Descending On France 1780

Anning was dumbstruck when he saw the report from Italy.

"Davout is going to clear the way to Zurich with 30,000 men?"

Although Zurich does not hold many of Austria's main forces, the local troops amount to tens of thousands, and they have favorable terrain.

Switzerland is mountainous, located in the Alps, it's a mystery how Davout plans to take the area with 30,000 men.

But for some reason, upon thinking that Davout was going to undertake this task, Anning felt that he might just pull it off.

That is Davout, after all, the one who, with a secondary detachment of one army, defeated the main force of Prussia numbering more than a hundred thousand.

Bertier beside him, observing Anning's expressions, discerned that Anning was worried whether Davout could handle it and suggested, "Should we issue an order to strictly regulate the scale of troop detachment?"

Anning shook his head: "No, since Davout believes he can do it, let him try."

**

Napoleon headquarters.

"This coalition's actions are so dull!" Napoleon fumed as he paced back and forth in front of the map table, "Why won't they come out of the city and fight in the open? Now all we do all day is bombard, bombard, still bombard. Even though I am an Artillery Officer, I'll go mad at this rate."

His Chief of Staff suggested nearby, "How about you command Artillery for close-range shooting?"

"That would only be useful if it worked. I just wish those powerful cannons you talked about could be developed soon. What are those chemists doing? Put some effort into it!"

While Napoleon was complaining, Lana came in.

Napoleon was surprised: "What brings you here?"

Lana took off his hat and adjusted his hair: "Did you hear? Davout is taking 30,000 men to clear the way to Zurich. He left 70,000 men with Massena, that's 20,000 more than the enemy Massena is facing. Does Davout think Massena isn't capable enough to hold the enemy?"

Napoleon frowned at the map: "That doesn't seem right, Massena has been fighting well, despite his inability to control his lower half. Davout has been cooperating with Massena in Italy for so long, it shouldn't be like this. In my opinion, he should leave only a few men with Massena, and take the main force to attack Zurich. After all, there's still Mantua Fortress in northern Italy, which is tough."

As an officer who had fought in Italy, Napoleon had personally seen the fortifications of Mantua Fortress.

He pointed at Venice: "According to the latest intelligence, the frontline is here. Davout left 70,000 men at… I know what they are up to now, that guy..."

Lana was still puzzled: "What are they up to?"

"Vienna! Massena plans to take those 70,000 men and strike towards Vienna! That would turn our current front into a feint to attract the enemy's attention! If he succeeds, the top merit of this war will be his!"

Lana: "Isn't that bad? The top honor should belong to Your Excellency. Having two war heroes might make people think."

Napoleon: "What is there to fear? We can emphasize in our propaganda that Your Excellency kept the enemy's main forces engaged here, giving Massena an opportunity. No, we can directly promote this as Your Excellency's strategy!

"Wait a second, I haven't seen Andy in a while, maybe this is actually his strategy, ordered by him."

No, Andy just wants to clear through Zurich to secure a supply line and then thrust directly towards Vienna.

But Napoleon was not aware of this.

Lana was taken aback: "How about this, I lead a division, move towards Vienna without carrying provisions, lightly equipped, and spread the news that the French Army has arrived. Perhaps the Austrian Garrison might flee in panic, and we could take Vienna in one go!"

"No, no, my friend," Napoleon shook his head, "Vienna is not void of talented people, Grand Duke Carl is still there. He is not afraid of the French Army. What if he organizes troops to resist your division? That's too risky, you can't! As a General promoted by Andy, you don't have the right to risk your life."

Lana was taken aback: "Grand Duke Carl...There has been no news of him for a long time, I wonder what he is doing."

**

At this time, Grand Duke Carl was inspecting his troops in Bohemia.

"Although I do not have the Emperor's order, the Empire is in peril!" Carl proclaimed loudly, "To save the Empire, we must rush to the main battlefield and strike hard against the French!"

The Bohemian Corps were Carl's old troops; when Poland still existed, he commanded this troop stationed in Bohemia, confronting Russia across Poland.

Though that was the case, Carl did not possess the military prestige like Frost in the army, especially since he did not win at Sedan Fortress and was captured, imprisoned for a whole year.

Without the Emperor's order, commanding the troops directly was quite difficult for such a person.

Yet, Carl convinced the current Corps Commander Steinfenberg of the Bohemian Corps.

Steinfenberg: "The Empire is in danger, even without the Emperor's command, we must strike. The responsibility will be borne by His Excellency the Grand Duke and myself! All forces prepare to deploy immediately."

**

Imperial Palace.

Learning that Carl had gone to Bohemia to command the troops infuriated Emperor Franz II.

"How dare he overstep his authority!" While roaring, Franz grabbed the silver cup on the table and threw it to the floor.

The cup bounced high with a crisp sound upon hitting the ground.

The Imperial Chancellor Wilhelm stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, if the Grand Duke does this and wins, his prestige in the military will soar tremendously."

Franz grunted: "He won't win, that's Frost!"

"How do you know he won't win?" the Prime Minister counter-asked.

"What do you mean how do I know, that's Frost, the undefeated War God of France… Wait a minute! What are you implying?"

Wilhelm was very serious: "Haven't you noticed, the Grand Duke has been particularly enthusiastic about state affairs since he returned from France? Was he like that before?"

Franz was shocked, his face turning green: "You mean, he has been Frost's man for a long time, waiting for his chance to seize military power, then Frost would feign defeat, and he would..."

Wilhelm: "The Grand Duke also has rights to the throne."

Franz: "Issue an order immediately, prohibiting the Bohemian Corps from accepting Carl's command, forbid it! Anyone who obeys his order, execute them! No, just capturing Carl for overstepping his authority and bringing him here to lock him up in the prison immediately is enough!"

In June 1794, Grand Duke Carl was arrested by his own elder brother and imprisoned in Vienna's most heavily guarded jail.