Chapter 785: The Emperor's Courage
Chapter 786 The courage to take over the emperor
The staff officer cautiously confirmed again: "You mean, including the reserve army?"
Napoleon pointed to the open space opposite the wooden bridge with his riding crop: "That's right, including the reserve army and even the engineer company, we are all gathering there."
"Yes, Commander."
Half an hour later, nearly 10,000 French soldiers lined up in three neat rows on the bank of the Po River.
On their left wing, the 14 cannons of the artillery company began to pour artillery shells on the opposite bank. However, because the distance was too far, many artillery shells fell into the river.
But the Austrian troops on the east bank of the river could only see the flickering fire under the thick smoke, the roar of cannons in their ears, and the battlefield was definitely full of chilling momentum.
Not long after, Victor and Captain Grouchy, acting commander of the cavalry battalion, came to Napoleon one after another.
"Sir Commander, the grenadier company and cavalry battalion have been assembled." Victor stood at attention and saluted, then looked at the formations on the river bank, "Are we going to launch a general attack?"
Grouchy added nervously: "The ships that can cross the river are not ready yet, so we must attack them now..."
"No, no one said they would cross the river and attack by force." Napoleon interrupted him with a wave of his hand, then looked at Victor,
"Colonel Victor, have the cavalry and grenadiers prepare for a forced march.
"Well, maybe we should pay enough attention to General Melas. You can transfer 1,000 veterans from the infantry regiment to accompany him."
"Ah? Urgent march?" Victor was stunned for a moment, but immediately said loudly, "Yes, I'll go right away!"
Napoleon watched the two men leave, then turned to look at the several civilian officers beside him, and quickly selected one of them: "Lieutenant Marcelan, I remember that you seemed to have been a lawyer before?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Then your eloquence should be excellent, right?"
"This is not outstanding, but I did have professional speech training."
"Very good. Now I appoint you as the negotiator, go to the other side and urge the Austrians to surrender." Napoleon glanced at the military uniform on his body, "Remember to change into the clothes of a colonel."
"Negotiation? Me?" Lieutenant Marcelan was a little at a loss. He was just an ordinary secretary.
He calmed down and took out a pen and paper to record: "Okay, okay. Please tell me, what conditions do we want to offer?"
Napoleon took the reins from the attendant and said without looking back: "Whatever you say, as long as the negotiation continues."
"But……"
Marcelan, who suddenly took on a big responsibility and looked embarrassed, wanted to ask again, but he only saw Napoleon's retreating back.
4pm.
Napoleon left Marmont to command the main force to confront the Austrian army, while he personally led 3,000 soldiers and rushed south along the Po River.
The six or seven thousand Austrian troops on the other side looked sluggish and had no intention of attacking. Marmont's main job is to build momentum and show his presence.
Victor shook the reins slightly, and asked his mount to walk a few steps quickly, keeping parallel with Napoleon. Then he lowered his voice and asked sideways: "Commander, what are we going to do?"
The latter said calmly: "Of course we are going to capture Milan."
"Milan?" Victor looked back at the main force, which was too far away to see clearly, and said in surprise, "Only bring this few people..."
"Enough." Napoleon smiled, "If I guessed correctly, Melas must have transferred most of his troops to Genoa to besiege General Dimopin. There should be very few troops left in Milan.
"The officers responsible for defending Milan were obviously unwilling to engage in a head-on battle with us, and pushed the defense line far to the Po River.
“In other words, Milan’s limited troops are now on the other side of the river, and the city is very empty.
"3,000 people, no, according to my original plan, 2,000 people are enough to occupy it."
Victor's eyes widened in shock: "Then where do we cross the river?"
"Lodi."
Victor understood immediately.
Lodi is on the south side of Milan, where the Ticino River joins the Po River. From there it was just a matter of crossing the Po River, avoiding the hassle of crossing the Ticino again.
But he immediately thought of another problem, looked at Napoleon and said: "Commander, there are still nearly 70 kilometers from here to Lodi, and there are Austrians everywhere along the way. If they report the whereabouts of our army to Milan, we will This trip is a waste of time.”
"No need to worry." Napoleon pointed his horsewhip at the Po River. "Why do the Austrians deploy defense lines along the river? They want to take advantage of the flood season. The water in the Po River is very turbulent, and it is difficult for our army to cross this point.
“But he forgot that the ferocious river water can also hinder the delivery of messages.
“No one is willing to risk being swept away by the current and go to the other side to report news that they don’t know whether it will be useful.
Please...you...collect 6...books...!
"So, as long as we are fast enough, Milan will never notice."
Victor's eyes were filled with only admiration.
And he also thought of an advantage that Colonel Buwanaba did not mention, that is, the section of the Po River from Valenta to Lodi has an "L" shape. The river water will be greatly slowed down at the turns. When it reaches near Lodi The water situation has eased by now.
This makes crossing the river much easier. Just build a pontoon bridge and you can transport generals, horses and cannons across it.
If it were the water flow in Valenta, this would never be possible.
Napoleon turned his head and glanced at the troops beside him. He was a little dissatisfied with the marching speed. He frowned and thought for a while, then gave a few instructions to the staff beside him.
The latter immediately turned his horse's head and shouted to the soldiers: "Everyone speed up! The commander asked me to promise everyone that if we arrive in Lodi within 4 days, all soldiers will receive a subsidy of 20 francs. If we arrive within 3 days, each person will receive 35 francs. If it takes no more than two and a half days to reach Lodi, then each person will receive 50 francs!"
The soldiers were immediately excited.
The marching column was pushed hard by an invisible giant hand from behind, and the speed was instantly much faster.
You know, the soldiers of the Montpellier Corps only have a salary of 11 francs per month. 50 francs is equivalent to a net income of 4 and a half months.
Even the cavalry of the Moulin Corps only have a monthly salary of 28 francs. This subsidy is also very attractive to them. And generally speaking, the allowance of cavalry must be increased by several percent on the basis of infantry.
Spurred by the huge bonus, Napoleon's assault troops arrived at the place where the Po River turns east at dusk the next day.
Only 35 kilometers away from Lodi.
Who says the old army's marching ability is not good?
That's because they didn't give enough francs.
As long as the bonus is in place, the soldiers will wish they could grow donkey hooves, and walking 30 kilometers a day is not a problem at all!
Two and a half days after Napoleon left Valencia, his 3,000 troops successfully crossed the Po River, occupied Lodi without bloodshed, and aimed at Milan, which was just around the corner.
