Chapter 238: Filling the Final Gap

Chapter 239: Filling the last gap

Joseph was admiring the rolling Alps branches in the distance - watching the scenery was almost his greatest pleasure during the march - when he suddenly noticed that a cannon was stuck in front of him, and he immediately urged his horse to rush over.

The soldiers who were trying their best to drag the cannon noticed a slightly shorter figure coming over, turned their heads and looked, and suddenly became excited: "It's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Your Highness is here to help me drag the cannon!"

"Your Highness, be careful over there, don't let His Royal Highness get hurt..."

"All work harder, let His Royal Highness see our strength!"

The number of soldiers dragging the cannon did not increase, but the cannon that had not moved before suddenly jumped forward, and the 12-pound cannon weighing nearly one and a half tons instantly broke away from the melting ice pit.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" The soldiers cheered again, smiling, and saluted His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with their hats.

Joseph nodded in return, then patted the dirt on his hands and got back on his horse.

In fact, how much strength can he exert with his little body less than 15 years old? But every soldier will remember the moment when His Highness dragged the cannon with him, and then convert it into their high morale on the battlefield.

However, Joseph's expedition with the army this time is not just to provide a "morale aura". If he does not personally support the task, the officers may not dare to let go.

After walking for a while, the sky gradually darkened, and the Guards began to camp for dinner.

Perna led the newly established nurse company and drove several carriages through the camp.

The nurses shouted in a clear voice along the way: "You must drink hot water!"

"People who drink water indiscriminately are not allowed to listen to Lorena singing later."

"Here, who else hasn't received water?"

At the same time, they skillfully scooped out boiling water from the wooden barrel on the car and distributed it to the soldiers who were laughing and whistling.

Joseph also took the water cup from Perna. Well, it's hot tea today. The military doctor has already taken the job of the prince's exclusive doctor, and is now taking the job of Emman.

Joseph was about to enjoy his tea when he saw a messenger riding a horse galloping from the north.

Eman took the letter from the messenger and handed it to Joseph: "Your Highness, it was sent from the Palace of Versailles."

Joseph saw Brian's private seal on the envelope, took a sip of tea, and said: "Just read it."

"Yes, Your Highness." Emman opened the envelope and read it quickly. "Your Highness, Archbishop Brian said that he still holds meetings every day according to your request to discuss "how to reconcile with the military as soon as possible."

Joseph smiled and nodded.

He knew very well that there were many military nobles in the Palace of Versailles. This was to make them think that the royal family did not dare to offend the entire military and was currently studying how to find a way out.

What he was most worried about now was that the military suddenly admitted their mistakes and came to the Palace of Versailles to admit their mistakes. It would be difficult to kill them.

Emman continued: "In addition, Archbishop Brian mentioned that the Duke of Broglie has left for the Palace of Versailles and wrote a letter to express his eternal loyalty to His Majesty the King. General Rossignol also sent someone to Paris, saying that he would arrive soon."

Joseph was a little surprised by this.

He had previously selected several influential military nobles who were not directly involved in the conspiracy, and wrote to them in the name of the royal family, stating that if they obeyed the king's orders, they would continue to be trusted by His Majesty and hinted that they could get important positions.

He expected that as long as the military was suppressed, these people would most likely choose sides again.

After all, he only had 20,000 troops and a serious shortage of generals, so he had to pull out some people who could be recruited from the old French army.

But he originally thought that he would have to wait until his most important move was made before someone would "surrender". Unexpectedly, these generals had such a keen sense of smell and made the "best choice" directly.

The Duke of Broglie is particularly important. Although he is very old and has few troops under his command, he was a marshal in the Louis XV era, with a very long career and considerable influence in the army.

After this matter is settled, it is very appropriate for him to come forward to recruit the old army.

Joseph thought for a moment, returned to the military tent and wrote a letter to Brian, asking him not to make public the Duke of Broglie's betrayal to the royal family for the time being, and the position of Minister of War that can be promised to the old man.

According to Joseph's military reform plan, the General Staff will soon be established to be responsible for the specific mobilization and command of the army. The Minister of War will become increasingly insignificant, which can be used as a bargaining chip for winning over.

The next morning, the Guards set out again with military music.

Joseph looked south and asked Berthier beside him: "General, how far are we from Montpellier?"

The latter immediately said: "96 kilometers, Your Highness."

He added: "In three days we will meet the Montcalm Corps."

Joseph nodded and took a deep breath. In three days, the last shortcoming of the royal family can be made up. By then, no one can stop me from taking France off!

…

Moncontour, western France.

General Schier, commander of the Paris Corps, looked calmly at the blood-stained streets, with soldiers escorting the leading rioters passing by.

The Corps staff came over and shouted, "General, the rioters on the long cobblestone street have also been dispersed, and there are no rioters in the city. A total of 122 people have been arrested so far."

General Scheer nodded calmly. Backwaters like Brittany always have such unruly people. After the church started distributing food, the rioters continued to cause trouble everywhere and even robbed the church.

His legion was tempered on the border of Flanders, and it would be easy to deal with this kind of mob.

He looked at his staff: "Where will the next riot be?"

"Angri, on the west side of Anjou, General."

"There's still a long way to go. Send the order, rest for half a day, and set off early tomorrow morning."

The mission of the Paris Legion is to clear out the scattered stubborn rioters, as far as Béarn in the south, and he must seize the time.

While the Paris Corps was cleaning the battlefield, a small-scale battle was also going on near Valence, far northeast of Montpellier.

In the town of Amne in the north of the city, the rioters had still not dispersed. Hundreds of people were surrounding a nobleman's manor and were trying to rush in.

Beside the bell tower behind them, a sergeant returned the telescope to the officer beside him and frowned: "Second Lieutenant Buwanaba, we only have 50 people, and they have three to four hundred."

The second lieutenant's eyes flashed with excitement, he pointed at the rioters and said to the surrounding soldiers: "What did you see?"

No one said anything.

Second Lieutenant Buwanaba raised his voice: “That is our military exploits!

"The enemy is weak, but you are well-trained warriors.

"As long as everyone follows closely behind me, I can defeat them in an instant!

"Now, follow me!"

He drew his sword and strode towards the rioters, seemingly not thinking about whether the soldiers would follow.