Chapter 92:


    15. Interlude  2


    Holy League. Originally, itwas the name of acoalition of Christian countriesformed to counterthe great threat of theOttoman Turks. Recently, thisHoly Leaguehad beenrevived. And the targetwas not theOttomans, but France, aChristian country.


    Swedenjoined Austria, Prussiaand Russia in thename of restoringthe Roman Papal States, whichhad beepletely abolishedbythe French invasion, and saving Pope PiusVII[1], whohad beenkidnapped by Napoleon.


    Infact, therewere no Catholic countriesinthe coalition exceptfor Austria, so the restoration of theCatholicsanctum anddivinitywas justa pretext, andthesecountries sought to break theorderestablishedbyFrance and wantedtoreturn to the past.


    The membersofthe HolyLeague had been waitingfor the right time by engaging French insiders with active intelligenceand spying activities, obtaininginformationfrom them, andreceiving promises of internal strife.


    However, the badnews that camefrom theIberian Peninswas powerful enough to turn all their ns into pletevoid.


    The grand strategy of Austria, Prussia and Russias leading strategists andmanders was thefollowing.


    Austria-Prussia-Russia-Swedenwouldall raise their troops at thesame time and take the Kingdom of Pnd that was between them.


    Afterwards, they would devour thesatellite countries of Francebyputting forward the valuesofliberation and protecting sovereignty, and would advance to the maind.


    Russiasrge army, Swedens conscripted and standing army, andAustrias and Prussiashidden armies added up to approximately 600,000 troops.


    This wasanoverwhelming figure forthe French army, which hadrecentlybeen drastically reduced in sizedue to disarmament operations. It was worth a try.


    However, someprerequisites were needed forthis n to be realized. Oneofthem wasBritains financial aid.


    Thesize, equipment and warsuppliesofthe troops currentlyheld by theHoly Leaguewere more thanenough to exceed their national defense budget forone year. It was theBritish pound andbondsthat made up for it.


    But Britain had dered that it would cut offfunding because of its economic crisis. For Austria, Prussia and Russia, who were sharpeningtheirknives, it came likea bolt fromthe blue.


    Wecan fight withoutloyalty to ourcountry or to ourimperialfamily. Even if an ipetent and ignorant general takes the baton, the armywill move. Butwithout money, nothing is possible!


    Thetop decision makers of theHoly Leaguerushed to the British embassy, asking forreconsideration of the decision, and heldnationalconferences.


    Thunch of the operationwas postponed andthe military action wassuspended. Those whohad devisedthis grand strategy were now beating their chests.


    ===


    WhoisJesus! Thefort of the weeping, theriches of the poor, theheights of thehumble, therelease of thecaptive, and our joy!


    Who is Jesus! The strength of the weak, thelightofthe blind, thehealing of thesick, the resurrection of thedead, and our life!


    Who is Jesus! The purity of theugly, the lifeofthe mortal, the mercy of the sinner, the salvationofthe lost, and ourpeace!


    Who is Jesus! The headofthe whole church, the Savior of thewholeworld, the king of all kings, the Lordofjudgement, andour glory!


    At the Opera House in Vienna, the opera Ledevinduvige (The Vige Soothsayer)posed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau wasinfull swing.[2]


    Actors dressed up sangand performed enthusiastically, using their loud voices. Atthe end of each song, the audience apudedfor their hardwork.


    Numerous aristocrats and upper ss peoplewere sitting in VIP seats andwatchingthe performance. Andabovethem, ina seat thatwas saidtobethe mostexpensive and reserved forthe noblest, there was Francis I, the Emperor of Austria, and next to him wasMetternich, his ForeignMinister.


    You met Viscount Peterson (the Britishambassador) againtoday?


    Yes, Your Majesty.


    From the look of yourface, theremust have beennoprogressinthe negotiations.


    Im sorry. Viscount Peterson seems to be very embarrassed thatthe Britishforeign policyhas changeddramatically fromthat of thepreviousadministration.


    Francis I clickedhis tongue with an ufortableface. With Napoleon Bonaparteand his Imperial Guard stranded in theIberian Penins, thiswas the best timefor military action.


    Prussiaand Russia knew it as well, and were secretly formingtheirarmies.


    Bang! Assoon as thegunfire sounded, themember states of theHoly Leaguewouldimmediatelyrun out anunch military action. But the gunpowderneeded to makethe gunfiresoundwas now gone.


    Did yousay it was Viscount Howick? The newly appointedBritish Prime Minister of theWhig Party?


    Thats right, Your Majesty.


    Whata senselessman, makinga fuss about atemporary internal crisis andneglecting a golden opportunity to cure thislongsting disease. Theydonteven seem to realizethat if we disappear, theywill have to stand alone againstthat mightyFrance.


    FrancisI hadreluctantlyallowed Archduke Charles to return, inordertooverthrow Napoleon and France.


    Although he wasnow speaking likethis, Metternich knew how displeased and nervous FrancisI must havebeen.


    He feltthe sameway. Thedevastatingdefeats of thepast hapletely crushed Austrias self-esteem.


    WithoutBritains supportand the help of neighboring countries, Austria could never defeatNapoleonand France.


    Your, Your Majestythe Emperor!


    Metternichs thoughts werebroken whensomeone calledFrancis I frombehind. When he turned hishead, hesaw apale-faced servant approaching witha restless look.


    Thisisanurgent messagefrom Count Kickingeronbehalf of the Foreign Affairs! A new treaty hasbeen signedinMadrid!


    !!


    TheWar on the Iberian Penins hasended! Count Kickinger is askingthat Your Majestyreturns quickly to the pce!


    Francis I and Metternich rosefrom their seats even before theend of his words. They could notafford to appreciateanoperaperformancenow.


    ===


    A man appeared at the court of Schnbrunn after a longtime. ArchdukeCharles Louis of Austria was cedclosest to Francis I, receiving theattention of the court ministers.


    It hadalready been three and a halfyearssinceheresignedamander-in-chief of the Austrian Empire. However, his current job wastoreform Austrias oldmilitarysystem, establishand train anew-style army, and develop astrong force thatcouldbeonpar withthe French.


    Although he eventuallyretired after being defeated by Napoleon, hewas still the most influential man in theAustrianmilitaryexcept for Francis I.


    Its suicide to confront France now.


    A manofsuch influencewas now sayingthis.


    First of all, we needtoreduce the bloated armytoa level that the national budgetcan withstand. Undersuch circumstances, theres no way that the British willfinance us.


    We havetostay low, waitand see. For now, itseemsthat we shouldfocusonrevivingthe nations economybystrengthening theEmpiresstability. Fora while there will be no war.


    Charles Louis remarks werelike sayingthat theFrench-led systemwouldnevercopseina short time and that Austriawas now unabletoresist it.


    This wasaplete defeatand submissiontoFrance. It wasa momentwhen hegemony withinthe continent, whichhad beencontested for hundreds of years, waspletelyshifted to oneside.


    Theydid not expecttoexperience this humiliation in their lifetime. Theministers gathered at the court bowed their heads without saying anything, and wiped awaytheirtears.


    Reduce the army. TheOperation Liberation putitoff indefinitely do it.


    Thecourtministers, includingMetternich, couldnot say anything in constion to Francis I, who wasmuttering helplessly. Today at the Schnbrunn Pcewas the darkest and quietest daysincethe pce wasbuilt.


    ===


    The number of Russians sharpening their swords against Napoleon was toobig to count, butnone of them harbored suchdeep andshadyresentment as this veteran. MikhailKutuzov.


    At the BattleofAusterlitz, hehad not been heavilyinvolvedinoperations andtactics, but was able to see themost humiliating defeatofthe RussianEmpire up close.


    Sincethen, Kutuzov hadbeenpletely different. His onlygoal wastorestore Russian pride by defeating Napoleon andFrance.


    Desperate for that, Kutuzov had brokendown andanalyzedNapoleons every move.


    Hehad beendigging into his weaknesses. He wasthe first person to noticeNapoleons changeamonghis enemies.


    He used the BattleofHrodna, theBattle of the AnznRiver, and theBattle of La Buena-San Felices as goodsources to identify Napoleons changedstrategies andcharacteristics.


    The Emperor who conqueredthe European continent! A masterofthe timecalled the geniusofwar! As a soldierwalking on thesame path, I praise youfor yourachievements. Butmyold skills as I sacrifice my bones andfleshtobreakonly youwill notbeeasy to counter.


    Alexander I had been depressed by a series of failures, but was still angry at Napoleon. Heentrusted the full power of the Russian armytoKutuzov, whom he hadalways admired.


    TheRussian generals, including Pyotr Bagration, LevinAugust von Bennigsenand BarydeTolly, werewaiting fororders under hismand. This sight reminded Kutuzovofthe past.


    He remembered the momentwhen he andotherRussian generals gathered under Marshal Alexander Suvorov on the steppes, toppled the TurkicEmpire and were victorious.


    This time, it was up to himtolead theRussian troopsand defeat France, justasSuvorov did.


    Cough Cough Ah!


    Calmyourself. You have to calmdown andput yourmind at peace.


    Thedoctor assisted Kutuzovashedrained hisblood, giving himmedical practice worthyofthis time. Kutuzov was administeredopiumtoreduce the pain, andemptied hisstomach by drinking water mixed with calomel.[3]


    Kutuzov did notlose hiswill to live, even though he wasbleedinghorribly. He really hadnot muchtime left.


    For the prosperity of the Russian Empire, for the long-cherished desireofthe vs. Mikhail Kutuzovwas willingtobethe gun that shotNapoleonbysacrificinghis own body.


    Hewas really confidenttodoit. After that, evenifhis mortal body weathered andscattered, Kutuzov would thank God andwouldbeable to leave this world at peace. Buthis expectations were betrayed in the most brutal way.


    This is theoue of theTreaty of Madrid. France acquired Catalonia andthe Basque Country, Sicilyand Sardinia. Britain has decided to focus on the warwith theUnited States andhas dered thatitwill suspend the financiid thatthe Tsarwas receiving in hissecret ount.


    A 20-year non-aggression treatyhas beensigned betweenSpain, Portugal and France. Bothsideshave promised nottoprovide anysupport to enemies in other wars But evenwithout this use, itseemsunlikelythat they willfightFrance again. Thescaleofrebellion in the colonies of theNew World


    Kutuzov, who was briefed at the Russian military baseinMinsk, was staggering.


    Oh, my God! Marshal!


    MarshalKutuzov!!


    Argh!


    Kutuzov vomited blood and copsedinthe middle of thebarracks, which was in chaos with shouts andscreams.


    ===


    42 hours hadpassed whenheopened his eyes again. Kutuzov orderedhis servanttobringwaterashefelt a burningthirst, andsoon sawdoctors andofficerswho ran at a fastpace andfilled his room. Kutuzov drank assofwaterwhilelistening to their fuss.


    He could no longerfeel thepersistent pain thathad afflicted himinthe past. His body was free as if he had regained hishealth. Kutuzov knewexactly what thisphenomenon meant.


    What is the situationinFrance?


    A very cracked voice leaked out. The officers answered with tears in their eyes.


    Napoleonhas departed fromMadrid The four countries deredpliance withthe treaty andthe end of thePeninsr War.


    Kutuzov closedhis eyes. It was nota nightmare, it was reality. Hisbreath began to run out.


    The the Almighty Godstill doesnt want Napoleonsdownfall


    Marshal! Take your words back! Thisisntthe end!


    I know my bodybetter. Theres no chance.


    It wasthe strength of his will and obsessionwith defeatingNapoleonthat supportedhis rotten body. Butnow the light of hiswill hadgone out. Kutuzovs life was leaving likethat.


    Tell thistothe Tsar. Im rmendingLevinvon Bennigsen as my sessor Ast, defeat Napoleon and restore the bannerofthe vic Empire


    Kutuzov passed outaftervomitingblood, and never openedhis eyesagain. The enemy he hadbeen thinking about until thst minutewas Napoleon Bonaparte. OnMay 21, 1813, he becameone of the great stars of theRussian Empire.


    Upon hearingofMikhail Kutuzovsdeath, Alexander I withdrew the troopsofthe OperationLiberation and had thegsofthe Kremlinfly at half-mast fora day.


    ===


    Finally, the waronthe IberianPenins thatwas corroding theEmpire is over! Now, nogreatman willstandbefore YourMajesty! Charlemagne, Caesar, even Alexanderthe Great, will havetobow to YourMajesty!


    Now thatwehave conqueredthe West, it is timetodefeat the East again. Disturbing movements have beendetectednear Austria and Prussia. It wouldnt be a bad idea to remind them of the greatnessofYour Majesty and of theEmpire.


    Werethey ttering Napoleon or did they really think this way? What theofficersofthe unitand Bessiressaid wasa deafeningsound. Napoleon had a lookonhis facelike he hadseen themost pathetic peopleinthe world.


    Fromwhosehead came the idea thatthe Empire would be back on the battlefields?


    Y-Your, Your Majesty is always


    Napoleon seemed to know whathewas trying to say. Butthats who I am, right?


    You seemtobecreatingthe prejudice that cavalryofficersare ignorant. Theinternalevilsofthe Empire arestillpileduplike mountains, and youretalking about war? Gentlemen, a good soldiercantjust fight well.


    Where did they wanttofightagain Onthe contrary, Napoleon seededincalming theunrest in the east by ending thePeninsr War.


    Its time for thepeople of the Empiretorealize thevalueofpeace.


    Numerousconflicts overFrance had yettoend. Buttherewouldbenoimmediate triggerfor those disputes.


    Napoleonintendedtopresent a better tomorrow to thepeople of the Empire. Becausethey were bornFrench, they had therighttoenjoytheirprideascitizensofa hegemonation, along with the everyday happinessoflife.


    Quilsreviennent dans nos muraillesbeauxdegloire et de libert ! Lavictoireenchantant!


    (Let thee back within ourwallsembellishedwith glory andliberty! Victory sings forus!)


    Napoleon walked as thesoldiershummed Le Chant du Dpart together as they marched. France, gloriousFrance!


    (End of Part 1)


    TL notes


    [1]Pope PiusVII


    [2]Jean-Jacques_Rousseau,Le devin du vige. I wentthrough thelyrics of thisoperabut couldnt findwhat is written in thischapter


    [3]Calomel