Descending On France 1780

Anning repeatedly shook her head: "No, no, you mustn't be biased against Bernadotte, as long as we are a Republic, he is absolutely loyal."

"You've just said that," Napoleon scoffed.

"Then I'll say it again, and not only that, I'll say it a third time, as long as we are still a Republic, Bernadotte will be loyal."

Just as she finished speaking Bernadotte opened the door, "Hm? What? You were looking for me?"

"No, I've called you all here to plan the next phase of the military operations. Currently, Lana's Third Army has taken Augsburg, the coalition's main line of transportation... Damn it, why am I explaining this to you alone, let's wait until everyone's here."

Bernadotte glanced at Napoleon and then asserted: "It must be Bonaparte talking behind my back again."

Napoleon: "You, why are you so paranoid, I'm not always talking behind your back..."

"He was just badmouthing you," Anning directly called out Napoleon, "You two stop hiding and tucking away, if there are conflicts, speak openly about them. Everyone hasn't arrived yet today, so take the opportunity to resolve your personal issues. Clarify matters to prevent future impacts on collaborative operations."

Anning had seen plenty before crossing over, where disagreements between commanders led to inefficient rescues, like seeing one's allies in distress and remaining unmoved as if nothing happened.

Not to mention the case of Zhang Lingfu and Li Tianxia that all Chinese people know, there are also such examples abroad, like the commanders of the two army groups in the Russian army at Tannenberg, who were delighting in feasts while their allies were surrounded.

Seeing Anning's firm stance, Napoleon sighed, "It's mainly because I think your loyalty is to the Republic, not to our esteemed Frost!"

Bernadotte asked in confusion, "What's the difference? His Excellency is the founder of the Republic; isn't being loyal to the Republic the same as being loyal to him?"

Suddenly, Bernadotte gasped: "Could it be His Excellency is preparing to become King of France?"

"No!" Anning immediately denied, "Although I've married the former King's sister, I have no such intentions."

Bernadotte: "I believe you certainly have no such intentions, but obviously, someone wants you to be King."

With that, he looked at Napoleon.

Napoleon: "I think him being King would be much better than this inefficient Parliament, and it would also be a good thing for France."

Bernadotte: "That's only because His Excellency is a distinguished individual considerate of France and exceptionally talented with far-sighted wisdom, but you have to think about the future. What if His Excellency's son is incompetent?

"What if he is a foolish Monarch who listens to slander and employs sycophants? Imagine that scenario, you and I, these old ministers, care for our country, yet the young King hangs around with people like Balas, employing them. Wouldn't that make you feel sick at heart?"

Napoleon smacked his lips: "That would be quite disgusting."

Anning was shocked, Bernadotte had convinced Napoleon? Had they reached a consensus?

But in the original history, the disagreement between Napoleon and Bernadotte manifested mainly after Napoleon felt his destiny, and in this timeline Napoleon hadn't had such a premonition—so being persuaded was normal? Normal, right?

As Anning was pondering this, Bernadotte continued: "The upper limit of a republic might not be as high as that of a monarchy, but it can provide a bottom line."

Anning frowned; she originally agreed with this view, but after witnessing the chaos of the beautiful country, she started to have doubts.

But she decided not to voice this thought.

After all, others have not seen the donkey vs. elephant squabbles; it would be pointless to mention it.

Just as Bernadotte and Napoleon came to an agreement, Lana, with his bandages hanging, entered the room: "I have returned from Augsburg!"

Anning looked at Lana's hanging arm and exclaimed in shock, "You're injured? The information I received didn't mention this."

"I didn't think it was a big deal, so I left it out of the report," Lana replied nonchalantly, "I just injured my left arm. My right arm is still fine; I can still slash at the enemy and command without any issues!"

Anning shook his head repeatedly, "No, no! You're a corps commander! You don't have the right to let bullets seek you out!"

Lana looked quite aggrieved, "Bullets don't have eyes; how can I control where they go?"

"Bullets may not have eyes, but don't you? Isn't that your head on your shoulders? Can't you use your brain a little? Come here, let me give you a demonstration!"

Saying that, Anning walked over to the map table, "Vanni, bring the potatoes! Small potatoes!"

Vanni appeared with a bag of small potatoes, "Here you go!"

Anning took the potatoes and poured them out onto the table.

Napoleon looked at Vanni, "How do you always manage to produce anything I ask for immediately? I can never get that from other maids."

Vanni shrugged, "It's just that I happen to be carrying the right thing every time. Like these potatoes, I was just about to take them to the kitchen to make soup for the commander."

Anning said, "Enough chatter, come over here."

He positioned a few of the potatoes in a line on the map, "During an assault, where should a commander be positioned?"

He glanced at the three people present: Napoleon, Lana, and Bernadotte, then picked up a larger potato and placed it in the front of the line.

"Right here. At the onset of the attack, the commander should be in front of the troops, where everyone can see you and be inspired!"

Then Anning took a few apples and set them in front of the potato line: "And then when you encounter the enemy, and the enemy's cannons begin to fire, where should the commander be?"

As he spoke, he took Bernadotte's pipe, placed it on one of the apples, creating a "cannon" that was "smoking."

"At this point, the commander should still be in front, because the enemy isn't going to aim specifically at one commander to shoot, and even if they did aim, cannon shots are definitely not accurate. It's a matter of probability, and the chances of getting hit are pretty much the same no matter where you stand.

"Then the enemy starts firing. Where should the commander be at that moment? You should be on this side, where the enemy forces are weaker! That way, you're less likely to get hit! If you get hit, not only will you lose a commander, but the whole line could collapse!

"Now the enemy is launching their frontal assault, where should the commander be?"

Lana grabbed the big potato representing the commander and placed it at the very front of the formation, "Right here!"

"No, no!" Anning firmly shook his head, "At this time, the commander should be at the very back of the troops, find high ground!"

He took Napoleon's hat off and placed it on the table to form a "high ground," then placed the large potato on top, "The commander should be here, clearly observing where the enemy is attacking from, to avoid being flanked. This is the most important responsibility of a commander! And now, under the commander's leadership and the troops' valor, the enemy is defeated and retreats. Then, it's time for the commander to return to the front of the troops!

"Got it?"

Napoleon and Bernadotte, one without his hat and the other without his pipe, both nodded again and again.

But Lana laughed, "That's wrong. You teach us this way, but you don't do it yourself. You always lead the charge at the most dangerous times, you're always at the very front!"

Anning thought to himself that's because I have a 'cheat', understand? Nobody can beat a spinning top, understand?

But he couldn't tell that to Lana, so he could only laugh awkwardly, "That's because the situation is critical. But my advice is nonetheless flawless!"