Chapter 809: Small Goals
Then came the crucial part.
The military supervisor sought out Genoa's governor, Abiaso, and had him form a secret "Internal Audit Committee" with the 17 most influential members of the parliament.
The French military did not interfere with the committee's actions; they only demanded a list of traitors.
In the end, of the 230 arrested, the committee confirmed 69 as traitors and added 7 more names to the list.
Then the military tribunal conducted trials, and all 76 were found guilty without exception. They were sentenced to exile or hanging and had all their property confiscated.
The military supervisor personally led soldiers to seize the traitors' assets, keeping 40% for military funds, giving 50% to the Genoa parliament, and dividing the remaining 10% equally among the city's citizens.
However, seizures were carried out by the French army, and only the military supervisor knew the exact amounts. Ultimately, the D'Erlon Corps obtained 70% of the confiscated wealth, with the Genoa parliament and citizens sharing 30%.
Genoa's population was under 70,000, so each citizen received over 30 francs. [Note 1]
The day the money was distributed, the entire city erupted in celebration.
Nearly everyone shouted "Long live the King of France!" "Long live General D'Erlon!" "France is forever a friend of Genoa!" and similar slogans.
The Genoa parliament not only received a vast fortune but also used the "anti-traitor" purge to eliminate enemies and political rivals, so they praised France endlessly.
These were Genoa's most powerful people—so long as they supported France, opposition in the city was impossible.
Moreover, as citizens were receiving money, the public's attitude was unprecedentedly united.
When Napoleon heard from his brother that "when the D'Erlon Corps left Genoa, the whole city lined the streets in farewell, many with tears in their eyes," he remembered how he had been cursed by everyone in Milan, feeling so ashamed he wished to bury his head in the sand.
Napoleon had been somewhat resistant when Brigadier General Carnot chastised him; he felt extracting money from occupied territories was the army's right. But now he believed it a grace the prince hadn't called him "an idiot."
Joseph had no saintly illusions.
War was paid for by France's treasury, and soldiers died for France, so no wartime spoils should be spared.
But such methods had to be refined.
They couldn't be like the historical Napoleon, who grabbed only millions and some art from Italy and earned the hatred of the entire Apennine Peninsula.
If France suffered defeats, every Italian state would instantly rebel.
Therefore, Joseph copied some later Western major powers' practices and drafted a "Standard Operating Procedure for Resource Requisition in Foreign Lands" for military supervisors to use.
Of course, this procedure circulated only within the French military and was top secret.
Before the war, Joseph also set a modest goal—to earn 10 million francs in profits after finishing the northern Italian campaign, while making the Italian states grateful to France.
...
Alexandria.
In the hall east of city hall, Austrian officers ended their disputes. Melas ultimately decided to launch an offensive toward Parma, seeking to occupy Lodi southeast of Milan.
Melas addressed the officers, "If the attack fails, the army will advance eastward toward Mantua Fortress."
Cervoni loudly declared, "The French only captured Milan by surprise. If we proceed with caution, we will surely take Lodi."
The other Austrian officers were not so optimistic and kept silent.
They had fought the French at Toulon. Given current forces, a head-on clash might not guarantee victory.
After a moment, Brigadier General Argenteau stood and told Melas, "General, I'm willing to provide cover for the engineers constructing pontoon bridges."
There were two wooden bridges on the Bormida River, built by nearby villages with limited load capacity. To get tens of thousands across quickly, many pontoons would need to be built.
Melas nodded but then thought of the French's elusive tactics and shook his head. "No. From previous battles, the French are very cunning.
"A straightforward crossing will likely be ambushed.
"To succeed, we must be craftier."
The officers stared at him in surprise.
Melas squinted and said to Argenteau, "At noon tomorrow, you will lead troops to dismantle the two bridges over the Bormida."
The latter gasped, "What? You mean tear them down?"
Melas smiled, "Slow the engineers' work deliberately. Meanwhile, position artillery on the shore to fire and repel any French cavalry that approach.
"At dusk, swiftly restore the dismantled sections."
Argenteau's face lit up. "Brilliant! The French will surely think we'll cross the Tanaro to the north."
"Exactly," Melas nodded, "The morning after tomorrow, the engineers will build pontoons over the Bormida.
"Then we concentrate our forces to quickly crush the enemy east of the river and advance on Parma."
...
East of the Bormida River, Saint-Gillian.
Napoleon tipped his hat to Joubert and then embraced him. Smiling, he said, "Thank God you arrived a day and a half earlier than expected."
"The news of your capture of Lombardy raised our spirits," Joubert smiled. "We marched 22 kilometers nonstop today."
"Thank you all for your hard work." Napoleon led Joubert into the tent and asked, "How many troops remain in Genoa?"
"Fifteen hundred, plus 1,500 newly recruited Genoese militia, under General D'Erlon's command. Enough to hold the Austrians for three or four days."
Genoa had lacked a true military force before, relying on a few hundred Swiss mercenaries.
After this war, following Joseph's advice, they began forming their own army.
Yes, with French instructors and full French equipment.
Joubert asked, "Commander, where do we deploy next?"
Napoleon shook his head. "We still don't know the enemy's moves."
He loudly called outside the tent, "Has Major Garda returned yet?"
Before he finished, Garda's voice came from outside. "Report, Commander—the cavalry has found the Austrians destroying the bridges over the Bormida."
[Note 1] Genoa's population at the end of the 18th century was around 120,000 to 150,000, but many were workers from nearby states and not official citizens. The registered population in 1780 was 55,000.
(END CHAPTER)
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