Chapter 807: Standard Operating Procedures
Victor quickly interjected with a cautious reminder, "Commander, the combined Austrian-Sardinian forces in Alessandria currently number over 53,000."
"And even after we rendezvous with General Dumouriez, we will still have fewer than 40,000 soldiers."
"Yes, I am aware that the enemy's morale may not be high, and we would certainly prevail in a field battle. However, if Melas chooses to dig in and defend Alessandria, a direct assault would result in staggering casualties for our army..."
The losses General Dumouriez sustained during his forty-five-day defense of Genoa had been substantial. By the time Melas withdrew his forces, only 25,000 of the original 30,000 French soldiers remained combat-ready.
When combined with the troops under Napoleon's direct command, they totaled roughly 39,000 men, leaving a significant numerical gap between them and the Coalition forces.
Furthermore, Alessandria was a vital military hub in Northern Italy. With the Bormida River to the east and the Tanaro River to the northwest, it was a position that was exceptionally easy to fortify and defend.
To breach such a stronghold even with superior numbers would be a daunting task, let alone with an inferior force.
Napoleon toyed with the wooden pointer on the map, his gaze never lifting. "No, Melas will never choose to remain entrenched."
"His communication with the Austrian heartland has been severed, and he will soon face a shortage of weapons and ammunition. Conversely, our army can receive constant reinforcements from the mainland."
"That way, once General Wurmser's army arrives, he can coordinate with them to launch a counter-offensive against Milan."
The assembled officers exchanged looks of pure astonishment. "Wurmser's army?"
"Shouldn't they be in Freiburg?"
"Six days ago, Wurmser led a force of 30,000 toward Mantua," Napoleon stated flatly.
Marmont immediately grew anxious. "Then shouldn't we focus on strengthening the defenses along the line from Milan to Lodi?"
Napoleon leaned forward, his voice rising with authority. "It takes at least three weeks to march from Freiburg to Mantua. That is more than enough time for us to crush Melas."
"No, what I want is the total annihilation of Melas's army. Only then will we face minimal resistance when we move to take the Mantua Fortress!"
The reason he had not mentioned the impending arrival of the Royal Third Infantry Division was his concern that his officers might develop a sense of dependency, thinking they could simply wait for the elite units to solve everything, which would lead to complacency.
Napoleon tapped the map just north of Alessandria with his wooden pointer. "Melas has two likely courses of action—"
"First, he could cross the Tanaro and Po rivers to the north and seize Pavia. This would threaten Milan from the south."
He then pointed toward Piacenza. "Second, he could maneuver east through the territory of the Duchy of Parma, then turn north, crossing the Po River to attack Lodi."
"Isn't that the exact route we took when we launched our surprise attack on Milan?" Victor noted immediately.
"Precisely," Napoleon nodded. "Our task now is to determine whether the Austrians will choose the northern or eastern route, while simultaneously preventing them from fleeing to the Mantua Fortress if they realize the situation is dire."
He turned to Victor. "I order you to lead the Montpellier Legion to the northern bank of the Tanaro River. Guard the banks south of Valenza. If Melas appears there, do everything in your power to pin him down and wait for the main force."
"Understood, Commander."
Napoleon then addressed Marmont. "You will command the Corsican Legion and patrol the area around San Giuliano along a north-south axis. I will personally wait for the Austrian army near Pavia."
San Giuliano was a small town about a dozen kilometers east of Alessandria, and it was a mandatory passage for Melas if he intended to reach Parma.
Having completed the combat deployments, Napoleon gestured to Lucien, who was standing by the tent entrance. "Head toward Genoa immediately. Urge General Dumouriez to bring his legion to San Giuliano at the greatest possible speed."
Lucien had been injured while crossing the Great St. Bernard Pass and had missed nearly all of the fighting. His wounds had only finished healing a few days ago, allowing him to resume his duties as a courier.
The following afternoon.
Genoa.
Upon meeting General Dumouriez, Lucien learned that the army there had already departed for Alessandria two days prior.
Dumouriez was quite elderly, and the forty days of commanding the bitter struggle in Genoa had nearly exhausted his physical strength. Consequently, he had entrusted the task of leading the army north to officers like Joubert and Sérurier.
Having fulfilled his mission, Lucien left Dumouriez's office. His eyes fell upon the harbor in the distance, where goods were piled high like mountains. He couldn't help but sigh to the staff officer escorting him, "We won the battle and saved this wealthy port, yet we cannot ask the people here for a little 'token of gratitude.'"
He knew that because of his brother's attempts to raise funds in Milan, the Crown Prince had dispatched messengers to strictly reiterate the ban on unauthorized requisitioning of supplies. No one dared to extort the locals now.
He shook his head in disappointment. "This should be the right of the victor, don't you agree? The General Staff's decision is truly somewhat... inappropriate."
The staff officer's expression turned peculiar as he glanced at Lucien and whispered, "Ahem, Lieutenant Bonaparte, in truth, the Military Intendant just recorded an entry of 3.4 million francs as 'special military funds' yesterday."
Lucien's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you saying that the people of Genoa 'donated' this money?"
The staff officer nodded. "Essentially, yes."
Lucien frowned. "I must remind you, the Crown Prince strictly forbade such actions."
He was even prepared to report Dumouriez upon his return. If the old man were punished for this, his brother's chances of becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy would significantly increase.
"No, no, you misunderstand," the staff officer said with a smile. "This was obtained by the Military Intendant following 'Standard Operating Procedures.'"
"Standard Operating Procedures?"
The next day.
Napoleon stared at his younger brother, his eyes filled with incredulity. "You're saying... 3.4 million francs?"
Genoa was certainly wealthy, but it was ultimately just a small port city. In terms of both land area and population, it couldn't compare to Milan.
Yet that Military Intendant had squeezed more "donations" out of it than Milan had provided!
Why hadn't the Crown Prince severely punished that old fox Dumouriez?!
"Yes, according to the Standard Operating Procedures," Lucien nodded listlessly.
Once he recounted what had transpired in Genoa recently, Napoleon's dissatisfaction and complaints vanished, replaced by a profound sense of shock.
So, it could be done this way.
It could actually be done this way!
By comparison, he had been as clumsy as a blind donkey!
Lucien told him that as soon as the Austrians withdrew, Dumouriez's Military Intendant immediately began a city-wide sweep to arrest "traitors who collaborated with the Austrian invaders."
Soon, over 230 people were in custody.
During the Austrian occupation of Genoa, those wealthy merchants and bankers had proactively reached out to the Austrians to ensure their own safety, either by donating money or performing services for them.
This was solid, undeniable evidence of collaborating with the invaders. No one could argue their way out of it.
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