Chapter 648: Don't Worry, I'm Just Passing Through
Count Ségur smiled slightly.
"Thank you for the reminder, but I believe it's not too late. In fact, the soldiers of the Royal Guard Corps will arrive here in three days."
Previously, the Royal Guard Corps, en route to an exercise in Baden, had been redirected southward upon receiving new orders. After a rapid march, they were now near Turin in Sardinia.
Duke Ercole III of Modena widened his eyes in shock.
"So soon? But…"
He fidgeted with his cane, glancing at the floor.
"I need to consult my ministers first."
Modena, a small nation with a population of only 800,000 and an area less than one-fifth of Switzerland's, had no desire to be embroiled in the power struggles of giants like France and Austria.
Ségur spoke firmly,
"Your Majesty, you must understand that Austria's military exercises are about more than just trade agreements.
"Their 30,000-strong army poses a significant threat to the entire Italian region."
He sipped his tea before continuing.
"Especially since Modena has ongoing tensions with Parma and Lucca, both of which have close ties to Austria.
"If Parma were to request Austria's support one day, Austria wouldn't even need 30,000 troops. Just a fraction of that force would be enough to overwhelm your nation."
Noting the thoughtful expression on Duke Ercole III's face, Ségur added,
"Furthermore, Sardinia has long claimed sovereignty over central Italy.
"In other words, your nation is constantly surrounded by potential threats."
Duke Ercole III looked at him with confusion.
"What exactly are you suggesting?"
"His Highness, the Crown Prince, believes that this exercise presents an opportunity for France and Modena to collaborate militarily," Ségur explained.
"Specifically, we can assist in training your army, provide weapons, or even station troops here directly."
Duke Ercole III was tempted. French support would undoubtedly strengthen Modena's security. However, France itself was a potential threat, especially if they stationed troops in Modena.
Ségur smiled.
"If you feel it's necessary, we can formalize this arrangement with a military agreement—or a secret pact, if you prefer—to shield you from Austrian aggression."
Seeing the duke still hesitant, Ségur unveiled the "bait" prepared by the Crown Prince.
"Oh, by the way, sales of our composite board furniture are surging in Italy. We're planning to build a cutting and packaging plant in the region. If our two countries cooperate, I believe Modena would be the ideal location for this factory."
Duke Ercole III immediately nodded.
"I would greatly welcome cooperation between Modena and the great nation of France. Let us arrange to sign a secret agreement soon."
Composite board furniture was wildly popular in Italy. Hosting the cutting and packaging operations would allow Modena to claim a share of the profits from all French furniture sold in Italy—a significant revenue boost for a small country like Modena.
Four Days Later
The Austrian army, led by General Keim, completed their exercises in Pisa, Tuscany. They began marching north through Lucca, intending to return to Austria via Parma.
Although crossing through Modena would have been more direct, tensions between Parma and Modena—despite their familial ties—led the Austrians to take a detour.
As the 30,000-strong Austrian force reached the border town of Tersuco, where Parma, Lucca, and Modena met, a Modenese diplomat approached and informed General Keim that France and Modena would be conducting joint military exercises.
Keim was initially surprised, then burst into laughter.
"The French are holding exercises? Don't they realize it's far too late for that?"
The other officers joined in the laughter. Just the previous day, Parma had announced plans to impose higher tariffs on French goods. By the time the French conducted their exercises, the trade dispute would likely be over.
The Modenese official bowed and departed.
Keim dismissed the news as a minor distraction and continued his leisurely conversation with his staff officers, occasionally waving to the curious townsfolk of Tersuco.
However, as the Austrian army passed through a narrow valley, a sudden, deafening explosion echoed from their rear flank.
"Artillery fire!"
One officer looked around in shock.
"Where's the cavalry? What's going on?"
Another thunderous explosion followed. Keim's face darkened.
"Could this be the French exercise?"
An officer beside him frowned.
"Why would they be conducting exercises here of all places?"
Before they could discuss further, rapid gunfire erupted from the eastern hillside. The seasoned Austrian officers immediately recognized the sound of at least two to three thousand rifles being fired.
Keim hadn't informed his soldiers about the French exercises, not considering them a threat. Now, the unexpected sounds of gunfire and artillery sowed panic among the Austrian troops.
With a loud thud, a cannonball landed in a grassy field a few hundred paces ahead, scattering dirt and grass.
The Austrian soldiers, already on edge, began to panic. A junior officer shouted,
"Enemy attack! Sound the alarm!"
"Form ranks! The enemy is to the southeast!"
"Rally to me! Grab your weapons, you fools!"
The Austrians' drums, bugles, and frantic shouting created chaos. Some units tried forming defensive lines, while others scrambled to regroup with their commanding officers. The scene quickly devolved into a chaotic mess.
Adding to the confusion, the ground trembled as a thousand French cavalry appeared on the Austrians' right flank.
Riding in perfect formation, the cavalry swept past the Austrians at full speed, firing their carbines into the air.
Believing they were under attack, the Austrian soldiers panicked further. Many instinctively fled from the approaching cavalry, causing a break in the long, narrow column—a scene reminiscent of an earthworm being pecked in half by a bird.
It took half an hour for Keim's orders to finally restore some semblance of order. Officers scrambled to regroup their troops, who were scattered across the area.
But just as calm was being restored, several men with notebooks approached Keim's position. Standing behind his guards, they shouted,
"General, we are reporters from The Genoa Commercial News. Can you explain why your troops were in such disarray earlier?"
Keim glared and ordered the journalists to be removed. Looking up, he saw a dozen more reporters scattered among his troops, questioning soldiers or interviewing residents of Tersuco.
A sinking feeling washed over him.
The next morning, after his routine shave and breakfast, Keim picked up the freshly pressed newspaper brought by his aide.
His vision darkened as he read the headline on the front page:
"French Forces of 5,000 Hold Exercises Southwest of Modena, Sending 30,000 Austrians into Panic and Disarray."
The accompanying article described in detail how the Austrian troops fell into chaos upon hearing gunfire and artillery, how they broke ranks when French cavalry approached, and how dozens were injured in the stampede caused by their own panic.
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