Austria and the administrative preparations under Napoleon’s directive for a possible conflict. The Duc de Rovigo recalls the strategic movements of troops along the Vistule River and the emperor's meticulous planning as he sought to reinforce French positions in the face of growing opposition, including actions taken to solidify control over regions in Prussia and the necessity for administrative oversight in recently acquired territories. Through these first pages, readers are introduced to the significant military maneuvers that not only reveal the political climate of the time but also the emperor's overarching strategies and concerns regarding France's position in Europe. (This is an automatically generated summary.)