Chapter 891: The Battle to Relieve Mantua
It was not until the ball was nearing its end that Abbiasso, the Doge of Genoa, finally found the opportunity to speak with the French Crown Prince.
After he stepped forward and bowed, Joseph was the first to speak with a warm smile.
"Your Excellency, the Genoese Parliament recently exchanged nearly eighteen million francs for gold at the Bank of France. Such a powerful display of confidence in our currency is something I deeply appreciate."
As a major trade hub in Northern Italy, Genoa was indeed exceptionally wealthy.
"It is Genoa's honor to be of service to you," Abbiasso replied. Realizing his words might sound a bit too subservient, he quickly added, "Exchanging francs also facilitates our trade within the Common Market. It was merely a standard financial operation."
"Excellent," Joseph nodded approvingly. "Genoa's territory is quite small, and its population is limited, which greatly restricts your development.
"I believe that Pisa could be incorporated into Genoa."
During the recent gold run crisis, Genoa had brought the most gold to support the Bank of France. Such loyalty deserved a reward.
Of course, offering a carrot was also a way to pave the road for the conditions he was about to set.
While Pisa's territory wasn't massive, its location was prime—situated on the northern coast of the Mediterranean with a sizeable port.
Once Genoa and Pisa merged, they would effectively hold a monopoly over the seaports of Northern Italy.
Furthermore, the two locations were close enough to make administration easy.
"That... that is truly wonderful," Abbiasso said with a deep bow. "Thank you, Your Highness. Genoa will follow in your footsteps forever!"
Having handed out the "sweetener," it was time for Joseph to collect the "fee." "Genoa is the most vital supply port in the Northern Mediterranean. Consequently, the French Navy has long hoped to establish its own anchorage here."
Abbiasso hesitated slightly. "Your Highness, the naval port on the eastern side of the harbor hasn't been used in nearly a century. Most of the facilities are in complete disrepair..."
Joseph knew exactly what he was worried about. "Our fleet will only be stationed in the port. I guarantee we will not interfere in any Genoese internal affairs, nor will we disrupt the normal flow of merchant shipping.
"All waterways near the Port of Genoa will remain under the full jurisdiction of the Genoese Parliament. Any movement of our fleet within these waters must receive prior approval from the Parliament.
"We can include these promises in a formal agreement.
"Furthermore, the naval port will be handed over to us on a lease basis for a term of ninety-nine years. Once the term expires, the Genoese Parliament can decide whether or not to renew the contract."
In short, it was a simple lease of a naval base, not an attempt to control Genoa with a fleet.
Abbiasso breathed a visible sigh of relief. "If that is the case, I believe the Parliament will agree to the lease."
Joseph continued, "And regarding the renovation of the naval port?"
"Please rest assured, the Genoese Parliament will take full responsibility for it," Abbiasso said without a second thought.
Renovating the old naval port would likely cost three to four million francs, but compared to the acquisition of Pisa, that sum was negligible.
Joseph nodded in satisfaction. In history, after Napoleon occupied Genoa, it took four years of continuous renovation to make the old naval port functional. Shortly after it was finished, he was defeated by the British at the Battle of Trafalgar, and the port was lost before it could be of much use.
Now that Genoa was handling the repairs, France's burden was significantly lightened.
He looked at Abbiasso again. "Additionally, I wish to invest in the Genoese shipyards to expand them into the largest shipbuilding facility in the Western Mediterranean..."
...
January 25, 1794.
North of Mantua Fortress.
Trento.
Napoleon watched through his telescope as the massive Austrian army marched southward along the Adige River. He turned to Victor beside him and remarked with a sigh:
"Ah, our dear Austrians have finally arrived. For the past few months, my biggest fear was that Wurmser would suddenly surrender because of the food shortages inside the fortress."
Victor was equally excited as he gazed at the distant Austrian troops. "It took them four full months. Vienna's mobilization speed is truly abysmal.
"Let's end the fighting here quickly. I'm starting to feel nauseous just looking at the Mantua Fortress."
Napoleon turned to a staff officer nearby. "Have we clarified the enemy's situation?"
"Only partial reconnaissance is complete, General," the officer replied quickly. "The Austrian vanguard appears to be around thirty thousand men, commanded by Bartholtz.
"Alvinczy's main force is still about seven kilometers away.
"The flank commanded by Quosdanovich is currently passing through the Tonale Pass.
"According to previous intelligence, the enemy's total strength is eighty-five thousand men."
To protect Mantua and rescue the two highly influential veteran generals, Wurmser and Beaulieu, Franz II had truly scraped the bottom of his barrel.
Though the mobilization was slow, they had successfully met their conscription targets.
However, after a series of crushing defeats, Austria was short on capable officers, forcing them to appoint Alvinczy as the commander-in-chief.
His most notable achievement prior to this was the suppression of a Hungarian uprising near the Danube River.
Napoleon nodded. "Have the cavalry push as far forward as possible. I want Alvinczy to believe that our army intends to fight the decisive battle here at Trento."
"Yes, General!"
Napoleon waved a hand toward Victor. "Then I leave Trento to you. Remember to spread your forces as thin as possible. Acting is also a necessary skill for a commander."
"Yes, General. Please put your mind at ease."
Napoleon turned, mounted his horse, and galloped off with his guard toward the Sarca River to the west.
At the Trento front, he had left Victor with only fifteen thousand soldiers, most of whom were units with average combat capabilities, such as the Montpellier Legion.
The "main force" currently surrounding Mantua consisted of fifteen thousand men from the Sardinian Legion and five thousand French recruits.
At the Austrian vanguard.
Bartholtz's legion camp.
The Hussars brought the latest front-line intelligence back to headquarters at top speed.
Inside the officer's tent, Bartholtz stared intently at Trento on the map and spoke to the officers around him.
"With Trento as the center, French tracks have been discovered spanning a width of ten kilometers to the east and west."
He was referring to the measurement in Austrian miles, where one and a half miles equaled roughly ten kilometers.
He continued, "I have carefully reviewed the reports from Marshal Beaulieu and General Melas. This Napoleon is extremely skilled at ambushes and surprise attacks.
"Therefore, when we see one French soldier, we must assume there are ten more hiding nearby."
A colonel nearby frowned. "General, I believe it is highly likely the French intend to stage a decisive battle along the Trento line."
Bartholtz nodded. "If that is the case, I must admit Napoleon's plan is terrifying.
"We have always assumed the enemy's main force was near Mantua, and that the Trento line was merely a delaying tactic to slow our reinforcements.
"If we were to launch a rash assault on Trento, we would likely find our main force quickly outflanked by the French main army hidden nearby."
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