Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Napoleon in Bettina was also keeping an eye on Solovyov's movements.

Knowing from his spies in Lille that the Russian artillery was not numerous, he finally made up his mind to take action.

"Soult, execute the plan we've already prepared. It seems our opponents have placed a large number of artillery pieces at the rear in preparation for the pursuit. Let Drouot, from his artillery positions, deliver a heavy blow to the main Russian force."

“But Your Majesty, the place we have chosen also has some hills, and I am worried that the Russians will use that as leverage.”

"This concern is necessary, but in the current environment, the ground is so dry that our artillery can be fully utilized."

His strategy was also to rout the front-line Russian troops, end the battle within a day, and then do what he had done in the past when dealing with the Anglo-Prussian allied forces.

The Prussian and Russian reinforcements, even the closest ones, would take a day to reach this location, and Napoleon's task was to resolve the battle within a day.

If the time exceeds one day, then it becomes meaningless.

After Solovyov noticed this situation, he ordered his four corps and part of the cavalry to leave Lille and move closer to Bettina.

The reason is simple: Sabanev's corps will soon arrive in Lille, followed by Eugen's troops from Württemberg, as well as several other corps.

The Prussian army searched towards Charleroi but did not encounter a large French force, only some charioteers.

Therefore, Blücher was able to confirm that this direction was safe, and he decided to move the Prussian army toward Lille.

The messenger had set out before Solovyov entered Lille. After receiving the message, he immediately ordered the Prussian army to advance westward and catch up with the Russian army as soon as possible.

Even if Solovyov's forces were defeated, the subsequent combined Russian and Prussian forces would still outnumber the French forces, which would be very disadvantageous for France.

Unless Napoleon finds another war machine, which is also very difficult.

What he needs now is Solovyov's vanguard, these infantrymen are the most elite part of the Russian army on the front lines.

His opponents were also aware that the two sides' cavalry had fought a preliminary battle, and Solovyov had ordered the Cossacks to retreat in advance. Although Platov was somewhat dissatisfied with the arrival of a young commander-in-chief, he was still acting as the acting commander.

But considering that this guy was one of the few Russian soldiers who could hold off Napoleon's attack single-handedly, I accepted it.

The Cossacks who had been fighting earlier were forced to retreat, and the French cavalry pursued them closely.

When the Cossack troops retreated, Solovyov did not deploy his infantry, but instead used the strange combination of Circassian cavalry and Kalmyk horse archers to meet them in battle.

The one in front is a rare example of heavily armored cavalry, while the one behind uses carbines and bows and arrows.

Moreover, the Kalmyks still wear the same kind of clothing as the Tatars of the past, only lighter in the summer.

"Mishka, you're using this weird fighting style again."

"No, because it works. The French can't defeat the Circassians without cuirassiers; they're different from the Mamluks. As for the Kalmyks, it's because they can unleash a volley of arrows on the French cavalry that comes after the Circassians have already charged."

After all, people don't wear armor anymore. Cuirassiers are what they are, and most of them just wear a helmet.

However, the French charioteers were cunning. They did not pursue them excessively. After seeing these old-fashioned troops approaching, they retreated and even turned back to fire a volley of shots.

Solovyov led the Circassian cavalry, who knew not to pursue and didn't even expend too much of their horses, slowly making their way back.

The Kalmyks, however, took over the baton and fired two volleys of arrows.

Neither side suffered significant losses; the Russian army only lost about twenty Cossacks, while the French army suffered slightly more casualties.

The Kalmyks also tried to capture them alive, but after a few unlucky men fell from their captives, they were captured and brought back.

When Napoleon found out, he also found it somewhat amusing.

"This kid actually used the same tactics the Tatars used during their invasion to deal with our cavalry."

"Your Majesty, what should we do?"

"Form ranks, Soult. The Russians look like they're preparing for a fight; we can't miss this opportunity."

Napoleon did not want to return to Paris to fight a war; who knew what might happen if he did?

The only thing that worries him now is the possibility of the allied forces reuniting before Kano can train the new recruits.

Solovyov, that fellow, used his superior numbers to make Napoleon escape once again.

After all, no one is foolish enough to fight 15 with only 30. When Napoleon saw the Russian army's tortoise formation, he also learned about Solovyov's strategy at the time.

But this time, the main force of the Russian army was at the head.

At 9 a.m., the two sides finally set up their positions east of Bettina.

Moreover, both sides used the same tactics, with regular troops in front and the Imperial Guard behind.

Solovyov had a heavily armed grenadier corps, which he placed on the left flank of the Russian army.

His method was actually to cut off the supply lines and use more heavily armed grenadier units to strike the French right flank, preventing them from fully utilizing their strengths on that side.

Napoleon, however, wanted to take advantage of his artillery superiority, and he did it in the old way: artillerymen first.

Solovyov noticed this, and although he did not adopt Wellington's strategy of crouching on the reverse slope, he still intentionally created some distance when setting up his formation.

His fighting style also reflects his confidence in the physical strength of the Russian infantry.

Napoleon was still the one who had to make the first move, and he ordered Vandamme and Gérard to attack the grenadier corps commanded by Arkady.

Then came the familiar barrage of bullets.

Russian grenadiers, thanks to their weaponry, are capable of setting fires, throwing grenades, engaging in bayonet fighting, and are also quite accurate.

Napoleon also used this method to reform his Imperial Guard.

Many of the Gerard soldiers in the front row fell down.

"The Russians are hitting very accurately, and they aren't advancing. I already know what they're trying to do. It looks like they're trying to block our right-wing attack while simultaneously flattening their own lines."

After Napoleon realized this, he also ordered two cavalry divisions to join the battle.

He's trying to flank from the side, but he hasn't committed his full strength yet.

As for the two armies on the front, they quickly joined the battle.

The Russian army has placed its main forces on the flanks and rear. If the positions of Raevsky and Langeron on the front are breached, the Russian army will be in trouble.

Moreover, Napoleon was also pushing the cannons forward as much as possible, and he wanted Drouot to fix bayonets to the cannons so that they were closer together.

Solovyov noticed this, and he also wanted to sabotage the French artillery.

Napoleon frequently deployed hundreds of cannons for bombardment, a truly terrifying display of power. In many battles, the Allied forces were shaken by the firepower of the French artillery.

This time, Solovyov deliberately set the distance further apart, also taking this into consideration.

Of course, the French would also come down from their positions, advancing while redeploying their forces; both sides were adept at this.

However, the distances to the Russian reinforcements are all very far.

Only Sabanev's 7th Army managed to reach Lille, but only the vanguard arrived; it would take time for them to come and provide support.

Upon seeing this, Solovyov summoned Lieutenant General Dolokhov.

"You will lead your hussars to attack and create an opening. If the enemy cavalry counterattacks, I will send Prince Golitsyn to support you."

When it was Solovyov's turn to command, he appeared more composed than some of the veterans.

But they don't sit idle; they're always keeping an eye on what's happening ahead.

Meanwhile, Napoleon returned to his stool, observing the situation ahead, no longer caring about eating.

"That damn kid, he just stays there like that and never comes out."

"Your Majesty, I think he is trying to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses."

“That makes sense, Surte. It’s just that you rarely have the chance to fight him directly. This kid is very quick to act, and his greatest strength is his extremely fast reaction time. Whether it’s a right or wrong decision, he will take action on the spot.”

Sirte didn't want to say much either. After all, he was the emperor's nephew, and the emperor's nephew was also the emperor's nephew's prospective son-in-law. Their family was already very chaotic, and there was always something interesting happening.

Napoleon knew this, and he was right.

Solovyov was indeed always quick to make judgments, but when facing the French emperor, he would think things through and act with even greater caution.

After witnessing the French army's actions, he ordered his troops to retreat, while simultaneously using Russian artillery to bombard the 2nd Army.

Napoleon rarely saw this, but he was surprised to see that Russian artillery was also concentrating its fire on his troops.

Moreover, it was Jerome's division that was hit by the shells; the entire Reyes army suffered the most damage from the shells.

After the artillery bombardment, Dolokhov's cavalry arrived, followed by Golitsyn's cuirassiers.

After seeing the cavalry make their move, Raevsky's entire army launched a counterattack against the advancing Reye.

It's just that Solovyov deployed too few cavalry; they only managed to break through three of Reye's regiments here before the rest of the cavalry were driven back.

"What a shame."

Vinzengorod, who was in charge of commanding the main cavalry force, had been by Solovyov's side. He was now worried that the cavalry had not been fully committed and that they had not been able to expand their gains.

In his view, this cavalry charge could even threaten Napoleon's entire front.

"You say it's a pity, but I don't think so. Besides, our troop strength is likely at a disadvantage."

The general didn't say much. Although Solovyov was young, he was proactive in his military campaigns, but he was too cautious in dealing with Napoleon.

Solovyov thought, "I'm dealing with Napoleon, not just any general. At this point, I need to be even more committed than I was, and I also need to be careful to keep an eye on the entire battle situation."

Napoleon's side, as expected, discovered the situation.

But before he could bring out his cuirassiers, he first attacked the Russian cavalry, and then attacked Raevsky on the Russian central front. When the cavalry engaged, the artillery had to concentrate its firepower to counterattack.

As a result, both sides' greatest wishes were dashed, and time slowly passed.

Solovyov studied the Battle of Saint-Jean, and although it was a relatively recent battle, he had evidence that the side with more reserves and reinforcements was more likely to win.

Therefore, he also sent his adjutant, Petya, with a letter to Prince Eugen of Württemberg and General Sacken, asking them to bring reinforcements as soon as possible.

This was also partly due to personal reasons, concerning Petya and his sister-in-law.

Moreover, a reliable adjutant should be sent there, and then Blücher should be consulted.

Solovyov's approach was a "three-pronged" strategy: first, wait for Russian reinforcements; and if the fighting could continue, launch a counterattack the following day.

This tactic seems unremarkable; it's simply about waiting for reinforcements and using the strength of your own troops to wear them down.

Napoleon realized this, but there was no turning back now; he had to commit his troops to the attack.

Clearly, he had a gambler's mentality; the French army had no choice but to win today if they wanted to.

As for Petya, he first encountered the hussars sent by Sabanev, and then he relayed the orders to the general.

Sabanev dared not delay, and he quickly led his troops to the battlefield between Bettina and Lille.

For infantry units, this journey would take them nighttime to complete even at a normal marching pace.

But Sabanev, an honest man, didn't expect him to act so swiftly.

The infantrymen all marched on foot, and even their luggage was left on baggage carts. The officers all rode horses, and except for the medics, no officers were allowed to ride in vehicles.

The speed of the operation was so fast that it even surprised Solovyov.

But sending just one army corps from Sabanev is not enough.

Solovyov still wanted to win. His time in Reims was purely for strategic positioning, and back then his small corps had varying combat capabilities across its divisions and brigades, unlike now.

In fact, when Barclay fell ill, it was destined that Solovyov would shoulder a heavy burden.

The Tsar effectively entrusted the army to him, and Alexander also trusted him.

With his elite troops at his disposal, he was willing to take the initiative, though he didn't know what the final outcome would be when facing Napoleon.

The French also witnessed the arrival of Russian reinforcements.

The fact that everyone was wearing green clothes made the outcome of the battle clear to the French.

Even if Napoleon sent out his Imperial Guard, it would be difficult to defeat the Russian army before nightfall.

Solovyov was also squatting, but he was quite proactive. He didn't just wait to be beaten; he would even throw a punch out of the blue.

Napoleon encountered a similar opponent last month, one with impenetrable defenses, and now another one has emerged who is capable of counterattacking.

There is no single answer to how to deal with Napoleon, but if you have more men, it's easier to win.

The premise is, don't end up like Schwarzenberg. (End of Chapter)