Chapter 65: A last stand

Originally, these supplies had been disfigured by the bombardment from British naval guns. Now, after being scrutinized by the Turks, who swept through the area like a swarm of locusts, there were hardly any intact items left on the scene.

"Good, let's retreat! Otherwise, if the French react and send troops to pursue us, that would be bad," Hersh noted, looking over the devastation with satisfaction. He then ordered his soldiers to immediately retreat. Although they had destroyed the French logistical supply lines, this area was still behind French lines. If the French regained their composure, it could turn a good situation into a disaster.

"Retreat!"

At the command, all Turkish soldiers immediately ceased their search and started running toward the coast, where British naval ships had been waiting for a long time.

"General Hersh, you have earned a great achievement! By personally leading the troops to destroy the French supply lines, you've cut off Napoleon's possibility of continuing northward. Upon your return, the Sultan of Turkey will surely reward you handsomely."

Onboard HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson of the British Mediterranean Fleet held a grand welcome ceremony for Hersh and his men, celebrating their success in destroying the French logistical supplies—a significant blow to Napoleon, who was actively engaged in front-line battles.

"This is nothing. General Delamare is still fighting on the front lines. Compared to his sacrifices, what I've done is merely superficial," Hersh remarked modestly. This was characteristic of his personality; he did not become arrogant over minor accomplishments, which was also why Delamare had chosen him as a deputy.

...

The events on the coast today have had a significant impact on the development of the entire campaign.

Being far from their homeland and fighting abroad, the French faced many challenges. These supplies, which Desaix had gone to great lengths to acquire, were now destroyed in an instant. He no longer had the strength to gather another batch of such supplies, and Napoleon was left like a reed blown about by the wind.

As for the Turkish side, the entire army was jubilant, celebrating as if it were a festival. The French logistical supplies had been destroyed, and Napoleon's expeditionary force had suffered a tremendous weakening. Now the balance of power had shifted significantly.

"Excellent, Hersh did a splendid job," Delamare exclaimed excitedly within the Turkish camp as he read the latest battle report.

"General, now that the French logistical supplies have been destroyed, does that mean we can launch the final attack on the French forces?" a Turkish general asked eagerly, having waited a long time for this moment.

"Of course, Napoleon is now a cornered beast. Next, we must eradicate Napoleon at Jerusalem," Delamare's eyes sparkled with determination, ready to avenge his previous defeat. "Order all troops to assemble! Prepare provisions and ammunition; in three days, we will have our decisive battle with the French," Delamare said, slamming his hand on the table.

"Yes, General, rest assured, I will make all necessary preparations," his aide-de-camp replied, visibly invigorated by the command, before immediately turning to run and make arrangements.

The Turkish camp was bustling, every soldier mobilized with a shared resolve to defeat the French and avenge their previous humiliating defeat.

...

While the Turks united in their thirst for revenge, inside Jerusalem, the French headquarters was filled with gloom and desperation.

"Fool! Desaix, that fool. I've said many times how crucial the supply lines are, instructed him to be extra vigilant, and yet they were still destroyed. It's all Desaix's fault, I'll have him court-martialed!" Napoleon fumed inside the headquarters, his eyes red with rage. He smashed everything within sight, venting his anger on the objects around him.

The destruction of the supply lines inflicted severe damage on the French forces. Directly, it left the French in Jerusalem isolated, without even the most critical supplies of ammunition and food. If Delamare launched an attack at this time, it would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to them.

However, as the saying goes, what one fears most tends to happen.

Just as Napoleon was raging, Roland hurriedly entered the room, his face grim as he spoke to Napoleon: "Uncle Napoleon, our scouts report that the Turks opposite us are making movements!"

"What! The Turks are making a move?"

"Damn it, they're quick. We've just been hit, and they're already trying to take advantage of our misfortune."

"What should we do next? We now have less than twenty percent of our ammunition left, which isn't even enough to sustain a fierce battle."

Upon hearing Roland's words, the French generals in the room were stirred up. Although Roland's statement was put mildly, just noting that the Turks were making a move, who in the room wasn't shrewd enough to understand? If the Turks were on the move, what could it be if not an attack on them?

"Prepare for battle!" After a while, Napoleon ordered grimly.

"But General, our supplies..." hesitated a French general nearby.

"I said prepare for battle!" Napoleon roared back, nearly losing his sanity in the moment.

"Yes, General." Startled by Napoleon's roar, the French general was shocked into submission, nodding his head repeatedly like a pecking chicken.

...

In the ancient city of Jerusalem, spanning just over a hundred acres, tens of thousands of soldiers once again gathered today for battle, adding yet another scar to this disaster-stricken ancient city.

Outside the city: The Turks swept in once again, with Delamare riding on horseback, continually surveying the French positions in front of him as if trying to discern every detail of the city walls.

"Gentlemen, what do you think we should do next?" Delamare then glanced around at his officers. Although the French supplies had been destroyed, the French forces inside the city still had the capability to fight. Delamare knew he had to proceed with caution, as a failure now could undo all their previous efforts.

"Commander, I believe that the French have no way out now. We have surrounded Jerusalem completely, and with the British navy cutting off any potential supplies from the Egyptian coast, there are no more supplies coming. This is an excellent opportunity to eliminate the French. Therefore, I suggest we launch a decisive attack tomorrow. With the support of artillery, we can breach the French defenses in one fell swoop," a Turkish colonel suggested.

"Yes, Commander, I agree with Colonel Neil's suggestion. With the help of the British, we have secured considerable advantages. Combined with a desperate infantry assault, we can certainly break through the French lines," another Turkish general added.

Hearing this, Delamare found himself in a dilemma. His original plan was to starve Napoleon out, but he was uncertain when the British might withdraw since there was no formal alliance between them. If the British suddenly left, the French supply lines could potentially be restored, complicating the war further.

"Very well, gentlemen, tomorrow we launch our decisive attack. I believe we can defeat the damned French. The Ottoman Empire will prevail!" General Delamare finally made up his mind.

"Yes, General, the Ottoman Empire will prevail!" the officers shouted in unison, their eyes filled with fervor.

The next morning, just as the sun began to rise slowly from the horizon, a loud boom shattered the rare tranquility.

"Boom! Boom!"

Cannon fire rang out once more from the Turkish positions, using the cannons Delamare had borrowed from Nelson, specifically to counter Napoleon's forces.