Shoring up the last weakness

Joseph was admiring the distant, rolling hills of the Alps —viewing scenery was almost his greatest pleasure during his marches—when he suddenly noticed a cannon stuck ahead. He immediately spurred his horse and rode off. ✊😺 🐨☺

The soldiers, who were struggling to drag the cannon, noticed a slightly shorter figure approaching. They turned around and immediately became excited. "It's His Crown Prince!"

"Your Highness has come to help me move the cannon!"

"Be careful over there, don't let His Highness get hurt..."

"Give it your all, let's show His Highness our strength!"

The number of soldiers towing the cannons did not increase, but the previously motionless cannons suddenly lurched forward, the nearly one and a half ton 12-pound Cannon instantly detaching from the melting ice pit.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" the soldiers cheered again, their faces beaming with smiles as they raised their hats in Crown Prince.

Joseph nodded in return, then dusted off his hands and remounted his horse.

In reality, how much strength could his small frame, not even 15 years old, actually contribute? But every soldier would remember the moment when His Highness dragged the cannon with them, and that memory would translate into high morale on the battlefield.

However, Joseph's participation in this campaign was not simply to provide a "morale boost." The task he was to undertake was one that the officers might not have dared to undertake without his personal supervision.

After walking for a while, the sky gradually darkened, and the Royal Guard Legion began to camp and have dinner.

Perna led the newly formed nursing company through the camp in several horse-drawn Carriage.

The nurses called out in clear voices along the way, "You must drink hot water!"

"Anyone who drinks water indiscriminately is not allowed to listen to Lorena sing later."

"Anyone else here who hasn't gotten their water yet?"

At the same time, they skillfully scooped hot water from the wooden buckets on the vehicle and distributed it to the laughing and whistling soldiers.

Joseph took the water glass from Perna's hand. "Hmm, it's hot tea today." The military doctor had already taken over the job of the Crown Prince's personal physician, and now she was trying to take over Eman's job.

Just as Joseph was about to enjoy his tea, a messenger came galloping from the north on horseback.

Eman took the letter from the messenger and presented it to Joseph: "Your Highness, it's from the Versailles Palace."

Joseph saw Brienne's personal seal on the envelope, took a sip of tea, and said, "Just read it."

"Yes, Your Highness." Eman opened the envelope and quickly glanced at it. "Your Highness, Archbishop Brienne says that he is still holding daily meetings as you requested to discuss 'how to reconcile with the military as soon as possible.'"

Joseph smiled and nodded.

He knew very well that there were many military Nobility with eyes and ears at the Versailles Palace, and this was to make them think that the Royal House did not dare to offend the entire military and was currently looking for a way to back down.

His biggest worry right now is that the military might suddenly back down and come to the Versailles Palace to apologize en masse, which would make it difficult to carry out a decisive attack.

Eman continued, "Furthermore, Archbishop Brienne mentioned that the Duke of Broglie has already departed for the Versailles Palace and written a letter expressing his eternal loyalty to His Majesty the King. General Rossignol has also sent messengers to Paris, saying he will arrive soon."

Joseph was somewhat surprised by this.

He had previously selected several influential military Nobility who were not directly involved in the conspiracy, and wrote them letters in the name of the Royal House family, stating that if they obeyed the King's orders, they would continue to enjoy His Majesty's trust, and hinting that they could be given important positions.

He anticipates that these individuals will likely reconsider their allegiance should the military be suppressed.

After all, he only had 20,000 troops at his disposal, and his generals were severely lacking. He would have to Lira some capable men from the old France army.

He originally thought that people would only "surrender" after he made his most crucial move. He hadn't expected these generals to be so perceptive, making the "optimal choice" immediately.

Among them, the Duke of Broglie, although he was very old and did not have a large army, Marshal during the reign of Louis XV, with a long service record and considerable influence in the military.

After this matter is resolved, it would be very appropriate for him to take over the reorganization of the old army.

Joseph for a moment, then returned to his tent and wrote a letter to Brienne, instructing him not to reveal for the time being that Duke of Broglie had sided with the Royal House, and that he could promise the old man the position of Minister of War.

According to Joseph's Military Reform plan, General Staff Headquarters will soon be established to be responsible for the specific troop movements and command. The Minister of War will become increasingly insignificant, which can be used as a bargaining chip to win him over.

The following morning, the Royal Guard Legion set off again to the sound of military music.

Joseph looked south and asked Berthier beside him, "General, how far are we from Montpellier?"

The latter immediately replied, "96 kilometers, Your Highness."

He added, "We'll encounter the Montcalm Legion in three days."

Joseph nodded, took a deep breath. In three days, the last weakness in the Royal House would be addressed. Then, no one would be able to stop him from leading France to new heights!

Moncontour, the West France.

Sill, commander of the Paris Legion, calmly watched the blood-stained streets as soldiers escorted the leading rioters past him.

The legion's staff officer spurred his horse forward, shouting, "General, the rioters on Long Slate Street have been dispersed, and there are no more rioters in the city. A total of 122 people have been arrested so far."

Sill nodded calmly. Such unruly people always emerged from impoverished rural areas like Brittany. Even after the Church began distributing food, the rioters continued to cause trouble everywhere, even looting the Church.

His legion was forged in the Flanders borderlands; dealing with this mob would be a piece of cake.

He looked at his staff officer. "Where is the next riot location?"

"General Ingrandes, west of Anjou."

"That's still quite a distance. Send word: rest for half a day, and set off first thing tomorrow morning."

The Paris Legion's mission was to wipe out the scattered, stubborn insurgents, as far the South as Béarn; he had to hurry.

While the Paris Legion were cleaning up the battlefield, a small-scale battle was also taking place near Valence, northeast of Montpellier.

In the town of Amne, north of the city, the rioters had not yet dispersed, and hundreds of people were surrounding a Nobility's Manor, trying to rush in.

Beside the clock tower to their side and rear, a Sergeant returned the Telescope to the officer beside him, frowning as he said, "Second Lieutenant Bonaparte, we only have 50 men, while they have three or four hundred."

The Second Lieutenant, however, had an excited glint in his eyes. Pointing at the rioters, he asked the surrounding soldiers, "What did you see?"

No one spoke.

Second Lieutenant Bonaparte raised his voice. "That's our achievement!"

"The enemy is weak and feeble, while you are well-trained warriors."

"As long as everyone stays close behind me, we can crush them in an instant!"

"Now, follow me!"

He drew his sword and strode toward the rioters, seemingly without considering whether the soldiers would follow.

(End of this chapter)