Chapter 806: The Treaty of Turin
A strange light suddenly flashed in Amedeo III's eyes, and he instinctively licked his lips.
The Papal States had barely existed before the rise of the Carolingian dynasty. The Holy See had only managed to establish its temporal power through the land Pepin the Short and Charlemagne had seized from various Italian states.
Consequently, the Italians had never stopped coveting the territories held by the Church.
This was also the reason why the Roman Curia had always struggled to exert much control over the Italian states surrounding it, while paradoxically maintaining significant influence over distant nations like Spain and Austria.
It was no wonder Amedeo III was so agitated. After all, the Papal States were more than twice the size of Sardinia.
If he could tear even a single piece away from the Pope, Sardinia would be more than satisfied.
More importantly, Sardinia did not currently share a border with the Papal States.
This meant that if Sardinia wished to reach Papal territory, it would first have to occupy portions of Parma or Venice.
The French Foreign Minister's words implied that France would turn a blind eye to such actions!
Even Venice was far from being a match for Sardinia, let alone small states like Parma.
Amedeo III was a man of great ambition. In truth, his family had been ambitious since the days of their ancestors as the Dukes of Savoy. Historically, it would be King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia who, through various political maneuvers half a century later, would finally unify the Italian peninsula.
Now that a golden opportunity to extend his reach into the heart of Italy had presented itself, how could Amedeo III not be tempted?
By comparison, the territory of Savoy was hardly worth mentioning.
Savoy had always been difficult to govern, separated as it was by the formidable barrier of the Alps. Furthermore, due to its proximity to France, the French-speaking population there was steadily growing, making it an inevitable administrative headache in the future.
It was better to cede it to France now in exchange for more significant interests elsewhere.
Besides, French troops were currently stationed in Savoy; it wasn't as if he could take it back even if he wanted to.
Amedeo III turned his head toward Talleyrand. "So, what are your thoughts on this?"
The latter sat upright and nodded. "His Majesty has indeed authorized me to sign an agreement with you. The terms will include the sovereignty of Cham and an understanding regarding certain Sardinian military movements."
Amedeo III nodded, though he still hesitated. "Perhaps we could wait until General Dumouriez has occupied Mantua before we talk further?"
Talleyrand smiled thinly. "Forgive my bluntness, but one does not wait until the stomach is empty to begin planting wheat.
'Now is your only chance to demonstrate your friendship. Otherwise, you can surely imagine how General Dumouriez might redeploy his forces once the Austrians are defeated.'
Amedeo III fell silent for several seconds. Finally, he looked up, took a deep breath, and spoke to Talleyrand.
"Perhaps we can discuss the finer details..."
The following morning, Talleyrand and the Count of Provence quietly departed from the Royal Palace of Turin.
Tucked away on the Count's person was the newly signed Treaty of Turin between France and Sardinia.
According to the treaty, Sardinia recognized French sovereignty over Savoy and the territories east of Monaco, including the strategic Cadibona Pass.
In return, Sardinia would cease all hostile actions against France, terminate all support for the Austrian military, and provide necessary supplies to the French Dumoubin Legion.
France, for its part, would compensate Sardinia with the province of Cham in northwestern Lombardy and support Sardinia's claims to Papal territories.
The Count of Provence looked much more relaxed than when he had arrived. He whispered to Talleyrand, "I didn't expect things to be resolved so quickly."
The Minister replied with characteristic calm, "This is the inevitable outcome of political diplomacy, my lord Count."
While he spoke with confidence, he was secretly quite astonished.
Savoy was the ancestral home of the House of Savoy. When the Crown Prince had predicted that Amedeo III would certainly surrender it, Talleyrand had been skeptical.
Yet the King of Sardinia had agreed just like that, without even proposing additional counter-conditions.
He couldn't help but feel a secret admiration: His Highness's grasp of the international political situation was several levels higher than his own. He truly wondered how the Prince could so accurately analyze the diplomatic trajectory of Sardinia.
Of course, Joseph didn't rely on analysis alone. He simply knew that during the era of Napoleon III, Sardinia had ceded Savoy and Nice to France in exchange for French support in their military campaigns against Lombardy and Venice.
Sardinia harbored significant ambitions for Italian unification; faced with conditions similar to those in history, they were bound to accept.
However, according to Joseph's plan, he had no intention of letting Sardinia unify Italy as it had in the history books.
Once unified, Italy's national power would rank fourth or fifth in Europe, granting it substantial influence over the continent's balance of power.
From the perspective of French geopolitics, it was far more advantageous to have a cluster of relatively weak small states at the front door.
Small states lacked the political, economic, industrial, and market strength to challenge France's dominance.
As long as France could defeat Austria, the Italian peninsula would become France's backyard.
To achieve this goal, France had to preserve at least two states among Parma, Modena, Genoa, and Venice.
Among these, the King of Parma was a Bourbon and lacked ambition, making him the most satisfactory choice in Joseph's eyes.
Modena was also relatively pro-French; if they proved capable, they could also receive support.
Meanwhile, the Habsburg-controlled Tuscany and the Papal States would serve as the 'cake' to be carved up among the others.
As for the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in the south, it was currently the most powerful state in Italy. As long as they didn't do anything suicidal, it would be difficult for other countries to annex them.
This way, at least four nations would remain on the Italian peninsula, which, combined with the Holy See, would ensure the region remained sufficiently fragmented.
Talleyrand helped the Count of Provence close his carriage door and bowed. "I wish you a pleasant journey."
The Count glanced at Talleyrand's own carriage and asked in surprise, "Are you not returning with me?"
"I was originally intended to return to Paris," Talleyrand explained. "However, the Crown Prince assigned me some new diplomatic duties yesterday.
'Since it seems the fighting at Alessandria may conclude soon, I might as well wait here for a while.'
Afterward, he would travel to Parma and other states to begin outlining the future political map of the Italian peninsula.
***
Italy.
The northern bank of the Po River.
Pavia.
Dressed in a brand-new cavalry uniform, Napoleon was beaming as he led Brigadier General Carnot, sent from the General Staff, through two rows of impeccably lined soldiers. Accompanied by the sound of military music, he welcomed him into the command tent.
Brigadier General Carnot removed his hat, handed it to an orderly, and pulled out a stack of documents, waving them toward Napoleon. "Colonel Bonaparte, I have several orders from the General Staff Headquarters to read to you."
Chapter 806: Military DisciplineNapoleon’s eyes locked onto the document at the very top of the stack, and his breathing instantly grew heavy with excitement.
He was all too familiar with that particular style of paperwork. It was a commission!
It was obvious. He had won a string of victories in Italy, even capturing Milan—the Austrian stronghold in the region.
He had been promoted to Colonel after the Great Victory at Toulon. This time, it had to be Brigadier General!
Scenes of soldiers saluting him and addressing him as "General" flashed uncontrollably through his mind, and a wave of deep satisfaction washed over him.
He was a man who valued power more than life itself. To him, becoming a general was a milestone of extraordinary significance.
Napoleon immediately snapped to attention, looking toward Brigadier General Carnot with palpable anticipation.
The latter glanced at him, pinched the commission at the top of the pile, and then... slid it to the very bottom of the stack.
Napoleon’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head, and his mind screamed: 'Hey! No! What the hell are you doing?!'
Brigadier General Carnot picked up the second document, unfolded it, and began to read in a stern, formal voice: "General Staff Special Order No. D10227."
"Colonel Napoleon Bonaparte, following the occupation of Milan, violated Articles 5 and 11, Section 2 of the French Army Regulations. Without the consent of the Military Supervisor, Major Odoric, you unilaterally requisitioned supplies and military funds, and irregularly distributed stipends to the soldiers..."
"Furthermore, while the Dumoubin Legion was besieged in Genoa, you received at least three requests for reinforcements from General Dumouriez. However, you failed to provide support throughout the engagement and neglected to provide a clear explanation for your refusal or a subsequent operational plan, leaving the Dumoubin Legion in an extremely perilous position..."
"Based on these violations, the General Staff has decided to issue you the severest warning and revoke your rank of Colonel. Considering the current state of hostilities, prosecution before a military tribunal will be deferred for the time being..."
Napoleon panicked instantly.
Instead of a promotion, he was being demoted! How could he possibly endure this?
"General Carnot, you can't..."
Carnot raised a hand to silence him, tucked the General Staff's order away, and picked up the next document. "Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte, this is a document signed by the Minister of War."
"A Military Police investigation team is about to arrive in Milan to conduct a thorough inquiry into your unauthorized requisitioning of resources. You are expected to cooperate fully."
Napoleon felt his heart tighten as a loud ringing filled his ears.
The accounts in Milan could never withstand a proper audit!
He had squeezed three million francs out of the Milanese nobility but had only reported two million. If the Military Police counted the remaining million as embezzlement, a simple demotion would be the least of his worries...
Fortunately, he hadn't spent that money yet.
Carnot handed him the two documents together. "Please sign these, Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte."
Napoleon took the papers, flipped to the final page, and saw the Crown Prince's signature. His nerves frayed even further.
More than the demotion or the punishment, he feared losing the Crown Prince’s trust. That would mean his career would end in forced retirement as a mere Lieutenant Colonel.
With trembling hands, he signed the documents and handed them back to Carnot. "General Carnot, about this... please, help me explain to His Highness..."
Indeed, Joseph intended to use these two incidents to properly humble Napoleon, that proud lion. He wanted him to recognize his place and understand that the army was not his personal fiefdom.
Napoleon was a graduate of the old-style military academies, and it was inevitable that he would carry some of the "old army" bad habits.
Plundering occupied territories and embezzling military funds were considered normal in the old armies, and the state had little power to intervene. After all, soldiers were fed by the officers' pockets, and equipment was purchased by the officers themselves; the army was essentially their private property.
However, everything the new French army required was allocated by the General Staff. Officers were solely responsible for commanding operations, which gave the General Staff the leverage to manage them strictly.
Only such an army could avoid corruption and prevent over-reliance on the personal abilities of a single commander.
It was like the Prussian army. Barely seven or eight years after Frederick the Great's death, their discipline and morale had plummeted, and their combat effectiveness had been gutted.
Joseph had to prevent this from happening to the French military.
Brigadier General Carnot tucked away the signed documents and picked up the final commission at the bottom. He gave Napoleon a meaningful look and announced loudly:
"Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte, due to your outstanding performance in the Lombardy region and your victories in a series of vital battles—most notably the capture of the stronghold of Milan—the General Staff has decided to promote you to the rank of Colonel..."
Napoleon didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
After all that tossing and turning, he was still just a Colonel.
Carnot continued: "The Crown Prince has also signed a special order. Ten percent of the military funds acquired from Milan—two hundred thousand francs—will be awarded to Colonel Bonaparte as a reward."
"Fifteen percent will be distributed as a special stipend to the soldiers who fought in Lombardy."
He turned to the Military Supervisor who had been waiting nearby. "Major Odoric, you must personally oversee the distribution of these funds."
"Yes, General!"
Joseph's stance was crystal clear. Officers and soldiers who performed well would receive rewards, but it had to be made absolutely clear who was giving them that money.
It was the General Staff. It was the Crown Prince. It was never a specific officer!
When Napoleon heard that His Highness had granted him such a substantial bonus—though it was less than the million he had hidden, this money was legitimate and carried supreme honor—he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed he still held a place in His Highness's favor.
Carnot gathered all the documents, his voice losing its previous severity. He said to Napoleon, "Colonel Bonaparte, the Crown Prince also asked me to tell you that he is very satisfied with your command in Italy."
"His Highness said that while faults must be punished, merit must be rewarded. Once you capture Alessandria, he will personally sign your commission for promotion to Brigadier General."
Napoleon felt a surge of emotion. He snapped to attention and shouted, "My thanks to the Crown Prince! I will repay him with the most glorious of victories!"
Carnot continued, "His Highness is also placing the Royal Third Infantry Division and two companies from the Royal Second Horse Artillery Battalion under your command."
Napoleon’s heart hammered against his ribs.
These were France’s most elite troops, the Crown Prince’s direct legions.
By entrusting these units to him, His Highness was showing absolute confidence!
He suddenly felt a deep sense of remorse for his previous breach of discipline. He had behaved so clumsily, nearly betraying the Crown Prince’s trust...
Fortunately, His Highness had given him another chance.
He clenched his fists and said earnestly to Carnot, "Please tell His Highness that I will never let him down!"
As soon as Carnot departed, Napoleon immediately summoned his officers for a council of war.
"In two days, we will launch a general offensive against Alessandria!" Napoleon’s very first sentence caught everyone off guard.
He did not intend to wait for the Royal Infantry Division to arrive. He would settle the score with Melas's army using the forces currently at his disposal. As for the elites of the Royal Infantry Division, he intended to save them for Mantua.
Comments