Chapter 1357: A Restless World
About 20 kilometers southwest of Karlsruhe, a convoy of carriages, escorted by an impressive detachment of French Imperial Guards Grenadiers, slowly advanced along the eastern bank of the Rhine River.
Inside the carriage at the center of the procession, Berthier, Chief of the General Staff, was preparing to report on the latest military situation to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince when he suddenly remembered something, hesitating slightly as he spoke:
"Your Highness, Archbishop Brienne reportedly has an extremely urgent matter to discuss with you. By my reckoning, he should have already passed Mirecourt by now. If you were to wait a few days here..."
Before he could finish, the Security Bureau chief seated beside him cast a strange, sidelong glance his way. 'These officers truly only know how to fight,' he thought. 'The Crown Prince is clearly avoiding our Chief Minister.'
Lavalette cleared his throat and interjected:
"General Berthier, you seem to have forgotten the recent heavy rains in Nancy. Perhaps by the time His Highness returns to France, Archbishop Brienne still won't have reached Strasbourg. You know, his health isn't the best, and he can't travel by train." Joseph silently approved of Lavalette's quick thinking.
The Chief of the General Staff mused for a few seconds, genuinely unable to recall the weather in Nancy. He merely nodded and returned to the main topic:
"Your Highness, news just arrived from Warsaw: last Wednesday, Wojciechów's Polish Legion recaptured Minsk. Currently, the main Russian forces are retreating to the Dnieper River's east bank.
"Over 50,000 Polish soldiers are amassed in Mozyr and Mogilev, preparing to cross the river in pursuit..."
"Why didn't they attack Kyiv first?"
Kyiv is in southeastern Poland, on the west bank of the Dnieper River. Over a century ago, Russia, through a series of wars, forced Poland to sign the Treaty of Andrusovo, occupying Kyiv ever since.
According to the French General Staff's plan, after recapturing key strongholds like Minsk and Vilnius, Poland should have concentrated its forces to besiege Kyiv, creating a situation where they could lure and systematically destroy Russian reinforcements.
And now, the Poles were actually planning a large-scale offensive on the Dnieper River's east bank!
Lavalette chimed in from the side:
"Your Highness, the radical faction in the Polish Parliament believes that Kyiv, being separated from Russia by the Dnieper River, can be easily captured. Therefore, they are demanding the army swiftly invade Left-Bank Ukraine before the Russians can establish a solid defensive line."
The so-called "Left-Bank Ukraine" referred to the Ukrainian territories controlled by Russia, while the Polish-controlled areas were known as "Right-Bank Ukraine." In reality, the "left bank" was on the Dnieper River's east side, and the "right bank" on the west.
Joseph rubbed his forehead.
The Poles had barely won a few easy battles and were already recalling their glorious history of dominating Germany and Russia.
In the 16th century, at the height of its power, Poland waged wars on both its eastern and western fronts, forcing various German states to kneel before its Winged Hussars. They held Russia in such disdain that, when in a foul mood, they would simply send troops to raid Russian territories at will.
But Joseph knew well that Poland's national strength was now greatly diminished and couldn't sustain a full-scale war against Russia.
It was preposterous; even Emperor Napoleon, leading an army of 600,000, couldn't decisively defeat Russia.
Lavalette, however, continued:
"In fact, the most radical among the Poles even wish to dispatch troops to Tuchela to secure a buffer zone for the Gdańsk Corridor."
Joseph felt a wave of exhaustion. 'Did the Poles not know their own limits?'
It was understandable, however. The Poles had been suppressed for over a decade, and now, having suddenly achieved military victories, they simply couldn't control their inner turmoil.
He quickly ordered: "Immediately send someone to Warsaw. Instruct His Majesty Stanisław II to recall the troops who crossed the Dnieper River and fight according to the original plan..."
"Never mind, let's have Father Sieyes go instead."
Father Sieyes had always been the Special Envoy for Polish affairs and wielded considerable influence in Warsaw.
Berthier then continued his report:
"Your Highness, the main force of the Russian Gudovich Legion in Transcaucasia has retreated to Tbilisi and has received some additional soldiers and logistical supplies."
Joseph asked, puzzled:
"How did he retreat to Tbilisi completely unharmed? Didn't the Persians attack his supply lines?"
Berthier replied with a helpless expression:
"According to the intelligence we've gathered, the Ottoman army halted around Lake Paravani, while Mirza's Legion is resting and reorganizing in Ganja.
"Ahem, they both seem to be waiting for the other to engage the Russians in a decisive battle first."
Joseph wanted to say, 'It serves them right that these two nearly got beaten into utter helplessness in the 19th century.' Victory was within grasp, yet they were playing these petty games.
He gritted his teeth and declared:
"I will have Archbishop Talleyrand make a trip to Constantinople."
Once the Chief of the General Staff had finished, Lavalette took out a stack of reports and handed them to Joseph, saying:
"Your Highness, this is intelligence compiled from numerous merchant ships returning from the Far East.
"The British have raised taxes by 60% in many princely states from Bengal to Maratha, sparking riots in multiple regions. Mysore seized the opportunity to declare war on Britain in late October."
Joseph frowned again: "Why didn't Tipu consult us?"
"Well... they probably couldn't break through the British naval blockade."
Joseph sighed. "And we currently cannot offer him support. The Ottomans likely can't spare the resources either."
The main Ottoman army was currently playing a strategic waiting game with the Persians in Transcaucasia; any aid to Mysore would be extremely limited in scope.
He instructed Lavalette: "Find a way to contact Tipu. Tell him he absolutely must avoid rash actions and prioritize defense. As long as he isn't defeated by the British within a year, he can expect truce negotiations."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joseph suddenly smiled, leaning back against the chair.
'Actually, there's no need for me to be so troubled,' he thought. 'If these countries want to make a fuss, let them. French lives aren't on the line, after all.'
Regardless of the final outcome of these wars, they would drain the strength of both Britain and Russia, especially Britain.
Even if they eventually won, it would take several years to fully digest the spoils of war.
Meanwhile, France would continue to focus its efforts entirely on development.
Once the British finally pulled themselves out of the quagmire of war, it would be France's turn to deliver a fatal blow at their weakest moment.
As he pondered, he felt the carriage slowly come to a halt.
Clauzel's voice came from outside the window: "Your Highness, it's Monsieur Trésaguet."
Joseph was slightly surprised. "What is he doing here?"
The Minister of Transport should be busy with the World's Fair right now, and this location was nearly 20 kilometers from Karlsruhe.
Lavalette and Berthier had already finished their reports; seeing the situation, they took their leave together and returned to Strasbourg by carriage.
A moment later, Trésaguet approached Joseph's carriage, bowing anxiously as he said:
"Your Highness, you would do well to bypass Karlsruhe. There are hundreds of people waiting for you just outside the city.
"From what I understand, they are plotting to 'damage' our nation's treasury..."
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