It wasn’t until the ball was nearing its end that Genoa Governor Abiasso finally got the chance to speak with the Crown Prince of France.

After he approached and bowed, Joseph first smiled and said:

“Governor, this time the Genoa Parliament exchanged nearly 18 million francs in gold at the Bank of France Reserve, showing great confidence in the franc, which I highly appreciate.”

Genoa, as the trade hub of Northern Italy, is indeed very wealthy.

“It is an honor for Genoa to serve you.” Abiasso immediately felt this was inappropriate and quickly added, “Exchanging francs also facilitates our country’s transactions in the common market; it’s just regular financial operations.”

“Very good.” Joseph nodded approvingly and continued, “Genoa is too small in area, and its population is very limited, which greatly restricts its development.

“I believe Pisa can be merged into Genoa.”

In this turmoil of gold runs, Genoa brought the most gold to support the Bank of France Reserve, deserving some reward.

Of course, offering benefits is also laying the groundwork for conditions later.

Abiasso was instantly excited.

Although Pisa is not particularly large, its location is excellent — on the northern shore of the Mediterranean, with a port that’s not small.

Once Genoa and Pisa merge, it will completely monopolize the ports of Northern Italy.

Moreover, the two places are very close, making management extremely easy.

“This is truly wonderful.” Abiasso bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Genoa will forever follow in your footsteps!”

After Joseph offered the rewards, it was time for the “charges”: “Genoa is the most important supply port in the northern Mediterranean, so the French Navy has always hoped to have its anchorage here.”

Abiasso seemed a bit hesitant: “Your Highness, the military port on the east side of the port hasn’t been used much for nearly a hundred years; most of the facilities are damaged…”

Joseph knew what he was worried about and said: “Our fleet will only be stationed at the port, ensuring that it won’t interfere with Genoa’s affairs or disrupt the normal entry and exit of merchant ships.

“All waterways near the Genoa Port are under the Genoa Parliament’s full jurisdiction. Here, any movement of our fleet has to be pre-approved by the parliament.

“We can formalize these commitments in an agreement.

“Moreover, the military port will be leased to us, with a term of 99 years, after which the Genoa Parliament can decide whether to renew the lease.”

In short, this is purely borrowing Genoa’s military port, not using the fleet to control Genoa.

Abiasso indeed breathed a sigh of relief: “If that’s the case, I believe the parliament would agree to lease the military port.”

Joseph continued: “Then what about the renovation work for the military port?”

“Rest assured, everything will be handled by the Genoa Parliament.” Abiasso responded without hesitation.

Renovating the old military port is estimated to cost three to four million francs, but compared to the newly acquired Pisa, this amount is insignificant.

Joseph nodded in satisfaction. Historically, after Napoleon occupied Genoa, it took 4 years of continuous renovations to activate the old military port, and soon after, it was defeated by the British in the Battle of Trafalgar, with the military port barely used before it was lost.

Now leaving it to Genoa to solve, France is much more relaxed.

He then looked at Abiasso: “Besides, I also want to invest in the Genoa shipyard, expanding it into the largest shipyard in the West Mediterranean…”

…

January 25, 1794.

North of the Mantua Fortress.

Trento.

Napoleon looked through his telescope at the vast Austrian army descending south along the Adige River and said to Victor beside him:

“Ah, dear Austrians have finally arrived. You know, to prevent those excited artillerymen from blasting Mantua’s walls to bits, I have to issue several orders every day.”

Indeed, to execute the Crown Prince’s “siege and relief” strategy, the French Army besieging Mantua had to create a spectacle of gunfire every day, without actually harming the fortress.

Victor eagerly looked at the Austrian Army: “Over three months, Vienna’s mobilization speed was really slow.

“Let’s end the battle here quickly; seeing the Mantua Fortress now makes me start feeling sick.”

Napoleon turned to his aide beside him: “Have we clarified the enemy’s situation?”

“Only part of the reconnaissance has been completed, General,” the aide hurriedly said. “The Austrian vanguard should be about 30,000 strong, commanded by Batorz.

“Alvinczy’s main force is still 7 kilometers away from here.

“Cosdanovic’s flank is passing through the Tonale Pass.

“According to previously obtained intelligence, the total enemy force is 85,000 strong.”

————————

Napoleon dispatched General Claude Henry Bellegrand de Vaubois and ten thousand men to the west of Lake Garda. Massena and Ogero, with 13,000 men and 10,000 men respectively, pushed north into the Adige River Valley. General Charles Edward Jennings de Kilmaine led 8,000 men along with General Jean Sayugai commanding a 2,000 reserve force to continue the siege of the fortress.

On September 4th, Bonaparte concentrated three divisions in the Battle of Lovreto, inflicting losses of 6,000 on Davidoivich’s Austrian unit, capturing 4,000 men, 25 cannons, and 7 military banners at a mere cost of 750 casualties. After leaving General Vaubois in Trento to watch Davidoivich’s remnants, Bonaparte boldly led his troops to sever the Austrian Army’s supply line. He directed Massena and Ogero to move east through Levico and Valsugana, then south through the Brenta Valley. On September 7th, Ogero successfully dispersed the Austrian rear guard at Primolano. The other two divisions launched a surprise attack on Wilmze during the Battle of Bassano on September 8th, severely beating him—French forces only suffered 400 casualties; Austrian forces had 600 casualties, with 6,000 captured, along with 30 cannons and 8 military banners.

Wilmze did not retreat east but joined Mesaros’ division, heading west towards Mantua, with Napoleon in hot pursuit. To destroy his enemy before reaching Mantua, Napoleon sent Ogero to Padua to prevent Wilmze from escaping east via Vicenza and Alcora. On September 11th, Massena successfully intercepted General Peter Karl Otte von Barthold’s vanguard at Cheria. However, the Austrian Army, desperate to escape, fought viciously against the French until Wilmze’s main force arrived, engaging in a brutal battle and ultimately succeeding in pushing back the French.

With the help of local guides, Wilmze successfully crossed General Sayugai’s blockade the following day, reaching the fortress. Additionally, a 1,600-strong Austrian rear guard was forced to surrender to Ogero near Legnano on September 13th. Finally, Wilmze successfully led 10,367 infantry and 2,856 cavalry to the fortress.