Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

After entering Munich, Solovyov also had to prepare to return to Kutuzov's headquarters, but at this time the Russian army was still on the road and needed to go to Vienna first.

Before leaving, General von Kleinau invited him to have lunch at the headquarters.

During the meal, the general mentioned the past fighting side by side in the Italian coalition.

"You are promoted really fast, Colonel."

"If it were in Austria, you might have to wait. I remember that when I was in Italy, there were many captains who were older than I am now, and they had good backgrounds."

"This is our Kaiser's territory, not your country."

What von Kleinau said was actually very clear, that is, this is a purely institutional problem in Austria.

"But when you meet the French, it's not enough to just consider diplomacy and territory like now."

Obviously, the Austrians consider too many political issues on the battlefield, and they are also hesitant.

Now in Munich, they have also learned that Baden has also switched to the French side, and the Austrians are also very clear about the current situation.

However, in order to win over the German princes, they just waited there. In addition, Archduke Ferdinand, the commander-in-chief, was incompetent during the march, and Mark, the quartermaster general, was hesitant. The best opportunity had been lost.

At the same time, Kutuzov's army had just marched to the east of Olmutz and entered Austria. The goal of the vanguard was to cross the Austrian border again after passing through Vienna and join the Austrian army in Bavaria.

"You can say this, Colonel, we are going to Ulm next, and will you continue to be an observer here?"

"No, General."

Through these days' actions, Solovyov also roughly understood von Kleinau's attitude towards Mark. The generals below were always dissatisfied with the actions of the commander-in-chief and the quartermaster general, especially the slow marching speed. You must know that the French have deployed their 180,000 people. Although they did not fight quickly, the next action is always worrying.

He also has to consider the instructions given to him by Kutuzov.

"My mission is to bring back General Mark's deployment plan after your army enters Bavaria. The time I spent with you was quite pleasant, and I also saw the changes in the Austrian army over the years."

What he said was just polite words. He really had to return to Mark and bring back the Austrian army's plan to Kutuzov, asking the Russian army to make corresponding deployments.

Kutuzov's Podolsk Corps is now divided into two. Kutuzov himself leads 35,000 people in the front, and the rest of the troops are in the rear, commanded by Buchholden, and are also passing through Prussia.

You know, the King of Prussia seems to be very interested in Hanover recently. The Prussian Junkers, who are strong on the outside but weak on the inside and only know how to take advantage, now hope to use the "power" of the Frederick the Great era to benefit from it, rather than joining the coalition.

Obviously, they hope to gain benefits on the winning side.

Many generals on the front line don't know this at present, but Prussia's operation has indeed caused dissatisfaction among the countries that hope Prussia will join the anti-French alliance.

The troops commanded by von Kleinau performed well in Mark's army, but they were only slightly better than the Austrian army in the Danube Army.

Even worse than the Russian army that has been "slack" recently.

After his observation, Solovyov also knew what he needed to do.

On the way back, he also went to General Mark's headquarters and received a brief plan.

"Young Colonel, when you go back, you must convey the greetings of the commander-in-chief and me. I also hope that we can fight side by side in the subsequent battles and drive those French back to their nests."

"Okay, General, I also wish you can achieve your strategic goals."

Solovyov's tone was a bit weird, and Mark frowned a little when he heard it.

"You seem to have some concerns, Colonel."

"In Ingstadt, General. You have to know that the Bavarian Corps escaped from Munich unscathed. If they lead the way for the French, enter from several major passes, and at the same time carry out deception on the front, they can induce us to focus our attention to the west, and then cut us off in half. In this way."

"I don't think so, Colonel, you think too much."

If Solovyov were a general, he would fight back now. After all, this imaginary battle is really funny and ridiculous.

"Sir, it is always good to think more. Moreover, Napoleon is a man who acts very quickly and cunningly. I am worried that he will resort to some strategic deception."

"Thank you for your reminder, Colonel. You still have to go back to General Kutuzov. We will meet in Ulm next."

"Well, I wish you the best."

Considering that in Mark's headquarters, there is Archduke Ferdinand who is no different from a vase, Mark himself is too subjective and indecisive, and Prince Schwarzenberg who is even more hesitant.

There is nothing worse than such a headquarters.

Besides, what can be said is already here, and the words "strategic deception" are also here. Let Mark solve the rest by himself.

Although my friend will die, I will try not to let him die. I will not die, but I will persuade you not to die.

Then, we will leave the Austrian headquarters and head east to find the Russian army entering Moravia, and report to Kutuzov what we have seen here.

Before Mark sealed the map and plan with wax, Soloviev had seen the general deployment.

He had his own worries, but he would not continue to talk to Mark here. The quartermaster general was not even as vigilant as von Kleinau.

Now, we can embark on the road back to the Podolsk Corps, and we still have to travel day and night.

At this time, we still need a good body. Soloviev can also feel that his immunity is still good, and he has not felt too tired after running for such a long time.

Along the way, he often used the Austrian post station to change horses, so that he could return to Kutuzov as soon as possible.

The journey was smooth. After a few days of traveling, he also encountered the vanguard of the Russian army, and the flag was very familiar to him.

It was the emblem of the Pavlograd Hussar Regiment and the 6th Chasseur Regiment. It was obviously Bagration's column.

Solovyov also saw Bagration with a serious face and greeted him from a distance.

"Misha, how is the Austrian army?"

"Not very good, where is the commander-in-chief?"

"He is resting in the village behind. You know, we are not in the war zone at the moment, and we can't delay the commander-in-chief's rest."

"Aha, that's okay. We are far away from the front line, but the formation of the Austrians is not optimistic."

Bagration was originally a serious person, and his face was "very long". Hearing this, his face was even longer.

"How bad is that?"

"I won't stay here for long. I'm going to the commander-in-chief."

Then, he rode with his entourage to continue looking for Kutuzov.

At this moment, Kutuzov was taking a nap in the manor of an Austrian nobleman. Such a long march was also a torture for an old man of his age.

Not everyone is like Suvorov at the age of 69, who can still stay energetic during the expedition.

We should also consider that Kutuzov has always been lazy.

As for the adjutant at the door, Andrei is not on duty here today, but Solovyov is indeed more senior than the average adjutant.

After all, he is still the commander of the Guards and the aide-de-camp, and his position is higher than that of the commander-in-chief's adjutant.

"Colonel, the commander-in-chief is resting."

"I have been on the road for so long, I don't mind a little while, let me rest for a while."

"Okay, do you want coffee?"

"If you are talking about coffee Vasha, do you know the hand-ground coffee that the commander-in-chief learned from the Turks?"

"I haven't seen it, but I heard that the commander-in-chief went to Constantinople as a special envoy of Her Majesty the Queen."

"It's like this, I once went to the commander-in-chief's house and drank that very special coffee, but it was very uncomfortable without sugar."

Soloviev drank the coffee ground by Kutuzov's servant at the time, which he actually learned from the commander-in-chief himself.

What's more outrageous is that Kutuzov was by the queen's side on the last day before her death, and he was also there before Paul was killed. Even though he was not in harmony with Alexander, he still received a certain amount of respect.

This has something to do with his smooth personality. He even made hand-ground coffee for the younger favorite Count Zubov, played cards with the emperor in the palace, and got along well with various ministers. This is also a special talent.

He even learned to play mahjong recently.

He should have no shortage of food, drink, entertainment and lust.

But his ears are always erect, and he is highly alert to the outside world.

Although Solovyov often wants to say that he is an old fox, according to the Chinese zodiac, it seems that the old man is still a rabbit.

No matter how you say it, he is cunning enough.

Kutuzov, who was napping inside, now heard the discussion outside.

"Vasya, who are you chatting with?"

"Mikhail Ilarionovich, it's Colonel Solovyov who is back, and he also brought General Mark's mail."

"He came back so quickly, let him in!"

Kutuzov always makes himself more comfortable when he rests, but with his weight, he really needs a sturdy rocking chair.

"Sir, I came back urgently from the Austrian headquarters with a letter from General Mark and a brief outline of the plan."

"Ah, Solovyov, you've been with the Austrians for a long time, and you've become like this when you speak. Moreover, I have a hunch that this is not a good thing. I can tell from the tone of your voice."

"You should read it yourself. I saw the brief outline of the plan in front of Mark before, and I actually know roughly what he is going to do."

Kutuzov's movements were always slow. He opened the envelope first, and then the package brought back by Solovyov.

"I'm reading it here. As for the content, you should be able to judge what it is."

"Yes, I also want to state my own opinion."

Kutuzov waved his hand, indicating that he could come to speak.

But Solovyov still waited for a while until Kutuzov opened the folded map.

"I think General Mark, taking Ulm as his strategic center, will easily cut off the retreat. The French will mobilize at least 150,000 people, and their speed of action is expected to be very fast. If Napoleon personally arrives in Strasbourg, it is possible to cut off the retreat of the Austrian army from Ingstadt with the support of the Bavarian army familiar with the terrain."

"This makes sense, but what are you going to do?"

"Don't leave the army in Ulm, retreat to Augsburg and Ingstadt. Although you lose the geographical advantage, this is an internal operation and can also stretch the French front line. At least we should consider how not to be defeated, at least when facing the enemy's superior forces, we should not let the enemy win a decisive victory."

" That's right, but you can't decide what the Austrians are doing. We still have to go all out to Linz and try to cooperate with our friendly forces. "

Next, Kutuzov looked at the map again, thought for a while, and asked: "What should you do if the French come from several directions?"

"You mean, the French will go around from the pass further east, or to Ingstadt."

"Well, that's it, kid, you are the same age as Archduke Ferdinand, if you switch positions with the commander of the Danube Corps, you might do well!"

Speaking of this, Kutuzov's meaning is very clear. The Austrians always let the royal relatives serve as commanders, but except for Archduke Karl, they are all masters of sending heads.

Moreover, after reading this plan, he did not feel optimistic.

But for the Russian army, as a friendly force, it still needs to advance quickly, and it will arrive near Linz in October, and then it will meet with the Austrian army as soon as possible.

If it cannot cooperate, it must also cover the back of the Austrian army. From the whole idea, it is indeed the case.

But we also have to consider that the French moved too fast. Just when Soloviev returned to Kutuzov, Napoleon had already issued an order requiring the Grand Army to quickly deploy along the Rhine River and cross the river to launch operations.

This is also very simple, because the coalition forces are scattered in many places, each in several directions due to marching distance or geographical separation. If he wants to defeat them one by one, then Mark, who is closest, is obviously the easiest target for him.