บท 32: Chapter 32: The Despicable English
"Is that so? Then take me to see them," Roland said softly, realizing he had yet to see what his own troops looked like.
"Please!" Edward gestured invitingly.
"Alright! Then please lead the way," Roland nodded gently, speaking kindly.
"Commander, these are the soldiers of the 7th Platoon. What do you think? They are quite impressive, aren't they?" As Roland walked into the camp, Edward enthusiastically introduced him.
It was clear these soldiers had already been informed of his arrival as they all stood at attention, perfectly upright. Observing the group of strong young men before him, Roland felt exceedingly pleased.
"Let's have these young men perform for me now! I want to see their level of training," Roland declared. He was eager to gauge the capability of his unit.
"As you wish!" Edward nodded, unsurprised by Roland's request. After all, as a new commander, it was natural to want an overview of his troops.
"Everyone, ready! Raise your guns, aim!" Following Edward's loud command, the soldiers of the 7th Platoon raised their rifles and aimed in unison, displaying their well-trained coordination.
"Bang!"
"Bang, bang!"
Then, a series of gunshots followed as nearly a hundred rifles fired simultaneously, creating a dense barrage of bullets that streaked toward the target in the distance.
The effect of nearly 100 men conducting mid-range concentrated firing was extremely formidable. After a round of shooting, the target range was completely transformed.
"Good! Well done." Impressed by the soldiers' excellent marksmanship, Roland couldn't help but applaud. He was delighted, seeing that Napoleon had indeed entrusted him with an elite unit. Although he currently commanded only a small number of troops, Roland believed that he would soon rise to wield significant power like Napoleon.
Inspired by this thought, Roland's enthusiasm surged, and he dedicated his whole heart and soul to the army. He hoped to elevate his troops to a new level through his efforts, thereby demonstrating his talent in leadership.
However, as Roland was diligently training his unit, a situation that could potentially alter the course of events was brewing in the Palace of Versailles in Paris.
During the Battle of Turin, Napoleon led his forces to inflict several severe defeats on the Holy Roman Army (with the Austrian Empire playing a dominant role within it). Moreover, Roland's heroic performance at the Battle of Macken Village, where he killed the Holy Roman commander, Duke Charles, resulted in heavy losses for the Holy Roman Army. Faced with such outcomes, Holy Roman Emperor Francis II was forced to agree to a temporary ceasefire with France, leading to the signing of a peace treaty. This brought stability to France's eastern borders and a brief period of peace, a scenario welcomed by all.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the world wishes for peace. To some, especially those isolated from mainland Europe like England, continuous warfare on the continent, draining resources mutually among European powers, provides a sense of security. England, often acting as a disruptor of peace, earned the nickname "the troublemaker of Europe." Due to its geographical separation from the continent, England has long engaged in secretive and conspiratorial behaviors. With a relatively weak army, England has always tried to eliminate any threats to its security, and France, being just across the Channel and possessing a strong army, is undoubtedly one of them.
Thus, the English have consistently devised plans to weaken France, as a declining France suits their interests. The ceasefire between France and Austria obviously did not align with these interests. However, Emperor Francis II is no fool. Despite English persuasion, he was unwilling to continue the conflict.
In desperation, the English decided to take matters into their own hands. Under the command of Admiral Nelson, numerous British warships set sail from London, headed south along the Atlantic, attacking French locations such as Brittany and Ordon. Numerous French ports were destroyed under the bombardment of British warships.
The despicable acts of the English naturally provoked the anger of the French authorities. Consequently, the French government dispatched Napoleon to visit and console the cities that were devastated. Simultaneously, they were actively planning retaliatory measures against the British.
Soon after, Napoleon made a brief inspection of the northern ports and concluded that the French Navy was still far inferior to the British Navy. Thus, he decided that a direct northern campaign against England was not advisable for the time being.
In response to the British actions, Napoleon decided to embark on a campaign against Egypt. Located at the crossroads of Africa and Western Asia, Egypt has always been a strategic nexus, essential for controlling the major trade routes. By taking Egypt, it would be possible to cut off the British communication lines with India, potentially threatening British interests further east.
Given that Britain is an island nation with limited resources, much of its wealth comes from its distant colonies. By severing the connection between Britain and India, the British Empire would be deprived of vital resources, significantly weakening its power.
After Napoleon submitted his report to the French ruling party, it was met with great appreciation. The authorities praised Napoleon's creative strategy, which aimed at countering Britain without confronting its formidable navy directly.
Consequently, the French government quickly formalized the order for Napoleon's expedition to Egypt. The secret directive outlined the campaign's objectives: to occupy Egypt, expel all British presence, and open the Suez Isthmus to transform the Red Sea into a sea free of any obstacles and exclusively under the control of the French Republic. Additionally, the plan was to turn Egypt into a French colony, improve the living conditions of the local people, and establish friendly relations with Turkey and Sudan.
Another secret order authorized Napoleon to seize Malta. Malta, located in the center of the Mediterranean, holds a strategic position. Securing it would provide France with a vital hub in the Mediterranean.
Beyond these goals, Napoleon harbored even more ambitious plans: after conquering the East, he intended to inspire the Greeks and other Eastern Christians to rise up and overthrow the Turks, seize Constantinople, and "occupy Europe from the rear." This bold vision exemplified Napoleon's far-reaching strategic thinking and his relentless ambition to reshape the geopolitical landscape of Europe and beyond.
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