"Long live France!"

Amid the deafening cheers of the soldiers, the current president of France, Monsieur Louis Bonaparte, dressed in a ceremonial dress and draped with red ribbons over his shoulders, walked past the phalanx of soldiers standing in order.

At this time, the September sky was cloudless, but there was no summer heat, which was just right for Napoleon's nephew to review the troops of the Republic that had just returned from Rome.

The entire Arc de Triomphe is now a sea of uniforms, with the faded old Guards uniforms and bearskin hats of the former imperial era mixed with the new blue uniforms and cylindrical caps, making a visually striking note to the country's age-old military traditions.

Yes, under the deliberate arrangement of Louis Bonaparte, many veterans of the old imperial era also participated in the parade, and some of the veterans even shed tears when the emperor's nephew passed by, which made the soldiers' hearts even excited.

However, the elderly general who stood next to the president and accompanied him on the parade was not called in on an ad hoc basis, but was himself one of the protagonists of the event - he was the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force, the general of the old empire, the respected Marquis de Treville.

Although the commander's hair and beard were gray, he was in good spirits, and he had accompanied the president on the parade for so long that he did not show a trace of fatigue. He wore a gold Legion of Honor medal with a rose on his left chest and a silver Grand Cross on his right chest, both testimonies of honor that the President had recently awarded him.

The person in charge of the review was surnamed Bonaparte. Is there anything more nostalgic than the fact that the man who commanded this army was a general of the imperial era?

In a trance. People tend to forget that people are different from each other, and take illusions as real, and this is exactly what Louis Bonaparte wanted—he would rather be seen as a shadow of that genius than obscurity.

"Salute!"

When the president passed by a phalanx, the phalanx, under the command of the commander, raised their guns in unison, and everyone held their heads high. Hold your breath and gaze at the review of the head of state. As the president passed by the phalanx, the bayonets were raised and lowered like the tide of the sea.

The Marquis de Treville led the president. The president would introduce the troops to each phalanx, and then the president would always say a few words to their commanders, thanking them for their hard work and dedication, and encouraging them to continue to serve their country. From time to time, he also personally bestowed medals on some brave soldiers and officers. The soldiers cheered again.

After a moment of cheering from the soldiers, the president waved his hand slightly, and then under the orders of the commanders, each phalanx fell silent suddenly.

"Defenders of France, you have worked hard!" In the silence, Louis Bonaparte shouted to the soldiers, "On behalf of the country and the people, thank you!" ”

Although this is an intervention army that has just extinguished another republic. But Louis Bonaparte didn't care about the difference, as long as he could win the favor of the army.

"It is because of your hard work. Only then will the country be stable, and the people will have time to go, and you will be the defenders of the country. I respect you, I rely on you, and only with your help will I be able to keep this country at peace, and then help all of Europe to achieve peace and prosperity.

Yes, peace and development are the main axes of this era, and France is now a country that pursues peace. The reason why we take up the sword and gun is only to seek peace, the tragedies of the past few hundred years, soaked in the blood and fire of the peoples of Europe, are now history, and the Republic has opened a new page for the French nation, and it will be a new page! ”

Louis Bonaparte looked at the soldiers in front of him with affection, as if he really felt that with this gesture, he could erase the wanton and arrogant imperial atmosphere contained in the parade.

"In the past, we had the misfortune to fight for the king, for the emperor, for the conquest of other countries, but now, the progress of the times has made France calm, she no longer wants to fight with other people, she has become a peaceful and prosperous republic, and the reason why we take up the gun is only to defend the peace, just to defend the peace.

Yes, peace, everything we do, is for peace! In the future, France will only fight for peace in Europe! ”

"Oh!"

His speech was drowned out by the tidal cheers of the soldiers.

Of course, the affection of the soldiers did not come from Louis Bonaparte's patronage of peace, but from the fact that the country's army tradition seemed to have finally been restored, and that after the unfortunate Restoration and the gentle July dynasty, the army finally waited for a man who called himself a friend of the army, and who happened to be the nephew of the greatest commander of all time. There is nothing more than this to inspire officers from all levels of the Army who are eager to make a difference.

And what about Bonaparte? Does he have a half-yearning for peace? Does he really think that the country has calmed down? Of course not. Even if he himself does not have the revenge of his family, the army's desire to attack and the empire's desire for power will drive him forward step by step, and he will not be able to stop at all.

Every politician who is determined to fight a war in the near future will spare no effort to advocate peace to other countries, and he is no exception.

"Yes, we need peace, because no war has the potential to essentially solve the problems that have plagued us for centuries or more, so we sincerely want to join hands with the countries of Europe to resolve disputes in a peaceful way and create a better future together!

Long live the Republic! Long live the Army! ”

"Long live the Republic! Long live the Army! ”

As if given a clarion call to move forward, after Mr. President's short speech, dozens of phalanxes cheered at the same time, and the shiny bayonets on the rifles refracted dazzling rays of light, turning the whole world into a sea of light, as if to merge the President and the Army.

And at this moment, how many people can see clearly what this man who is hoarsely advocating peace at this time, and this group of army officers and soldiers, want to bring to France, to Europe, and to the world?

………………

"I want to be a successful show, Monsieur de Treville."

In the crowd of spectators from a distance, the president's aide-de-camp, Colonel Conrobert, looked at Charles quite kindly, "The effect is much better than expected, I dare say that every officer and soldier of the army, as long as they can see this scene, will like the president." Of course, if only we hadn't talked so much about 'peace'. ”

"It can't be helped, I don't know how many of the people who are staring here are people from other countries, we can't be too aggressive to scare them." Charles shrugged his shoulders regretfully, "It would be unwise for us not to start a conflict with a foreign country before we take power. As for what is said, it doesn't matter anyway. Although others may not believe it if you only say it, but it's always good to be good......"

"You people who are engaged in politics have so many twists and turns." The colonel shook his head with a smile, then looked up again at the troops in the distance. "Ah...... Speaking of which, how long have we not seen such an emotional scene? Sure enough, it was only under the command of the Bonaparte that the army was able to usher in its good times......"

That's why we have to find a way to hold on to the reins of the Army, rather than being forcibly pulled to the graveyard by the Army. Charles said coldly in his heart.

………………

By the time the Marquis de Treville returned to his mansion with his grandson from a party at the Élysée Palace, it was already late at night, but the atmosphere at home was as lively as during the day.

The servants were in high spirits and beaming, and they were honored by the new honor of the old master.

"Grandpa, you're finally back!" With a smile on her face, Fran threw herself into her grandfather's arms and hugged him tightly, ignoring the medal on her grandfather's chest. "I miss you!"

"Fran, grandpa misses you too," the old marquis was obviously in a very good mood, he smiled and patted his granddaughter on the back, then helped Fran up, and looked at her carefully, "Ah, my little beauty is more beautiful now, hahahaha, I don't think anyone can compare to you!" How's that going, are those gifts satisfying? Grandpa has been picking for you for a long time! ”

It seems that grandpa has really drunk a lot of wine, how can this kind of thing be said in public, Fran sighed in his heart, and quickly diverted the topic.

"Well, thank you, I really like your gift very, very much, it's so beautiful!" She smiled and replied, "By the way, you've been working over there for so long, it must have been quite hard, right?" You must take a good rest this time! ”

"Well, sure enough, my granddaughter is the most sympathetic to me, an old man, and I really didn't hurt you in vain, good boy......" The Marquis patted Fran's cheek again dotingly, "Well, I'm really tired......"

"Let's disperse first, the master has just come back, and he needs to take a good rest," Charles hurriedly instructed the servants beside him.

"Yes."

Charles and Fran then accompanied Grandpa to his bedroom and listened to him talk about the interesting things that had happened during the expedition, but knowing that Grandpa needed to rest, Fran obediently stayed by his grandfather's side for a short time before returning to his room. Just as Charles was about to leave, the Marquis of Treville stopped him.

"Charles, don't go yet, let's talk about the recent events."

"You...... You better take a break, and we'll talk again tomorrow. Charles looked at the old marquis with concern.

"There are too many pressing things, how can we have time to rest." The Marquis shook his head, "Tell me about the recent situation first, after leaving the country for so long, I feel a little strange, it's really ......"

"Okay." After a moment's hesitation, Charles replied. (To be continued......)