Flowers, Swords and France

Ah, it's really cold today.

In the biting cold wind, Charles couldn't help shrinking his neck. Although he was wearing quite thick clothes today, the wind seemed to still find a gap to drill in, making him feel a little pain in his bones.

However, although the sky was gloomy and the wind was biting, these unfavorable climates did not extinguish people's enthusiasm. Many people gathered at the platform, looking at everything around them curiously.

In order to add to the fun, a small band arranged in advance was playing cheerful music at the platform, which aroused cheers from the onlookers from time to time.

Charles did not watch this lively scene, but looked at the railroad tracks in the distance. Looking around, the railroad tracks extended from the current to the horizon, like a road that could lead directly to heaven.

"Charles, you should be very happy today, right? Another railway is open to traffic. We have realized one step of your plan for you." In the cold wind, the current Minister of Railways, Count de Dillion, smiled and asked Charles who was standing next to him, "It's boring to stand here like this, right? Do you want to go up and say something later?"

"Oh, no, sir. I'm no longer working in the Ministry of Railways, so how can I have the qualifications to say anything?" In front of the minister's friendly smile, Charles also behaved very respectfully. "This is your achievement. You should publicize it more than anyone else, so that the world knows how much you have contributed to the country."

Yes, another railway is about to open to traffic. This time the line is from Paris to the northeastern city of Catalon.

According to the plan made by Charles before, this railway line to the east will extend all the way to the east. Extend from Catalon to Metz, and then from Metz to Strasbourg. Finally, it will extend all the way to the border between France and Prussia.

This is the first railway to the German Great Plain, but it will definitely not be the last.

One day. These railways leading to the eastern border will be loaded with soldiers and guns, crossing the Rhine River, and making a gamble that will determine a country and a nation. The sieves will be thrown into the gambling table at the same time, and a decisive battle will be held...

Okay, I'm thinking too far.

"Don't be so distant, Charles. Although you have left the ministry, your previous contributions will not be erased..." Obviously very satisfied with Charles's compliment, the smile on Count Dillion's face became even more intense. "Even if you're not here, you're still one of us in everyone's eyes, so what's wrong with one of us saying a few words?"

"You should go and speak. I'm not here to give a speech today, so I haven't made any preparations." Charles smiled and shook his head, and expressed his humility again, "Besides, the Prime Minister just sent someone to inform me that he wants to talk to me after he finishes speaking..."

"Oh. Is that so?" Upon hearing Charles' words, the Count subconsciously looked up at the Prime Minister Count Oppel who was standing on the platform and speaking to everyone.

Although he was wearing casual clothes today, perhaps because of his long military experience, he was burly and had a serious look. He still didn't look like a smooth politician.

"The Prime Minister wants to summon you? Why?" Out of the instinct of an official, Count Dillion subconsciously asked, and a trace of envy flashed in his eyes. "What happened?"

"I don't know about that." Charles still smiled, "Anyway, he is the Prime Minister. He has the right to summon me without reason."

"Oh, is that so..." Perhaps the minister felt that Charles' attitude hinted at something. He stopped asking questions.

He quickly changed the subject, "Charles, do you remember the new round of financing for the Ministry of Railways that I told you about?"

"Well, of course I remember it. What's wrong? Is it not going well?"

"No, it's not not going well, but..." The minister frowned slightly, "We encountered other resistance."

"Other resistance?" Charles asked with some confusion.

"Yes, the problem comes from the outside world." The Minister looked around subconsciously, and after making sure that no one noticed him, he lowered his voice, "All along, according to your regulations, when the ministry issues bonds, it is responsible for issuing through a limited number of institutions, especially Baron de-Bowan's bank... So, recently some people from the outside world have some doubts about this, and some people in the parliament have also complained about it."

"It's their business if they like to talk about it. Can they do it themselves? How much better than us?" Charles frowned and answered unhappily.

After a moment, he regained his composure, "Forget it, this kind of thing is inevitable. It's always like this, no wonder those people are angry. Well, I will tell Baron de-Bowan, he should be able to silence his colleagues... If it doesn't work, I'll find another institution for the next financing. He should be satisfied after eating for so long."

After hearing Charles's answer, Count Dillion was obviously relieved.

"Okay, that's great. You have a good relationship with Baron de Bovan, so he should be able to accept what you say..."

It seems that he doesn't want to offend the big banker, so he wants to push Charles to speak to him... But to be honest, Charles is not unhappy about this.

Isn't it good to find a minister who only wants to keep his power and is willing to listen to me and not act on his own, even if he has to take on some extra responsibilities sometimes?

Perhaps because Charles had solved a problem that was bothering him, Count Dilion looked much more relaxed, "Charle, your work there has been going well recently, right? Come and see us if you have time? It's been a while." I didn’t even go have a drink with you.”

"Thanks to you, things are going smoothly there now..." Charles nodded, "However, we have very important things to do here recently, so we can't spare time."

"Ha, I can understand..." the minister replied with a smile, "After all, if you go to a department like that, you must have a lot of work to do."

"Speaking of which, I actually need your help for some things?" Charles suddenly laughed.

"Well, what's the matter?" The minister was a little surprised.

"We are planning to hold a large-scale military parade recently. Well, the scale is unprecedented..." Ciel looked at the minister solemnly. "Be prepared for a small force from almost every garrison in the North to be reviewed by the President."

"Well, is that so? Then...there should be several thousand people, right?" The minister opened his mouth slightly.

"Maybe tens of thousands of people. Anyway, it takes a long time to plan. The president has to personally deal with this matter, so I must not mess up the matter, otherwise the problem will be big!" Charles shrugged, "So, in order to go smoothly, To accomplish this, I need your close cooperation.”

"Of course there is no problem with this, Charles." Upon hearing Charles's request, the minister immediately vouched, "It's a problem with the railway schedule. Just tell me who you want to instruct. Now those people are being punished. I’m so obedient, as long as you and I mention it, they won’t dare not do it.”

Then, as if he remembered something, he patted his head again, "By the way, isn't there a telegraph now? Which station needs to be used and how to dispatch it. We can direct it through the telegraph."

"Yes, you are right." Charles smiled and nodded, "Through the railway and telegraph, we can directly command the mobilization of troops in various places. It is indeed very convenient."

As he spoke, Ciel raised his head again and looked into the distance.

Next to the railway line. One by one, the wire poles extend forward along the railway line, like two long dragons accompanying each other.

Although they look very similar. But these poles were not transmission lines, but telegraph lines. Moreover, it is a telegraph line exclusively operated by the Ministry of Railways.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

The public telegraph service throughout France was supposed to be regulated by the Ministry of Commerce. However, during his previous tenure at the Ministry of Railways, Charles decided to set up a telegraph bureau within the Ministry of Railways on the grounds that "the railway system should also have its own dedicated telegraph system", and then stipulated that all telegraph lines along the railway were controlled by the Ministry of Railways. Self-financing, construction and management enabled each station to have telegraph service.

Although a large amount of extra money will be spent as construction costs, this amount of money is not much compared to railway construction funds and can be easily raised from the treasury and the market. Moreover, this move also expanded the Ministry of Railways' own power (and source of profits), so it was very welcomed by the officials. It can be regarded as a kind of compensation given by Charles after fighting with them for a long time.

But now, the problem is different.

In this era without radio command, if there is a telegraph network integrated with railway lines, the mobilization of the army will undergo a revolutionary evolution - the commander in the capital only needs to use telegraph lines connected in various places. You can know the preparation status and mobilization progress of each army, and truly command the army thousands of miles away.

Such a network is not just prepared for military parades.

Because of this, for the military, this network should not be controlled only by the Ministry of Railways itself, but needs a group of professional officers to take charge.

"This is where I need your help..." He deliberately prolonged his tone, and then slowly continued under the other person's curious gaze, "In order to ensure the smooth conduct of this operation, I hope Can you accept my request?"

"ask?"

"Well, so, I want a group of cadets from the military academy to do internships in the Ministry of Railways." Charles looked at the sky in the distance and said to the minister without looking back, "They are soldiers, and they are more capable than the employees of the Ministry of Railways. "They understand how to direct the movement of troops, and as long as they are adequately trained, the railway system will be more able to serve military needs in the future."

"Send a group of young people from the army to train at the Ministry of Railways?" After understanding what Charles was talking about, the minister subconsciously repeated it, and his face turned slightly pale.

From Charles's words, he heard an implicit meaning - this "apprenticeship" is not a temporary decision for the military parade, but may be a normal behavior.

In other words, a large group of Qiu Ba who will definitely not be driven away will be placed in his own department?

He doesn't like this. As a minister, he certainly does not want his authority within the ministry to be damaged.

"Char, if it's a temporary measure, it's not impossible..." After a moment of silence, Count Dilion composed himself and managed to smile again, "It should also be a temporary measure, right? After all, these young people Everyone has a bright future, but they cannot be thrown into boring offices and paperwork..."

"Sir, I'm sure you know that... In this day and age, the army is not just about guns. Pens are equally important, or even more important." Charles replied with a smile. "If they can learn how to use railways and telegraphs as planned, these young people will be of great help to the army, right?"

After receiving such a clear answer from Charles, the minister knew that he was not acting on impulse.

"Charles... The current situation in the ministry is very good, why do you have to do this?" He reluctantly advised again, "You don't have to insert people in, I will make everyone listen to you."

"Hahaha, what are you thinking about!" Charles couldn't help laughing, "Don't worry, your authority is still unshakable... Besides, you can't just be a minister in the future, why are you afraid of this..."

Seeing that Charles' will could not be changed, the minister could only sigh.

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

"Thank you." Charles bowed respectfully to the local. (To be continued...)

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