piled high with goods. He couldn’t help but sigh to Demobin’s adjutant, who had escorted him out, “We fought fiercely to save this wealthy port, yet we can’t let its people present us with any ‘tokens of appreciation.'”

He knew that after his brother’s fundraising activities in Milan, the Crown Prince had specifically sent envoys to sternly reiterate to the Italian Front Army the prohibition on “privately collecting supplies,” leaving no one daring to extort the locals.

He shook his head in disappointment, “This should’ve been the victor’s privilege, wouldn’t you agree? The General Staff’s decisions are truly unsatisfactory…”

The adjutant’s expression grew somewhat peculiar. Glancing at Lucien, he whispered, “Uh, Lieutenant Bonaparte, actually, the military oversight team deposited a ‘special war fund’ of 3.4 million francs yesterday.”

Lucien’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re saying this money was ‘donated’ by the Genoese?”

The adjutant nodded, “More or less.”

Lucien frowned, “I must remind you, the Crown Prince strictly forbid such actions.”

He had already prepared himself to report Demobin upon returning. If he could get that old man punished, his brother’s chances of being appointed the overall commander of the Italian Front Army would increase significantly.

“No, no, you’ve misunderstood.” The adjutant smiled, “This was obtained by the military oversight team in accordance with the ‘standard operation protocol.'”

“Standard operation protocol?”

The following day.

Napoleon stared at his brother in disbelief. “You mean 3.4 million francs?”

Though wealthy, Genoa was merely a port city, far smaller in both area and population compared to Milan.

Yet the military oversight team had extracted more “donations” here than in Milan!

Why hadn’t the Crown Prince severely punished Demobin, that old man?!

“Yes, in accordance with the standard operation protocol.”

After Lucien listlessly recounted the recent events in Genoa, Napoleon’s dissatisfaction and complaints instantly dissipated, replaced entirely by profound amazement.

So it could be done this way.

It could actually be done this way!

By comparison, he felt as clumsy as a blind mule!

Lucien explained to him that after the Austrians retreated, Demobin’s army oversight team immediately started arresting “traitors who collaborated with the Austrian occupying forces” throughout the city.

Over 200 individuals were quickly detained.

During the Austrian occupation of Genoa, affluent merchants and bankers, concerned for their own safety, proactively engaged with the Austrians—either by donating funds or aiding them in various ways.

These were bona fide acts of collaboration with the invaders, and no one could dispute the evidence.