I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 965: Triumphal Arch

Joseph glanced at Robert meaningfully.

Rondalie was originally an official in charge of palace security. How could he have an informant in the Intelligence Bureau? This must be an infiltration of the Intelligence Bureau by the secret police organization.

But sometimes this kind of infighting also has a positive side, such as the current situation.

Robert continued: "Although Rondale cannot access the files of the Intelligence Bureau, he judges based on the current situation that the Intelligence Bureau should not carry out large-scale operations on the Austrian border."

Joseph nodded slightly.

The Intelligence Bureau does not openly have such a mission.

You know, the Intelligence Agency's annual budget is only 170 million francs. This operation took up nearly one-tenth of it, so it was impossible not to report it to him.

Robert opened the second document: "Your Highness, this is a report on some unusual conditions at the Udine garrison. It was submitted by Major Jebor.

"The garrison rotation took place more than three months earlier than scheduled, and was originally supposed to be taken over by the Montpellier Corps, but for some unknown reason, it was changed to the Corsica Corps.

"In addition, the temporary commander of the legion, Colonel Desai, transferred a large amount of logistical supplies from the Mantua Fortress to Udine in three batches, which far exceeded the needs of the garrison."

He pulled out a few copied notes from under the files: "At the same time, only one batch of materials was transferred through the regular process, and the other two batches were temporarily 'borrowed' by him using his personal influence in Mantua."

After the war in northern Italy ended, the Mediterranean Security Organization "authorized" France to station 5 troops in the Mantua fortress and troops in Udine on the Venetian border to guard against a possible Austrian invasion of Italy.

Well, these two places are strategic locations in northern Italy. Apart from France, no other country can take on this task.

Joseph immediately looked at Robert and said, "You mean, what is the connection between Klagenfurt and Oudinot's anomaly?"

The latter nodded and pulled out the document at the bottom: "This is a report from Antoine-Marie de Lavalette, the head of the Post Office's 'Black Room'.

"For a month and a half, a large number of communications about 'army food' were carried out between Paris, Klagenfurt and Oudinot using the Chap signal tower. The 'famous chefs' and 'greengrocers' mentioned in the communications do not exist in our army or in the Austrian army."

The "Black House" is an intelligence agency in the French postal system, responsible for opening and reading private letters and deciphering secret codes. Now the communications between the Chap signal towers are also under their control.

"The Security Service's current judgment is that the Oudinot garrison colluded with some scum in the Intelligence Service to steal and sell military supplies to the Austrian army in Klagenfurt."

Joseph shook his head: "This cannot explain where the Intelligence Bureau's hundreds of thousands of dollars of funding went."

Count Robert hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Highness, Viscount Lavalette did propose a hypothesis - the Oudinot garrison intends to launch an attack on a certain place, with a scale of more than three regiments. And the Intelligence Bureau will cooperate in some way."

Joseph narrowed his eyes, looked at the document in front of him again, and asked, "Who discovered this first?"

He was quite familiar with Robert, the head of the secret police.

The most this person could do was to find out which noble had said something bad about the king, who had an affair with whom, etc. Analyzing and collating such complex information was beyond his ability.

The head of the Security Bureau said hurriedly, "It was Viscount Lavalette, Your Highness. He initially reported it as two cases of corruption, and it was he who linked them together."

Joseph nodded. The three people competing for the position of deputy director of the Security Bureau were all quite capable.

Rondalie had the most contact with the secret police in the past and was most familiar with the operations of the intelligence department.

Jebor was the intelligence staff officer of the Rhine Front and had extensive experience in overseas intelligence gathering.

Lavalette was smart and thoughtful. The most interesting thing was that the three of them found out the same thing through different channels.

Robert suggested: "Your Highness, do you think it is necessary to recall Colonel Desaix and Captain Dubois to the country for investigation?"

Du Bois was the head of the Intelligence Service in southwestern Austria.

Joseph thought for a moment, waved his hand and said, “No, I want you to investigate this matter thoroughly without alerting them.”

He felt that this matter was by no means simple, and if it was not thoroughly rectified, big problems would most likely arise in the future.

If the people involved are directly recalled for investigation, it is likely that a few scapegoats will be made to take the blame.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Joseph then ordered: "Also, in order to prevent the situation from getting out of control, you need to mobilize troops to Udine in advance. I will let the troops in Mantua cooperate with you."

As he was speaking, he felt the carriage begin to slow down, and outside he could hear the passionate march and the cheers of the crowd.

The director of the Security Bureau hurriedly stood up, saluted, and backed out of the car.

Both sides of the Champs-Elysées were crowded with Parisian citizens, many of whom were waving wreaths symbolizing victory, which looked like colorful waves from a distance.

Joseph followed Louis XVI and the Queen to the red canopy in the middle of the road. On their left stood dozens of nobles and officials, and on their right stood high-ranking clergy including Archbishop Beaumont.

Soon, two teams of hussars with high spirits and holding iris flags appeared at the end of the road.

People's cheers suddenly increased several times, and a large number of wreaths flew towards the cavalry like butterflies.

The cavalry column arrived in front of the king. Napoleon and more than a dozen senior officers jumped off their horses, took a few steps forward, knelt on one knee, and shouted: "God bless our king!"

Louis XVI stiffly motioned for several people to stand up and was about to start his speech, but the deafening cheers all around made him subconsciously look up and glance into the distance.

There were so many people, so densely packed that you couldn't see the end of them.

His Majesty the King's heart was pounding, and in an instant he completely forgot the words he had memorized hundreds of times.

He stood there for seven or eight seconds, his face flushed, and he had no choice but to look at Queen Mary for help.

The latter quickly leaned over and reminded him in his ear: "The glory of God shines upon France..."

Louis XVI gritted his teeth and said with all his strength: "The Dauphin will give a speech on my behalf!"

Joseph immediately held his forehead, thinking to himself, Dad, you really tricked me without any negotiation. I didn't memorize a word of the speech...

He walked forward reluctantly, thought for a moment, and said loudly: "Today is a day worth remembering forever.

“For the survival and glory of France, countless warriors held high the iris flag and won victory after victory with their blood, lives and steel-like will from the Alps to the Rhine.

"We will build a magnificent monument here to commemorate these soldiers who gave everything for France!
"Their names will be engraved here for all to remember and admire for generations to come.

"This monument will be named - Arc de Triomphe!"

(End of this chapter)