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"For the sake of France, I will see death as my home."

These were the last words spoken by Joan of Arc when she was burned at the stake by the Inquisition on charges of witchcraft and heresy. Napoleon opened with this question to wonder about the determination of Stowell to resist the invaders.

The lack of punishment of the army and the sloppiness of military discipline were one of the important reasons for the frequent surrender of France in the Franco-Prussian War.

Without iron and blood discipline, it would have been almost impossible to halt the advance of the Prussian army by relying on this army, which made frequent mistakes in strategy and tactics.

If even the commander is like this, then the French army is really finished.

Coupled with the preferential treatment of prisoners in the German Empire, de Gaulle recorded in his biography that after being captured by the German army, not only was he able to enjoy steak in prison, but he was also not executed by the German army after repeated failed escapes.

Stowell furrowed his brow uneasily, and sat in his place for a moment of thought before taking a deep breath and saying slowly to Napoleon, "For the sake of France, of course I do." ”

"Good."

After hearing the other party's affirmative answer, Napoleon also breathed a sigh of relief, and said his plan, he took out a warrant of transfer of the army from the drawer, handed it to Captain Stowell, and said with a serious face, "From now on you are the commander-in-chief of the Rhine Army of the Third Reich, and I need you to go to Metz and take over the position of General Bazin, who is ineffective in the war of resistance." It was supposed to be me going to Metz in person, but the situation in Paris is so complicated that I have to preside over the big picture here. ”

Stormwell didn't expect that he would be in danger, he took the light but not easy order, and asked hesitantly, "But I don't have enough authority and status in the Rhine Army like General Bazin, and if I am asked to command an army of 170,000 people, I am afraid that I will lose faster." ”

Napoleon sneered and handed the previous telegram to Stowell.

"It is much better to have no experience than Bazin, who plotted the surrender to the Prussian army. Although the Rhine Army was besieged, it also held back nearly a fifth of the Prussian army. Bazin's surrender would be such a devastating blow to us, you should know all too well. ”

After Stockwell put down the telegram, his whole face turned pale, and he knew very well that what Bazin did would bring disaster to the whole country.

"I am more than willing to take over Bazin's position, but now that the whole fortress of Metz is besieged, should I send a reinforcement to break through the Prussian siege?"

"No, it's too late to rescue Metz, and it's clear that Steinmetz and Frederick Karl have adopted a siege tactic to send reinforcements, and the cost of rescuing the Rhine Army will be even higher. I just need you to land alone in a hot air balloon to the Metz fortress to replace Bazin's post. ”

Fortunately, the Prussian army had not yet surrounded Paris at this time, so there was no use of Krupp small-caliber guns against the French hot air balloons.

Although Napoleon had already arranged everything, Stockwell said, "but if I go alone, I am afraid that Bazin will not pay attention to the order to transfer......"

Napoleon took out another document and put it in front of Stowell.

The seal of the envelope is stained with a firearm, which means that it must be opened by a person.

"This is a secret military order for the commander of the Third Army, Leboeuf, who personally opened it, and he will naturally assist you after reading it. At the beginning of the war, the governor of Trochu had been gathering rations for nearly four months in Mestun. You can hold out for more than a hundred days, and the strategy against Prussia is to hold the fortress, pin down their elite in Metz, save strength and ammunition, and go not to try to take the initiative and break through, this is a long defensive war, as long as we can carry it to the end, Prussia will retreat. ”

Leboeuf was at odds with Bazin, so much so that when he extradited Bazin to his home country for trial in 1873, Leboeuf was more than happy to appear in court to convict him of treason. And according to the urine nature of the generals of the Second Reich, no one wants to bear the responsibility for the defeat at this time, because for them, the possibility of the Rhine Army breaking through is close to zero.

In addition, everyone wants to preserve their strength, so the policy of shrinking has been supported by everyone.

Napoleon thought for a moment, he had already thought of all the circumstances that could be taken into account, and as for the outcome, he could only pray that the scales of the goddess of victory were not in favor of the Germans.

However, Stowell was amazed by his meticulous thinking, and it was taboo to change the commander on the spot, but a series of measures allowed Stowell to smoothly transfer the power of the Rhine Army.

"Your Excellency Napoleon?"

"Huh?"

Napoleon looked up and asked, "What's the matter?" ”

Stovwell stared at the man in front of him, and all his doubts before stepping into the office vanished in an instant. At first, Stockwell thought that Napoleon was just a means of rallying the minds of the Provisional Government in the most helpless situation, but now it seems that he is more like a mythical figure in legends.

A giant who led France to greatness and immortality.

Eventually, Captain Stowell shook his head and said respectfully, "I just remember one thing, in the Hundred Years' War between England and France, the French government has been demoralized and discredited by the leadership of the army and the people. When Prince Charles agreed to have Joan of Arc lead his army and prepare for war, he had tried all formal, rational strategic options, but they all failed; Only a regime that has reached the last moment of its existence, but has nothing to do, would believe in despair that an illiterate rural girl who claims to be instructed by God to take command of the country's army. ”

"You mean I'm like the savior of France, Joan of Arc?"

Napoleon smiled helplessly, he was now facing the same situation that Joan of Arc faced in 1424.

A village woman who claims to have received divine revelation by meeting the angels St. Michael, St. Margaly, and St. Galena, leads France to a turning point and victory, as incredible as Napoleon's rebirth led the French people against the Prussian invaders.

"Nope."

With reverent awe, Stowell suppressed the excitement in his heart and whispered, "You are the monarch of the empire who led us to victory. ”

"Your Majesty Napoleon."