Chapter 805: What Wasn't Gained on the Battlefield Can Be Won at the Negotiation Table
The officers carefully digested the Crown Prince's strategy and nodded in agreement.
It was easy to imagine: if Latour's corps launched a direct assault on Basel while his troops were still crossing the river, news would reach Luxembourg, prompting Masséna to halt his attack and send reinforcements to Moreau. Meanwhile, Napoleon would confirm the enemy had no reinforcements and then launch a fierce assault on Mantua.
Conversely, if Latour split his forces and advanced to Italy, Napoleon would adopt a defensive stance upon receiving the news, and Masséna and Moreau would immediately begin their offensive.
Certainly, many uncertainties remained on the battlefield, but as the Crown Prince said, French forces, aided by the Chappe semaphore system, could always respond more quickly than the enemy.
Normally, marching from the north Rhine to the south or from the south Rhine to Italy took at least half a month.
This gave the French at least ten days' advantage in preparation.
The longer the front and the more corps involved, the more obvious this information advantage became!
Davout suddenly noticed a problem and asked Joseph, "Your Highness, if Colonel Bonaparte fails to gain the upper hand in Mantua, won't our whole line fall into a passive position?"
Joseph smiled confidently. "I have faith in him—and faith in the brave soldiers of France."
Of course. Napoleon, with just a ragtag group of fresh recruits, had already routed the Austro-Saxon coalition. Now that he was handed the Royal 3rd Infantry Division plus the Royal Horse Artillery companies, forget Mantua—he'd dare to march straight for Vienna!
With reinforcements, Napoleon would command over 60,000 soldiers, roughly equal to the Austrians in Italy.
This was a huge force advantage.
Possibly the most embattled along the entire front was Moreau—constantly understrength.
Joseph continued, "Also, Mr. Talleyrand and the Count of Provence should have already arrived in Turin."
"Ah? Turin?" The officers exchanged surprised glances—it was Sardinia's territory, an enemy state!
...
Sardinia.
Turin.
The Count of Provence and Talleyrand, cloaked and hat brims pulled low, stealthily avoided everyone, following the court steward into King Amadeo III's study.
Talleyrand glanced at the Count of Provence's sweating, anxious face and quietly reassured him, "You come here as a victor. The one who should feel nervous is His Majesty the King."
Though nodding, Provence's heart was still uneasy.
Sardinia and France were at war. What if Sardinia detained him as a bargaining chip? That would be disastrous...
Still, he dared not disobey his powerful nephew, the Crown Prince.
That was why he was here.
The steward closed the study door, and King Amadeo III immediately emerged.
The Count of Provence stepped forward, bowing. "It's been a long time, Your Majesty."
Talleyrand gave a slight bow but said nothing.
Amadeo III glanced at Talleyrand, then opened his arms to Provence, a somewhat stiff smile on his face. "Indeed, my dear Stanislas. It is truly a relief to see you amidst these troubled times."
Provence nodded. "Maria asked me to send her warmest regards. She often remembers you and Her Majesty the Queen."
Maria Giuseppina was his wife and Amadeo III's eldest daughter.
This was also why Joseph sent his uncle to Sardinia—well-connected in-laws were easier to negotiate with.
"We miss her, too…"
Talleyrand suddenly cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, though it's a bit impolite, wouldn't you prefer we discuss matters of state before small talk?"
Amadeo III nodded, "Yes, please, have a seat."
Once seated, Talleyrand fixed the Sardinian king with a commanding gaze. "Your Majesty, you may have heard that General D'Erlon's army is about to besiege Alexandria. The Melas Corps will soon be destroyed."
Amadeo III frowned. "I'm afraid that is premature…"
Talleyrand quickly said, "Then let me tell you something you may not know. The Crown Prince has dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Desai with 50,000 troops to cross the Cadibona Pass in half a month.
"Honestly, even without those reinforcements, General D'Erlon's command can easily capture Alexandria.
"Allow me to reveal part of the General Staff's plan.
"Afterwards, General D'Erlon will continue west to besiege Turin."
Amadeo III's face hardened. "They will see the fierce Sardinian resistance here!"
Talleyrand smiled. "You should know well that General D'Erlon needs only one infantry division to take it."
"If you intend to threaten me, you've made a grave mistake."
Though he spoke boldly, Amadeo III was terrified inside.
Previously, the French had crushed Austrian forces on the Italian Peninsula and had even taken Milan.
If Melas could not hold Alexandria, Turin would be doomed—if the French avoided a direct siege, encircling the city could compel surrender within three months.
Not to mention the 50,000 French reinforcements still coming. In three months, they might ravage all of Sardinia.
Talleyrand subtly gestured to the Count of Provence, who awkwardly chuckled and said, "Actually, it was I who proposed coming to Turin.
"War is always hateful. I wouldn't want you to suffer because of it."
Amadeo's expression softened. "Then, what do you suggest?"
The Count of Provence puffed out his chest. "It's simple—withdraw from the anti-French alliance. In fact, Sardinia has not officially declared war on France. There is no irreconcilable dispute between us.
"I have spoken with my brother, who promises to guarantee Sardinia's safety.
"Including protection against Austrian threats.
"You need not make this public. Just find an excuse to pull Sardinian troops back to Turin, and provide some facilities for our troops when necessary."
Amadeo seemed tempted.
Although Melas had promised reinforcements from Vienna, he doubted Austria could reclaim Milan, let alone Mantua.
He would face the French wrath alone.
He hesitated, "What about Brescia and Chambéry?"
These two provinces had been "casually" occupied by Napoleon after crossing the Great St Bernard Pass—Sardinia's military presence in Savoy was too weak, essentially handing over the territory.
Talleyrand immediately spoke loudly, "Savoy is His Majesty's sacred occupied territory, gained by the blood and cannon fire of French soldiers."
The Savoy region was Sardinia's territory on the western side of the Alps.
Amadeo III angrily demanded, "Is this the promise of the King of France?"
The Count of Provence hurriedly said, "I do not support this either. But you know how stubborn the troops are—they refuse to withdraw from Savoy. However, I have argued on your behalf, and His Majesty has agreed to compensate you with Chambéry."
Chambéry was the westernmost province of Lombardy, previously Austrian territory.
Leaning closer, he lowered his voice. "Additionally, His Majesty asked me to tell you he fully supports Sardinia reclaiming lands occupied by the Papal States."
(END CHAPTER)
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