It's You, Napoleon!

All the officers turned to the map as one, thoughtful expressions appearing on their faces.

Berthier frowned in confusion. "Your Highness, what do you mean by a right hook?"

Before Joseph could answer, Napoleon, seated in the back row, suddenly lit up. He strode forward several steps and blurted out regardless of propriety, "Italy! Yes, that will be the best point of breakthrough. Like a fierce right hook, smashing straight into Austria's jaw..."

Duke of Broglie shot the young officer a displeased sidelong glance and said heavily, "Quiet, Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte. You are being far too disrespectful."

But Joseph merely smiled at Napoleon without taking offense. "Please, tell us why you believe Italy is the best point of breakthrough."

He knew very well that Napoleon's battle of fame had been leading a group of recruits through Italy with astonishing military talent, swiftly conquering it and giving the beleaguered Directory the breath of life it needed most.

Perhaps it was the inertia of history. Now, facing the Anti-French Alliance, Napoleon once again showed a keen interest in Italy.

Napoleon nervously glanced at Duke of Broglie, gathered his thoughts, and bowed slightly to Joseph. "Your Highness, your words just now reminded me.

"Previously, we have kept our eyes fixed on the north. Although it is the main battlefield and strategically vital, it has also drawn a large number of enemy troops. The armies of Prussia, Austria, Hanover, and the Netherlands total more than two hundred thousand men. Thus, carrying out your plan of proactive attack there would be extremely difficult.

"On the Italian front, however, the only formidable enemy is Austria. Oh, perhaps they may receive support from Sardinia and the English Fleet, but their overall strength is far weaker than that on the northern front.

"Yet Italy is connected to Austria's