บท 58: Chapter 58: Preparations for Battle
In the eastern part of Suez, near the ancient ruins of Jerusalem and beyond the city of Haifa, lies the gateway to Syria. Historically, Syria has been a land of many calamities. Adjacent to Jerusalem, it has long been engulfed in conflicts, including religious clashes and wars over water resources, and the region seems destined to be plagued by warfare even in the distant future.
Near the ancient sites of Jerusalem, several middle-aged men in military uniforms accompany a short general, standing solemnly. This general is none other than Napoleon, the commander of the expeditionary force, who had left Suez before dawn and traveled here with his guard. Despite being physically fit from his extensive military campaigns, traveling over a hundred kilometers in a single day was exhausting. However, upon arriving in Jerusalem, Napoleon did not rest but immediately began inspecting the French defensive lines in the area.
Although Napoleon had easily defeated Murad and the Ottoman reinforcements at Suez, he was not complacent. After the French forces had eliminated Murad and captured Suez, could the Ottoman Turks remain idle? Napoleon did not believe so. He had received crucial intelligence that in response to his actions, Sultan Mahmoud II of the Ottoman Empire had specifically dispatched the renowned Ottoman commander Delamari to Syria, along with the elite Albanian Legion.
Moreover, after the confrontation between Murad and the French forces, the Ottomans would not underestimate the French again. It meant that the French army could no longer rely on surprise tactics or deception to gain the upper hand; they would have to engage in a direct, hard-fought battle with the Ottoman forces. Fortunately, following a series of victories, the morale of the French army was high, and their artillery was powerful.
At present, Napoleon still held a significant advantage.
"General, the 3rd Infantry Division and the 6th Infantry Division have already arrived at the battlefield and will be ready to cross the border tomorrow. We also have fifty cannons ready, each supplied with a hundred cannonballs. Colonel Desaix is in charge of logistics. Additionally, our scouts have been dispatched and are monitoring the movements of the Ottoman Turks," Miura, standing next to Napoleon, reported in detail while holding documents.
"Good! Proceed with those plans. The general offensive begins tomorrow morning." Napoleon nodded upon hearing Miura's report. The setting sun cast a shimmering glow on the river, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene that momentarily lifted Napoleon's spirits. He couldn't help but wish his beloved Josephine were there to see it. Being away for so long, Napoleon felt a pang of homesickness.
However, he quickly shook off these feelings. Now was not the time for homesickness.
The most crucial task now is to defeat the Ottoman Turks and deter them from ever considering Egypt again. Only then can this campaign be deemed truly successful.
"This time, I will make the Ottomans pay a heavy price in Syria. After this war, the Ottomans will think twice before coveting Egypt ever again!" Napoleon vowed quietly to himself.
Considering the disparity in strength, Napoleon chose to lure the Ottoman Turks in and then use his superior forces to encircle and annihilate them, thereby depleting their manpower.
"Delamari! The famed Ottoman general, I am eager to face you," Napoleon said with excitement after making thorough preparations.
As the saying goes, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Delamari's reputation preceded him; he had defeated the Austrians and Russians multiple times, so his military prowess was beyond doubt.
Napoleon was impatient to face and defeat him, believing that such a victory would elevate his own renown.
"What about the sea? Are our defenses ready?" Napoleon suddenly asked Miura, thinking of something.
"From the sea? Would the Ottomans come by sea?" Upon hearing this, both Miura and Marmont were taken aback.
Seeing their stunned expressions, Napoleon shook his head in mild frustration, noting a lack in their capabilities.
"Don't forget, there's a British fleet active in the Mediterranean, and they've just defeated our fleet at Alexandria. This means they have no opposition in the entire eastern Mediterranean, allowing them to move freely and attack our supply lines, or even cover an army landing from the sea."
"The cannons on their warships are much more formidable than those used by the army. Thus, we must guard against this. Order the infantry to construct defenses along the coast, but make sure they are positioned more than ten miles from the shoreline, which puts them beyond the effective range of the main guns of the British navy's battleships," Napoleon instructed.
After giving these orders, Napoleon immediately left to rest. He needed to be in top form to counter any attack by the Ottoman Turks. As for the British, their fleet was strong, but they couldn't possibly bring their ships onto land!
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