Joseph gave Robel a meaningful glance.
Randa Li was originally an official responsible for palace security. How could he have any informants planted in the Intelligence Bureau? This is definitely infiltration by the Secret Police into the Intelligence Bureau.
However, sometimes this kind of internal conflict has a positive side, like in this matter currently.
Robel continued: “Although Randa Li cannot review the Intelligence Bureau’s files, he judges based on the current situation that the Intelligence Bureau should not have large-scale operations at the Austrian border.”
Joseph nodded slightly.
As a matter of fact, the Intelligence Bureau does not have such a task.
You must understand that the annual budget for the Intelligence Bureau is only 1.7 million francs. This single operation alone costs nearly one-tenth of that, so it is impossible not to report it to him.
Robel opened the second document: “Your Highness, these are some abnormal situations with the troops stationed in Udine. The report submitted by Major Yebor.
“The troop rotation was more than 3 months earlier than the scheduled date, and it was originally supposed to be handled by the Montpellier Legion, but for some unknown reason, it was changed to the Corsican Legion.
“In addition, Colonel Desai, the temporary commander of the Legion, transferred a large amount of late-stage supplies from Mantua Fortress to Udine three times, far exceeding what is needed for garrison.”
He pulled out a few copied notes from under the documents: “At the same time, only one batch of supplies was dispatched through formal procedures, while the other two batches were ‘borrowed’ temporarily using his personal influence in Mantua.”
After the war in Northern Italy ended, the Mediterranean Security Organization ‘authorized’ France to station 2,000 troops at Mantua Fortress and 5,000 at Udine on the Venetian border, to guard against the possible Austrian invasion of Italy.
Hmm, these two places are strategic points in Northern Italy, and apart from France, no other country can handle such responsibility.
Joseph immediately turned to Robel: “Do you mean there’s some connection between the abnormalities in Klagenfurt and Udino?”
The latter nodded and pulled out the bottom-most piece of information: “This is a report from Antoine-Marie de La Valette, the head of the post office ‘Black Room’.
“From a month and a half ago, there have been numerous communications via the Sharp Signal Tower between Paris, Klagenfurt, and Udino regarding ‘army rations’. And the mentioned ‘famous chefs’ and ‘vegetable merchants’, such entities do not exist in our nation or the Austrian Army.”
The ‘Black Room’ is the intelligence agency within the French postal system, specializing in the inspection of private letters and decoding cryptographic messages. Communications between Sharp Signal Towers are currently under their scrutiny as well.
“The current judgment from the Security Bureau is that the troops stationed in Udino are colluding with some unethical members of the Intelligence Bureau to sell military supplies to the Austrian Army at Klagenfurt.”
Joseph shook his head: “This doesn’t explain the whereabouts of the tens of thousands in the Intelligence Bureau’s budget.”
Count Robel hesitated for a moment and said: “Your Highness, Viscount Lavallette indeed proposed a hypothesis—that the troops stationed in Udino plan to launch an attack somewhere, involving more than three regiments, and the Intelligence Bureau will somehow provide assistance.”
Joseph narrowed his eyes, looking at the files in front of him, and asked: “Who first discovered this matter?”
He had some understanding of Robel, the head of the Secret Police.
This person mostly investigates which nobles bad-mouthed the king, who had an affair with whom, etc. Analyzing and organizing such complex intelligence is beyond his capabilities.
The director of the Security Bureau promptly said: “It’s Viscount Lavallette, Your Highness. Initially reported as two separate corruption cases, he was the one who linked them together.”
Joseph nodded. The three people competing for the deputy director of the Security Bureau this time are all quite capable.
Randa Li had the most contact with the Secret Police before, familiar with the operations of the Intelligence Department.
Yebor is an intelligence advisor to the Rhein Army, with rich experience in overseas intelligence collection.
And Lavallette is flexible-minded with meticulous thinking.
The most interesting thing is that all three managed to uncover the same issue through different channels.
Robel suggested: “Your Highness, should we call back Colonel Desai and Captain Dubois to conduct an investigation?”
Dubois is the Intelligence Bureau’s head in southwestern Austria.
Joseph thought for a moment and waved his hand: “No, I want you to investigate this matter thoroughly without alarming them.”
He felt that this matter is not simple at all. Without a complete overhaul, it is likely to lead to major problems in the future.
If you directly recall the personnel involved for investigation, it will probably just be some scapegoats taking the blame.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Joseph also instructed: “And, to prevent the situation from getting out of control, you need to gather personnel early and head to Udine. I will have the troops in Mantua cooperate with you.”
He was speaking just as he felt the carriage slowly decelerate; outside, the stirring march and cheers of the crowd could be heard.
The director of the Security Bureau quickly stood up and bowed, retreating to leave the carriage.
The sides of the Champs-Elysees were already packed with Parisians, many waving victory wreaths, looking like colorful waves from afar.
Joseph followed Louis XVI and the Queen, arriving together under the red canopy in the center of the road. To their left stood dozens of nobles and officials, while the right side comprised high-ranking priests including Archbishop Beaumont.
Soon, two radiant teams of Hussars, grasping Iris Flags, appeared at the end of the road.
People’s cheers suddenly increased several times, with numerous wreaths fluttering like butterflies towards the cavalry.
The cavalry formation reached the King, Napoleon and more than a dozen senior officers dismounted, stepped forward, and kneeled on one knee, loudly proclaiming: “Jesus protect Our King!”
Louis XVI stiffly signaled for them to rise, about to make a speech, but the deafening cheers around him made him subconsciously glance outwards.
Heads were bobbing, countless in number.
His Majesty the King’s heart thumped fiercely, instantly forgetting the words he had rehearsed hundreds of times.
He stood transfixed for seven or eight seconds, face flushed, helplessly turning to Queen Mary for help.
The latter quickly leaned over to his ear and reminded him: “The glory of Jesus shines upon France…”
Louis XVI gritted his teeth and summoned his strength to say loudly: “The Crown Prince will make the speech on my behalf!”
Joseph immediately palmed his forehead, thinking his father really put him in a bind without warning, as he hadn’t memorized a single word of the speech…
He resignedly walked up, thought for a moment, and said loudly: “Today is a day worth commemorating forever.
“For France’s survival and glory, countless warriors held aloft the Iris Flag, from the Alps to the Rhine River, with their blood and lives, their will as firm as iron, they won one victory after another.
“We shall erect a magnificent monument here to commemorate these soldiers who sacrificed everything for France!
“Their names will be engraved here, for all to remember and admire for generations.
“This monument will be called—the Triumphal Arch!”
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