Chapter 972: We Must Solidify the Charges
Desaix immediately issued his orders: "The Fourth Infantry Regiment will launch a counterattack at once. The Fifth Regiment will outflank them. The cavalry squadron will remain on standby behind the camp."
The messenger saluted and departed. A staff officer hesitated slightly, remarking, "Commander, it's only two companies of Austrian troops. Perhaps we don't need to deploy so many forces..."
Desaix firmly interjected, "The enemy dares to provoke us actively; they must have an ambush in place. We must go all out!"
In reality, the so-called "enemy forces" were merely seventy-odd agents from the Intelligence Bureau, carrying numerous flags and military drums to make their numbers appear larger from a distance.
Soon, the Corsican Legion launched a full offensive, pursuing the enemy relentlessly.
Along the way, soldiers continuously picked up Austrian flags and weapons, creating the impression of a botched surprise attack.
Hours later, the French forces discovered a temporary Austrian camp. Just as Colonel Desaix had predicted, it appeared to have housed over two thousand soldiers.
Of course, all of this had been arranged by the Intelligence Bureau beforehand.
Following the script, Desaix sternly denounced the Austrians to his soldiers, accusing them of plotting to attack the Udine garrison. He declared that they must all be killed to uphold the dignity of the French army.
Just as a staff officer was considering suggesting a retreat, a thunderous artillery roar suddenly erupted from the thickets ahead.
"The Austrians are ambushing us here!" Desaix exclaimed, feigning outrage. "Send the skirmisher battalion to attack from the flank. Watch out for enemies on our sides!"
He deliberately kept the cavalry at the rear, fearing they might actually catch up to the "acting" Austrians.
He turned to his staff officer. "What are our casualties?"
The officer quickly sent men to inquire among the companies, returning shortly to report, "Commander, it seems no one was hit."
Desaix cursed inwardly. 'These Austrian artillerymen are utterly useless. They've fired over a dozen rounds and haven't landed a single hit!'
According to the plan, the French army should have suffered hundreds of casualties from the surprise artillery bombardment, allowing him to then order his enraged soldiers to besiege Klagenfurt Fortress.
But with no casualties, the desired effect would be significantly diminished.
Ten minutes later, the artillery fire ceased. French skirmishers from the front reported that they had occupied the enemy's artillery positions and seen approximately an Austrian battalion fleeing north.
Desaix could only grit his teeth and order, "These damned Austrians have killed our comrades! We cannot let them off so easily! All forces, continue the pursuit!"
Fortunately, the soldiers of the Corsican Legion simply assumed that men from other companies had been hit by the cannons—the entire front stretched for two kilometers, and those at one end had no idea what was happening at the other. Thus, under their officers' commands, they crossed the border and chased northward.
The following afternoon, Desaix caught sight of the outline of Klagenfurt Fortress.
He immediately spurred his horse past his soldiers, pointing north and loudly declaring, "The Austrians who attacked us have hidden in the fortress! If they don't hand them over, we'll go in and seize them ourselves!"
An hour later, the Corsican Legion's artillery began a fierce bombardment of Klagenfurt Fortress, while the infantry formed dozens of columns, ready to launch a full assault at any moment.
However, much to Desaix's confusion, the Austrian troops in the fortress seemed utterly terrified and offered no return fire.
This left him feeling like he was punching a cushion; the anticipated escalating battle and enraged soldiers storming the fortress simply didn't occur.
Just as he was about to force an attack, he suddenly heard the familiar sound of a bugle from the east. It was a French call.
Moments later, a messenger galloped up and saluted him. "Commander, Colonel Lefebvre wishes to see you, and he asks that you immediately order a halt to the attack."
Lefebvre? Desaix's mind buzzed. 'Why is he here?'
He immediately sensed something was wrong. Ignoring the messenger, he turned and waved to his staff officer. "Retreat! Pull back to Udine at once!"
Regardless of the situation, he absolutely could not be trapped within Austrian territory.
However, Lefebvre's messenger produced a document, holding it high overhead, and shouted to the surrounding officers, "This is an order from the General Staff! The Corsican Legion is hereby placed under the command of Colonel Lefebvre, effective immediately!"
Desaix gritted his teeth, barking at his staff officer, "Ignore him! Retreat!"
Just then, an officer from his rear lines rushed forward, reporting anxiously, "Commander, men from the Royal Third Infantry Division are demanding that we lay down our arms."
Desaix froze. "Where are they?"
"Just... just behind us."
After hundreds of soldiers from the Third Infantry Division stabilized the situation, Leo skillfully led two thousand Austrian troops to surround the Corsican Legion from both flanks, trapping them in the middle.
Twenty minutes later.
Desaix looked at Lefebvre, feigning anger. "Colonel, my legion has been attacked repeatedly by the Austrians, which is why I pursued them this far. You have no reason to stop me."
Lefebvre smiled. "Austrian attacks? How many soldiers have you lost?"
"Casualties?" Desaix hesitated. "Certainly... there were quite a few."
Lefebvre looked at Desaix's staff officer. "Please tell me about your attack and casualty figures."
The latter wiped away a cold sweat, muttering, "Well, it seems there were no casualties."
'Of course there wouldn't be casualties,' Desaix thought. The truth was, the troops shelling the Corsican Legion at the Austrian border were actually the Royal Third Infantry Division, disguised in Austrian uniforms.
Lefebvre instructed Leo to gather all the soldiers in the fortress, ensuring not a single one left.
The Third Infantry Division had consistently aimed its artillery at empty ground, making a tremendous show of force without actually hitting anyone.
Lefebvre raised his voice. "Colonel Desaix, it appears you are lying.
"Now, please tell me truthfully, why are you leading your army on Austrian soil?"
"I..."
Desaix silently cursed the incompetent Austrian artillerymen again and again. Now he truly couldn't explain himself – attacked by the enemy, yet not a single person injured?
Lefebvre gestured to a guard beside him. "Please escort Colonel Desaix back to Paris immediately. Oh, and confiscate all his belongings for evidence."
"Yes, sir."
Once Desaix was led away, Lefebvre looked at Desaix's aide-de-camp and smiled. "I can offer you a chance to reduce your sentence at the military tribunal."
The aide immediately stammered, "Yes, please, just tell me what to do."
"Please write a letter in Colonel Desaix's voice, stating that Klagenfurt Fortress has been occupied. Await further instructions."
About half an hour later, the aide finally finished writing the letter.
Lefebvre placed the letter into a dispatch tube, sealed it with Desaix's stamp and wax, then called for Desaix's messenger. "I order you to go to Mantua Fortress and deliver this letter to General Napoleon."
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