Napoleon in 1812

Chapter 3

Napoleon’s cry from the middle of the grasslands – 2

The first thing done by Napoleon Bonaparte of the other world, who had his soul transported into the body of Emperor Napoleon I, was ending this madness (the Russian campaign). The 400,000 troops crossing the Neman River stopped moving at Napoleon’s command and stood by.

No, Napoleon could not understand how he could conquer a land thousands of kilometers away. How would we handle the huge supply of manpower if we pushed 400,000 troops into the vast, desolate land, rather than quickly hitting and sweeping a small number of captured elite troops like the old Mongol nomads?

‘If Russia responded with field tactics and delayed tactics, we would have experienced hell. If I were a Russian general, that’s what I would have done.’

The Swedish army, once Europe’s strongest soldiers, was also destroyed by such Russian tactics. Despite knowing what happened in the past, do you still want to go that path that even beginners in strategy won’t choose? Napoleon Bonaparte decided that the former owner of his body was a psychopath.

“There will be no Russian campaign. We will give up this useless expedition and return to Paris.”

At a military meeting where generals of the expeditionary army were gathered, Napoleon talked about withdrawal himself. Although there were many happy faces he was seeing after a long time, Napoleon knew best the importance and seriousness of this situation. If there were still idiots with futile dreams of an expedition to the East, he vowed to shower their burning will with a very strong rebuke.

“Whether we are doing the expedition or not, our commanders are ready to follow anything. Nevertheless, we are confident that Your Majesty’s decision is accompanied by courage and wisdom.”

“I fully support Your Majesty’s choice! The war with Russia was only a loss to the Empire. It’s a wasteland where there’s nothing to gain from conquering.”

“This has stopped the Empire from following the footsteps of Sweden and Poltava. We strongly support Your Majesty’s decision. We will be able to handle the Slavs in a different way.”

After all, the competent generals who remained in Napoleon’s memory were not foolish. They knew how absurd and self-destructive this expedition was. After hearing what they said, he seemed to have decided to go against their will before the expedition. His anger soared against Napoleon of this world. Did he try to lead stubbornly this expedition against all his military experts and advisors?

What the hell!

“We will make the army return as soon as possible. I also believe that Your Majesty have made a truly right decision.”

Napoleon nodded as he looked at the handsome man in front of him. He was Eugène de Beauharnais. He was one of Napoleon’s favorite talents. He seemed to have the same moderation and trust here. However, it was a little longer after learning that Napoleon in this world had a relationship with Josephine, Eugène’s mother, and that he had even adopted Eugène as his son.

“Whoa… I’m relieved that Your Majesty thought about everything. I’m glad.”

“The war on the Iberian Peninsula has not ended yet and is showing signs of prolonging. No matter how strong the Empire is, fighting on two fronts is too much.”

The whisper entered Napoleon’s ears as he was about to lift himself up. Napoleon stopped moving at that moment and muttered unconsciously.

“… The Iberian other front?”

Claude Victor Perrin and Nicolas Oudinot,111 among the 26 marshals of the military staff who thought the Emperor had listened to them, immediately got up and apologized, but Napoleon’s face, which was horribly hardened, showed no signs of loosening. All the advisors and generals gathered here, as well as Perrin and Oudinot, turned white. They knew well from experience that they would never see the light if the Emperor was in such a state. The atmosphere of the military council was rapidly freezing, but Napoleon, the mastermind, had no time to pay attention to it.

“… The meeting is over. Everyone… stop the army from crossing the Neman River and step back to the West bank. After that, we will discuss the future again.”

Getting up from his seat, Napoleon quickly headed for his barracks.

“You were also fighting a war on the Iberian Peninsula? You rotten pig-like Nabot (Napoleon’s insulting nickname) were determined to consume France!’

As soon as Napoleon arrived at the barracks, he searched his personal documents. He did not know anything about the current situation in France or internationally, so he wanted to learn it from the letters and documents that he went through.

“…We’ve been at war since 1808. Our enemies are England, Spain, and Portugal. At least 200,000 casualties? You idiot!”

Napoleon could not control his rising anger. In the world where he originally lived, Spain was a faithful ally and friend of France. They were comrades who fought along the French allies and who shared the sweet fruits after victory. In some ways, the Spanish liked and praised Napoleon more passionately than the people of the mainland (France), and he treated the Spanish people juste after the French.

He was in the midst of making a personal decision with Spain on the fate of the nation.

…I think even allies can wage war if there is an issue where the national interests or diplomatic interests are greatly divided even after a hundred concessions, and if sufficient gains and security are guaranteed through war.

But the Iberian Peninsula war was not triggered for that reason. Napoleon almost fainted when he learned about the war on the peninsula, which had sent 200,000 French youths over the Styx River. No, you made Joseph Bonaparte 2. King of Spain, without any justification or lineage? Did you think the title of King of Spain was like the butler of a small palace!? If Napoleon of this world had been in front of him, he would not have hesitated to shoot himself in the head with a musket.

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‘If you’ve started a war that doesn’t make sense, you’ll have to end it first before starting another. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of troops were recruited to go on a Russian expedition…

He had a splitting headache. What have I done wrong to come to this world and endure this trouble?

TL notes

[1] Claude Victor-Perrin, Duc de Belluno, Nicolas Oudinot

[2] Joseph Bonaparte, older brother of Napoleon