King's Landing in France

Chapter 359 Davout and Massena Have Unique Views on Orders

An Ning herself became suspicious: "Is it really possible? It will take at least a month for us to send a letter to Italy, right? The messenger has to cross the Alps, even if you don't consider the enemy's checkpoint, it will take a long time, right?"

Berthier asked back: "How long do you think it will take to attack the city step by step? Can it be defeated in a month?"

An Ning was stunned: "I don't think so. I mean, if the enemy has enough food and grass, they can't."

In fact, as long as there is a way to break into the city, the French army should be able to win quickly. The problem is how to break into the city.

Except for the method of rushing forward with casualties, the remaining methods are very time-consuming.

For example, it takes a lot of time to do soil work and dig tunnels.

An Ning regained the feeling of playing Europa Universalis 4 at that time, launching a general from a fortress, and then surrounded the first half.

An Ning: "We will use a two-pronged approach. While contacting Davout, we will mobilize heavy artillery and attack cities that are more important for us to establish communication lines first. Can the navy's heavy artillery be brought up? Or dispatch the navy to enter the canal from the mouth of the Danube and go up the river... ..."

Berthier: "Then we have to defeat the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet first, and then convince the Ottoman Sultan to allow us to pass through those two straits."

An Ning slapped his forehead with his hand: "Damn it, forget about the British. Wait, the British didn't declare war on us..."

"Do you think they're going to sit back and watch us detour around Istanbul? No, no, the Royal Navy could have robbed our warships even if war hadn't been declared, because they have a privateer's licence, it's just that they generally don't do it these days.

"But if we're going to take a detour to Istanbul, you'll soon get word that our fleet has been robbed by Barbary pirates."

An Ning curled her lips: "'Barbary Pirates'..."

"That's right, the Barbary pirates, or maybe the Knights of the Hospitallers intercepted our fleet. In short, they can always find a way to disguise. The only way to judge identity at sea is by the flag."

An Ning shook her head again and again.

In this era, if the fleet goes out to sea and wants to communicate, they can only send a contact ship back, or pass by somewhere to send a letter, and let other ships bring it back, so the port basically does not know what happened at sea.

Even if someone came back and reported that the British Navy intercepted the fleet, you have no evidence.

Unless the Royal Navy is defeated, the Royal Navy's ship or the flag on board, and the commander's saber are captured, this will be convincing enough for diplomats to find someone to tell the truth.

But that is the Royal Navy. At this time, it is still a bit difficult for France to snatch the flag of the Royal Navy.

Of course, An Ning is already building iron-clad steamships. When it is practical, it may beat the Royal Navy, but I don't know how many years it will take.

Therefore, the option of taking the back road of the Danube does not exist.

Of course, even if the Royal Navy and the Ottomans are really dealt with, there are more than one country along the Danube River. To get to Vienna, the capital of Austria, you have to pass through several countries first.

The Danube is famous for flowing through many countries, or it is called "multiple brains".

An Ning: "If you can't take the Danube River, then you can only pile up heavy artillery to attack the city. Let's go both ways. Davout took Zurich and opened up the passage. We divided the army into two parts. 10 people were commanded by Napoleon and have not left the city. A coalition of fighting desires, 10 men led by me to attack Vienna."

Berthier seemed a little worried about this plan: "Although by that time the enemy's morale and supplies may not be enough to support them to leave the city and fight with us, but is 10 people a bit dangerous for so many enemy troops?
"For the troops attacking Vienna from Zurich, it should be enough to have Davout's main force and strengthen one or two armies. It is more appropriate to leave more troops for Napoleon to deal with unexpected situations."

An Ning: "We'll talk about it when the time comes. Let's contact Davu first. Before that, we will besiege and attack the city. Remember to ask the country to dismantle the heavy naval guns and transport them over by land."

"If we want to transport naval heavy artillery, I'm afraid we have to send troops to repair the supply road." Berthier said.

An Ning waved his hand: "You arrange it. The labor force for repairing roads can be taken care of by the republican government established in the occupied area. They can't just enjoy the benefits of liberation, they have to work!"

**
In this way, 20 days passed in a stalemate.

This morning, Venice, Italy.

Davout was waiting at the headquarters for a visit from the head of Venice's newly created city council.

From the window of his map room, you can directly see the famous St. Mark's Basilica in Venice.

At this moment, Davout suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes downstairs.

Yes, there is land in Venice where you can ride a horse, and the pigeons perched in the square in front of St. Mark's Basilica in the future are still a famous tourist attraction.

Davout: "Maybe someone from the city council is here."

As he spoke, he straightened his military uniform, and then he saw the door open, and Masséna walked into the room.

"Oh, my friend!" said Masséna, hugging Davout warmly.

While embracing, Davout smelled the scent of roses on Masséna's body, probably because he flirted with a pretty lady he met by chance on the way here.

Davout: "Is the matter of the Kingdom of Sardinia finished?"

"Yes, it's over, the king was exiled, just like Louis XVII! But the gentlemen of Turin seem to be reluctant to unite with Milan to form a country, obviously Turin is already using the paper money issued by you, but Just don’t want to integrate.”

Davout shrugged: "Maybe this is a good thing. If Italy is unified, maybe France will have another strong enemy."

Massena: "There may be another powerful ally. Don't be so serious. Although the Italian army's combat effectiveness is very good, it is still different from ours. If they betray the Republic, we will fight back!"

Just as Davout was about to say something, the sound of horseshoes came from downstairs again.

This time the hoofbeats were very urgent, as if there was an urgent matter running all the way.

Then someone shouted downstairs: "Master Frost's dispatch to Davout and Massena!"

Davout and Masséna looked at each other and walked out together.

As a result, as soon as he arrived at the door, Davout's chief of staff hurriedly opened the door and came in: "Urgent, General."

Davout took the envelope, tore it open, and began to read directly.

A moment later he pressed the letter to Massena.

Massena took the letter and asked, "What's written on it?"

"Let us go north to Zurich, and open the way from Vienna over the Alps to France. Your Excellency wants to bypass the series of forts on the Danube and go straight to Vienna."

Massena pouted: "Why go to Zurich? We have less than [-] Austrian troops in front of us. We can penetrate them and go straight to Vienna."

Davout pursed his lips and looked at the map.

Massena continued: "Look, the ultimate goal is to win Vienna, isn't it? So as long as we win Vienna, what does it matter if we go to Zurich?"

Davout shook his head: "No, your Excellency may want to take Vienna by yourself. If this is your honor, we have no right to presume!"

Massena did not give up: "Then write to him and tell him that we judge that it is better to go straight to Vienna now."

Davout: "No, it takes a month and a half to go back and forth. It takes too much time."

Massena: "Well, then, you take half of the army to attack Zurich, and I use half of the army to penetrate the enemy in front of me. When I get to the city of Vienna, we will surround Vienna and wait for your Excellency to come and attack the city."

Davout looked at Massena: "Are you okay?"

"Give it a try. Anyway, the instruction given to me in the letter is to defend Italy. If I haven't fought against the Austrian army, I will rely on the Mantua fortress to defend. This is not a violation of your order. When you ask, you will say that we are taking precautions." Sexual attack, attack before the enemy attacks!"

Davout curled his lips: "Well, I will leave 2 people for you, and take 3 people to attack Zurich. You use 7 people to try to break through the current enemy."

Massena snapped his fingers: "Deal!"

(End of this chapter)