Flowers, Swords and France

It was clearly morning, but the sky was gloomy, and the dark clouds pressed against the sky, as if they were about to fall down, and it was so depressing that the whole world seemed to have stopped.

The indifferent winter wind shuttled aimlessly everywhere, whistling between the towering buildings and the dark clouds, as if it was a sob from the sky.

Accompanied by the wind singing echoing everywhere, the neat and noisy footsteps in the Invalides in Paris seemed even more depressing. Since the ceremony of conferring the title of marshal to Prince Jerome more than a year ago, the Invalides in Paris has once again become a sea of ​​military uniforms.

However, unlike the last time, people were wearing military uniforms one by one, with solemn faces, and the air was full of suffocating meanings. Because the ceremony held today was a little special: today was not to confer medals or honors on anyone, but to bury a big man.

Marshal Soult, the last living marshal of the Napoleonic Empire, who had served as Minister of War and Prime Minister of France, died a week ago in his own estate, Soult Castle. In order to express his respect and recognition for him, French President Bonaparte decided to hold a state funeral for him and bury his coffin in the Invalides in Paris, enjoying the respect of the whole of France together with the emperor's coffin.

According to Marshal Soult's own opinion, he wanted to be buried quietly in his own manor, but after his death, his last wish was quickly ignored by the president, who was determined to give him such an honor in order to show respect for him and please his old subordinates.

No matter how many achievements a person has made in his lifetime and how great his reputation is, after his death, he will inevitably become a prop in the hands of the living, and put it in various ceremonies to reflect their respective purposes. How many people can avoid it?

At this moment, President Bonaparte, wearing a military dress, with a dazzling Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor on his chest, stood quietly in front of Marshal Soult's coffin.

Although he has never been on a real battlefield so far, this does not prevent him from dressing like his uncle back then. There was no shame for his betrayal on his face, only grief and melancholy, as if he was mourning the death of the other party.

The wooden coffin lay silently on the marble floor of the Invalides, and its appearance was plain and unadorned. There were no popular patterns and carvings, and the black coffin surface reflected a cold glow in the withered yellow, just like the cold and resolute face of the great marshal.

In the sea of ​​military uniforms, Charles was wearing a black casual suit and mixed in the crowd, although he wore the Legion of Honor on his chest. But he always seemed to be not sociable, but his grandfather, Marshal Treville, stood in the front row, attracting everyone's attention.

The time has come.

At the call of the master of ceremonies, all the officers immediately stood at attention, and then the salute suddenly roared. With the roar of dozens of salutes, the whole earth trembled slightly. The atmosphere in the hall also became slightly loosened because of the roar of the salute.

Under the gaze of everyone, the president leaned over and touched the coffin, and then Marshal Treville also stepped forward to touch the coffin. He expressed his grief for the dead giant. Then, one by one, the army generals also stepped forward to pay tribute to the Grand Marshal who was sleeping in it, and even Charles was mixed with complicated thoughts.

Compared with others, his impression of Marshal Soult was much more complicated. However, at least, he did respect this one of the last giants left over from the Napoleonic era.

Napoleon died, Alexander died, Talleyrand died, and Blücher died. Bernadotte died, and a large group of dazzling stars had fallen, and the remaining ones would not have much time left, if history did not change too much. Next year, the Duke of Wellington will die, and in a few years, Prince Metternich will no longer be able to escape the web of time.

He was very pleased that he could rise into the sky as a new star before these stars fell, and then he could get close to the remaining giants as an excellent descendant.

Your era has ended, and our era is about to come. I hope we can do better than you. Looking at the silent coffin, Charles prayed silently in his heart.

After everyone expressed their condolences, the guards beside lifted the coffin, moved it along the marble steps to the prepared position next to it, and finally placed it gently on the platform.

There was another roar of salutes, and then the state funeral ceremony came to an end with the sound of military drums and music.

After the ceremony, the people who participated in the ceremony left in order of rank. The first to leave was naturally President Bonaparte, and Marshal Treville and his grandson followed him and got on the presidential carriage together.

"I really hope that today's ceremony can make them calm down." As soon as he got on the carriage, the sadness and sorrow on President Louis Bonaparte's face disappeared immediately, and he regained his unique indifference. "It's better to wait for some rain to extinguish the flames in their hearts."

"I think they can now feel the glory you bring them." Charles replied respectfully, "This glory can undoubtedly replace the flames in their hearts."

"It would be great if it could be so." Louis-Bonaparte sneered, "We need these people, but we don't know how they plan to defend us. This is really depressing."

"Please rest assured that the army is very supportive of you, Your Majesty." "They feel the respect and courtesy you give them, and they also know that your ambition is worthy of your surname, which is completely beyond the reach of the previous unlucky kings. match."

"This is enough to cause a headache." Louis Bonaparte shrugged. "After all, we can't really declare war on the entire Europe again."

"I don't think they would be so arrogant." Ciel smiled.

"Why not? You can't underestimate their arrogance and ambition." Louis Bonaparte still sneered, "If we don't find a way to hold their reins at all times, sooner or later we will be forced to fight the entire Europe."

"We will relieve you of such worries." The old Marquis replied calmly, "As long as I am here, no one in the army can force you to do anything. You are the master of France."

"I have great faith in your loyalty and calmness, Marshal." After receiving such an answer, Louis Bonaparte was obviously a little happy. "I have only respect for you. My only regret is that you have only one person who can give me advice." Apart from my grandson, there is no other grandson who can lead troops to fight for me!”

He expressed his worries in this joking tone.

Marshal Treville was too old, and he was worried that he would not have very powerful cronies and supporters in the army after the marshal died.

Because this joke has special practical significance, both grandfather and grandson wisely did not choose the interface.

"We must hold the army in our hands. Simply expressing respect is not enough. Giving candy to a child will only make them look forward to the next candy. None of the current generals were promoted by me. So I want to respect Sirte, but we can't always do this." In the silence of others. Louis Bonaparte whispered to himself, "Even if we can't make the entire army be grateful to us now, at least we can do this in the Praetorian Guard. The Praetorian Guard cannot be polluted. Marshal, please choose carefully. candidate.”

The French army has always been unruly, and Bonaparte has only been in power for a few years. Most of today's generals have nothing to do with Louis Bonaparte, they are just under his command. And this situation. Of course, this is not what Louis Bonaparte likes to see. What he wants is to enforce orders and prohibitions, not for others to temporarily agree with him for the sake of benefit.

Therefore, in order to defend his dynasty and at the same time establish a system directly belonging to him in some army officers and soldiers, Louis Bonaparte decided to resurrect the Praetorian Guard after he decided to restore the empire, and then selected the most elite officers and soldiers from each army. The soldiers were enriched into it, and as their direct troops-these officers and soldiers were treated much better than ordinary officers and soldiers, and they were truly favored by him. He believed that this would allow him to control a truly direct military force.

As his confidant, Marshal Treville was assigned to personally select candidates for the Praetorian Guards. Louis Bonaparte explicitly asked him not to select people who already had factional connections, but to select those who would be grateful.

Of course the marshal understood what he meant. "I will share your honor only with those who are loyal only to you personally. Your Majesty."

After hearing the "Your Majesty" who arrived in advance, the sneer on Louis Bonaparte's face finally became a little warmer. "Your loyalty will undoubtedly be rewarded most reliably, Marshal. Please prepare as early as possible for the next expedition. I believe that in such a war that you personally command, there will be enough meritorious deeds for you. and in those whom you favor.”

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

It is necessary to use a war to promote the emperor's trusted officers. Then use these trusted officers to replace the generals left over from the previous dynasty, and slowly turn the army into the emperor's personal army. This is Louis Bonaparte's personal need, and it is also the common interest need of his party. All three of them knew this from each other.

"In order to prevent us from being in a hurry when that day comes, I am already selecting officers for the time." The old marshal nodded slightly, "What I want is someone who is both capable and ambitious. Fortunately, France There are a lot of troops out there who are frustrated for a variety of reasons, so they'll be grateful you give them a chance."

"Of course I will give it to them, as long as they are loyal to me and loyal to the empire." Louis Bonaparte replied, and suddenly turned his attention to Charles, "Charles, I have to admit that you are more capable than I thought. Be excellent. Your diplomatic success this year is greater than that of Louis-Philippe in ten years. Countries have never listened to France's opinions so quietly, and they have taken a new look at our strength and determination."

"This is all because France has you. You have injected strength and determination into France. Otherwise, everything I do will be in vain." Of course, Charles knew how he should answer, "I just carry out diplomacy according to your wishes. It’s just a policy, and I’m glad that all countries are looking at us again because of this.”

"I didn't give you any instructions. You are executing diplomacy in accordance with our common will, and you are executing it very well." Louis Bonaparte smiled and shook his head, "Your achievements make me reluctant to let you go." Leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Are you sure you still want to change places?"

"I still haven't changed my mind." After a moment of silence, Charles replied uneasily, for fear that the other party would change his mind. "My grandfather went to the battlefield. Although I did not join the army and could not fight for him on the front line, I I want to do my best to help my grandfather win this battle. A war, so that his army has no worries... Your Majesty, I know that being a minister at my age may cause some criticism, but as a grandson, this is my only wish... Even if you want to dismiss me after the war, I Willingly. Please...please satisfy your sincerity."

His words were so sincere that Louis Bonaparte felt there was no need to hurt the hearts of these two confidants.

"Well, since you are so eager to help your grandfather, I shouldn't break the heart of a grandson." Louis Bonaparte nodded again, "You are qualified for all positions so far, I believe you He is definitely qualified for the next position.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Charles was overjoyed and quickly bowed to thank the other party.

"Does Count Dilion want me to inform him directly?" Louis Bonaparte asked again.

"No... I'll tell him personally." Charles smiled slightly, "He has contributed so much hard work to the country and deserves to be treated with dignity."

This answer made Louis Bonaparte a little confused, and he couldn't help but glance at the young man.

In his impression, this young man was humble on the surface, but ruthless in his heart. He never cared about anyone. He didn't expect that he would be so merciful to others this time. Logically speaking, the earl had no mercy after his father's death. , the family is no longer considered a political force, and it doesn't matter even if it offends them.

Maybe he still missed the friendship between the two people who worked together before. They had worked closely together for two years.

After all, he is a young man.

"Well, the late Earl helped us a lot, and now we should take care of his son." After just pondering for a moment, Louis Bonaparte agreed, "Then, go and let him understand my will. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ciel bowed to the other party again. "I will calm down such a small disturbance decently. The officials of the empire should be united sincerely."

"It would be great if everyone thought like you." The future emperor laughed, "Let's prepare early. The amazing test is still waiting for us." (~^~)