Flowers, Swords and France

After coming out of the newspaper office, Charles immediately walked towards his carriage.

It suddenly began to drizzle, and he hurriedly quickened his pace.

The slogans from afar were still coming one after another, and their momentum was not reduced at all by the rainy weather.

Charles had just walked onto the street when a group of people in uniforms suddenly rushed over to the side, and they were crowding towards the square.

"Down with the mob!"

"Down with Blanqui!"

"Defend the country!"

They also shouted slogans, and they looked like soldiers of the National Guard.

Charles immediately made way. Then, under Charles's gaze, a large group of people rushed into the small square and confronted the previous demonstrators.

Soon, the conflict was not limited to verbal. The two sides confronted each other with swords drawn, and then the situation soon became almost out of control. They shouted at each other, pushed and hit each other...

This is just a corner of Paris. Near the Paris City Hall, a larger and more violent conflict is now taking place. After receiving the warning of the large-scale gathering of protesters, the interim government immediately sounded the alarm, and then they gathered a large number of special forces, national self-guards or other personnel at the city hall to confront the demonstrators.

Although there is no fighting yet, but... the ending of everything seems to have a general outline.

"It's really irreversible." After putting on his hat again, Charles looked up at the square in the distance and then at the gloomy sky. "This Republic."

Then he walked to his carriage.

According to the scheduled arrangement. He ordered the servant to drive the carriage from the congested streets to the block between Hunting Street and Burgundy Street.

Yes, he wanted to visit Lucien Leflair and his wife next.

Because he was notified in advance. So he quickly walked directly into the Leflair family's house.

To his surprise, the hostess here actually greeted him at the door.

"Charles, you are finally here!" After seeing Charles, she smiled and greeted him.

"Julie, are you okay?" Charles nodded hurriedly, and then said, "You don't have to be so polite. Be careful of the baby!"

Julie's belly was already very big, and it was obvious that the due date was very close. At this time. A pregnant woman can't walk around casually.

"It's okay!" Julie smiled even deeper, "Don't worry, we are much stronger than you want to imagine..."

Although there was a smile on her face, Charles felt that there seemed to be a few dark clouds underneath.

"Julie. What's wrong?" Charles couldn't help but ask again. "Did you quarrel with Lucien?"

Julie's smile froze slightly. Then she laughed again.

"How could it be?" Her smile was a little forced, "Come on, go in quickly, Lucien is waiting for you!"

Seeing her like this, Charles felt more and more uneasy, but it was not easy to ask again, so he had to follow her gesture and go into the door and walk towards the living room. But Julie didn't follow in.

When he went in, he suddenly heard a faint sigh coming from behind.

…………

Soon. Charles saw Lucien sitting on the sofa in a daze. His originally square and resolute face had an even worse expression than Julie's just now.

After seeing Charles coming in, Lucien forced a smile, but it was a pity that the smile was too ugly, which made people feel even more upset - this guy is really not a material for politics.

"My friend, don't force yourself to be happy." Charles smiled and greeted him, "What's wrong? Did you quarrel with Julie?"

Lucien's face froze again, and then he lowered his head.

"Lucien, Julie is pregnant now, so of course her temper will be a little worse. If there is any conflict..." Seeing this, Charles couldn't help but persuade him, "Try to be patient."

"Thank you, Charles." Lucien smiled bitterly after hearing this, "I will do this."

As if to change his mood, he directly asked Charles about his purpose. "Charles, what on earth has brought you here today, a busy man like you?"

"My friend, I've joined the National Guard." Charles didn't intend to beat around the bush.

"What?" A hint of surprise flashed across Lucien's face.

"The National Guard is being purged and expanded recently, and there are now a large number of vacancies. My cousin, the Duke of Treville, is a colonel in the Guard, and because he is short of manpower, he plans to bring me in to fill the vacancy..." Charles told Lucien the truth. "I promised him."

After hearing Charles' explanation, Lucien's expression suddenly became a little surprised.

"Is the National Guard also being purged?" He exclaimed a little.

"What's wrong, Lucien?" Charles asked hurriedly.

After a moment of silence, Lucien sighed softly.

"Our troops are also being purged now. According to the orders from above, a large number of people have been cleared out or directly transferred."

Sure enough...even the army has begun to prepare!

After hearing this news, Charles was also shocked.

However, this is not very surprising.

"Lucien, does that involve you?"

Lucien shook his head slightly.

"Not really. Maybe the reputation of the Dillion family saved me."

When he said this, there was no joy on his face, but instead became more depressed.

Thinking of the behavior of the couple just now, Charles had a little idea.

"Charles, you came all the way to me, didn't you just want to tell me the news?" Lucien suddenly asked again.

"Of course not." Charles smiled, then looked at Lucien, "My friend, I came here today to ask for your help."

"Help?" Lucien was a little confused.

"I think you should know some veterans who are reliable and of high quality?" Charles lowered his voice. He expressed his request, "Lucien, you also know. If you want to lead a team, you can't just talk about it. Even if you temporarily become an officer in the Self-Defense Army, I can't just do it alone, can I? So, I I just want to find someone from you to help me support the situation... As for the treatment, you can rest assured that I can pay a high price. "

As Charles said, a person wants to make a group of people who do not know him obey his orders. It's not something as simple as talking about it, let alone a semi-military militia organization like the National Guard, which is recruited temporarily. Who will obey whom then? What's more, I'm still so young!

Ciel never believed that he had the aura of a domineering king, nor did he believe that he had the aura of a protagonist who was born to make people loyal, and he would not be stupid enough to show off as a hero in front of a group of people with guns - so, he I thought of getting some veterans with military experience from Lucien to support myself.

in addition. There is another advantage - if these people are hired with his own money. Then when the time comes, it will definitely be much easier to use than the Bonapartists.

After listening to Charles's narration, Lucien, who had also been serving for many years, immediately understood what he meant, and then he readily agreed to Charles's request.

"No problem, Charles. I know some veterans who have retired from the army. Many of them are good guys. Their character is not to mention! I am worried that they have no way out and can't help them! As long as you are willing to spend money, the rest I’ll bring you some in a few days!”

"Thank you so much!" After hearing his words, Charles was naturally overjoyed. "Don't worry! I'm not a stingy person."

"But... Charles..." As if he thought of something, Lucien's expression suddenly returned to gloominess, as if he was hesitant to speak. "Did you..."

"What's wrong?"

"Do you really want to suppress the mob?" After hesitating for a while, Lucien suddenly asked.

Ciel was taken aback, and his expression returned to seriousness.

"Why do you ask?"

Lucien remained for a moment longer.

"Xiaer, several regiments were transferred to the city today to prevent mobs from attacking the government. Although my troops have not been mobilized yet, I am afraid... I am afraid that such an order will come soon. Xiaer You're a smart man, you know what this means."

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Under Lucien's serious gaze, Charles also fell silent.

"I know."

After hearing Charles's answer, Lucien let out a long sigh.

"Char, do you know why I quarreled with Julie today? It's because...because I want to resign from the army."

"Resign?!" Charles was shocked.

This professional and excellent soldier, who is backed by the Dilion family, wants to resign?

"Why?" He couldn't help but blurt out.

"Why?" Lucien smiled bitterly, "Don't you understand? I don't want to fight my own people! Do you know what that means? That means I have become an executioner, not a defender of France! "

Ciel understood.

As if he had opened up his chat box, Lucien, who was usually taciturn, kept talking, "Why did I join the army? To defend this country! To pursue glory! But... But what about now? They But I was asked to prepare to suppress the people! I only wanted to open fire on foreign soldiers, or to overthrow the unpopular tyrant, but now... Now they want me to shoot my own people! It's all bad! Really, it's all bad. I've been completely disappointed these past two months... It's all bad. Nothing has gotten better! People are even more trapped than before... If our efforts are just to achieve this ending, then what is the point of all this!"

When he said this, Lucien suddenly put his hand on his forehead and his voice trembled violently.

"I don't want to accept such a mission, so I want to resign from the army and leave this crazy thing. But... But Julie doesn't agree. She said that she has already planned so much for my future, and why? Our child has thought so much, and she won't let me give up... She asks me to stay in the army... Charles, she asks me to stay in this crazy place!"

Charles did not speak, but allowed Lucien to vent on his own.

"Julie... I love her, and I know she loves me too. But you also know that she is a young lady from a famous family. She... how can she understand my thoughts? I am very grateful for her efforts. I I am willing to give everything to repay her love, but...but...God!"

Slowly, Lucien took away his hand, his face full of gloom.

"Char, what do you think I should do? Are we friends? Then, please give me another suggestion!"

Charles remained silent, and the two looked at each other like this for several minutes.

After a long time, Ciel finally spoke.

"My friend, do you really want me to give you advice?"

"Yes, whatever happens is fine!"

"Then, I suggest..." Charles looked at Lucien calmly, "You continue to stay in the army."

A flash of pain flashed across Lucien's face.

"Sure enough...do you even say that?" He murmured to himself.

"However, you can also choose to refuse that order - if there is one." Charles continued, "My friend, I support your idea, and I also intend not to do this dishonorable thing. Although my surname is Treville, I have no prejudice against the poor, and I’m afraid you can see this..."

After hearing this, Lucien was shocked, and then looked at Charles in disbelief.

"But...you mean to tell me to disobey?"

"Yes, disobey. You can refuse to get your hands dirty, even if you disobey, it doesn't matter." Ciel was still smiling.

"However, if I disobey, I still won't be able to stay in the army, and I will suffer the shame of being a coward." Lucien expressed his concerns again.

"No, no, I can guarantee it." Charles suddenly stretched out his hand and patted the other party's shoulder, "Lucien, you will never suffer shame because you refuse to shoot at the people. Don't forget , I also belong to a political group, and we will work together to guarantee you when the time comes, and no one can expel you from the army!"

Then, Ciel continued.

"Lucien, please remember my advice. No matter what insults you suffer in the future because of your disobedience, you must never give up, because you have done nothing wrong, right?! Why should you leave the army again because of this? It is not you there Have you always regarded it as a family? Don’t worry, leave everything else to us, no one can do anything to you!”

After listening to Charles's words, Lucien couldn't help but moved slightly, and he held Charles's hand tightly.

"Char, thank you!"

"You're welcome." Charles shook his head slightly, still smiling, "Go and make peace with Julie. It's time for me to say goodbye. Please remember my request!"

……………………

In the small garden in the backyard, the hostess here is walking among the blooming rose flowers.

However, even though it was full of spring scenery, she was in a very bad mood.

She was still thinking about the quarrel she had just had with her husband.

"Mom is right, men are like this. The more you think about him, the less he takes you seriously..." She thought slightly melancholy, and was stunned for a moment.

Suddenly, she felt her back tighten.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled angrily, but she didn't get rid of him.

"Honey, I love you..."

That person suddenly said these words.

"sorry……"

All the original complaints and bad mood suddenly disappeared.

She closed her eyes slightly and felt the tight hug carefully.

"Honey, I love you too...". )