"Charles, our exercise this time went very smoothly, and the regiment commander was very satisfied with the results. [23[]x”

Under the light of the setting sun, Lucien Leflaire, who was still dressed in military uniform, stated to Charles next to him with a stern expression, "From my personal point of view, being able to reach a place dozens of miles away in one day and be able to fight in a few hours is an unheard of experience, and it can even be said to be an epoch-making progress, which is enough to change the shape of war in the future......

"So, don't you have some problems?" Before Charles could speak, Albert next to him suddenly asked.

After taking a daytime train to the city of Le Mans, two hundred kilometers away, Lucien's team immediately conducted combat exercises on the outskirts of the predetermined area according to the planned exercise plan, and only then returned to the prepared barracks to rest.

On the second day, the soldiers completed the scheduled exercise according to the original plan, and completed the plan this time. It wasn't until the afternoon that Lucien and Charles, who had been watching from the sidelines, were able to take a break.

Albert, the deputy chief engineer who oversaw the progress of the project and the safe operation of the new line, happened to be there recently, so the three of them got together for a walk on the outskirts of Le Mans after a busy day.

"If you want to talk about the problem, it's not without ......" Lucien lowered his eyelids slightly, as if he was a little hesitant.

"Just say, Lucien, though I used to work for the Ministry of Railways. But now it's always the people here! Charles saw what Lucien was thinking, and smiled as well, "Say it again." What we are talking about now is of great use to the country, and I will not be left unheard of by that. ”

"Actually, I don't have any objections, but I just think that since the railway is such a good thing, it should be maintained and improved more carefully......" Lucien smiled awkwardly and continued, "Charles. Although we have achieved the planned exercise, there are still some regrets. First, we are just an infantry regiment. There isn't a lot of heavy equipment, and if we need to transport heavy equipment, it will take a lot longer, so we need to show a set of transportation methods specifically for heavy equipment. ”

"Even if you don't have a cannon. Is that enough to suppress the riots of the mob? Albert asked, curious.

"The greatest task of the army is to fight the enemy team. Not the suppression of riots, Albert. Lucien replied sternly, "Although there may not be a large-scale war in the present environment, we cannot but think about the future. ”

"Well, I've got that in mind," Charles nodded, agreeing with Lucien, "I'll figure it out." Lucien. You just said first, so are there any other questions? ”

"There are more important issues. Shire. Lucien hesitated for a moment, but still said, "I think that the planning and construction of railways should take more into account the opinions of some military personnel, because some lines may not be economically cost-effective, but they are of great military significance, such as the line to certain sparsely populated border areas." If it is planned solely on the basis of economic rather than military needs, it may cause great inconvenience to military operations...... Of course, this may require closer communication between the military and the Ministry of Railways. ”

"Hmm...... You have a point. Charles frowned slightly, apparently pondering Lucien's question, "This must indeed be considered. ”

"Not only in planning, but also in actual operation, I think the Ministry of Railways should also take into account military needs." Seeing that his plan had been adopted, Lucien also became interested and continued, "I think you all know that a large-scale military operation is a huge project, and the movement of personnel and materials is very frequent, in order to avoid the haste when the matter is approaching, I think we need to scientifically plan the resources in hand in advance, be able to concentrate the maximum capacity when necessary, and arrange the timetable in the most efficient way, so as to meet the needs of the military operation to the greatest extent." In order to meet such conditions, I am afraid that the existing structure of the Ministry of Railways is not up to the task...... Even the current command system of the 6 th Army is difficult to satisfy. ”

"So you're saying that we need specialized smart minds to plan, and then leave it to specialized smart minds to execute?" Albert seemed to understand something.

"Yes, I thought about it yesterday, the current military use of railways is both important and complex, especially after there are more and more railways in the future, and the timetable is becoming more and more sophisticated, so I think that there should be a special agency in the 6th Army to assist the railway operation department, so that the railways can be used as efficiently as possible to meet the needs of the 6th Army and the war at the time of need."

"Look, look, it's really dedicated, and it's not far from war in three sentences!" Albert shouted in an exaggerated manner, but with a smile on his face, apparently teasing. "Lucien, it's just that you just ran out to practice and breathe by the way, you're too serious, aren't you?"

"That's where it is......" Lucien replied with some embarrassment, "I think we should pay attention to these issues......

"Okay, Lucien, I see what you mean, you just mean that the 6th Army needs to set up a special agency to 'assist' in the management of the railway, right?" Charles couldn't help but laugh, he knew that Lucien was afraid that Charles would think that he was criticizing his previous work at the Ministry of Railways, so he said it so twists and turns. "It's okay, of course you can speak freely in front of me."

"Yes, I think the 6th Army should know the railways well, it should know the existing capacity and the potential capacity that is idle, know the capacity of each transportation hub, carefully develop a backup transportation plan, and help the civilian department to manage the railway system. Only in this way can we maximize the effectiveness of the railway...... I do think that in the future, when the Ministry of Railways plans the railway, it needs to refer more to the opinions of the 6th Army. ”

"Well said and very reasonable." Charles couldn't help but clapped his hands, "Lucien." Thank you for the explanation, now my thinking is clearer, it seems that I specially picked you over this time. I really didn't find the wrong person! If it's convenient, when you go back, you can refine your ideas and write a written report to me, try to be as detailed as possible, and I will read it carefully as an important reference. ”

"If that's the case, that's great!" Lucien was visibly overjoyed. Looking at his friend gratefully, "Charles, I'm worried that you don't take my opinion seriously." ”

"How so? As long as it works. I listen to everyone's opinions. Charles smiled and replied, "Alright, let's end the professional discussion now, Lucien." It's a rare break. Let's take a walk and talk about the sky. ”

"yes, okay." Lucien hurriedly responded.

The conversation soon turned to the military aspect of the strict sù to the everyday small talk, and the three of them walked aimlessly, while talking about the recent anecdotes of the Parisian students, and the jokes they had heard recently, and for a moment the three young men were so happy that they forgot the passage of time.

Inadvertently. They strolled to the of the Loire, sandwiched between two fortress-like terraces.

The terraces are full of grape trellises or rows of fruit trees. This is an earthwork construction to prevent soil erosion. The path opens from the foot of the high terraces, which are almost entirely obscured by the trees on the lower terraces. And right at their feet is the endless flow of the Loire River.

It was already dusk, and as time passed, the sun was sinking in the west, and it was burning up the white clouds in the sky. The clouds in the sky appear golden or orange as if burning, and the clouds float and wriggle in the air, giving every detail of this magnificent scenery infinite change.

Three young men, one in military uniforms and two in civilian clothes, looked at the sky and immersed themselves in the magnificent scenery of the countryside.

"What a beautiful view, how can there be such a scene in Paris! It's a pity that we can't draw, otherwise we could have asked someone to draw this scene! After a few moments, Albert exclaimed, "The three of us are standing on a high platform, with this cloudy and golden light in the background...... I dare say it's going to be a great piece. ”

"You're not ashamed, Albert......" Charles couldn't help but laugh.

"What's there to be ashamed of?" Albert asked with a smile.

As usual, Albert was dressed in a sophisticated manner, with a well-textured and well-cut garment, and his head neatly combed. However, maybe it's because of the work, although there is still the style of the fashionable boy back then, but there is already a little more stability between the eyebrows.

It's really not a boast...... Charles commented to himself without jealousy.

He turned his gaze again, looking at Lucien beside him. He was a few years older than Charles and Albert, and with years of military experience and life experience, he had a slightly dark complexion and an angular face. Although he was taking a walk, he had a serious expression all the time, and his walking was very regular, coupled with the foil of a military uniform, he looked strict and upright.

These are my friends.

Truly trustworthy and trusting my friends.

Charles turned his head slowly, looking at the distant sky, and was speechless.

Just as Albert was a little confused about his reaction and was about to ask, Charles turned and looked at his two friends.

"Albert, Lucien, can you listen to me? A few words from the heart. Charles looked at the two friends in a solemn tone that was usually rare. Now there are only three of us here, and I can only say these words to you. ”

It was one of the most sincere moments of his life.

His sudden solemn expression made the two people next to him a little stunned, but they quickly regained their composure.

"What's the matter? Shire? Lucien asked.

"Yes, Charles." Albert smiled.

"As you all know, we live in an era where everything is very unstable, and everything can suddenly be owned and everything can suddenly disappear." Charles suddenly raised his head, looking at the orange sky, at the unpredictable clouds that seemed to be unpredictable as fate, "Nothing can withstand the test of calamity after calamity, and the change of qi ē is frighteningly fast. In just sixty years, we have buried three dynasties, an empire, and a republic, and we have cut off the head of a king, and driven two kings and an emperor to a foreign land—a qiē that was born in just sixty years. So what will be born next, and what else can't be born! Who can say clearly, under our republic. Will it be an empire or a new dynasty?

My friends, as long as there is a little brain, no one dares to guarantee the future. You know I'm loyal to the Bonapartist faction, but what does the future hold? Is it now possible to assert that the President will fulfill his wish and reign on the throne forever? I am naturally full of confidence in front of others, but I can confess to you, I have no confidence......"

Albert and Lucien were silent. They just glanced at each other and lowered their heads, as if they also felt the feeling of "unbearable cold in high places" from Charles.

Charles took a deep breath, then sighed heavily.

"It's because a qiē is too uncertain. So we can laugh at things that are eternal and unchanging, because we have loyalty and friendship, so we laugh at them...... But no matter how cynical we are, we know it. It's not them, sadly. It's us. It is precisely because we know how precious these things are that we never dare to give them to others......"

"Charles?" Albert finally seemed to understand something.

"That's right, I just want to tell you that only you are my cherished friends." Charles still looked into the distance, as if he was embarrassed to face them, but his tone was full of emotion, "The word 'friend' is too stingy, I have lived for more than twenty years. I can only give it to the two of you, and I hope you can accept it without disgust. May I? ”

Under Charles' gaze, Lucien nodded. "Of course, Charles, we're friends, how could I not accept that?"

Albert, on the other hand, did not answer at all, but shrugged his shoulders slightly.

"Okay, that's great. I hope that until the day I leave this world, I will still be able to proudly say that no matter what is born, we can be faithful to each other. Charles looked at them with sincerity, "As long as I have the strength to spare, I will do everything in my power to help you; Even if fate taunts me in various ways and makes me fall inadvertently, I will never let you suffer innocently. ”

"What stupid are you talking about!" Albert slapped Charles on the shoulder, "Am you unlucky, and I will turn my back on you?" Don't underestimate people like that, Charles. We've known each other for so many years, do you still need to doubt me? ”

"Charles, you've helped me so much, I won't turn my back on you." Lucien replied in a trembling voice. "Although I haven't known you that long, I have nothing but gratitude to you. You're my friend, and I don't need to guarantee much for the rest. ”

Watching the two friends confess almost heart-to-heart.

Charles couldn't help but smile with a smile of relief.

"Is that so? That's great...... At least we're like-minded. ”

"Do you need to talk about that?" Albert shrugged.

In this way, they stood by the embankment, admiring the fertile and beautiful fields of the whole central part of France.

This section of the river is lined with pleasing vineyards, outlining the semi-circular banks of the rocky hills. In the distance, in the pale blue sky, there are many gardens and castles. At their feet was the endless river, where from morning till night there were always boats sailing on the water, and the almost incessant breeze in the basin blew the little white sails of the boats, dyed almost golden in the setting sun.

That's right, it's a picture that's so beautiful that even Charles can't help but sigh in his heart.

It's a pity that after the railway, this picture can't last long, and what I see now may be the last time of the scroll and the last afterglow of the sunset.

But even for a moment like this, that's enough, isn't it?

He held out his hand, and then the other two men each held a hand.

"Thank you, I won't let you regret it." He muttered to himself.

[The city of Le Mans is the confluence of the Huine, the Sarthe and the Loire, the largest river in France, and thanks to this geographical advantage, Le Mans has historically been an important water 6 dock, where goods are loaded from Paris and can be directly connected to Nantes through the Guò river and canal. However, after the construction of railways throughout France, the shipping of Le Mans gradually shrank and was eventually completely abandoned. 】

Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the three young people looked at this spectacular picture in the distance side by side, and the feelings that had already been ignited in their hearts were even more intense under the golden light.

"See that place? Lucien? As if to give temporary relief to the excitement in his heart, Charles picked up his cane and pointed in a distant direction.

Following his staff, Lucien cast his gaze into the distance.

As far as the eye can see, it is a large estate surrounded by vineyards. Between the greenery, countless roses and flowers, the deep mansion looms. In the late summer and early autumn, it is the season when a hundred flowers bloom, and the manor is particularly beautiful.

"You mean the manor?" Lucien asked.

"yes," Charles smiled, "is it beautiful?" ”

"Well, it's pretty indeed." Lucien nodded, agreeing with Charles. Inadvertently, a tone of envy was used, "I don't know who its owner is?" It's really blessed, and it will be very comfortable to be able to spend the summer in this kind of manor. ”

"yes, I think it's pretty too." Charles nodded, "And, I know whose it is. It was the estate of the Prince of Juwerville (the third son of Louis-Philippe), and although he was not there, it was well run all along. ”

Charles's tone was calm. Then he suddenly turned his head to look at Lucien with that very pleasant smile on his face. "But that's just for now...... It'll be yours soon! Lucien! Your Matilda will definitely have a great time here. ”

"Huh? What are you talking about, Charles? Lucien looked at Charles suspiciously, as if he didn't understand what he meant.

Charles didn't say anything, just continued to look at him with a smile.

And Albert seemed to understand something and laughed.

"But...... Charles, this place is good, I don't have any money......" Lucien hesitated, "are you going to buy it?" No, don't be like this, such a nice place, the price must be very expensive, don't break the bank, I can't accept it. ”

This sentence vividly expresses his confusion about the way the nobles behave, and how much he is confused; There is still a lot of ignorance about the treacherous politics and rules of this country. So much so that both Albert and Charles burst out laughing at the same time.

But that's the only way to make a reassuring friend.

"Don't worry about that, Lucien." After laughing for a while, Charles replied slowly. "It won't be long before it's worthless."

Then, he looked up again and looked at the endless sky.

"It's not just it, we've taken everything." (To be continued!)

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