Chapter 999: The Empire's Dilemma
Napoleon nodded silently. "No wonder His Highness initiated the Second Military Reform. It was to implement such a brilliant concept as the Skirmisher Swarm."
Berthier smiled faintly. "In truth, the Skirmisher Swarm is only a small fraction of this reform."
Napoleon, feeling somewhat numb to the surprises by now, looked at him and asked, "Can you tell me what other significant changes have been made?"
"Of course. Information regarding the military reform is public knowledge," Berthier replied with a nod. "For instance, the Army Group Command System. From now on, the entire army will be reorganized into a six-level hierarchy: Army Group, Division, Brigade, Regiment, Battalion, and Company.
"Each Army Group possesses its own general staff, engineering corps, and logistics system, allowing for rapid deployment and independent operations.
"Furthermore, the structure of every Army Group is identical. This allows for the flexible reassignment of commanding officers. When different Army Groups cooperate, they will already be intimately familiar with each other's organizational flow.
"All direct-command legions will be divided into four Army Groups.
"Each Army Group will command two infantry divisions and either a half or a full cavalry division. That totals approximately 30,000 to 35,000 men."
Napoleon looked puzzled. "Only infantry and cavalry? What about artillery and engineers?"
"Infantry, skirmishers, artillery, and engineers—even some light cavalry—are all integrated into the infantry division.
"A division commander now has every branch of service at his disposal, ready for immediate deployment during combat. In fact, coordinated operations between skirmishers and artillery have already become a standard training subject."
Napoleon simply continued to nod.
He had previously entertained ideas regarding military organization, but his thoughts had never quite coalesced. The model proposed by the Crown Prince, however, perfectly fulfilled every requirement he had envisioned.
In essence, Joseph had once again borrowed the military organization from the later stages of the historical Napoleon's career. For a modern army using muzzle-loading weapons, this system was virtually flawless.
Berthier continued, "Additionally, His Highness has integrated civilian officials into the military. From now on, supply officers, clerks, surgeons, military police, and legal officers will all be civilian roles."
"Civilian roles?"
"Yes. They retain military ranks but are exempt from combat training. This allows us to recruit talent directly from universities or administrative departments. Since they don't retire in the traditional sense—most will serve for life—we don't have to pay out retirement pensions."
Berthier checked his watch and increased his speaking pace. "We have also introduced 'Honor Representatives' to the units. They are somewhat like military chaplains, yet fundamentally different.
"They fight alongside the men, but their primary duties are to counsel the soldiers, boost morale, and teach them literacy. They even provide instruction in mathematics and biology...
"The cavalry has also seen changes. His Highness has restored the Cuirassier designation. Every cavalry division will now command at least one Cuirassier regiment. Beyond that, we have Hussars and Chasseurs as our light cavalry, along with the Dragoons.
"The organizational method for the cavalry has also been adjusted..."
Following the Second Military Reform, the French cavalry would be streamlined into only four branches, with all other redundant designations abolished.
In the future, the Cuirassiers would be responsible for the primary frontal shock charges.
The Hussars, acting as elite light cavalry, would handle deep reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, screening, and supporting the Cuirassiers during charges.
The Chasseurs were light cavalry with simplified equipment. They weren't required to perform complex formation charges; instead, they relied on carbine fire—and eventually revolvers—while handling long-range scouting and perimeter security.
The Dragoons remained as they always were, essentially the equivalent of motorized infantry, using their horses for high-speed mobility before dismounting to fight in formation.
A full-strength French cavalry division would now consist of 3,000 to 3,500 men.
Each division would command three brigades, each brigade would have two regiments, and each regiment would consist of four cavalry squadrons.
A Cuirassier squadron would have 100 to 120 men, while a light cavalry squadron would have 150.
Because cavalry ranks were slightly higher than those of the infantry, Joseph had eliminated the cavalry battalion level. The lowest mid-level officers in the cavalry were now at the regimental commander level, which also simplified the calculation of cavalry pay.
A Military Police officer nearby coughed politely, reminding them that time was running short.
Berthier rose and stepped down from the carriage, nodding to Napoleon. "I wish you a safe journey. I have visited Elba before; there are many vineyards there. It isn't a bad place at all."
This particular place of exile had been specifically designated by Joseph.
Napoleon glanced at the skirmisher reform report on the table and let out a helpless sigh.
He had originally hoped that this grand innovation would allow him to remain in France, never imagining that the Crown Prince would have already surpassed his ideas entirely.
A military policeman locked the carriage door. The outside sunlight was instantly severed.
Napoleon slumped against the back of his seat, feeling his future turn as cramped and dark as the interior of the carriage.
A moment later, under the sharp command of Major Sévigné, the cavalry escorted the carriage toward the Port of Marseille.
There, they would board a ship that would carry them to the small island southwest of Tuscany.
...
London.
In a villa just a street away from St. James's Palace, an attendant pushed open the doors. William Pitt Junior paused for a moment in surprise before letting out a breath. He removed his hat and bowed.
"You didn't tell me it would be so crowded today."
The British Prime Minister, Lord Grenville, immediately returned the gesture with a smile. "Mr. Pitt, there is strength in numbers, is there not?"
Beside him, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Foreign Secretary Fox, Home Secretary Earl Spencer, and Cabinet Coordinator Lord Fitzwilliam all saluted Pitt in turn.
Indeed, the goal of Grenville's cabinet was to unite everyone to restore the empire's prestige.
This was the reason why Pitt and Fox, once mortal enemies, could now sit in the same room to discuss affairs of state.
Once Pitt was seated, Grenville signaled the attendant to close the doors. His smile faded, replaced by a somber expression. "Regarding the request made by the Marquis Wellesley last week to send ten thousand expeditionary troops to Portugal—the situation has changed."
He gestured toward the Secretary at War, General Wyndham.
Wyndham stood and addressed the group. "Twenty thousand soldiers from Masséna's Legion have already approached the Pyrenees. They will reach Coimbra within a month.
"According to the intelligence we have gathered, the French have decided on a large-scale intervention in the Portuguese situation."
Pitt said with a hint of awkwardness, "Perhaps it is inappropriate for me to be privy to such matters."
Grenville immediately countered, "The Empire is in an extremely dangerous phase. We desperately need your wisdom.
"General Wyndham suggests reinforcing the front with at least fifteen thousand more soldiers to counter the French threat."
Seeing everyone's eyes on him, Pitt had no choice but to nod. "We cannot afford to lose Lisbon. Reinforcements are necessary. However, the fiscal pressure..."
The Marquis of Lansdowne spoke up immediately. "If we increase the expeditionary force to thirty-five thousand men, we will need nearly ninety thousand pounds sterling every month just to maintain logistics."
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