Flowers, Swords and France

While Charles was staying in the temporary headquarters within the War Ministry, anxiously waiting for news from Lucien and others from everywhere, and commanding the troops supporting Louis Bonaparte to march around, at the Auvergne Tower A hotel at No. 37 Street had already fallen into the deepest part of the night, and everyone had fallen into a deep sleep. ○

Since 1848, Mr. Victor Hugo, a member of the French National Assembly, stayed here with his family because his family was still worried about the February Revolution. This luxuriously decorated hotel has always been famous and became a famous place. A gathering place for large groups of people who share common political or literary opinions.

And just this morning, a group of people who are dissatisfied with the current status quo held a gathering here to jointly denounce the perverse actions of President Louis Bonaparte and his followers.

“We didn’t vote for Napoleon because he was Napoleon, at least I didn’t. We voted for this man because he had matured as a political prisoner and had written several good books for the benefit of the poor. We once had expectations for him because of this, but in the end our hopes were dashed In vain, he used his actions to prove that he is just an unprincipled careerist. He used the people's expectations as a stepping stone to usurp the supreme power! In the past few years, he has been lawless, trampled on the law, and despised Parliament. If we If we don't stop him, we all know what he will do!

Yes, no matter how much he bluffs, I have already seen clearly how small the puppet we have is. Only if we let the country fall into a state of powerless division will we give him an opportunity! In the next election, we must unite. Convince the people that he can no longer stay in a position he does not deserve! "

In the midst of great enthusiasm. The famous Victor Hugo issued this call to his comrades, and received enthusiastic approval from them.

The party didn't break up until late at night. The exhausted Hugo returned to the suite where he stayed, and soon returned to bed and fell asleep.

He didn't know how much time passed, but he suddenly seemed to hear a rapid knock on the door, but he didn't get up because he was too deep in sleep.

It wasn't until a moment later that he noticed someone shaking his body violently.

Drowsily, he opened his eyes and found that it was his personal servant shaking him, and his wrinkled face was now full of anxiety.

"What's the matter..." he asked in a low voice with the fatigue that still remained.

"Sir, someone came to see you just now. The matter seems to be very urgent." The servant replied in a low voice.

"who?"

"It's Signor Versini."

Hugo frowned slightly and immediately realized that this was a friend in his council.

Why would he come to see me at this time?

Could it be...that something terrible happened?

As soon as I thought of this, the original fatigue and sleepiness slowly disappeared.

"Tell him that I will go see him right away." Hugo replied as he walked out of the bed and started to put on his clothes.

Soon he got dressed again and walked quickly to the reception room.

As for Congressman Versini, he was still sitting in his chair. But he also looked very anxious and obviously restless.

"My friend, what happened to make you come to me at this time?" with a puzzled expression. Hugo hurried forward to greet him.

"A most terrible disaster has occurred, my friend." Senator Versini's eyes lit up after seeing Hugo, but then dimmed quickly. "Our motherland is about to be in trouble!"

"What do you mean?" Hugo opened his eyes wide.

"Just now, a large group of army officers and soldiers poured into the city from various city gates." Councilor Versini's face became increasingly pale. "They acted very quickly. They seemed to be well prepared. They claimed to be in the city on orders from the president to maintain order...but we didn't know anything about it in advance."

Although his tone was not intense, it sounded like a lightning strike to Hugo.

"This is a military coup!" he shouted loudly. "These damn beasts!"

"That's right. This is a military coup." Councilor Versini nodded dejectedly. "Furthermore, according to reliable information, the first target of the rebel army is the Bourbon Palace. Judging from the garrison strength of the Bourbon Palace, I'm afraid... it has been occupied by the rebels now."

Hugo was silent, his heart was already cold.

The Palais de Bourbon is the seat of the Parliament. If it is occupied, that is to say, the Parliament will be closed, and no one can stand up to Louis Bonaparte and his minions.

He understood that the most terrible disaster had already befallen France.

However, he quickly regained his composure. He knew that even if it was just for the sake of his motherland, he could not just let it go. Even if he had to face heavily armed soldiers, he had to take action.

"We should resist! We must resist! We cannot let this lunatic and his accomplices destroy this country!" He shouted again, but there was no longer the panic, but more determination. "My friends, we must act!"

"Yes, we should resist!" Councilor Versini smiled reluctantly, as if he was pleased with Hugo's first reaction, "So, now I am running over... Mr. Hugo, you have always been among us. With a reputation, I have learned that you would never stand by out of fear in a moment like this."

"Thank you for your consideration," Hugo smiled reluctantly, "Well, now that time is running out, let's not waste time. We can't let that damn Bonaparte succeed. Even if he occupies the Parliament, we will still Gather together again, exercise the power given to us by the law and the people, call on the people to stand up for freedom, and eliminate that damn careerist! "

"I think exactly the same as you, sir." Senator Versini nodded again, "The people have given us power, even if we face the most terrible situation. We must stand up with our heads held high. So... I temporarily notified several members who live nearby and asked them to continue to notify other members. We need to get back together and form a temporary parliament to exercise our legal powers!”

"Great!" After hearing the MP's reply, Hugo felt happy. "Where to meet?"

The councilman looked around carefully before answering in a low voice. "At No. 70, rue Blanche..."

"Okay, let's set off now. I'll have the servants prepare the car!" Hugo immediately agreed.

"My friend, you have once again proved that you are a heroic son of the motherland." The moved MP stretched out his hands and held Hugo's hand tightly.

"I'm just doing what I should do." Hugo also held his hand. "There are risks ahead, and our enemies have proven how insidious and unscrupulous they are. However, I am very pleased that we can at least fight to the death for the country... When the country is in danger, there are still so many people To come forward regardless of one's own safety..."

Just as the two of them were holding hands tightly and almost bursting into tears with excitement, there was a sudden rush of footsteps outside the door. The footsteps were messy, and it looked like there was more than one person.

The two people looked at each other, feeling a little panicked.

As if to deepen the panic, there was a sudden heavy knock on the door.

"Open the door! Open the door quickly!" Several shouts sounded from outside the door.

"Who?" Hugo's valet asked warily.

"We are here to perform a mission, please open the door!" came a reply from outside the door. "Let Senator Hugo come out and see me!"

"Sir is not here!" the servant replied quickly.

"According to our information, he is here now!" The voice outside the door became more urgent and severe. "If you insist on not being there, we will search immediately. Open the door quickly!"

Then, without giving the people inside any chance, the people outside the door slammed the door heavily. The loud banging sound actually made the whole building shake.

"Bang!"

It didn't last long. The door was slammed open.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Then, several soldiers, led by an officer, charged forcefully.

They searched directly from room to room. Hugo and Versini were soon found.

"Who is Mr. Hugo?" The officer looked at the two people and asked sternly.

After exchanging glances with Senator Versini, Hugo frowned.

"You don't know me? Well, I'm the person you're looking for. What's your purpose here?"

"Why should I know you?" The officer's stern face suddenly sneered, and then he took out a piece of paper from his arms and shook it at him, "Mr. Hugo, I am ordered to inform you that you are under arrest. Now, please come with me!"

Then, he looked at Senator Versini who was standing next to Hugo, "Sir, I also want to inform you that you have also been arrested! According to the special order I received, anyone staying with him at this time Everyone will be arrested!"

This arrogant and arrogant declaration made Hugo's eyes widen in shock.

"I am a member of the National Assembly and so is he. We all enjoy legal immunity. What right do you have to arrest us?! Now, get out of here!"

"I don't know what immunity is, but I have an order from the commander!" the officer replied loudly, and then he waved to the soldiers next to him, "Hurry up and take them back!"

"You are not the police, what right do you have to arrest us?" Senator Versini forcibly pushed away a soldier's hand that was reaching for him, and protested loudly to these people, "Sir? Who is it? Are you Louis-Bo? Nabal’s rebels?”

"According to the president's special decree, the police have been temporarily suspended from their duties, and now we are acting on our behalf." The officer explained, waving his hands and ordering the soldiers to arrest both men. "Also, the president represents the country, and you have no authority." Those who question the president’s orders are traitors!”

Then, he picked up the pistol and pointed it at Congressman Versini, "If you want to ask what rights we have, okay, I tell you, this is our right! According to the special order, if anyone dares to arrest , we have the right to kill without mercy! So, sir, I advise you not to challenge our patience!”

The officer's arrogant speech left the two congressmen Hugo and Versini speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

The dark gun was pointed at them. It was obvious that if they dared to resist or even delay, he would really shoot.

Since the beginning of the Great Revolution, army officers and soldiers have always been arrogant and regarded the government as dispensable. In addition, the Republic has only been established for such a short period of time, and it has not been able to establish authority in their hearts. They only obey the so-called superiors and have no regard for parliament at all.

"France, how far will you sink!" Hugo sighed.

He understood that now he had become the victim of a well-planned activity and would no longer be able to participate in any resistance activities that threatened Louis Bonaparte.

He undoubtedly wished to resist Louis Bonaparte, but this did not mean that he would wish to die in vain under such circumstances.

Seeing that both men no longer resisted, the soldiers surrounded them and then forcibly detained them. They pulled so hard that their hands hurt.

These officers and soldiers did not know anything about literature. In their eyes, Hugo was no different from those wealthy and superior men. Therefore, in order to carry out the strict orders from above, their attitude was very rough, and they only wanted to get these things done as soon as possible. They were all escorted back so that they could report to the higher authorities.

Then, the group of officers and soldiers forcibly escorted the two congressmen out of the door, down the stairs, escorted them into a carriage, and sped away to the intended detention location.

When he walked out of the hotel door, Hugo looked up at the roof of the hotel, feeling very heavy.

He understood that it might be difficult for him to see everything here again.

Because he would never compromise by asking for mercy from Louis Bonaparte and his lackeys.

"You won't be rampant for long!" With endless resentment, he shouted to the officer escorting him. "Your master, a modern Caligula and Nero, will fall faster than them! And you, Will bear the same infamy as him!"

His insults made the officer impatient, and then he waved his hand, and a soldier hit him in the chest with the butt of a rifle, causing him to lose his voice in pain.

"I don't know who Caligula and Nero are, but I know that you talk too much, sir." The officer looked at Hugo with a hint of mockery.

Victor Hugo's experience was by no means an isolated one.

At the same time in the early morning, when news of the occupation of the Bourbon Palace was received, a large-scale arrest operation was carried out on time in Paris. Based on a blacklist drawn up in advance, a large group of soldiers dispersed towards the residences of prominent congressmen, newspaper editors and opposition figures in the city, preparing to arrest them one by one in accordance with the special decree signed by the president. Arrested.

Because it was early in the morning, many of them were arrested in their sleep, and few escaped. (To be continued...)