I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 983: Lion or Wild Dog
The Paris Police School's significance to the French army has long exceeded that of a military academy. It has become a symbol of the military spirit, a setter of training standards, and a source of advanced command and combat technology.

Therefore, what was held at this time was no longer a simple school celebration, but more like a grand celebration for the entire army.

When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince appeared in everyone's sight, Massena immediately shouted loudly: "Everyone stand at attention and salute!"

From the square outside the Military University to the parade ground south of the academy, tens of thousands of officers and soldiers stood at attention, making a "swish" sound like waves hitting the shore, and then saluted in the direction of the Crown Prince.

Joseph, surrounded by officers, came to the parade ground that could accommodate tens of thousands of people and climbed onto the viewing platform on the north side.

The soldiers on the parade ground held their heads high and chests puffed out, hoping that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince could see them.

Well, the qualification to come here to participate in the school celebration is not so easy to obtain. Basically, you have to perform well on the battlefield or be a recognized elite force.

Joseph looked around the audience, took a deep breath, and said loudly: "I am very happy that I can experience this glorious moment with you all as the principal!

"The Paris Police Academy is a great military academy born with glory. It contributes to the security and prosperity of France..."

As usual, he first recounted the glorious history of the Paris Police Academy, and then recounted interesting anecdotes about each graduating class, which caused the officers and soldiers present to smile knowingly from time to time.

Joseph had spent half a month memorizing for today's speech. Well, he still remembered some things from when the police academy was first built, but after the school expanded to 3 people, he could only rely on memorizing the information.

However, these meticulous details made all officers and soldiers feel truly close to His Highness.

After Joseph finished his opening speech, the school celebration officially began.

First there was a grand soldier drill, followed by a military band performance, a shooting performance, and meritorious soldiers telling about their battlefield experiences...

It was not until five o'clock in the afternoon that the soldiers participating in the celebration temporarily left - there would be actual combat exercises the next day and the day after tomorrow.

In the military academy auditorium, hundreds of lieutenant colonel-level officers and above gathered, waiting for the arrival of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. In fact, this was the highlight of the school celebration.

Several former Italian front officers looked at Massena and Moreau in the front row with mixed emotions. General Bonaparte should have been there, but they all knew that he was in the prison of the gendarmerie at the moment.

A colonel officer finally couldn't help whispering: "Although the general violated military discipline, he also wanted to teach the Austrians a lesson."

The "walking alone" incident had been going on for more than a month, and most of the senior military officers had already heard the inside story.

The officer next to him nodded: "The General Staff handled it too harshly this time. Normally, they would have reprimanded him or demoted him at most, but the general was brought to a military court."

Another brigadier general looked around, then approached the group and said, "I heard that the general will most likely be exiled this time."

All the officers shook their heads and sighed.

The colonel said in a hoarse voice: "Let's petition His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to pardon the general."

"You are right. The general has made outstanding military achievements. France cannot do without him."

"I will propose this to Your Highness later, and you will all agree with me..."

Moreau, who was sitting in the front row, turned his head and glanced at the group of people, frowned, and then used his eyes to signal his subordinates to stay away from them. Not long after, Joseph, wearing a neat cavalry uniform and two medals on his chest, strode into the auditorium.

All the officers immediately stood up and stood at attention.

Joseph raised his hat and motioned everyone to sit down.

Just when everyone thought that the crown prince was going to read out the promotion order or encourage everyone, he suddenly said loudly:
"I know you don't want to sit here and attend the school celebration or listen to my nonsense. You want to take part in the military parade in Vienna right now, or bombard Potsdam with cannons, accept the surrender in Königsberg, and fight all the way to the lower Danube."

The eyes of most of the officers present lit up instantly and they clenched their fists in excitement.

Joseph continued: "I know you are thinking that France has the best soldiers and the most sophisticated weapons in Europe, enough to fight Austria and Prussia on two fronts at the same time and defeat them!
"You think our percussion-cap rifles and cannons should not be stored in warehouses, but should appear on the Pod Plain, at the foot of the Carpathians!"

Joseph looked around at the crowd, and seemed to hear their violent heartbeats, but he lowered his voice a little: “Yes, our army can do this, I am very sure.

"But what happens after this? I need you to think carefully about what kind of situation we will face."

He changed the subject and said, "I don't know if you have ever seen wild dogs fighting.

“I have seen it.

“There is usually a very ferocious ‘lead dog’ with a strong body, who will bite the challenger tightly and tear it apart with all his might.

"Likewise, the young wild dogs would latch onto it and not let go, shaking it hard, throwing it down, and rolling it over.

"This kind of battle can sometimes last for more than an hour. If nothing unexpected happens, the leader dog will win and drive away or bite the challenger to death."

He looked at the officers in the audience again: "Do you think France should become the 'leading dog' of Europe and bite to death any opponent who dares to offend us?"

The auditorium was eerily quiet. Hundreds of eyes were fixed on His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, waiting for his next words.

Joseph waved his hands vigorously: "No! We are not the 'leader dogs'. Even the most ferocious leader dogs may have their bones bitten off by the challenger, or their wounds may become infected. Then the vulture on the other side of the strait will take the opportunity to tear our flesh.

"So, France must be a lion! Looking down on Europe, enjoying all the prey. If necessary, we can kill those wild dogs at any time without being hurt.

"Even that vulture, if it dares to land to look for food, we will tear it to pieces."

He exhaled: "Remember, before we grow up into lions, we must avoid getting into fights with other 'wild dogs'. That will only make us injured, bleed, and become weak.

“What France needs to do now is to stabilize the market, develop industry and agriculture, and increase the population.

"Until we can always come up with billions of francs in military expenditure without causing a huge impact on the finances, we will not be caught in a situation where we are bitten by other 'wild dogs'."

"At the same time, we will also launch the second military reform."

"Yes, being content with the status quo is equivalent to regression. Prussia and Austria will soon learn from us to reform their armies. The British have even formed a new army that is very similar to ours."

(End of this chapter)