Chapter 7 of the Empire's Bonaparte (7/200)

Chapter 7: Franco-Prussian War (3)

Around Paris, trenches and barbed wire resembling fortifications were intricately set up. Although there were no machine guns, there were bolt-action rifles and mitrailleuses, and even if the mitrailleuses couldn't be used, there were numerous cannons and National Guards. Mines were buried everywhere, and with the installation of rudimentary barbed wire, a proper battlefield atmosphere was created. There were old cannons without even basic recoil mechanisms, but what could be done? The world's first recoil mechanism-equipped field gun was officially adopted by the French army in 1897, and Germany likely followed after that. However, it was clear that the German Krupp field guns were superior to the French army's current field guns, and this had to be countered using numerical superiority and defensive advantages. Even then, to minimize casualties, trenches were dug. There were no machine guns. The world's first machine gun, the Gatling gun, was not suitable for trench warfare and was not even operated by the French army. Instead, there were shock infantry, heavily armed with breastplates, shotguns, pistols, and blunt weapons, which I named "shock infantry." They were our hidden daggers, fighting from individual foxholes and tunnels that were not visible on the ground. 'It's a bit disappointing to call them daggers, though.' Indeed, we needed to make Maxim guns. Just having Maxim machine guns and recoil mechanism-equipped field guns would ensure peace for a while.

***

Moltke sighed deeply.

The pressure from Berlin was intensifying. Bismarck's angry face, warning of a real panic, was vivid in his mind. But what could be done? Prussia's original sin was that it had only a few ironclads and miscellaneous small ships as usable warships, and even those were virtually destroyed by the bold military actions of the French navy. Moreover, Austria-Hungary, having recently been at war, was hostile, and Prussia's economy was barely breathing. "Still not captured?" "The enemy's artillery fire has lessened. They might be running out of ammunition..." "Whether they run out of artillery shells or bullets, it will be troublesome if they fight to the death. Napoleon III must be captured at all costs." "A general mobilization order has been issued, and National Guards are gathering in Paris. The current assembled force is about 250,000, a ragtag group, but the number itself cannot be ignored." The Prussian army had 1.2 million troops, with 900,000 reserves and 300,000 regulars. The previous French regular army had about 500,000, and although a significant number had been destroyed, many were still resisting in fortresses. If the troops in the rear and volunteers were mobilized, about 400,000 more could be added. Thus, 650,000 troops could be deployed to defend Paris, including the 120,000 still resisting in Metz and the remaining 400,000 French troops. Although Prussia still had the advantage in firepower and manpower, France was in a defensive position, and the longer the war dragged on, the more difficult it would be for Prussia. "Four days." "..." "I will take Metz within four days." It was an unreasonable demand. But it was one of the few paths to success. The situation had reached a point where the benefits had to be considered over the probability of success, but it was inevitable. This was all the original sin of Prussia, which had walked on the edge of a knife.

***

Napoleon III received a morphine injection.

Breathing itself was painful. 'Oh God.' I might as well die. It was so painful that such words came out involuntarily. Without morphine, he couldn't even think. The pain was so intense that even with morphine, his mind was clear, and he felt nauseous and couldn't eat. Moreover, since yesterday, he had started to experience muscle spasms. 'I can't hold on.' "Your Majesty, your fever..." "..." "It's likely tetanus. You need to be treated quickly..." "Aren't medical supplies already in short supply for the soldiers?" "But..." "Use them for the soldiers." "Your Majesty." "It's too late for me. To be honest, I'd prefer if you shot me, cleanly in the head." "Don't even joke about that." "This... heh... does this look like a joke? Give me more morphine." "Using more is really dangerous!" "I'm fine." Napoleon III tried to smile bitterly but couldn't. His facial muscles were paralyzed. "I'm going to die anyway, and if I die, my son and the citizens of Paris will not lose their will to resist." His son's voice echoed. 'We can regain a lost country, but if we lose our honor, and the people forget us, the Bonaparte family will truly meet its end!' "Is that your conclusion?" Indeed, if their emperor were to be a martyr, even if deposed, the French would find and restore their emperor. '...A boy with no redeeming qualities.' But still, because of that. Napoleon III, with jumbled thoughts, closed his eyes. Would it have any meaning to continue his reign and endure this pain, even if his position was precarious? If he died, his wife and two sons would be in a stronger position, and he would be freed from this pain. However, there was something he regretted. The two blessings bestowed upon him. 'If only we could have one more conversation, one more walk together.' It was fortunate that the children didn't resemble him. "Please, have mercy on me, friend." The doctor clenched his teeth at the request to kill his sovereign.

***

"Hell will unfold." "We have been prepared for this." No matter how much we suffer, it is enough to deal a significant blow to the Prussian army, making it difficult for them to maintain the siege. While the Prussian army is delayed in capturing Paris, we will bring in external forces to attack the Prussian army and force them to retreat. Even if the Prussian army breaks through the three lines of French defense, extensive barricades are already prepared in Paris for street fighting. Even if the defense lines fail, the Prussian army will be forced to take heavy casualties in street fighting and will eventually have to negotiate. Of course, no one else would think I have the will to negotiate, but I intended to end this fight through negotiation from the beginning. It was also clear that prolonging the war would be disadvantageous. At that moment, a messenger rushed in. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" "What is it?" "A message has arrived." "A message?" I frowned. "What kind of message? From where?" "From Metz... a message from the garrisoned troops besieged in Metz." "Pass it to the General Staff and let them handle it." "No... it's not something to be handled that way." I tilted my head. "What does it say?" "His Majesty the Emperor has passed away." "What?" "His Majesty the Emperor has passed away inside the fortress." "How much do you know about this news?" "It... it... should be reported to the General Staff by now." "What about the Prussians? And the citizens of Paris?" "They will know by tonight at the latest." In response to General Henri, I covered my head. "Damn it..." All my calculations were thrown off. As I thought this, the messenger handed me a piece of paper. "It's the Emperor's last will." I unfolded the paper. "The handwriting is different?" "He couldn't hold a pen, so he dictated and someone wrote it down." Only then did I read Napoleon III's will. -To Eugène. -I wanted to die with dignity as your father, but it seems difficult. -Son, you can't imagine how happy your mother and I were when you were born. -I was quite a womanizer in my youth, passing by many women, but there was no one like your mother. She was a woman beyond my worth. And you, the fruit of our union, were a blessing in my later years. I realize this again, and I was always inadequate for you. The will was not long, but it hurt. A faint but undeniable pain was felt deep in my chest, and my vision blurred, making it hard to see.