Chapter 1136: The Imminent End of the Russian Civil War |
Time swiftly moved on, and soon it was March 1860.
At this time, it was early spring, and the temperature in Paris had greatly improved compared to a month earlier. The snow piled on the roadside had long melted, and the willows planted in the gardens had sprouted new buds.
Paris, having weathered the cold winter, seemed like a welcoming young lady eager to display its vitality and attract visitors from all directions.
Countless tourists, both domestic and foreign, after a harsh winter, once again poured into this prosperous and culturally rich land. The once empty streets were now crowded with visitors of different faces and skin colors.
The Tuileries Garden, which had been closed for almost the entire winter, was now reopened, with countless young men and women lingering here, pledging lifelong companionship to each other.
However, at such a lively and joyful time, Jerome Bonaparte living in the Tuileries Palace, could not feel happy.
Because just recently, Jerome Bonaparte received a secret telegram from the New Russian Empire (led by Duke Golitsyn of the flying Russia).
The telegram stated that, just a week and a half ago, under the leadership of Golitsyn, the Russian "Liberator," alongside the Russian Imperial Army led by Mikhail Dmitrievich Gorchakov (the cousin of the current Prime Minister Duke Gorchakov of the Russian Empire), held a battle involving 200,000 troops approximately 40 kilometers from Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin City, 25 kilometers from St. Petersburg).
The New Russian Empire deployed 90,000 troops, while the Russian Empire mobilized 110,000.
Even then, part of these troops were volunteer infantry from Poland, Sweden, and volunteers from the Austrian Empire.
Compared to General Gorchakov, who secured ample troops through selling out and legitimacy, the New Russian Empire, which only controlled St. Petersburg, was evidently unable to attract more Slavs to serve the new government.
The two sides fought fiercely for a week over a stretch less than 30 kilometers wide, and eventually Duke Golitsyn repelled General Gorchakov, causing the Russian region to fall back into division.
...
If the telegram had stopped there, Jerome Bonaparte would naturally be happy for him.
After all, a divided Russian Empire was most in line with the interests of the French Empire.
However, the telegram did not end there. After detailing Duke Golitsyn’s victory, it also reported on the post-battle condition of Golitsyn’s army.
It revealed that although Duke Golitsyn won the war, his victory was not easy.
After a brutal battle, the Russian "Liberator" suffered nearly 15,000 casualties.
Although 15,000 casualties are only one-sixth of the entire force, as mentioned earlier in the telegram, this was the last usable army under Duke Golitsyn.
Even if Duke Golitsyn conscripted again in surrounding regions, he could not entirely replenish the 15,000 vacancies.
This meant that Golitsyn’s forces were merely disposable.
Even if Golitsyn inflicted twice the casualties on Gorchakov’s army, it was futile.
[Here let me say, Gorchakov’s army suffered about 40,000 casualties.
Modern armies only experience massive collapse when casualties reach 30%.
From this perspective, the Russian Imperial Army, after enduring civil war, had developed resilience entirely different from during the Crimean War period.
If this army were to conflict again with England and France, it would be difficult for England and France to replicate the success of Crimea.]
Because behind Gorchakov stands Alexander II, who can provide ample manpower for General Gorchakov.
Gorchakov does not fear fighting an attrition war against Duke Golitsyn.
Why did Gorchakov only mobilize 120,000 troops to confront Duke Golitsyn?
The other end of the telegram speculated it was due to restrictions in Russian Empire’s arms factory capacity, and the muddy soil just thawed, leading Gorchakov to mobilize only 120,000 troops for the decisive battle against Golitsyn.
In other words, as long as the New Russian Empire regime survives, it won’t last beyond this year.
After reading the telegram’s speculation, Jerome Bonaparte naturally felt dissatisfied with the imminent end of the Russian Empire’s civil war.
A unified Russian Empire would undoubtedly refocus attention on European affairs, and the French Empire, being one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Crimean War, would naturally become a key focus for the Russian Empire.
Of course, in the initial stages of unification, the Russian Empire would prioritize economic development.
After nearly 4 years of civil war, the Russian Empire was already devastated, and Jerome Bonaparte believed even the most brainless Tsar wouldn’t choose to stir major events in Europe at this time.
Sweden, Poland, and even the Austrian Empire were constantly vigilant against their eastern neighbor, and any slight move by the Russian Empire would undoubtedly cause these three countries to unite.
However, at the thought of the possibility of the Russian Empire opposing the French Empire in European affairs, Jerome Bonaparte felt a headache.
To be fair, the fact that Golitsyn could persist for four years was enough to astonish Jerome Bonaparte.
Not only should Jerome Bonaparte not blame Duke Golitsyn, but he should also actively help him leave the Russian Empire.
As long as Golitsyn, the rebel leader, is not completely dead, Alexander II would not dare to make any moves.
After much thought, Jerome Bonaparte once again sent someone to invite De Luis to the Tuileries Palace.
Just as Basilius was about to set off, Jerome Bonaparte called him back and reminded him with an additional instruction, "By the way, you should also bring Louis Decazes over!"
"Louis Decazes?" Basilius mumbled, a look of confusion in his eyes.
As a busy Chief Steward, apart from remembering the names of the Imperial Ministers and nobles who frequently visited the Tuileries Palace, Basilius chose to forget the rest.
Louis Decazes was naturally one of those whom Basilius chose to forget.
"He’s the one you reported to me a few months ago!" Jerome Bonaparte reminded and then playfully chided, "How is your memory even worse than mine!"
"I’m sorry, Your Majesty!" Basilius quietly replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
"All right! Get moving quickly!" Jerome Bonaparte waved at Basilius and said.
Only then did Basilius firmly commit Louis Decazes’ name to memory.
Since the Emperor had mentioned Decazes twice, it indicated that Decazes had a promising future.
...
Upon arriving at Ossai Pier, Basilius immediately found De Luis and informed him of the Emperor’s summons.
Without saying a word, De Luis immediately rose and left the office with Basilius.
Basilius then asked De Luis where Louis Decazes was.
De Luis was stunned for a few seconds before informing Basilius.
Louis Decazes is currently working in his office.
"Your Excellency Luis, could you please take me there?" Basilius responded politely to De Luis, "His Majesty has not only invited you but also Mr. Louis Decazes!"
Upon hearing that Jerome Bonaparte had invited Louis Decazes, De Luis couldn’t help but feel a wave of happiness for him.
However, alongside his happiness, De Luis inevitably felt a hint of apprehension about his competent subordinate.
There was already an unspoken "rule" in the political world; anyone invited by Jerome Bonaparte to the Tuileries Palace was bound to have an unlimited future.
Being invited to the Tuileries Palace at this age, Louis Decazes had every chance to take his place.
Thinking of this, De Luis felt a sense of inexplicable anxiety in his heart.
Even though De Luis considered himself indifferent to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, he, too, struggled to remain completely aloof in the face of losing his position.
However, as an experienced diplomat immersed in the field for many years, De Luis quickly adjusted his mindset.
"Please follow me!" De Luis said with a smile to Basilius.
Under the guidance of De Luis, Basilius quickly arrived at Louis Decazes’ office.
At this moment, Louis Decazes was sorting and summarizing the diplomatic files from various countries to extract useful information to hand over to De Luis.
The arrival of Basilius and De Luis interrupted Louis Decazes’ ongoing work, and he put down what he was doing and walked toward them.
"Mr. Steward, Your Excellency!" Louis Decazes politely addressed them, then extended his hand to invite them to sit in the office.
Since Louis Decazes’ office was only one-fourth the size of De Luis’, it was impossible for him to furnish it with sofas, and a few backed chairs served as his way of receiving guests.
"Mr. Decazes, please come with me!" Basilius said to Louis Decazes without hesitation.
A hint of confusion and apprehension appeared in Louis Decazes’ eyes, and he instinctively looked towards his superior, De Luis.
De Luis immediately realized that Louis Decazes seemed to have misunderstood and promptly added, "His Majesty wants to meet with you, so he ordered Mr. Basilius to come and inform you!"
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