Chapter 1667 - 1573: The "Treasure" from France

Sorendino delivered another rousing speech, followed by several other leaders taking the stage to boost morale.

A little after six in the evening, as Sorendino announced the meeting's adjournment, the crowd stood up, shouting various slogans.

Charlie looked at Josh in surprise, "Is it over just like that?"

"Yes, the great revolution has been decided, I can't wait to see the sunrise the day after tomorrow."

"Wait." Charlie pointed to the map of Rome on the wall, "What about the detailed battle plans?"

"Battle plans? Didn't Mr. Sorendino say there would be uprisings at twelve locations simultaneously?"

Charlie was stunned for a moment and then asked, "Where will the Rebel Army set out from, and in which direction will they advance? If they encounter resistance, how will they support each other? What is the operational goal for the first day? How will logistics be ensured? If the situation turns unfavorable, along what route will they retreat..."

Josiah widened her eyes, "Who can know what will happen the day after tomorrow, especially such detailed things? We will defeat all enemies standing in our way with overwhelming passion!"

Charlie frowned, "So, you don't have an actual battle plan?"

"Yes, at twelve locations..."

Charlie interrupted her: "Do you know how many Vatican Guard and Noble Guard there are, how many cannons they have, and from where they will intercept the Rebel Army?"

"I don't know. But we are not afraid of them at all!"

Charlie quickly approached the map, pointing from Castel Sant'Angelo to the streets on the east side: "If 300 Vatican Guard arrive here when the Rebel Army gathers and split to block the other end of the street, then conduct volley fire in a line formation, it doesn't matter if there are a thousand rebels with well-equipped weapons, they still can't break through. In fact, gathering in the middle of the street is very disadvantageous for launching a counterattack..."

Although he had never actually commanded an army, he had been on battlefields witnessing tens of thousands of regular troops in fierce combat multiple times. Military studies were a mandatory course from his childhood—command theory taught by Moro, tactics by Surt, and war history by Bertier—his fundamental military command skills were solid, so he immediately saw that what the Free Rome Party was planning was akin to suicide.

Josiah and Severino exchanged anxious glances. Even with no experience, they could imagine the scenario that Mr. Charlie described, which would be nothing short of a massacre.

Charlie then pointed to the next gathering point: "The problem here is even bigger. Across the street is the wall of St. Peter's Cathedral, from which the Vatican Guard could throw stones to disperse the rebels. And here, they lack cover behind and on the flanks..."

As he continued to analyze, Josiah and the others were sweating on their foreheads.

Not just them, but seven or eight senior members of the Free Rome Party who understood French looked at the map with frowns, while those who didn't understand were pulling on them asking questions.

Soon, Sorendino was also alerted and stepped over, looking at Charlie, "Who is this gentleman? I don't think we've met before."

Josiah hurriedly said, "This is Mr. Charlie. Charlie, this is Mr. Sorendino."

Sorendino immediately stepped forward to shake Charlie's hand, saying excitedly, "Are you the Mr. Charlie who donated 30,000 francs to the revolution? I didn't expect you to be so young."

Yes, Charlie had previously taken out 30,000 francs to support the Romans' cause of resistance, which was why he could attend the Free Rome Party's gathering. Together with the money he spread at the University of Rome's entrance, his "expenses" today amounted to 41,000 francs.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sorendino noticed the worried faces of the members nearby and asked, "What were you discussing just now?"

A middle-aged man who had served in the military in Spoleto repeated Charlie's words in Italian, adding at the end, "I think Mr. Charlie is right, our plan seems... a bit hasty."

He was the one most knowledgeable about military matters in the Free Rome Party, and even Sorendino couldn't help but frown, but he quickly clenched his fist, saying, "Even if there's only a ten percent chance of success, we must give it a try; otherwise this cage will never be broken!"

Little did he know, in history, the Romans' uprisings against papal rule had erupted over a dozen times since the late 18th century, yet none had succeeded. It was only more than 40 years later, riding the wave of the Italian national uprisings, that they finally ousted the Pope from Rome with great difficulty.

If nothing unexpected happened, their uprising would just be a small ripple in the long river of history, soon to disappear in the rolling waves.

Charlie coughed lightly and said, "Mr. Sorendino, I believe that with proper planning, the chance of success could be much higher than ten percent."

All eyes in the room immediately turned to him.

Sorendino asked sincerely, "Do you have any suggestions?"

Charlie replied without hesitation, "First, we need to significantly replenish our weapons and equipment. I heard from Josh that you only have 360 flintlock guns."

The retired middle-aged man brightened up and nodded vigorously, "That's right, we must prioritize capturing the armory. The people of Vienna did the same."

However, Charlie dismissed his idea: "No, the situation at Castel Sant'Angelo is completely different from that of the Vienna Royal Armory. It was originally remodeled into a fortress from the start, and it cannot be breached without cannons."

Castel Sant'Angelo exists as the Pope's final refuge, its sturdiness far surpassing that of Vienna's armory.

Sorendino and the others sank into worry again, "What should we do then?"

Charlie, as if making a significant decision, took a deep breath and said, "I have some channels to procure weapons, but it will take half a month."

With Ravenna just north of Rome, as the Governor of Ravenna, slightly reallocating some weapons was quite an easy task for him.

The members of the Free Rome Party looked at each other in delight, not expecting the wealthy merchant heir Josiah "found" to be such a treasure!

Charlie continued, "It's best to also rewrite the uprising plan. It's not that the more action spots, the better; this can instead allow the Vatican Guard to defeat us one by one. Also, the command and logistics systems should be carefully planned while waiting for the weapons..."

...

Paris.

Palace of Versailles.

Bertier glanced at Prince Michel, who was trying hard to crawl forward on the other side of the room, but his expression didn't change as he continued, "The Austrian National Guard has committed all its main forces to the western front, preparing for a decisive battle with the Russian Army..."

He was used to the little prince appearing in such occasions, reportedly an "early education" as per the Regent's advice. Usually, as long as the little prince didn't cry, he could sit in and listen.

Joseph frowned, "How could Kutuzov possibly engage in a decisive battle with him?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Bertier nodded. "A force of ten thousand Cossack Cavalry raided the North Suburb of Vienna. Kosport hurriedly sent troops to reinforce, only to be ambushed by the Russian Army halfway. In fact, Kutuzov deployed less than 30,000 soldiers on the front line."