Chapter 164: Approaching Baden

Seeing Roland, Napoleon hurried forward and called out, "Uncle Napoleon."

"Hmm? It's Roland. You're back. I have something to tell you. Come, sit. I'll go get something." Napoleon immediately regained his composure upon seeing Roland. He spoke to Roland first, gesturing for him to sit down, then promptly left to retrieve something from the back.

Napoleon rarely wrote orders himself; he usually gave them orally. Currently, he was walking to his office, where twenty-year-old Menéval stood listening to him relay orders. Only Menéval could enter this office, along with three other private chambers. No one could expect to get any information from Menéval; no one had ever attempted such a thing.

For some important plans, Napoleon did write them down. Here, there was a very important map, personally guarded by Napoleon with the key kept on his person. When he left the study, the map had to be placed in the cabinet. If the map were stolen, it would be discovered immediately. Then Menéval and the other servants would be suspected, as all of his military action plans were inside. To overthrow him, one had to first destroy his plans, and this map was the key.

And now Napoleon was going to get the map.

Shortly afterward, Napoleon returned with the map and spread it out before Roland.

It was a map of the Rhine River in eastern France, with the small town of Baden densely marked by Napoleon with a pen.

It seemed that this small town was Napoleon's worry point and the next target for the French army.

"Uncle Napoleon, what is this?" Although Roland had already guessed somewhat, he still asked nervously.

"These are materials sent from London, Vaud, Paris, and other places over the past few weeks. These materials prove that the Royalists and Jacobins have joined forces, attempting to defeat me together. Friends of the Bourbon dynasty like Pichegru and the Republican Moro are also colluding." Napoleon pointed angrily at the map and intelligence.

This winter was full of crises. This forced Napoleon to be on high alert. Over the past few weeks, he had continuously reviewed materials sent from London, Vaud, Paris, and other places. Those conspiracies had repeatedly asked, "Can we move now?" He always replied, "Wait a little longer." Finally, he obtained all the evidence needed. The Royalists and Jacobins had joined forces, attempting to defeat him together. Friends of the Bourbon dynasty like Pichegru and the Republican Moro were also colluding. It was time to take action.

So Napoleon specifically called Roland over because he wanted him and Müler to command this military operation together. Due to the Moro incident, Napoleon temporarily lost trust in the generals of the French army. He couldn't understand, if someone like Moro could betray him, then who else could he trust?

The rebellion force formed this time was mainly composed of remnants of the Bourbon dynasty, led by Duke de Damgan. Their stronghold was in Baden near the Rhine River, and the British had been secretly funding them.

This was typical of the British, as their specialty was stabbing in the back.

Currently, although the political situation in France seemed calm on the surface, Napoleon had already made all the preparations in private. To unify eastern France and thoroughly eliminate the rebellion, Napoleon decided to dispatch Müler's Central Cavalry Division and an infantry division. A total of over 20,000 troops were divided between Müler and Roland for command.

The main enemies they would face were remnants of the Bourbon dynasty, Republicans, and Jacobins. These people were just a rabble, and as soon as they were caught off guard, they could be quickly eliminated.

Although the combined forces in Baden outnumbered 50,000, they were no match for the seasoned French army. Moreover, these rebels were not professional soldiers; their equipment was extremely outdated and couldn't compare to the French army. In this battle, the French army held an absolute advantage.

Metz, an extremely important town in eastern France, had become the headquarters of the French army's expedition after Napoleon issued the order to suppress the rebellion in the east. A cavalry division and an infantry division of the French army had already marched there. A large amount of war material had also been transported there and was steadily advancing eastward. Soon, the French army would launch a fierce attack on the Rhine River and completely bring it under French control.

Major General Müler, commander of the Central Cavalry Division, would become the commander of this expedition to suppress the Rhine River rebellion. Rumors had it that he had achieved great success on the battlefield in Italy, and coupled with his close relationship with Napoleon, if this operation succeeded, he would likely be promoted to the rank of Marshal of France.

... On November 22, 1800, less than two months after the end of the Italian War, France once again began a new conflict.

In Metz, at the headquarters of the French Eastern Expeditionary Force, Major General Müler presided over the operational meeting. The army had completed its preparations for war, and now it was time to move east.

"Gentlemen, Napoleon's marching orders have been issued. Our forces are gathered here now, and we must sweep the Rhine River clean to unify France," Müler said excitedly. This battle was extremely important to him.

The other generals shared similar expressions. Soldiers were undoubtedly eager for war, as it was through war that they gained military honors and promotions. But now that the war between France and Austria had ended, this was the only place where they could still fight.

"General Müler, give the order. The brothers are already prepared," said Major General Pearson, commander of the 1st Cavalry Brigade.

Müler nodded. "Gentlemen, we depart tomorrow. If those fellows on the Rhine River don't know what's good for them, we'll flatten them!"

According to the planned operation, one of Roland's infantry divisions would lead the frontal assault on Baden across the Rhine River. Müler's cavalry division would execute a strategic flanking maneuver, bypassing the Rhine River to strike at the enemy's rear and sever their ties with the British.

The French army's actions undoubtedly posed a significant threat to Duke de Damgan. The leader of the French rebels immediately sent out pleas for help to various countries, hoping they would send troops to assist.

"Damn it! What should we do now? How did Napoleon come so quickly? I can't die here! Didn't the British say they would help us? Why haven't they moved yet? Don't they know we are their last friends in France?" Duke de Damgan thundered in anger within the walls of Baden. He cursed the British for not extending their hand of assistance when Napoleon attacked, while also berating his own subordinates. The French army's twenty thousand troops had launched a well-prepared attack, yet they hadn't received any news. Was this incompetence?

"Duke, we have no options left. Although the German principalities have sent reinforcements, they won't arrive here for one or two months. Even if they arrive in time, their strength is too weak to be of any use. Our situation is extremely dangerous!" a rebel said beside him. Before the French Revolution, he had been a military nobleman of the Bourbon dynasty, but the revolution had stripped him of everything, leading him to harbor deep hatred for Napoleon and his regime.

"I know that too well. But now, the French army is coming aggressively. With our current forces, I fear we cannot confront them," Duke de Damgan sighed.

As a member of the Bourbon dynasty, Duke de Damgan naturally didn't want to see the downfall of the Bourbon dynasty. Initially, he had planned to unite other forces opposed to Napoleon, with the backing of Britain and other anti-Napoleon countries. However, he hadn't expected Napoleon's counterattack to come so quickly—before he could react.

Now, the French army was aggressively approaching and had arrived before him, making him see his imminent doom right before his eyes.