Chapter 993: Chapter 901 Raid on Vienna
Ney gazed at the floating bridge on the Danube River for a while, then turned to Moro:
“Are you sure we’re really not going to Munich?”
Moro, flipping through the “Caesar’s War History” in his hand, nodded and said, “Yes.”
Ney looked at the floating bridge again: “Bavaria may have 25,000 troops, but they likely won’t be able to redeploy from i Minggen to Munich in ti.”
i Minggen is the southwestern border of Bavaria, where the main Bavarian forces are currently stationed.
Moro waved the book in his hand, smiling: “Do you know why the Roman Army was formidable? Because they valued steady and careful tactics.
“If Deenberg’s legion returns to defend Munich in ti, we will encounter a bitter battle.”
Ney clenched his whip: “Even facing more than 20,000 enemies, I am confident I can defeat them!”
Moro patted his old partner: “I believe in your courage, but that would cost our soldiers many casualties. Besides, Austria might send reinforcents to attack us from behind at any mont.”
Ney frowned: “So where are we going now?”
He suddenly recalled Moro ntioning “steady and careful” and imdiately understood: “I see, you plan to capture Amberg and then advance north to Thuringia. That indeed seems risk-free…”
Moro glanced at him and said indifferently, “No, we are marching towards Vienna.”
Ney almost fell off his saddle in surprise upon hearing this: “Are you crazy? Although Austria’s main forces are in Italy, they can still muster two to three thousand soldiers at ho.
“And we are moving deep into enemy territory, at risk of having our supply lines cut off at any ti…”
Moro smiled slightly at him: “It’s fine, as long as Franz II believes we will risk a direct assault on Vienna.”
“Huh?”
Moro again patted Ney: “Do you know why the Crown Prince didn’t give us specific tasks?”
“Why?”
“Because we ca here this ti to exert deterrence. Thus, choosing tactics based on the situation at the front lines allows us to create the largest impact.”
Seeing his old friend still bewildered, Moro said forthrightly: “You see, we have been idle in Alsace until now. To catch up with Napoleon’s Army at all, we at least need to threaten Vienna and then eliminate Bavaria’s main forces, right?”
He then sighed: “Ah, the ‘Italian’s’ talent for command is truly enviable. He will likely conquer Mantua soon, and we’ll be left further behind…”
Vienna.
Schonbrunn Palace.
Franz II looked at the Bavarian envoy, whose eyes were bloodshot from traveling through the night, and said to Horn Dorf beside him:
“What troops can we still mobilize?”
Since Marshal Lacy retired, the Royal Military Commission has lacked talent, and Horn Dorf currently serves as the commission’s chair.
“Your Majesty, the Els Legion has 2,000 soldiers. There are so three to four thousand in northern Slovakia, but they are too far…” Horn Dorf pondered, “Besides those, there are only the Vienna Legion and the Court Guard, more than 6,000 in total.”
In fact, Austria has considerable forces in Hungary, Transylvania, and other places, but they are under the control of local nobles, making it difficult for the Emperor to mobilize these troops.
Franz II wearily waved his hand: “Then let the Els Legion go to reinforce Munich.”
The Bavarian Foreign Minister Pappenheim beca anxious: “Your Majesty, this number of troops may be insufficient to repel the French people.”
He gritted his teeth and loudly said: “If Bavaria is occupied, Austria’s western frontier will directly face the French Army.”
Franz II replied with so impatience: “Once Marshal Alvinczi resolves the issue in Mantua, he will imdiately lead his army to Munich.”
“But…”
Pappenheim wanted to say more but saw Franz II’s attendant bringing in an officer.
The officer handed a report to Horn Dorf and quickly whispered a few words.
Franz II frowned and asked, “Is sothing wrong?”
Horn Dorf looked grave but turned to Pappenheim: “Ah, please…”
Franz II stepped forward, took the report from his hand, glanced at it, and exclaid, “The French people are advancing on Linz?!”
The report stated that the French Army had not attacked Munich but instead marched eastward from Ingolstadt, having broken through the eastern Bavarian city of Passau four days ago and continuing to advance east rapidly.
Passau is adjacent to the major Austrian city of Linz in the west
Less than 150 kiloters from Linz to the east lies Vienna. Moreover, the terrain is mostly flat, except for the Danube River along the way.
Franz II paced two circles in place, then pointed to the attendant: “Have Baron Tugut and the others see imdiately!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Before long, Tugut, Kobutsel, and several other senior Austrian ministers arrived in Franz II’s audience chamber, followed by officers from the Military Commission.
The frontline report circulated among them, with Kobutsel speaking first:
“The French people clearly intend to take advantage of Vienna’s weakened defenses to launch a surprise attack on us.”
A high-ranking officer nodded nervously: “The troops defending Vienna are far from enough, and there are no forces along the way capable of stopping the French people.”
Horn Dorf followed, “We can imdiately gather forces from the east and south; it should still be in ti…”
Tugut frowned, raised his hand to gesture for silence, and then bowed to Franz II:
“Your Majesty, things are not as dire.
“This French Army numbers only 15,000, and they need to split forces to occupy cities along the way; at most, 10,000 can reach Vienna.
“The Vienna garrison, along with nearby assembled forces, should suffice for defending Vienna.”
Count Rheinphels added:
“Additionally, the French people’s long-distance raid requires transporting logistics from Baden; we could easily attack their supply lines!”
Before he finished speaking, Horn Dorf turned to look at the embarrassed Bavarian Foreign Minister standing in the corner:
“The troops from Munich heading north could retake Ingolstadt in just two or three days.
“Subsequently, the French people will imdiately lose supply.”
Only then did Baron Tugut notice Pappenheim’s presence, softly inquiring about his purpose from Horn Dorf. He promptly took him by the arm:
“This arrogant French Army doesn’t realize they are already in a predicant; now is our chance to join forces and annihilate them!
“You must sever the French people’s supply line at full speed, and the Emperor’s army will simultaneously set out to form a pincer attack on the French people.
“With their logistics cut off and their troops outnumbered, the French Army will have no choice but to surrender.
“Once they are vanquished, Munich will also no longer be in danger.”
What he left unsaid was that Vienna would also simultaneously be freed from peril.
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