General Leao strode into the Crown Prince of France's office, first bowing very respectfully, then just as he was about to speak, Joseph expressed surprise and said anxiously, "General Leao, what are you still doing in Kleve Town!"
"Ah?" Leao was startled and said subconsciously, "Should I not be here?"
Joseph picked up the documents that had been prepared on the desk and handed them to him: "This is the intelligence from our agents in the Netherlands last night. Hanover's army of twenty thousand has left Brussels and is heading to Liege to reinforce Blucher."
A sense of urgency gripped Leao as he carefully read the document, which indeed stated that Charles II was leading his troops southward, accompanied by four thousand Dutch "volunteers."
Joseph spoke solemnly, "General, if the twenty-four thousand troops join forces with Blucher, I fear the heavy responsibility of reclaiming the Southern Netherlands will become very difficult for you to fulfill."