Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

After the French were defeated, an entire division actually chose to lay down their arms and surrender from one night to noon the next day. This was indeed big news in Yelnya.

These French soldiers were escorted through the city at an orderly pace.

The local residents, knowing that a large number of Russian troops had arrived, returned to their homes one after another, and the church bells were ringing to celebrate the victory.

For the locals, they had never seen so many Frenchmen before, especially when they were captured alive.

As for the British observer Mr. Wilson, he also couldn't help but admire it.

"Your Excellency Marshal, although you were very cautious in your pursuit, the results were indeed not small."

"Only in this way can we ensure our strength. If the French run back home, this time will be over."

"So you're planning to go to Europe after all?"

"No, I am only responsible for liberating the occupied territories of my country. If you have any questions, the ministers around the emperor will tell you."

"But Lieutenant General Solovyov, he defeated the British army in Sweden in the past. He can be said to be a sharp sword, and he is still so young."

"Misha is very good. I think he is qualified to be the commander of an independent legion in the future. He no longer needs to prove his ability."

While Kutuzov was saying this, Solovyov came trotting up from the street on horseback with several adjutants.

"Count, are you reviewing this?"

"No, Commander-in-Chief. I am just reporting to you that the Cossack cavalry that is staying in our northwest to monitor the French has sent a report. Please take a look."

"You can read it to me. Mr. Wilson should also be interested in understanding it."

"Ok."

Solovyov took out the letter. The piece of paper was not very big and the content was very brief.

"The French are continuing their retreat towards Smolensk, and from what we have gathered they do not have enough food in their warehouses."

"Ok?"

Kutuzov perked up a little at this, but he still pretended to be confused.

Instead, Mr. Wilson stuck his head out of the carriage and spoke anxiously.

"Sir, is that so? If so."

He turned back to Kutuzov and said excitedly: "We should continue the pursuit, or we will trap them to death."

"That's not easy, sir."

Solovyov did not like the British. Although he was good at dealing with them, these guys would be Russia's biggest opponents in the future and the biggest obstacle for a country that wanted to rise.

But at this time, you always have to put on a business smile.

"But our vanguard troops are very tired after lying in ambush in the woods all night. We can't take action until the main force arrives. Napoleon will definitely think that our army has suffered heavy losses, but this is just judging others by our own experience. Our troops can get enough supplies, have houses to stay overnight, and don't need to flee like the French."

"You are still quite confident, but you are a little slow."

Kutuzov said this deliberately, and Wilson was a little confused at the moment.

Which of these two is the main fighter?

Everyone knows that Bagration and Solovyov were brothers and good friends. The former was also an active advocate of war before his death, but Solovyov's attitude was vague and no one knew which faction he belonged to.

As the commander-in-chief, Kutuzov seemed to be "urging" Solovyov at this time, but the latter was not in a hurry because he had just won a victory.

But Wilson had no choice, because this time Kutuzov actually agreed to "pursue".

Later he heard Solovyov say: "But in this way, we can catch him off guard. Although we may not be able to completely destroy Napoleon, we can also inflict heavy damage on his army."

"Don't you want to defeat him head-on? Many Russian generals are eager to try. They all want to get this honor."

"If they want to get this honor, it's too early! This guy always gets away, Mr. Wilson. Misha is his relative and he knows Napoleon very well."

"Ah, I had almost forgotten that. I only noticed your many brilliant victories."

"It's unavoidable, but it's uncomfortable to be Napoleon's subordinate. If you are too capable, it will also be a problem."

Solovyov said casually, took off his hat to salute Kutuzov, and then left the commander-in-chief's convoy.

The Russian army will now have to rest in Yelnya for one or two days, and it is not far from Smolensk.

The only route left for the French was towards Vitebsk, but that place had now been captured by Wittgenstein. The Tatar cavalry on his route took away the food stored in the French army and set fire to the supplies that could not be taken away.

Napoleon's temporary residence was the Governor's Palace in Smolensk, which fortunately had not been burned down.

"Your Majesty, the current situation is this. The Russian troops pursuing us have reached Dogorobzh, and the flanking troops are heading towards Yelnya. Wittgenstein in the north, according to the latest report, MacDonald and Oudinot were unable to stop them."

As for when Berthier pointed to these places on the map, there were a group of marshals and generals standing behind him. This scene was too familiar.

"That's all right, as long as Dillier can stop the Russians on the flank."

The words had already been spoken. Berthier swallowed his saliva first, then spoke nervously.

"Your Majesty, Dillier."

"What happened to Deliai?"

Seeing Berthier so embarrassed, Marshal Davout interrupted and said that he had been unlucky enough in Vyazma.

"Dillier was unable to stop the Russians, and the entire division surrendered to them with its flags and artillery."

"what?"

Napoleon slammed the table and stood up like a defeated rooster.

"That's all you're telling me? Is Dupont's farce being staged again? Our generals are obsessed with the opera, like to go hunting, wear beautiful clothes and ride in carriages, and receive high salaries. All of this is the people's money." Although he said that, the money he gave to Josephine was even more in a year, and it cost several million francs just to settle the accounts.

Then he continued his angry roar: "Our generals! Ah! They still like delicious food and want the best cooks in the annals to prepare a feast for their banquet. What about now? All of us are here, but there is not even bread!"

"Not only that, your majesty, the horses have nothing to eat."

"What does this quartermaster do for a living?"

"Your Majesty, due to the harassment of the guerrillas, it is very difficult for us to collect grain in Smolensk, and it is also difficult to transport supplies from other places here."

"Then shoot the quartermaster!"

"Your Majesty, this is a waste of bullets. If we want to shoot someone, we always have to use several people to shoot at the same time."

Ney said this, and Murat nodded in agreement.

They tried to rescue the unfortunate quartermaster. The bakery that was previously responsible for distributing rations had been beaten up by the soldiers of the 4th Army after the Guards arrived. It was the army commander Eugene who stepped in personally to rescue those unfortunate guys.

But this could not quell the army's anger. Now they were in Smolensk, and the situation in the warehouse was so bad that horses could run through it. Even rats would starve to death if they went in. If they didn't starve to death, they would probably commit suicide.

But Napoleon was now anxious, and he still insisted on shooting the quartermaster.

However, the second quartermaster still failed to collect grain. But he was very smart. After knowing that the marshals had already advised him against it, he still found a very sufficient reason.

The nearby villages were spontaneously resisting the French grain collection teams. This was a traditional skill of the Russian peasants. As long as the village self-governance could maintain a little order, they would still be able to resist spontaneously.

No matter whether he is the emperor's tax farmer, the bandit who robs homes, or the French who came to collect grain this time.

As long as they make excessive demands, they will be resisted.

Now is the time when the masters and the peasants are most united. The French are coming to collect grain. If our own army does not arrive yet, we may not be able to survive this winter.

After Engelhardt was shot at the city gate, the masters' resistance became even more fierce.

The peasants discovered that the French were as bad as their masters and demanded grain from them at any time, so they began to rebel spontaneously.

In comparison, Engelhardt, who was shot, was betrayed by his own serfs, which was indeed quite unfair.

As for the French's current behavior, they can't even get a grain of food. If some people want to go to brothels, they may have to exchange rationed canned food and various items for them, otherwise they can forget about it. This mainly refers to theaters. There are still some old theaters in the local area that have been controlled by the French because they did not have time to move. They are still performing shows every day and have entertainment activities with some officers.

You have to know that the emperors of both families were like this. When Miss George first became famous, it was Napoleon who made her famous. Josephine liked the "Miss Martian". It was obvious that the couple had different tastes.

Of course, if the big shots in the early 19th century wanted to cast actors, they had to have real talent. Not only did they have to be good-looking, but their acting skills and manners also had to be acceptable. It wasn't like today, where the level of the actors might not even be as good as that of the coal bosses. At least they could still choose a bunch of vixens.

At this moment Miss George was in Petersburg, and Alexander often visited her.

As for the actors in Smolensk, when the French withdraw, the theater will remain here.

Now the French did not even have the strength to destroy. After learning that food could not be collected, Napoleon fell into deep thought as he looked at his 40,000 men who still had combat effectiveness and the 40,000 men who had lost their combat effectiveness for various reasons.

Next he was to go to Minsk, but the warehouses in Vitebsk were occupied by the Russians and he could not get there.

If we want to continue westward, the only route available is probably the Berezina River.

Now let's look at the French soldiers outside. The fight probably started over a piece of bread, which in itself consumes more physical energy. Some of the defeated soldiers are even confronting the troops who are maintaining discipline.

But as long as the old guards drew their bayonets, no one dared to confront them.

But these old guys will also get priority in rations.

While they maintained basic order, theft, brawls, and murders were common in Smolensk.

Especially those Poles who were accustomed to stealing. The cavalrymen still had some regard for their dignity as landlords, but many of the infantrymen were serfs who had only gained freedom in recent years.

The further outside the base is, the more chaotic it is.

Napoleon was now unwilling to stay in Smolensk any longer. The only way for him was to retreat. He had to go back the same way he came.

Previously in Krasnoy, the French army had pursued the Russian rear guard, and they would probably choose this route as well.

"When the pursuer becomes the pursued, things get interesting, don't they, Karadzic?"

"Yes."

Solovyov also saw the addition of new forces, including some Serbs. After the signing of the Treaty of Bucharest, Serbia finally gained de facto independence, so there were always some Serbs to help in the war.

These guys are tall and strong, and can be used in any type of troops.

"But now we have to chase someone. You have come such a long way, you must be very tired, right?"

"That's something we'll have to think about when we get to the border. We need to rest for a while now. But which unit are you going to follow?"

"We are mainly sending cavalry this time to attack the French from behind."

"But there are probably no Croatians left. They were hit hard by us before. And the Austrians are slacking off in the rear. If Napoleon fails, they will probably return to Vienna."

"Then, Count, don't you want to defeat this man?"

"It's meaningless to just defeat him. If your cousin with a cane comes, he should be able to explain politics to you. Come on, have a glass of water first. Now is not the time to drink."

Let Karadzic drink water.
In fact, the supply was tight, so Solovyov distributed all the wine to the soldiers. At least he had a warm house to spend the night and could rest for a few days.

You can also write a letter home so that your wife has something to talk about in front of her friends.

Katya had written to me before and made it very clear that the young ladies in the Women's Association all wanted to know the situation at the front.

Now that the war was on the way to victory, he could naturally write more casually. On Russian territory, such a vast territory was probably the best confidentiality measure.

In addition, he was also thinking about what he should do in the future.

In the war of 1812, the situation had fundamentally reversed. It was just that the final blow was easy to deal with if the army was in the hands of Kutuzov. If there were some other more active people, the French might have had the opportunity to defeat them at the beginning of the war. (End of this chapter)