Napoleon's gaze shifted to the office door, which creaked open slowly. In walked a young woman, appearing to be in her late teens. She was dressed in a vivid red gown, her hair neatly tied back, falling in loose tendrils around her face. As she stepped further into the room, her posture straightened, revealing a blend of nervousness and resolve.
She curtsied and introduced herself, "Your Majesty, I am Marie Walewska. It is a great honor to meet you."
"How old are you, woman?" Napoleon asked.
"I'm eighteen years old, Your Majesty," Marie replied, still in a curtsy. Her voice was soft yet carried a sense of earnestness.
"Marie Walewska, I don't have all the time in the world, so we will make this quick. Why did you wish to see me?"
"Your Majesty, I have heard your impassioned speech about helping the Poles gain their independence from their conquerors. I came here to offer you my assistance in realizing that noble goal," Marie responded, her eyes meeting Napoleon's with unwavering determination.
Napoleon studied her for a moment, his expression contemplative.
"How can a young Polish noblewoman like you aid me in securing Poland's independence? Do you have connections or resources that could be of use?" Napoleon inquired,
Marie met his gaze with unwavering determination. "Your Majesty, I do have connections among the Polish nobility, and my family holds some influence in our region. My father served as a trusted advisor to a prominent Polish noble, and I have access to influential circles. I can gather information, facilitate communications, and work discreetly to advance your cause among those who might be hesitant to openly support it."
Napoleon let out a sigh. "Okay, do so as you wish. You may leave now, Marie."
Marie's eyes widened as she was taken aback by the Emperor's direct response. She had anticipated a more extensive conversation, perhaps a challenge to prove her worth further.
Nevertheless, she composed herself and curtsied once more. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you. You shall hear of my progress in the coming days."
"Your Majesty, why did you let her go so fast? Shouldn't you discuss your plans further with her?" Armand asked, his concern evident in his voice.
Napoleon leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant as he contemplated the encounter.
"Armand, sometimes you must trust your instincts. There was something in her eyes that would seem to draw any man in. But I'm not the kind of man who would easily fall for charms."
"Charm?" Armand tilted his head to the side.
"That's right, Armand. Charm. The strongest weapon of a woman is her beauty, and Marie possesses it in abundance. She probably planned on using that weapon against me to guarantee an independent state of Poland. But she doesn't have to do such a thing. I'm not into young girls, and I already have a wife and children. Not to mention, my wife is way more beautiful than her when she was eighteen years old. I'd be stupid to fall for such tactics," Napoleon concluded.
"Uhm, Your Majesty? Aren't you being a bit judgmental? I mean, she did come here with a sincere offer to assist us," Armand ventured cautiously.
"Let's just say I have foresight, Armand," Napoleon said. "Think of it as the reason why we have always been winning the war. Because I can see things ahead of others, and I can see through people's intentions."
Armand chuckled and nodded. "Very well, Your Majesty. If you say so."
***
November 14th, 1804.
Ten days since Napoleon arrived in Warsaw. The war between France and Russia continued.
About two kilometers from the front, a commander's tent was set up to house Napoleon and his Marshals as they planned their next moves. Maps and reports were strewn across a large table, and the room was filled with the tapping of the keys of the telegraph operators.
Napoleon, dressed in his military uniform, stood at the head of the table, listening to the reports.
"Your Majesty," Marshal Berthier reported, "the Russian Army has crossed the Alle River and entrenched themselves at Friedland. We had a skirmish between General Grouchy and the Russian cavalry, which saw our forces successfully repelling the enemy. The second front is at Sortlack Wood. General Oudinot's elite grenadier division engaged the Russian left wing in fierce combat, resulting in a deadlock with both sides returning to their initial positions. However, there is no doubt, Your Majesty, the Russian Army is now firmly situated at Friedland."
"Meaning we can win this war," Napoleon said as the corners of his lips curled up in a confident smile. It's like fate, the Russian army is at Friedland, and behind them is an Alle River. So if they commit a frontal assault against the Russians, the Russians would have no choice but to fight or retreat into a river, which would be disastrous for them.
"How many men do we have left?" Napoleon asked.
"We have seventy-thousand men ready to march, Your Majesty," replied Marshal Berthier. "Our forces are in good spirits and well-rested. We are prepared for the battle ahead."
"Good, now I need the photograph that was used to gather intelligence on the Russian forces," Napoleon ordered.
Marshal Berthier quickly ordered his aide-de-camp to grab the photographs taken during reconnaissance missions. The aide-de-camp hurriedly presented a black-and-white photograph depicting the Russian positions at Friedland. It was a grainy image, but it provided valuable insights into the disposition of the Russian forces.
Napoleon scrutinized the photograph, his sharp eyes analyzing the details.
"I need a pen and a paper," Napoleon requested, and a nearby aide promptly provided him with the necessary writing materials.
Napoleon then began performing mathematical equations that looked alien to those who watched.
"Uhm, Your Majesty?" Marshal Berthier spoke. "What are you doing?"
"I'm calculating the exact coordinates of the pontoon bridges the Russians built to cross the River Alle," Napoleon answered. "That's their only way of retreat should our frontal assault start to overwhelm their forces. We cut off their retreat, we decimate the entire Russian forces."
It's easier said than done to calculate the exact coordinate. First, he would have to take into account the exact position of the person who captured the photograph, the angle at which it was taken, and any recognizable landmarks in the image.
When he got the reference points, he would then use trigonometry and geometry to triangulate the exact positions of the pontoon bridges, which would give him the coordinates.
The last part of the calculation is the projectile motion. He calculated the right angle for his 155mm howitzer to hit the pontoon bridges accurately. The projectile motion calculation took into account factors such as the initial velocity, launch angle, and gravity.
Once he had determined the precise angle and coordinates, Napoleon marked them on a map of the area, indicating the optimal firing positions for his artillery units. With this information, his forces would have the best chance of hitting the Russian pontoon bridges and cutting off their retreat effectively.
"Impressive," Marshal Berthier said in awe.
"At one hour, we will launch our attack," Napoleon said. "And with it, France's domination of the European continent."
Everyone inside the command tent saluted. The stage is set.
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