Novels online

Chapter 795: A Moment of Crisis

Troque had actually exaggerated the seriousness of the situation.

After all, Napoleon had already occupied Milan and was setting up defenses along the Po River to sever the connection between Melas and Austria proper.

Strategically, France still held the initiative.

But these facts were unknown to the shipowners far away in Greece. To them, the French forces in Italy were indeed on the brink.

Silence fell over the room for a few seconds. Then, a bearded middle-aged man sitting by the window rose, adjusted his collar, and declared, "Mr. Troque is right. I still have business to conduct in the Mediterranean, so something must be done."

He looked at Steller. "Baron Memark," he offered, "if you're willing to pay 40% interest, I wouldn't mind sending a ship to Genoa."

Steller seemed to struggle internally for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Mr. Boret, 40% it is. Thank you for your help."

He employed a commercial tactic, making it seem as if the high interest rate pained him.

In reality, he had already decided to use his shares in the Eastern Mediterranean Trading Company as leverage to secure the shipowners' vessels.

Because compared to the outcome of war, money was always secondary. Money spent on logistics or weapons was far better than money used to pay war reparations.

Immediately, another voice boomed, "Count me in. It's time to settle the score with those Brits for seizing my cargo in North America eight years ago."

Ferry glanced at his old friend, sighed, and raised his right hand. "Since Leon put it that way, fine, my ship will go too."

In truth, he too was swayed by the exorbitant 40% interest.

The goods on board were purchased by him, which already entailed a significant profit. Coupled with the high interest, this single trip would net him the equivalent of half a year's usual earnings.

Among the shipowners who had headed for the door, some still left dismissively, but about half turned back.

Troque's words had indeed instilled a sense of crisis in them.

Before nightfall, Steller had secured eight steam paddleboats, along with 3 million pounds of grain and some gunpowder.

He excitedly expressed his gratitude to Troque and the other shipowners, promising to petition the Crown Prince for a year's tax exemption for them once the situation in Genoa was resolved.

While the carrying capacity of steam paddleboats couldn't compare to large supply ships, eight of them were enough to transport three weeks' worth of provisions for Dumouriez's Legion.

The next day.

Under Steller's lavish spending, more than half the stevedores in Piraeus harbor were bustling around Troque's and the other shipowners' vessels.

Shortly before 3 PM, the eight fully laden steam paddleboats, led by the "Cape Parrot" frigate, steamed westward, trailing long plumes of black smoke.

...

Novi Ligure, north of Genoa.

Coalition Forces Command.

Melas stared intently at the map before him, veins throbbing at his temples.

Several minutes passed. He then slammed his cane heavily onto the ground, gritting his teeth. "The Cervoni Legion will retake Pavia. As for us, we must remain here and continue the offensive!

"Our spies in Genoa have confirmed that Dumouriez's forces have only enough provisions for two or three more days. We have never been closer to victory; we absolutely must not give up now!"

Ten days prior, when news of Napoleon's sudden capture of Milan reached them, all the Austrian officers were aghast.

But upon learning that Napoleon commanded only just over 12,000 soldiers, Melas deemed him no threat. He ordered a continued assault on Genoa, dispatching only Cervoni to defend the Pavia crossing.

His strategy, by all accounts, was sound.

Milan was already lost, after all. Rushing back now would likely allow the French in Genoa to recover, leaving him with nothing to show for his efforts in the Italian campaign.

Moreover, Beaulieu would naturally bear the responsibility for the fall of Milan. Melas, by annihilating Dumouriez's Legion and capturing Genoa here, would be credited with a victory and absolved of blame.

Once Genoa fell, his 50,000-strong army could march north and easily retake Milan.

However, Cervoni's messenger arrived this morning to report that he had been ambushed by Napoleon near Pavia. Fortunately, his swift reaction minimized losses, but his troops were now stalled on the south bank of the Po River.

Simultaneously, an imperial directive concerning the situation in Italy reached Melas's headquarters. Clearly, His Majesty was exceedingly displeased by the loss of Milan.

The officers standing before Melas exchanged glances. Then, Argenteau cautiously stepped forward. "General," he suggested, "perhaps we should reallocate more troops to Pavia, just in case the crossing fails..."

"I don't need you to remind me," Melas roared, his spirit seemingly crushed by the pressure. "The crossing *will* remain open!

"We will seize Genoa, then return to Milan, and everything will be alright!"

Genoa.

Dumouriez anxiously massaged his forehead, asking the quartermaster in a weary voice, "Only half a day's rations left?"

"Y-yes, General..."

Augereau, standing nearby, declared loudly, "General, if we concentrate our forces, there's a good chance we can break out towards La Spezia."

La Spezia was east of Genoa, and the Argenteau forces there were the weakest among the Coalition Forces, with fewer than 8,000 men.

With 25,000 French troops still in Genoa, there was an opportunity to defeat them.

Dumouriez, however, sadly waved his hand. "That would only take us further and further from France, and the Austrians would pursue us immediately. Furthermore, we can't be sure how many provisions La Spezia has."

Sérurier exclaimed urgently, "But at this rate, we won't even last until tomorrow..."

Dumouriez let out a long sigh, looking towards the shell-ridden front lines. "We have done everything we could. If we are forced to surrender, His Majesty the King and Almighty God will forgive us."

The officers in the command post all lowered their heads.

Just then, a frantic shout from outside, from Junot, pierced through the air, loud enough to drown out the booming cannons. "Ships! The ships are here! Our ships!"

Dumouriez abruptly stood, rushing out of his office in a few uncharacteristically nimble strides. He looked at Junot, calling out, "What ships? Are you sure? How many?"

"I saw them with my own eyes, I swear!" Junot's voice was distorted with excitement. "There are seven, no, it looks like eight ships, all steamships, already entering the harbor! Governor Abbiasso has already sent men to unload them."

Dumouriez felt a profound sense of relief surge through him, and he immediately made the sign of the cross devoutly. "Thank you, Almighty God, thank you for not forgetting us..."

Indeed, Troque and his convoy had maintained full steam throughout, pushing forward as long as they could barely discern the horizon.

Thanks to their efforts, the supplies reached Genoa harbor in less than six days.