Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Solovyov was also puzzled that Napoleon was always running.

It's been thirteen years since I first met my aunt's husband. Given his prominent personality traits, I'm sure he'll use his methods and launch an attack at some point.

"However, based on the reconnaissance, after such a long pursuit within Belgium, there has been no such indication."

"Alyosha, it would be a big problem for us if Napoleon were to do something. The most dangerous time is when it seems like the enemy isn't making any moves. And what will the French do if we catch up to Lille?"

"It's very difficult to get intelligence in northern France now, but what's certain is that Napoleon will send reinforcements to Lille."

"If he stays here, it will actually be advantageous for us."

Solovyov is now also considering something: the fact that the monarchs are not on the battlefield is actually beneficial to their actions, as they can decide where to go more freely.

That feeling of being tied down is unpleasant, and the countries have yet to reach a consensus on some common interests.

If interests align, what tricks will Austria play next? This is unbearable, and I'll have to suffer for a while.

But now, as long as Napoleon is still in Lille, he needs to go up there. However, Solovyov also discovered a problem: his army was somewhat disjointed.

He had nine armies under his command: cavalry, Cossacks, and also Tatars, Kalmyks, and Circassian cavalry.

However, two corps lost some men on the way to Antwerp, so Sarken was placed at the rear of the column.

As for Dokhturov, his injuries had to be sent to the Netherlands to find a well-trained doctor. Although not fatal, the damage was still considerable.

Only the troops at the front have reached Lille so far; there is still some distance to go.

Although Napoleon did not appear to have sent out any reconnaissance troops, he was keeping a close eye on Solovyov's movements.

Aside from Wellington being able to get him to give his all on the battlefield, it's probably this nephew who can cause him strategic trouble.

Fortunately, Wellington has temporarily withdrawn, otherwise it would have been even more troublesome.

He was unaware that Solovyov was also considering how to deal with him; it was a battle of wits between the two.

Napoleon believed that Solovyov's problem lay in his strategic deployment of leveraging his power to pressure others, while Solovyov worried that his cunning uncle would set a trap for him and find a place favorable to the French army to start the war.

The two continued their battle of wits until they reached the vicinity of Lille.

Napoleon also realized that although Solovyov's formation was tight, it would always give him some opportunities to fight.

“You only have one day, Soult. Pass down the order: we need to send two corps to guard the east and see if the Prussians will come. As for the Russians, their main force is divided into three parts, and that's the only gap. That bastard Michel is trying to give me trouble again, but I'm not one of the opponents he's faced before. Back in Reims, he was the one who used the river as cover.”

"Your Majesty, what kind of place are you looking for?"

“I think abandoning Lille would be more suitable here in Bettina. Wellington likes to pre-plan the battlefield, and so does Michel. So let’s change our strategy and redeploy the entire army.”

Napoleon was clearly confident, and after mobilizing his troops, he surprisingly abandoned Lille.

Solovyov was also puzzled by this situation.

Both he and Yermolov suspected a trap, but if Napoleon continued to run, he might amass troops in Paris, at which point the situation would become dire.

Because those damned Austrians are still just staring blankly at a bunch of fortresses and cities.

This time it wasn't just anyone; it was a letter from Crown Prince William of Württemberg.

After all, he was the Tsar's cousin and brother-in-law, so their interests were still intertwined.

Moreover, Alexander had secured considerable benefits for Württemberg, and with an aunt in St. Petersburg, he certainly knew which side to side with.

In addition, Solovyov and he had a good relationship and were used to playing ball together.

It was also part of their job to inform the Russian army.

Upon seeing the letter, Solovyov, already a notorious pretty boy in the military, turned even paler with anger.

If he were ten years younger, with such a pale face, he would probably be the "ice beauty" that some women like.

However, time is like a runaway donkey; among the things it can take away, youth is very important.

Yermolov also suspected that he might be in poor health.

“I’m fine, Alyosha. I just remembered the Emperor, he was really annoyed by the Austrians back then.”

Those who came from the Imperial Guard and aides-de-camp knew that Tsar Paul had shown great favor to Solovyov, and that whenever a specific matter was mentioned that concerned Paul, it was not referring to Alexander.

For some young officers, the events of that year were unforgettable.

Especially Solovyov, who had an exceptionally good memory, also harbored some prejudice against Austrians.

But Yermolov, that old bachelor, actually started making fun of Solovyov.

“Mishka, now I understand why Austrian women are so beautiful, but you’re not interested.”

"what?"

Solovyov couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

"Austrian women all wear powder, and I really can't see what's so good about it. Unlike our girls, from the princes to the village girls in the countryside, they all have very natural skin tones and look very healthy. Speaking of which, I miss my wife and daughters again."

"You're such a doting father. Being handsome makes it easy for you to build friendly relationships with ladies, but don't you have a daughter who wants to marry your lover's son? This is the first time I've ever seen such a strange thing. You and Napoleon's sister have three children, but their brother wants to marry your daughter, who is also their sister."

"But the newlyweds aren't related by blood at all, otherwise I would have strongly objected. Especially that little bastard Demid Leclerc, I've already promised to bless their wedding, but he still can't control himself. When I run into him, I'll definitely teach him a lesson."

Solovyov actually felt that Demid might have an even more amazing protagonist aura than himself.

Napoleon's adjutant was a classic target of ridicule. Although it was rare for cannonballs to hit generals, it was not uncommon for them to hit adjutants and junior officers.

Of course, he was unaware that his future son-in-law was about to be promoted to general.

Among those who were promoted directly through battlefield connections, there's probably no one faster than this kid.

"You still love to joke around. Should we chase after you all the way to Lille?"

"Of course we have to pursue him. Napoleon has a trap, and we must fight this battle. You know, otherwise someone will say to the Emperor that we have been passive in fighting, especially since I have a group of French relatives."

And three lovers in France, and their lovely daughters. Solovyov had a letter from Mrs. Rycamir in his possession, still smelling of perfume.

The incident mentioned was when Mr. Lafayette visited her salon and saw Clara. He then brought up Fanfan, the beloved daughter of Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV's mistress. If she hadn't died of pleurisy, Louis XV, out of affection for her, might even have arranged for her to marry the son of a marquess. (Louis XV was very handsome in his youth and had many mistresses due to his amorous nature; Madame de Pompadour was merely indifferent and not infertile.)
This praise is a very high compliment for a little girl.

Moreover, these guys in the banking world all know that Madame Récamier has two daughters, and if they both grow up successfully, Paris will be quite a lively place.

Paris, Paris.

Solovyov thought of Paris, then looked at the situation in Lille.

He now had to take a more risky approach, using four corps to fight the French in a single battle, to see if the Russian reinforcements, who were a day behind in marching, and the Prussian troops rushing in from the flank, could arrive in time.

If possible, he would defeat Napoleon near Lille.

This determination is immense. Napoleon's side only intended to lure the enemy deep into their territory, never expecting his nephew to have such a large appetite and to want to defeat him.

Previously, when he had hundreds of thousands of troops under his command, the only one who dared to challenge him to a one-on-one duel was Archduke Charles, and even then, it was by luring the enemy deep into his territory—a strategy now employed by Napoleon.

"Alyosha, it seems I need to write a personal letter to Marshal Blücher to explain my strategy. It would be best if he transferred Karl to the Prussian General Staff Headquarters, where only he can understand my intentions."

"Are you still able to command that marshal?"

“Last time, he didn’t listen to my advice and was defeated by the French. He was almost captured alive in Brienne. This time, we only need reinforcements. Even if he only sends one corps, it will still be a victory.”

Although Solovyov was cautious, he had no intention of continuing this cat-and-mouse game with Napoleon.

Previously, the Russian army was always being chased by the French; now, the French are the ones being chased.

Solovyov has been to the Balkans, but not to Bosnia.

But his impression of Sarajevo was too deep.

Now, at a time like this, he can't help but recite poetry.

"Alyosha, do you know that a Bosnian poet once said this?"

After listening, Yermolov understood that this was indeed the situation.

“You must understand, we should be here. It’s only a day’s journey. If we can hold Napoleon back on the first day, his opportunity to launch a counterattack will be ours. I don’t want him to get close to Paris. Even if he chooses to avoid battle, we cannot let him get close to Paris.”

“I understand, but given Napoleon’s character, he probably won’t back down again.”

"Yes, this time we had too many men, which is why he chose this strategy. It seems that concentrating forces is still the most effective method. Moreover, we are not short of supplies. If the Austrians have not yet advanced deep into French territory, we can obtain supplies here."

Because Napoleon's marching direction was actually drawing the Russian army downstream of the Seine.

If the entire left flank of the Russian army is left vacant, it will be a good opportunity to requisition grain.

Even parts of northern France and Belgium are just like they were when the Allied forces last entered the area.

Because these places, unlike the northeastern region, were not previously ravaged by the armies of the German princes.

So the unfortunate ones were the Austrians who were careful to maintain military discipline; the bad consequences they suffered actually had little to do with their current actions.

Solovyov also needed supplies; when the military situation was urgent, the supplies from the rear had to keep up.

He left Sacon to protect the transportation lines within Belgium. The remnants of the Dutch army were still gathering at this time, and even the section from Liège was escorted by troops from Oldenburg and Hanover to protect the convoys transporting supplies.

The war in Europe should indeed come to an end; both sides have reached their limits.

Solovyov even had some ulterior motives, thinking that all he needed to do was force Napoleon to abdicate or make concessions.

However, his political credibility over the past decade or so was so poor that he had no choice but to abdicate and replace him with a more acceptable monarch.

Clearly, Louis XVIII was no good. If it weren't for the royalists' perverse actions, the Bourbon dynasty wouldn't have lost power so quickly.

Napoleon's problem was simply that he faced encirclement and suppression from all sides.

As for the Bourbon faction, they have many more things to consider.

Solovyov continued to send his troops in pursuit, but when he arrived in Lille, it was also an undefended city, but many wounded soldiers were left behind there.

They were clearly all seriously wounded and sick soldiers who could not accompany the army. After the Russian army took over the city, they continued to pursue westward.

Napoleon now holds the advantage in the interior, and according to his estimation, the Russian army has a window of opportunity of one or two days in the front lines.

Solovyov divided his forces in two, bringing with him exactly 80,000 of the main Russian troops.

Napoleon had 120,000 troops at this time. He left behind a portion of the troops to monitor the situation and also recruited new soldiers.

The number of troops that can be deployed to the battlefield is obviously a greater advantage.

Therefore, he also planned to defeat the Russian army here.

He would have the means to defeat the main force of the Russian army.

But this place, Bettina, sounds rather interesting.

When Yermolov received the report, his pronunciation was very poor.

“Alyosha, not Betune, but Betine, you’re like an Englishman.”

Of course, if it were read that way, a Canadian doctor would travel all the way to China.

If it weren't for the fact that he spoke Chinese directly, Solovyov would have wanted to just recite the three old articles directly.

The final battle is about to begin here.

Napoleon had no idea what the consequences of his betrayal would likely be.

And Solovyov, what kind of plans does he have?

On July 27, 1815, the decisive battle began. (End of Chapter)