Chapter 787: Great Victory in Lombardy
Milan.
In Baron Tremeloni's villa, Beaulieu, recuperating there, looked at the report Colonel Liptay had just sent. A sneer played on his lips as he addressed the officer beside him:
"Tell Colonel Liptay that he can agree to the French demand not to blow up the bridges. Use this to stall for another two days. We'll still need those bridges when we advance to Alessandria later. In less than half a month, reinforcements from Genoa will arrive. Have Colonel Liptay retreat to the Ticino River..."
He was in mid-sentence when an officer stumbled through the door, announcing in a terrified voice:
"Marshal, French troops have been spotted in the southern suburbs, at least three or four thousand of them... and many cavalrymen..."
Beaulieu shot up from his chair, instinctively making the sign of the cross over his chest.
'The curse, it's back!'
'Colonel Liptay just reported ten thousand French troops opposing him, so where did these few thousand come from?'
'Are the French rabbits?'
Beaulieu, his face pale, gestured to an attendant to fetch his uniform, then whirled to snap at the officer beside him:
"Quick, have Major Martinelli prepare for battle..."
He stopped mid-sentence, shaking his head despondently.
Milan had barely 400 soldiers, 150 of whom were his personal guard. Most of the others were lightly wounded and unsuitable to join Colonel Liptay on the Po River defensive line.
'There's no way to defend Milan!'
Beaulieu looked at the officer who had brought the alarm. "How far are the French from here?"
"They left Lodi at dawn. They're estimated to be about six miles from Milan now."
Six miles was less than ten kilometers, a distance that could be covered in half a day at most.
Beaulieu hesitated for a few seconds, then put on his coat and ordered a messenger:
"Have Major Martinelli assemble the troops and retreat with me to Mantua."
Mantua was a fortress east of Milan, guarding the passage from Lombardy to Austria. Austria had maintained it for years, utilizing the strategic terrain to construct an extremely formidable stronghold.
'If I can just escape to Mantua, even if tens of thousands of French troops pursue me, I'll be safe.'
'Once General Melas returns with the main force, even the direst situation can be turned around.'
...
Just outside Milan.
"The terrain southeast of Milan is relatively flat, suitable for cavalry deployment," Napoleon instructed Grouchy, pointing at a map on his saddle. "The grenadiers will block any enemies charging from the city on the flank. You must advance as quickly as possible from..."
"Commander," a Ranger lieutenant suddenly approached him, gesturing to his side. "This is Count Reale, the negotiation representative sent by Milan."
"A negotiation representative?" Napoleon looked at the man in the black formal attire. "Milan, not the Austrian garrison?"
The representative quickly bowed respectfully. "Esteemed and valiant Commander, I represent the Milan City Council, and all citizens of Milan, in extending our warmest and humblest greetings..."
Napoleon narrowed his eyes. "Where are the city's defenders?" he asked.
"Ah, Marshal Beaulieu departed Milan four hours ago."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding soldiers erupted in thunderous cheers:
"The cowardly Austrians fled! We won!"
"Aha, Milan is ours!"
"Did you hear that? It's Beaulieu, haha."
"I was looking forward to giving them a good beating..."
Napoleon signaled Grouchy. "Take some men and confirm."
"Yes, Commander!"
An hour and a half later.
Napoleon stood outside Milan. From a distance, he could see throngs of citizens lining both sides of the road, holding bouquets and welcoming him.
Indeed, as Italian national consciousness steadily awakened, Austrian rule had become increasingly unpopular there.
As news of the French army driving out the Austrians spread, the people of Milan felt liberated, flocking to "joyfully welcome the righteous army."
However, historically, France soon incorporated Milan into its own territory, and the populace here quickly became involved in anti-French movements.
Grouchy, standing nearby, asked, "Commander, should I pursue Beaulieu?"
Napoleon shook his head. "He's already fled far away. It would be difficult to find him."
"Then let's enter the city."
"No," Napoleon frowned, looking west. "We still have important matters to attend to. Major Victor."
"I'm here, Commander."
"Leave four companies to control Milan." Napoleon said, turning his horse around. "The rest of you, come with me to intercept Liptay."
Victor and Grouchy exchanged a glance, surprise evident on their faces.
After leaving four companies, they would have only about 2,600 soldiers left.
Colonel Liptay's corps, however, numbered over 6,000 men.
'At this point, merely setting up defenses in Milan and holding the city would be a success. Yet Napoleon intends to launch an offensive!'
Seeing them dazed, Napoleon declared loudly, "Colonel Liptay has no idea about our true strength. He will certainly fear being caught in a pincer movement between us and Marmont's forces. Therefore, upon learning that Milan has been occupied, he will undoubtedly choose to retreat towards Alessandria rather than attempt to retake Milan."
Grouchy and Victor nodded in unison. "Then should we immediately return to Valenza?"
"No, Beaulieu must have already sent someone to inform Colonel Liptay. He certainly won't be in Valenza anymore." Napoleon gestured for a staff officer to unfurl a map. "I don't know if Major Marmont has pursued south. We're going to Pavia!"
Pavia was located at an L-shaped bend in the Po River.
Colonel Liptay, intending to reach Alessandria on the southwest side of the Po River, would most likely cross the river here.
Napoleon glanced back at Milan, then stated calmly:
"I will be back soon."
The following afternoon.
Four kilometers east of Pavia, two Ranger scouts reported to Napoleon:
"Commander, a large number of Austrian troops have been spotted near the riverbank."
Napoleon nodded, then waved his hand to his already exhausted soldiers:
"Great victory lies ahead! March with me for these final four kilometers, and Lombardy will be free of any Austrian military presence! When we return to Milan, you will immediately receive your pay."
The soldiers immediately perked up, but they had walked less than a kilometer when they heard bursts of cannon fire from the south.
Napoleon frowned. 'Has Colonel Liptay discovered us?'
He turned to Grouchy. "Take the cavalry and go pin down the enemy first."
"Yes, sir!"
However, just over ten minutes after the cavalry squadron departed, another Ranger returned to report: "Commander, Major Marmont's troops are engaging the enemy."
A smile spread across Napoleon's face. "Well done. Victor, let's go give him a hand."
But by the time they reached the Po River, they only saw Major Marmont directing soldiers to round up columns of prisoners.
In an open field in the distance, weapons, flags, military drums, and other equipment were piled high, forming a small mountain.
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