Chapter 783: The Art of Being a Punching Bag
After listening to the Genoese envoy's endless praise, Dimoulin gestured behind him and continued:
—You must understand, the Austrians could cut off our retreat at any moment. Coming to Genoa was a great risk for me.
He sighed gravely.
—Perhaps I will be surrounded and unable to return to France.
Vanoni froze for a moment, then placed both hands over his chest with an emotional expression.
—There is no braver general in this world than you! Thank you for everything you are doing for Genoa!
If someone had told him that, in history, Napoleon did indeed drive the Austrians out of Genoa—but then never left, ultimately meeting his defeat there, and even draining the Genoese treasury through loans—one wonders how this envoy would have reacted.
Of course, Joseph had no intention of occupying Genoa.
On the contrary, ensuring Genoa's independence was in France's best interest.
This city was the key to controlling trade in northern Italy. Protecting its government was essential to preventing Sardinia from unifying the entire Italian peninsula.
From a geopolitical perspective, having a collection of small states around France was far more beneficial than allowing a single unified power to emerge.
Economically, the argument was even stronger. Small states had limited industrial capacity and had to open their markets to larger nations; otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to meet the basic needs of their populations.
Furthermore, with the rise of national consciousness among Italians, ruling Genoa would not be easy. Destroying its government would only help Sardinia consolidate power in the region.
Dimoulin nodded and got to the main point.
—You see, I had originally planned to withdraw to France, so I have almost no logistical preparations. If a battle breaks out…
Vanoni immediately understood and pounded his chest.
—Please rest assured, my country will do everything in its power to supply your army!
—That is excellent news. —Dimoulin glanced toward the port.— Let us defend Genoa together!
Po River, City of Alessandria
At a riverside estate in Alessandria, Melas and Beaulieu were enjoying coffee while playing chess.
Beaulieu's army had just suffered a crushing defeat and needed time to recover. With no major operations planned, he was stuck in Milan, leaving him with little to do.
—General Argentau worked quickly —Melas remarked as he moved his rook to the back rank.— He took full control of Genoa in less than two days. What do you think the French will do next?
Beaulieu moved his knight to guard his king and thought for a moment.
—Judging by Dimoulin's previous maneuvers, he reacts swiftly and deploys his troops with impressive speed. If General Cervoni hesitates even slightly, Dimoulin may escape back to Toulon.
At this point, Beaulieu still believed that Dimoulin had commanded the Battle of Toulon.
After all, Napoleon was still too young and relatively unknown. The idea that he had been defeated by a twenty-something lieutenant colonel never even crossed his mind.
Melas respected the old marshal's experience and nodded.
—You're right. That's why I want Argentau's forces to attack the French proactively and slow down their retreat.
—In that case, you will need to reinforce Argentau's corps.
—Indeed. I intend to transfer Milan's garrison to him. You will be responsible for defending Milan.
Beaulieu smiled as he moved his bishop.
—Thank you. It seems I'll have some time to rest.
In his mind, the French main force was concentrated in southern Sardinia, with Milan safely positioned behind Turin and Alessandria—far from the front lines.
Just as they were speaking, a soldier hurried into the courtyard and saluted Melas.
—Commander, sir! We've just received a report from General Argentau—French forces are advancing on Genoa!
Melas froze, then exchanged a stunned glance with Beaulieu.
—Have the French lost their minds? Instead of withdrawing from Italy, they're pushing further east?
Beaulieu's surprise quickly turned to joy.
—Dimoulin must have let his recent victories go to his head! This means you will have plenty of time to concentrate your forces and trap him in the Genoa region. We have never been closer to victory!
The word "victory" reminded Melas of last week when Emperor Francis II had sent a special envoy to Milan to congratulate them on their "great victory at Toulon."
Unfortunately, poor Count Heiligenstein had only learned two hours before arriving in Milan that the Austrians had actually been defeated at Toulon. Too embarrassed to face the situation, he had claimed to have "lost the official decree" and fled back to Vienna overnight.
Melas pushed aside these distracting thoughts and strode over to the campaign map, eyes gleaming like a predator spotting its prey.
—Cervoni's corps will continue south and secure the Cadibona Pass… Colli's corps will move to Novi Ligure to help Argentau encircle Dimoulin…
Novi Ligure was a small town north of Genoa that controlled the road leading from the port to Alessandria.
Once Melas's orders were carried out, over 50,000 Austrian and Sardinian troops would converge around Genoa, completely cutting off Dimoulin's escape route.
However, he failed to realize that in doing so, he had left the entire Lombardy region dangerously underdefended.
Voltri, French Army of Italy Temporary Headquarters
Outside the French command post in Voltri, Jubert looked toward the army preparing to launch a full assault on the port. He made one last attempt to persuade Dimoulin.
—Commander, I still believe we should focus our main forces on keeping the Cadibona Pass open.
—Reinforcements from Paris need that route to reach us.
—That would be the best time to fight the Austrians! But if we attack Genoa now… we risk losing all our supply lines.
Dimoulin calmly responded as he gestured to the signal officer.
—There will be no reinforcements. Launch the attack.
Then he turned back to Jubert.
—The first wave of reinforcements has already joined Colonel Buonaparte's corps.
—What? But where is his corps now?
—I don't know. —Dimoulin tucked his cane under his arm and raised his spyglass toward Genoa.— That order came directly from His Highness the Crown Prince.
—But if I had to guess, we are playing the role of the "punching bag" here… and Colonel Buonaparte is the "right hook."
He might have been a veteran of France's old army, but his strategic instincts were sharp.
—And the timing couldn't be better. —Dimoulin handed the spyglass to Jubert.— The Austrians are clearly unprepared for our attack. We should be able to take Genoa quickly.
Two days earlier, when the French army launched a surprise assault on Voltri, the Austrians had been caught completely off guard.
Most of their forces were gathered along the roads, preparing to march.
As a result, the French had captured the town in just three hours.
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