Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Napoleon nodded silently, “No wonder His Royal Highness the Crown Prince initiated the second military reform; it turns out to be to implement such an excellent idea as the scattered soldier cluster.”

Bertier smiled and said, “Actually, the scattered soldier cluster is just a small part of this military reform.”

Napoleon was already somewhat numb, looked at him and said:

“Can you tell me what other important contents are there?”

“Of course. The news of the military reform is public.” Bertier nodded, “For example, the ‘Army Group Command System’. In the future, the entire army will be restructured into — Army Group-Division-Brigade-Regiment-Battalion-Company, a total of six levels.

“Each army group will have its own staff, engineers, and logistics system, capable of rapid deployment and independent operations.

“At the same time, the structure of all army groups is completely identical, allowing for flexible dispatch of the Chief Commander. When different army groups coordinate, they are more familiar with each other.

“All direct-controlled corps will be divided into 4 army groups.

“Each army group will have two infantry divisions, half or a full cavalry division. About 30,000 to 35,000 people.”

Napoleon inquired doubtfully, “Only infantry and cavalry? How about artillery, engineers?”

“Infantry division is just using the old name,” said the Chief of Staff, “In fact, they have all been changed to ‘Composite Divisions’.

“Infantry, light infantry, artillery, engineers, and even some light cavalry are all incorporated into the infantry division.

“The division commander can have all the types of troops and mobilize them immediately during battle. Oh, now coordinating light infantry and artillery is already a standard training subject.”

Napoleon continued to nod.

He had some thoughts about army structure before, but his ideas weren’t fully sorted out. However, the mode proposed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince perfectly met all his requirements.

Hmm, Joseph is using the army structure from the later period of Napoleon in history again. For modern armies with muzzle-loading weapons, there is basically no deficiency.

Bertier continued, “Besides, His Highness has included civilians in the army. In the future, logistics officers, clerks, military doctors, gendarmes, and judicial officers will all be civilians.”

“Civilians?”

“Yes, they still retain military ranks but don’t undergo military training. This allows recruitment from universities or administrative departments. After retiring, there is no need to pay retirement allowances, hmm, most of them will serve for life.”

Bertier glanced at his watch and quickened his pace: “Now the army includes ‘Honorary Representatives’, a bit like accompanying priests, but not quite.

“They are to fight alongside soldiers, typically responsible for counseling soldiers, boosting morale, and teaching literacy, even teaching math and biology…

“There are also changes in the cavalry. His Highness restored the chest armor cavalry unit, each cavalry division will include at least one chest armor cavalry corps. In addition, there are hussars and dragoons, two types of light cavalry, plus dragoons.

“Oh, the organizational method of cavalry has also been adjusted now…”

After the second military reform, the French cavalry will be reduced to only four types of soldiers, and all other miscellaneous cavalry units will be abolished.

Henceforth, the French Army shall have the chest armor cavalry responsible for frontal assaults.

The hussars, as elite light cavalry, are responsible for deep reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, cover, accompanying chest armor cavalry in charging the enemy.

Dragoons are lightly equipped light cavalry, not required to have exquisite formation charging abilities, combat relying mainly on carbine shooting — they will also be equipped with revolvers, and tasks like distant reconnaissance and perimeter security.

Dragoons still remain the same, equivalent to the “motorized infantry” of later generations, with high-speed mobility, dismounting to form formation battle.

In the future, a fully manned French cavalry division will have 3,000 to 3,500 people.

A division consists of 3 brigades, a brigade consists of 2 regiments, a regiment consists of 4 cavalry squadrons.

Each chest armor cavalry squadron has 100 to 120 people, light cavalry squadrons have 150 people.

Yes, because cavalry ranks are slightly higher than infantry, Joseph abolished the cavalry camps. The cavalry’s middle-level officers are at least regiment level, which also facilitates the calculation of cavalry salaries.

A gendarme officer coughed lightly, reminding that it was getting late.

Bertier had to get off the carriage, nodding to Napoleon, “I wish you all the best. I have been to Elba Island, there are quite a few vineyards, it’s not too bad.”

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

Napoleon glanced at the report on scattered soldiers reform on the table, sighed helplessly.

He initially wanted to rely on this huge innovation to stay in France, but he didn’t expect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince not to care about what he had…

A gendarme locked the carriage door. The sunlight outside was instantly cut off.

Napoleon leaned against the back of the chair dejectedly, feeling as if his future were becoming as cramped and dark as this carriage.

A moment later, under the command of Major Sevigne, the cavalry escorted the carriage towards the Port of Marseille.

They will change ships there, eventually reaching the small island southwest of Tuscany…

…

London.

Seeing the attendant push open the door in the villa a street away from St. James’s Palace, William Pitt Junior was slightly taken aback, then exhaled and doffed his hat, bowing:

“You didn’t tell me today would be so lively.”

Prime Minister of England Lord Grenville immediately, smiled and returned the greeting: “Mr. Pitt, many hands make light work, right?”

Beside him, the current Finance Minister, Marquis of Lansdowne, Foreign Minister Fox, Home Secretary Earl Spencer, and Cabinet Coordinator Lord FitzWilliam also greeted Pitt.

Yes, the goal of Grenville’s cabinet was to unite everyone to revive the empire’s prestige.

This is why former archenemies, William Pitt Junior and Fox, could discuss matters in the same room.

After Pitt sat down, Grenville signaled the attendant to close the door, set aside his smile, and said gravely: “Regarding Marquess of Wellesley’s request last week to send an additional 10,000 expeditionary force to Portugal, there are now new developments.”

He gestured to the Minister of the Army, Windham.

The latter stood up and said: “20,000 soldiers of Massena’s Army have already approached the Pyrenees and will reach Coimbra within a month.

“According to the intelligence we obtained, the French have decided to intervene massively in the Portuguese situation.”

Pitt was somewhat embarrassed and said, “Perhaps, I am not suited to know these matters.”

Grenville immediately said, “The empire is at a very dangerous stage, we very much need your wisdom.

“General Windham suggests dispatching at least 15,000 more soldiers to counter the threat of the French.”

Pitt, seeing all eyes on him, had to nod and said, “We cannot lose Lisbon, the reinforcement is necessary. It’s just, the financial pressure…”

The Marquis of Lansdowne immediately said: “If the expeditionary force is increased to 35,000, nearly 90,000 British Pounds will be required monthly to maintain logistics.”

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