[Titanic] I can't help myself

The new semester started in mid-January, and only two months later, in mid-March, the Easter holiday began again, and the school did not reopen until the end of April, but immediately after that, preparations for the June exams began, so Easter Holidays are nothing more than changing places to study.Cambridge's examination system is very strict. Once a subject fails, it will not be given a chance to retake the exam and dismissed directly, and the grade ranking will be announced in public.

Before the exam, I once had a lot of nightmares about getting the last place in the exam or even failing the exam and being dismissed.The past six months have been too busy for me, and I have spent a lot less time on study than other students.

With the help of Carl, the cannery successfully completed the construction of the factory, recruiting workers, installing assembly lines, and finding sources of supply. After that, the poultry and livestock I raised will be directly supplied here, which saved me a lot of money.

During that time, factories, farmhouses and studies were all on my head. I was so busy that I hardly had time to sleep. I lost a total of five kilograms, and my ribs were clearly visible under the clothes.I can see that Carl is very distressed, but he didn't say anything. He understands that as a man, I must have my own career and shoulder my own responsibilities, and the present sacrifices are only meaningful if I do it myself.During that time, he was afraid of my hard work, so he almost never asked me for money.This is just a small thing, but it moved me very much.

After the exam in June, the results came out very quickly. Although this is not the first time I have learned this knowledge, it is obvious that my learning attitude and the energy I put in make my knowledge not as solid as those students who really love learning. , as a fake freshman with work experience who almost got a Ph.What surprised me the most was John, who was the first-year engineering student.He usually looks like he doesn't want to study, but he didn't expect to be so efficient in sprinting at critical moments. I can only feel that he is a genius.

One of the first things I did when I got home from summer break was to attend the ribbon cutting of HC Foods Ltd., my and Carl's cannery.The factory provided many employment opportunities for local residents. Many people who decided to leave their homes to find jobs in big cities stayed and received training. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the factory will start production immediately.

At this time, the crops in my arable land were full of vitality, the factory started well, and the farm was expanded several times under the condition of serious overdraft.It seems that everything is developing rapidly in a good direction.

Then soon, on June 28, on Serbia's National Day, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, were shot dead in Sarajevo.The situation in Europe immediately took a turn for the worse, and war was almost imminent.The armaments that the British government has been expanding over the years seem to be coming in handy at this moment.

At my mother's open-air party, my young schoolmates gathered to discuss with almost fanaticism the question of whether and when war should break out.Everyone believed that the killing of the crown prince would inevitably make the outbreak of war inevitable, but what they had to consider now was to apply for enlistment in the army as soon as possible and secure a position in the army in advance.

"We need war. Social welfare is too good now. There are too many people born, and the country can't provide so many jobs. There are too many unemployed people. We need war to purify our population." A classmate Said, this sentence sounds ruthless, but has received a lot of recognition.

"Our situation is not too bad. The Germans are more eager for a war to save their country." Another classmate analyzed while shaking his glass, "Didn't their cavalry leader Bai Di say,' War is the father of all things, not only a biological law, but a first law, and therefore an indispensable element of civilization.' They will not miss this opportunity."

"We really need this opportunity to attack Germany." A calmer classmate said, "We have been occupying the title of maritime supremacy for a long time, and now we are about to be caught up by Germany. From a rational point of view, the Germans Almost on par with us in battleship building. We need to nip the enemy in the bud."

I said: "But I still think there is room for relaxation. Once Austria-Hungary opens fire on Serbia, Russia will never stand idly by, and with the relationship between Russia and France, the French will definitely want to get a share of it. If a war breaks out, at least from now on, I can't see which side can win, and the price of failure can't be borne by either side. And even if there is a war, it doesn't have much to do with us, we are separated from them Belgium also has a strait, they can't invade us, and our people don't want the country to take the initiative to join the war. Three large-scale anti-war rallies and marches demanding neutrality have been held in Trafalgar Square. How many times. I’m just glad my factory is not in the urban area, otherwise the workers would all go to parade, and the factory would still be running normally.”

"Look, Henry, this battle must be fought." The senior said, "You'd better start making preparations now, and arrange things about the manor and factory, so as not to be caught off guard."

This was the attitude and opinion of everyone I knew who showed great interest in enlisting, whether it was William, who was a duke, or Robert, who had been obsessed with mathematical problems before.It stresses me out a lot.My birthday is in late July, when I come of age, it is my duty to serve in the army if Britain goes to war.

However, I don't have their fearless sense of honor and sacrifice. To put it bluntly, I am afraid of death.However, except for Carl, I dare not tell anyone these words. William even said that if war breaks out, he will find a way to arrange me to the place where I have the best chance of making meritorious service.And he himself has received the letter of appointment, was awarded the rank of major general, and has already participated in the training and conscription work in the county.

Under the pressure of the massive anti-war movement in the country, Foreign Minister Gray had to show his neutral attitude to the German side, expressing his country's intention to do everything possible to prevent war between major powers.At the same time, the Austro-Hungarian Empire began to put pressure on Serbia, making various unreasonable demands, which were quickly protested by Serbia and Russia.

On July 26, the United Kingdom proposed that European countries help mediate the discord between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, and secretly encouraged Russia and France to fight against Germany and Austria, promising to be allies.These are what William told me, and it shows that Britain is destined to go to war.

Sure enough, on July 28, the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia. The next day, Foreign Secretary Gray made it clear to the German ambassador that the previous British promise would only be fulfilled when the conflict was limited to Russia and Austria. In France and France, the situation will change immediately. In the case that it may affect the national security of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom can only be forced to make a decision to join the war.

Thus, when Germany invaded Belgium, which had expressed its permanent neutrality, on August [-], Britain declared war on Germany, and on the twelfth on Austria-Hungary.

At this moment, the prelude to the war officially opened.And I officially received the letter of appointment at the end of July, and I was appointed colonel of the regiment of this county, and I was asked to go to the army immediately.Since I have not received formal military training, although I have the rank of colonel, I have no command over the army, and I need to accept the guidance of a major general in the army until the superiors deem me Only after passing the test will my military rank be promoted and all rights granted to me.

Along with the letter of commission came my complete army uniform, I tried on the summer dress, George and I didn't know how to wear an army uniform, we were overwhelmed with all the accessories and belts, and finally It was only with the help of the housekeeper Charles that I put it on smoothly.

When I finished dressing and came to the living room, my mother greeted me with a smile on her face and kissed me on the cheek.

"You're so handsome," she looked me up and down, with a big smile on her face, "my dear child, you are... really... oh, God!" She burst into tears.

"Mom." I put my arms around her shoulders helplessly.

"My God, my God, you're still a child!" She held my face and cried, "How could they do this to you and send you to such a dangerous place!"

I patted her on the back lightly, racking my brains to figure out how to comfort her.

"Although the front line is dangerous, I am still under the guidance of Major General Mosley, and I am not a low-level officer. I need to lead the soldiers under me to charge. I will always stay behind the front line with Major General Mosley." Tsukuru said lightly, "It can be said that I am not dangerous at all, Mom, but the conditions may be more difficult. Don't worry, maybe, as they say, the war will end at Christmas, and I may still be able to Got a couple of Medal of Honor for Christmas presents."

"You don't need to comfort me. I'm not an ignorant woman who knows nothing. I'm not occupying a colony. How can a war of this scale end in a few months? The battlefield is full of dangers. Even if you don't need to charge forward, can you really be able to Is it as safe as at home?" The mother said with tears, "God, how can those irresponsible parents have the heart to send their children to die!"

She was talking about other nobles.Most nobles are very active in sending all their children, including their heirs, to the army, and these people don't have titles like me, they generally serve as low-level officers, which means that they have to fight on the battlefield with ordinary soldiers kill.

Of course, these people are selfless and fearless, true gentlemen and heroes who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the country, but at the same time, these young people who have not yet gone to the battlefield may not be full of quixotic fantasies, leading their own team Win a victorious victory and gain the highest honor.

But I can't be as selfless and fearless as they are, and neither can my mother.It might be a day of celebration and remembrance in other families, but in mine there was nothing but gloom, and the door was shut so that our servants would not hear.Half the footmen are enlisted, most of them will be in the county regiment, and I will be their commander, and we will have no complaints before them.

"Don't worry, Ruth, Henry will be transferred to a safer theater soon." Viscount Stewart said, he came to take me to the barracks in person. Major General Mosley and him are friends, and he has written to this person before. The major general asked him to take care of me more, and it was for this purpose that he personally sent me off.

"Henry is the Earl after all. At this moment, he must set an example." Viscount Stuart said, "But don't worry, Major General Mosley will guarantee his safety. If the war is not over until next spring, he will He will be transferred to a safe place."

"But if he's been injured before that!" cried the mother, almost breaking down, "he never liked riding and hunting since he was a child, and his riding skills are terrible, and his shooting accuracy is not as good as Rose's. Keep yourself safe in that horrible place."

"Mom, I don't need to have a direct confrontation with the enemy. Riding skills and shooting skills have no effect on me." I helped her sit on the sofa.

"God only knows what terrible things can happen in that kind of place!" She buried her head in my arms, tears wet the skirt of my clothes, "What if you fall off your horse? What if a stray bullet accidentally hits you And you?"

"There will be no stray bullets." I said with a smile, "How could stray bullets hit me if I wasn't on the direct battlefield?"

"I don't care!" she wailed, "I don't want you to go out! I don't want you to go to war!"

My mother's tension and panic unexpectedly calmed me down. At this moment, her weakness suddenly gave me a desire to protect. This desire to protect inspired all my courage and reason .I am a little ashamed to realize that until this time, I realized that as the only man in the family, I need to shoulder another responsibility: I am no longer a child who depends on my parents and needs the protection and comfort of my mother. I should have stood up long ago. Get up and become a mother's reliable support.

Maybe I acted too calmly. After crying for a few minutes, my mother calmed down.She wiped away her tears in embarrassment, and began to ask me carefully about the preparation of my luggage.

At this time, Viscount Stewart said: "Luth, if you are worried, why not go and check with me yourself. The boy is forgetful, and those servants don't know what to bring to the army."

Mother froze for a moment, then turned to look at Karl who had been sitting silently.Viscount Stewart's intention is obvious, he wants to give Karl and me time and space alone.

Finally she said, "I don't think..."

"Come on, Ruth." Viscount Stuart walked to her side, held her arm and pulled her up to push her out of the house. "Otherwise, when we set off, you will start to worry again. Let the child set off with confidence."

Mother looked at Carl and me hesitantly, and finally left the room.The door lock of the living room door made a crisp sound, and Carl and I were the only ones left in the room.

The author has something to say: Thanks to the classmate of Thirteen Seals, Lei Mo da~~~

The list will be changed tomorrow, so nervous, so nervous

It seems that there is no way to open customization since May. . . .I don't know when it will be back to normal