Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Batorz quickly reached a consensus with the officers and ordered the vanguard to halt, assembling 5 kilometers north of Trento, ready at any moment to counter a French Army ambush.

Later, Batorz wrote a letter to the Austrian Army Commander Alvinczy, explaining the French Army’s deployment near Trento.

The following afternoon.

Kles Town.

At the forefront of the Austrian Army’s marching column, Alvinczy handed a report from the vanguard to Marshal Reo, famed for his “Netherlands Spears,” with a solemn expression:

“Batorz believes the French intend to have a decisive battle north of Mantua. With your extensive combat experience, do you think this is possible?”

Reo immediately put on a thoughtful demeanor, though his mind was blank.

His marshal title was entirely fabricated, where did he have any extensive experience?

Had it not been for His Majesty the Emperor personally inviting him twice to take the field, he would not have willingly returned to the frontline a thousandfold.

Moreover, it was to fight against the French Army.

He was well aware of the French people’s combat capabilities; most of his achievements were earned following in Lefevre’s footsteps.

Thus, he offered the most genuine advice: “I believe we should never engage the French Army without being fully prepared.”

He silently added to himself: Even if fully prepared, it’s unlikely we’ll win…

Alvinczy solemnly nodded upon hearing this: “Your thoughts completely align with mine.

“Previously, General Willemze was too eager, dividing the troops into three routes south, allowing Napoleon to exploit a flaw and concentrate superior forces to defeat his right flank.

“Although I’m unaware of what trap Napoleon set at Trento, our army still holds the numerical advantage.

“So as long as we keep our forces concentrated and advance steadily, any ambush or sneak attack cannot succeed!”

“Indeed.” Reo immediately nodded in agreement, “Yes, back in Silesia, I defeated the Prussians through steady, methodical attacks.”

After further discussion, Alvinczy instructed the Order Officer:

“Order the Cosdanovic Army to abandon its set mission and meet me at Kles.

“Instruct General Bajahaza to move west, staying within half a day’s march from the main force, advancing towards Trento simultaneously.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

Just as the Order Officer turned, Alvinczy called him back: “Right, remind them not to neglect reconnaissance for the sake of marching speed. I can accept a few days’ delay, but they must not be ambushed!”

His orders were promptly conveyed to the left and right flanks of the corps, causing both units to converge towards him. Meanwhile, the main force of the Austrian Army’s center also slowed down to ensure a neat formation and concentrated manpower.

However, Alvinczy focused all his energy on preventing a sneak attack by Napoleon, failing to notice that as the flanks drew in, the scope of control by the Austrian Army rapidly diminished.

The right flank had originally been able to warn from the foot of Care Mountain to Castello Mountain, while the left extended to near the Coredevole River.

After redistribution, large gaps appeared on both flanks.

Napoleon’s main force was not at Trento—only 15,000 soldiers were there.

At that time, he was leading the Royal Third Infantry Division and the Lyon Corps, totaling over 20,000 men to Castello Mountain, more than 40 kilometers west of Trento, from where he rapidly advanced north.

In the town of Feltre, 50 kilometers east of Trento, the Oreluo Army and Marmon’s Army, totaling 20,000 men, were long waiting and hurried north along the Coredevole River.

They would pass simultaneously along both sides of the Austrian Army’s main force and then converge in the middle, forming a three-sided encirclement of Alvinczy.

Logically, for Napoleon and Ogero to march 40 to 50 kilometers in opposite directions, if Alvinczy launched a fierce attack on Trento during this time, the French Army there could not hold until an encirclement was complete.

But Napoleon confidently assured Victor that he could move faster than Alvinczy.

And the reality of the battle continued to develop towards his expectations—Alvinczy, for security, remained near Kles awaiting both wings to close in.

The speed of the Austrian Army’s wings was also very slow to avoid ambushes.

When Napoleon arrived at the eastern slopes of Castello Mountain, the Aussie’s right-wing of Cosdanovic had not yet reached Kles.

At the same time, within the Mantua Fortress, General Willemze also received news of the arrival of reinforcements—though messengers couldn’t get through, they could send signals with different fireworks at night, indicating their arrival to the fortress.

Willemze and Bolieu immediately had a fierce quarrel.

“We don’t even know where the reinforcements are,” Bolieu forcefully slammed the map, “perhaps they have only just reached Venice.”

Willemze coldly interrupted him: “Last time, because you didn’t break out proactively, you missed the opportunity to flank the French with me!”

Bolieu sneered: “If I had recklessly left the fortress then, it would already belong to the French.”

“Then continue to hold here.” Willemze, as the General Commander of Mantua, had the final decision-making power, “General Argentao and I will meet the reinforcements.”

Bolieu paused, asking: “How many men do you plan to take?”

“Seventeen thousand. You hold the fortress with four thousand.”

“No, that’s too risky…”

“You know exactly how much food is left here.” Willemze shouted, “I’ve been eating black bread since three days ago!”

Indeed, the grain left in Mantua Fortress would last less than half a month. The lower ranks had to catch rats daily to supplement their rations.

Bolieu suddenly sighed deeply, collapsing into his chair, waving his hand: “Understood, leave me with just two thousand.

“Perhaps this should have ended long ago…”

“Thank you for not losing your courage.” Willemze tipped his hat and turned to leave.

Bolieu watched his back, tracing a cross over his chest, murmuring: “May His Majesty the Emperor forgive me…”

As soon as the French Army in Trento discovered the Austrian reinforcements, the news was dispatched by a cavalry scout to Genoa and then transmitted to Paris through the Sharp Signal Tower there.

Following the Mediterranean Security Organization agreement, member states had begun building signal towers. However, as Genoa was closer to France and generously funded, it was the first to connect the domestic and Paris towers.

According to the current construction schedule, in at most six months, all major cities in Northern Italy will have access to the “optical telegraph” service.