"Okay, Victor, if you want a reconnaissance mission, I'll allow you."
Although the marshal spoke very softly, the Marquis de Treville, who had just made an impassioned speech, breathed a sigh of relief.
Reconnaissance operation?
What is a reconnaissance operation? Sending out dozens of people to harass someone is a reconnaissance operation. Sending out hundreds or thousands of people is also called a reconnaissance operation. This vague term gave the two people present a great deal of freedom.
In a combat operation, the outcome is of great importance, and it is very likely to affect domestic public opinion; but in a reconnaissance operation, the nature is completely different, and it can advance or retreat.
If General Treville's operation is a great success, then this is a "war achievement" that can be boasted; if the situation is the opposite and the operation is frustrated, then Marshal Moncey can also deliberately downplay the situation and make things pass with an understatement.
This was also the action plan that the Marquis of Treville agreed to in disguise.
The general knew that the marshal, considering everyone's years of friendship, specially opened an opening for himself so that he could get the opportunity to make contributions.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Excellency Marshal." He was moved and quickly thanked the Marshal, "I will always remember your help to me..."
"Don't say such things, Victor." However, the marshal only responded calmly, "I promise you only because your words convinced me. You made me believe that your actions are beneficial to our army and His Majesty, rather than outright.
Regarding our personal relationship. As I said just now, the people and horses here belong to Your Majesty, not toy to you or me. I am just taking command on behalf of Your Majesty... So, if you really want to thank me, then you can
Let’s handle things beautifully so that it won’t be difficult for me to explain to His Majesty, and don’t let me live up to His Majesty’s expectations.”
"That's natural!" General Treville nodded heavily, "I hope to repay His Majesty's favor even more earnestly than you do... There is only one chance for me. If I mess up the matter, I will never be able to do it again.
Get up, I keep this in mind, don't worry, I will get things done!"
"It's good that you know." The marshal sighed softly, looking exhausted, "I am already 77 years old, and it is impossible for me to continue to serve for a long time. After all, His Majesty still needs younger generals to take charge of the army for him.
And I have always been optimistic about you... So, Victor, do your best, I hope you can succeed!"
After encouraging the Marquis, the Marshal gently waved his hand and signaled the Marquis of Treville to leave.
For Marshal Moncey, he is old and has reached the pinnacle of honor. Now he only wants to guard the door for His Majesty, and then retire and return to his country at the right time to take care of himself. He does not want to cause any trouble again.
Later, it affected his final reputation; but, deep down in his heart, he was also a soldier who had spent his whole life in the military. He also admired the aggressive and decisive Marquis de Treville, and he also admired Bonaparte.
The loyalty of the Ba family also made him believe that the empire would still need him as a pillar to support him in the future, so there was a hint of "entrustment" in his words.
The Marquis of Treville also understood this, and at this moment, his heart was already filled with joy and gratitude.
Soon, a written order signed by the marshal was delivered to him, and he was authorized to lead a "reconnaissance operation." Moreover, the marshal also specifically emphasized in the order that the Marquis of Treville could choose whomever he thought was appropriate.
Officers and troops can perform this task, as long as the total number does not exceed the limit.
This authorization with a high degree of freedom let the Marquis know that the marshal had given him enough space, and then it was time for him to express himself.
And he has always been a very active person. He immediately summoned several officers who he had investigated and recruited during this period to come to his residence to discuss the next action.
Since arriving in Algeria, the Marquis of Treville has been deliberately making friends with young officers in the local army. After all, he knows that although he has His Majesty's favor, his relationship within the army is very weak because he has been retired for a long time.
.If this situation continues, even if I am forcibly promoted by His Majesty in the future, I will still be like a duckweed in the wind, unable to exert my power.
After all, the Army is the place where factions and seniority are most important. Generals who lead troops all year round have a lot of old troops and retinues in their hands. Naturally, they will give priority to promoting these confidants; and these people have great respect for their benefactors.
, are often in a state of dependence and form a close alliance.
Because His Majesty continued to re-appoint Marshal Soult as Minister of War after he ascended the throne, and Marshal Soult, in the name of "helping His Majesty purge the traitors", carried out a large-scale purge in the army, excluded dissidents, and promoted his own party members, so now the army
The most powerful among them are Sirte's cronies and old friends, who almost occupy most of the key positions in the army, and are extremely powerful. However, this also means that officers from other factions, or those without factions, have limited room for development.
Therefore, the Marquis of Treville needed to recruit his subordinates, and some frustrated officers also hoped to find a backer. The two sides almost hit it off. In just a few months, many officers in the North African garrison took the initiative to approach him, and gave explicit hints.
Want to take refuge.
The Marquis of Treville basically refused to refuse anyone. As long as someone approached him, he would treat them politely and never put on the airs of a general. He showed an attitude of "thirsty for talents".
In order to expand his power, he is now extremely eager to recruit subordinates. Only in this way can he climb to a higher position.
However, Marquis Treville also has a clear understanding of his own strength. No matter how hard he works now, he will still be unable to compare with Marshal Soult, whose qualifications and prestige are at the peak of his career, nor can he compare with several old marshals, so
His position for himself is to strive to become a senior army officer as soon as possible and to be the leader of a smaller faction.
Anyway, he is ten or twenty years younger than most marshals. As long as he can survive, after those marshals pass away, he will eventually be able to rely on the tradition of "seniority ranking" to reach the top step by step.
Of course, this is also full of dangers, and it is by no means a smooth road. Every step during the process may fall and be shattered into pieces. After all, there are many generals who have the same "dream" as the Marquis of Treville, and there are fierce personnel matters within the army.
In the midst of a struggle, anyone may suddenly lose their footing and their future may be ruined.
But now that he has embarked on this road, there is no turning back, and the Marquis of Treville has no intention of turning back.
His biggest capital now is that he has gained His Majesty's trust because he joined His Majesty earlier. It is precisely because of His Majesty's favoritism and connivance that he was able to get such a good opportunity to come to North Africa to be gilded and ahead of all potential competitors.
Half a body.
But His Majesty's trust is not unconditional. On the contrary, if you want him to continue to trust you, you must show enough "performance". Otherwise, His Majesty's support and training of others will only be a snap - anyway.
, there are many generals who want to climb up by holding His Majesty’s thighs, and I am not the least of them.
Because of Edgar's scandal, the Treville family is now in danger and is ridiculed by the outside world. Correspondingly, its "value" is also declining - although there are no signs of falling out of favor now, if you don't work hard, the consequences can be imagined.
.
So, you have to do it! And you have to win.
Only victory is the only way to crush all doubts and regain trust.
I have no other way to go, so I have no choice but to fight for my life.
In 1805, the Marquis of Treville returned to France from the German exile and was reused by Emperor Napoleon, who liked the old aristocracy, and he repaid Emperor Napoleon with his desperate performance on the battlefield; and in 1831, the once high-spirited
The young man has turned into a middle-aged man with gray hair on his temples, but he still walks on the same road.
I fought tooth and nail for the two generations of your family to protect my family's wealth and prosperity. This transaction is fair and reasonable, isn't it? I have nothing wrong with your family...
With such thoughts in mind, General Treville, dressed in military uniform, walked into the living room, which was not spacious in the mansion.
At this time, several officers in military uniforms were already sitting in the living room. After seeing General Treville, they all stood up from their seats and saluted the general.
It is already spring in Algiers, and the climate is warm and cool. Through the window of the living room, you can see the blue sea covered with sunshine, which is a refreshing and beautiful scenery.
However, the general at this moment was filled with murderous intent, his eyes were cold, and he looked like he was choosing people to devour.
"Everyone, I called you here specifically to tell you good news... Just now, Your Majesty the Marshal agreed to my attack plan and allowed us to conduct a large-scale reconnaissance operation-"
The Marquis didn't play any tricks to keep people's appetites, but said it directly.
Just as he expected, his words immediately triggered cheers from the audience.
"Great!" the officers all shouted in unison.
Most of these young officers have the same ambition to climb up as the Marquis. They came to the desolate North Africa in order to make contributions and find opportunities for promotion; however, due to the sudden change of dynasties, the army management department in Paris encountered difficulties.
Paralyzed and purged, military operations in North Africa were forced to suspend; then Marshal Moncey came to North Africa. Although he stabilized the morale of the military, he also adopted a calm attitude and refused to start a war easily. He just stabilized the local garrison.
Existing occupied areas, waiting for the next order.
Therefore, for almost a year, the North African garrison seemed to be in a state of being forgotten, or forced to take a vacation. Apart from dealing with the occasional harassment from surrounding tribes, they could hardly do anything. Over time, the internal situation within the army gradually increased.
The officers and soldiers also relaxed. Except for daily training, they almost spent their time drinking and playing cards. They were so idle that they almost forgot that they were an expeditionary force.
This current situation makes these ambitious officers extremely dissatisfied. They have written to senior officials many times, hoping to launch further military operations. However, their wishes have never been satisfied, which has also caused a lot of resentment and complaints. Many
People even think that they have fallen into a "pit of fire" by mistake.
The Marquis of Treville has been paying attention to the public opinion in the military since he came to North Africa, and the people he most deliberately seeks to win over and make friends with are those junior officers who are usually full of complaints about the current situation and are ambitious, and has repeatedly stated that he will lead
They go to make great achievements.
And now, he finally proved his commitment with practical actions.
As he spoke, the Marquis of Treville showed Marshal Moncey's order to everyone, and this easily aroused the flames of ambition in these people's hearts.
Seeing these people gearing up and impatient, the Marquis secretly laughed in his heart.
Now, all he needs to do is give them a little more chicken blood, and he can win them all under his command and use them for his own purposes.
"Everyone, to tell you the truth, I met with His Majesty before I came here, and His Majesty also told me that there is a long-term peace on the European continent, and the only place where soldiers can make achievements is Algeria, so I was sent to
North Africa is where Your Majesty hopes I can make a difference.
Similarly, His Majesty has asked me to take on the important task of supervision, not only because he hopes that I will restrain the military discipline of the army, but also because he hopes that I can discover outstanding talents in the army and make the face of our army a new look. Your Majesty allows me to recommend to him those who dare to serve the country.
Talents who charge forward... So don't worry, as long as you perform well enough, I will write down your name and glorious deeds in the report to His Majesty, and His Majesty will personally commend you!"
Although the Marquis de Treville's words were brief, they did easily arouse the emotions of everyone present.
These people all know that the Marquis is His Majesty's trusted follower, and that His Majesty specially transferred him here, so they believe that the Marquis' words in front of Your Majesty will carry more weight than others.
They did not know the recent series of events in Fontainebleau, nor the tragic internal strife within the Treville family. In their view, the Marquis had His Majesty the Emperor as his backing, so naturally "Jane is in the heart of the Emperor."
And if the Marquis speaks kindly to me, then obviously, my bright future will be right in front of me.
Looking into the hungry eyes, the Marquis finally showed a satisfied smile.
"So, everyone, please tell me now, are you willing to do your best for the empire and His Majesty?"
"Yes!" Everyone answered loudly at almost the same time. This was of course an unquestionable question.
"Very good, I feel your enthusiasm..." The Marquis nodded slightly, "So, I will lead you to carry out this mopping up operation. I hope we will not disappoint His Majesty's expectations!"
But soon, he changed the topic again, "However, in addition to enthusiasm, we must also have a cool head. We cannot act hastily. I will give you a few days. You first prepare your respective troops and do a good job."
Prepare for battle. Then wait for my orders. If anyone dares to act blindly, I will deal with it with military law!"