It was already early in the morning, and there was not a single starlight in the dark sky, and everything was shrouded in bottomless darkness. Around the Palais Bourbon, however, a large group of uniformed soldiers with torches illuminated the area as bright as day.

Along both sides of the Bourbon Palace, two groups of soldiers confronted each other with guns, standing solemnly and distinctly at a short distance, and the flickering light of the torches illuminated their faces a little yellow, and combined with the expression of the enemy, there was always an eerie and terrible atmosphere.

The number of soldiers guarding the Bourbon Palace was obviously much smaller than that of the attacking side, so their side was much more uneasy, and many of them obviously had the idea of fleeing. Their commander, Major Viatoto de Moulin, did not hurry and quietly went to the forefront.

"Sir...... These people claim to have been ordered to take over the ...... What should we do? The sergeant major wiped the sweat from his face, and then asked in a low voice next to the major. They don't have the right intentions, I'm afraid...... I'm afraid ......"

"I'm afraid the coup has already happened." The Major replied in a low voice, and then calmly and slightly warily looked at Lucien opposite. "The country was still asleep, and it was punched."

The sergeant's eyes widened slightly, as if he didn't understand why his commander was so calm at this moment.

"Yes...... That's right, the president must have staged a coup d'état! After a moment, he nodded reluctantly, "Sir, what should we do now?" Is it resistance or obedience? ”

"Do you want to die?" The major asked bluntly.

The sergeant major was speechless, hesitating as to how to answer.

He certainly didn't want to die, but if the commander ordered to resist. He had no choice but to resist - because he had been trained in this way since he entered the army.

To his great rejoicing. As if to see what he was thinking, the young major patted him lightly on the shoulder. "Well, friend, you don't even want to die, who else can I count on?"

Then, he looked up and shouted directly at the other side.

"I already know what you're here for! I am Major Viato-de-Moulin, the commander of the garrison, and I want to negotiate with him who your commander is! ”

After hearing the shouting from the other side, Lucien frowned slightly.

Just now. He originally wanted to directly order a raid on the Bourbon Palace, but the prefect on the opposite side suddenly ran out, giving him hope to settle the situation calmly again.

But on the other hand, time is of the essence, and he can't afford to spend much time here.

After a moment of silence, he finally made up his mind.

"I'm their commander, if you have anything to say, tell me! But then again, you must stop resisting immediately, or it will not matter what you say. The ending is all the same! ”

"Okay, it won't delay you for a few minutes." The major stepped out of the gap between the soldiers, then ignored the jungle-like guns on the other side and walked straight over. Then he stood just a few meters away from Lucien, and then, he recognized Lucien. He raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Oh! It turned out to be Major Le Fryre! I've heard of you! ”

"That's right, it's me." Lucien replied calmly. "I don't know you, but I have no ill will towards you. I don't want your soldiers to study abroad, so I hope you don't embarrass me and follow the orders of His Excellency the President. ”

If it weren't for the information provided by Guò Charles, he would have known that this Major Viato-de-Moulin was about the same age as himself, and he would have been shocked by such a young face.

The major came from an aristocratic family and had served in the army for several generations. Because of his merits in the suppression of the mob in the June Revolution of 1848, he was identified as a politician with a firm and clear position, so he was promoted, and after a few years, with the help of an uncle who was a member of the National Assembly, he became the prefect of the guards of the Palais Bourbon.

However, Lucien didn't expect that the other party would actually know him.

"Don't be surprised, Major, I've heard your name a long time ago." A rather pleasant smile appeared on the Major's face, and at the same time he spread his hands and gestured that he was not armed, "I have seen many of your insightful comments about future wars, and I agree with them. ”

"Thank you, if I have time in the future, I will discuss this with you." Lucien didn't appreciate it, "But for now, you must first obey the orders I brought here. If you think it makes sense to stall for time, then you are very wrong, all the garrisons are our supporters, or at least neutrals, and no one will come to work for the council! ”

Such a straightforward reply made the major's face turn white.

"You mean you want me to abandon my position without a fight?"

"If you want that, I can grant your wishes." Lucien replied in a loud voice, "Either obey the order immediately, or go back and command the resistance!" ”

This aristocratic habit of aristocratism might be regarded as elegant in ordinary interactions, but at this critical juncture, it did make him a little impatient.

Such an unceremonious reply silenced the major for a moment. He understands that everything is irretrievable.

Then he looked up at the group of troops in front of him, all of whom were impatient, and were clearly ready to attack at any moment.

If there is a large group of foreign soldiers on the other side, he will choose to resist, even if the result of resistance is his own death; And standing on the opposite side are the same French soldiers, what is the point of such an engagement except for giving one's life in vain?

He turned his head again to look at the roof of the Palais Bourbon.

Is this council worth my life for him? Why fight a civil war for it?

In just a few years, it was not possible to establish the conviction of allegiance to parliament and the republic in an army officer like him.

Seeing that he was still hesitating, Lucien didn't want to talk nonsense with him, so he raised his hand directly.

If it weren't for the political influence. He had already ordered his subordinates to attack.

"Ready!"

And the officers under his subordinates, who were already eager to try, immediately shouted.

I saw that a firefight was about to happen. Major Viato de Moulins finally made up his mind and licked his dry lips. Then he suddenly raised his hands.

"Don't shoot! We obey orders! He shouted, then turned to his subordinates and immediately ordered, "Don't resist, obey the president's orders!" ”

It is obviously shameful to retreat without a fight, but at least it can save your own men from dying in this ridiculous and senseless resistance.

Seeing the major speak so violently, the guards gradually lowered the muzzle of their guns after a short period of hesitation.

"You should have done this a long time ago." Seeing that the Major finally faced the reality, Lucien also breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, he didn't want to actually fight his comrades in the Army.

Then. He made a gesture and motioned for his subordinates to hurry up and take over the Palais Bourbon as originally planned.

In the presence of Major de Moulins and his men, Lucien and his men rushed in, seized all the positions they had occupied, and then disarmed them.

Carefully planned, the soldiers did not delay their movements, and without hesitation they entered the Palais Bourbon, then set up barricades in the streets leading to the Palais Bourbon, and Lucien loudly declared martial law to them again. From dawn onwards, no one was allowed to go close to the Palais Bourbon without a warrant from the Minister of War, General Saint-Arnault, or by Charles, and the parliament would adjourn as a matter of course.

Lucien stood in front of the gate and watched his soldiers methodically carry out their orders. Because the plan in advance was thoughtful enough, at this time, he seemed to have become the most leisurely person.

He took out his pocket watch and looked at the time. It's only two o'clock now, and it's a qiē shun lì.

And at this time. Major de Moulin, who had been relieved of his duties, walked up to him with embarrassment.

He handed Lucien his unsheathed command knife to Lucien.

"Take it, Monsieur de Leflaire. I have surrendered to you. He said with some frustration, "I have given up my position." ”

"No, you keep this, you didn't surrender, you just obeyed the president's orders." Lucien gently pushed his command knife back, "I didn't fight you either, and you are still my robe." ”

"It's great that you can say that......" The Major sighed, then looked up at the Palais Bourbon, "Hey, the president is a chess player!" From now on, we'll have to shout 'Long live the Emperor' again, right? Although he may not be the emperor so soon......"

His tone was awkward, but there was not much fear or fear, as if he didn't feel where he was.

"I can't comment on that, I'm just carrying out orders." Lucien hesitated slightly, and then gave such an answer.

"Come on, is there anyone who doesn't know the president's wishes?" The Major smiled bitterly, then looked up at the sky again, "He did it anyway!" After all, he is the emperor's nephew! ”

"Will I be held accountable?" After a moment of silence, the Major asked, "After all, I'm in your way......"

"I don't think so, after all, you didn't choose to resist." Lucien hesitated for a moment, then immediately replied, "At least I will not hold you accountable for anything." ”

Even so, his future will definitely be affected, this is inevitable, and both of them know it in their hearts.

"That is, I will not go to a court-martial, but is the future over?" A hint of pain flashed in Major de Moulin's eyes. "Just because I'm unfortunate enough to be in this position at this moment? I didn't think about going against the president or anyone else. ”

Lucien was silent at first, but as the clamor of the soldiers died down, he suddenly gave a whispered reply. "There are many things in the world that we can't help ourselves, and this is not the case for each of us."

These were the words in his heart—just a few years ago, how could Lucien, who was already impoverished, think that he would suddenly have the one he has now, and embark on the road of prosperity?

"We are all so small in the face of fate......" Major de Moulins sighed again.

He has a good family background and has a smooth future, but it is really frustrating that he suddenly has to face such a catastrophe.

"Okay, it's not too early, you go and rest first." As if to see his uneasiness and resentment, Lucien kindly let him rest.

"Major Leflair ......" Major de Moulins, however, suddenly raised his head and looked directly at Lucien.

"What? ”

"Maybe I'll never get a chance to see you again after tonight, but, please...... Please don't think I'm a coward because I've given up on fighting a civil war with the robes today! As if because of the surge of blood, the major's originally white face was flushed, and even his breathing became short, "I don't want to waste my life because of such a meaningless thing, but it doesn't mean that I'm afraid of fighting and dying!" ”

Under his impassioned confession, Lucien was slightly stunned.

"Would you, then, be willing to fight alongside me? In the fight against foreign countries? ”

"Glad!" Major de Moulins replied aloud.

"That's good...... We'll see you on the battlefield then! Lucien gave a vague answer. (To be continued......)