Chapter 807: Military Discipline
Napoleon immediately spotted the top document and his breathing grew heavy with excitement.
He was too familiar with that format—it was a commission!
Clearly, after winning a string of victories in Italy and occupying the Austrian stronghold Milan, he was about to be promoted.
Last time, after the victory at Toulon, he had been promoted to colonel, so this time it should be brigadier general!
Uncontrollably, he pictured soldiers saluting him as "General," filling him with satisfaction.
He valued power more than life itself; becoming a general meant everything to him.
Napoleon snapped to attention eagerly, looking at Brigadier General Carnot.
Carnot glanced at him, then picked up the top commission letter and slipped it to the bottom of the pile.
Napoleon's eyes nearly turned green with rage as he screamed inside: Hey! What are you doing?!
Carnot picked up the second document, unfolded it, and solemnly read:
"General Staff Special Order No. D10227.
"Colonel Napoleon Bonaparte, after occupying Milan, you violated Article 5 and Clause 2 of Article 11 of the French Army Regulations by requisitioning supplies and funds without approval from Military Supervisor Major Otolyk, and unlawfully issuing allowances to soldiers.
"Furthermore, while the D'Erlon Corps was besieged in Genoa, you received at least three requests for reinforcements from General D'Erlon but failed to provide aid or formally decline with reasons and follow-up plans, placing the corps in extreme danger.
"Based on these offenses, the General Staff hereby issues you a severe warning and revokes your colonel rank. Due to current wartime exigencies, prosecution before a military tribunal will be deferred."
Napoleon was furious.
Not only no promotion, but a demotion! How could he accept this?
"General Carnot, you can't—"
Carnot raised a hand to silence him, pocketed the order, then took another document:
"Major Bonaparte, this is from the Minister of War.
"A military police investigative team will soon arrive in Milan to thoroughly investigate your unauthorized requisitions. Please cooperate fully."
Napoleon's heart sank. His mind buzzed.
That Milan bookkeeping couldn't pass scrutiny!
He had extorted three million francs from Milanese nobles but only reported two million. If the gendarmes considered the missing million as embezzlement, this would be more than a demotion…
Luckily, the money had not been spent.
Carnot handed both documents to him. "Please sign, Major Bonaparte."
Napoleon took the papers and, flipping to the last page, saw the Crown Prince's signature, which only added to his anxiety.
More than punishment or demotion, he feared losing the Crown Prince's trust—meaning he would retire as a mere major.
He signed shakily and handed them back. "General Carnot, please… explain to His Highness…"
Indeed, Joseph intended to teach this proud lion a lesson—to recognize his place and understand the army was not his personal property.
Napoleon was a graduate of the old-style military academy and still bore some bad habits of the old army.
Things like plundering occupied areas and embezzling army funds were routine back then, and the state couldn't control it. Officers personally funded their troops and supplied weapons; the army was their private domain.
But the French new army was different: everything was allocated by General Staff; officers merely commanded. This gave the General Staff authority to strictly manage officers.
Only such an army could resist corruption and not rely excessively on individual commanders.
Like the Prussian army, for example, whose morale and discipline had plummeted in the seven or eight years since Frederick's passing, leading to sharp declines in combat effectiveness.
Joseph was determined to prevent this in the French army.
Carnot put away the signed documents and picked up the commission letter last. He looked meaningfully at Napoleon and announced loudly:
"Major Bonaparte, due to your outstanding performance and series of victories in Lombardy, especially capturing the crucial city of Milan, the General Staff has decided to promote you to colonel."
Napoleon laughed bitterly.
After all this fuss, he was still only a colonel.
Carnot continued: "The Crown Prince has also signed a special order awarding you 10% of the military funds gained from Milan—two hundred thousand francs—as a bonus.
"Fifteen percent will be distributed as special allowances to soldiers fighting in Lombardy."
He glanced at Military Supervisor Major Otolyk waiting nearby. "Major Otolyk, these funds must be personally distributed by you."
"Yes, General!"
Joseph's attitude was clear—officers and soldiers who achieved merit deserved bonuses, but it had to be clear who paid them.
The General Staff. The Crown Prince. Not any individual officer!
Napoleon relaxed hearing that the Crown Prince had indeed awarded him a substantial bonus—not as much as his own misappropriated one million, but money that could be accounted for and, more importantly, an immense honor.
It showed he still had standing with His Highness.
Carnot gathered the documents and relaxed his tone. "Colonel Bonaparte, His Highness also expressed great satisfaction with your command in Italy.
"He said mistakes must be punished, but merit must be rewarded. Once you capture Alexandria, he will personally issue your brigadier general commission."
Napoleon's spirits surged, and he snapped to attention boldly: "Thank you, Your Highness. I will repay you with my most brilliant victories!"
Carnot added, "His Highness will also assign the Royal 3rd Infantry Division and two companies of the Royal 2nd Horse Artillery Battalion under your command."
Napoleon's heart pounded fiercely.
These were France's elite troops and His Highness's personal corps.
Entrusting these units to him was a sign of absolute confidence!
Suddenly, he deeply regretted his earlier military discipline violations. How clumsy he had been, betraying His Highness's trust…
Fortunately, the merciful prince had given him a chance.
Clenching his fist, he earnestly said to Carnot: "Please tell His Highness I will never disappoint him!"
After Carnot left, Napoleon immediately gathered the officers for a war meeting.
"In two days, we will launch a general assault on Alexandria!" His first words shocked everyone.
Yes, he would not wait for the Royal Infantry Division to arrive but would use current troops to deal with the Melas Corps. He intended to keep the elite Royal Infantry Division in Mantua.
(END CHAPTER)
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