Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Chapter 1269: Chapter 1174: Technological Boom

“Afterwards, the enemy might choose to cross the Rhine River from Strasbourg. Or simultaneously send troops to Switzerland, threatening our eastern region.”

Bertier continued, “Another choice for the enemy is a full-scale invasion of Northern Italy. Venice has almost no combat ability, and our army will fight a decisive battle with the British and Austrian Army around Mantua, which is very unfavorable for our military logistics.

“Meanwhile, Prussia may threaten the Upper Rhine region, such as attacking Cologne, and the Flemish Republic.

“The General Staff has also formulated corresponding countermeasures for these enemy operational plans.

“Regarding the situation where the enemy focuses on attacking Switzerland, the First and Second Armies will defend the west side of the Alps, while the Third Army will be stationed in Strasbourg, and then use mobile forces for containment in the lowland areas…

“If the enemy’s target is Italy, we can choose to use the First Army plus one division to hold the Mantua Fortress. You know, it’s very easy to defend there. After that, the main force will be deployed to central Germany, threatening Austria near Bavaria…”

Listening to the Chief of Staff’s very professional narration, Joseph couldn’t help but furrow his brow. Taking advantage of Bertier’s pause for breath, he raised his hand to interrupt him and said, “Wait a minute, what does the General Staff think our objective is in this battle?”

The latter was slightly taken aback and replied, “It should be to repel the enemy’s encirclement, Your Highness.”

“No wonder you would make such a strategic deployment.” Joseph stood up, looked around at the senior officers present, and said firmly, “We must take this opportunity to completely eliminate the military threat from England, Prussia, and Austria!

“Otherwise, there will be a next time, and a next-time Anti-French Alliance. Our country will always live in chaos!”

He waved his hand forcefully: “So, what we need to do is not defense.

“But rather to push the battlefield deep into Germany, annihilating the enemy at the Danube River and Hanover!

“After this battle, no country will dare to easily become an enemy of France!”

All the officers present widened their eyes, their hearts pounding wildly.

Facing the overwhelmingly superior Allied forces, they instinctively believed it could only be a defensive battle.

And at this time, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince clearly told them that they need not fear any enemy.

As an enemy of France, the battlefield will never be on French and allies’ territory!

This is exactly the kind of war they want.

This is their Crown Prince!

Bertier immediately took a deep breath, stood firmly, and said, “Yes, Your Highness, the General Staff will immediately revise the operational plans to end the war from Hanover to the Danube River!”

It was quickly lunchtime, and Joseph was preparing to go to the banquet hall with the officers when he saw Mirabeau hurriedly coming over.

The Minister of Industry first glanced at the high-ranking members of the General Staff present, then bowed respectfully to Joseph: “Your Highness, there is very important news.”

Joseph signaled the other officers to leave first, and Mirabeau excitedly said, “Your Highness, the United Steam Engine Company just sent a message that the latest high-pressure steam engine has completed all tests, with a power of 98 horsepower and continuous operation for 40 hours.”

Joseph’s eyes lit up immediately.

The role of the high-precision milling machine is indeed significant, and Murdock and his team finally made a breakthrough.

horsepower means that only two steam engines in parallel are needed to drive a standard Fourth-level Battleship.

Although it’s just the smallest model of a battleship, its significance far exceeds that of a Level 5 Cruiser because this is the main ship with two gun decks capable of carrying nearly 50 cannons!

This can carry nearly 20 32-pound heavy cannons, posing a real threat to Third-level and higher battleships.

With the mass construction of Fourth-level Steam Battleships, the French Navy will not only maneuver with the British fleet in the “bathtub” of the Mediterranean Sea but also fight fiercely in the Atlantic Ocean!

Unexpectedly, Mirabeau’s good news was not over yet: “Baron Murdoch also mentioned that due to considerations of safety and stability, they have not fully exploited the new steam engine’s potential. After testing and optimization, the power of this machine might reach 115 horsepower.”

Joseph laughed.

With two 115 horsepower steam engines, a Fourth-level ship could speed up to over 13 knots.

If the number is sufficient, it might even be able to engage in decisive battles with the British North Sea Fleet.

More importantly, this power is sufficient to drive trains.

Although the speed will certainly not be too fast, it is estimated to carry 20 carriages at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour [Note 1].

But even the most rudimentary train can easily outperform all carriages!

carriages carrying 80 tons of goods is simply a breeze, fulfilling the logistics supply needs of an entire army with one trip.

kilometers per hour in this era feels like “flying”.

Not only the speed advantage, but the train’s endurance is truly terrifying.

A carriage running desperately reaches 40 kilometers a day at best — which would kill the horses.

While a train, as long as it has coal, can run continuously for 24 hours a day, achieving over 800 kilometers.

Of course, this transport capacity is also a stimulant for the civil sector.

With the huge increase in logistics speed, France’s economic growth will increase several times, even tenfold.

France will thus truly enter the age of the industrial revolution!

Joseph tried hard to pull his thoughts back. Although the steam engine is available now, there’s still a long way to go before building a train.

Various transmission, braking, chassis structures, and even carriages need to be developed from scratch.

Fortunately, they earlier secured Trevisick, who has extensive expertise in steam engine locomotive development.

With this in mind, Joseph hurriedly instructed Mirabeau: “Please notify Mr. Trevisick to come to Paris immediately, bringing all necessary tools and assistants.”

Although he’s not familiar with train structures, he can at least suggest to Trevisick what the wheels and carriages should look like and where the boiler and cab should be.

He then thought that the steam battleship is more urgent, so he told Mirabeau: “Forget it, have Mr. Trevisick go directly to Brest Shipyard instead. He is very familiar with steam engine technology and can guide the technicians in the shipyard for testing.”

While he was speaking, Eman lightly coughed at the door, reminding him, “Your Highness, General Bertier and the others are still waiting for you to dine.”

The poor generals of the General Staff have been hungry for more than 40 minutes already.

[Note 1] Historically, the paper speed of early trains such as the “Rocket” could reach 58 km/h, but that was ideal conditions. In reality, the “Rocket” struggled climbing slopes, and most of its carrying capacity was wasted on its fuel. It wasn’t until the appearance of the “Planet” that there was real operational value.