Descending On France 1780

Grand Duke Carl had just been released from prison when the French Army began its attack.

However, Grand Duke Carl did not hastily mount his horse; instead, he leaned on the saddle and listened for a while before suddenly asking Wilhelm, "Why hasn't the French Army used cannons?"

Wilhelm replied, "It seems that the French forces outside the city have come over without securing their supply lines—they're an isolated force with only infantry, no cannons have been spotted, nor any supply wagons."

Grand Duke Carl was shocked, and he confirmed once more: "Are you sure there aren't any cannons?"

Wilhelm nodded, "Indeed, there are none. Also, according to reports from the residents who fled into the city, their soldiers look very hungry, and everyone's ration bags are flat."

Carl: "Hungry and without cannons... Why would Frost make such a decision? This doesn't seem like his style."

"It is said that Massena from Italy has already broken through the defenses and is advancing towards Vienna," Wilhelm answered.

Grand Duke Carl showed a surprised expression again: "The front in Italy was breached? When I was imprisoned, I heard that our forces there had strong defensive fortifications and even occupied high ground. Doesn't Massena have only fifty thousand men? How did they breach through?"

Wilhelm: "Firstly, Massena has seventy thousand French troops, and secondly, they received the support of fifty thousand Italian volunteers. The morale of the Italians is almost as high as that of the French troops; it seems they are quite eager to attack the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, Vienna."

Grand Duke Carl's eyebrows furrowed tightly: "The Italians... It seems they no longer wish to be part of the Holy Roman Empire. There's nothing we can do about it: apart from taxing Northern Italy, we barely did anything for the locals there."

Wilhelm: "Do you agree with Italy's independence?"

"Why not? We've ruled over Italy for so many years, yet still failed to turn their national identity into that of the Holy Roman Empire. They still see themselves as a ruled and oppressed different ethnicity, which shows our failure in governing Italy," Carl said solemnly.

Wilhelm: "This... this sounds very much like something from an article by the enemy commander Frost!"

Carl was about to defend himself when he suddenly spotted a discrepancy and turned to question Wilhelm: "How would you know it sounds like something from Frost's articles?"

Wilhelm was caught off guard: "I... I heard it while drinking with others!"

Carl: "Now the nobles in Vienna discuss Frost's articles while drinking?"

Wilhelm's eyes visibly started wandering.

Carl continued to press: "Since I returned, I've been busy and haven't participated in Vienna's social activities. Has Frost's writing gained some support in Vienna now?"

Wilhelm, unable to withstand the interrogation, finally spoke up, "Actually... there were many newspapers discussing reform that appeared in Vienna before, but they were banned by His Majesty Franz II. However, after the ban, people talked even more about it at balls.

"Often at these balls, the gentlemen, all worried, would discuss these topics, and no one would invite the ladies to dance."

Carl appeared thoughtful, but then quickly snapped back to reality: "No! Right now, what's most important is to fend off the French Army's attack! The French Army, without heavy cannons and hungry, even if it's just Vienna's garrison and the makeshift troops drawn from the populace, we should be able to hold them off!"

Saying this, he mounted his horse and began to gallop through Vienna's streets.

Wilhelm immediately mounted his horse and followed in Carl's footsteps.

Grand Duke Carl went along issuing orders to the troops he encountered.

As most of the noble officers recognized Carl, despite him just being released from prison and not wearing a military uniform, his orders were still carried out.

When Carl arrived at the headquarters, he saw the Commander run out in a hurry.

Carl was momentarily puzzled, thinking that the Commander was there to meet him. However, before he could speak, he saw the Commander mount a horse and gallop away.

Wilhelm: "It looks like the Commander has been scared witless by the French Army."

Since the Commander had fled, everyone at the headquarters was running out, ready to scatter like birds and beasts.

Carl, the Grand Duke, grabbed a guard's rifle and fired into the air.

Everyone stopped suddenly and looked at Carl.

Carl: "Do not be afraid! The French Army has no Cannon and is starving; we can beat them! In 1683, the Osman army couldn't even take Vienna! At that time, Earl Stahremberg had only seven thousand men, and about fifteen thousand volunteers! We…"

Wilhelm: "We have fewer people than him."

Carl was embarrassed, but continued his speech: "Although we do not have as many troops as Earl Stahremberg, our opponents also have fewer forces! The Osman army had 250,000 men, now the French Army facing us only have a few tens of thousands! And as I said just now, they have no Cannon and are starving!"

Carl waved his hand grandly: "We will inevitably replicate the victory of 1683! The walls of Vienna will become the wall of sighs for France!"

Wilhelm: "But after a hundred years of development, Vienna has expanded beyond the walls. Moreover, many buildings are built against the city walls, leaving no field of fire."

Carl: "Wilhelm, do you still want to defend Vienna?"

"I certainly do, but I need to tell you the real situation."

Carl: "Thank you! As long as we fight bravely, we can definitely keep Vienna!"

The nobles stopped by the Grand Duke exchanged glances.

An old Lieutenant Colonel said: "But the French Army outside is commanded by Frost!"

But right away, a young noble said: "No, there have been no reports of seeing Frost's banner, only reports of seeing Napoleon's banner! Obviously, Napoleon came early to snatch the glory!"

In reality, it was Anning who had given the order, but Anning wanted to let Napoleon earn some merit, to later place him as Commander in Spain, to let him experience how bad the situation in Spain was, so he deliberately didn't reveal that he had come along.

The Grand Duke Carl was ecstatic: "I have faced Napoleon before. Although I lost that time, I have studied his tactics thoroughly; this time, we will definitely win!"

The young officers shouted together: "We can win!"

The old nobles exchanged glances, clearly many were considering fleeing, since they were aged with significant ranks and had no motivation to earn more glory.

Carl was about to settle the matter decisively and take control of the entire headquarters when suddenly, a Messenger Soldier came galloping, shouting as he rode: "His Majesty has left the city! His Majesty has left the city!"

Carl looked up at the sky dejectedly and muttered, "Damn it."

Suddenly, he made a resolute decision, drew the Sword from the officer who held his horse, and cut down the Messenger Soldier.

"This man is a spy sent by the French Army! I know my brother best; he would never flee from the battle! Don't be fooled!"

Grand Duke Carl, holding the blood-stained Sword while mounted, looked imposingly down at all the officers present: "Now, I order you all to return to your posts, and whoever disobeys, I will chop him down!"