"Find a way yourselves?" Desaix asked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Napoleon picked up the coffee pot on the table and poured him a cup, speaking unhurriedly. "Let us suppose something.
"Now that the Ottomans and Prussia have both declared war on Austria, Vienna suddenly launches a surprise attack on our garrison in Udine in order to seize Venice's tax revenues and supplies.
"What should we do in that situation?"
Without hesitation, Desaix said, "Of course, we would teach them a hard lesson with our Cannons!"
Napoleon nodded. "The enemy defending Klagenfurt Fortress proves utterly unable to withstand a blow, and our counterattack against the raiding force seizes the fortress in passing. Now there is practically nothing between our army and Vienna. Moreover, Austria's main forces are still fighting in Silesia or Wallachia.
"What decision do you think the General Staff Headquarters would make?"
Desaix's eyes lit up. "Occupy Vienna at once, of course!"
Napoleon smiled. "Exactly. We cannot let Vienna fall into Ottoman hands, after all."
Desaix immediately sensed something wrong. "Wait. Your assumption is unlikely to hold. The Austrians probably would not take the initiative to provoke us." "No. They will."
"Why? Unless they have gone mad!"
Napoleon did not continue, instead raising his Coffee Cup toward him. "You are my best friend. So, can I trust you?"
"Of course. I would not hesitate to shield you from bullets."
"Thank you for your sincere friendship!" Napoleon appeared deeply moved and nodded emphatically before continuing. "In fact, I have already made some preparations for this plan. For example, I have reached an understanding with the Intelligence Bureau.
"More than a month from now, Director Fouche will send someone..."
He briefly explained the course of events, then looked at Desaix. "At that point, we will need a trustworthy commander