Chapter 782: A Sandbag's Self-Cultivation
Dumouriez waited until the Genoese envoy finished gushing with flattery, then gestured behind himself and continued:
"You should know that the Austrians could cut off our army's retreat at any moment. My journey to Genoa this time carries enormous risks."
He sighed, his expression grim. "Perhaps I'll be surrounded and unable to return to France."
Vanoni paused, startled, and pressed his hands to his chest, adopting a heartfelt demeanor:
"There is no more valiant general in this world than you," he declared, "Thank you for everything you've done for Genoa!"
If someone were to tell him that, historically, Napoleon had indeed driven out the Austrian forces occupying Genoa, but then never left, staying until his defeat... and that he had also emptied Genoa's treasury through loans, One wondered what this esteemed envoy would think.
Of course, Joseph had no intention of occupying Genoa.
On the contrary, ensuring Genoa's independence was most in France's interest.
It was a crucial leverage point for controlling trade in Northern Italy, and only by protecting its government as much as possible could Sardinia be prevented from unifying the entire Italian Peninsula.
Economically, it went without saying. Small states had limited industrial capacity and could only open their markets to larger nations; otherwise, they couldn't even meet the daily material needs of their populace.
Especially now that the Italian populace was beginning to awaken, governing Genoa would be no easy task. And after eliminating the Genoese government, it would ironically clear the path for Sardinia to unify the region.
Dumouriez nodded and cut to the chase:
"You see, I was originally preparing to retreat back to France, so I have almost no logistical supplies ready," Dumouriez explained. "If a fight breaks out, I'm afraid..."
Vanoni, understanding immediately, thumped his chest and declared:
"Please rest assured, my country will do its utmost to secure your logistical supply."
"That's wonderful," Dumouriez said, looking towards the harbor. "Let us work together to defend Genoa!"
...
In Alessandria, by the Po River, which spans Northern Italy, Melas and Beaulieu were enjoying coffee and playing chess.
Beaulieu's army had just suffered a major defeat and needed a good period of rest. Consequently, they couldn't do anything for a while, forced to hole up in Milan, which left him with free time.
"General Argentau's efficiency is very high; he completely controlled Genoa in less than two days," Melas said, moving his rook to the opponent's back rank. "What do you think the French will do next?"
Beaulieu picked up his knight and placed it beside his king, pondering:
"Judging by Dumouriez's previous command," Beaulieu began, "his reactions are very swift, and his troop deployment speed is also rapid. If General Cervoni's side delays even slightly, he might very well escape back to Toulon."
Even now, Beaulieu still believed the Battle of Toulon had been commanded by Dumouriez.
There was no helping it; Napoleon was still too young and his reputation not yet established. Beaulieu couldn't possibly imagine that he had been defeated by a lieutenant colonel in his twenties.
Melas still held great respect for the old Marshal before him. He nodded and said, "You're absolutely right. Therefore, I intend for Argentau's Legion to actively attack the French, to slow their retreat."
"In that case, you'll need to dispatch more troops to Argentau's Legion," Beaulieu advised.
"Yes, I plan to reallocate the Milan garrison to him. And the defense of Milan will be your responsibility."
Beaulieu smiled and picked up his bishop. "Thank you," he said, "it seems I'll be able to rest for a while."
In his view, the main French forces were concentrated south of Sardinia, with Turin and Alessandria still separating them from Milan. Milan was entirely in the rear.
As the two men conversed, an officer strode into the courtyard, stood at attention before Melas, and reported:
"Commander," the officer announced, "we just received a message from General Argentau: the French army is approaching Genoa."
Melas's hand, holding a chess piece, froze. He exchanged a surprised glance with Beaulieu:
"Are the French mad?" Melas exclaimed. "They dare not retreat from Italy, but instead continue eastward?"
"Their previous victory must have gone to Dumouriez's head!" Beaulieu exclaimed, a look of delight spreading across his face. "In that case, you will have ample time to mobilize superior forces and surround him in the Genoa area. Victory has never been so close!"
When Melas heard him mention "victory," he couldn't help but recall the official the Emperor had sent last week to convey commendations for the "great victory at Toulon."
The poor Count Heilintser only learned two hours before arriving in Milan that the Austrian army had actually suffered a crushing defeat at Toulon. He was so mortified then that he didn't know what to do, and finally had to claim he had lost the imperial decree, fleeing back to Vienna in embarrassment overnight.
Melas dispelled the jumbled thoughts in his mind, strode quickly to the map, his eyes gleaming with the predatory intensity of a beast spotting its prey:
"Cervoni's Legion will continue south and divide its forces to control the Cadibona Pass," Melas ordered. "Colli's Legion will proceed to Novi Ligure to cooperate with Argentau's Legion and form an encirclement around Dumouriez..."
Novi Ligure is a small city north of Genoa, but it controls the passage from Genoa north to Alessandria.
Once Melas's orders were disseminated, over 50,000 Austrian-Sardinian Coalition Forces would converge in the Genoa area, ferociously cutting off all of Dumouriez's escape routes.
Yet he failed to notice that the forces in the entire Lombardy region had been so depleted by his reallocation that little remained.
Voltri, a town on the coast of Northern Italy.
Outside the temporary command post of the French Army of Italy.
"Commander," Joubert said, looking at the troops preparing for a general assault on the harbor, making one last effort, "I still believe we should use our main forces to secure the Cadibona Pass. Only then can reinforcements from Paris reach us through the pass.
"That will be the optimal moment for a decisive battle with the Austrians," Joubert insisted. "Attacking Genoa now... would only cause us to lose all our supply lines."
"There won't be any reinforcements," Dumouriez said, gesturing to the orderly. "Launch the general assault."
Then he looked at Joubert. "The first batch of reinforcements has already joined Colonel Napoleon's legion."
"Ah? But where is his legion now?" Joubert asked, surprised.
"I don't know either," Dumouriez replied, tucking his cane under his arm, picking up his telescope, and looking towards Genoa. "This is a direct order from His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.
"However, according to my conjecture, we are playing the role of a 'sandbag' here, and Colonel Napoleon is the 'right hook'."
He truly was one of the foremost veteran generals of the old French army; regardless of his command ability, he certainly possessed this level of strategic insight.
"Moreover, the current opportunity is excellent," Dumouriez said, handing the telescope to Joubert. "The Austrians are clearly ill-prepared for our offensive. We should be able to take Genoa quickly."
A similar situation occurred two days ago when the French army raided Voltri.
The Austrian forces were all gathered by the roadside, as if preparing for a march. Yet the French army captured the town in just three hours.
Comments