French Empire: But Napoleon IV

Chapter 30 The New Prime Minister's Discussion with the Frontline Troops

Of course, this method of using empty promises and idealistic inducements may work for a while, but once Olivier calms down, he may have other ideas.

Therefore, Eugène deliberately spent the next hour not discussing politics with Olivier, but instead talked about specific reform plans, demonstrating that he truly understood reform and was a potential future monarch.

Olivier detailed the resistance he encountered when implementing reforms and his vision for the future structure of government.

Eugene, on the other hand, offered some of his own views, which were not particularly forward-thinking. He didn't say much, mainly focusing on the nationalization of the military, fiscal reform, and how to balance the interests of the bourgeoisie and the working class.

He didn't say much, but some of his novel ideas were enough to catch Olivier's eye.

With Eugène's deliberate cooperation, the two hit it off more and more. Olivier's doubts dissipated, replaced by a long-lost sense of excitement. After all, nothing is more enjoyable than having a like-minded comrade.

Before Olivier left, Eugène handed him a thick envelope.

While we have made sufficient progress in building our spiritual world, we cannot neglect our practical needs in the real world. Only by addressing both aspects can we achieve the greatest results.

"Here is 100,000 francs, sir. Please use it first. I have arranged for two plainclothes policemen to protect your safety near your apartment."

Avoid contact with the Republicans. According to police reports, Gan Bida and his gang have been up to something lately, but their frequent activities during the Franco-Prussian War are definitely not good for the country. If anything happens, have your secretary contact Royal.

Finally, Eugène Napoleon didn't forget to give the Republicans a piece of his mind, saying that in his words, the empire was not just an empire, but during the Franco-Prussian War, the empire should be associated with the word "France".

The Republican Party's recent flurry of activity is a manifestation of its disregard for the bigger picture. And Olivier, whose emotions have fluctuated wildly in recent days, has fallen into a linguistic trap set by Eugène.

The former prime minister of the empire nodded in deep agreement, took the envelope, and bowed to Eugène in farewell.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I'll be waiting for your good news."

.......

While Eugène and Olivier were meeting, on the other side, Montauban, who had just taken office as Prime Minister and Minister of War in the newly formed government cabinet, was about to begin his first military conference.

Knowing that Montauban's tactics were extremely outdated, Eugène felt compelled to intervene in the war. While he knew he couldn't change Prussia's hardline stance, he could make some tactical adjustments...

At 4:20 p.m. on August 9, 1870, the atmosphere was quite delicate during the first meeting of the new cabinet in the Prime Minister's Office.

A huge military map of northeastern France hung on the wall, with the latest deployments of both armies clearly marked in red and blue pencils, transmitted via telegrams from the front.

This is the latest information as of midnight on August 8th. Information for August 9th has not yet been compiled and updated on the map.

As Minister of War, Montauban, who was appointed to the post in a time of crisis, stood in front of the map. The veteran held an ivory baton in his hand, and the 74-year-old man stood up quite straight. The Baliqiao Battle Medal on his chest gleamed under the lights.

This victory for the French army in the Far East became a source of pride that the old general often spoke of.

However, the victory in this war was ultimately due to the enemy's outdated tactics and equipment, which resulted in a mismatch between the strength of the two sides. Eugène, for one, had little respect for Montauban's tactical capabilities.

"Generals, let me first report on the latest battle situation. After the Battle of Wolter and Forbach on August 6, the Prussian army advanced into our territory in three corps."

As of midnight yesterday, Steinmetz's First Army of 6.2 men was still resting south of Saarbrücken, Friedrich Karl's Second Army of 9.1 men had captured St. Avorde, and Crown Prince Frederick Wilhelm's Third Army of 8.7 men's vanguard had reached Saargminne.

Montauban pointed to the direction of Metz on the map. As the direct direction of Prussian-occupied Saarbrücken, Metz's geographical location was very important.

In Montauban's view, the French army had to fight Prussia head-on in order to stabilize the situation in Paris, and the French army was no less capable than the Prussian army.

"Now, the Prussian army is only 35 kilometers from the Moselle River, and it will take them at most three days to reach the riverbank. Our fate rests on this river. I am preparing to give orders to Marshal Bazin and Marshal McMahon."

"Order Bazin's 17.3-strong Army of the Rhine to hold the Metz fortress to the death, while the remaining 12 men of McMahon's Challon Army to construct fortifications along the Meuse River from Chalon to Verdun. The position must stand; not a single step back is permitted. Any commander who retreats without authorization will be court-martialed."

"Count."

Although the quality of French generals at the highest command level was not as good as that of Prussian generals, it was still good in the mid-to-high-ranking positions at the lieutenant major general level and below.

France, having experienced the Crimean War, the Franco-Austrian-Italian War, and the Far Eastern War, was in no way inferior to the Kingdom of Prussia, which had experienced the Second Sino-Prussian War and the Austro-Prussian War.

Therefore, after Montauban made such a statement, an old general who had participated in the Crimean War refuted him.

"Marshal McMahon's First Army lost 1.2 men at the Battle of Wolter, and now the morale of the troops is low. Moreover, the Meuse River defense line stretches for 420 kilometers, and we do not have enough troops to defend the entire line. If the Prussian army concentrates its forces and breaks through any one point, our entire defense line will collapse."

"We must defend it even if we can't."

When the general contradicted him, the newly appointed Montauban slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups on it jump.

"The Moselle and Meuse rivers are the best natural barriers for Paris. What are you saying, are you asking us to give up the Meuse River? You might as well just let us hand over Paris to the Prussians."

Emperor Napoleon, fighting with his back to the river at Austerlitz, defeated the combined Russian and Austro-French forces with a smaller force. French soldiers have never known the meaning of retreat.

Eugénie, who knew nothing about military matters, sat in the main seat and simply nodded in agreement with Montauban's choice.

By refraining from interfering in tactical matters, Eugénie demonstrated the qualities expected of a monarch. Unfortunately, she trusted the wrong person; Montauban's tactical capabilities were insufficient to sustain the war.

Unaware of this, Eugénie, dressed in black mourning clothes to commemorate the French soldiers who died on the front lines, decided to speak out in support of the new prime minister.

"The Count of Montauban is right, we have no way out. Paris is the heart of France, and it cannot fall into Prussian hands. I am prepared to order the mobilization of all men in Paris aged 18 to 40 into the National Guard. We..."

Click~

As Eugénie spoke, the door to the operations room was pushed open.