Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1236 - 1141: "Excursion" in Egypt

Chapter 1236: Chapter 1141: “Excursion” in Egypt

The artillery of Massetna’s Army launched several volleys, causing the Mamluk garrison outside the port to scatter.

Subsequently, the French Army infantry encountered almost no resistance and advanced into the port from both the eastern and southern directions.

Accompanying French officers from the Ottoman Empire immediately stepped forward to stabilize the order in Alexandria, and by twilight that day, the French Soldiers were already dining on roasted lamb with fava bean puree brought by the Egyptians.

After a brief rest, Massena began leading his troops eastward along the Nile River.

Hmm, this is entirely different from the situation where Napoleon was maintaining order throughout Egypt, as with the endorsement of the Ottoman Empire, the Egyptians’ theoretical suzerain, the local populace was very stable, and even voluntarily provided logistical supplies to the French Army.

Throughout the journey, Massena remained highly alert, constantly using binoculars to observe the surrounding terrain, ensuring that cavalry scouts thoroughly reconnoitered any area three times before allowing the troops to pass.

However, the march remained very smooth, and a day later, he reached the important town of Damnhur. This location in northern Egypt is extremely crucial for water sources and supplies. Gaining control here effectively solidified the French foothold in Egypt.

Damnhur still had no defensive troops, and Massetna’s Army didn’t even stop here, continuing southward along the Nile.

After a week of tense marching, the magnificent Pyramids finally appeared before Massena.

He felt that this military operation was as easy as a leisurely outing, except for the unaccustomed food and the very murky drinking water.

Hmm, what he didn’t know was that it took Napoleon over 20 days on this route in the past, having to march through deserts for a long time to avoid ambushes by the Mamluks, with nearly a thousand soldiers dying of thirst or illness along the way.

But this time, France was acting in joint operations with the Ottoman Empire; half a month ago, tens of thousands of Ottoman troops had already entered the Sinai Peninsula in eastern Egypt.

The attention of the Mamluk Army was almost entirely on the Ottoman Army, completely unprepared for an attack from the west.

Therefore, Joseph decisively instructed Massena to keep moving along the Nile River, allowing for a closer route with ample supplies along the way.

The reality was indeed as he had anticipated; the entire west bank of the Nile River was completely undefended.

The Battle of Shobrakhet, which historically was tough for the French Army, did not even occur.

The French Army generals looked through their binoculars at the pyramids rising like mountains in the desert, all expressing their admiration without end.

Artillery Commander Marmon eagerly rode up to Massena’s side and exclaimed loudly, “General, I haven’t even seen the enemy appear. If we cross the Nile now, by noon tomorrow, we could join forces with the Ottoman Army to form a pincer attack on Cairo!”

The main part of Cairo City is situated on the east bank of the Nile, with the western side largely being an agricultural zone, lacking any strategic value.

However, Massena recalled the instructions from the Crown Prince and shook his head: “No, we’ll wait on the west bank.

“Oh, set up your artillery positions nearby and fire a few shots towards Cairo.”

Marmon widened his eyes immediately: “But there’s no enemy here at all?”

“Yes.” Massena nodded, “Once you fire, they’ll come.”

The west bank of the Nile River.

Murad, one of the two Beys of the Mamluks, listened to the distant cannon fire and irritably turned to the cavalry officer beside him: “Where are the French now?”

“About half a Filsah west of Inbaba Village, Bey, sir,” the officer added, “with at least 10,000 soldiers.”

“Filsah” is a unit used by cavalry, with 1 Filsah being just under 6 kilometers.

Murad grew even more anxious.

Inbaba Village is less than 10 kilometers from Cairo, and the French Army could approach Cairo City at any time.

He had only over 4,000 cavalry at hand—the main Mamluk forces were currently under Ibrahim’s command, fighting the Ottoman Army east of Cairo.

Such a small force couldn’t possibly withstand an attack from tens of thousands of French soldiers.

At this moment, an Egyptian officer hurried over and saluted Murad: “Bey, sir, the Great Bey has ordered you to immediately clear the riverbank; his cavalry is crossing the river.”

The so-called “Great Bey” is the Mamluks’ internal designation for Ibrahim.

Murad couldn’t help but widen his eyes: “Crossing the river? What about Cairo?”

The officer hurriedly said, “The Great Bey successfully launched a surprise attack on Rauf’s left flank this morning, defeating the Ottoman Army. Now the enemy’s vanguard has retreated to near Abo.

“The Great Bey heard that the French were approaching and decided to take this opportunity to work with you to repel them and prevent a pincer attack.”

Murad was overjoyed at once. Abo is 25 kilometers from Cairo, so the Ottomans are unlikely to launch another attack for at least two days.

Hmm, it’s not that the Mamluks have grown stronger, but rather that the Ottoman troops were too weak.

The Yeniceri Guard aside, the new Pizis Army had been patched together for training and had returned to Constantinople for three years, becoming much like the old army.

To maintain their military class privileges, the Mamluks had always adhered to traditional high-intensity drills, absolutely qualifying them as an elite force in front of the Ottoman troops.

So when Ibrahim discovered a gap on the Ottoman flank, he decisively gathered over 10,000 cavalry and launched a surprise attack, easily tearing apart Rauf’s formation.

If it weren’t for concerns about the French threat, Ibrahim could have driven the Ottoman Army back east of Suez.

Murad promptly ordered his subordinates to clear the riverbank and then asked the officer, “How many reinforcements for the west bank’s troops?”

“8,000 cavalry, 10,000 infantry, and 12 cannons.”

Murad’s perspective towards the direction of Inbaba Village had entirely changed.

Including the forces he had, there were over 10,000 of the most elite Mamluk Cavalry, more than enough to crush an equal number of French infantry.

The ferry business on both sides of the Nile River is very developed, and Ibrahim’s troops had all arrived on the west bank by 10 AM the next day.

The two supreme commanders of the Mamluks then led their army near Inbaba Village.

When the cavalry reported that the French Army was still half a Filsah west of the village, Murad couldn’t help but show a disdainful look: “It’s been a day and a half, and they haven’t even captured this small village.”

Ibrahim pondered, “Perhaps their supplies haven’t caught up. We can use this opportunity to defeat them.”

He turned to the Order Officer and waved, “Order Abdullah to form a defensive line with his back against Inbaba Village, and have the cavalry follow me for a frontal assault!”

Meanwhile, in the French Camp, a communication soldier rapidly reported to Massena: “General, the enemy has already approached to 3 kilometers away. 8,000 cavalry are amassed at the front, with more than 2,000 others circumventing to attack our left flank.”