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Chapter 774: Everything as if Agreed Upon

The two Austrian generals believed they had been cautious enough.

Behind them were nearly 60,000 Austrian and Saxon Coalition forces, enough to sweep through southeastern France, yet they meticulously carried out reconnaissance, formation, and other tasks as Marshal Beaulieu had instructed.

Nothing seemed out of place.

All that was left was to launch the assault.

The meager defensive forces the French had desperately mustered would be crushed within a day or two.

......

On a high ground three kilometers northwest of Cagnes, Marquis Pelet listened to the faint sounds of distant cannon fire, looking at Victor beside him with deep concern. "Major Victor, the enemy's attack seems very fierce. Should we go reinforce them?"

Though a little nervous himself, Victor shook his head. "No, our commander ordered us to wait here, and we absolutely cannot leave without orders."

He was currently commanding two regiments, over 3,000 soldiers, yet could only watch helplessly as two regiments of the Lyon Legion in Cagnes defended against an attack of over 5,000 men from the Austrian Provera's Corps.

Victor simply remained silent, looking in the direction of the cannon fire.

Lieutenant Colonel Napoleon had assured him that Ramadier would hold Cagnes.

Five kilometers northwest of Vence.

Joubert similarly gazed at the smoke rising from Vence, remarking to Junot beside him, "Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte's deployment is indeed very strange."

Junot, however, seemed quite relaxed. "You don't need to be nervous; he's the second most brilliant officer I've ever met. He always acutely senses the enemy's movements and chooses the most effective countermeasures."

Needless to say, the foremost military genius was naturally the creator of France's New Army—His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.

Joubert exhaled. "The Austrian Siebertendorf's Corps has over 10,000 soldiers, while the Corsican Legion defending Vence, along with Baron Deville's Toulouse Legion, totals only 6,500 men.

"I hope they can truly hold out."

Indeed, Joubert's Corps had also received orders to wait there, not to move regardless of the situation in Vence.

Outside Vence at this moment, Baron Deville was listening with a grave expression as his subordinate reported on the battle. "Marchand's battalion lost more than half a company... Captain Gilles' cavalry company blocked the flank attack, but suffered 21 casualties...

"Captain Kelana's infantry company sustained heavy losses and requests you send reserves..."

Deville, however, merely adjusted the defensive formation, without sending a single additional soldier to the front line.

Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte had tasked him with holding out here for five days, and he had to allocate his forces judiciously.

The 2,000 soldiers on the front line could probably hold until after 3 PM; only then would he assess their morale and decide whether to relieve them.

Fortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte had left him an artillery company, equipped with six cannons.

These artillerymen had been trained by the Lieutenant Colonel in Corsica, and their firing skills were exceptional, consistently directing their shells at the densest enemy formations.

It was precisely thanks to their outstanding performance that Vence had managed to stabilize the situation.

However, the attacking Austrian forces were simply too numerous. In just one morning, his corps' casualties had already neared 200.

This was simply the most difficult battle he had fought in his military career.

Finally, under Baron Deville's incessant prayers, the sun slowly dipped below the horizon.

The groans of wounded soldiers occasionally echoed from the Toulouse Legion's camp.

Nevertheless, they had held Vence, even at the cost of 370 casualties.

In fact, the opposing Austrian forces had suffered even more severe losses.

Although the Toulouse Legion was merely looked down upon as a "traditional corps" in France, its combat effectiveness was still superior to that of the Austrian army.

Moreover, fighting a defensive battle, they had preemptively occupied advantageous positions and erected several breastworks, achieving a favorable casualty exchange ratio.

At dawn the next day, the brutal fighting continued.

After a full day of fierce assaults yesterday, Siebertendorf's Corps had only managed to advance the front line by just over a hundred meters...

Austrian Command Post.

Beaulieu frowned as he read the battle report, somewhat surprised by the French army's tenacious resistance.

The French could have easily withdrawn their forces to the Toulon fortress for defense, but they unexpectedly held steadfastly to two isolated towns.

He looked at the map on the table. Vence and Cagnes blocked the west of Nice, preventing his large army from advancing further towards Toulon port.

Stroking his cane, he mused, "Are the French planning some major operation in Toulon port?"

A staff officer beside him replied, "Marshal, perhaps we could bypass Vence, continue west through the northern valley, and then directly strike at Toulon port."

Beaulieu nodded slightly. "Order Siebertendorf that if he fails to capture Vence within three days, he is to bypass it and proceed to besiege the Toulon fortress."

He then looked at the map again. "As for Cagnes, we must capture it to secure our supply line for the westward advance.

Let Carretto lead his grenadier battalion to reinforce Provera. Give them one week."

"Yes, Marshal!"

Three days later.

Siebertendorf looked through his telescope at the two unused breastworks outside Nice, and the cannons constantly spitting flames near the high ground south of the city, and could only reluctantly carry out Beaulieu's order.

He turned his head to the messenger. "Assemble the troops. Tomorrow morning, we will bypass Saint-Jeannet via the northern valley, then proceed to Toulon port."

Baron Deville was writing a request for reinforcements to General Dumouriez, the overall commander of the Italian front—Napoleon's assignment was simply too difficult, so he had to bypass his direct superior to report his grievances.

Just then, the sounds of cannon fire from the Austrian side gradually ceased...

Outside Cagnes.

Provera and Carretto, the commander of the reinforcing grenadier battalion, frowned at the sand table. Only three days remained until Marshal Beaulieu's deadline, but the French showed no signs of collapsing.

Carretto suddenly noticed that the French defensive line, as it constantly retreated, had gradually formed a diagonal line tending towards the east.

He pointed with a thin stick to the west of Cagnes. "If we could quietly bypass this area and launch an attack, the French defensive line would struggle to respond. You see, they have already lost cover on the northwest flank."

A sudden realization dawned on Provera, and he nodded. "You have acutely identified the key to ending this battle!

"Then we will attempt to move northwest tonight."

......

In the thicket, Joubert yawned. After days of tension and apprehension, he had begun to get used to this tedious wait.

He suddenly frowned, feeling that something was amiss today; the distant cannon fire seemed much weaker than usual.

He immediately roused himself and waved to the cavalry captain. "Go see what's happening!"

Over an hour later, two rangers hurried back, gasping for breath. "Commander, the Austrian army has left Vence and is heading our way."