The great camp of the Rhine Corps was unusually quiet, which did not seem to be in harmony with what was happening now. The German inhabitants of Alsace Lorraine www.biquge.info launched a revolution and declared their membership in the German Republic, while the Rhine Legion, the main French army defending the region, made no indemnity.

In the office of Legion Commander Kellerman, a man in a cloak pushed open the door to Kellerman's room in the darkness of the night.

Kellerman vigilantly touched the pistol under the table, only to find nothing. He stared at the guy with the good beard as he removed the hair from his cloak to reveal his face.

Then Kellerman had an expression of disbelief on his face.

The visitor smiled gently, "Hello, General Kellerman. ”

Kellerman no longer wanted to touch any weapons, but looked at the person with blazing eyes, and said, "If you are the person I think, I don't know whether to call you stupid or brave." ”

The visitor touched his nose and said, "Maybe it's both." ”

Kellerman pointed to the chair in front of his desk and said, "As the head of state, at least I should give you a seat." ”

Kellerman then said in a less friendly manner, "However, the fact that you are able to come and go in my barracks, and the fact that the self-defense weapon I hid under the table is gone, shows that your infiltration of my barracks is more than worrying. ”

The person who walked into his office was none other than the president of the German Republic, Karl? Marnes. No one would have thought that such an important person as him would not hesitate to risk his life. Came to Alsace. Appeared in the barracks of the Legion of the Rhine.

Marnes smiled undiminishedly: "After all." The Rhine Legion was full of Germans, and the Germans always wanted to stay in the country of the Germans. ”

Kellerman shook his head and said: "I don't agree with this, I was born a Frenchman, and I should be loyal to France." ”

Marnes shook his head and said, "This kind of thinking is really too trite. General Kellerman, as an Alsatian, you should be able to feel the will of your countrymen. They are confused and sluggish France. Patience has been lost, and in Germany, where life is being renewed, people have acquired their natural rights, and the song of freedom and equality is being sung, the Alsatians have never been more eager to let the whole world know that they are Germans, glorious and great Germans. ”

With a hint of ridicule, Kellerman said, "Really? In my opinion. If it weren't for you demagogues, you guys who brought the so-called internationalist stuff here. People will not lose their minds and launch any revolution as they do today. ”

"You're wrong, it's only when people have a will and an idea that they are easily influenced by an idea," Marnes said. We have only accelerated the process. ”

Kellerman said: "In any case, the big men in Paris are now mad, and I have received more than a dozen telegrams in the past three days, ordering the Rhine Corps to control the situation. ”

"But you didn't." Marnes Road.

"Because you know very well what is right to do, you know what public opinion is, you don't want to be a sinner in Alsace yourself, you want to bring something better to your homeland."

Kellerman said self-deprecatingly: "I thought I had a good control over the Rhine Army, but I didn't expect that there would still be traitors." You were allowed to enter my barracks so easily. Then, if we do not accede to your request, I am afraid that my legions will mutiny, as you did in the German vassal states. ”

Marnes was silent for a moment, and then said, "I still believe that General Kellerman will make the right choice. ”

Kellermann's eyes were deep: "The Rhine Legion has 18,000 soldiers, most of whom are Alsace Lorraine, which is a very good unit in the French army. If the Rhine Army is in control, it will be of great benefit to Germany in controlling Alsace Lorraine. However, since two months ago, your German army began to gather a large number of troops on the other side of the river, according to my observation, it should be about 30,000 people in two divisions, the German army is equipped with the top equipment of the Tang system, which has been verified in the previous war, even if the Rhine Army decides to follow the French, I am afraid that as long as your Western Army Group breaks through, we will not be able to resist it. ”

Marnes smiled and said, "A strong army is a necessary part of defending our country. The Rhine Legion is an excellent unit, and if you are willing to wear our Iron Cross on your uniform, then your Excellency's troops will also receive our best equipment, this is my promise. ”

Kellermann was a little surprised: "Aren't you worried that the Rhine Army will turn against and help the French again?" ”

Marnes said calmly: "First of all, the Germans in your army will not agree to such a situation; Secondly, it is difficult for a unit that has betrayed once to gain the trust of others. ”

Kellerman fell into a long silence and seemed to be making a decision.

Afterwards he said: "I must remind you that Paris is very angry at the rebellion in Alsace Lorraine, and that Brissot and others want to show the attitude of France and deter the monarchies with a war. The people of Alsace Lorraine hated war, and if the Rhine legions betrayed, then they could only invite a much larger army to come, and it would be a big war, a big war that no one wanted to see. Our hometown may also be destroyed because of this, and those who are full of enthusiasm now will regret it when the time comes. ”

Marnes replied firmly: "The French cannot defeat the Germans!" ”

He added: "We will not let the war burn on the land of Alsace Lorraine, if the French want to fight, then we will fight on their land, for the rest of the French territory the German Republic has not the slightest interest, what we want is to preserve the will of the Alsace Lorraine and return her to the bosom of the German nation-state." ”

He stretched out his hand, turned to Kellerman, and said, "Your Excellency, I extend an invitation to you, your true homeland is waiting for you, and your compatriots are waiting for you, waiting for you to make a right choice. This choice will save many lives and will allow the land to continue to prosper in the future. ”

Kellermann groaned, and finally stood up, shook hands with Marnes, and said, "At least, it is not Louis XVI or Brissot, but you, Mr. President." ”

(To be continued.) )