I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 999: The Empire’s Dilemma

Napoleon nodded silently: "No wonder His Royal Highness the Crown Prince initiated the second military reform. It turns out that he wants to promote such an excellent idea as the scattered soldiers group."

Berthier smiled and said, "In fact, the scattered soldiers group is only a small part of this military reform."

Napoleon was already somewhat numb, and looked at him and said:
"Can you tell me what else is important?"

"Of course. The news of military reform is all public." Berthier nodded, "For example, the 'army command system'. From now on, the entire army will be reorganized into - army - division - brigade - regiment - battalion - company, a total of six levels.

"Each army group has its own staff, engineers and logistics system, and can be deployed quickly and fight independently.

"At the same time, the structure of all army groups is exactly the same, so the overall commander can be flexibly deployed. When different army groups cooperate with each other, they are more familiar with each other.

"All direct corps will be divided into four army groups.

"Each army group consists of two infantry divisions and half or one cavalry division. It has about 3 to 3 people."

Napoleon wondered, "Only infantry and cavalry? What about artillery and engineers?"

"The infantry divisions are just using the old name," said the chief of staff, "but in fact they have all been changed to 'combined divisions'.

“Infantry, skirmishers, artillery, engineers, and even some light cavalry were incorporated into the infantry divisions.

"The division commander will have all the arms at his disposal and can call upon them immediately in battle. Oh, now the coordination of skirmishers and artillery is a standard training subject."

Napoleon just continued to nod.

He had some ideas about the organization of the army before, but his thoughts were not yet fully sorted out. However, the model proposed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had perfectly met all his requirements.

Well, Joseph used the military organization of the late Napoleon period in history. For modern armies using muzzle-loading weapons, there are basically no shortcomings.

Berthier continued, "In addition, His Royal Highness has incorporated civilian officials into the army. From now on, the quartermasters, secretaries, military doctors, military police, and military judicial officers will all be civilian positions."

"civilian?"

"Yes, they still retain their military ranks, but they don't have to undergo full military training. This way, they can recruit people from universities or administrative departments. After retirement, they don't have to pay retirement benefits. Well, most of them will serve for life."

Berthier looked at his watch and spoke faster: "Now, the army has added 'honorary representatives', which are a bit like military chaplains, but not quite.

"They have to fight with the soldiers, and are responsible for guiding the soldiers, boosting their morale, and teaching them to read, and even math and biology...

"There are also changes in the cavalry. His Highness has restored the cuirassiers. Each cavalry division will have at least one cuirassiers regiment. In addition, there are two types of light cavalry, hussars and chasseurs, plus dragoons.

"Oh, the organization of the cavalry has also been adjusted..."

After the second military reform, France's cavalry will only have four branches, and all other messy cavalry organizations will be cancelled.

From now on, the French army will be responsible for the frontal charge by the cuirassiers.

As elite light cavalry, the Hussars were responsible for deep reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, cover, and accompanying the cuirassiers in charging the enemy.

The Chasseurs are light cavalry with simple equipment. They do not require sophisticated formation charge capabilities, and rely mainly on carbine shooting in combat - in the future they will also be equipped with revolvers, as well as tasks such as long-range reconnaissance and perimeter surveillance.

The dragoons were still the same, equivalent to the "motorized infantry" of later generations, maneuvering at high speeds and dismounting to fight in formation.

In the future, a fully staffed French cavalry division will have 3000 to 3500 people.

A division is composed of three brigades, a brigade is composed of two regiments, and a regiment is composed of four cavalry squadrons.

Each cuirassiers squadron had 100 to 120 men, and each light cavalry squadron had 150 men. Yes, since the cavalry rank was slightly higher than the infantry, Joseph abolished the cavalry battalion. The lowest rank of the cavalry middle-level officer was also the regimental commander. This also made it easier to calculate the cavalry's salary.

Suddenly, the military police officer coughed lightly, reminding everyone that it was getting late.

Berthier had no choice but to get up and get off the carriage, nodding to Napoleon and saying: "I hope you have a safe journey. I have been to the Island of Elba, where there are many vineyards, and it is not too bad."

Well, this place of exile was specifically designated by Joseph.

Napoleon glanced at the report on the reform of the skirmishers on the table and sighed helplessly.

He originally wanted to rely on this great innovation to stay in France, but he didn't expect that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would look down on his little thing...

A military policeman locked the car door, and the sunlight outside was instantly cut off.

Napoleon leaned back in his chair dejectedly, feeling that his future had become just like this carriage, cramped and dim.

A moment later, at the command of Major Sévigné, the cavalry escorted the carriage towards the port of Marseille.

There they will change boats and eventually arrive at a small island southwest of Tuscany...

……

United Kingdom. London.

In a villa one street away from St. James's Palace, as the servant pushed open the door, Little Peter was startled for a moment, then he exhaled, took off his hat, bowed and said:

"You didn't tell me it would be so lively today."

British Prime Minister Lord Grenville immediately returned the greeting with a smile: "Mr. Pitt, there is strength in numbers, isn't it?"

Beside him, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, Marquis of Lansdowne, Foreign Secretary Fox, Home Secretary Earl Spencer, and Cabinet Coordinator Lord Fitzwilliam also saluted Pitt the Younger.

Yes, the goal of Grenville's cabinet was to unite everyone to restore the prestige of the empire.

This is also the reason why Pete Jr. and Fox, who were once sworn enemies, can be in the same room to discuss things.

After Little Pitt sat down, Grenville signaled the attendant to close the door, put away his smile, and said in a deep voice: "Regarding the request made by the Marquis of Wellesley last week to send an additional 1 expeditionary troops to Portugal, there has been another change now."

He gestured to War Secretary Windham.

The latter stood up and said: “The 20,000 soldiers of the Massena Legion are approaching the Pyrenees, and they will arrive in Coimbra within a month.

"According to the intelligence we have received, the French have decided to intervene massively in Portugal."

Little Peter said somewhat embarrassedly: "Maybe, I am not suitable to know these things."

Grenville immediately said: “The empire is in an extremely dangerous stage, and we are in great need of your wisdom.

"General Windham recommends sending at least 1 additional troops to meet the French threat."

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Little Peter nodded and said, "We can't lose Lisbon. It is necessary to send more troops. However, the financial pressure..."

Marquis Lansdowne immediately said: "If the expeditionary force is increased to 3 people, it will cost nearly 5 pounds per month to maintain logistics."

(End of this chapter)