Chapter 965: Arc de Triomphe
Joseph cast a meaningful glance at Robert.
Randale was originally an official responsible for palace security; where would he have informants embedded in the Intelligence Bureau? This must be the Secret Police infiltrating the Intelligence Bureau.
Still, sometimes this internal conflict had its positive side, like in this current situation.
Robert continued, "Although Randale can't access the Intelligence Bureau's files, he judges, based on the current situation, that the Intelligence Bureau shouldn't be conducting large-scale operations on the Austrian border."
Joseph nodded slightly.
Ostensibly, the Intelligence Bureau had no such mission.
Considering the Intelligence Bureau's entire annual budget was only 1.7 million francs, an operation that spent nearly a tenth of it would absolutely have to be reported to him.
Robert opened a second document. "Your Highness, this details some anomalies concerning the Udine garrison, reported by Major Yebol.
"The garrison's rotation happened over three months earlier than scheduled, and the Montpellier Legion was originally meant to take over, but for some unknown reason, it was changed to the Corsican Legion.
He pulled out several copied notes from beneath the document. "Only one shipment of these supplies went through the official process; the other two were 'borrowed' temporarily through his personal influence in Mantua."
After the conflict in Northern Italy concluded, the Mediterranean Security Organization "authorized" France to station two thousand troops in Mantua Fortress and five thousand in Udine, on the Venetian border, to guard against a potential Austrian invasion of Italy.
Both of these locations were strategically crucial in Northern Italy, and it would be difficult for any country other than France to shoulder such a vital responsibility.
Joseph immediately looked at Robert. "Are you implying there's a connection between the anomalies in Klagenfurt and Udine?"
The latter nodded, pulling out the last document. "This is a report from Antoine-Marie de Lavalette, head of the Post Office's 'Black Chamber.'
"Starting a month and a half ago, there's been extensive communication between Paris, Klagenfurt, and Udine using Chappe signal towers, all related to 'army provisions.' The 'celebrity chefs' and 'vegetable merchants' mentioned in these communications don't exist in either our army or the Austrian army."
The "Black Chamber" was an intelligence branch within the French postal system, specifically responsible for opening private letters and deciphering codes. Now, communications via Chappe signal towers also fell under their scrutiny.
"The Security Bureau's current assessment is that the Udine garrison is colluding with some unscrupulous elements within the Intelligence Bureau to illicitly sell military supplies to the Austrian army in Klagenfurt."
Joseph shook his head. "That doesn't explain the whereabouts of the Intelligence Bureau's hundreds of thousands of francs in expenditure."
Comte de Robert hesitated, then said, "Your Highness, Viscount Lavalette did propose a hypothesis – that the Udine garrison intends to launch an attack somewhere, involving more than three regiments. And the Intelligence Bureau would cooperate in some capacity."
Joseph narrowed his eyes, then looked at the documents before him and asked, "Who first discovered this matter?"
He knew Robert, the head of the Secret Police, quite well.
At most, this man would investigate which nobles spoke ill of the King or who was having an affair. Analyzing and organizing such complex intelligence was far beyond his capabilities.
The head of the Security Bureau hastily replied, "It was Viscount Lavalette, Your Highness. Initially, they were reported as two separate corruption cases; he was the one who connected them."
Joseph nodded. The three candidates vying for Deputy Director of the Security Bureau were all quite capable.
Randale had the most prior contact with the Secret Police and was most familiar with the operations of intelligence departments.
Yebol was an intelligence staff officer from the Rhine Front, with extensive experience in overseas intelligence gathering.
Lavalette, on the other hand, had a sharp mind and meticulous thought processes.
What was most interesting was that all three had uncovered the same issue through different channels.
Robert suggested, "Your Highness, do you believe Colonel Desaix and Captain Dubois should be recalled for investigation?"
Dubois was the head of the Intelligence Bureau in southwestern Austria.
Joseph pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. "No, I want you to investigate this thoroughly, without alerting them."
He sensed that this matter was far from simple; if it wasn't completely rectified, major problems were likely to arise in the future.
Directly recalling the involved parties for investigation would likely only result in a few scapegoats taking the blame.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Joseph then instructed, "Also, to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, you need to mobilize personnel to Udine in advance. I will have the troops in Mantua cooperate with you."
As he spoke, he felt the carriage slowly begin to decelerate, and outside, he could already hear the stirring march music and the cheers of the crowd.
The head of the Security Bureau quickly rose, bowed, and backed out of the carriage.
Both sides of the Champs-Élysées were packed with Parisian citizens, many waving wreaths symbolizing victory, which from a distance looked like undulating waves of color.
Joseph followed Louis XVI and Queen Mary, joining them beneath the red canopy in the middle of the road. To their left stood dozens of nobles and officials, while to their right were high-ranking clergy, including Archbishop Beaumont.
Before long, two spirited squadrons of Hussars, bearing fleur-de-lis banners, appeared at the end of the road.
The cheers of the people instantly amplified several times over, and a torrent of wreaths fluttered like butterflies towards the cavalry.
The cavalry formation halted before the King. Napoleon and a dozen senior officers dismounted, took a few steps forward, knelt on one knee, and declared loudly, "God save the King!"
Louis XVI stiffly gestured for them to rise, and was about to begin his address, but the deafening cheers from all sides washed over him, making him instinctively glance at the distance.
A dense, swirling mass of heads stretched as far as the eye could see.
His Majesty the King's heart hammered, and he instantly forgot the speech he had rehearsed over a hundred times.
He stood frozen for seven or eight seconds, his face flushed red, and could only look at Queen Mary imploringly.
She quickly leaned in and whispered in his ear, "The glory of God shines upon France..."
Louis XVI gritted his teeth, mustered his strength, and declared, "The Crown Prince will deliver the address in my stead!"
Joseph instantly clapped a hand to his forehead, thinking, 'Father, you've really thrown me under the bus without a word of warning. I haven't memorized a single line of that speech...'
Resigned, he stepped forward, thought for a moment, and announced loudly, "Today is a day to be forever remembered.
"For the survival and glory of France, countless brave warriors, raising the fleur-de-lis banner high, from the Alps to the Rhine River, with their blood and lives, with their will as firm as steel, have won victory after victory.
"We shall erect a magnificent monument here, to commemorate those soldiers who sacrificed everything for France!
"Their names will be carved into this place, for all generations to remember and revere.
"This monument shall be named – the Arc de Triomphe!"
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