I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1204 Betting
Hötzer knew he was referring to Switzerland's unwillingness to relinquish its neutrality and its refusal to allow the coalition to pass.

Instead, he smiled and said, "You have completed your mission. Now, leave the rest to me."

A few hours later, 3 Prussian and Austrian troops launched an attack on Zurich.

Although Switzerland is known for producing mercenaries, its own army consists of only two or three thousand men and is severely lacking in artillery.

The Swiss defenders resisted for only one noon before giving up.

Then, a dense mass of Allied soldiers entered the city.

It's worth noting that Zurich currently has a total population of just over 20,000.

After resting briefly in the city, Hoczewicze and Blücher set off in opposite directions early the next morning, as planned.

Hozewyn's 20,000 Austrian troops marched to Lausanne, from where they launched an attack into the heart of France.

Blücher's main force, on the other hand, was preparing to enter northern Italy via the Gotthard Pass.

He will receive logistical support from Sardinia there, and then, in coordination with Grand Duke Karl, launch a pincer attack on the Mantua fortress.

Up to this point, the French had not yet reacted to the Allied actions in Switzerland.

……

St. Petersburg.

The Winter Palace.

Alexander I perused the serf reform plan written by his chief secretary, Speransky, with a satisfied smile on his face.

Soon, he reached the last page, looked up and praised Speransky, saying, "Only someone with your extensive knowledge and a liberal soul could devise such a perfect plan."

The latter quickly bowed and said, "It's nothing, Your Majesty."

"If you feel there are no problems, perhaps we can set a date for the official promulgation so that Count Cochube and I can plan the specific implementation..."

"Implement it?" The young Tsar handed the reform plan back to Speransky, surprised. "Why implement this?"

The chief secretary was stunned: "Your Majesty, but you just said that this is a 'perfect solution'."

“Yes, it’s perfect.” Alexander I nodded. “But what about the interests of the nobles? This is unfair to them.”

Speransky almost burst into tears.

Just as he was about to struggle again, the Tsar's attendant came in and placed the daily battle report on Alexander I's desk.

The Tsar casually flipped open the battle report, immediately stood up abruptly, and shouted at his attendant who hadn't yet left the room: "Summon Count Vorontsov to see me immediately!"

Because the European theater was too far from Russia, what he held in his hand was a summary of the latest battle situation in Europe over the past two weeks.

With the Dutch surrendering, British troops are preparing to march south into Flemish territory...

Archduke Charles's occupation of Venice forced the French Dauphin to personally garrison the Mantua fortress...

[Prussia and Austria-Hungary's combined 8 troops have occupied Switzerland, posing a constant threat to eastern France...]

[Pickton's army harassed eastern Rhineland, while the French Baden Front was firmly tied down in Karlsruhe...]

In other words, less than a month after the start of the war, the allied forces had already gained an overwhelming advantage.

The war would end quickly if the Allied forces achieved a breakthrough in any of these battlefields.

Alexander I dismissed Speransky and paced irritably around the room, muttering to himself:
This was a huge miscalculation! Last time, France achieved remarkable results mainly because the British were unwilling to commit their full resources, and because of mutual distrust between Prussia and Austria, leading to strategic errors. This time, Britain, Prussia, and Austria have all committed their full strength; how could France possibly withstand them?

He originally planned to wait until the situation became clearer before choosing the side that was likely to win to form an alliance, and then send troops to reap the greatest benefits.

But no one expected the situation to develop so quickly. Judging from all indications, France may not be able to hold out for more than two months.

If the coalition wins before he has a chance to place his bet, he will gain nothing!
The Russian Foreign Minister knocked on the door and entered, bowing deeply to Alexander I: "Your Majesty, you summoned me..."

The Tsar asked eagerly, "Lord Hawkesburg hasn't left St. Petersburg yet, has he?"

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Vorontsov said. “He plans to return to London next week.”

"Excellent!" Alexander I instructed. "Meet with him immediately to discuss our country's joining the anti-French coalition."

"It would be best if all the conditions he previously proposed remained unchanged. If that's not possible, slight concessions are acceptable. However, financial aid cannot be reduced, and our interests in the Balkans must be preserved!"

Two days later.

In St. George's Hall at the Winter Palace, the foreign ministers of Britain and Russia signed their names on the documents in front of them.

Vorontsov reviewed the terms again with satisfaction:
Russia formally joined the anti-French coalition and pledged to send at least 6 soldiers to the war within a month.

Britain will provide Russia with a low-interest loan of £70 and free military aid of £35.

Britain will provide Russia with technology to produce a new type of percussion cap gun and will supply 1 finished guns.

During the Russian military operations in Europe, Austria will provide all logistical support to the army.

Britain and Austria recognized Serbia and Bulgaria as part of Russia's sphere of influence and supported Greek independence.

Britain agreed to allow the Russian navy access to the Mediterranean and to provide assistance for a future Russian offensive in the Ottoman Levant region.

Soon, the text of the agreement was handed to Alexander I.

The Tsar immediately praised Vorontsov, saying that this condition was an absolute bargain for Russia.

If the Russian army can win a few more battles in the Italian region, it may even be able to extend its influence into the Apennine Peninsula!

He excitedly gestured to his attendant, "Summon Marshal Suvorov to see me."

In order to seize as many war benefits as possible, he directly gambled on Russia's most capable "war god".

His only regret was that the war was progressing too quickly, and he hadn't yet received the Malta that the French had promised.

However, the British stated that the Allied forces would immediately attack Toulon after occupying northern Italy. Once the French Mediterranean Fleet's home port was destroyed, the Allied navy could return to the Mediterranean.

At that time, given Russia's contributions in the war, acquiring a small island should not be a problem.

Just half a month later, Suvorov led the Russian Minsk Legion, along with a large number of elite Imperial Guards, such as the Tsar's Semyonov Regiment, totaling 35,000 men, toward Moravia, Austria.

They will turn south from there and enter Venice.

Meanwhile, Korsakov commanded 20,000 Moldavia troops and Cossack cavalry, who traveled through the northern Balkans to Italy.

According to the plan, another 4 Russian troops will be sent to the European battlefield.

This is already the limit of Russia's military deployment—Russia can indeed mobilize 300,000 to 400,000 troops domestically, but it is absolutely impossible to reach this number when fighting abroad.

(End of this chapter)