Bertier frowned slightly, “But both Bizerte and Kairouan, on the north side, are on the northern shore of the Oued Medjerda. If we arrange our defenses along this river, we will essentially be handing these places over to the enemy.”
The officers immediately turned their heads to look at him: “What is your suggestion, then?”
Bertier tapped the western side of Bizerte with his finger: “To enter Tunis from Annaba, one must pass through here—Ferrieres, between Lake Ichkeul and Lake Bizerte. Here, we can ambush the People of Algiers!”
Andre frowned, “But, Lieutenant Colonel, that’s a plain. If we choose this place, we will have to face an enemy many times our own number head-on.”
In his words, he had already automatically ignored Zemir’s indigenous forces.
An officer from the police academy immediately said, “But it’s the only way to save Bizerte.”
The officer next to him nodded in agreement: “Losing Bizerte will encourage the remnants of the Tunisian Guard and bring us more trouble.”
Someone who opposed raised their voice: “Have you considered that, by deciding the battle on the plain, we will have no chance to retreat if the situation turns against us?”
The officer from the police academy was unyielding:
“The enemy sweeping through Bizerte will cause severe damage there. If we can’t demonstrate our ability to protect Tunis, the prestige we’ve just established among the locals will be completely destroyed.”
“Perhaps we should ask Paris to allocate more troops.”
“That could take one or two months, or even longer. Who knows what changes will occur in the battle situation during that time.”
“And the finances may not allow for further large-scale troop deployments either.”
“So defending along the Oued Medjerda is still the most feasible option.”
“I think we can definitely give Ferrieres a try!”
The two sides holding different opinions argued more and more fiercely. For a time, no one could persuade the other.
Just at this moment, Joseph suddenly stood up, interrupting the incessantly arguing sides: “I want to know where our logistical support is coming from?”
Bertier immediately said, “Your Highness, it is mainly orchestrated by Mister Agadon and the chamber of commerce, and a small part is carried by our fleet from Corsica.”
“And the transportation to the front lines?”
“We can leave that to the local forces. We’ll send a battalion to oversee.”
Joseph immediately frowned: “Gentlemen, forgive my bluntness, but we probably only have one choice, and that is a quick resolution.
“Right now, Tunis doesn’t even have an effective government in operation. The collection of food and supplies may encounter problems at any time. Moreover, the Imperial Guard will do everything in their power to disrupt our logistical transportation.
“As soon as we get stuck in a stalemate, logistics will be the death of us!”
Upon hearing this, Bertier’s face lit up with joy: “Your Highness’s concern is absolutely necessary. Then, we shall confirm our position in Ferrieres.”
Joseph, however, fell into contemplation: “If I am not mistaken, the People of Algiers will also be ready to fight us there.”
“That is very likely, Your Highness.”
“Then the numerical disadvantage would cause us significant losses.” Joseph shook his head slightly. The Guard Corps was his painstakingly built foundation, and he couldn’t afford to squander it in North Africa.
Andre hesitated, “Your Highness, it seems that you agree with my opinion?”
“No.” Joseph waved his hand, then stared at the intersection of Algiers and Tunis on the map for a while, suddenly revealing a smile, “We need to surprise the enemy. For instance, by resolving them in Annaba!”
Annaba was the easternmost province of Algiers. The officers in the conference room looked at each other in surprise.
…
Paris.
Petit Trianon Palace.
Queen Mary nearly forgot her decorum, her hands clenched into fists as she said loudly to Brian in front of her, “Does this mean that the troops heading to North Africa haven’t set off yet?”
“That, I’m afraid, is the case, Your Majesty,” Brian said with his head lowered, “You know the current financial situation. The 4 million livres needed by Marquis de Saint-Veran can’t be disbursed immediately…”
He hurriedly added, “The funds are ready, but due to the large sum, the Bank of France Reserve wants to pay with banknotes, and the military insists on silver coins. The exchange will take some time.”
The Queen took a deep breath, obviously suppressing her anger, “It has been 5 days, and he still hasn’t left the camp. The People of Algiers could harm Joseph at any moment!”
Brian carefully said, “Your Majesty, a large-scale troop mobilization requires considerable preparation time. The People of Algiers are likely the same; they probably haven’t left the country either.”
Queen Mary practically spat the words through her teeth, “Go tell Marquis Saint Priest that Marquis de Saint-Veran’s army must arrive in Tunisia before the People of Algiers. I will sincerely thank him for his hard work.”
…
Algiers.
East of Annaba.
A fully-equipped Ottoman army of over ten thousand was advancing slowly.
In the middle of the column, Commander Caheller of the interfering army of Algiers looked at the intelligence report that he had just received, a smug smile on his face, and tossed the piece of paper to an Aide-de-camp beside him, his deputy:
“The British have clearly overestimated the French Army. They were still resupplying in Tunis City 4 days ago and are estimated to set off only in the next few days.”
This was sent by the remnants of the Tunisian Guard within Tunisia. The content was very reliable.
The latter looked over the intel and turned to say:
“General, judging by their deployment, they are likely positioning their defenses around the Oued Medjerda river area.”
“Are you saying it’s difficult to attack there?” Caheller snorted, “Anyway, it doesn’t matter how long we fight since the British are paying. Bizerte is very wealthy. In the meantime, we can transport all its riches back to Mitidja.”
However, the tall military officer on the other side said solemnly:
“General, based on the scouting from the day before yesterday, it seems the Tunisians are preparing to cross the Oued Medjerda river from the north of Kairouan. This might be a preparation to engage with our forces near Bizerte.”
The attendant scoffed dismissively, “That rabble of despicable mobs doesn’t know how to fight. On the plains of Bizerte, we can easily tear them to shreds. Those Tunisian Guards are useless, to be defeated by such riffraff.”
But Caheller instructed:
“We also need to be cautious of Tunisian ambushes. Pass the order, double our scouts, and find the main force of the Tunisian rebels as quickly as possible.”
The tall officer looked back with some puzzlement:
“General, I’m curious why those rebels don’t join forces with the French? It clearly weakens them both, making them unable to confront us head-on.”
Caheller corrected, “Even combined, they don’t have the capability to confront us. Those rebels were still farming a few months ago; they probably can’t even form ranks properly. I suspect the French don’t want to expend too much fighting us, so they choose to defend along the river.”
The tall officer again said, “Are the French waiting for reinforcements?”
“The British say that the financial situation in France doesn’t allow them to reinforce on a large scale. Moreover, they’ve promised that if France sends reinforcements, they will provide us with even more support.”
As Caheller was speaking, a scout came riding quickly, reining in his horse at a distance, and called out:
“Report, General, the Albanians have sent a message that their scouts discovered Tunisian traces near Naivesey. Awaiting your orders!”
Naivesey was almost at the easternmost point of Annaba, nearly leaving the territory of Algiers. The Albanian mercenaries, serving as the advance party, had already reached there.
Caheller narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment, then decided:
“It must be the tribal militiamen of Bizerte coming to scout our movements. Tell Semiz to strengthen the reconnaissance and continue advancing.”
Semiz was the Guard officer in charge of commanding the Albanian mercenaries.
[Note 1] Anatolia generally refers to the territory of the Ottoman Empire south of the Black Sea, which is part of Asia Minor. It can be considered the most “authentic” Turkish ethnicity.