Flowers, Swords and France

Under a cloudless sky, a train was running along the track across the vast wilderness. It rumbled forward relentlessly, making a huge roar, just like modern civilization itself, which was unstoppable. When it passed through a piece of farmland, the farmers next to it looked at the train passing by them curiously, as if they were not used to this novelty.

In the carriage at the front of the train, Charles quietly looked at the scenery outside the window while enjoying his lunch. The window was not closed, so the wind kept blowing into the carriage, making people feel more comfortable and making this lunch, which was not rich, even more delicious.

As a person of outstanding status, he and some other officers naturally occupied the best carriages in the front, but the soldiers could not care so much. More than 20 people were crowded in the same carriage, and no one could complain about the comfort anyway.

However, due to the limitations of the times, the power of the steam locomotive was not very high at that time, so they had no way to transport the entire regiment at once, and could only be divided into three trains for shipment. Lucien's battalion was just the pioneer.

However, despite enjoying all these conveniences with his privileges, Charles no longer had the excitement just now. Although it was a rare experience to step on a 19th century train pulled by a steam locomotive, after the initial few minutes of excitement, Charles felt that it was nothing special. He was even a little dissatisfied with the speed of the train - although it was an unimaginable high-speed experience for others. Yes, it was too slow.

There was no way around it. As a time traveler from the 21st century, after enjoying the experience of China's high-speed railway network that surpassed the world - it is no exaggeration to say - convenient and fast, it is difficult for a person to take the current steam train with a speed of only tens of kilometers per hour seriously.

However. Having lived in this era for so many years, Charles could naturally tolerate this inconvenience - after all, if he could even tolerate the absence of the Internet, what else could he not tolerate?

Thinking this way, Charles slowly sucked the oyster juice into his mouth.

Because it was early autumn, there was still green everywhere, and it was a rare experience to enjoy the scenery on both sides while dining.

However, just as he was still immersed in this travel-like experience. The door of the carriage was suddenly knocked gently.

Are you here as expected?

"Come in."

Charles drank the fruit wine in the glass and then shouted.

The door was immediately opened, and what Charles saw was indeed the face of Major Lucien Leflair.

"Lucien. You're just in time! Come and chat with me!" Charles immediately smiled and gestured to the other party. However, compared to Charles, Lucien's face was much more serious.

"Charles..." He nodded to Charles, as if hinting at something.

"Oh?" Charles looked at the other person in surprise.

Then. He quickly understood what happened.

Because a middle-aged man walked in behind him. Like Lucien. This middle-aged man was wearing a military uniform. He was slightly fat, but his eyes were sharp. He looked at Charles as soon as he came in. He had a big yellow beard on his face, but it was trimmed very neatly. The whole person looked smart and strong.

Although Lucien had not introduced this person yet, Charles had already understood who this person was from the decoration on his military uniform.

Charles raised his eyebrows slightly.

I didn't expect this person to be so quick.

"Mr. de Treville. This is our regiment commander, Lieutenant Colonel Rochard, whom I just told you about. Our regiment commander has great respect for Mr. President's ideas..." Lucien introduced him to Charles, looking nervous, as if he was not used to doing this kind of thing, "So, today he asked me to bring him here to meet you."...

"Oh, thank you for your help, Mr. Leflair."

In order not to embarrass the regiment commander, Lucien deliberately used a more unfamiliar address in front of Charles, so Charles naturally used the same tone. Then, he stood up and gestured to Lieutenant Colonel Rochard to sit opposite him. "Please sit down, Mr. Rochard."

"Thank you, Mr. de Treville." The middle-aged officer immediately saluted Charles and took off his hat. Only then did Charles realize that the other party had a bald head, and the top of his head was shiny.

According to the original itinerary, this Captain Rochal was supposed to take the next train to Le Mans with another group of soldiers from his regiment, but since he had come to see him, Charles certainly wouldn't be bored enough to ask him why he didn't follow the scheduled itinerary.

Charles rang the bell to call the attendant over and asked him to take away the tableware and food in front of him. Then, riding the cool breeze, they enjoyed the surrounding scenery while chatting leisurely - of course, Charles knew very well that the other party would not come to see him just to enjoy the scenery, but since the other party was not in a hurry, he was naturally not in a hurry either, so he kept chatting with the other party about the scenery along the way and the interesting things that happened in Paris recently.

"With the railway, the mobility of the army has been so much easier!" After chatting for a while, the regiment leader suddenly sighed, "In the past, our march could only be six or seven miles a day (this is Fari, one mile is equal to approximately 4 kilometers), to It takes several days to travel dozens of miles, and you have to rest after arrival. But now we can get from Paris to Le Mans in one day, and then get off the bus and go to battle soon! It’s a revolutionary breakthrough, Mr. Treville!”

After a pause, he took a breath again, "Of course, we are only conducting preliminary experiments now, and there are still many thorny problems we encounter. We are an infantry regiment, and as long as the soldiers can carry light weapons, it is fine, but what about the army? With so many people, precious horses, and dangerous ammunition, the volume of transportation is simply unimaginable! These issues require great efforts on our part to solve.”

"But we will eventually solve it as long as we persevere. Not only soldiers. It is also very convenient to use railways to transport supplies. As long as we advance along the railway line along the way, we will be able to continue marching at an unprecedented speed and quickly defeat the enemy. Army. Because of this. From a practical point of view, we should also build an efficient and dense railway network in France," Charles nodded and agreed with the other party's statement, "However, this is only within the country, when our troops leap out to fight abroad. The situation will not be so smooth, and we need to prepare carefully. "

"As long as railways are laid everywhere, at least no one in the country can start a rebellion." Captain Rochar shrugged. "It will increase centralization so much that no one but Paris will be able to disobey Paris."

Ciel glanced at the other person in surprise, only to find that the other person was still smiling.

He is indeed a slippery man.

"Yes, sir." He nodded. "The biggest problem in our country now is only one, and that is the schizophrenia of the entire country. Even if other places are willing to submit to any picture proposed by Paris, Paris cannot give one, at least not yet."

"Hey, this situation is so heartbreaking. In such a chaotic situation, our country cannot be united as one! Are we going to let the country continue to be chaotic?" Lieutenant Colonel Rochar sighed again . "As a soldier, we should not pay too much attention to politics. But we soldiers are also part of the people, and we also eagerly hope that the country can get on the right track under the leadership of effective leaders. Let the country become prosperous and Rich and powerful…”…

"So we should unite closely around Mr. President and let him lead the country to remove all obstacles and defeat all enemies that stand in front of this country, right?" Charles replied with a smile. "Since we need to 'work together as one,' isn't it the president himself who is 'above' now?"

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"But we still have a parliament..." Lieutenant Colonel Rochar replied softly.

"Parliament, oh, Parliament!" Charles spread his hands, "Are you planning to be loyal to the Parliament? That's good, then please tell me, are you planning to be loyal to the abstract Parliament, a party within it, or a certain person? ? If you are going to be loyal to the Parliament itself, then what is the will of this Parliament? It is schizophrenic in itself! Who is responsible for giving you orders? Who can even save this country? You can’t even represent your own people!

So who do you want to be loyal to? These people are either pretentious or misbehaving, and they are already notorious. Even if there are some who are honest and honest, bah, they just want to make their own way. If you can find a few thoughtful people among them, that would be even more terrifying. , they only think about their personal interests, never think about the country! They talk all day without thinking about action. They use words to numb the country, as if the country's strength only depends on their rhetoric on the podium! Do you want this group of people to command this country, or this army with such a glorious tradition? Tell me, do you want to? "

Lieutenant Colonel Rochar never answered Charles' long speech.

Not that there is much truth to what Ciel said, but...

"Sir, how does Mr. President plan to arrange those... um... people who support his cause?" Lieutenant Colonel Rochar lowered his voice.

"Well...please don't worry, how could Mr. President mistreat those who are full of loyalty to the country and full of desire for honor?" Seeing the other party being so polite, Charles couldn't help but laugh.

Then, he also lowered his voice and said, "Mr. President, we plan to restore the Guards in the army in the near future."

"Guards?" The leader's eyes widened. As a soldier who was familiar with the imperial era, he certainly knew what the Guards represented.

"Of course, how could Napoleon's nephew not rebuild the Guards?" Charles still smiled and replied, "As a great historical tradition in France, the Guards must be restored. This is a mission and an honor. And you... If you are loyal to the country, don’t you deserve to be one of them?”

After rebuilding the empire, in order to consolidate his rule, Louis-Bonaparte immediately rebuilt the Guards. At that time, the Guards Infantry consisted of 4 selected regiments, 2 skirmishers, 1 gendarmerie, 1 Zouave regiment and 1 chasseur battalion - a total of 17 infantry battalions. In addition, the Guards had cavalry units consisting of 2 heavy cavalry regiments, 2 dragoon regiments, 1 selected cavalry regiment, and 1 hussar regiment - a total of 21 cavalry companies. The total strength of the Guards was about 20,000 people, with 40 to 50 cannons.

This army was carefully selected from the entire French army and given the best treatment and equipment. It not only took on the heavy responsibility of suppressing possible riots in Paris, but also took on the heavy responsibility of monitoring other potentially unstable standing armies. It can be said that it is Louis-Bonaparte's future confidant team. If you can join this kind of force, it is undoubtedly an excellent future... At least for the commander in front of him.

Sure enough, Charles's words brought the desired effect to the commander.

"Sir, please believe that I have always been loyal to the country." Under Charles's gaze, Lieutenant Colonel Rochard stretched out his hand.

"Of course." Charles also stretched out his hand, "Absolutely."