The Fox of France - Chapter 324: Orders

Upon witnessing the performance of the French captain, Bagration smiled faintly, having gathered his answer from the captain’s response. Typically, if a Frenchman swiftly responds to a rather complex query, it implies preparedness, likely an unreliable answer. If they take a moment, they’re likely fabricating a response, similarly unreliable. However, refusal to answer signals their inability to conceal the truth, confirming your conjecture.

Moreover, compared to revolvers, shotguns had a suitable length, extended range, and superior accuracy, prompting Bagration to wonder why the French cavalry wouldn’t adopt them as their primary armament. Any weaponry exhibited by the French during these exercises could find its way onto the market shelves or be showcased in the future. For instance, their breech-loading cannons might not hit the shelves immediately as they still have muzzle-loading cannons available. However, in due course, they’ll likely become accessible.

Weapons demonstrable for public viewing and even allowing firsthand shooting experiences would immediately feature in the Bonaparte Armaments’ price lists. Bagration resolved to push the Tsar to allocate funds to equip his cavalry with such armaments. Otherwise, facing foreign cavalry armed with these would render their forces unable to compete.

Replicating these arms would be even better, but Bagration understood this was likely impossible, primarily due to material limitations. Large-scale steel production remained a core commercial secret in France. Despite efforts from various countries, whether aligned with or seemingly aligned against France, knowledge about this remained limited. Rumors suggested the British were experimenting, but success would still take considerable time.

While patriotic, Bagration had to acknowledge Russia’s inferiority in technology compared to advanced nations like France, Britain, and even compared to Prussia, a nation seemingly strung up by France. In a hypothetical invasion by the French, Russia might rely on immense strategic depth and unwavering spirit to repel the enemy. However, steelmaking technology wouldn’t magically emerge from these strengths.

“Russia really needs to step up, or else…” Bagration recalled his encounter with Marshal Suvorov in Italy during the confrontation with Napoleon. Though the conflict ultimately ended in negotiation, Suvorov openly admitted Russian military inadequacy. Northern distractions forced the French into seeking terms. Facing an average French force like the one demonstrated yesterday would likely have deterred negotiations, leading to immediate aggression. Reflecting on it, Bagration felt that confronting such a French force at the time would have been extremely challenging, perhaps even impossible to sustain for a day, let alone half a day.

Assessing the Russian military, Bagration acknowledged considerable progress after the clash with the French in Italy. However, witnessing the French exercises, he reluctantly accepted that the French had made even greater and more visible strides in their military advancements.

However, Bagration identified a weakness in the French military — excessive resource consumption. This wasn’t solely about monetary expenses but also the massive quantity of resources the French used. In the event of a French invasion of Russia, considering Russia’s poor road conditions, the French might struggle to supply their frontline troops adequately. Unless they stopped after short intervals to repair roads, Russia’s backwardness strangely became its armor.

“Thank goodness we don’t border France. But we must equip ourselves with more modern weapons than the Ottomans!” Bagration couldn’t help but think along those lines.

While Bagration found comfort in the absence of a border with France, at the same time, Captain Jack Aubrey of the British Royal Navy felt despair. He was currently observing a French naval interception exercise aboard the USS Constitution.

The scenario for this exercise was set as follows: an armed group attempted smuggling via armed escort. The French warship “Constitution” was tasked with intercepting and neutralizing this smuggling fleet.

“Good Lord! What kind of armed group conducts smuggling operations with a fleet? It’s… It’s like what the French did back then, but they didn’t use a fleet for smuggling. This isn’t about anti-smuggling; it’s a simulation of how to conduct a maritime blockade!” Captain Aubrey immediately grasped upon seeing the exercise scenario. That so-called “armed group” was probably the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom?

The fleet portraying the armed group consisted of three old French second-rate battleships. Despite their formidable firepower, they were no match in speed and maneuverability for the “Constitution.” The “Constitution” effortlessly evaded the battleships’ interceptions, relentlessly attacking and disabling each merchant ship.

Considering that while the Royal Navy had numerous battleships, it had even more merchant ships, realistically, the Royal Navy couldn’t possibly assign three battleships to escort every merchant fleet. Hence, encountering the “Constitution” would likely mean doom for most merchant vessels.

“Damn ‘Constitution,’ was this ship built solely to dismantle free trade?” Captain Aubrey couldn’t help but ponder.

However, if Joseph knew his thoughts, he’d surely retort, “Nonsense! Our ‘Constitution’ is to ensure the freedom of our trade. If you want trade freedom, I have a price list here for you to peruse.”

France had placed the “Constitution”-class patrol frigates on sale; however, everyone knew how much profit France made from such transactions. It was likely that for every one sold to the British, the French could build two more using the money earned. Nonetheless, purchases had to be made. At least studying their propellers closely was beneficial. Although the British had decent technical capabilities, having a sample would enable imitation. Yet, while they might not replicate steel ribs and thus produce a lower-quality imitation, they could still utilize it to some extent.

The French were infuriatingly obstinate, refusing to sell rear-loading cannons. Consequently, both acquired and future ships would be armed only with front-loading cannons. This meant several British ships were necessary to challenge a single French ship. Furthermore, with no foreseeable breakthrough in steelmaking technology, even obtaining front-loading cannons required purchasing from France.

“Damn it, once I return, I must persuade the parliament to slash those blasted army expenditures!” After much contemplation, Captain Aubrey could only devise this course of action.

Of course, the army would oppose it. However, in the United Kingdom, isn’t it common sense to prioritize between the navy and the army? If the navy were to falter, who would believe that the British army could safeguard them? Consequently, Captain Aubrey believed his suggestion would ultimately garner parliamentary support.

Thus, following the two exercises, numerous orders began streaming towards the Bonaparte Armaments factory.