Napoleon had been diligent enough in carrying out the task. After arriving in Ajaccio, and presenting Saliceti's confirmation of his position in the Ajaccio volunteer battalion, he spent until Christmas travelling round the island, taking soundings in the main harbours, carefully marking potential positions for coastal batteries and talking guardedly with people wherever he went. Even though Paoli was behaving like a dictator, the majority of Corsicans were loyal to him. However, this loyalty was tempered by sympathy for the revolution and all the main towns on the island maintained political clubs that were dominated by the Jacobins.There was no certainty over what might happen if Paoli tried to sever Corsica's links with France.
Napoleon cleared his mind and turned his attention back to the report.There was a detailed map of Corsica, heavily annotated in Napoleon's scruffy hand.
'I hope you don't expect me to try and read any of that,' Paoli said.
Napoleon shook his head. 'It won't be necessary, sir. I assume you have read the copy of the report I sent to you.'
'Ah, yes. I had one of my officers look over it and present me with a summary. A thorough piece of work, and I agree with your conclusions. The defence of the main ports must be the priority. I will put your report in front of the next meeting of the governing council. That will be in March.'
'March?' Napoleon looked at the general sharply.'We could be at war with Britain by then.'
Paoli shrugged.'It's the best I can do.The council will consider your report, and if they decide to proceed with your recommendations we'll need to work out the costings and then submit those to the treasury committee for approval. Then the work can begin.'
'I see,' Napoleon said quietly. 'And when, precisely, might that be, sir? I need to know so that I can inform the War Office.'
Paoli pursed his lips and looked up at the ceiling for a moment before replying.'Realistically… the end of the year.At the earliest.'
'I don't think Paris will be very happy with that, sir.'
'That's as maybe. But there's nothing I can do about it.'
'Very well, sir.' Napoleon bowed his head. 'I'll put your estimate of the time needed to the War Office at once.'
'You do that,' Paoli replied tonelessly. 'Now, if you put your reports away we can proceed to other business.'
'Yes, sir.' Napoleon wondered what the other business might be. When he had been summoned from Ajaccio three days ago, General Paoli had merely asked to discuss the results of the survey of Corsica's defences.
'You might as well leave the map out. We'll need it.' Paoli crossed to the door, opened it and said to one of his clerks, 'Tell Colonel Colonna we're ready for him now.'
As Paoli returned to the table Napoleon looked at him enquiringly. He had met Colonna recently. Colonna was the commander of the garrison at Bastia and Napoleon had approached him to ask for some engineers to be seconded to his small survey team, but Colonna had refused the request. Paoli noticed the expression on Napoleon's face.'All will be made clear to you in a moment. While we're waiting for my nephew I want to ask you something, Colonel.'
This was the first time that Paoli had condescended to call him by this rank, and not his regular army rank of captain and Napoleon was immediately back on his guard. 'What is it, sir?'
'This war that the Convention is waging against Austria and now Prussia – what are France's chances of winning?'
Napoleon's mind raced to organise his thoughts. 'It depends. So far the National Guard units have made a poor showing, but there are plans to merge them with the regulars in coming months. Once that happens our armies will fight far more effectively. At the moment we're also short of good officers. Many of the aristocrats have resigned their commissions and emigrated. But there are good men emerging from the ranks, and many others in training. It's all a question of time. If we can hold the enemy back for five, maybe six months, then we have every chance of winning.'
'Against Austria and Prussia, yes. But what if Britain and other nations enter the war against France? As they surely will if any harm comes to King Louis.'
Napoleon nodded. There was no point in avoiding the issue. The latest news from Paris was that the Convention, the revolutionary executive, had decided to charge the King with treason. The best Louis could hope for was exile, but imprisonment was the most likely outcome, although a number of leading Jacobins were calling for his head. But if Louis was disposed of, then France's enemies would multiply overnight, and how could one nation hope to prevail against so many? Napoleon decided to answer General Paoli's question honestly. 'In that case, we cannot win. Not unless the whole nation is put at the service of the army. Even then our armies would need to be led by the most outstanding generals of our time.'
'Alas, I am too old for such duties,' Paoli smiled, then laughed. 'I'm joking, of course.' He frowned as he saw the look of relief that flitted across Napoleon's face. 'I'm sure that your generation will produce some useful commanders. Maybe you will be one of them.'
For a moment Napoleon was tempted to answer modestly, but he already felt irritated by Paoli's cavalier response to his report on the state of Corsica's defences.'I'm sure that every good officer shares that ambition, sir.'
'I'm glad to hear it. But you must admit, the chances of France prosecuting a successful war are slim indeed. In which case, some might argue that it is in the best interest of Corsica not to be on the losing side.'
'Some might argue that.'
'And you? What do you think? I ask you as one Corsican to another.'
Napoleon felt a chill trickle down his spine. What was Paoli after? Was this some kind of loyalty test? If so, what would be the safest answer? He had to be careful. If Paoli was thinking of declaring Corsican independence then Napoleon must be seen to support him, until his family could be moved to safety. If, on the other hand, he was testing Napoleon's loyalty with a view to reporting back to Paris then Napoleon would have to hope that any pro-independence line that he supported would be seen as an expedient by Saliceti. Napoleon cleared his throat. 'I think that Corsica needs France, for now. We are like a goat surrounded by wolves. Our only salvation lies in siding with the strongest wolf. Besides, no other power would tolerate the social reforms that our people are starting to enjoy.'
Paoli stared at Napoleon with renewed intensity. 'And what happens when the beasts have fought it out, and the strongest one is left? What hope is there for your goat then?'
Napoleon managed to smile at such a predicament. 'Then, I hope that the wolf has already eaten enough to overlook a scrawny morsel.'
Paoli laughed and leaned forward to clap the young man on the shoulder.'Truly, you are in the wrong profession.What a lawyer or politician was lost when you decided to become a soldier.'
The tramp of heavy boots ended the exchange as both men glanced towards the door. A tall man in thigh-length riding boots entered the room and saluted Paoli, but ignored Napoleon. He had a shock of dark hair tied back by a blue ribbon. He was powerfully built and projected a confidence that bordered on arrogance, and Napoleon was instantly reminded just how much he had disliked the man when they had last met in Bastia.
Paoli made the reintroductions. 'Colonel Colonna, you have met Lieutenant Colonel Buona Parte of the Ajaccio battalion of volunteers.'
'Yes, sir.' He turned to Napoleon. 'Or would you prefer me to address you as captain of artillery?'
Napoleon bit back on a surge of anger. 'As I am currently in Corsica, serving in a Corsican battalion and working in the interests of Corsica, it would be suitable to refer to me by my local rank, wouldn't you agree, sir?'