Flowers, Swords and France

It's morning.

Although the fighting has actually begun, this kind of suppression still lacks a formality and a cloak of legitimacy.

Soon, they will have this coat.

At this tense moment, the National Assembly is also filled with irrepressible anxiety.

These congressmen, who had been elected in early May, were now listening with excitement to the impassioned speeches of General Cavaignac, the government's Minister of War.

"Gentlemen, at this moment, the country has reached the most critical juncture. Just yesterday, the mob rejected the government's decree and blatantly threatened the country with force. France has been tortured too much by this kind of lawless violence. It’s been too long, we can’t stand it anymore! We must take action and restore divine order to the country!”

When the general said this, there was a burst of cheers in the seats.

"Restore order!"

"Defend the country!"

After a pause, during which any of the deputies cheered, General Cavaignac spoke again.

"At this critical moment of the life and death of the Republic, we have no retreat, and we must no longer have mercy. The survival of the Republic is above all else!" General Cavaignac's voice sounded almost like a roar at this moment, "We must let everyone Everyone knows one thing, and that is – anyone who attacks the country with a fist will definitely die!”

His final speech triggered an extremely strong reaction. The congressmen applauded and cheered, celebrating that the Republic had finally found a qualified defender who was ready to defend order in any way.

In 1793. These words were addressed to the nobles.

In 1848, these words were spoken to workers.

In the National Assembly there was not a word of sympathy for the revolting workers. There was not a word of peace, nor the slightest trace of sadness or pity. On the contrary, there was only violent hatred and cold hostility. This is a class war.

"In order to restore sacred order and defend the country, here, gentlemen of the Congress, I beg you..." After another burst of cheers, General Cavaignac waved his hand heavily, "I beg you. At this critical moment, grant me Full power, let me use any means to deal with the mob that is harming the country! I ask you to help me take back order from the mob!"

"agree!"

"agree!"

"agree!"

Voices of agreement burst out from all seats, and soon gathered into a chorus throughout the parliament hall.

"agree!"

In this way, the National Assembly, elected by the French people with universal suffrage, completed the final legal procedure to suppress the mob by granting General Cavaignac full power.

At the same time, the parliament also passed a strict public opinion control law, which closed down newspapers that published statements sympathetic to the mob and prohibited other newspapers from publishing any subsequent statements that were not in compliance with government regulations.

that's all. Cavaignac had gained enormous power that the previous July Monarchy, King Louis-Philippe and Prime Minister Guizot, had never imagined, and he carried the high expectations of a class for him. The butcher's knife began to be raised against the insurrectionists.

………………

A small square leading to the outskirts of Saint-Jacques was already full of hustle and bustle today. This kind of hustle and bustle can only be found in an era full of excitement.

Under the gloomy sky, two armed forces were confronting each other at both ends of the square, and gunshots were heard constantly. This firefight has been going on for a while.

This square is the only way to the rebels' base, so when the rebels made plans in advance, they had already designated this area as a key defense area, and assigned a large number of troops here.

Moreover, long before they got the news that the negotiations with the government had broken down, these rebels had already occupied this place and transformed it into a fortification, with overturned carriages and masonry fortifications everywhere.

The dense fortifications served as excellent cover for the insurgents and greatly aided their defense.

The National Guard initially launched a round of attacks, but was quickly repelled. With a guilty conscience, they could only build fortifications on the other side and nervously confronted the insurrectionists.

After their exchange of fire continued for some time, another army unit arrived. They initially looked down upon the fighting power of the insurrectionists and launched a direct charge regardless. However, under the powerful crossfire attack from the densely packed barricades, the army force quickly retreated.

The good news of repelling the regular army made all the insurrectionists here let out huge cheers - this fact, more than any verbal encouragement, can increase their confidence in their abilities.

They soon found themselves facing a series of problems: lack of support, limited ammunition, and tired soldiers.

But they are still confident of holding on here and once again repelling the attack of government troops.

To their surprise, after the temporary setback, the army never launched a larger-scale attack except for a few small tentative attacks. This made them a little puzzled - they knew the location. importance.

The dark clouds dispersed and the sun shone on the earth again. The originally humid weather suddenly became a little hot. However, the soldiers on both sides had no time to care about such trivial matters and allowed themselves to sweat profusely in the air full of sunshine, dust and gunpowder residue.

Just when the commanders of the rebels were still wondering what the other party was thinking, they suddenly found that the answer appeared on the other side.

This is a cavalry unit.

These cavalrymen wore iron helmets with fur surrounding the lower part of the helmet, and a brass raised headdress on top, supplemented by a horse's mane. They held sabers in their hands, and on their chests was a thick breastplate.

It turned out to be a cavalry!

Everyone was shocked. They had been feeling hot under the sun, but now they suddenly felt a chill to the bone - the government had transferred the cavalry troops!

Before they had time to react or take countermeasures, these cavalrymen started to move.

The cavalrymen reined in their horses. He walked forward unhurriedly, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in the grassland, which was incompatible with this miserable battlefield. It was as if they were slowing down on purpose. Just want to scare these rebels.

Only those insurgents who have had battlefield experience understand that this is a slow step before they charge. After a while, an irresistible and terrifying charge will befall them.

Several hundred cavalrymen lined up in several rows and walked slowly towards the rebels with extremely small distances. Like a moving wall, they slowly rushed towards the opposite side.

The power of a cavalry charge. Soon most of the rebels on the opposite side felt guilty and fearful.

They either shouted loudly and fired at the other side regardless of the distance that could not cause any casualties to the other side; or they simply chose to escape.

"Don't run! Don't run. Idiot! We can't run in front of the cuirassiers' charge. Running will only make you die faster! You will be hacked to death!" In the position of the workers , a veteran who retired from the army and the temporary commander here. He shouted out to his companions who were already in disarray. "Hurry up, squat down! Get ready to shoot, aim at the horses and shoot! These cavalry wear very thick breastplates. As long as the horses are killed, they will not be able to pose a threat to us! Damn it! Don't run! Don't run!"

However, even though he shouted at the top of his lungs, some of his men still dropped their guns and turned around and ran away. They all know that even if they can kill some cavalry. Those who followed would certainly not be able to withstand the power of the cavalry charge.

In the eyes of civilians who have not undergone strict military training, the momentum of a cavalry charge can take away all their courage. It makes them unable to think of resistance at all, they only want to escape and save their lives. Although turning around and running away will only make people die faster, it will drive people to do this - cavalry riding tall horses have been doing it for two thousand years. It gives people this horrible experience all the time.

It seems that they are still taking their time, but the sound of horse hooves has become more detailed. Obviously, the speed of the cavalry has become faster and faster.

Getting closer and faster.

"Fire!" The commander quickly issued the order, not caring about those who escaped from the battle.

The sound of gunshots rang out scatteredly, and neither horses nor people fell to the ground, but this did not cause any harm to the cavalry as a whole. This terrible wall is now moving towards the rebel positions at a frightening speed. Crushed over.

The polished breastplates on their bodies shone with a vague luster under the sunlight, which was both gorgeous and full of terror.

This kind of horrific psychological shock is something that the survivors among these people will never forget.

Soon, the billowing tide of cavalry crashed into the rebels' line, and then, one saber after another waved, and then fell.

"Qiang!"

"Zine!"

The sound of the saber cutting into the human body is everywhere, and the metal shines with seven-colored monster light after drinking all the human blood.

Blood sprayed everywhere, and corpses fell to the ground.

After this round of charge by the cuirassiers, heart-rending screams rang out from everywhere on this side of the square. Those were the screams of those who were lucky enough not to die directly in this terrible impact. Some of them had horrific wounds from their shoulders to their abdomens, some had lost their arms, and there was blood everywhere.

They cannot get treatment and can only die in pain.

The army infantry and National Guardsmen behind them also quickly followed up and occupied the position.

The empire's military machine once again told the people of this country with horrific scenes that as long as the army speaks, no one in this country can resist it.

……………………

Near the North Railway Station.

The insurrectionists occupied several houses and several barricades according to their pre-planned plan. The new-style houses made of cement made it easier for the insurgents to build fortifications.

The First Army of the National Guard began to attack, but they failed in the face of solid concrete fortifications. They ran out of ammunition and had to retreat after dozens of casualties.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Soon, Colonel de Corvey arrived with his troops.

He quickly summoned the leaders of the National Guard and then took over all command. Then the rebels' stronghold was surrounded.

then. The brigade commander took several of his officers to the front to conduct reconnaissance.

They took a telescope and took a good look at the other side.

"A very good defensive position." Colonel De Kervi suddenly nodded. "These thugs did a really good job!"

"It's indeed good." A lieutenant colonel echoed the officer's statement, "The fortifications they built look very strong. Moreover, the streets next to it are relatively narrow, which is not convenient for our people to attack. Moreover, several of their supporting points, We can also cover and support each other, which is difficult to do..."

These officers quickly came to the conclusion that the defensive stronghold in front of them was very strong and they could be attacked by force. I'm afraid there will be huge casualties.

"What do you think we should do?" Under the bright sunshine, Colonel de Kervey, still holding his telescope, asked the subordinates next to him in a low voice. "The general doesn't have much time left for me. We must take this stronghold as soon as possible, clear out the mob inside, and clear this area..."

"Sir, let my troops attack by force." An officer looked embarrassed. But he still opened his mouth slowly. "My men can take it down!"

"A strong attack will cost us a lot," the colonel said without looking back.

Then, he clenched his fists and made his final decision.

"I have decided to bring those two howitzers over!"

"Howitzer?!" His words caused a burst of surprise from an adjutant next to him, "Sir..."

"What's wrong?" Colonel de Kervi suddenly turned around and looked at the adjutant who spoke, "Do you have a better idea? Can we complete the mission at a lower cost?"

"No, I didn't. From a military point of view, the order is wise..." The adjutant quickly defended himself. But at the same time, there was still some hesitation on his face.

"Just say what you want to say." De Kervi asked coldly, "I'm not a person who can't listen to opinions..."

After receiving encouragement from the commander, the adjutant plucked up the courage and spoke.

"Sir, you must also know that when Napoleon wiped out the mob in Paris, he only used shotgun shells." His adjutant woke him up in a low voice, "If such powerful howitzers or incendiary bombs were used in this city, would it be possible? Will...will it have any bad effects in the future..."

"Ha!" After hearing the adjutant's advice, the colonel suddenly laughed mockingly, "Is our Captain de Bijo soft-hearted?"

"No, I'm not..."

"Okay, I know it was my consideration." The colonel waved his hand, "But don't worry, it'll be fine."

Then, he raised his head and looked at the buildings in the distance.

"Since the National Assembly has previously authorized General Cavaignac to restore order in 'any form', and General Cavaignac has authorized us to restore order in 'any form', I don't see what the howitzer does not fall under 'any form' 'Among them!' said the colonel coldly.

"Moreover, if we are merciful today, I will have to let my men bleed in vain, and this blood obviously does not need to be shed. Are these mobs human beings, and our loyal soldiers are not human beings? No, compared to them , I cherish my subordinates even more, they are my people in battle! On the field, cruelty is mercy. Only by ending the battle as quickly as possible can the number of victims be kept to a minimum. Gentlemen, you must understand that I am saving people's lives! Go to hell! Now, send my order and bring the cannon over!"

He raised his hand and pointed at the target in front of him.

"Boom it!"

After receiving the colonel's order, the gun carriage carrying the howitzer slowly moved forward and quickly reached its destination.

The 6-inch caliber howitzer revealed a black and ferocious barrel. It was a gun body made of bronze. It had evolved into a terrifying color after being contaminated by the smoke and residue of gunpowder many times.

[The inch here refers to the French inch, and one inch is about 2.7 centimeters, so the caliber of this howitzer is about 160mm. It is one of the most powerful field artillery in this era. This kind of cannon is extremely powerful and is usually equipped in the heavy artillery company directly under the corps or division, and the senior commander is responsible for its use.

The artillerymen were nervously adjusting the elements and aiming at distant targets.

After everything was ready, the colonel gave the order.

"fire!"

"boom!"

Under the tremendous recoil, the cannon rolled backwards with the gun carriage for a long distance, and the huge shells flew towards the distant target with terrible momentum.

Finally, it hit the mark. There was an earth-shattering loud noise.

An entire wall of the house was blown open, and the entire structure was shaking.

"boom!"

"boom!"

Under the command of the commander, the artillery continued the bombardment.

The shattered cement blocks, soil, and living limbs and blood were lifted up into the sky under the influence of the shells, and fell heavily to the ground.

The whole house was destroyed.

The colonel looked at the effect and felt very satisfied. Under this round of shelling, the entire fortification that hindered him has been wiped out. Even if the mob inside survived the shelling and the collapse of the building, I am afraid that they will also be destroyed after this round of horrifying bombardment. He was in a state of confusion - people who have never been on the battlefield will always be in this state of confusion after encountering a fierce shelling by the army for the first time.

Nothing could stop his troops.

He nodded slightly.

Then he turned around and gave orders to his men.

"Attack! Clear out all the mobs in this area! I repeat, anyone who chooses to resist the army is a lawless mob and can be killed on the spot. Do you understand?!"

"Understood!" (To be continued...)

ps: I have written 9,000 words today, and I will write another one tonight to complete the 12,000-word mission!

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