Chapter 774: Napoleon's Intuition
Seeing the bewildered expression on Victor's face, Napoleon prompted, "Do you recall Marshal Beaulieu's age?"
"Ah, I believe he's around 69, isn't he?"
"Yes, 69 years old." Napoleon nodded. "He's been fighting for over 50 years; his experience is vast.
"If he found his vanguard encountering no resistance after entering France, he would undoubtedly become extremely cautious.
"Conversely, if we launched a fierce counterattack, he would be convinced that Toulon could be easily occupied."
Victor's eyes widened in understanding. "Indeed. Victory will spur the Austrians to advance quickly."
He then recalled the current deployment of the Italian front and warned, "Lieutenant Colonel Buonaparte, are our troops positioned a little too far back?"
Napoleon had deployed all French troops west of Nice. This meant that the easternmost part of Toulon province was completely undefended—Nice being the largest city east of Toulon, and thus the ideal place to hold a defensive line.
Napoleon explained, "The deeper the Austrian army penetrates Toulon, the longer its supply lines will stretch, making it easier for us to find weak points to attack.
Monaco, a small principality located in France's southeasternmost corner, lay 10 kilometers east of Nice, at the foot of the Alps.
If Austria wished to attack Nice, it would first have to invade Monaco.
Although the Principality of Monaco was a French protectorate, it still maintained significant independence. Facing the Austrian threat this time, it would undoubtedly resist with all its national strength, and in the future, it would inevitably become more closely tied to France.
Victor still hesitated. "Lieutenant Colonel Buonaparte, if the Austrians enter Nice, they could then advance north to Bresse. And our army hasn't established a defensive line north of Toulon..."
"No, you needn't worry," Napoleon declared with utmost certainty. "Beaulieu will definitely continue westward and attack the port of Toulon."
"Could you tell me your reasoning?"
"Because the British will demand Beaulieu do so; our Mediterranean Fleet is anchored there." Napoleon said, tapping his forehead with his index finger. "And then there's my intuition."
"But wouldn't that..."
Napoleon smiled, patting his back. "You'd best use this time to hurry the Toulouse Legion's winter uniforms. Perhaps we'll be crossing the Alps soon. You know, the snow on the peaks hasn't melted yet at this time of year."
...
Eastern Monaco.
Larvotto town.
After destroying the French outpost at Cadibona Pass, the vanguard of the Austrian army, Provera's Legion, was immediately attacked by the "Provence Border Guards."
The Austrians were at first caught off guard, losing dozens of men, but Major General Provera quickly took command on the front lines and repelled the several hundred French border guards.
Provera then followed Marshal Beaulieu's orders, using grenadier battalions as the vanguard to quickly push west until they reached Larvotto town on the Monaco border, where they once again encountered French forces who had reorganized their defenses.
As well as 500 soldiers from the Monaco Royal Guard.
Provera immediately displayed the demeanor of a renowned Austrian general.
He simultaneously deployed an infantry regiment to assault the Franco-Monégasque joint defense positions with the grenadier battalions, while also sending cavalry to circle around to the north of Monaco's capital, Monte Carlo, directly threatening the Prince of Monaco's castle.
The Monaco Guard, as expected, fell into disarray and hastily retreated to Monte Carlo to protect their King.
The 800 French border guards in Larvotto town were instantly overwhelmed and routed by the Austrian grenadiers in less than two hours, fleeing alongside them towards Monte Carlo.
Provera rested in the town for a night, and the next day ordered all 5,000 of his soldiers to launch a full-scale assault on Monaco—his legion had already fully passed through Cadibona Pass the previous afternoon.
In reality, the entire area of Monaco was roughly the size of the city of Nice.
A force of 5,000 troops could virtually comb through its territory clean.
The Franco-Monégasque joint forces fired only a few symbolic shots, covering the Prince of Monaco's escape towards Nice.
Simultaneously, Monaco's diplomats officially requested military protection from Paris.
However, the French army seemed to be entirely occupied defending the Bresse line, leaving Toulon with very limited forces.
It wasn't until Provera's Legion reached the outskirts of Nice that the French managed to gather a mere thousand men.
Sanremo, a city in southwestern Sardinia.
In the headquarters of the Austrian Italian front, Beaulieu listened to the frontline reports, a smile spreading across his face.
The French, as expected, hadn't anticipated his advance from the south; Toulon's weak defensive forces were ample proof of this.
Provera had easily routed the French defenders and successfully occupied Nice, and now Beaulieu could use it as a base to launch an assault on the Toulon fortress.
He looked at the troop movements displayed on the wall and told the messenger, "Order Argenteau and Vukasevic to accelerate their march; they must cross the Alps before noon tomorrow.
"Tell them not to let down their guard.
"Upon entering France, they are to immediately establish camps and send out cavalry for reconnaissance. Only after the entire central army has passed through the mountain pass are they to continue their advance."
"Yes, Marshal."
After the messenger departed, Beaulieu pondered for a moment, then instructed his chief of staff, "Report our victory to His Imperial Majesty, saying that our army is progressing smoothly in the Italian theater. By the time the news reaches Vienna, Toulon should already be occupied.
"Also, urge the British to deliver logistical supplies to La Condamine Port.
"We need to prepare supplies for the attack on Bresse."
La Condamine Port is a small harbor in Monaco.
Five days later.
Provera's Legion departed Nice and launched an attack on the town of Cagnes, 11 kilometers to the west.
Meanwhile, on the Austrian army's left flank, Sebottendorf began to besiege Vence, an important town in south-central Toulon.
Provera lowered his telescope and turned back to the marching column, telling the messenger, "Tell these laggards to speed up. We should aim to reach Cagnes tonight and spend the night there."
He had conducted repeated reconnaissance earlier and confirmed there were no French troops around Nice; along this route, they would only need to plant their flags in the towns to complete the occupation.
However, it seemed God had decided his achievements were too numerous and he needed some tempering; a cavalryman rode up and saluted him, saying, "General, a French defensive line has been discovered on the outskirts of Cagnes, with over 3,000 men."
Provera frowned. "Where did these troops come from?"
"By their banners, it appears to be the Montpellier Legion, General."
Provera nodded. If the Montpellier Legion had force-marched, they would have arrived in about a week.
He immediately ordered, "The French must be exhausted! Attack at once!"
"Yes, General!"
That same afternoon, Sebottendorf also encountered several thousand French troops in Vence.
He, too, gave the order to attack without hesitation.
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