Palace of Versailles, December 9th, 1800. At Napoleon's office. Eight days since the meeting with King Louis.
Napoleon poured himself a glass of champagne, the bubbles rising and dissipating in the air. He took a sip, relishing the refreshing taste of the drink. As he enjoyed the moment of respite, the heavy oaken door creaked open, and in walked Beaumont.
Beaumont stood at attention, facing Napoleon with unwavering professionalism. "The Minister of War!" he announced, his voice clear and direct.
Acknowledging Beaumont with a nod, Napoleon set aside the glass of champagne and straightened his posture, preparing to receive Berthier, the Minister of War. Moments later, Berthier entered the room, carrying a stack of official documents in his hands.
"Your Excellency," Berthier greeted, offering a respectful salute.
"At ease, Berthier," Napoleon replied, his gaze fixed on the Minister of War. "What news do you bring?"
Approaching the desk, Berthier placed the documents before Napoleon, who leaned forward to examine them.
"Reports from our eastern borders, sire," Berthier began in a formal tone. "General Moreau, commander of the Army of the Rhine, has achieved a decisive victory over the Austrians in the city of Hohenlinden. They are currently in retreat, and Moreau's forces are pursuing them."Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
Napoleon's demeanor remained focused and serious as he absorbed the information. He had almost forgotten about General Moreau as he was engrossed in performing his administrative duties. The Battle of Hohenlinden was the battle that ended France's war against Austria. A delighted smile spread across his face.
"Really? Then this is a huge win for us Berthier," Napoleon finally spoke, and walked over to a wall where the map of Europe is displayed. He gestured for Berthier to join him. Together, they examined the map, pinpointing the location of Hohenlinden and the surrounding territories.
"I assume that the Austrians are on the run towards their capital?" Napoleon asked, glancing at Berthier.
"Yes, Your Excellency but the Austrians would occasionally put up defensive positions to halt our forces's advance. A telegraph from General Moreau stated that his General of Division, Lecourbe pushed the Austrian forces under the command of Feldmarschall-Leutnant Riesch at Rosenheim."
"Rosenheim," Napoleon repeated as he searched that city, and there he found it on the map. It was south of Munich, about 370 kilometers west of Vienna.
"He is pushing them towards Austria," Napoleon observed. "I don't have to tell him this but order General Moreau to keep pushing them deeper, the closer to Vienna the better."
They just captured the city with little to no resistance and the people of Melk peered cautiously from behind ajar-opened windows and half-opened doors as the French troops arrived in their city. The retreating Austrian forces had left the once-thriving town in disarray, and the scars of war were evident in the damaged buildings and weary faces of the residents.
"I don't understand, why are the Austrians running from us?" Ney said, a playful smirk on his face. "They should face us like true warriors, or else we'll be strolling into Vienna before they even know it!"
"That's because Lecourbe chased them off so fiercely they had no choice but to retreat in haste," General Grouchy chimed in, his eyes scanning the cautious townspeople.
Lecourbe replied with a chuckle while Moreau kept a serious expression on his face.
"The Consulate wants us to continue until the Austrians request an armistice, and since we haven't received any communication from them, we have no choice but to march to Vienna."
Suddenly—they noticed a horse hightailing towards them. Moreau recognized the person riding the horse, it was his Chief of Staff, Jean-Joseph Dessolles.
"General!" Dessoles called as he stopped his horse. "There is an Austrian commander requesting to see you from outside the gates of the city."
"Who is it?" Moreau asked.
"He introduced himself as Archduke Charles," Desolles revealed.
"The brother of the Austrian-Bavarian Army huh?" Moreau mused. "I assume they are here to request an armistice?"
"He didn't state his intention General, but it seems to be the case," Dessolles replied.
"Okay, I'll see him."
The two commanders met in the Schallaburg Castle, where Charles and Morea were sitting across one another.
"I am General Moreau, Commander of the Army of the Rhine. For what purpose do you seek this meeting, Archduke Charles?" Moreau asked, his voice firm but not lacking in respect.
Archduke Charles, looking weary and disheartened, spoke with a hint of apprehension in his voice.
"General Moreau, I come here to discuss the possibility of an armistice. The situation for my forces has become dire, and we are no longer in a position to continue this conflict."
A smile appeared on Moreau's face. "Very well."