Chapter 796: A Rescue at the Last Moment
In reality, Trock had somewhat exaggerated the severity of the situation.
After all, Napoleon had already occupied Milan and was setting up defenses along the Po River to cut off Melas' connection to Austria.
From a strategic perspective, France still held the advantage.
However, these developments were unknown to the shipowners in Greece. From their point of view, the French army in Italy was on the brink of collapse.
The room fell silent for a few seconds before a middle-aged man with a large beard, sitting by the window, stood up. He straightened his coat and said:
—Mr. Trock is right. I still do business in the Mediterranean, so I have to do something about this.
He looked at Steiler and added:
—Baron Mémac, if you are willing to pay 40% interest, I wouldn't mind sending my ships to Genoa.
Steiler hesitated for a moment before nodding.
—Alright, Mr. Borre. 40% it is. Thank you for your help.
This was a business tactic to make it seem like the interest rate was so high that it pained him to accept it.
In reality, he had already decided to use his shares in the Eastern Mediterranean Trading Company as collateral to secure these shipowners' vessels.
He was confident that His Highness the Crown Prince would approve, as, compared to the outcome of the war, money was always secondary.
After all, investing in logistics and weaponry was far better than paying war indemnities.
—Count me in as well. The British seized my cargo in North America eight years ago. It's time to settle that score.
Ferry glanced at his old friend and sighed before raising his right hand.
—If Leon says so… Alright, my ship will go too.
In reality, it was the 40% high interest that convinced him.
The supplies on board had been purchased by him, which already ensured a considerable profit. Adding the high interest, this trip would be worth nearly half a year's earnings.
Some shipowners at the door left in disdain, but about half of them reconsidered and returned.
Trock's words had indeed made them feel the urgency of the situation.
Before nightfall, Steiler had secured eight steam paddle-wheel ships, three million pounds of grain, and a supply of gunpowder.
He excitedly thanked Trock and the shipowners, promising that once the Genoa situation was resolved, he would request a one-year tax exemption for them from the Crown Prince.
Although these steamships could not match the capacity of large supply ships, eight vessels were enough to supply Dimoulin's army for three weeks.
The Next Day
Thanks to Steiler's gold, nearly every dockworker in Piraeus was busy loading supplies onto Trock's and the other shipowners' vessels.
By 3:00 PM, the eight steamships had set sail westward, led by the Cape Parrot frigate, leaving long trails of black smoke in their wake.
North of Genoa, Novi Ligure Town
Austro-Sardinian Army Headquarters
Melas stared intensely at the map in front of him, veins bulging on his forehead.
Several minutes passed before he slammed his cane on the ground and gritted his teeth.
—The Czerwoni Corps will retake Pavia. We must remain here and continue our assault.
He turned to his officers and continued:
—Our spies in Genoa have confirmed that Dimoulin's food supply won't last more than two or three days. We have never been this close to victory! We cannot give up now.
Ten days ago, when the news of Napoleon's sudden capture of Milan reached them, all Austrian officers were in shock.
However, when Melas learned that Napoleon had only about 12,000 troops, he deemed him insignificant and ordered the continued siege of Genoa, sending only the Czerwoni Corps to defend the Pavia crossing.
Theoretically, his strategy was sound.
After all, Milan was already lost. If Melas withdrew, the French army in Genoa would have time to recover, and he would end up with nothing to show for his efforts in Italy.
Besides, the fall of Milan was Beaulieu's responsibility, not his. In contrast, if Melas could destroy Dimoulin's forces and take Genoa, his success would be guaranteed.
Once Genoa was secured, he could march north with his 50,000 troops and easily retake Milan.
However, that morning, Czerwoni sent a worrying report:
he had been ambushed by Napoleon near Pavia. Though he reacted quickly and avoided major losses, his forces were now stuck south of the Po River.
At the same time, an imperial decree expressing the Emperor's displeasure over the loss of Milan arrived at Melas' headquarters.
The officers in the room exchanged uneasy glances until Argento cautiously stepped forward and suggested:
—General, perhaps we should send more troops to Pavia, in case the crossing…
—Spare me the reminder —Melas snapped, his nerves fraying—. The crossing will remain open!
Taking a deep breath, he slammed his cane on the floor once again.
—We take Genoa first, then we march back to Milan. Everything will be fine.
Genoa
Dimoulin anxiously rubbed his temples and asked his quartermaster in an exhausted voice:
—Only half a day's worth of rations left?
—Y-yes, General…
Nearby, Augereau raised his voice:
—General, if we concentrate our forces, we still have a chance to break out through La Spezia.
La Spezia lay east of Genoa and was the weakest point in the Austro-Sardinian forces, with only about 8,000 soldiers.
The French still had 25,000 men, so there was a chance to break through.
But Dimoulin shook his head.
—That would only take us further away from France. The Austrians would chase us immediately, and we don't even know how much food is in La Spezia.
Sérurier urged:
—But if we continue like this, we won't last another day…
Dimoulin let out a deep sigh and gazed toward the battlefield, where cannon fire roared endlessly.
—We have done everything we could. If we are forced to surrender, His Majesty and God will forgive us.
The officers in the room bowed their heads in silence.
Just then, a deafening shout echoed through the air.
It was Junot, nearly hysterical, yelling at the top of his lungs over the thunder of artillery:
—Ships! The ships have arrived! They're ours!
Dimoulin leaped to his feet with a speed no one had seen before.
—What ships? Are you sure? How many?
—I saw them with my own eyes, I swear! Seven—no, eight ships! All steam-powered! They've already entered the port! Governor Abiazzo has sent men to unload the cargo!
A wave of relief washed over Dimoulin as he hurriedly made the sign of the cross multiple times.
—Thank you, Almighty God. Thank you for not forgetting us…
Yes, Trock and his team had pushed their steamships to the limit, sailing without rest, navigating even in near-darkness.
Thanks to their efforts, in less than six days, they had successfully delivered the supplies to the port of Genoa.
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