It was another rather sunny morning, with a breeze wafting through the countryside. "The wind in early autumn is always so refreshing, it seems to indicate that this is a good time to go out.

On the platform of a small country station on the outskirts of Paris, groups of soldiers were already lined up in a neat array, standing solemnly on either side, as if waiting for something.

The soldiers, all dressed in blue shirts and red trousers, stood on the platform with their chests held high, as if they were being reviewed. Although there is not much solemnity and solemnity in his expression, he can still make people feel an oppressive force that belongs to the army.

"Charles, how's it going?" As he passed in front of the group of soldiers, Major Lucien-Leflaire, dressed in military uniform, asked the young man in civilian clothes standing next to him rather carefully, as if he was worried that the other party would not be satisfied with his arrangement.

"My friend, why are you so strict with me? Don't make it look like I'm on a military parade, that's not a privilege I can have. Charles gave him an answer with a smile, then patted him on the shoulder, reassuring him. However, to be honest, I am really satisfied with your arrangement, and I can see that you have put your heart into it, and you have worked hard for you, Lucien. ”

"Oh, it's good if you can say that, this is the first time I've received such a mission, and I'm afraid that something will go wrong." After receiving such a positive reply from Charles, Lucien was visibly relieved. "Since you have no opinion, that's good, now my people are ready and ready to come out at any time."

Charles didn't answer immediately. Instead, he calmly took out his pocket watch from his pocket and looked at the time.

"It seems that we don't need to rush yet, there is still a little while." After confirming the time. He replied in a low voice. "Besides, even if you arrive at the point, you may not be able to leave immediately, and you have to hope that the train will come on time."

Today, as they say, these troops are being assembled for an unusual military move, which was recently opened in its entirety from Paris to Le Mans, thanks to the efforts of the construction crews and the staff of the Ministry of Railways. The route is 5o fari (about 2oo km) long. It greatly facilitates transportation from Paris to the center of France, and will obviously become a lifeblood of the country's economy in the future.

At the same time as the opening of the railway, Shire's previous proposal to "hold an exercise using the railway to transport troops" was proposed. It was also approved and carried out by the 6 Army Department, and after a period of preparation, the execution of the exercises will begin today.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Charles deliberately asked the officials in the 6th Military Department to help. This exercise was designated as the regiment in which Lucien was. Because of this. These two people got together again today and participated in this exercise together.

It is precisely in order to make a good impression on Charles and others, and also to make clear his own position, since learning of the arrangements of the 6th Army Headquarters, Lucien has been nervously preparing for his own troops, striving to make the first battalion of troops under his leadership meet the next exercises in the fullest mental state.

They had been assembling for a while, and the time was approaching the appointed hour, but there seemed to be no sign of the train entering the station. The soldiers remained silent, but Charles could feel a wave of confusion creeping in.

But. The Shire didn't have any particular feeling about it, as it was unlikely that a mid-19th-century train would be perfectly punctual at the scheduled time, let alone a new line.

While waiting for the train to arrive, Charles and Lucien stood in the front row, looking out at the blue sky in the distance.

It was the early autumn season, and the cool and pleasant wind blew on the faces of the two people, so that they did not feel stuffy in formal clothes, and the sky covered the whole earth like a blue jade.

"It's a great weather." Charles suddenly sighed, "Lucien, how are you doing?" ”

"Oh, I'm fine." Lucien hurriedly replied.

After a while, he realized from Charles's silence that the other party's intention was not just to say hello to him.

"Things have been going relatively smoothly recently, so it's okay." He hurriedly changed his words, "Charles, it's even easier than expected......

How can these people always like to talk in twists and turns, he couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart.

"Really? That's great. Charles was equally overjoyed, "Have you found someone like us there?" ”

"There are really a lot of people like that." Lucien replied in a low voice, "Not only have I found some people among my colleagues who also support the president, but even our head of the regiment himself agrees with the president's ideas......"

"Oh?" Charles looked away and looked at Lucien, "That's good, wait a minute......"

Just as he was about to say something, a slight buzzing sound suddenly came from a distance, which made him unconsciously stop for a while.

As time passed, the sound grew heavier, and it was clear that something was speeding towards him.

This is the roar of "......", this is the creaking of wheels as they run over the tracks, and this is the sound that represents a new era of civilization.

Charles turned his head away, and in his line of sight, the rails stretched out to the distant skyline, as if merging with the sky. At this moment, a black dot emerged from the far reaches of the sky, and gradually, the black dot became larger and larger, and slowly people could see its outline clearly.

It was a large steel artifact, perhaps stained by soot for a long time, and its exterior was unusually bright black. It was facing Charles' face, the top half of which was rounded, and as it galloped forward, the axles attached to the front of the car continued to drive back and forth rhythmically, pulling the lower half of the wheels.

It whistles and emits white smoke as it walks, like a giant beast crawling from the railroad tracks, giving people an indescribable visual impact.

Although it does look a little ugly at first glance, after observing it for a while, between the rough and hideous outlines of steel, there is a certain beauty that belongs to another world.

It is such a beautiful monster that has led mankind into a new era.

"What a beautiful thing!" Looking at the train that was rushing from afar, Charles suddenly couldn't help but sigh.

Because of the loud noise, Lucien next to him couldn't hear Charles's words very clearly, but he didn't have time to pay attention to what his friend was thinking, because the soldiers behind him were in a commotion, so that even the originally dense queue became a little loose.

Lucien, who was bent on showing himself in front of his friends, suddenly felt a little embarrassed, and then hurriedly ran to the soldiers, and joined his officers to shout and re-maintain order in the queue.

Charles didn't feel any dissatisfaction with this situation, he knew that among these soldiers, there were many people who had never seen a steam locomotive in their lives, and they would be a little uneasy when they saw this hideous mechanical creation for the first time, right? So he was able to forgive their commotion.

The train slowed down and slid towards the platform where Charles and the others were, with a sharp grinding sound. In a sound that was close to a whimper, the train finally stopped.

He took out the pocket watch in his arms again and looked at the time.

Seven minutes short.

Although it was certainly an unacceptable result later, it was ...... At least for now, it's acceptable.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, Charles ignored everyone around him, and he looked up again at the train parked in front of him.

I supervised the construction of this railway line, and my people supervised the procurement, and even the funds for its construction were raised by me through bonds.

It's a creation I have left for the world, not perfect, but amazing enough.

Then, slowly, he turned his head and looked at the officers and soldiers behind him. Lucien and his officers had regained order, and then nodded to Charles, indicating that their side was ready.

These people also came at my request and will continue to go to the place I designated...... Can I already do so much?

An inexplicable sense of accomplishment suddenly surged from Charles's heart, and he felt an indescribable sense of pleasure all over his body, which was the most direct reward for success.

No, it's not enough, I have to do more, there's more I can get...... He closed his eyes, then opened them again.

With a very pleasant smile, he shouted out to Lucien and his soldiers.

"Gentlemen, cheer up! Our outing is about to begin! ”

His joke unsurprisingly drew a burst of laughter, followed by a small cheer.

Being able to ride the train was a new experience for almost every soldier at this time, both officers and enlisted men, who were full of curiosity and eagerness.

However, in spite of his light-hearted words, Lucien did not dare to take them lightly, and he repeated the military discipline loudly, asking the soldiers to be quiet in the train and not to cause trouble; While beckoning the officer to pay careful attention to his men, so that he could understand the reorganization of the command system of the troops when he arrived at the station, he had said it several times beforehand, but before leaving he had to repeat it again until everyone had answered aloud that they understood.

Then the soldiers entered the carriage from the platform in an orderly manner.

After confirming that everything was ready, Charles gave the conductor an order.

"Out!"

Charles himself didn't realize that in this order, the country's army also ushered in a new era.

The long whistle sounded again, and the train moved slowly, bathed in golden sunlight, and greeted the blue sky in the distance. (To be continued!)

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