Descending On France 1780
Chapter 214 - 207 returns to Paris

Chapter 214: 207 returns to Paris

Anning stroked his chin, pacing back and forth in the room.

To be honest, he didn’t want to go back, because he was familiar with the entire process in Italy.

After all, he had extensively studied Napoleon’s military history; key positions in Italy had all been sites of major battles for Napoleon, so Anning knew exactly which places were important.

Returning meant mainly facing the direction of the Rhein, where Napoleon’s military history recorded very few major battles.

After all, the French Army, in the war against the Anti-France Alliance, had taken the Low Countries very early on, and by the time Napoleon came to power, the Netherlands was already within France’s sphere of influence.

Austerlitz, of course, was a major battle, but that was deep inside Austrian territory.

Really, the only large-scale war Napoleon fought in that area was Waterloo.

Choosing this time to return to Paris to take charge of Paris’s defense was almost like stepping away from the guidance of Napoleon’s military history and starting to forge his own path.

What he could rely on was only the military knowledge he learned at the military academy.

As for the experience gained from playing games in his previous life, it was completely useless.

After all, when playing games, Anning played as the Netherlands, using a trick known as ’a gentleman holds the bridge’ for defense, because in the game ’Total War Empire’, an official could occupy spots on the map, and a gentleman standing right at the bridge could block it, preventing the enemy’s army from crossing.

It was incredibly far-fetched, but with this trick, players could turn the Netherlands, a country without much geographical barrier on land, into an impregnable state.

Such experience was totally useless!

But if he himself didn’t go back... what if Paris fell?

In real history, after the emergency in Paris, it was Lazar Kano’s 700,000 strong republican army that pushed back.

Therefore, Lazar Kano occupies the Xiao He’s position in French history, guaranteeing the Republic’s invincibility, but now Lazar Kano has been taken by Anning and no longer belongs to the Republic.

In the meantime, those in Paris are busy with infighting, insisting on conscription and execution of the King to provoke the opposition, watching France about to split.

They might really not be able to withstand the Prussian-Austrian coalition.

After Paris is taken, Southern France would not be easy to defend due to the vast plains, providing no strategic advantages for defense.

When France was blitzed by the Prussians, Paris capitulated following the emergency because against enemies coming from the north, there really was nowhere in Southern France to put up a fight.

Moreover, Paris is the economic center of the entire France; although the south boasts a series of commercially prosperous cities, politically they are still inferior to Paris.

Losing Paris, it would truly be difficult to handle.

It couldn’t possibly lead to Southern France becoming independent based on the old boundaries of the Aquitaine Kingdom.

Even though some people from the Aquitaine region would still jokingly say they are Aquitainians rather than French, in reality, the local national identity has long been French.

Now the Jacobins are in power in Paris, and his Jacobin friends would certainly expect him to return to Paris.

If he truly did not return, his prestige accumulated over the past two years throughout France would probably be swept away.

Anning contemplated these issues.

He wasn’t just contemplating; deep down, he also felt an impulse—what if, just what if he could actually do well in battle?

Why must he fight following Napoleon’s Life?

What if he did have some skills?

At this thought, Anning suddenly realized that his hands were trembling slightly.

To fight and create his own legacy, without leaning on guidance like Napoleon’s Life—that was what he wanted!

This choice seems more alluring than I imagined!

To not let everyone see his hands trembling, Anning clutched his trembling right hand with his left, forcibly stilling the shaking.

At this moment, Anning came to a decision.

Step out of the comfort zone, carve out your own legend!

Since I have to return to Paris, I must think carefully about whom to leave Italy to.

The first person that came to Anning’s mind was to hand Italy over to Napoleon, for after all, in real history Napoleon built his foundation in Italy.

Leaving Napoleon in Italy, it’s possible he could replicate the historical victories and march to Vienna, forcing Austria to cease hostilities.

But here’s the problem: before taking charge of Italy in real history, Napoleon first received the rank of Lieutenant General.

In this era, the rank of Major General is the highest, and beyond that are all honorary titles. A Major General has the authority to command troops just like a Vice Admiral does. A Major General can serve as an Army Corps Commander.

Napoleon first received the rank of Major General, then naturally progressed to becoming the Commander of the Italy Corps.

Currently, Napoleon hasn’t even reached the rank of Brigadier General; he’s merely an Artillery Commander under Anning’s command.

If he were to command the officers in Italy, many would dissent.

After all, Anning himself, with his significant reputation, still outshines Napoleon who has yet to make a name for himself.

From this perspective, appointing Napoleon as the Commander of the Italy Corps is unsuitable.

Additionally, Anning had a slight personal agenda.

Since I’m set to forge my own legend, wouldn’t it be inappropriate for Napoleon to discover his destiny and then decide to become Emperor?

What if Napoleon achieved the same great feats in Italy as he did in history, marching to Vienna? If he then aspired to the throne and saw me as a hurdle, wouldn’t that be the end of it?

After much consideration, Anning decided instead to keep Napoleon by his side.

Having Napoleon lead an army under him in the future would still be excellent.

For the situation in Italy... after all, it could only be left to Davout.

Davout has military achievements, holding the rank of Brigadier General. Once I return to Paris, I’ll promote him one level up to Major General, resolving any issues regarding military rank.

Davout’s abilities are surely reliable; though I don’t expect him to march to Vienna, holding onto the territories currently conquered should pose no problem.

Massena... better leave him be as well, he has performed exceedingly well in the direction of the Sardinian Kingdom, likely finding it quite manageable. Let him continue confronting General Corli of the Sardinian Kingdom, there shouldn’t be an issue.

This way, Italy is taken care of.

I myself will return to Paris with Napoleon, Lana, Lasalle, and Bertier. With a Chief of Staff and strong warriors, and also bringing Lazar Kano back to Paris to take up the role of Minister of War, it’s like "returning things to their rightful owner."

Yes, that’s the plan.

While Anning was deep in thought, he didn’t realize that he actually relished the thrill of strategizing and positioning his forces.

Nor did he recognize that, as he pondered all this, the entire command room fell silent, everyone waiting for his order.

Finally, Anning looked up and glanced at Bertier, "Bertier, I make the following arrangements: I command Davout to act as the interim Corps Commander of the Italy Corps, taking unified command of all matters concerning the Italy Corps."

Davout immediately stood at attention, puffing his chest out proudly like a Private receiving orders.

Anning continued, "Massena is to act as interim Vice Corps Commander of the Italy Corps, taking unified command of the troops in the direction of the Sardinian Kingdom.

"Napoleon, Lana, Lasalle, immediately hand over your current troops to your deputies, consolidating them under Davout’s command; you and Bertier prepare to return to Paris with me.

"Right, the Knight of Dusk and precision marksmen company will return to Paris with me as well! We shall first arrive in Marseilles to rendezvous with Lazar Kano."