Almost at the same time, outside Turin, in an engineering camp nearly ten miles upstream along the Po River.
This camp was originally just a small village with a population of 100 people on the outskirts of Turin, but in just two weeks, the Corsican army expanded it into a fortified camp that could accommodate thousands of people.
More than 3,000 Corsican soldiers and more than 2,000 high-tech Piedmont farmers were stationed around the camp, working almost day and night, working in two shifts.
Even in the dead of night, when everything is quiet, you can still hear the echo of the logging ax striking the tree trunks and the pounding of the heavy hammer on the anvil inside and outside the brightly lit camp.
The fortifications built by the Corsican army with such huge manpower and material resources were naturally not the bridges across the river predicted by the Sardinian army in Turin.
Instead, it is a breathtaking wooden dam that is more than three hundred feet long, cutting off the entire Po River, and a large dam that is forty feet wide and seven feet deep, directly connected to the Slavt River.
water channel.
When the dam was built, even farmers on the lower reaches of the Po River quickly noticed something strange.
This late summer and early autumn period is obviously the flood season for the Po River. After several heavy rains, this usually gentle and calm river should show its turbulent and fast side.
However, in recent days, the water volume in the lower reaches of the Po River has significantly decreased, making it look like an abnormal dry season.
Several branch rivers have even dried up. There is no flow of water in the huge river, only piles of silt deposited in it.
No one knows exactly what happened in the upper reaches of the Po River, and no one can even draw a conclusion whether it was a natural disaster or a man-made disaster.
The farmers and herdsmen downstream, including the officers in Turin, could not have imagined that those stupid Corsicans actually built a dam that cut off the Po River in just fifteen days.
...
"Finally...done."
Chief of Staff Berthier stood on the banks of the Mapo River, staring at the more than 300-foot-long dam in front of him, and his tired eyes finally relaxed a little.
Fifteen days ago, when the Corsican army had just arrived outside Turin and felt helpless against this impregnable and impregnable military town, Berthier suddenly thought of a deviant plan:
It is now the flood season of the Po River. If the water of the Po River can be diverted directly into Turin, then it is not difficult to capture Turin within a month.
After all, there are not only a few thousand Sardinian soldiers stationed in the city of Turin, but also nearly 200,000 ordinary people.
The amount of supplies consumed by such a large population every day is an astronomical figure. Therefore, the biggest problem faced by the Sardinian Army is not actually the Corsican Army outside the city, but its own logistical supplies.
And if the water of the Po River can really be poured into Turin, it will cause a devastating blow to the city's material reserves and people's morale.
By then, the Corsican army outside the city would not need to spend a single soldier at all. The tens of thousands of hungry people and rebels in the city alone would be enough to force Carlo Emanuele III to sign a humiliating peace treaty.
Signed my name.
However, the risks of this plan are also extremely huge.
Once the water attack plan does not work, the Corsican army will waste these precious weeks, and Prince Vittorio may lead his army back to defend Turin at any time. The Corsican army's plan to attack Turin
It will undoubtedly come to nothing.
Moreover, building this dam itself is extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive. Even if Berthier plans to flexibly mobilize the surrounding Sardinian farmers, almost two-thirds of the army's soldiers will still have to join the project, and the remaining soldiers will
Even a complete siege of Turin was not possible.
This is why many military officers initially strongly opposed this eccentric plan.
However, after evaluation, Laurence Bonaparte rejected all opinions and accepted Berthier's strategy, and directly ordered Berthier to be the leader of this plan, allowing him to mobilize all soldiers and supplies in the army.
Used to ensure the execution of the plan.
In Lawrence's view, this army deep behind enemy lines must not sit still, across the Po River, staring at Turin and sigh. They must take action immediately. Even the worst plan now is better than the best plan in the future.
.
Moreover, Lawrence has no doubt about Berthier's ability.
Although he was young, Berthier received a good and professional education in surveying and mapping since he was a child. His father was a colonel of surveying and mapping engineers in the French army. During his time at the Paris Military Academy, Berthier also served as a colonel.
Study Surveying and Mapping.
Therefore, his understanding and control of geographical and hydrological knowledge is definitely better than anyone in the Corsican army, including Lawrence himself. This is why he can combine the geographical location of Turin with the hydrological information of the Po River to propose a water attack at the first time.
Turin's strategy.
At the same time, taking into account Berthier's extremely outstanding and unparalleled organizational and coordination skills, Lawrence was very relieved to hand over this huge project to Berthier's single-handed management.
When Japan's Toyotomi Hideyoshi was preparing for Nakatakamatsu Castle by water, he built a three-thousand-meter-long embankment in twelve days.
Although it is undoubtedly more difficult to dam the Po River this time, with Berthier's ability and higher level of engineering technology, Lawrence does not doubt that he can complete the task within two weeks.
Looking at the airtight wooden embankment that towered over the Po River in front of him, Lawrence was glad that he had indeed seen the right person.
...
"Bertier! How is the condition of the dike?"
Not far away, Lawrence led a group of officers on horseback along the Po River and waved to Berthier.
This morning, Lawrence received a letter from Berthier at the station, stating that the dam and the canal leading to the Turin moat had been completed, and the plan could be implemented at any time, so he came to inspect it in person.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! When the officers of the Corsican Defense Force witnessed the embankment in front of them, they could not hide the surprise on their faces. It was hard for them to believe it.
The young man in front of him, who was about the same age as Prime Minister Bonaparte, could actually do this.
You know, just managing and coordinating the more than 3,000 soldiers and more than 2,000 farmers in the engineering camp is an extremely labor-intensive job, let alone building the planned dam in just two weeks. The officers present
We ask ourselves, no one can achieve the level of Berthier who is only 18 years old.
"Your Excellency Bonaparte!"
Berthier ignored the shock of the officers. He got off his horse and raised his hand in salute. Since there were also senior officers of the Corsican Defense Force present, he also used the honorific title for Lawrence:
"The project has been basically completed, and the water from the Po River has been locked in Lake Tolka upstream."
Lake Tolka is a medium-sized lake not far upstream of the Po River. When Berthier cut off the Po River, this lake acted as a reservoir to store water from the Po River.
"The canal leading to the Slavt River has also been completed?" Lawrence nodded and asked.
The Slavt River is a small river directly connected to the Turin Moat. In Berthier's plan, he wanted to cut off the Po River and divert its flow, so that the surging river water would flow directly into the Turin Moat.
The Turin moat is connected to the city's sewer system, so the water from the Po River can be poured directly into the city of Turin.
"It's all done together."
Berthier rubbed his temples slightly tiredly, but his words were still clear and concise:
"As long as the gate is opened and the water is released, the water level of Turin's moat will rise rapidly. According to the principle of the connector, the city will be immediately flooded by the river water. Moreover, the terrain of Turin is already in a depression, with hills to the east and the Alps to the west.
The mountains have nowhere to discharge the flood, and within a week, the entire city will turn into a vast ocean."
The officers subconsciously turned their heads and glanced at the outline of the city of Turin in the distance. Even if they witnessed Berthier's masterpiece with their own eyes, it was difficult for them to imagine the scene of this majestic and majestic city being submerged by water.
Lawrence nodded with satisfaction, feeling once again that this was Napoleon's chief of staff, so he dismounted his horse and stepped forward, patting the ash off Berthier's shoulders:
"Thank you for your hard work. If we can capture Turin, I will personally report the achievements of you and Andre Davout to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
After hearing this, all the officers immediately cast their envious eyes on Berthier. This young man already had a good personal relationship with Prime Minister Bonaparte and Prince Louis. Now he has proven his ability in the siege of Turin. In the future,
Being reused and promoted is undoubtedly a sure thing.
Of course, no officer would have the slightest jealousy towards Berthier. After all, if they were allowed to take the lead in the construction of the dam, they would have no confidence that they would be able to take over such an important responsibility.
Berthier looked at Lawrence with great gratitude, but said nothing more. He did not dare to slack off until Carlo Emanuele III signed the peace treaty.
Lawrence's expression also became more serious. While patrolling the embankment with Berthier, he synchronized the latest battle situation to his chief of staff:
"The Davout tribe in the south sent a letter yesterday, stating that they would attack Nice westward and hold back the main force of the Sardinian Army. At this moment, I am afraid that they are already being besieged by the main force of the Sardinian Army."
"Attack on Nice... It's really a risky and unexpected move. Andre Davout is really extraordinary. No wonder he is sure to contain the enemy's main force for more than a month."
After thinking for a while, Berthier immediately understood Davout's intention, and spoke highly of his colleague's resourcefulness without hesitation, and then analyzed it carefully:
"It seems that we have to race against time. Once the city of Nice is broken and Turin has not yet been captured, Davout's troops will undoubtedly be in a desperate situation. The main enemy force will then outflank it from the rear, and our army will be in an equally embarrassing situation."
Lawrence also agreed with Berthier's judgment. The Corsican army indeed has no time to waste now:
"I plan to launch a comprehensive siege of Turin tomorrow morning. What do you think?"
Berthier stopped and looked up at the sky, which was shrouded in dark clouds and the sun could not be seen. Even at noon, he could only barely see a dim halo among the layers of clouds.
The strong wind was blowing on both sides of the Po River, and the wind was mixed with moist water vapor, setting off huge waves twenty feet high on the river, crashing heavily into the wooden embankment like a boiling herd of animals.
There is no doubt that there will be another violent storm tomorrow, which is all too common on the Po River plain during the rainy season:
"Tomorrow morning...the timing is perfect."
...
The next day, October 25
Turin, dark clouds over the city, thunder rolling
The downpour started pouring on this land at night, and the steady stream of rain extended from the sky to the ground, and the air was filled with the fragrance of earth.
In the Royal Palace of Turin, Carlo Emanuele III was lying on the bed in the back garden, quietly listening to the crisp crackling sound of rain hitting the glass, and enjoying this natural concerto in a good mood.
It’s a rainy day. It’s another beautiful rainy day. It would be great if it rained continuously for a month.
The old king thought this way, although the humidity on rainy days would further aggravate his joint pain, but in the siege, every drop of rain falling made Carlo Emanuele III feel extremely relieved.
His Majesty the King, who once personally commanded the army, knows very well that every rainy day is basically a holiday for the soldiers in the army. Most commanders will not order the troops to march in the rain despite the complaints of the soldiers, let alone let them march in the rain.
He wielded a fire-stick-like musket to engage the enemy.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! This is the same for the Corsican army. The arrival of every rainy day means that the Corsican people can only be forced to stay in the camp, helplessly
Staring at the towering walls of Turin, even their few small artillery pieces turned into a pile of scrap metal.
Thinking of this, Carlo Emanuele III couldn't help but hum a cheerful ditty, and even the pain in his legs and feet was put aside.
Attacking Turin during the rainy season is definitely a stupid choice.
With the continuous heavy rain and the strong city defenses, the Sardinian army in Turin undoubtedly took advantage of the right time and place.
Just when the old king was tired and wanted to get up, the trusted general in charge of city defense walked into the back garden.
The general's pace was neither fast nor slow, not as relaxed and carefree as usual, but he was not panicked at all. He came to the king and bowed to report:
"Your Majesty, the Corsican army outside the city has begun to gather. They have completely surrounded Turin and completely blocked all the city gates."
Hearing the latest movements of the Corsican army, Carlo Emanuele III chuckled and didn't take it to heart at all:
"More than half a month has passed, and their bridge has finally been repaired? The siege started at this time."
In the past two weeks, due to the large number of manpower required to build dams and canals, the Corsican army did not have enough troops to conduct a complete blockade of Turin.
For the Sardinian garrison in the city, although it is still impossible for the supply convoy to enter the city, at least they can maintain contact with the outside world, especially Prince Vittorio's troops, through messengers in the past two weeks.
Ding's defenders were all confident in their defense.
When he heard that the Corsican army did not start a comprehensive blockade until two weeks later, the experienced Carlo Emanuele III suddenly felt ridiculous, and even more felt that Lawrence Bonaparte was just in name only.
.
The general then reported some details to Carlo Emanuele III, but the sleepy and bored king was obviously not interested in hearing these trivial and insignificant things.
When the trusted general finished his report and was about to leave and return to his post, Carlo Emanuele III yawned out of boredom and stopped the general:
"It's raining so heavily, and it's hard work to go back and forth between the palace and the fortress. Just stay and play two games of chess with me. Your chess skills have improved very quickly recently."
The general stopped immediately, and his face was instantly filled with a flattering smile. Compared with staying in the dark and humid bastion to monitor the Corsicans, it was undoubtedly better to stay in the palace garden drinking tea and playing chess with His Majesty the King.
It is much more comfortable. Many people dream of getting close to His Majesty the King.
"Hahaha, in front of His Majesty, no matter how much I improve my chess skills, I can only be defeated."
The general took off his military uniform and coat, laughed and sat opposite the king. The astute attendants quickly brought teacups, snacks and an ivory chessboard.
The rain was pouring, it was a quiet and peaceful morning, how much trouble could those Corsicans cause in such a heavy rain curtain?
