Flowers, Swords and France

It was about to snow, and the whole world seemed to become empty.

Looking up, the earth was dim and there was not much life.

However, although it was a cold season, there was still a group of people who braved the cold wind, marched slowly in a strict queue, and were driven by the rhythmic drum beats.

This group of soldiers wearing blue uniforms, red pants, and most of them still had beards. Because of the weather, their faces were a little yellow, their expressions were a little haggard, and their uniforms were quite dirty. However, after years of strict training, they did not question the officers and moved forward silently.

It was not until they reached the designated location that the queue stopped at the order of the officers.

Then, they raised their guns according to the command.

"Ready!"

The soldiers closed one of their eyes slightly, aimed at the target in the distance, and then gathered all their energy to wait for the next order.

"Fire!" After a moment, the new order finally came.

At the officer's command, almost uniform gunshots rang out.

"Pah, pah, pah"

Albert, who was watching the soldiers' drill from a distance, slowly clapped his hands.

Then, he smiled at Lucien standing next to him.

"Excellent performance, Lucien, it seems that you have trained them very well, I am simply stunned."

After coming to Satori to help Charles with the preparations and take refuge, Albert slowly adapted to this kind of outdoor life in a few days. Because it was too boring to stay in the house all the time, he simply took the opportunity of the soldiers' drills and came to the side with Lucien to watch the training to pass the time.

Now he is no longer as frightened as before. Because - for him, this place surrounded by a regiment of troops is now the safest place in the world. He no longer has to fear the threats of the baron.

It is precisely because of this that he is in a very good mood now. Even if the weather is so bad today.

"This is not a performance for training, Albert." Lucien did not seem to appreciate his compliment. "This is the result of our hard work - the more proficient the soldiers are in various tactical formations, the calmer they are, the stronger their combat effectiveness will be on the battlefield."

"That's what you said." Albert nodded with a smile.

Then, he continued to watch the training in the distance.

Under his gaze, the soldiers were training on the grass according to the usual procedures, and the sound of commands and gunshots were intertwined in the cold wind. The originally silent field suddenly became unusually noisy. From a distance, these soldiers in military uniforms looked like they were made from the same mold, and it was hard to tell who was who. And the officers who commanded the soldiers looked bright and lively because they wore medals.

However, in this orderly picture, he felt a strange feeling rising in his heart, as if it was an indescribable sense of disharmony.

It seems that something is wrong?

Albert frowned, trying to figure out what was wrong with him.

"Albert?" Lucien asked, as if he saw Albert's distraction. "What's wrong with you?"

Albert was completely unaware, just thinking in his mind.

These figures turned around in his mind... Finally. He finally understood.

"Too eye-catching." He blurted out.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Lucien didn't react for a moment, looking at Albert in confusion.

"Lucien, don't you think... these soldiers' dresses are too eye-catching?" Albert asked in a low voice.

"Dress?" Lucien was stunned for a moment, then chuckled. "Albert, what's so strange about this? Soldiers wear military uniforms for unified command and to cultivate their sense of collectiveness, so that they can exert their greatest combat effectiveness. It has been hundreds of years ago. Our ancestors have already unified uniforms for soldiers..."

"That's not what I mean," Albert shook his head gently. His expression looked very serious.

He raised his hand and pointed at the officers and soldiers in the distance. "Lucien, don't you really think so? These soldiers are so eye-catching. I feel like I can see them all clearly even if the distance is doubled."

"So what?" Lucien was still a little surprised. "Dressing brightly and beautifully can inspire the soldiers' sense of honor, and it is more conducive to the command of our officers."

"But isn't this easier to become a target for the enemy? Especially the red pants, which are so eye-catching. I feel something is wrong at first glance..." Albert still looked puzzled. "My friend, although I have never fought in a war, I think it's like hunting, right? The more eye-catching the target, the easier it is to attract bullets."

"Soldiers have the obligation not to be afraid of bullets." Lucien straightened his waist and answered with a military demeanor. "Besides, we have always dressed like this. Since the July Monarchy, there has been no problem until now."

During the Napoleonic Wars, the French uniforms were blue jackets and white trousers; during the Restoration Dynasty, the military uniforms returned to the all-white color of the Old Dynasty; and after the establishment of the July Dynasty in 1830, the national flag was changed back to the tricolor flag , and at the same time, in order to reflect the characteristics of France, the military uniforms were also changed into the classic style of blue tops and red trousers.

Although Lucien spoke very eloquently, and his expression showed some contempt for outsiders, Albert was not someone who would back down easily.

"There wouldn't be any problems before. After all, everyone was just holding fire sticks. At this distance, it doesn't make any sense to aim or not. Everyone was waiting to get closer and fire a few rounds of volleys and then rush forward to fight with bayonets... But It's different in this era." Albert frowned and replied, "Lucien, Xia and I. Haven't you seen the kind of gun I'm tinkering with? Charles is right, it's an epoch-making thing! Although I can't say how superior my shooting skills are, I can guarantee that at this distance, it's not. , even if the distance is doubled, I can knock down all the red pants in front of me with a very high hit rate!"

"War and hunting are not the same thing, sir." Lucien was a little unhappy when he saw the other party talking about his subordinates like this. "You can aim as slowly as you like when hunting, but it's different on the battlefield. It's noisy. It’s noisy, full of smoke, and it’s so noisy that you can’t stand it anymore, and death is always with you, so you don’t have the chance to take your time…”

"But can't that be made up for through training? Maybe I will be shaking and unable to pick up the gun, but there will always be someone who can pick up the gun. What will we do then? They can easily spot us from a long distance. Soldiers - because red is so visible, they can see the target clearly even through the smoke - and what happens then is catastrophic."

The more Albert spoke, the more he felt that what he was thinking made sense, so he spoke much faster. "Although we are still keeping this kind of weapon secret, I dare to assert that the armies of other countries will start to equip it in a few years. By then, won't you and your subordinates be in an undue situation? What's more, judging from the current trend, future weapons will only become more sophisticated, with higher range and accuracy. At that time, I think this kind of uniform will make our soldiers more vulnerable. The pain - and this is entirely avoidable, isn't it?"

Albert's words made Lucien slightly startled again.

"There is no doubt that I don't doubt the bravery of you and your soldiers at all, but there is no need to die in vain to prove bravery? The goal of the army should be to win quickly and with few casualties, not to bleed as much as possible, right? ?" Before Lucien could answer, Albert continued, "So, Lucien, in my opinion, it would be best for you to change your dazzling clothes as soon as possible."

"Okay. Albert, I understand what you are talking about." After a moment of silence, "We will discuss and deal with this matter ourselves. If there is indeed a problem, the army will find a way to correct it on its own."

Although he said so, Lucien's heart was already slightly shaken.

He had already used the rifle that Charles had given him before, and it was indeed a very significant improvement. However, he had only thought about the application of this rifle in war, and had not extended it to military uniforms.

Perhaps, just because he is a layman, he does not regard what Lucien takes for granted as an unchangeable stereotype, so his ideas are more original? I really didn't expect that this person who usually looks lazy and carefree would be so insightful when he gets serious - no wonder he gets along so well with Ciel.

Inspired by Albert's words, some ideas slowly emerged in his mind, but he still didn't know how to describe them.

"Come on, Lucien!" Albert couldn't help but sneered, "You still don't know about the army? What if you report it? Who will listen to you? As long as there are conditions, everyone will just Just think I can get by, it’s the same here as there!”

If it were originally, he would still be in awe of the army, but after recently dealing with the army due to weapons matters, he no longer has that kind of awe. He only feels that there is as much filth as his own ministry. dirt and slow efficiency.

"Albert, don't say that." Lucien looked at him seriously, "Although there are various problems, after all, we are defending the country."

"Yes, you are defending the country," Albert shrugged, "but you don't want others to help you better defend the country? Is it for the sake of face?"

"Please don't say that again!" Lucien frowned. "Okay, Albert, I admit that what you said makes sense, and I will find a way to help you, but this is a matter of course."

"Haha, then just try it, I guarantee you will be in trouble! How about we make a bet?" Albert laughed, "One day, I can give these soldiers their red trousers. Take it off and let’s see who can do it first?”

"It's up to you." After pondering for a moment, Lucien shrugged.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

He has no fascination with red pants, so even if they are removed, he will not feel any pain - if it can increase the combat effectiveness of his subordinates, he will be more encouraged by it.

"Okay, then we don't need to talk about this anymore, just keep the bet in mind." After the little dispute was over, Albert showed his casual smile again, "Wait a minute. Are you free? Take me hunting. Lucien? I'm really bored these days!"

"If you have time, it's not like you can't find it," Lucien nodded first, and then looked at Albert with some hesitation. "But... it's better for you to stay here. After all, it's safer here."

"Hey! What do I need to be afraid of when I've already done this?" Albert shook his head nonchalantly. "I don't believe it. With your people here, who else would come over and do anything to me? Besides, Baron de Beauvain is not crazy now. Charles has already negotiated with him!"

"Okay, if that's the case, let's go later." Because he felt that what Albert said made sense, Lucien finally agreed to his proposal after thinking for a while.

He was convinced. Where he was now, no one could harm Albert and make him break his promise to Charles.

Not long after, the two men walked to the wilderness and woods together with shotguns, and started hunting leisurely. Lucien's orderly followed slowly, watching the surroundings carefully.

After getting along for a short while, the two people quickly put aside the little unhappiness they had just now and started talking happily again.

Even, looking at it from a third person's point of view, their attitude was actually more enthusiastic than before.

Lucien was already much more enthusiastic towards Albert. It was not the polite politeness before; and Albert became more easy-going and kind to Lucien.

This was rather because of the quarrel just now.

Lucien has always felt that this seemingly easy-going Albert. In fact, there is a kind of arrogance in my heart that is vaguely repulsive to others. Although I greet everyone with a smile, I rarely treat them sincerely. Similarly, he felt that the other party had never regarded him as a friend.

However, it is no wonder that his surname is De-Foa-Gray and his surname is Leflaire. A century ago, the two of them would not have had any intersection in their lives.

But even so. He was not completely at peace with this either, because the times were completely different now. There was absolutely no need for him to humble himself to such a person.

But today, he had completely changed his view of Albert - he was indeed not a playboy who only wanted to eat, drink and have fun, and could only rely on his support to climb the ladder. On the contrary, he is a person with vision and brains; moreover, he truly treats me as a friend, so he tells me these things.

"It's really strange today. I can't see a ghost!" After spending a long time without finding a suitable prey, Albert looked up at the sky anxiously. "It's really unlucky. I finally came out. But found nothing?"

"If you can't find it, there's nothing you can do about it." Lucien was much calmer, looking around at the wilderness with his gun in hand. "After all, it's so cold today, so it's normal for wild beasts not to come out."

"This is not fun..." Albert sighed dejectedly, "You have to kill some time, right?"

The two searched for a while, but still found nothing. In the end, Albert, who was disappointed, had to lean against a tree to take a rest.

"Lucien, what are your plans for the future?" Albert said casually to kill the boredom, "Will you continue to stay in the army?"

"Yes."

"And as a supporter of the president?" Albert smiled.

"That's right, aren't we all?" Lucien was a little confused.

"Yes, we are all now..." Albert pondered slightly, "But, Lucien, I want to ask you...if Mr. President finally wins the bet and wants to become the emperor, will you continue to be loyal to him? ? as his subjects?”

Lucien was a little confused, and he didn't think much about this issue.

It was one thing to support a republican President Bonaparte, quite another to support an emperor who, moreover, was nothing like his uncle.

"It seems that you don't care much about him either..." Just as Lucien was still hesitating, Albert continued, "There are only two of us here, so there are some things we can say alone, Lucien. Xi'an, let me tell you the truth, I don't care about that guy at all. I only serve him because of Charles. If Charles tells me that I don't need to worry about him anymore... Humph, I will never I would do anything for him again.”

Then, Albert looked at Lucien again, "Lucien, I know that you and Charles have a very good relationship, so please tell me, do you think it is better to surrender to the emperor? Or follow Charles?"

Lucien still didn't answer this question.

"Hey, maybe you have different ideas." Albert shrugged, "After all, you have a bright future. My minister is your father-in-law. You don't need Charles' help now."

"No, that's not the case!" Lucien quickly retorted. "I'm still very grateful to Charles."

He didn't like people mentioning his nepotism, but he had no way to refute it - after all, it was an irrefutable fact that he was able to return to the army because of his connections with his wife's family.

It is precisely because of this that he is eager to seek promotion and performance in the army as much as possible, so as to use his own achievements to shut up those who secretly envy and ridicule him.

"Then let's continue to help Charles in the future." Albert replied with a smile. (To be continued)

...