Chapter 808: Standard Operating Procedures
Victor hurriedly cautioned, "Commander, currently, the Austro-Saxon coalition has over 53,000 troops in Alexandria.
"Even after joining forces with General D'Erlon, we have fewer than 40,000 soldiers.
"Yes, I understand their morale might be low, and we can surely win in the field, but if Melas holds Alexandria stubbornly, an assault there would result in heavy casualties for us…"
D'Erlon's defense of Genoa for a month and a half cost great losses—when Melas retreated, only 25,000 of nearly 30,000 French soldiers remained combat effective.
With Napoleon's forces, they numbered around 39,000, a significant disadvantage compared to the Austro-Saxon troops.
Alexandria, as a key military town in northern Italy, lies east of the Bormida River and has the Tanaro River on its northwest side, making it easy to fortify.
Launching a successful assault with superior forces was already difficult, let alone when outnumbered.
Napoleon fiddled with the wooden pointer on the map without looking up. "No, Melas would never simply hold his ground without movement.
"His connection with Austria proper is severed, and soon he will lack weapons and ammunition. Our forces can continuously receive reinforcements from home.
"He will certainly use whatever remaining ammo left after besieging Genoa to strike proactively and create a strategic advantage.
"Then, after Wurmser's corps arrives, they will cooperate to launch a counterattack on Milan."
The officers exchanged startled looks. "Wurmser's corps?"
"Weren't they supposed to be in Freiburg?"
Napoleon said, "Wurmser led 30,000 troops six days ago toward Mantua."
Marmont immediately urged, "Shouldn't we strengthen defenses between Milan and Lodi then?"
Leaning forward, Napoleon shouted, "It takes at least three weeks to march from Freiburg to Mantua—that's enough time for us to defeat Melas.
"No, I want to annihilate Melas's corps! Only then will our attack on Mantua face minimal resistance!"
He purposely avoided mentioning that the Royal 3rd Infantry Division would reinforce him, fearing his officers might grow complacent, relying on elite troops to solve everything.
Napoleon tapped the map north of Alexandria. "Melas's most likely plans are twofold—
"First, to cross north over the Tanaro and Po Rivers to seize Pavia, threatening Milan from the south."
He then pointed to Piacenza. "Second, to maneuver east through the Duchy of Parma's lands, then turn north, cross the Po, and attack Lodi."
Victor immediately responded, "That's the same route we used when raiding Milan before!"
"Exactly," Napoleon nodded. "Our task now is to determine if the Austrians choose north or east and to prevent them from fleeing to Mantua Fortress if things look bad."
He looked at Victor. "You're ordered to lead the Montpellier Corps to the north bank of the Tanaro, watching the river south of Valenza. If Melas shows himself there, delay him at all costs until our main force arrives."
"Yes, Commander!"
Napoleon turned to Marmont. "You command the Corsican Corps, patrolling north-south along Sant'Illiano. I will await the Austrians near Pavia."
Sant'Illiano, more than ten kilometers east of Alexandria, was Melas's route toward Parma.
After finalizing battle dispositions, Napoleon signaled Lucien standing at the tent entrance: "You must hurry toward Genoa and urge General D'Erlon's corps to reach Sant'Illiano as quickly as possible."
Lucien had been injured crossing the Great St Bernard Pass earlier and missed nearly all fighting. He recovered a few days ago and resumed his role as a dispatch officer.
The next afternoon.
Genoa.
Upon meeting General D'Erlon, Lucien learned the troops had departed two days earlier for Alexandria.
D'Erlon was too old; after commanding brutal fighting in Genoa for over 40 days, his body was nearly broken. The task of leading the northern advance had been entrusted to officers Joubert, Sérurier, and others.
After delivering his message, Lucien left D'Erlon's office. Looking out, he saw the harbor piled high with cargo and sighed to the staff officer escorting him, "We won a victory and saved this wealthy port, yet the locals can't even offer some 'thanks'."
He knew the Crown Prince had strictly forbidden any "unauthorized requisitioning" because of his brother's financial antics in Milan. Now no one dared extort locals.
Disappointed, he shook his head. "This should be the victor's right, don't you think? The General Staff's decision feels wrong…"
The staff officer gave a strange look, leaned closer, and whispered, "Cough, Lieutenant Bonaparte, actually, the Military Supervisor just credited 3.4 million francs of 'special military funds' yesterday."
Lucien's eyes widened. "You mean this money is a 'donation' from Genoa?"
The staff nodded. "More or less."
Lucien frowned. "I must remind you the Crown Prince strictly forbids this."
He was even ready to report D'Erlon upon return. If that old man got punished, his brother's chances to become overall Italian front commander would improve.
"No, no, you misunderstand," the staff smiled. "The Military Supervisor obtained it according to the 'standard operating procedures.'"
"Standard operating procedures?"
The next day.
Napoleon stared at his brother in disbelief. "You're saying 3.4 million francs?"
Despite Genoa's wealth, it was merely a port city, far smaller in area and population than Milan.
Yet that supervisor squeezed more 'donations' here than Milan!
Why didn't the Crown Prince severely punish that old D'Erlon?!
"Yes, according to standard procedures," Lucien nodded listlessly.
After recounting recent events in Genoa, Napoleon's grievances vanished, replaced by deep shock.
So it could be done like this?!
It was possible!!
Compared to this, he was a clumsy blind donkey!
Lucien had told him that after the Austrians withdrew, D'Erlon's military supervisor began a citywide roundup of "traitors collaborating with Austrian invaders."
Over 230 were arrested quickly.
Under Austrian occupation, wealthy merchants and bankers had contacted the Austrians, donating money or facilitating them—evidence of conspiracy no one could deny.
(END CHAPTER)
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