Local resupply and paper money

As the messenger seeking help from the Hanover Army departed, the Speaker the Southern Netherlands Parliament Van der Noot, remained uneasy and quickly wrote another letter, entrusting it to a member of parliament with good relations with the United Kingdom, instructing him to personally go to see Karl II.

He then proposed a temporary bill requesting that General Witt lead the main force of the Southern Netherlands National Guard back to Brussels immediately, and that 6,000 soldiers be temporarily conscripted.

The Southern Netherlands Parliament is in complete chaos. On the Conservatives side, members of parliament are surrounding Onck and questioning him.

"Speaker Onck, you said we shouldn't interfere in the decisive battle between the France and the Prussian Army, but now the French Army has suddenly appeared behind our lines?"

"Perhaps you should contact the France again to confirm your secret agreement?"

"It was all your suggestion that our troops remain in Ghent!"

Onck, his face ashen, gripped his cane tightly. After a long while, he finally managed to stammer, "I'll go and check."

"But the France must have their reasons... They might be targeting the Dutch people; Antwerp is right next to Breda in the Netherlands!"

He absolutely could not admit at this moment that he had been used by France, otherwise those Liberals members of parliament would have beaten him to death on the spot.

"Yes, that must be it!" He seemed to have found the answer, and his voice suddenly rose a few decibels. "This time, the Netherlands betrayed France and turned to the United Kingdom. It's not surprising that the France want to teach them a lesson."

He stood up, his eyes gleaming, and said, "In that case, we should cooperate with the French Army to take the opportunity to eliminate Austria forces within our borders and force the Netherlands to abandon its plan to unite the Southern Netherlands..."

The Conservatives in the Southern Netherlands were mainly large Capitalist Aristocrat, along with a small number of enlightened Nobility. They joined the rebellion only because Joseph II wanted to increase commercial taxes and weaken their privileges.

As long as they could escape the Austrian Government's reform policies, they didn't care whether it was introducing France influence or siding with the United Kingdom.

As for the Liberals' advocacy of "freedom," "human rights," and "independence," they have absolutely no interest in them, and are even somewhat resistant to it.

Onck's words immediately garnered the approval of some Conservatives members of parliament, especially those from the South. It is said that France has recently introduced a series of laws that are conducive to the development of industry and commerce, and has also opened up the market in South Germany. They even had the idea that "it is not impossible to consider annexing France."

Southern Netherlands, northern Namur Province.

Karl II dismissed the Southern Netherlands who had come to plead for help, and with a dark expression, ordered the Orderly Officer, "Order the entire army to turn back immediately and return to Antwerp!"

Netherlands Army commander General Bronckhorst frowned and said, "The France want to quickly eliminate the Southern Netherlands Army, restore Austria rule here, and deprive us of any reason to intervene."

"You're right, General," Karl II said, turning his horse around, his voice icy, "But they made a fatal mistake!"

"Antwerp and Brussels are both in the hands of the Southern Netherlands Parliament. The French Army is too deep inland, and their supply lines can easily be cut off by us."

"And as long as they fail to quickly breach Antwerp, our troops can launch a fierce attack on their rear after they return to defend it!"

He spurred his horse's flanks with all his might. "I'll make the France pay for their recklessness!"

Soon, the combined Han and Dutch Allied Forces halted their advance and began to turn around, under the repeated orders of their officers.

However, changing direction was no easy task for a marching column of 24,000 men, stretching for two kilometers.

It took the officers more than two hours to make every soldier understand Karl II's orders, after which there was a chaotic coordination effort.

Some of the faster-moving legions completed their turn and began to move north, while the slower ones were still in place forming ranks, and they collided head-on with the former, leaving both sides unable to move.

The Artillery were particularly vocal in their complaints. Because the carts and horses were tightly linked, they had to first unload the cannons, which weighed several hundred kilograms, from the horses, then manually turn them 180 degrees while simultaneously driving the horses to the other side, before re-harnessing them. Ammunition transport vehicles were handled in a similar manner, but turning was even more difficult. Sometimes, they had to clear a space specifically for the Marat to pull the Ammunition vehicles in a large circle before they could turn around.

From noon when the Southern Netherlands MP arrived to request reinforcements, the army worked tirelessly until 5:30 PM before finally resuming its northward march. After marching for about an hour, they were forced to set up camp for the night...

The outskirts of Antwerp.

Joseph could already vaguely make out the outline of the city. He was preparing to convene his staff to discuss the next course of action—if the Hanover Army was slow to react, he wouldn't mind trying to attack Antwerp to provoke Karl II.

Just then, two dust-covered Hussars rode up, their weary voices reporting, "Report! The Allied Forces Hanover and the Netherlands have turned north and entered the Brussels area yesterday afternoon."

Upon hearing this, Joseph and Berthier exchanged a glance and both smiled.

As expected, the enemy's situation unfolded exactly as they had anticipated, thus shifting the strategic initiative into the hands of the Royal Guard Legion.

To be honest, Joseph was genuinely afraid that Karl II was a hothead who would recklessly rush to join forces with the Prussian Army. In that case, he would have no choice but to Forced March back to Liège to rescue Leo.

While that might create a pincer attack, there are too many uncertainties. For example, if Leo collapses after just two days, Luxembourg will be in grave danger.

Fortunately, Hanover's commander was a mature and steady general who did not ignore political factors and decided to return to rescue the Southern Netherlands Rebel Army.

Without Joseph giving the order, Berthier immediately told the Orderly Officer, "Send the supply detachment back immediately."

The Chief of Staff glanced at his Pocket Watch: "The rest of you, rest where you are. We'll depart for Ghent promptly at 3 PM."

"Yes, General!"

Soon, the company, which had been collecting supplies from all over the place, joined up with the main force of the Royal Guard Legion in horse-drawn Carriage.

Unlike Napoleon's approach, Joseph strictly ordered the supply detachments to pay the peasants, and at a price slightly higher than the market rate.

Of course, the main form of payment is Bank Notes issued by the French Reserve Bank. After nearly six months of promotion, this type of Paper Money has become quite widely accepted in France. Most people only exchange their large denomination Paper Money for Silver Coin or deposit them in the bank every two weeks. As for "small change" of 5 Livre or less, the market is basically entirely dominated by Paper Money.

France Paper Money have also appeared in the Southern Netherlands, which borders France, though they are not yet widely used.

Joseph also took the opportunity of "resupplying locally" to expand the influence of the Paper Money.