Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Before going to war, you always have to take a look at the situation on the battlefield.

So Napoleon personally came to the opposite side of Reims, with a conspicuous group of grenadiers of the guards and a large number of cavalry followers, and this position was probably out of the range of the Russian troops defending the city.

"It looks like the defense here is very tight, especially the artillery positions."

"Your Majesty, what should we do then?"

"The Russians have always been very resilient. They have all retreated to the other side of the river and deployed positions. They will also strictly guard the ferry and bridges. This makes it inconvenient for us to attack from the front. Even my nephew is a Russian, just like that cunning Kutuzov!"

When talking about Kutuzov, Napoleon couldn't help but grit his teeth. After all, the biggest loss he had ever suffered in a war in his life was at the hands of this fat old man.

Although Solovyov was not taught by Kutuzov, he was also a typical Russian.

However, when facing other French generals, he would probably take the initiative to fight once, and when facing Napoleon, he also found a position for himself.

Napoleon thought for a moment. He knew through reconnaissance that the Prussian army would not be too far away, but he had lost all his will to fight. What he had to face now was only the Russian army on the northern front.

But the Russian army
In this situation, there was no choice but to fight. Napoleon was unwilling to go back to deal with Schwarzenberg while there was a well-organized and even very powerful coalition force taking action in the north.

Although he has always been arrogant and even harsh in his past evaluations of the Russians, and even said that Suvorov only had the courage of a commander, he could not be underestimated on the battlefield.

The French army setting out from Soissons could reach here after two days of march.

In fact, this progress is much faster than in history. After all, Blücher did not have the opportunity to use 10 men against 3 men in Laon, let the opponent attack and beat him, and finally did not dare to pursue.

Solovyov's military strength may even be similar to Napoleon's, but he is in a good position.

Even from the bell tower of Reims Cathedral, he used a telescope to look outside the city.

"Sure enough he came, but I would find it strange if he didn't come and fight."

"why is it like this?"

"Because some words were scratched out of his dictionary."

Although Solovyov spoke confidently, he was still very cautious in his actions.

The weather has been bad these days. In humid weather, gunpowder always fails to work properly.

Bad weather sir
Unfortunately, there was no such voice prompt, and the Russian army was still preparing for battle.

However, some soldiers still don’t understand at this time.

They were even so rude as to ask the commander himself directly.

"What did you do in the French church, sir?"

"What's your problem?"

"Sir, let's put it this way. We have come so far to France. Although we know that we are going to defeat Napoleon, the enemy of Christ, we all believe in the same God but not the same church."

"Ah, I know what you mean. But now, as God knows, at least I prayed for the poor girl in church, and the weather is like this, and the artillery should not be able to perform."

"Then our artillery is no good either."

Although these soldiers all came from the countryside and were more pious than his wife, if they had any questions, they would be full of doubts.

Solovyov even thought of the late emperor. The reason why Paul entered his mind was simple. Although the three-day edict freed the serfs, the explanation was confusing. These peasants, even couples in the same family, had different explanations.

Which mentally ill guy wants everyone to be able to interpret the Bible? This is probably a serious mental illness. It would be better for the church to control it - this is mainly targeting the Protestants.

As for that kind of meaningless debate, it is simply a way of arguing.

"But the enemy's artillery is stronger. If you don't want to be bombarded like the Second Army in Leipzig, do as I say."

As for the French, when they approached, they also lined up in neat rows and built artillery fortifications on the opposite side.

Drouot was thinking about problems along the way. As the artillery commander, he also had to ensure that the artillery could exert its strength.

But the current weather and the terrain of Reims.

"Your Majesty, I don't think it's wise to launch an attack at this time, especially since the terrain on the other side is favorable. And it's not good for us to fight for each house. The Russians have always been very resilient. When fighting with us in some places, a village may have to be fought over several times."

"What place do you mean?"

"Just like during the Battle of Moscow, we fought with them in the fortress, but the fortifications of the salient were not completed at that time, which still gave us many opportunities. This time it is on French soil. It would be a small matter to destroy such a city. The problem is that the Russians have a solid position and have all retreated to the other side of the river."

"I know that, but if we don't fight them, we won't know their details. Moreover, we can't leave such an army to threaten us. No matter where they go next, they will be a huge threat."

Even Solovyov, a man who does not play by the rules, has considered activities within Belgium. There is also a possibility that he would drive the troops directly to the seaside and then cross the Seine to make a circle!
However, this idea is only the opinion of the Russian commander himself. He will probably still march towards Paris in a more orderly manner. After all, everything about France is determined here.

He also knew that if he did not have something to rely on when facing Napoleon in the battle, he would probably not be able to succeed, so he made such arrangements.

Napoleon's Guards had not been weakened at this time. The veterans were still in the army, and the soldiers who supplemented the old guards were all veterans with more than ten years of experience. Their physical strength was better than those lost in Russia, and their combat effectiveness might have become even stronger.

What the French saw now was this defensive posture. Napoleon had seen it once before. Now when he called Drouot over, he also saw that the other side had no intention of fighting a battle here.

But he would still do what he said.

"If we take any action now, we can only cross the river and threaten the Russian transportation lines from the southeast. Nansuti, is there any news from the Prussians?" "Your Majesty, what we know is that the Prussians have retreated to the east."

"Gruchy, have you also sent out cavalry for reconnaissance?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. But at times like this, we always need to be careful. The Russians have all fled to the other side of the river, and it is not so easy to attack them."

"But the Prussians have already left the battlefield. We can consider cutting off the Russians' transportation lines. I, your nephew, want to see his true abilities."

Napoleon said this again, and everyone knew that he was determined to fight a battle.

He even planned to send people across the river to take action, bypass Reims and cut off the Russian army's transportation lines here. When his troops were equal in strength, he was thinking about surrounding and annihilating the opponent.

But Solovyov was prepared. He had been lagging behind and had accumulated supplies for a period of time. Moreover, when he sent troops from Reims to Soissons, he only sent out cavalry.

If Napoleon was willing to fight him, he could have stayed here all the time. It wasn't like his army was the only one that came to France.

If Schwarzenberg knew about this, he would have hoped that Napoleon would be far away from Paris so that he could find an opportunity to directly steal Paris. He even had more men, so it would be easier for him to succeed than Blücher's way.

But Napoleon still wanted to test Solovyov's strength. This was a kind of full confidence. Moreover, if the main force of the Russian army on the northern front that could still hold on was defeated, it would be a greater deterrent to the coalition forces.

At that time, Napoleon could force the three monarchs to accept his conditions.

He had thought about this kind of thing, but this time he didn't open champagne at halftime. Instead, he was planning seriously.

"What the hell, he really wants to cross the river from the southeast and then go around. This is his usual method."

"Then what should we do?"

"Ask Paren to lead the cavalry to prepare on our left wing. There are several shallow fords there. Our goal is to prevent the French from coming over. When they cross the river, the artillery attack should not be interrupted, especially to attack the infantry column that is crossing the river."

Solovyov was determined to attack the enemy halfway across the river, while the rest of them adopted the strategy of retreating to the defensive position, waiting in full battle array in the city of Reims and not giving Napoleon any good chance.

This method was also because the French army had sent out its elite troops at that time, while the Russian army only had ordinary troops. Only the heavy cavalry led by Palen and the armored cavalry brought by Solovyov himself had relatively strong combat effectiveness.

When Tian Ji was racing horses, the superior horse on the other side was already incredibly strong, while his own horse was probably just an average horse, and the rider's level was also top-notch.

If it were an ordinary Russian general, the procedure would probably be to get beaten, retreat, and get beaten again.

Solovyov had some experience in Eylau, but this was the first time he led a team alone to face Napoleon.

He was even quite confident that he could not let the enemy go easily and had to make the enemy suffer.

Drouot also prepared the artillery according to Napoleon's request.

However, considering that Reims Cathedral was right there, it was impossible for Napoleon's artillery to attack this place which had a special status in France.

But he had also heard some interesting stories.
"Your Majesty, two priests came from the city, saying they were sent by the Archbishop of Reims, and they brought letters."

Although the Archbishop of Reims talked about Napoleon's identity issue and induced Solovyov to go to the church to ask for a "miracle", there are always peace-loving people in the church.

The bishop sent his assistant to ask the emperor not to fight the Russians in Reims, a place with special significance to France, especially since the other side was already on high alert. Besides, he also received the blessing of Joan of Arc in her dream.

"How could such a thing happen? If that were true, then Mr. Talleyrand should still be Dean Talleyrand, a devout religious man!"

It is obvious that Mr. Talleyrand had a great negative influence on Napoleon.

"But Your Majesty, the Bishop also hopes for peace. Although he mentioned some of your problems in front of the Russians, the Russian commander-in-chief is still your relative after all. God is merciful. There should not be a tragedy of relatives killing each other at this time, and peace..."

"I understand, and I thank Archbishop Reims for his kindness, but the war is not over yet. As long as our swords are raised, we will not put them down until the enemy falls or flees."

But out of courtesy, Napoleon sent someone to send the two priests back.

After Solovyov was invited by the bishop, he realized that the negotiations had failed.

"This is all I can do for you. I just hope you can fulfill your promise to the Saint in your dream and treat the French people well."

"Your Excellency, don't worry. I have always been very strict with the army. Wherever we go, we will not do what the French army did in Russia. In addition, if you don't mind, I want to put all the hospitals in the monastery."

"It doesn't matter. The nuns in the monastery have this responsibility, and the church hospital is also there to save the dying and the wounded. Child, may God bless you. Although you look like a lamb that has gone astray, you have some unexpected talents."

"But religion is only part of it. During the Battle of Borodino, or Moscow as it's called in France, the icon my wife brought in stopped the bullets. It's here."

The bishop smiled after seeing this.

Although this bishop is somewhat of a trendsetter, he is still a relatively traditional religious person after all. Of course, he is not like some popes and bishops in Rome, especially those old popes in Italy.
"Thank God, my child."

"But we always have to rely on our own efforts. When we need the Lord, it is also to strengthen our faith. The Lord is omniscient and omnipotent, but if both sides are his believers, how can he judge?"

The archbishop remembered that during dinner, Solovyov had some understanding of the development of Christianity during the Roman Empire, just like Julian the Apostate.

Of course, Solovyov also criticized Julian, saying that he wanted to restore paganism only for his own political purposes, and he also criticized "Emperor" Theodosius.

If there is such a genius in the church, many people would probably find it difficult to be his opponent in a debate.

But he was a soldier, and now he built a Wall of Sighs in the city of Reims, ready to fight a battle with Napoleon here.

The sound of cannon fire from the other side of the river marks the beginning of the battle. (End of this chapter)