More than twenty minutes later, Eman looked at the orders filling three full pages in his hand and sighed inwardly. Several hundred signalmen probably won't have time for dinner tonight.
He was about to turn and leave when Joseph suddenly recalled Napoleon's report, which mentioned that the Milan Parliament had voluntarily donated two million francs to his army, along with several valuable works of art.
"Voluntarily donated?"
Joseph shook his head. He knew Napoleon's ways in occupied territories all too well.
Though plundering occupied territories was customary in this age, few took it as outrageously far as Napoleon did. Wherever he set foot, resentment and fury followed.
Those two million francs had most likely been "persuaded" out of the Milanese with cannons. Especially those famous paintings—who in their right mind donated such things to an army?
Joseph had no desire to see France surrounded by enemies on every side as it had been in Napoleon's era.
He had even specifically sent Odorik to keep an eye on him, yet Napoleon's talent for offending people proved impossible to contain.
Those who deserved rewards had to be rewarded, but those who deserved punishment had to be punished as well.
Joseph picked up his pen and wrote an order commending Napoleon, along with a secret document. He handed both to Eman. "Please deliver these to Duke of Broglie and have him send Gendarmerie to Italy to investigate. I have made exactly what is to be done very clear."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Eman departed, and before long Lefebvre knocked and entered. After saluting Joseph, he said, "Your Highness, the American volunteers have just arrived in Uccle Town. There are more than 1,300 of them."
"They've finally arrived." Joseph smiled and rose. "Please make the arrangements. I want to welcome them personally."
Lefebvre was somewhat