Joseph's encirclement and interpenetration

Although this Iron Rail, spanning most of Luxembourg, was expensive to build, once it was connected to the Wooden Railway of Verdun —which, despite the different materials, had identical technical parameters such as track gauge—horse-drawn Carriage could pass directly across.

Meanwhile, within France, the Wooden Railway of Lorraine would be partially connected to Verdun within a few months. At that time, large quantities of Luxembourg's Iron Ingot could be transported to Nancy for further refining or used to manufacture Steam Engine, Boring Machine machines, and other machinery.

At the same time, France industrial products could be transported from Nancy to Luxembourg, and then sold from there to the Southern Netherlands and even the Netherlands.

Although the transport capacity of Wooden Railway and Carriage was far inferior to that of trains, they far surpassed the Carriage road transport of that era, and were far more convenient than river transport.

Furthermore, Joseph planned to install Steam Engine- powered traction systems on steeper sections of the route to assist the horses uphill, thereby significantly reducing horsepower consumption.

Freight transportation is fundamental to commerce, and commerce, in turn, forms the basis for ensuring the healthy cycle of industry.

It can be said that the extensive construction of Wooden Railway in France laid a solid foundation for the start of France's Industrialization.

Compared to other Europe countries, France factories can achieve higher sales volumes and reach a wider customer base with the same production volume by relying on Wooden Railway transport. This allows them to recoup their investment more quickly and reinvest in the next round of production or research and development.

It is foreseeable that even without Joseph's transformative influence on France industry, France would have gained a significant advantage in the Industrial Revolution solely through its rail transport system.

Moreover, although the construction of the Wooden Railway may have cost the French Government a great deal of money, in reality, this money ended up in the pockets of France Ironworks, logging camps, Craftsman, and even the various classes of people who served the Craftsman. Subsequently, this money would enter the France economic cycle through consumption, promoting national economic development.

This was later known as "GDP growth." More than a century later, United States President Roosevelt used the construction of a large number of roads, bridges and other infrastructure to bring about an economic revival in the United States.

As for the funding for the Wooden Railway, it is currently being financed by loans from the French Reserve Bank. However, Joseph has instructed the Minister of Commerce to begin planning to raise funds from the private sector through a combination of local government debt and equity in the Wooden Railway.

With these fundraising models that are common in later generations, the French People can absolutely provide a massive amount of funds when it comes to improving people's livelihoods and building infrastructure.

Just as France steelmakers were expanding aggressively in Luxembourg, Joseph led his Royal Guard Legion to the border between Luxembourg and Liège.

According to the operational plan previously formulated by the General Staff, they would continue north, passing through Jülich in Bavaria, then through the desolate mountain roads on the border of Aachen and Liège to bypass Blücher's army, before turning sharply west and heading straight for Antwerp.

Antwerp is a province north of Brussels and was an important birthplace of the Brabant Revolution.

Yes, Joseph's target was not Karl II's Hanover Army, but Antwerp further north.

Berthier turned and glanced at the dark red rolling hills behind him, then looked at the Ruhr River faintly visible in the distance. After hesitating for a moment, he spurred his horse to catch up with the Crown Prince's horse.

"Your Highness," he said, gathering his thoughts, "You see, we are about to leave Luxembourg. I still believe it would be safer for you to remain in Luxembourg City."

"This battle is different from previous ones. We're going deep into enemy territory, and we don't have sufficient logistical support. What if you..."

Joseph raised his hand and interrupted him with a smile, "Thank you very much for your concern, Your Excellency Chief of the Chief of Staff."

"But no matter what dangers we encounter, I must stay with my army."

He gestured to the Royal Guard Legion beside him who were marching quietly at a brisk pace. "With these bravest warriors here, I will be in no danger."

Joseph knew very well that only by risking his life alongside his soldiers would they truly trust and support him.

If your army is fighting and bleeding on the front lines while you're indulging in pleasure in your palace, don't blame your soldiers for becoming disloyal.

Napoleon became an eternal god in the hearts of the France people because he earned that title through his personal experience on the front lines, fighting battle after battle.

Moreover, as the supreme commander accompanying the army on its expedition, the army's victory was his victory. If any officer wanted to use his prestige to dominate the army, they would first have to overcome him.

In 18th-century Europe, only King who could lead armies into battle could maintain order and command the respect and support of all classes, from Nobility to peasants.

As for the danger Berthier mentioned, Joseph was also aware of the extent of it.

Not to mention that he had enough confidence in the fighting power of the Royal Guard Legion, even if something unexpected happened, there was still the rule of Ransom in this era.

Any Nobility of high status who was captured was treated to the finest food and drink and cared for in every possible way. As long as the prisoner of war could produce a Ransom, he could return home with dignity. Before leaving, the enemy would even escort him for several miles.

So unless he's incredibly unlucky enough to be hit directly by an artillery shell—and he's usually in Commander-in-Chief position where bullets wouldn't travel that far—he's unlikely to die instantly. The worst-case scenario is simply paying Ransom and going home.

Upon hearing Joseph's words about "the bravest warrior," a soldier nearby immediately lowered his voice and cheered, "Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"To forever protect His Crown Prince!"

Courage! Glory!

Berthier looked at the excited soldiers and could only sigh helplessly, "Your Highness, I believe that decades from now, this scene will surely appear in the stories people tell today."

At the head of the marching column, Napoleon examined the map with a puzzled look, then turned to the colonel beside him. "Regiment Commander, it seems we're heading towards Bavaria territory?"

Although he had been wondering since morning why they were marching in silence, he only realized now that the Royal Guard Legion was not, as rumored, going to intercept Hanover Army.

Colonel Dumont nodded and whispered, "Yes, the target is Antwerp. To avoid the Prussia, we have to cross the barren mountains south of Aachen."

"Antwerp?" Napoleon, somewhat surprised. "What about the Hanover Army?"

Karl II's army was already southeast of Brussels, while Antwerp was north of Brussels, meaning they were trying to outflank Hanover Army.

Colonel Dumont smiled and couldn't help but say a few more words to the Artillery Major who had recently been quite outstanding, "Originally, the General Staff planned to confront Karl II west of Longuen, but His Crown Prince proposed to implement a ' Encirclement and Interpenetration ' tactic to divert the enemy's defenses."