Descending On France 1780-Chapter 359 - 352 Empire’s Doom

Anning was satisfied to see the French Army appear in the houses near the street barricades, beginning a high-ground assault on the Austrian army.

The Austrian army couldn’t withstand this kind of attack and quickly withdrew from the street barricades.

Anning turned his head to Napoleon and said, "See? This is our advantage now! Don’t just push along the main roads, we need to make use of the city’s complex alleys."

A year ago, when the French Army lacked training, they mostly fought in dispersed formations, with no need for drumbeats or martial music, and they also lacked officers.

Even under those circumstances, the French Army was able to advance and retreat in good order, beating the Prussian-Austrian coalition into a humiliating retreat.

Although the French Army still lacks middle and high-ranking officers like staff officers, the non-commissioned officers have been greatly reinforced through battlefield promotions.

The French Army, led by non-commissioned officers, could disperse throughout the city like later armies, threading through streets, jumping over windows, bypassing heavily defended barricades, and striking the enemy from above and behind.

This is the steamrolling of the next generation’s army over the current generation’s.

The Prussian-Austrian coalition can’t perform this kind of operation; once they get into an alley, they can’t get out, and most soldiers will flee.

After all, these soldiers are merely flocks driven by noble lords, without their own resolve to fight for their nation.

After handing back the command to Napoleon, Napoleon said excitedly, "I understand now, our soldiers are like a pack of wolves, whereas the enemy only has officers and non-commissioned officers as shepherd dogs, the soldiers are mere flocks! A wolf pack can execute tactics the flock cannot!"

Anning, with a straight face, said, "That analogy is quite fitting. I’m now waiting for your good news; how many days will it take for you to take Ulm?"

"Just one day!"

Napoleon assured by thumping his chest.

Anning nodded, "Then I’ll go to the back and wait for your good news with a glass of champagne."

Napoleon is now an army general, but Anning still wanted to promote him to be a commander in charge of a particular front.

For example, having him command the French forces in the direction of Spain, to let him experience for himself how terrible the situation in Spain can be.

At present, Spain has not yet declared war on France, but there is no guarantee that it won’t in the future.

After all, in the historical past, the Anti-France Alliance began as a united strangulation of the progressive Republic by all feudal states.

It was a case of "all reactionary forces combining efforts," and Spain, being a feudal state at the time, was in Anning’s view, likely to join the fight.

In short, it’s necessary for Napoleon to accumulate more merits.

Bertier stepped forward, "At such a time, your personal command would effectively boost our soldiers’ morale."

Anning looked dissatisfiedly at Bertier.

The Chief of Staff expressed a sudden realization, "Oh, I see, I’ve understood, I’ve fully understood!"

Finding Bertier’s change in expression interesting, Anning asked, "Understood what?"

"The chance for our senior officers to accumulate experience, your foresight is truly profound."

Anning smiled, "You really have a way with words, let’s go. Also, make sure the supplies for Napoleon’s troops keep up. When I entered the city, I noticed many people starving and emaciated; give them ample supplies.

"Also, to look after the morale of the troops, other units should not enter the city for now, but move downstream along the Danube River, approaching Dillingen and Danubewort!

"If these cities are unoccupied by enemy forces, cross the river and secure the crossing. If there are enemy garrisons, face off with the enemy across the river."

"Spread our seven armies along the Danube River, and then reconnoiter the defense in each area.

"We plan to find a crossing where the enemy’s defenses are weak, force our way across the Danube River, and then head straight for Augsburg to bag a big dumpling!"

Bertier nodded repeatedly.

After Anning finished speaking, as usual, he added: "Repeat it back to me!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Bertier immediately repeated it, and it was the kind of operation plan that had been summarized and organized clearly for step-by-step execution.

Anning nodded: "Alright, you go and execute it. Vanni, where’s Vanni? Set up a table for me by the Danube River. I want to enjoy the view of the Danube while watching Napoleon eliminate the Prussian-Austrian coalition in the city."

Vanni looked at the city, now engulfed in dense smoke, with confusion: "The view of the Danube? If there was any scenery, it’s long been spoiled, hasn’t it?"

Anning thought to himself, "I’m just maintaining my persona; what do you know," but he said aloud: "If you only look at the Danube and ignore the situation on the other side of the river, the view is indeed quite nice."

"Alright then, I won’t keep you from your refined pleasures," Vanni said resignedly.

Moments later, Anning left the city and sat by the bridge which Lasalle had secured, sipping wine by the Danube and affecting a profound air.

On the road beside him, the troops who were originally rushing over to reinforce, one by one turned left, setting out along the Danube in a mighty torrent.

Bertier had positioned the headquarters across the river from Anning, with messenger soldiers riding over the wooden bridge continuously. As they passed Anning, they didn’t forget to salute.

Just by looking at the scene, it was indeed quite peaceful.

**

Alvizi couldn’t comprehend what exactly had happened. The effective urban street defenses had suddenly become unreliable, and news of one barricade after another being breached kept coming in.

What infuriated him the most was that the troops who had retreated from the barricades directly fled the city, spreading panic-inducing rumors as they ran:

"Frost is coming!"

"Our army is defeated! Our army is defeated!"

Enraged, Alvizi ordered his guard to arrest the scoundrels spreading the rumors, with instructions to shoot them on capture.

However, the guards soon reported back that there were too many deserters, each claiming that Frost had arrived, and it was impossible to arrest them all.

The worst thing was, many of the guards themselves had also deserted.

Frost was like the Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the Prussian-Austrian alliance, always worrying that it might strike down at any moment.

Alvizi exploded with anger: "These pieces of shit! Does that mean from now on, if the French Army just erects a straw man of Frost, they’d turn tail and run just like this?"

Alvizi’s chief of staff tried to display his sense of humor: "I’m afraid a mere straw man wouldn’t do the job; they’d need to put it in uniform and give it an Eagle Flag."

Alvizi glared at his chief of staff with a look that could kill, until the latter wisely chose to shut up.

Then Duke Brunswick, the Prussian commander, said: "How exactly did they break through the street barricades? Did they use cannons for close-range shooting? Even if Frost really was here, he wouldn’t be able to deal with the barricades this efficiently, would he?"

Alvizi shook his head: "I don’t know, maybe Frost really summoned a Roman theater group, formed a Turtle Formation behind shields, and just like that broke through our barricades.

"This Frost, always has something new! He always manages to surprise us!"

After speaking, Alvizi sighed.

"It seems like the Empire may really be facing its doom this time."