Flowers, Swords and France

On Bobul Street, there is a fairly small gun shop. Today's business is as good as in the past, and the hall on the first floor is packed with customers.

The owner of this store is currently receiving guests who have just arrived in the bedroom on the second floor.

"I brought two hundred thousand this time," Charles took out the cash and bills from his pocket and put them on the coffee table, then looked at the boss Parton with a smile, "Don't be too little..."

Mr. Pardon, who has dark skin, a strong and muscular body, is also a member of the organization. He is one of the people in the organization who is responsible for stockpiling weapons in the name of a gun shop on weekdays.

"That's enough... I really have you!" Paldon's joy was beyond words. "I was worried about the lack of funds recently, but you got the money so quickly... That's great!"

As he spoke, he took the cash and promissory notes, "With this fund, I can stock up on more weapons and ammunition recently."

"Well, every more preparation will be more beneficial to us." Charles nodded approvingly, and then reminded, "However, when you spend money, you must pay attention to transferring the funds to as many hands as possible. , Don’t leave too many traces on others.”

Unfortunately, we are still in the 19th century, and large-amount fund payments and transfers can still be relatively hidden. But in the 21st century, when electronic informatization is extremely complete and the financial industry is highly developed and the banking system is complete, it is difficult for the flow of large amounts of funds not to cause confusion. Attention of political axe.

Of course, even so, confidentiality work should be done as much as possible.

"Of course I will pay attention. Don't I understand after so many years?" Paldon smiled, "But it's really thanks to you that you were able to find so many people to help..."

"In our country's great and far-sighted financial community, there are many people who want to imitate the predecessors who came to power seventeen years ago." There was an unnatural sarcasm in Charles's tone, "This is the real profit without capital. It’s a big deal, I just need to paint a good picture with them.”

Paldon's expression was more serious and joyful - after all, it would be good for everyone to find a regular sponsor.

"Of course we need this support, and we also need our Lafayette, Perrier and Gisquet."

[Lafayette was a big banker who speculated on Louis Philippe's rise to power, and later served as Prime Minister. He has been introduced in the previous article.

Casimir-Perier was also a banker in France at that time. He speculated on Louis Philippe's success in coming to power. He served as Minister of the Interior when the July Dynasty was first established. He claimed that he would deal with the enemies of the dynasty with an iron fist, and in practice he used Bloody means suppressed the Parisian people's barricades against the July Monarchy in 1832.

Gisquet was also a big financier. He also speculated on Louis-Philippe's success and became the commissioner of the Paris police in 1831.

The above three people are all typical figures in the financial world who profited from speculation on Louis Philippe's rise to power. 】

"However, we cannot rely too much on these people," Charles nodded in agreement, and then expressed his opinion, "This will tie our hands in the future. After all, we are not seeking power for a few bankers... …”

"Let's wait until that day!" Pardon waved his hand boldly. "I'm going to do some inventory later, and then make a list, and buy as much as I can... Recently, a friend of mine found a way to get a batch of good stuff from several quartermasters and officers in the army. , but you have to hurry up and do it, otherwise it will all be bought by others..."

"This is best. But..." Although it seemed unnecessary, but out of necessity, Charles warned the other party again, "I remind you again, after you get the funds to purchase weapons, you must not be reckless. Engage and learn from those fools like Fieschi who fight alone. We need people who can be useful at critical moments more than those martyrs who will be remembered in the future. "

[Fieschi was a Corsican who attempted to assassinate Louis Philippe in 1835 and was later executed. 】

"Don't worry, of course we won't imitate Grouchy." As if he was a little impatient with Charles's repeated instructions, Paldon shook his head with a smile, "Even if you don't mention it, we will never do it." You’re just kidding yourself with your own life without any preparation.”

For well-known reasons, Marshal Grouchy was not particularly popular among Bonapartists, and became almost synonymous with "reckless and inflexible". Although he had always firmly expressed his attachment to the emperor and the empire, Bonapartists The Napartites did not like him, and even respected him less than they respected the renegade Marshal Soult.

Most of the world blamed him for his mistakes in the Battle of Waterloo that ruined the emperor's career, but Charles did not feel that he was so guilty - it was Napoleon himself who had put himself in the desperate situation of 1815. , even if he wins Waterloo, he will definitely not be able to face the 600,000 coalition troops of the anti-French alliance.

But of course Charles was not in the mood to discuss the merits and demerits of Marshal Grouchy at the moment.

"It would be great if you could notice this aspect yourself. There was a big problem in Serreon's place before, but luckily he put great effort into suppressing it. Do you also want to imitate his dejected attitude? Are you going to hide in another province? Even if you want to, I don’t want to light a few powder barrels and burn down half the street for you. This kind of thing is very troublesome..."

His deliberately cold tone and implicit threat made Pardon's face change slightly, and then his face became more respectful, obviously thinking that this person was not at a level he could deal with casually.

"Don't worry!" He emphasized again, but this time his attitude was much more serious, and the joystick was straight.

"That's good," Charles was satisfied, "Since we have received the money, we should do a good job."

Then, the two chatted for a few more words and exchanged information. After all, such meetings between the two are rare (and the fewer the better), so exchanging information with each other is also a necessary behavior.

Pardon asked about the arrival of Joseph Bonaparte and the resignation of Marshal Soult, and Charles picked up the parts that could be said and revealed them to the other party.

"So, have you found anything interesting recently?" After finishing his part, Charles looked up at Pardon.

"Interesting things?" Pardon frowned slightly, obviously lost in thought. After a moment, his brows relaxed again, "There is one thing!"

"What?" Charles asked immediately.

"I heard a rumor. I secretly heard someone who came here to buy guns talking about it a while ago." Pardon deliberately lowered his voice, "It seems that there is an organization called the 121 Comrades Association, which is hoarding a large number of weapons recently."

"121?" Charles sounded a little confused, completely confused, "It sounds like a gathering password for children in the nursery."

"If I didn't know more, I would think so." Pardon smiled, "But if you think about 1993, it won't be so strange."

"121 in 1993?" Charles muttered.

After a moment, he suddenly realized and patted the table gently, "So that's it!"

This 121 refers to January 21, 1793. Poor King Louis XVI was executed on this day. In the eyes of staunch republicans, this is almost a sacred anniversary.

The organization with this name should be republicans no matter how you look at it.

Like the Bonapartists, the republicans also hated the dynasty and tried to overthrow it from the beginning. Various factions among them organized secret societies with many names such as the Friends of the People, the Action Society, the Bastille Army, etc., and launched assassinations against the king and other dignitaries of the dynasty many times, and also launched riots in the lower-class settlements of Paris several times. This "121 Comrades Association" seems to be almost the same organization.

Since this organization is hoarding weapons in large quantities, its purpose is obviously self-evident.

The original text is in the six # 9 @book/bar!

"You can pay close attention. It would be best if you can find out what activities this organization has planned recently." Charles made his own suggestion.

"Of course I will do this." Pardon nodded, "But this is not easy. Our colleagues will naturally want to keep it secret."

"Please try your best. It doesn't matter if you can't find out anything. Your own safety is the first priority." Charles nodded gently, "But now if someone comes here to buy weapons, you can sell them. In this situation, the more muddy the water is, the better it is for us. As long as they are going to fight our king, anyone can buy it. Anyway, most of these weapons will be given away for free in the end. If you sell more, you can buy more in large quantities. However, the guns left for us must be of the best quality. I don't want any problems when they are used. That would be too fatal!"

"Okay, I remember!" Pardon nodded repeatedly.

In the original plan, when the uprising started, Pardon and other people who had stockpiled munitions would distribute weapons and ammunition to the surrounding residents for free. The Bonapartists did not have many people, so a few weapons were enough. The rest would be given to the residents who were extremely dissatisfied with the dynasty, so that they could make full use of them, even if they could only create a little chaos.

After saying this, the two chatted for a few more words, and then Charles saw that there was nothing else to say, so he was about to get up and say goodbye.

Then before leaving, Pardon suddenly stopped him, smiling mysteriously. "Wait a moment! I have a gift for you!" After saying that, he turned and left the bedroom.

Gift?

Charles sat back in his seat, feeling a little excited.

A minute or two later, Pardon came back with a small box in his hand.

"Here, this is a real work of art brought back by my friend from the United States!"

"Work of art?" Charles was a little confused, and then took the box.

Sure enough... you can't expect anything from a part-time arms dealer.

In the box was a gun and some bullets. The gun is a revolver, with extremely fine workmanship and well preserved. The barrel exudes a metallic luster, the bulging magazine looks small and exquisite, and there are even a few small pearls inlaid on the wooden handle. In a sense, it is indeed worthy of the praise of "artwork".

Pardon smiled. "I am not lying to you, am I? It is said that this is made by Mr. Colt himself, a real work of art!"

Is this a kickback? Or a thank-you fee?

It doesn't matter, it's all the same.

Humph, 200,000 francs for a gun!

But it's better than nothing.

Charles took the box.

"Thank you."

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