Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

The Paris Police Academy has long surpassed the significance of just a military academy for the French Army, becoming a symbol of military spirit, a setter of training standards, and the source of advanced command and combat techniques.

Therefore, the event being held this time is no longer a simple school anniversary but more like a grand celebration for the entire army.

As soon as the Crown Prince appeared in everyone’s view, Massena immediately shouted, “Attention, salute!”

From the square outside the Military Academy’s gate to the parade ground on the south of the academy, tens of thousands of officers and soldiers stood at attention, producing a sound like crashing waves, and then saluted towards the Crown Prince’s direction.

Joseph, surrounded by officers, arrived at the parade ground capable of holding over ten thousand people and ascended the review stand on the north side.

The soldiers on the parade ground were all desperately standing with their heads held high and chests puffed out, hoping for a glance from the Crown Prince.

Indeed, obtaining the qualification to attend this school celebration was not easy, as it was usually reserved for those who had performed outstandingly on the battlefield or were recognized as elite troops.

Joseph surveyed the entire scene, took a deep breath, and said loudly, “I am very pleased to experience this glorious moment with everyone as the principal!

The Paris Police Academy is a great military academy born with glory; it has contributed to the safety and prosperity of France…”

Following the custom, he first recounted the glorious history of the Paris Police Academy and then narrated anecdotes about each class of graduates, occasionally eliciting knowing smiles from the officers and soldiers present.

Joseph had memorized his speech for half a month for today. He still remembered some events from the academy’s early days, but after the number of students expanded to 3,000, he had to rely on memorizing materials.

Nonetheless, these meticulous details allowed all the officers and soldiers to genuinely feel close to His Highness.

After Joseph finished his opening address, the school celebration officially began.

First, there was a grand military parade drill, followed by a performance by the military band, a shooting demonstration, and veterans sharing their battlefield experiences…

Until 5 PM, the soldiers participating in the celebration temporarily left the venue—there would be experimental exercises in the coming days.

In the military academy’s auditorium, hundreds of officers above the rank of lieutenant colonel gathered, waiting for the arrival of the Crown Prince. In fact, this was the main highlight of the school celebration.

A few officers from the former Italian Front Army looked at Massena and Moro in the front row with complex emotions. General Bonaparte should have been there, but they all knew he was in the gendarme’s prison.

An officer finally couldn’t help but whisper, “The general violated military discipline, but he only wanted to teach the Austrians a lesson.”

It’s been over a month since the “go it alone” incident, and most senior officers had learned the inside story.

The officer beside him nodded, “The General Staff handled this too severely. At most, he should have been reprimanded or demoted, but the general was brought to a military tribunal.”

Another quasi-general looked around before leaning in and whispering, “I heard the general might be exiled this time.”

The group of officers all shook their heads and sighed.

The previous officer said in a gruff voice, “Let’s petition the Crown Prince and plead for the general’s clemency.”

“We’ll invade Vienna sooner or later; the general was just a bit early.”

“Right, the general has performed brilliantly; France cannot do without him.”

“I will suggest it to His Highness later, and you all can support me…”

Seated in the front row, Moro heard this and turned to glance at the group, frowning, before gesturing to his subordinates to distance themselves from them.

Soon, Joseph, in cavalry uniform, with two medals hanging on his chest, strode into the auditorium.

All the officers immediately stood at attention with a “swish.”

Joseph raised his hat, signaling everyone to sit down.

Just when everyone thought the Crown Prince would announce promotions or offer some encouragement, he raised his voice:

“I know you don’t want to sit here doing nothing; you don’t want to partake in a school celebration or listen to my ramblings. You want to parade in Vienna immediately or bombard Potsdam with cannons, surrender in Konigsberg, and fight all the way to the lower Danube.”

Most of the officers present immediately brightened their eyes, clenching their fists in excitement.

Joseph continued, “I know you’re thinking, France has the finest soldiers in Europe, the most sophisticated weapons, capable of fighting Austria and Prussia on two fronts simultaneously and defeating them!

“You think our caplock guns and cannons shouldn’t be sitting in warehouses but should appear on the Bode Plain, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains!”

Joseph surveyed everyone, seemingly hearing their intense heartbeats, but lowered his tone slightly: “Yes, our army can achieve this, I am very certain.

“But what happens after? I need you to think carefully about what kind of situation we’ll face.”

He shifted his focus: “I don’t know if any of you have seen wild dogs fighting.

“I have.

“Usually, there’s a very fierce ‘lead dog,’ strong and robust, biting challengers tightly and tearing at them.

“Similarly, younger wild dogs will also bite it relentlessly, shaking, knocking down, and rolling with force.

“These fights may last over an hour. Generally, the lead dog will win, driving away or biting to death the challengers.”

He again looked at the officers below the stage, “Do you think France should become the ‘lead dog’ of the European Continent, biting to death any challengers who dare offend us?”

The auditorium was eerily silent, with countless eyes fixated on the Crown Prince, waiting for his next words.

Joseph gestured energetically, “No! We are not the ‘lead dog.’ Even the fiercest lead dog might get its bones broken or suffer infected wounds. When that happens, the vulture across the strait will seize the chance to tear at our flesh.

“Therefore, France must be a lion! Commanding Europe, feasting on all prey. When necessary, we can swat down those wild dogs anytime without getting hurt at all.

“Even that vulture, as long as it dares to land and feed, will be torn apart by us.”

He exhaled, “Remember, until we grow into a lion, we must avoid getting entangled with other ‘wild dogs.’ That will only leave us injured, bleeding, and weakened.

“What’s necessary for France now is to stabilize the market, develop industry and agriculture, and increase the population.

“Until we can allocate tens of billions of francs for military expenses without significantly impacting the finances, we won’t fall into a situation of fighting other wild dogs.”

“At the same time, we must initiate a second military reform.”

“Yes, stagnation is tantamount to regression. Prussia and Austria will soon learn from us to reform their armies, and the British have even already assembled a new army very similar to ours.”

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