Napoleon originally requested to have his friend Desai transferred to Louisiana, citing the significant pressure of the North American war, but he did not expect Paris to send him an "unexpected surprise."
He twitched his eyes and took two steps back, bowing slightly to Lafayette, saying, "Since you have come to North America in person, you must have a perfect battle plan. My soldiers and I stand ready for your command at any time."
The current military strength in Louisiana, even with the addition of the Iroquois Duchy’s forces, remains at a disadvantage against the United States. If Lafayette takes over the situation here and loses a battle, Napoleon will have the chance to clean up the mess, thereby teaching the General Staff Department a profound lesson.
However, Lafayette smiled and shook his head, "Earl, I think you’ve misunderstood. This time the Regent sent me to Louisiana to serve as a trade and development representative. You will still have full authority over military affairs here."
Napoleon was taken aback again, "Trade and development representative?"
It must be known that Lafayette once led his army to defeat the British on the North American Continent, and Napoleon assumed he would be here to command operations.
"You know, Louisiana doesn’t contribute much in taxes to the Empire each year. The Regent believes many advantages here have not been exploited, so he has sent me with technicians and equipment to help make this place prosper quickly," Lafayette said, gazing at the distant sea,
"Of course, I’ve also brought the weapons you urgently need, including 3,800 caplock guns, 10 brand new twelve-pounders, and accompanying ammunition."
Napoleon’s eyes lit up instantly. The colony only had decades-old cannons and Chaleville Flintlock Guns, so this new equipment would greatly leap his army’s combat power!
Yes, this is Joseph’s strategic plan for the Louisiana Colony.
He clearly understands that given Louisiana’s current population and economic situation, if not for Napoleon, the military genius, holding this position, it would soon be devoured by the United States.
But there is also a need to avoid a scenario where military dictatorship by Napoleon arises.
In fact, the Mississippi River Basin is unquestionably the most brilliant "gemstone" of North America.
Due to seasonal river flooding, which pushes fertile silt onto the surface, even throwing a handful of seeds here could yield a harvest, with production levels surpassing those of the Eastern United States.
Moreover, the local animal husbandry and fisheries are very developed, and there are also plentiful coal mines!
The coal needed for the American Industrial Revolution mainly comes from the Mississippi River Basin.
As long as there is sufficient population, within at most one generation, Louisiana could catch up with or even surpass the United States in its level of development.
Fortunately, while Napoleon is invincible in war command, he is a "rookie" when it comes to the economy, trade, and internal affairs.
Joseph specifically appointed Lafayette, a senior officer with significant prestige in North America, to oversee Louisiana’s production and economy, making it impossible for Napoleon to meddle even if he wanted to.
Of course, Joseph had already prepared Lafayette with specific administrative policies and equipped him with professional officials to accompany him.
In this way, Governor Elcano would be able to use finance and logistics as leverage to control Napoleon.
And once Louisiana is developed, any officer with even moderate command skills would be able to rely on the strong military power of the colony to easily suppress the United States.
Yes, this is also one of the main reasons why Joseph dispatched Jourdan and Dalmagne to North America.
Jourdan and Dalmagne respectively stepped forward to salute Napoleon, "It’s an honor to meet you, my lord."
Lafayette enthusiastically introduced, "You should be quite familiar with General Jourdan."
Napoleon nodded, "I had led him... ah, together with him, disciplined the Austrians in Nice."
Jourdan immediately responded, "Yes, my lord, your extraordinary command skills are something I constantly strive to learn from!"
Lafayette continued, "General Jourdan participated in the campaign to capture Dominique, and is very familiar with the Caribbean Sea coast environment.
"This time, he is primarily responsible for commanding operations in Florida."
Napoleon couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when he realized that Jourdan would be fighting in the Spanish colonies.
Lafayette then looked at the other officer, "Lieutenant Colonel Dalmagne will be your deputy. He performed excellently in the Siege of Savannah and was later chosen to study at the Paris Police Academy, making him one of the top students in the fourth class of command majors."
Savannah is a small town in the southeastern part of Georgia.
The three people Joseph sent to Louisiana this time all had previous combat experience in North America.
In the carriage heading towards the Governor’s Palace, Lafayette handed Napoleon an order signed by the Regent, "His Highness allows you to conduct the battles in Louisiana according to your own ideas, but do not expand the battlefield east of Tennessee."
Napoleon questioned in puzzlement, "Why is that?"
Lafayette smiled, "His Highness asked me to inquire whether you have the confidence to occupy all 16 states of the United States?"
Napoleon seriously thought for a moment and then shook his head, "No confidence."
He added, "Unless Louisiana can provide my army with an endless supply of provisions."
Lafayette was a bit surprised, thinking to himself why His Highness had told him to ask, realizing that Napoleon really intended to do that!
He cleared his throat, nodded, and said, "Therefore, His Highness requires you to keep the battle under control where you can teach the Americans a lesson but not unite them in intense resistance."
Areas like Tennessee, Western Kentucky, and Illinois were occupied by the United States only within the last decade, with few Americans living there, so the French Army’s invasion of these areas wouldn’t provoke the Americans to fight back desperately.
Lafayette continued, "Oh, as for southern Kentucky, if the Iroquois Duchy has enough strength, they could assist in gaining control of that region."
This Indian Duchy’s core area is in Ohio and a small part of Northern Kentucky.
Joseph greatly hopes they can bear the brunt of American animosity. Given that they have long been persecuted by the Americans, they don’t mind whether or not the Americans resent them now.
Truth be told, he has been planning North American strategy for quite some time but has always lacked a catalyst.
This time, with the U.S. and Portugal, England engaging in war with Spain, it provides him with an excellent opportunity.
The carriage gradually stopped across the square in front of the Governor’s Palace, and over ten Indian servants came forward, some spreading carpets before the carriage door while others stood at the roadside holding incense burners.
Lafayette discreetly avoided the hand of an Indian who approached to assist him, slightly frowning.
Napoleon glanced at him, smiling, "Your Excellency the Marquis, the customs here differ from those of Paris; they are all protected colonial citizens."
"Yes, I must adapt quickly," Lafayette nodded.