Chapter 760: The Traitor
Lefebvre urgently tried to dissuade Joseph:
**"Your Highness, if we get bogged down near Brussels—even for just two weeks—Austrian and Prussian reinforcements will arrive.
"Even the British have recently landed 20,000 troops in Utrecht."**
Utrecht, located in central Holland, was only 140 kilometers from Brussels.
Meanwhile, Prussia had 70,000–80,000 troops stationed in Geldern, one of their strongholds west of the Rhine, just 170 kilometers from Brussels.
Even further away, more Coalition forces were preparing for battle.
If the French attacked Brussels, the Allied armies might converge on the region, attempting to crush France's Army of the Southern Netherlands.
Lefebvre was certain that their 20,000 men wouldn't be able to hold out against such a force.
Therefore, it seemed strategically sound to hold a defensive position between Wavre and Brussels rather than advancing recklessly.
Joseph nodded.
"You're absolutely right. But have you considered—if the British in Utrecht don't reinforce Brussels, where else will they go?"
Lefebvre paused, then hesitantly replied:
"Geldern, I suppose?"
"Exactly. But in that case, General Berthier will be facing even more enemy troops."
Lefebvre's eyes suddenly lit up.
"I see now, Your Highness! That means the Rhine Army should attack first to pin down the enemy, preventing them from reinforcing Brussels!"
But Joseph shook his head.
**"No. It's actually the opposite.
"Brussels is what we'll use to distract them.
"We need to create an opportunity for General Berthier to push the frontline to the west bank of the Rhine. That will give us the greatest strategic advantage."
Lefebvre still hesitated.
**"Your Highness, if we lose control of the Southern Netherlands, the enemy will march south along the Lille corridor… and threaten Paris itself.
"Perhaps you should reinforce us with some troops from the Rhine Army, just to be safe?"**
His concern was valid.
Even if the French captured the west bank of the Rhine, Austria and Prussia could afford to lose some territory there—but if the Coalition advanced on Lille, it would place Paris in serious danger.
Joseph remained firm.
"If I pull troops from Berthier, we'll weaken our offensive on the Rhine—leaving us with no clear advantage on either front."
Then, he pointed at the ground beneath them.
"You're forgetting—we can raise more troops right here in Wallonia."
**"Wallonia has a large population, but it's never been heavily recruited before.
"Raising 10,000 new troops shouldn't be difficult.
"Together with the Walloon police force, we'll have nearly 40,000 soldiers in total."**
Lefebvre sighed.
**"Your Highness… even with 40,000 men, it might not be enough.
"And… newly recruited troops won't be reliable in battle."**
Joseph nodded.
**"If the enemy commits over 60,000 troops, then I'll consider reinforcing this front from Berthier's army.
"But as for the new recruits—if used properly, they can still be highly effective."**
Lefebvre remained uneasy.
"Your Highness, with just 40,000 against 60,000, that's still incredibly risky…"
Joseph smiled.
"Have you heard of the 'reverse slope defense' tactic?"
Lefebvre searched his memory, recalling all the military lessons he had studied.
Finally, he shook his head.
"No, Your Highness. I've never heard of it."
"It's a tactic that will allow us to hold the Southern Netherlands—even when outnumbered."
Joseph was referring to the famous "reverse slope defense" that the Duke of Wellington would later use at Waterloo to hold off Napoleon's elite Imperial Guard and cavalry.
At this point in history, Wellington had not yet developed the tactic—so Joseph had no hesitation in "inventing" it first.
He was certain that with the right battlefield, he could hold off a 60,000-strong British-Prussian force with 40,000 French troops.
After all, neither the British nor Prussians were as fearsome as Napoleon's Old Guard.
If even Napoleon's best troops couldn't break through such a defense, there was no way the British and Prussians would.
And Joseph had another key advantage—
Two of France's best Royal Artillery Regiments.
With artillery positioned properly on high ground, they would be even more effective than 10,000 infantrymen.
That night, Joseph's orders were sent to Lille and relayed via semaphore to Berthier in Luxembourg.
The orders were simple:
Berthier was to slow down his offensive,Make the enemy think France was losing momentum on the Rhine,Encourage the Coalition to send reinforcements to the Southern Netherlands,Then, strike hard—capturing Trier and surrounding the crucial fortress of Koblenz.
If this plan succeeded, it would turn the entire European war upside down.
The Next Day – Noon
Joseph visited the artillery camp to have lunch with the soldiers.
As he passed a row of heavily guarded tents, one of the tent flaps suddenly flew open.
A middle-aged man stepped out, his thin eyebrows, small eyes, and sagging cheeks making him instantly noticeable.
Ignoring the guards shouting at him, he bowed deeply to Joseph and spoke in accented French.
"Praise be to God! I never thought I would meet you here, Your Highness—the noble and brave Crown Prince!"
"Hey! Don't push me! I just need to say a few words!"
Struggling against the guards, he continued shouting toward Joseph.
**"Your Highness, I am Lieutenant Colonel Toyn Frans van Schaick of the Pellen Infantry Regiment.
"I have always admired you! Please, give me the honor of serving under you!"**
Joseph frowned, noticing his uniform It was Austrian.
If he was from the Pellen Infantry Regiment, that meant he was Flemish.
Suddenly, Joseph realized something.
He halted his horse and turned to the man.
"What's your name?"
"Toyn Frans van Schaick, Your Highness!"
Joseph nodded.
"Colonel Schaick, can you persuade the captured Austrian soldiers to fight under my command?"
Schaick's eyes gleamed with cunning.
**"Of course, Your Highness!
"They will be even more loyal to you than your own army!"**
Joseph smiled and turned to Lefebvre.
**"Take him to the prisoner camp.
"Perhaps we can recruit some Flemish troops after all."**
Just then, another man stepped out of the tent—
A tall, hard-faced officer in his fifties.
Taking advantage of the distracted guards, he suddenly kicked Schaick to the ground.
Then, he roared in fury:
**"You damned traitorous dog!
"How dare you betray the Southern Netherlands?!"**
Joseph signaled his guards to restrain the man and dismounted.
He turned to him and asked,
"And who are you?"
The man glared at Schaick in disgust before answering.
"I am William Wigel van Thyen—commander of the Antwerp Corps."
(End of chapter.)
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