Chapter 283: Following the Strong

Chapter 284 Follow the Strong

Joseph smiled happily. Even if he had kept Na Huang's people, as for his heart... Na Huang was only 20 years old now, and there would be plenty of time and opportunities to cultivate feelings in the future.

He and Berthier and others entered the office of the Chief of Staff, sat down on the chair at the top, and gestured to everyone: "Everyone please take a seat.

"I have read the report sent by the General Staff before. You have done an excellent job and got this place up and running in a very short time."

Of course, most of this was Berthier's credit.

If his level of leading troops in battle is 70 points, then he can definitely get 100 points as an auxiliary staff officer. It's not that he can only get 100, but the highest score is only 100. In this regard, he is definitely the most outstanding genius in France!

Berthier and the officers immediately stood up and said loudly: "It is our honor to serve His Majesty the King! "

Joseph motioned for everyone to sit down and continued: "In addition to the basic recruitment and training work, there are still many things that the General Staff needs to do during this period.

"The first is to conduct an 'army combat effectiveness assessment'.

"All corps must participate, and as long as they can meet the assessment standards, they can obtain the title of 'Royal'. Officers who perform well in the assessment will also be promoted. "

Berthier was a little surprised and said: "Your Highness, is this reward too heavy? I mean, this is just an assessment..."

Joseph smiled and shook his head: "No, if you know the assessment standards, you will think this reward is very reasonable. "

"Then, what are the assessment standards? "

"According to the daily training standards of the Guards Corps, and slightly improved. Any corps that can do it will meet the standards. "

Berthier smiled knowingly upon hearing this - looking at the whole of France, except for the Royal Guards, even if the elite Swiss Guards are counted, who can run 5 kilometers within 22 minutes? Not to mention carrying 18 pounds...

There are still several projects such as shooting, formation, obstacle crossing, tactical coordination, etc., not to mention whether those old-style armies can meet the standards, some training projects they may not even have heard of!

A staff officer promoted from the Guards hesitated and said: "Your Highness, there should be no corps that can pass the assessment, so what is the point of the assessment?"

"Good question." Joseph cast an approving look at him, "So after the assessment, they will definitely say 'no one can meet such a standard'. At this time, it is up to the Guards to crush their confidence and tell them what the real elite is. "

Berthier and others immediately looked strange. The crown prince was too cruel. This meant that the soldiers of other legions would live in the shadow of the Guards.

Joseph smiled again and said, "Remember to send application forms to the people in those legions after the assessment."

Berthier didn't react: "Application form?"

"Yes, the application form to join the Guards. Remember to strictly review and approve only those who are talented and courageous. Trash can never enter the Guards!"

"Yes, Your Highness! "

Joseph did not think that this demonstration alone would convince the noble officers, but at least it would leave a deep impression in their hearts.

After all, if they wanted to be completely convinced, the Guards Corps had to achieve remarkable results on the battlefield.

In the previous battle in Tunisia, the opponent was just a North African army whose equipment, training, and command were all behind the times. And the battle against the Montcalm Corps was calculated. This could not convince those arrogant French noble officers.

Only by facing the real European army and achieving an overwhelming victory can the powerful combat effectiveness of the Guards Corps be truly reflected.

Soldiers all respect the strong - as long as you are strong enough, they will naturally follow you.

Just like Napoleon, whether it was a republic or an emperor, everyone from nobles to civilians followed him without hesitation. Even if he was exiled, he could make countless soldiers cheer and surround him with a word.

After discussing some details of the combat effectiveness assessment of the entire army with the staff, Joseph continued: "Next, we will talk about the situation in the Far East.

"I wonder if you have received the news that the Mysore Kingdom in India had a conflict with the Dutch and the Travancore State?"

Berthier and others looked at each other, and an officer quickly left the meeting room and returned with a document soon.

After the staff passed the document around, they all looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with some surprise.

That was intelligence sent from Pondicherry, India two days ago, saying that there was a possibility of conflict in the southwestern Indian state, and the Dutch were involved. As for the details, nothing was mentioned.

But His Royal Highness the Crown Prince knew everything about the situation there. Could it be that the Intelligence Bureau had already reached the Far East? !

Joseph naturally would not explain to them, and it was not clear. The Intelligence Bureau had barely managed North Africa, and even America had just begun to infiltrate, so the Far East was naturally out of the question.

At present, the intelligence in the Far East was provided by businessmen and diplomats, so the content was very vague.

Only he, who was cheating, knew the details.

Joseph also glanced at the military intelligence and had to first brief his staff on the situation in Mysore: "The cause of the incident was that the Prince of Travancore purchased two forts in the Mysore territory...

"That's probably what happened. Tipu Sultan of Mysore has always been strong. He will never allow the hostile princely state to drive two nails under his nose, so I think it is highly likely that he will go to war with Travancore."

A staff officer pondered: "Travancore has our interests, and perhaps we should support it."

Joseph shook his head: "On the contrary, Mr. Major.

"Travancore is definitely not Mysore's opponent, they will definitely ask the British for help.

"And the British have long been dissatisfied with Mysore. It is the only kingdom in India that has not surrendered to them, so they will definitely take this opportunity to declare war on Mysore."

He looked around at everyone: "Our interests in Travancore are insignificant, and we even just exist in the entire Far East, and we have no interests at all.

"So our goal should be to make the British consume as much as possible in the Far East!

"In other words, we will support Mysore."

The staff officers looked at each other again and nodded slowly.

Berthier hesitated and said, "Your Highness, if we send troops directly, it is likely to trigger a full-scale war against us."

Joseph nodded: "So, we must hide ourselves as much as possible.

"The main thing is to provide Mysore with weapons and equipment - try not to use French weapons, and send officers. As for the army, you can pick a small number of Tunisians, who have the same religious beliefs as the Mysore people. "