Chapter 219: A Quick Victory

Chapter 219: A Quick Victory

The officers watched in confusion as the luxurious conference table was removed and replaced with a simple wooden one. Joseph pointed to the intricately decorated room, with its pillars and ceiling adorned with complex geometric patterns and tapestries on the walls, and said to the group:

"I want all future war meetings to be held in the army tents. Remember, our focus is on fighting and winning battles. Everything we do, every object around us, should be related to our mission. The luxuries and grand displays can wait until after we've won the war and returned to Paris."

At this time, European military officers were often steeped in the habits of noblemen, such as holding parties and banquets even on the battlefield, or worse, bringing mistresses to command posts.

The Prince's Guard Corps was already quite restrained in this regard, but old habits die hard. Joseph needed to remind them constantly, through their daily routines, to completely eradicate these bad habits. This was not only to keep the officers focused on the task at hand but also to minimize the gap between the soldiers and their commanders, fostering full respect and admiration for their officers.

The officers from the Paris Military Academy were not surprised by the Prince's demands—they were trained this way. However, the officers from the Moulins Corps were less accustomed but still followed Berthier and the academy officers, bowing and responding loudly, "Yes, Your Highness."

Soon, more than a dozen senior officers brought their simple wooden chairs and gathered around the sand table in the middle of the room.

The sand table, overseen by Berthier, a top European cartographer, was detailed and precise.

Joseph nodded at Berthier and sat at the edge—he was well aware of his limitations, having only undergone less than a year of intensive military courses at the Paris Military Academy. For actual command in battle, he relied on experts like Berthier. His main role here was to boost morale and maintain unity among officers from different backgrounds.

Berthier stood at the front and first summarized the situation in Algiers before stating:

"Based on intelligence, it's clear that the British and Ottomans are behind this. Their goal is not just to restore Janissary rule but to drive us out of Tunisia before we have a firm foothold here." He looked around the room with a serious expression. "The overall situation is not in our favor. First, the Algerians started their preparations at least six days ago, putting us at a significant disadvantage.

"Second, they have 23,000 troops, while we have just over 7,000 soldiers. Even with Jemelle's native forces, we can muster at most 12,000 men. We are still outnumbered, and as you all know, we can't rely on the fighting ability of the native troops."

The officers nodded slightly. After taking Tunis, many of the rebel units had disbanded, especially the native tribal troops. They were mainly farmers who were eager to return home to tend their fields once the fighting was over. Currently, only about 15,000 troops remained, and many of them were needed to maintain order throughout Tunisia.

"As for the enemy's combat capability," Berthier continued, "the Albanian mercenaries are highly valued in the Ottoman army. Although the ones here aren't as elite as the core Ottoman forces and include some Bosnians, they are still not to be underestimated."

He gestured to the soldiers at the door, "As for the strength of the Algerian Janissaries, these Tunisian Janissary officers should know best. Bring them in."

The soldiers immediately brought in three Tunisian Janissary officers.

Berthier looked at them and asked, "In your opinion, how does the Algerian Janissaries' combat ability compare to yours?"

The oldest of the Janissary officers nervously looked around before cautiously replying, "Pasha, they are far stronger than us. They often recruit soldiers from Anatolia and maintain five days of training each week."

Another Janissary officer added, "Some of their weapons are even better than those of the Sultan's army."

The French officers' expressions grew more serious upon hearing this. It was clear that this opponent would not be as easy to defeat as the Tunisian Janissaries.

Joseph was not surprised by this—Algiers was a much larger state than Tunisia, with three competing factions. If the Algerian Janissaries hadn't kept up their strength, they would have been consumed by the other two factions long ago.

"This could be a tough battle."

Moulins Corps commander André ordered the Tunisian Janissary officers to be taken away, then pointed to the Mejerdah River northwest of Tunis on the map:

"Given our numerical disadvantage, our best strategy is to defend along the river. The enemy's goal must be Tunis, and as long as we hold this position, they will never win."

The Mejerdah River runs from northeast to southwest across Tunisia. To the south is the peak of the Atlas Mountains, Djebel Zaghouan. Anyone attempting to take Tunis would have to cross this river. Defending along the river seemed like the safest strategy.

As soon as André finished speaking, a few officers nodded in agreement.

But Berthier frowned slightly, "But Bizerte and the area north of Kairouan are on the north side of the Mejerdah River. If we set up our defenses along the river, we're essentially handing those places over to the enemy."

The officers immediately turned to Berthier. "What do you suggest?"

Berthier tapped on the map west of Bizerte, "To enter Tunisia from Annaba, they must pass through here—Ferryville, between Lake Ichkeul and Lake Bizerte. We should intercept the Algerians here!"

André frowned, "But, Colonel, that's flat terrain. If we choose that location, we'll be facing an enemy several times our size in open battle."

He was already dismissing Jemelle's native troops.

A military academy officer immediately countered, "But only by doing so can we protect Bizerte."

The officer next to him nodded in agreement, "Losing Bizerte would embolden the remaining Janissary forces in Tunisia, causing us even more trouble."

Another voice raised in objection, "Have you considered that if we engage in an open battle on the plains, we won't have any chance of retreating if things go wrong?"

The academy officer didn't back down:

"If the enemy takes Bizerte, it will cause severe damage. If we can't show that we can protect Tunisia, the trust we've just built with the locals will vanish."

"Perhaps we should request reinforcements from Paris."

"That could take one or two months, or even longer. Who knows how the situation might change in the meantime?"

"And the finances may not allow for a larger deployment."

"So defending along the Mejerdah River is still the most viable option."

"I think we should try holding the line at Ferryville!"

The debate grew increasingly heated, with neither side able to convince the other.

At this point, Joseph suddenly stood up, cutting off the argument, "I'd like to know, where are our supplies coming from?"

Berthier immediately replied, "Your Highness, they're mainly being gathered by Mr. Agathon and the merchant guild, with a smaller portion transported by our fleet from Corsica."

"And how about transportation to the front lines?"

"We can entrust that to the local army. We'll send a battalion to oversee it."

Joseph frowned, "Gentlemen, I'm afraid we have only one option, and that is to strike quickly.

"Tunisia currently doesn't even have a functioning government. Supply lines could be disrupted at any moment. Moreover, the Janissary forces will undoubtedly do everything they can to sabotage our logistics.

"If we get bogged down in a protracted battle, our supply lines could be our undoing!"

Berthier's expression brightened, "Your Highness, your concerns are absolutely valid. Then, let's focus our defense at Ferryville."

But Joseph paused, "If I'm not mistaken, the Algerians will also be prepared to engage us in battle there."

"That's very likely, Your Highness."

"In that case, our numerical disadvantage will cost us dearly," Joseph said, shaking his head slightly. The Guard Corps was his most valuable asset, painstakingly assembled, and he couldn't afford to lose too many of them in North Africa.

André hesitated, "Your Highness, does that mean you agree with my proposal?"

"No," Joseph waved his hand, then stared at the map of the Algerian-Tunisian border for a moment before suddenly smiling, "We need to surprise the enemy. For example, by defeating them at Annaba!"

Annaba was in the easternmost province of Algiers. The officers in the room exchanged puzzled looks.

...

Paris, Petit Trianon

Queen Marie almost forgot her usual decorum, clenching her fists as she raised her voice at Brienne, "So the army heading to North Africa hasn't even left yet?!"

"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty," Brienne replied, keeping his head down. "As you know, the current financial situation... The Marquis of Saint-Véran's request for 4 million livres can't be granted immediately..."

He quickly added, "The money has been prepared, but it's a large sum. The Treasury wants to pay in paper currency, but the army insists on silver. Converting it takes time."

The Queen took a deep breath, clearly trying to contain her anger, "It's been five days, and he still hasn't left camp. The Algerians could attack Joseph at any moment!"

Brienne cautiously said, "Your Majesty, large-scale troop movements require significant preparation time. The Algerians are the same; they likely haven't left their borders yet."

Almost through gritted teeth, Queen Marie spat out, "You go and tell the Marquis de Saint-Priest that the Marquis de Saint-Véran's troops must reach Tunisia before the Algerians. I will be sincerely grateful for his hard work."

...

Algiers, Eastern Annaba

A force of over 10,000 soldiers, fully equipped in Ottoman uniforms, was advancing slowly.

In the middle of the column, the commander of the Algerian intervention force, Kaïhler, looked at the intelligence report just delivered to him and smiled smugly before tossing the paper to his adjutant:

"The British are clearly overestimating the French. Four days ago, they were still resupplying in Tunis. They probably haven't even set out yet."

This information came from remnants of the Tunisian Janissaries, making it highly reliable.

The adjutant glanced at the report and then turned to Kaïhler, "General, based on their movements, they likely intend to set up defenses around the Mejerdah River."

"Are you suggesting it will be difficult to attack there?" Kaïhler sneered, "The British are paying for this. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Bizerte is extremely wealthy. We'll have plenty of time to plunder its riches and ship them back to Mitidja."

A tall officer on Kaïhler's other side, however, spoke with a serious tone:

"General, according to reconnaissance two days ago, the Tunisians seem to be preparing to cross the Mejerdah River north of Kairouan. They may be planning to engage us near Bizerte."

"Those wretched peasants don't even know how to fight," the adjutant scoffed. "On the plains of Bizerte, we can tear them apart with ease. It's a disgrace that the Tunisian Janissaries were defeated by such rabble."

But Kaïhler gave a more cautious order:

"We must be wary of Tunisian ambushes. Double the number of scouts and locate the Tunisian rebels' main force as quickly as possible."

The tall officer turned to Kaïhler with some confusion, "General, I find it strange that the rebels haven't joined forces with the French. Splitting up makes it even harder for them to face us directly."

Kaïhler corrected him, "Even if they united, they wouldn't stand a chance against us. Those rebels were tilling fields a few months ago; they probably can't even form proper ranks. I suspect the French don't want to engage us head-on, so they've chosen to defend along the river."

The tall officer added, "Could the French be waiting for reinforcements?"

"The British say France's financial situation doesn't allow for a large-scale deployment. Besides, they promised us more support if the French send reinforcements."

Just then, a scout galloped up and reined in his horse at a distance, calling out loudly:

"General, the Albanians report that their scouts spotted Tunisians near Nafta. What are your orders?"

Nafta was on the easternmost edge of Annaba, almost at the Algerian border. The Albanian mercenaries, acting as the vanguard, had already reached that area.

Kaïhler narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment before confidently stating:

"It's probably just tribal forces from Bizerte scouting our movements. Tell Semiz to increase reconnaissance and keep advancing."

Semiz was the Janissary officer in charge of the Albanian mercenaries.

[End of Chapter]

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