Flowers, Swords and France

It was a sunny Sunday morning. It was the first time since the New Year of 1851 that Sartori had such a clear sky.

The sky is as blue as white, with only white clouds dotting it. Because it has snowed before, there is still some snow that has not melted around. The light reflected by these snows makes the sky and earth seem much brighter. .

And under this bright sunshine, unprecedented commotion is making the originally quiet rural area of ​​Sartori extremely noisy. Countless soldiers and officers are gathering in this wilderness, restless. Their polished uniforms, buttons, epaulettes, medals and armor faithfully shined with light, piercing into everyone's eyes.

These dazzling sunshine, coupled with the surging cheers like a tide, made everyone almost forgetful and immersed in the military's unique atmosphere of arrogance.

In the center of this commotion, the current President of France, His Excellency Louis Bonaparte, rode quietly forward on a white horse with a green and gold velvet saddle, and ten steps behind him , a large group of senior generals following the president also followed closely on horseback.

Today, he is no longer dressed in ordinary casual clothes, but is wearing a special military uniform, with the bicorne hat that his uncle was famous for on his head, and a Grand Cross on his chest. In this outfit Against the background, it looks a lot more majestic.

In the small space between the hastily made wooden fence and the chained boundary stones, neat groups of soldiers formed a square formation, anxiously waiting for the arrival of the country's supreme leader, the emperor's nephew. review.

As the president passed each column. He almost triggered a cheer, and he kept waving to each square with a smile. Provoking even louder cheers.

Colorful costumes decorate the aisles. The vast field was filled with representatives of various legions waiting for review. They faced the viewing platform. Dozens of rows of solemn blue lines are formed. On the large parade ground outside the fence, there were several infantry battalions standing in parallel. They were all selected from the most elite troops and were preparing to line up across the viewing platform. At the end of the passage, there is a military band, preparing to play music.

Below the viewing platform is a battalion of cuirassiers on duty. Most of the square grassland was empty, and it was a battlefield prepared for the silent troops to display their skills.

Amid thunderous cheers, Louis Bonaparte and his generals passed through this long passage and walked onto the prepared wooden viewing platform.

then. Under the orders of various commanders, all soldiers stood at attention at the same time and saluted the people on the viewing platform.

He is wearing a blue military uniform, red breeches, and riding boots as the President. The red ribbon of the Medal of Honor is fluttering on his chest, and a small sword hangs on his waist. The eyes of everyone in the square were focused on him from all corners at the same time.

Suddenly, the drums beat loudly in his honor; two bands played at the same time, all instruments. From the slender flute to the loudest drum, all come together to create a majestic piece of music.

After hearing the music, the soldiers became more excited, amidst the cold wind of hunting flags. The soldiers on the parade ground raised their guns in order from the first row to the last row, and the command was passed from row to row like an echo. The crowd cheered in unison: "Long live France!"

Amid the jubilation, Louis Bonaparte waved his hand generously. So the commanders gradually calmed down the soldiers again.

The time has come for the speeches.

Thousands of eyes were fixed on the president. But he didn't feel any discomfort at all.

"Senior officers, as you can see. Our country's most sophisticated troops and outstanding soldiers have gathered here today. I am very pleased that I, the nephew of a great commander, will review you. This is Such an indescribable honor makes me afraid that I am not worthy of your noble status as a national defender!

I relied on the trust of this nation to become the legal head of state of this country. In order to live up to the trust of the nation, I must rely on you to guard the interests that are vital to this country. And I am convinced that, as you have proven before, you who are brave, tenacious and uphold your duties will always be the most reliable guarantee for the survival of the nation!

Only you can protect this country and allow the people to live and work in peace.

Yes, as I have said many times before, I never advocate aggression against other countries, and I am opposed to other countries doing so. We will never start a war. A war must be started by someone to start it, and we, the peace-loving France, will never start it. No matter how powerful we are, our first thought is still to defend the country and defend peace!

We fear God, so we love peace and want to defend peace. But whoever intends to cruelly destroy our peace will be taught a lesson and feel the terrible fire that bursts out from the heart of this great nation!

The glorious military tradition of this country must be carried forward by us, and the great spirit left by the emperor must be inherited by us! May God bless us...! "

Then, he calmed down and looked at the soldiers below.

In an instant, everything trembled and the earth shook. He got back on his horse, and this action inspired the silent crowd. The music sounded louder, the flags fluttered in the wind, and all the faces became cheerful. It was a fleeting mass-hypnotic passion, this fleeting spectacle. This man had so many people admired and excited him, this man aroused such huge emotional impulses, yet there was no expression of excitement on his face.

At this moment, he seemed to really have a trace of the spirit that his uncle once had.

Unfortunately, he only caught a glimpse of his uncle's glorious past.

On another viewing platform in the distance, Ciel commented quietly in his heart.

Because he was not an officer, even though he was the actual leader of this military parade, Charles could only stand below, with a group of civilian officials and foreign ministers who came to watch the ceremony.

At this time, he was also wearing a formal suit. Wearing a red ribbon and a medal of honor on his chest. Because there are a bunch of bad old men or middle-aged people around. So he looked more handsome, upright and imposing.

"Look. Look at his lively look! He can go to the stage to perform... Obviously a few years ago, he was like a lost dog, crawling out of prison dejectedly. There are always some people who think that wearing Our clothes give us a noble demeanor." At this time, Charles heard a low voice not far away.

This sharp criticism provoked dull laughter.

Charles looked over there following the sound and found that it was the Russian Minister Count Duroviev who said this.

The earl had gray hair, was very tall, and had such a big belly that his dress almost burst. The bridge of his nose was very high, giving off an aura of pretentiousness. Also dressed up to attend today's ceremony. Then the attachés and other ministers gathered around him teased the serious Louis Bonaparte on the viewing platform.

Normally, Ciel would not pay attention to this kind of ridicule, which may have some truth to some extent, but today, under this special situation, something is different.

Because Louis Bonaparte, who kept shouting "We want peace", wasn't he arrogantly planning to go to war with the country represented by this minister?

With a mischievous attitude, Charles walked slowly and got close to the envoy's group of people. "I'm afraid I cannot agree with you, Mr. Count."

After hearing this sudden sound, the few people who were talking and laughing immediately stopped talking, and then their eyes swept towards Ciel at the same time.

They immediately recognized Charles - although they didn't have much dealings with Charles, he was a rising star in French politics. There was no way these people didn't know him.

The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward. The group of people pretended to be casual and continued to look at the viewing platform in the distance, and then left the two people slightly without leaving a trace.

"Mr. de Treville. I think as a Frenchman, you don't mind if we say a few sarcastic words?" The minister tried hard to hide his embarrassment. He looked at Ciel with a formulaic smile.

His French was fluent, which was normal - in the 19th century. It is strange that Russian nobles cannot speak French.

"Not if it doesn't hurt our feelings." Charles smiled and nodded, "But...I have to say that you hurt our feelings. Because we, especially our President, are extremely peace-loving. , we also cherish the relationship between our country and your country, and we are extremely eager to receive friendly expressions from your country... I don’t want our eagerness to be damaged by your unintentional wise words.”

"An eager heart will not cool down with a few words - otherwise it would not be eager." The ambassador still forced a smile, "Besides, how much can we expect from Napoleon's nephew?"

"His Majesty the Emperor has made some tragic mistakes, and of course we hope to make up for them." Charles pretended to be serious and hinted, "As a follower of the president, I will not deny this, and even the president holds the same view. "

However, continuing to oppose Russia was not one of them - Charles sneered in his mind.

After hearing what Charles said, the ambassador's eyes became more inquiring, as if he wanted to see from Charles whether he was sincere. "Russia will never refuse friendly kindness, as long as it truly exists. We are a hospitable nation, and of course the more friends the better."

"I don't dare to be your friend now..." Charles shrugged regretfully, "After all, although I wear your clothes, I don't dare to expect to have the same demeanor as you."

This irony made the minister stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

Read the original article in Liu#9@书/吧!

"At any rate, if you come to Russia you will always have access to my drawing-room, Mr. Treville."

Undoubtedly, he could not ridicule the Treville family background.

"I'm looking forward to that day." Ciel replied with the same laugh.

Amidst the laughter between the two people, the previous little unhappiness disappeared in an instant, as if the distance had suddenly become closer.

At this moment, Charles and the Earl suddenly heard a burst of noise from the viewing platform.

The two people stopped talking and then looked there at the same time.

Under their gaze, His Excellency President Louis Bonaparte was standing in front of the Marquis de Treville in military uniform, talking to him with a smile on his face.

Is it finally here?

...Char's heart suddenly trembled.

As if in response to the expectations in his heart, after finishing speaking, Louis Bonaparte turned back and said a few words to his attendant officer, who bowed to him respectfully.

Then, Louis Bonaparte took a wooden staff from the hands of the attendant officer and stood in front of Charles's grandfather again.

It's coming, it's coming... Charles felt his mouth go dry, and the excitement in his heart at this moment was more intense than what he had gotten.

Time seemed to have frozen, and everyone was standing in silence, waiting for that moment to come.

Under the spotlight, Louis Bonaparte slowly handed over the wooden cane, and the Marquis of Treville took it with a solemn expression.

When he received the cane, a thunderous roar suddenly burst out from the audience.

Because...this means that France has another marshal!

Cheers were everywhere, paying tribute to the new marshal. What kind of honor is it to receive the marshal's staff in the presence of representatives of the entire army?

Although grandpa still looked calm, Charles's heart was filled with mixed feelings at this time.

Yes, no one can feel more than him. His grandfather has reached the pinnacle of glory.

After twenty years of hard life and indomitable struggle, we finally got the rewards we deserved.

Despite all his shortcomings and many wrong things, he was still very proud of his grandfather.

He tried hard to suppress the passion in his heart so as not to cry on the spot.

"Congratulations, Mr. Treville." At this moment, the voice of the earl next to him suddenly rang. "Your grandfather became a marshal, even though he had an unpleasant trip to Russia."

This cold water joke made Ciel's excitement suddenly turn into irritation.

In fact, he was mocking the gold content of the Marquis of Treville.

“In 1812, most of His Majesty the Emperor’s 500,000 men were not French, and they had already invaded Moscow; and today, France alone has close to 500,000 soldiers ready to go...here What you saw is only a very small part." After suppressing the anger in his heart, Charles looked at the other party with a smile, "So, I advise you to be polite to us, sir."

This sentence made the count stunned.

He pondered whether the youthful harsh words of the young man were the inevitable outburst of the deep-seated hostility of Bonaparte's successors.

"Goodbye." Ciel shrugged and walked away from him. (To be continued...)