A swift and decisive victory

The officers watched in bewilderment as the luxurious conference table was moved away and replaced with an ordinary small wooden table.

Joseph then pointed to the room where they were, where the pillars and ceiling were decorated with intricate Geometry patterns and the walls were adorned with tapestries, and said to the group:

"I hope that future operational meetings will be held in the army's tents. Please remember that our task is to fight and win, so every action you take and everything around you must be related to combat. Enjoyment and pomp can be left for after we win the war and return to Paris."

Now, officers in the Europe armies are full of Nobility airs. For example, they still hold banquets and parties on the front lines amidst the Powder Smoke, and some even bring their mistresses to command battles.

The Crown Prince's Personal Guard Corps has actually been quite restrained in this regard, but some old habits still inevitably remain. Joseph must remind them in the little things every day to completely eliminate these bad habits.

This not only allows officers to focus more on combat, but also helps to eliminate the barriers between soldiers and officers as much as possible, so that soldiers can wholeheartedly trust and respect their officers.

The officers, who were graduates of the Paris Police Academy, were not at all surprised by the Crown Prince's demands—that was how they were trained.

The most unaccustomed to this were naturally the members of the Moulins Legion, but they still followed behind Berthier and the Police Academy officers, bowing slightly and replying in a high voice, "Yes, Your Highness."

Immediately afterwards, more than a dozen high-ranking officers each brought out ordinary wooden chairs and sat around the Sand Table in the middle of the room.

The Sand Table was personally supervised by Berthier, one of Europe's top surveying masters, and is extremely detailed and accurate.

Joseph nodded to Berthier and sat down at the very edge—he was well aware of his own limitations, having only undergone less than a year of intensive military training at the Paris Police Academy. When it came to actual combat command, he still needed a true expert like Berthier. His main purpose in coming here was to boost morale and maintain unity among officers from different backgrounds.

Berthier stepped forward, first recounting the situation in Algiers, and then said:

"According to intelligence, the United Kingdom and Ottomans are clearly behind this incident. So their goal is not just to restore the rule of the Guard Corps, but also to drive us out of Tunisia before we have a firm foothold." He looked around at everyone with a serious expression. "The overall situation is very unfavorable for us. First of all, the Algerians began preparing for war at least six days ago, and we are far behind them in this respect."

"Secondly, they have 23,000 combat troops, while we only have a little over 7,000 soldiers. Even if we include Zhemile's Indigenous Army, we can only muster a maximum of 12,000 men. We are still at a disadvantage in terms of manpower. And as everyone knows, the combat effectiveness of native soldiers is simply not worth relying on."

The officers all nodded slightly upon hearing this. After the rebels captured Tunisia City, many units were disbanded on the spot, especially the soldiers from the indigenous tribes. After all, they were just farmers; it was fine for them to rob the property of the Guard Corps, but after the war, they would have to go back to farming. Currently, only a little over 15,000 remained, and many of these men had to be diverted to maintain order throughout Tunisia.

"As for the enemy's combat capabilities," Berthier continued, "Albanian Mercenaries were a highly relied-upon core force in the Ottoman army. Although these men who came to Algiers cannot compare to the Ottoman elite troops, and some Bosnia have also been mixed in, they are clearly not to be underestimated."

He then gestured to the guards at the door. "I think these Tunisia Guard Corps know best about the strength of the Algiers Guard Corps. Please bring them in."

The soldiers immediately escorted three Tunisia Guard Corps officers into the Meeting Room.

Berthier looked at them and asked, "In your opinion, how does the fighting strength of the Algiers Guard Corps compare to yours?"

The oldest officer in the Guard Corps nervously surveyed his surroundings before cautiously saying, "Pasha, they are far superior to us. They frequently recruit soldiers in Anatolia [Note 1] and maintain five days of training per week."

Another Guard Corps added, "Some of their weapons are even better than those of the Sultan's army."

The France officers' expressions turned serious upon hearing this; clearly, their opponents would not be as easily defeated as the Tunisia Guard Corps.

Joseph was not surprised by this— Algiers is a country much larger than Tunisia, and there are three forces vying for power. If its Guard Corps had not been proactive, it would have been devoured by the other two forces long ago.

"Therefore, this is likely to be a tough battle."

Commander Andre of the Moulins Legion signaled for the three Guard Corps officers to be taken away, then pointed to the Medjerda River on the map, located northwest of Tunisia City:

"Given our inferior forces, our best course of action is to defend the river. The enemy's target will undoubtedly be Tunisia City; as long as we can hold this position, they will never be able to win."

The Medjerda River flows from northeast to southwest through the entirety of Tunisia. To the south lies Mount Tunisia, the highest point of the Atlas Mountains Tunisia Mountain. To capture Tunisia City, this river must be crossed.

Defending along the river is arguably the safest strategy here.

As soon as Andre finished speaking, several officers nodded in agreement.

Berthier frowned slightly. "But Bizerte and the northern flanks of Kairouan are both on the north bank of the Medjerda River. If we set up defenses along the river, it would be tantamount to handing these places over to the enemy."

The officers immediately turned to look at him. "What is your suggestion?"

Berthier tapped the western side of Bizerte: "To enter Tunisia from Annaba, you must pass through here— Ferryville, between Ichkeul Lake and Lake Bizerte. We'll ambush the Algerians here!"

Andre frowned and said, "But, Lieutenant Colonel, that's a plain. If we choose this location, we'll have to face an enemy several times our size head-on."

His words automatically ignored Zhemile's Indigenous Army.

A Police Academy officer immediately said, "But only in this way can we save Bizerte."

The officer next to him nodded in agreement. "Losing Bizerte will embolden the remaining forces of the Tunisia Guard Corps and cause us more trouble."

Those who objected shouted, "Have you considered that in a decisive battle on the plains, if the situation turns unfavorable, we won't even have a chance to retreat?"

Police Academy officers refused to back down.

"The enemy's sweep through Bizerte will cause severe damage. If we cannot demonstrate our ability to protect Tunisia, the prestige we have just established among the locals will vanish."

"Perhaps we should ask Paris to send more troops."

"That could take a month or two, or even longer. Who knows how the situation might change during that time?"

"Furthermore, the Finance may not allow for a larger-scale troop deployment."

Therefore, relying on the Medjerda River for defense is still the most feasible option.

"I think it's definitely worth a try in Ferryville!"

The two sides, holding differing opinions, argued more and more fiercely. For a time, neither could convince the other.

Just then, Joseph suddenly stood up, interrupting the ongoing argument. "I want to know, where do we get our supplies?"

Berthier immediately replied, "Your Highness, the funds were mainly raised by Mr. Agadon and the Chamber of Commerce, with a small portion transported from Corsica by our fleet."

What about frontline transportation?

"This can be handed over to the local army. We'll send a battalion to oversee it."

Joseph frowned immediately. "Gentlemen, if I may be so bold, I'm afraid we only have one choice, and that is to finish this quickly."

"Tunisia doesn't even have a functioning government right now. The procurement of Provisions and supplies could run into problems at any time. What's more, the Guard Corps will definitely do everything in its power to sabotage our logistics."

"If we get bogged down in a stalemate, logistics could cost us our lives at any moment!"

Berthier's face lit up with delight. "Your Highness's concerns are well-founded. Then, we will proceed with our defenses in Ferryville."

Joseph pondered for a moment and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the Algerians will also be prepared to fight us there."

"That's very likely, Your Highness."

"Then our numerical disadvantage will cause us considerable losses." Joseph shook his head slightly. The Royal Guard Legion's resources were painstakingly accumulated by him, and they absolutely could not be wasted in large quantities in North Africa.

Andre hesitated before asking, "Your Highness, it seems you agree with my opinion?"

"No." Joseph waved his hand, then stared at the border between Algiers and Tunisia on the map for a moment, before suddenly smiling. "We must take the enemy by surprise. For example, we can take them out of Annaba!"

Annaba is the easternmost province of Algiers. The officers in the Meeting Room exchanged bewildered glances.

Paris.

The Petit Trianon.

Queen Mary almost forgot her proper decorum, clenching her fists and shouting at Brienne before her, "So, the army heading to North Africa hasn't even set off yet?!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Brienne said, bowing his head. "As you know, given the current Finance situation, the 4 million Livre needed by the Marquis of Saint-Viran cannot be disbursed immediately..."

He quickly added, "The money is ready, but the amount is quite large. The French Reserve Bank wants to pay in Paper Money, but the army insists on Silver Coin. It will take some time to exchange them."

The Queen took a deep breath, clearly suppressing her anger. "It's been five days, and he still hasn't left the Camp. The Algerians could harm Joseph at any moment!"

Brienne cautiously said, "Your Majesty, large-scale troop movements require considerable preparation time. The same applies to the Algerians; they shouldn't have left the country yet."

Queen Mary practically spat out the words, "Go and tell the Marquis of Saint-Priest Marquis of Saint-Viran that his army must reach Tunisia before the Algerians. I will be truly grateful for his hard work."

Algiers.

Eastern Annaba.

An army of tens of thousands, dressed in full Ottoman Army uniforms, was slowly advancing.

In the middle of the ranks, Algiers Intervention Force Commander-in-Chief Kehler looked at the intelligence report that had just been delivered to him, a smug smile on his face, and tossed the paper to his adjutant, who was also his deputy.

"The United Kingdom have clearly overestimated the French Army. They were resupplying in Tunisia City just four days ago, and they probably won't be able to set off for the next few days."

This was sent by remnants of the Tunisia Guard Corps. The content is highly reliable.

The latter took the intelligence report, glanced at it, and turned to say:

"General, judging from their movements, they are likely to set up defensive lines along the Medjerda River."

"You mean it's not easy to attack there?" Kehler scoffed. "Anyway, the United Kingdom are paying, so it doesn't matter how long it takes. Bizerte very wealthy. In the meantime, we can transport all its wealth back to Mitija."

A tall officer on the other side of Kehler said solemnly:

"General, according to the reconnaissance two days ago, the Tunisia seem to be preparing to cross the Medjerda River from north of Kairouan. This may be their preparation for battle against our forces in Bizerte."

"Those lowly thugs don't know how to fight at all," the aide sneered disdainfully. "On the plains of Bizerte, we could easily tear them to shreds. The Tunisia Guard Corps are utterly useless; they were defeated by such lowly scum."

Kehler, however, gave the order:

"We must also be wary of Tunisia ambushes. Order the number of scouts to double and locate the main force of the Tunisia rebels as soon as possible."

The tall officer turned his head with some confusion and said:

"General, I find it strange that the rebels don't join forces with the France. Their dispersed nature clearly makes them incapable of engaging us head-on."

Kehler corrected, "Even if we combine our forces, they don't have the ability to fight us head-on. Those rebels were still farming a few months ago; they probably can't even form a proper company. I suspect the France don't want to waste too much time with us, so they've chosen to defend along the river."

The tall officer then asked, "Are the France waiting for reinforcements?"

"The United Kingdom said that France's Finance situation did not allow for a large-scale troop increase. They also promised that if France sent reinforcements, they would provide us with more assistance."

As Kehler was speaking, a scout rode up a short distance away, reined in his horse, and shouted:

"Report, General, the Albanians have sent word that their scouts have spotted Tunisia near Nefza. Requesting your orders!"

Nefza was already in the easternmost part of Annaba, almost beyond the border of Algiers. Albanian Mercenaries, as the vanguard, had already arrived there.

Kehler squinted and pondered for a moment, then said with certainty:

"It should be the tribal forces of Bizerte sent to scout our movements. Have Semiz intensify reconnaissance and continue the advance."

Semiz was the Guard Corps officer in charge of commanding the Albanian Mercenaries.

[Note 1] Anatolia generally refers to the Ottoman territory south of the Black Sea, that is, part of Asia Minor. It can be considered the most "pure" Turkey- originating region.

(End of this chapter)