Descending On France 1780

Anning himself started to doubt: "Really? Would it take at least a month for our letters to reach Italy? The messenger has to cross the Alpine Mountains, and even without considering the enemy's checkpoints, this also takes a long time, right?"

Bertier countered: "How long do you think it would take to conquer a city step by step? Can it be done within a month?"

Anning was taken aback: "I think not. I mean, if the enemy has sufficient supplies, no."

In fact, as long as there is a way to break into the city, the French Army should be able to achieve a quick victory; the problem is how to penetrate the city.

Other than charging forward with casualties as one method, all other methods are time-consuming.

For example, things like digging tunnels and other earthworks would require a lot of time.

At that moment, Anning felt as if he was back playing Continental Europe 4, deploying a general to a fortress and then besieging it for half a year.

Anning said, "We'll attack on both fronts; while contacting Davout, mobilize the heavy artillery, primarily attack cities that are crucial for establishing our supply lines. Is it possible to bring in the Navy's heavy artillery? Or perhaps deploy the Navy to enter the canal from the mouth of the Danube River and advance along the river..."

Bertier said, "First we need to defeat the Mediterranean Fleet of the Royal Navy and then convince the Sultan of Osman to allow us to pass through those two straits."

Anning slapped his forehead. "Damn, I forgot about the British. Wait, the British haven't declared war on us yet..."

"Do you think they will sit idly by as we detour to Istanbul? No, no, even if there's no declaration of war, the Royal Navy might still raid our warships, because they have letters of marque. It's just that they normally don't do this anymore.

"But if we decide to detour to Istanbul, soon you'll receive news that our fleet was robbed by the Barbary pirates."

Anning grimaced: "'Barbary pirates,' huh..."

"Yes, the Barbary pirates, or it could be the Hospital Knights intercepting our fleet. They always find ways to disguise themselves. At sea, identities can only be discerned through flags."

Anning shook his head repeatedly.

In this era, once fleets are at sea, the only ways to establish contact are sending a dispatch vessel back, or sending letters when passing certain locations so that other ships can convey them, leaving ports mostly unaware of what's happening at sea.

Even if someone runs back to report that the British Navy intercepted our fleet, you have no evidence.

Unless we defeat the Royal Navy and capture their ships or the Military Flag and Commander's sword from on board, only then do we acquire a measure of credibility to negotiate with diplomats.

But that's the Royal Navy we're talking about; it's difficult for France at this time to seize the Military Flag from the Royal Navy.

Of course, Anning is already building iron steamships, which might outmatch the Royal Navy when they become practical, but that's years away.

So the option of maneuvering through the Danube River for a surprise attack doesn't exist.

Even if we really deal with the Royal Navy and Osman, there are still several countries along the Danube route before reaching the Austrian capital, Vienna.

The Danube River is famous for flowing through many countries; that's why it's also called the 'brainy' river.

Anning: "If we can't go through the Danube River, then we can only resort to bombarding with heavy artillery, still attacking on both fronts. Once Davout captures Zurich and opens the route, we divide our troops into two; one hundred thousand men under Napoleon's command to contain the coalition which has lost the will to fight outside the city, and I will lead a hundred thousand to attack Vienna."

Bertier seemed a bit worried about this plan: "Although by then the enemy's morale and supplies might not be sufficient to support them leaving the city to fight us in the open, wouldn't a hundred thousand men be a bit risky against so many enemy forces?

"The troops attacking Vienna from Zurich, with Davout's main force and an additional army or two should suffice, leaving Napoleon with more troops to deal with unforeseen circumstances is more appropriate."

Anning: "We'll decide then. For now, let's establish contact with Davout, and before that, besiege and assault the city. Remember to have the domestic forces dismantle the naval heavy artillery and transport it overland."

"If we are to transport the naval heavy artillery, I'm afraid we need to allocate troops to repair and supply the roads," said Bertier.

Anning gestured: "You arrange that. The labor for road repairs can be managed by the republic governments established in the occupied areas. They can't just enjoy the benefits of liberation; they must contribute their labor!"

**

Thus, twenty days passed in a deadlock.

That morning, Venice, Italy.

Davout was waiting in the headquarters for the head of the newly established city council of Venice to visit him.

From the window of his map room, one could directly see the famous Venice St. Mark's Cathedral.

It was at this moment that Davout suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes downstairs.

Yes, Venice does have land suitable for horse riding; the pigeons that roost in the square in front of St. Mark's Cathedral are still a famous tourist attraction.

Davout: "It might be someone from the city council."

As he spoke, he straightened his military uniform and then saw the door open, with Massena striding into the room.

"Oh, my friend!" Massena said as he embraced Davout warmly.

During the embrace, Davout smelled a scent of roses on Massena, probably from flirting with a pretty lady he had met on the way.

Davout: "Is the matter with the Sardinian Kingdom settled?"

"Yes, it's settled. The King was exiled, just like Louis XVII! However, the gentlemen in Turin seem reluctant to unite with Milan to form one nation, even though Turin is already using the paper money you issued. They just don't want to unify."

Davout shrugged: "That might be a good thing. If Italy were united, France might have another strong enemy."

Massena: "Or possibly a strong ally. Don't be so serious, while the Italian army is quite capable, they are still no match for us. If they betray the Republic, we'll just fight them again!"

Davout was about to say something when he heard the sound of horseshoes downstairs again.

This time the horseshoes sounded very urgent, as if carrying urgent news.

Then someone downstairs shouted: "Urgent dispatch for Davout and Massena from Mr. Frost!"

Davout and Massena looked at each other and walked out together.

Just as they reached the door, Davout's chief of staff hurriedly came in: "An urgent dispatch, General."

Davout took the envelope, tore it open, and began reading it immediately.

After a moment, he handed the letter to Massena.

Massena took the letter and asked, "What does it say?"

"It orders us to head north to Zurich, to clear a path from Vienna across the Alpine Mountains directly to France. Mr. Frost wants to bypass the series of fortresses along the Danube River and go straight for Vienna."

Massena scoffed: "Why go to Zurich? We only have less than 50,000 Austrian troops in front of us, we can break through them and go straight to Vienna."

Davout pursed his lips, looking at the map.

Massena continued: "Look, the ultimate goal is to take down Vienna, right? What does it matter whether we go through Zurich or not?"

Davout shook his head: "No, Mr. Frost might want to take Vienna himself. If this is his glory, we have no right to overstep!"

Massena persisted: "Then write to him, tell him that we think it's better to go straight for Vienna now."

Davout: "No, it takes a month and a half to go back and forth, it's too time-consuming."

Massena: "Then how about this, you take half of the troops to fight in Zurich, and I will break through the enemy in front of us with the other half. Once I reach Vienna, we will surround it and wait for Mr. Frost to attack the city."

Davout looked at Massena: "Can you do it?"

"Let's try. Anyway, the instruction in the letter was for me to hold Italy. If I can't beat the Austrian army, I'll rely on Mantua Fortress for defense. This can also be seen as a preventative attack, attacking before the enemy does!"

Davout smirked: "Alright, I'll leave you an extra twenty thousand men, and take thirty thousand to fight in Zurich. You try to breakthrough with seventy thousand."

Massena snapped his fingers: "Deal!"