Chapter 218 Quick decision

Chapter 219 Quick decision

The officers watched in confusion as the luxurious conference table was moved away and replaced with an ordinary small wooden table.

Joseph then pointed to the room where he was, with columns and roofs decorated with complex geometric patterns and tapestries hanging on the walls, and said to everyone:

"I hope that all future combat meetings will be held in military tents. Please remember that what we have to do is to fight and win the war, so every action and everything around us must be related to combat. Enjoy and Let’s talk about the pomp and circumstance after we win the war and return to Paris.”

Nowadays, officers in the entire European army are full of aristocratic atmosphere. For example, they still have to hold some cocktail parties and banquets on the smoke-filled front lines, and some even bring their mistresses to command the war.

The Crown Prince's Guards are actually very restrained in this regard, but they still inevitably retain some of their previous habits. Joseph must remind them in daily life to completely put an end to this bad habit.

This not only allows officers to focus more on combat, but also eliminates the barriers between soldiers and officers as much as possible, allowing them to fully trust and respect their officers.

The officers who were educated at the Paris Police Academy were not surprised at all by the Crown Prince's request - this was what they were required to do in their usual training.

The people who were least accustomed to it were naturally the people from the Mulan Legion, but they still followed Berthier and the officers of the police academy, and responded in a low voice: "Yes, Your Highness."

Immediately, more than a dozen senior officers brought ordinary wooden chairs and sat around the sand table in the middle of the room.

The sand table was personally supervised by Berthier, Europe's top surveying and mapping master, and is very detailed and accurate.

Joseph nodded to Berthier and sat at the edge - he was still very clear about his own priorities. He only took "advanced" military courses for less than a year at the Paris Police Academy. If he really wanted to command the battle in detail, It still depends on a real expert like Berthier - the main purpose of his coming here is actually to boost morale and maintain unity among officers of different origins.

Berthier came to the front, first recounted the situation in Algiers, and then said:

"According to intelligence, there are obviously British and Ottomans behind this incident. Therefore, their goal is not only to restore the rule of the Janissaries, but also to drive us away from Tunisia before our foothold is stable. Get out." He looked around at everyone with a serious expression. "Looking at the overall situation, it is very unfavorable to us. First of all, the Algiers have started preparing for war at least 6 days ago, and we are seriously behind them in this regard.

"Secondly, their combat strength is 23,000 people, while we only have more than 7,000 soldiers here. Even if we bring Dhemele's indigenous regiment, we can recruit up to 12,000 people. In terms of military strength, we are still Disadvantage. And I believe everyone knows that there is no need to count on the combat effectiveness of the indigenous soldiers."

All the officers nodded slightly when they heard this. After the rebel army captured the city of Tunisia, many troops were disbanded, especially those from indigenous tribes. After all, they are just farmers. It's okay to follow the guards and rob the property. After the war is over, they will go home and farm. At present, there are only more than 15,000 people left, and many of these people are used to maintain law and order throughout Tunisia.

"As for the enemy's combat capabilities," Berthier continued, "Albanian mercenaries are the core force that is highly relied upon in the Ottoman army. Although these people who came to Algiers are not as good as the elite Ottoman troops, and they are also mixed There are some Bosnians, but obviously they are not to be taken lightly.”

He signaled to the guards at the door: "As for the strength of the Algiers Guards, I think these Tunisian Guards know best. Please bring them in."

The soldiers immediately escorted three Tunisian Guards officers into the conference room.

Berthier looked at them and asked: "In your opinion, how does the combat effectiveness of the Algiers Guards compare with yours?"

One of the oldest Guards officers looked around nervously, and then said carefully: "Pasha, they are far stronger than us. They often recruit troops in Anatolia [Note 1], and Keep practicing five days a week.”

Another Janissary added: "Some of their weapons are even better than the Sultan's army."

The French officers all looked serious when they heard this. Obviously, their opponents this time would not be as vulnerable as the Tunisian Guards.

Joseph was not surprised by this - Algiers is a country much larger than Tunisia, and there are three forces vying for it. If its imperial guards did not want to make progress, they would have been eaten by the other two forces.

"So, it's probably going to be an uphill battle."

Andre, the commander of the Mullan Army, signaled to escort the three Guards officers out, and then pointed to the Mejerda River on the northwest side of Tunisia City on the map:

"With inferior forces, it is best for us to rely on river defense. The enemy's target must be Tunisia City. As long as we can hold it here, they will never be able to win."

The Majerda River runs through Tunisia from northeast to southwest. To the south is Mount Tunisia, the highest point of the Atlas Mountains. If you want to capture the city of Tunisia, this river must be crossed.

Defense along the river here is the most reliable strategy.

As soon as Andre finished speaking, several officers nodded in agreement.

Berthier frowned slightly: "But the north side of Bizerte and Kairouan are on the north bank of the Mejerda River. If we deploy a defense line along the river, it will be equivalent to giving these places to the enemy."

The officers immediately turned to look at him: "What is your suggestion?"

Berthier tapped the west side of Bizerte with his finger: "To enter Tunisia from Annaba, you must pass through here - Ferryville between Lake Ichikul and Lake Bizerte. We snipe here Algiers!”

Andre frowned and said: "But, Lieutenant Colonel, there is a plain there. If we choose here, we will have to face enemies several times our own."

He had automatically ignored Zhemele's indigenous army in his words.

An officer from the police academy immediately said: "But this is the only way to save Bizerte."

The officer next to him also nodded in agreement: "Losing Bizerte will encourage the remnants of the Tunisian Guards and bring us more trouble."

Those who objected loudly: "Have you ever thought that in a decisive battle on the plains, if the situation goes against us, we won't even have a chance to retreat?"

The police academy officer did not give in:

"The enemy sweeping through Bizerte will cause severe damage there. If we fail to demonstrate our ability to protect Tunisia, the authority we have just established among the locals will be lost."

"Maybe we should ask Paris to bring in more troops."

"That may take a month or two, or even longer. Who knows how the war situation will change during this period."

"And finances may not necessarily allow for a larger deployment of troops."

"So it is most feasible to rely on the Majelda River for defense."

“I think it’s totally worth trying it in Ferryville!”

The arguments between the two sides with different opinions became increasingly fierce. For a while, no one could convince the other.

At this moment, Joseph suddenly stood up and interrupted the arguing parties: "I want to know, where is our logistics source?"

Berthier immediately said: "Your Highness, it is mainly raised by Mr. Agathon and the Chamber of Commerce, and a small amount is transported by our fleet from Corsica."

"What about transportation to the front?"

"This can be left to the local army. We will send a battalion to supervise it."

Joseph suddenly frowned: "Gentlemen, with all due respect, we probably have only one option, and that is to make a quick decision.

"Now Tunisia doesn't even have an effectively functioning government. Problems may arise at any time in raising food and supplies. What's more, the Guards forces will definitely do their best to disrupt our logistics and transportation.

"As long as we get into a stalemate, logistics will kill us at any time!"

Berthier beamed with joy when he heard this: "His Highness' concern is extremely necessary. Then, we will definitely set up defenses in Ferryville."

Joseph mused: "If I predict correctly, the Algiers will also be ready to fight us there."

"That's very possible, Your Highness."

"Then the numerical disadvantage will cause us to suffer a lot of losses." Joseph shook his head slightly. The wealth of the Guards Corps was something he had saved up with great effort and could not be wasted in large quantities in North Africa.

Andre hesitated and said: "Your Highness, it seems that you agree with me?"

"No." Joseph waved his hand, then stared at the junction of Algiers and Tunisia on the map for a while, and suddenly smiled, "We have to surprise the enemy. For example, deal with them in Annaba!"

Annaba is the easternmost province of Algiers. The officers in the conference room suddenly looked at each other.

…

Paris.

Petit Trianon.

Queen Mary almost forgot her proper manners, clenched her hands into fists, and said loudly to Brian in front of her: "In other words, the army heading to North Africa has not set off yet?!"

"I'm afraid so, Your Majesty." Brian lowered his head and said, "You know, the current financial situation. The 4 million livres needed by the Marquis de Saint-Villan cannot be allocated immediately..."

He hurriedly added: "The money has been prepared, but the amount is relatively large. The French Reserve Bank wants to pay with banknotes, but the army insists on silver coins. It will take some time to exchange it."

The queen took a deep breath, obviously suppressing her anger: "It has been five days and he has not left the camp. The Algiers will hurt Joseph at any time!"

Brian said carefully: "Your Majesty, large-scale army mobilization requires a lot of preparation time. The same goes for the Algiers. They should not have left the country now."

Queen Mary almost spat out a sentence through her teeth: "Go and tell the Marquis de Saint-Priest that the Marquis de Saint-Villan's army must arrive in Tunisia before the Algiers. I will thank him sincerely." Hard work pays off.”

…

Algiers.

East of Annaba.

An army of tens of thousands of people fully dressed in Ottoman uniforms was moving forward slowly.

In the middle of the queue, the commander-in-chief of the Algiers Intervention Army, Kehel, looked at the intelligence that had just been sent in his hand, with a proud smile on his face, and threw the piece of paper to the attendant, his deputy general:

"The British obviously overestimated the French army. They were supplying the Tunisian city four days ago, and it is estimated that they will not be able to set off in the next few days."

This was sent by the remnants of the Praetorian Guard in Tunisia. The content is very reliable.

The latter took the information and read it again, turned around and said:

"General, judging from their mobilization, they are likely to set up a defense line along the Mejerda River."

"Are you trying to say that it's not easy to attack there?" Kehler snorted. "It doesn't matter how long the British attack lasts anyway. Bizerte is very rich. During this period, it's enough for us to transport all the wealth there." Back to Mitijia.”

A tall officer on the other side of Kehele said with a solemn expression:

"General, according to the reconnaissance situation the day before yesterday, the Tunisians seem to be preparing to cross the Majelda River from the north of Kairouan. This may be to prepare to fight our army in Bizerte."

"Those despicable thugs don't know how to fight at all." The attendant sneered disdainfully, "We can easily tear them apart on the plains of Bizerte. Those guys from the Tunisian Guards are really useless, and they were actually killed Such untouchables were defeated."

But Kehel ordered:

"We must also be careful of Tunisian ambush. Send an order to double the scouts and find the location of the main force of the Tunisian rebels as soon as possible."

The tall officer turned his head in confusion and said:

"General, I'm a little curious, why don't those rebels join forces with the French? The dispersion obviously makes them unable to confront us head-on."

Kehler corrected: "Even if they join forces, they don't have the ability to fight us. Those rebels were still farming a few months ago, and they shouldn't even be able to stand in line. I suspect that the French don't want to fight us too much." Attrition, so choose to defend along the river."

The tall officer asked again: "Are the French waiting for reinforcements?"

"The British said that France's financial situation did not allow them to increase their troops on a large scale. And they also promised that if France sent reinforcements, they would also provide us with more help."

As Keheler was talking, he saw a scout riding a horse, reining in the horse not far away, and said loudly:

"Report, General, word has arrived from the Albanians that their scouts have spotted Tunisians near Nefzai. Requesting your orders!"

Nefzai was already in the easternmost part of Annaba, almost beyond the border with Algiers. Albanian mercenaries, as the vanguard, had already arrived there.

Kehele narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment, then said firmly:

"It should be the tribal armed forces from Bizerta who are here to detect the movements of our army. Let Seimezi strengthen the reconnaissance and continue to move forward."

Seimezi was the Janissary officer responsible for commanding the Albanian mercenaries.

[Note 1] Anatolia generally refers to the Ottoman territory south of the Black Sea, that is, in Asia Minor. It can be regarded as the most "pure" Turkish descent.