Chapter 59: The Bloody Battle

When Napoleon arrived in Jerusalem, Osman, the Ottoman general Dramali, was also nearby.

Known as the "Lion of the East" by the Ottomans for his bravery, Dramali certainly lived up to the title. He fought ferociously, always leading the charge in battle.

But mere defense was not his style—he was on the offensive! This was not only to prove himself on the battlefield but also to boost the morale of his troops.

In the Battle of Suez, twenty thousand Ottomans had fought, so the crushing defeat experienced by Murad inevitably affected the morale of the Ottoman forces.

After the war, many Ottoman soldiers who fled started spreading stories of the ferocity of the French troops, causing widespread fear. Although Dramali quickly dealt with these men, rumors still spread.

To restore the morale of the Ottoman army, Dramali decided to take the offensive and to secure a victory at all costs, believing this was the only way to revive the spirit of his people.

"Are the soldiers and cannons in position?" Dramali asked his staff officer.

This officer, named Hesh, was also a renowned general in the Ottoman military. Dramali had specifically requested the Sultan to send him to ensure victory over Napoleon.

"Of course, General. Not only do we have the 30,000-strong Albanian legion, but we've also mobilized nearly 100,000 Syrian troops. Though these men are primarily responsible for local security, they can be quite effective in battle," Hesh nodded in response.

"And what about Napoleon? How many troops has he brought for his invasion of Syria?" Dramali continued to inquire.

"General, according to the information we've gathered, the French army currently assembled in Jerusalem totals less than two infantry divisions, with about 10,000 men. We have the numerical advantage. The only real threat from the French are their cannons, all heavy fifteen-pounders. It was these cannons that allowed Napoleon to easily defeat Murad at the Battle of Suez," reported Hesh.

"So I believe that in the upcoming battle with the French forces, we should try to avoid their artillery and fully leverage our cavalry and numerical superiority. Only then can we achieve victory," Hesh reported to Dramali.

His report was detailed, outlining the strengths of the enemy and our weaknesses, which was precisely why Dramali had insisted on bringing him over. Having such a talented individual assisting him would undoubtedly increase their chances of success.

Upon hearing Hesh's report, the rest of the Ottoman military leaders seemed to agree. Although Murad's disastrous defeat was a clear warning, they did not believe that the French army truly had the strength to oppose them.

The reason for Murad's crushing defeat and annihilation by Napoleon was their underestimation of the enemy and unfamiliarity with the French artillery. They would not make such foolish mistakes.

"But how can we avoid the French artillery fire? It's not like we can send someone to sneak in and destroy their cannons," another Ottoman general asked doubtfully.

"You're right, it is about sneaking. But not to attack the discovered cannons, rather to attack their logistical supply lines," Dramali said with a laugh after hearing the Ottoman general's comment.

"But the French logistical lines are so crucial, Napoleon will surely guard them heavily."

"That's where the British come in," Dramali waved his hand dismissively.

"The British?" the Ottoman general looked puzzled.

"Exactly, I've already sent people to contact Nelson. In this attack, the British will assist us. They'll send a Marine Corps to raid the French logistical lines."

"And even if we have to face the French directly with cannons, I'm not afraid. The British, in their effort to win us over, have given us several new cannons. Today, I've brought them all here."

"That's truly wonderful. With the help of the British, we don't have to fear the French," the Ottoman general said excitedly.

"While it's pleasing to have the help of the British, the real determination of victory on the battlefield is still up to us, the great Ottoman army. So, tomorrow we launch the attack on Jerusalem."

"Alright, if there are no objections, then it's decided! Everyone go back and prepare, tomorrow we launch the main attack," Dramali concluded.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief!" All the Ottoman military officers and generals shouted in unison.

...

The next day, as the sun rose once again, Dramali ordered the Ottoman army to march towards Jerusalem. Cannons, provided by the British, were rolled out and positioned to target the French forces in Jerusalem.

Beside the cannons, squads of Ottoman soldiers, led by junior officers, entered their positions. They held their breakfasts, possibly their last meal, as the battle was about to begin—a brutal affair where lives were lost every minute.

In Jerusalem, Napoleon had also risen early. After a night's rest, he was in much better spirits. Inside the command center, he continuously received reports from his subordinates.

"General Napoleon, General Mula from the front lines has sent a message. The Ottomans have mobilized a large force and are now advancing towards Jerusalem," a staff officer reported, handing over the dispatch to Napoleon.

"Oh, I didn't expect the Ottomans to dare attack. Truly, a testament to the renown of Ottoman generals! They have great courage," Napoleon remarked with surprise after hearing the report, then he began to study the dispatch in detail.

"Let's go to the hilltop and see whether this elite Ottoman force can break through our lines, or if they will crash and bleed on them," Napoleon said, immediately heading towards a nearby hill after reading the dispatch.

...

Meanwhile, outside the city of Jerusalem.

General Dramali was on horseback, patrolling back and forth in front of the French positions.

"How does it look, General Dramali?" His aide-de-camp, Hesh, approached to ask.

"Impeccable! This man called Napoleon is indeed formidable."