I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 787 The Great Victory in Lombardy

Milan.

In Baron Tremeloni's villa, Beaulieu, who was recuperating here, looked at the report just sent by Reptay, with a disdainful smile on his lips, and said to the officer beside him:

"Tell Colonel Reptay that you can agree to the French's request not to blow up the bridge and use this to delay it for another two days.

"We will need this bridge when we go to Alexandria in the future.

"In less than half a month, reinforcements from the direction of Genoa will arrive, allowing Colonel Reptay to retreat to the Ticino River..."

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As he was talking, an officer stumbled in and pushed the door open, saying in a frightened voice:

"Marshal, we found traces of the French army in the southern suburbs. There are at least three to four thousand people... They also have a lot of cavalry..."

Beaulieu stood up from his chair and subconsciously crossed himself.

The curse is here again!

Reptay had just reported that there were tens of thousands of French troops facing him, so where did these thousands of people come from?

Are the French rabbits?

You can get out from anywhere...

With a pale face, Beaulieu motioned to the attendant to get his uniform, then turned to the officer beside him and shouted:

"Quick, let Major Martinelli prepare for battle..."

Halfway through, he shook his head sadly.

There were only more than 400 soldiers in Milan, 150 of whom were his guards, and most of the rest were injured and were not suitable to follow Reptay to the Po River defense line.

It is impossible to defend Milan!

Beaulieu looked at the officer who called the police: "How far are the French from here?"

"They left Lodi early in the morning. They were probably still six miles away from Milan at this time."

6 miles is less than 10 kilometers and can be completed in half a day at most.

Beaulieu hesitated for a few seconds, put on his coat, and told the herald:

"Tell Major Martinelli to gather his troops and withdraw with me to Mantua."

Mantua was a fortress east of Milan, guarding the passage from Lombardy to Austria. Austria has been operating there for many years, taking advantage of the difficult terrain to build an extremely strong fortress.

As long as he can escape to Mantua, he can ensure that he is safe even if tens of thousands of French troops are chasing him.

When Melas leads the main force to return for reinforcements, no matter how unfavorable the situation is, it can be reversed.

…

Outskirts of Milan.

"The terrain on the southeast side of Milan is relatively flat, suitable for cavalry deployment." Napoleon pointed to the map on the saddle and told Grouchy, "The grenadiers will block the enemies rushing out of the city on the flanks. You must use the fastest speed to The speed starts from..."

"Sir Commander," a ranger lieutenant suddenly came to him and gestured to his side, "This is the negotiator sent by Milan, Count Reale."

"Negotiator?" Napoleon looked at the man in black formal clothes, "Milan, not the Austrian garrison?"

The negotiator hurriedly saluted him respectfully: "Distinguished and heroic Commander, on behalf of the Milan City Hall and all the citizens of Milan, I would like to extend my most cordial and humble greetings to you..."

Napoleon narrowed his eyes and asked, "Where are the defenders in the city?"

"Ah, Marshal Beaulieu left Milan four hours ago."

When the surrounding soldiers heard this, they burst into cheers:

"The cowardly Austrians slipped away. We won!"

"Aha, Milan is ours!"

"Did you hear that? It's that Beaulieu, haha."

"I originally wanted to teach them a lesson..."

Napoleon signaled to Grouchy: "Take someone to confirm."

"Yes, Commander!"

An hour and a half later.

Napoleon stood outside Milan and saw a large number of citizens on both sides of the road from a distance, holding bouquets of flowers to greet him.

Yes, as Italy's national consciousness continues to awaken, Austrian rule here has become increasingly unpopular.

When the news spread that the French army had driven away the Austrian army, the Milanese people felt as if they had been liberated and came to "welcome the king's army" one after another.

However, historically, France quickly incorporated Milan into its territory, and the people here quickly joined the anti-French movement.

Grouchy on the side said: "Commander, do you need me to chase Beaulieu?"

Napoleon shook his head: "He has gone far away. It is probably difficult to find him."

"Then let's go into the city."

"No," Napoleon frowned and looked to the west, "We still have important things to do. Colonel Victor."

"I'm here, Commander."

"Leave four companies to control Milan." Napoleon said, turning his horse's head. "The others will follow me to intercept Reptay."

Victor and Grouchy looked at each other with surprise on their faces.

Please...you...collect 6...books...!

After leaving 4 companies, they only had more than 2,600 soldiers.

The Leptai Legion has more than 6,000 people.

Right now, we should immediately set up defenses in Milan. It would be good if we could hold it, but Colonel Buwanaba actually wants to take the initiative to attack!

Seeing the two men in a daze, Napoleon said loudly: "Leptay doesn't know the situation of our army at all. He will definitely be worried about being flanked by us and Marmont.

"So after he learned that Milan was occupied by us, he would definitely choose to retreat to Alessandria instead of coming to take back Milan."

Gruchy and Victor nodded together: "Then we return to Valencia immediately?"

"No, Beaulieu should have sent someone to inform Leptai, he is definitely not in Valencia." Napoleon signaled the staff to unfold the map, "I don't know if Marmont has pursued southward. Let's go to Pavia!"

Pavia is at the L-shaped bend of the Po River.

Leptai wants to go to Alessandria on the southwest side of the Po River, and he will probably cross the river from here.

Napoleon glanced at Milan behind him again and said calmly:

"I will be back soon."

The next afternoon.

Four kilometers east of Pavia, two rangers reported to Napoleon:

"Commander, a large number of Austrian troops were found near the river bank."

Napoleon nodded and waved to the already very tired soldiers:

"The great victory is ahead. Follow me to finish these last 4 kilometers, and there will be no Austrian troops in Lombardy!

"When you return to Milan, you will receive your allowance immediately. "

The soldiers immediately perked up, but they had just walked less than 1 kilometer when they heard bursts of artillery fire from the south.

Napoleon frowned: "Did Leptai discover us?"

He turned sideways to Grouchy and signaled: "You take the cavalry to delay the enemy first."

"Yes!"

However, just more than ten minutes after the cavalry battalion left, another ranger returned to report: "Commander, Major Marmont's troops are fighting the enemy."

Napoleon smiled: "Good job. Victor, let's go help him."

But when they arrived at the Po River, they only saw Marmont commanding the soldiers to drive groups of prisoners together.

In the open space in the distance, various guns, flags, drums, etc., were piled up into a small hill.