Counterattack

As for the other officers and soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle, Joseph also generously rewarded them accordingly.

After handing over the documents to the official in charge of delivering confidential correspondence, Joseph then had Eman summon Denico, the General Manager of the Paris Business Daily.

This major victory in Tamirai not only stabilized the situation in northwestern Tunisia and earned him two outstanding officers, but also had significant propaganda value.

Only two months had passed since Joseph had called upon the Nobility at the Versailles Palace to "fight like warriors for His Majesty the King and for France," Moreau had already led a thousand young Nobility to outstanding victories, earning them generous rewards. This must be publicized to attract more Nobility to join the army.

As for Ney, the fact that he, a commoner from a family of coopers, was granted a fiefdom and a corresponding title after acquiring it would greatly encourage the common people.

It is foreseeable that France's ability to mobilize troops will far surpass that of other major Europe powers, and its morale will be boosted to a very high level.

Of course, given France's current Finance situation, it can only support an army of around 150,000 at most, and many of those are older troops.

However, with the situation in India developing in Mysore's favor, Tunisia should soon be able to break the deadlock.

In addition, the Coal and Iron industries in the Southern Netherlands and Luxembourg will gradually begin production.

At that time, the benefits of France's long-planned investments in Tunisia and the Low Countries will truly materialize, bringing substantial revenue to the France Finance.

At the same time, troops stationed in North Africa and the Southern Netherlands can return home, eliminating the need for huge military expenditures.

With increased revenue and reduced expenditure, France 'Finance difficulties will be significantly alleviated. In just a few years, France will be able to develop into a state of "abundant military spirit" where it can recruit soldiers and fight wars!

More than an hour later, the slightly overweight Denico, led by Eman, entered the office in the Tuileries Palace. Upon seeing Joseph, he immediately bowed respectfully.

"Your Crown Prince, it has been so long since I have been granted an audience with you. I am truly overjoyed! May God bless you."

Joseph smiled and returned the greeting, gesturing for him to sit down. He then recounted the great victory at Tamirai to him, concluding with:

"I need you to personally take charge and promote this matter extensively nationwide."

"Of course, Your Highness," Denico quickly bowed, then said with practiced ease, "I think we could send a few reporters to North Africa to interview Commander Moreau, and..."

"Ney, Michel Ney."

"Yes, yes, and they interviewed Commander Ney. Oh, and their soldiers too. The front page of the newspapers was filled with the news for a week."

"We could also organize an essay contest called ' My North African Heroes,' allowing citizens to submit their work praising the brave soldiers who distinguished themselves in the battle. We could even award prizes to the best submissions."

"Then find a few well-known Writers and have them write a serialized novel about the battle that took place in Tamirai. By the way, Your Highness, I wonder if Commander has a wife or a sweetheart? You know, people love reading about love stories."

Joseph looked at the Newspaper Office manager with some surprise. He had learned the publicity methods he used to use so well that there was nothing left to add.

"They don't seem to be married yet..."

As he spoke, he suddenly recalled the "bad girl" that Moreau had married in history—Milly Olo.

This woman was extremely ambitious and power-hungry. After marrying Moreau, she used his fame to flirt with foreign powers and participated in the Royalist Party coup.

After the failed coup, she fled to Russia to seek refuge with the Tsar — Russia had by then joined the Anti-French Coalition —and conspired with the notorious France traitor Bernadotte to lure Moreau to Russia, where he became Napoleon's enemy.

Because of this woman, Moreau never gained Napoleon's full trust and was eventually forced into exile in United States, missing many opportunities to distinguish himself on the battlefield.

Joseph recalled Moreau's life; he seemed to have married in his thirties. This meant he had ample time to change Moreau's fate of being with that awful woman. For example, by arranging a good marriage for him beforehand...

After arranging the publicity for the war heroes and seeing Denico off, Joseph prepared to go to the Versailles Palace to rehearse the Drama —he still had to keep his promise to his mother...

Just as he was about to leave, Berthier rushed over, bowed to him, and then took out the document commending Moreau, Ney, and others:

"Your Highness, there are no problems with your commendation, promotion, and medals for the North Africa Legion. It's just that the Fief... you seem to have misspelled the place name?"

"A mistake?" Joseph picked up the document he had signed and looked at it. "It's correct."

Berthier said somewhat awkwardly, "Your Highness, Tripoli is not France territory..."

Joseph turned to the page where Sherer reported on the situation in Tunisia and pushed it in front of him:

"Tripoli has repeatedly invaded southeastern Tunisia's Southern Provinces, plundering six tribes and more than 20 villages and towns."

"At the end of last month, Benjiul's 2,000 troops occupied the town of Remada in the South Tataouine, resulting in more than 300 casualties! According to the Intelligence Bureau sources, he is also mobilizing more troops in preparation for a larger-scale attack."

"Furthermore, Tripoli pirates have also begun plundering our merchant ships, forcing our Combined Fleet to rush to the Gulf of Gabes area for escort."

He looked at Berthier and said in an icy tone:

"Provoked like this, we will declare war on Tripoli. As for Moreau's Fief, they can simply take it themselves."

After the failed raid by the Moroccan Guard Corps, the strongest military force in North Africa, the situation in Tunisia has become largely clear.

Sherer's main force will be responsible for the defense of northwestern Tunisia.

Although this legion was an old-style army, with proper preparation, leaving 15,000 men plus 5,000 local Tunisia troops would be enough to defend against the Allied Forces Morocco and Algiers, which numbered less than 30,000. This was especially true given that the latter had just suffered a defeat and their morale was low.

Meanwhile, the 5,000 soldiers detached from the Sherer Legion followed Moreau and Ney's new forces to the South to confront Tripoli.

Now all that's needed is for the United Kingdom to cut off their support for Algiers and other countries, France can immediately launch a counterattack against Tripoli.

After that, Joseph even prepared to teach Algiers a lesson.

In an effort to ease tensions in India, the United Kingdom could only watch helplessly as their "little brother" in North Africa was beaten.