Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

The Commander of the Italian Front Army continued, "Currently, the Austrian Army has nearly 40% of its forces controlling Verona, Vicenza, and other areas. Before they launch a full-scale attack, Archduke Karl will certainly concentrate his forces in the upper reaches of the Ming River on the west side.

"With such a large-scale troop movement, based on my understanding of the Austrian Army, there will definitely be many gaps during this period that can be exploited."

Mantua, known as the 'Key to Italy,' is not a single fortress; it's actually a series of forts built along the Ming River and Po River, with defenses stretching over ninety kilometers East to West, thus cutting Northern Italy in half.

For the Austrian Army to fully control the region north of Mantua, they must station troops in critical towns like Verona, Vicenza, Padua, and Treviso from west to east.

At the same time, these important towns can be used to stockpile logistics supplies, and advancing 20 to 50 kilometers southwards would conveniently supply Austrian troops attacking the Mantua defense line.

If Archduke Karl intends to concentrate his forces, six to seventy thousand soldiers will rush to the upper reaches of the Ming River, with Padua, at a greater distance, needing to travel around 80 kilometers.

Bertier's eyes widened in an instant, "You plan to cross the Po River and launch a surprise attack on them?"

Moro nodded, "There are a lot of rivers on the Po River Plain, and the Austrians will find it very challenging to coordinate during their march to the upper Ming River.

"Based on His Highness's theory of swift flanking, as long as our army can maintain clandestine operations and sufficient mobility, we can muster superior forces in a small area against the enemy."

Bertier looked at him, "How many troops are you planning to commit to the attack?"

"The Fifth Army Group, Your Excellency the Chief of Staff."

Bertier shook his head repeatedly, "This will lead to severe shortages in our defensive line forces. If the enemy launches a full-scale attack, we won't hold for even three days."

If the Fifth Army Group leaves, the western line of the Ming River will only have 14,000 Northern Italy troops and 1,500 of the Crown Prince's trusted aide Grenadier Battalion, which is utterly incapable of resisting over a hundred thousand Austrian troops.

Moro said confidently, "You must trust in the marching speed of our soldiers. When I launch my attack on areas such as Padua, Archduke Karl will definitely not have completed his assembly.

"Then he will most likely choose to retreat and reinforce because I could continue north to Treviso at any moment, attacking his logistics supply line.

"Of course, he might also continue his strong offensive on the Mantua line. We could entirely abandon the Ming River and retreat south to the Olio River.

"While this would lead to devastation in the Lombardy Region, the Austrians' supply lines truly would be cut off."

Finally, Bertier stopped opposing the plan.

Archduke Karl doesn't know that the Mantua line is quite empty. Therefore, for him, a strong attack on the Ming River could expose his back to Moro's surprise troops. He probably won't do that.

Victor, who had been quietly listening, suddenly said in a low voice, "General, if the worst-case scenario occurs, like the Austrians demonstrating a higher level of training during their assembly at the Ming River.

"This will put our surprise troops in a situation where they have to fight face-to-face with superior enemy forces. They might even get surrounded by reinforcements."

Moro was taken aback. Although the possibility was slim, if the Austrian Army truly performed well, it would be very dangerous for him.

Joseph lightly coughed and said, "Then let's make them panic."

He pointed to the crucial town of Trento on the north side of Lake Garda, "We'll send troops to attack Trento simultaneously, forcing them to move troops back and forth across the entire Po River Plain."

Moro frowned, "Your Highness, it's challenging for us to spare more troops."

Dispatching more to Trento truly meant nobody would defend the Mantua line.

Joseph smiled, "We only need Archduke Karl to believe that Trento will be attacked. I have a force very suited for this task that won't affect the defense line."

Bertier interjected, "Your Highness, I suggest dispatching some local troops from Montpellier and Provence to bolster Mantua's defense."

Joseph nodded, "Alright, you can issue the orders."

Starting from Montpellier to Mantua is about 280 kilometers, marching intensely for about half a month would suffice.

In truth, these French local troops could definitely put up a fight even if they encountered elite Austrian units. Although they haven't attended military academies and their training volume is small, they use the French Army's standard manual and are armed with uniform Auguste-style Caplock Guns.

At this moment, a senior staff officer knocked and entered, bringing good news to the group—General Saldano has arrived at the town of Marcaria with the Spanish corps, totalling 7,000 soldiers.

Marcaria is on the west side of the Mantua Fortress, only about half a day's journey away.

Bertier's face relaxed a bit more. If another 8 to 9 thousand local troops can be moved from provinces like Montpellier, even if the Fifth Army Group leaves, 30,000 soldiers will remain for Mantua's defense.

Even if the over one hundred thousand Austrian troops launch a full offensive, the defense could hold for at least a week.

This gives the Fifth Army Group more time to execute tactical maneuvers.

...

Central Alps.

Tens of thousands of Prussian soldiers, like swarming ants, slowly advanced along the white slope.

Although this is a rather passable mountain pass of the Alps, every day over a dozen people would lose their footing and roll down the mountain.

However, a cavalryman, as though disregarding his life, galloped along the narrow snow-covered path.

He finally reached the front of the marching column and found Blucher, where he dismounted and breathlessly reported, "Gen-General, the French have occupied Zurich."

Blucher's face instantly darkened, "When did this happen?"

"Five days ago, General."

His horsemanship skill was so excellent that he made it here so quickly.

Blucher angrily gritted his teeth and cursed, "That fool Fasbender!"

The courier whispered, "At least 30,000 French troops... and rebels in the city ignited the supply depots."

Blucher frowned, "That many? Are Freiburg's garrison troops all dead?!"

"The French seemed to have bypassed Freiburg, General."

"Damn! Bastards!" Blucher cursed for a good while longer before regaining his calm, turning to the staff officer, "It appears the French might have realized our intentions. Where are we now?"

The officer quickly called the guide for an inquiry, then reported, "We are about 18 miles from the southern pass, General."

18 Prussian miles is roughly 125 kilometers.

Blucher calculated, "The French didn't go through Freiburg, so they likely came to Switzerland from Lausanne or crossed the Jura Mountains.

"In that case, it takes at least over a week to send the news from Zurich back to France. Then it's another by signal tower to Mantua, followed by troop maneuvers…

"We likely have 8 to 10 days."

```