I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 787: Lombardy Victory

Milan.

In Baron Tremeloni's villa, Beaulieu, who was recuperating there, looked at the report just sent by Leptai, raised a disdainful smile at the corner of his mouth, and said to the officer beside him:
"Tell Colonel Leptai that we can agree to the French request not to blow up the bridge and use this to delay the war for another two days.

"We'll need this bridge later when we go to Alexandria.

"In less than half a month, reinforcements will arrive from Genoa. Colonel Leptai will retreat to the Ticino River..."

As he was speaking, an officer stumbled in through the door and said in a frightened voice:

"Marshal, we have found traces of the French army in the southern suburbs. There are at least three to four thousand of them... They also have a lot of cavalry..."

Beaulieu stood up from his chair and subconsciously made the sign of the cross on his chest: "Oh God!"

The curse comes again!

Leptai had just reported that there were tens of thousands of French troops opposite him, so where did these thousands of people come from?
Are the French rabbits?
You can come out from anywhere...

Beaulieu looked pale and motioned for his attendant to bring his uniform. He then turned to the officer beside him and shouted:

"Quick, get Major Martinelli ready for battle..."

He was halfway through his words when he shook his head dejectedly.

There were only more than 400 soldiers in Milan, 150 of whom were his guards, and most of the others were slightly injured and were not suitable to follow Leptai to the Po River defense line.

It's impossible to defend Milan!

Beaulieu looked at the officer who had called the police: "How far are the French from here?"

"They left Lodi early in the morning and are estimated to be about six miles from Milan at this time."

6 miles is less than 10 kilometers and can be completed in half a day at most.

Beaulieu hesitated for a few seconds, put on his coat, and told the herald:
"Tell Major Martinelli to gather his troops and follow me to Mantua."

Mantua is a fortress east of Milan, guarding the passage from Lombardy to Austria. Austria has been operating there for many years and built the fortress extremely solid by taking advantage of the dangerous terrain.

As long as he could escape to Mantua, he could ensure his safety even if tens of thousands of French troops chased him.

Once Melas leads the main force back to support, even the most unfavorable situation can be reversed.

……

The outskirts of Milan.

"The terrain southeast of Milan is relatively flat, which is suitable for cavalry deployment." Napoleon pointed to the map on the saddle and instructed Grouchy, "The grenadiers will block the enemies rushing out of the city on the flanks. You must move as quickly as possible from..."

"Commander," a ranger lieutenant suddenly came up to him and gestured to his side, "This is the negotiating representative sent by Milan, Count Reale."

"Negotiator?" Napoleon looked at the man in black suit. "Milan, not the Austrian garrison?"

The negotiator saluted him respectfully: "Dear and brave commander, on behalf of the Milan City Hall and all the citizens of Milan, I extend my most cordial and humble greetings to you..."

Napoleon narrowed his eyes and asked, "Where are the defenders in the city?"

"Ah, Marshal Beaulieu left Milan four hours ago."

When the surrounding soldiers heard this, they immediately burst into thunderous cheers:
"The cowardly Austrians slipped away. We won!"

"Ahaha, Milan is ours!"

"Did you hear that? It's that Beaulieu, haha."

"I wanted to teach them a lesson..."

Napoleon signaled to Grouchy: "Take someone to confirm it."

"Yes, Commander!"

An hour and a half later.

Napoleon stood outside the city of Milan and saw from afar a large number of citizens on both sides of the road, holding bouquets of flowers to welcome him. Yes, as Italy's national consciousness continued to awaken, the Austrians' rule here had become increasingly unpopular.

When the news spread that the French army had driven away the Austrian army, the people of Milan felt liberated and rushed to "welcome the royal army."

However, historically, France quickly incorporated Milan into its territory, and the people here quickly joined the anti-French movement.

Grouchy on the side said: "Commander, do you need me to go after Beaulieu?"

Napoleon shook his head: "He has run far away. It will be difficult to find him."

"Then let's go into the city."

"No," Napoleon frowned and looked to the west, "We still have important things to do. Major Victor."

"I'm here, Commander."

"Leave four companies to hold Milan," Napoleon said, turning his horse's head, "and the rest of you will follow me to intercept Leptai."

Victor and Grouchy looked at each other with surprise on their faces.

After leaving behind 4 companies, they only had more than 2 soldiers.

The Leptai Corps had more than 6 men.

Right now, we must immediately deploy defenses in Milan. It would be good enough if we can hold on. Colonel Buwanaba actually wants to take the initiative to attack!

Seeing the two men in a daze, Napoleon said loudly: "Leptai has no idea about the situation of our army. He must be worried about being attacked by us and Marmont.

"So after he learned that Milan was occupied by us, he would definitely choose to retreat to Alessandria instead of coming to retake Milan."

Grouchy and Victor nodded together: "Then shall we return to Valencia immediately?"

"No, Beaulieu should have sent someone to inform Leptai. He is definitely not in Valenza." Napoleon signaled his staff to unfold the map. "I wonder if Marmont has pursued south. Let's go to Pavia!"

Pavia is located at the L-shaped bend of the Po River.

Leptai wanted to go to Alexandria on the southwest side of the Po River and would most likely cross the river from here.

Napoleon glanced at Milan behind him and said calmly:

"I'll be back soon."

The next afternoon.

Four kilometers east of Pavia, two rangers reported to Napoleon:
"Commander, a large number of Austrian troops have been spotted near the river bank."

Napoleon nodded and waved to the already very tired soldiers:

"The great victory is just ahead. Follow me through these last 4 kilometers, and there will be no Austrian troops left in Lombardy!

"Once you return to Milan, you will receive your allowance immediately."

The soldiers immediately perked up, but just as they walked less than 1 kilometer, they heard bursts of artillery fire from the south.

Napoleon frowned: "Could it be that Leptai discovered us?"

He turned sideways to Grouchy and said, "Take the cavalry and hold back the enemy first."

"Yes!"

However, just over ten minutes after the cavalry battalion left, another ranger returned to report: "Commander, Major Marmont's troops are fighting the enemy."

A smile appeared on Napoleon's face. "Well done. Victor, let's go and help him."

However, when they arrived at the Po River, they only saw Marmont commanding the soldiers to drive groups of prisoners together.

In the open space in the distance, various guns, flags, drums and other items were piled up into a small hill.

(End of this chapter)