Descending On France 1780
Chapter 164: All nobles are untrustworthy.

Chapter 164: All nobles are untrustworthy.

After marching leisurely along the Mediterranean coast for a few days, Anning arrived at Albenga on the Mediterranean shoreline.

Upon arriving here, Anning received a report from Savona that an Austrian division had appeared on the west coast line, attempting a probing attack before encamping on the mountains north of Valaz.

Clearly, Marshal Boliue of Austria had already taken action.

The first thing Anning did upon reaching Albenga was to order the cavalry to carry out reconnaissance. The region was all coastal hills, not very conducive to cavalry maneuvers, but in terms of reconnaissance, cavalry still had incomparable advantages over infantry.

By the time Anning’s main forces reached Savona, Lasalle’s cavalry had already gathered a large amount of intelligence on the enemy.

According to the intelligence, the first division of the first Austrian army, led by Major General Argento, had now arrived at Karcali to the northwest of Savona—this was a small town nestled between the hills, controlling two critical mountain paths.

Facing Valaz was the second division of the first Austrian army, Vukcevic’s forces.

As for Marshal Boliue’s headquarters, it was presumed to be in Cessale.

As for the rest of the enemy’s forces, Lasalle’s reconnaissance had not been able to find their positions, possibly because it was difficult to deploy along the mountain routes, so these forces still scattered behind.

Boliue likely didn’t expect Anning’s forces to arrive so quickly and thought that Savona was still defended by only ten thousand men.

After arriving in Savona, Anning met with the former Commander of the Italian Army, Marquis L’Ange.

Lord L’Ange was a typical noble. His first words after seeing Anning were, "You are the leatherworker’s son?"

Hearing this, the officers around Napoleon all frowned.

Napoleon was the first to take umbrage, stepping forward and retorting, "What about the son of a leatherworker? He is the hero who defeated Lafayette’s forty thousand with just fifteen-thousand! The greatest commander of our time!"

Marquis L’Ange glanced at Napoleon and snorted, "I’m aware, Captain! Since when does a Captain get a word in during a meeting between two Generals?"

Anning immediately started to look displeased.

Indeed, the ranks of Anning’s officers were low because, after winning the battle, he had not yet gone to Paris to receive his official rank, meaning all his subordinates were Lieutenants.

Anning had thought of the idea of a "temporary rank," promoting them on the spot, but to avoid giving others something to talk about, he did not adopt new uniforms with rank insignia.

In Anning’s forces, Davout was already considered a Lieutenant Colonel, and Napoleon was a Major, but they were still wearing the uniforms of Lieutenants.

Since Anning’s troops were short of officers to begin with, having only a few Lieutenants and mostly Senior Sergeants, Davout and the others, dressed as Lieutenants, were still able to command fairly large units.

But this was not the case with the ten-thousand men in Savona. Marquis L’Ange was a bona fide Major General. The standard troop strength commanded by a Major General is a division, so this rank is sometimes translated as "Division General."

But at that time, there was no higher military rank in France than Major General. Above it were all honorary ranks, so a Major General could also command an army, or even a legion.

Before Anning took over command of the Italian Army, Marquis L’Ange held the position of Commander of the Italian Army with the rank of Major General.

Indeed, the troops in Savona amounted to a division, where each brigade was led by a Colonel, each brigade had two regiment leaders who were Lieutenant Colonels, followed by Majors.

This meant that any Major from Marquis L’Ange’s troops could throw his weight around in Anning’s troops simply based on his rank.

After all, aside from Anning, who was a Major General, the highest rank in his troops was Bertier the Chief of Staff as a Colonel; everyone else held much lower ranks.

No wonder Marquis L’Ange looked down on Anning – after all, he came with a bunch of field officers, while Anning’s forces, aside from Bertier, were all Lieutenants.

Anning scratched his head, thinking God damn it, could it be that the first problem he encountered in Italy would be to handle this Marquis L’Ange?

Both Anning and the Marquis were Major Generals. Although Anning now held the title of Commander of the Italian Army, it was not certain whether Marquis L’Ange would willingly follow his orders in the future.

Particularly now that the Marquis had already shown disdain towards Anning.

So Anning turned his head and ordered Davout, "Davout, take your division to the direction of Karcali and surveil the Argento Department."

Davout saluted, "Understood."

Marquis Lombard exclaimed, "What! A Captain is commanding a division? Does he have the capacity for that? I’ve heard that the country is short of officers, but I didn’t think it was to this extent! However, General Frost, my troops have sufficient officers, and I could let my men take command..."

Anning interrupted, "I am the Commander of the Italian Army."

Marquis Lombard’s mouth twitched.

Anning thought to himself, you nobles are nothing but trash, how can you compare with Davout? He is Davout, after all, leading thirty thousand men and fiercely battling the main force of Prussia’s army—a god among men!

Davout didn’t bother with Marquis Lombard and left with his orders.

Anning gave another command, "Lady Oliver, have your Cavalry scout towards Valaz and restrain Vukcevic’s forces!"

"As you wish," Lady Oliver left as well.

Marquis Lombard spoke angrily, "What’s going on, who are these people sent from the capital? A bunch of little Lieutenant punks and an old granny, led by a Leatherworker! Can they even fight?"

Anning retorted, "Referring to Lady Oliver as an old granny is one thing, not much far from the truth, but calling Davout a little Lieutenant, isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"

After all, he was close to the Mediterranean.

Marquis Lombard countered, "War is not child’s play! How can you possibly defeat Marshal Boliue? He is a veteran over seventy years old with a wealth of experience!"

Anning coldly replied, "I am aware, and I have never underestimated the old General. That’s why there is something I must do. Lana!"

Lana stepped forward and responded loudly, "Present!"

Lana was still the Commander of the training squad, but its scale had increased significantly; after all, Anning was now the Commander of an army of thirty thousand.

To train enough non-commissioned officers to support thirty thousand men, the training squad had been expanded to five hundred people, becoming the training battalion.

Lana was the Commander of the training battalion.

Anning commanded, "Have the training battalion surround this building!"

Lana affirmed, "It is already surrounded!"

After speaking, he shouted, "Bring people here!"

Immediately a group of training battalion soldiers rushed into the room.

Marquis Lombard’s voice trembled, "What, what, what do you think you’re doing?"

Anning declared, "I’ve heard that the Marquis’s wife is a close friend of the treacherous Queen Mary. I suspect you of colluding with foreign enemies! Arrest him!"

The soldiers roared in unison, "Yes Sir!"

Then two burly soldiers went to lift up the Marquis.

Anning continued to order, "Arrest all the Nobles in the former Italian Army! The Royalists have rebelled, no Noble can be trusted!

"At the same time, in the former Italian Army, following the structure of our army, establish a Soldier Committee, and let the soldiers elect their Senior Sergeants!"