Flowers, Swords and France

The unquestionable look in Charles' smile finally brought Lucien back to his senses.

Yes, what are you still hesitating about now? He smiled bitterly in his heart.

Since he returned to the army with the help of his wife and Charles, there are fewer and fewer ways left for him. In order to maintain his current position, he must continue to follow Charles and others, no matter what he faces next.

So, Lucien calmed down, calmly reached out to take the small book in Charles' hand, and then carefully flipped through it.

Great... Charles breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

What he needed these people to do was too important, and he could not tolerate any hesitation or negligence. He was most afraid that Lucien would suddenly be unable to distinguish reality, so that he had to make up his mind to abandon Lucien - but now it seems that his worry is unnecessary, Lucien is much more flexible than he thought.

Lucien still behaved like this, so other officers don't have to worry even more. Under the irresistible temptation, they have already dared to do anything.

The Republic, which was established only three years ago, has not yet reached the point where people think it is the "motherland". These soldiers have no psychological barriers to overthrowing the Republic and rebuilding the monarchy they like.

"Lucien, I hope you will carefully study and judge it next and give your own opinions, but... please remember to keep everything confidential. I can't let you take the plan away. It's not because I don't trust you, but to maintain the chance." Charles whispered beside Lucien, "So. You stay here today, and we will talk about it in detail. Don't worry. Although this place is still under renovation, several guest rooms can still be vacated..."

"Okay. Of course." Although he felt that Charles' request was a bit unexpected, Lucien agreed immediately. In his opinion, there was nothing wrong with enforcing strict military discipline.

"Alex, you stay tonight too," after keeping Lucien, Charles looked at Viscount Toulouse-Lautrec again, "You and him come together for detailed research, after all, the next step requires close cooperation between the two of you."

"Okay. OK." Alex also agreed.

After putting aside all other selfish thoughts, Lucien and others gathered around Charles.

And Charles had already spread the map of Paris on his table and began to point out.

"Please pay attention, I know that you have a richer military career than me. Even if you have not experienced war on the front line, at least you have learned to make military plans on maps in military academies, so you may think that what I said is too simple, but this idea must be abandoned. You must do it completely according to the president's intention! Because this is not a military action, but a political action. We can't just think about how to defeat the opponent. We must also consider the political impact... So, this time, the president decided to participate in the direct coup with only a very small number of troops. Most of the troops gathered and stationed outside the city to deter potential rebels."

"Huh?" After hearing Charles' words. Lucien was a little surprised.

After all, wars have always followed the principle of concentrating superior forces and quickly annihilating the opponent since ancient times. But the president and Charles' intentions are completely contrary to this.

"There is no other way. After all, we are not going to have a bloody battle with the whole country... The space for the army to display in the city is too small, and in order not to cause too much panic to the people, our goal is to transfer as few troops as possible, and only the most elite and most trusted troops." Charles explained in a low voice, and then his hand slid to the side of Saint Michael Square where the Ministry of Railways is located, "Lucien, how many people's help do you need to be able to take over the entire Ministry of Railways with certainty and isolate all traffic and information exchanges between the capital and the provinces?"

"I'm afraid I need three battalions, because I need to guard against the self-defense forces..." Lucien answered hesitantly, "The attitude of these self-defense forces is still unpredictable, I need to reserve some manpower just in case."

It's not surprising that Lucien would think so. Saint Michael Square is also the gathering place of the National Self-Defense Forces. If they rise up to resist the actions of Lucien and others during their coup, it will be a very serious obstacle to Lucien.

"You don't have to worry too much about this." Charles smiled and shook his head. "The National Guard will not interfere with your actions, at least most of them will not. They don't have the courage to embarrass the regular army. I have informed some of their senior officers. These people are very knowledgeable and will not interfere with our actions at that time."

Have the National Guards been subdued? Lucien was immediately delighted.

"In this case, I have no problem. Just give me a battalion of troops and cooperate with my subordinates in the department. I can suppress the department and even control the entire square area."

"Very good, as long as you can do this, we will succeed halfway." Charles patted his shoulder encouragingly, "However, to be on the safe side, we will appropriately send you more people. Remember, don't be soft-hearted to them for any reason. We must eliminate all obstacles!"

"Yes!" As if he had received an order from the person in charge, Lucien responded subconsciously.

Then Charles moved his finger to the Bourbon Palace where the National Assembly was located.

"This is the most important point. All our bets must be laid out here to fight for victory!" He suddenly shouted in a higher pitch, causing everyone to focus on his fingers. "We must never allow toxins that endanger the country to be produced here again. We must completely suppress this place! All the influential members must be detained together, and we must not let any of them escape and let them go to other provinces to make nonsense!"

"Are all MPs going to be arrested?" Alex asked.

"Temporary detention first, and then depending on the situation, we can let go of those who support us and are willing to change their court, and everyone else must be detained until the overall situation is decided before trial." Charles replied calmly. . "In 1799, the Emperor was in the House of Five Hundred. He was a little alarmed by the MPs who were shouting and yelling at him. We will never make the same mistake this time. We will not give them another opportunity to yell. , They have tortured the country enough, now it is time for them to silence.”

Then, Charles continued to add, "As for the guarding troops, I still hope that they can lay down their weapons and not resist us. However, we are not sure about this now. If there is really resistance, then you must not resist at all. Crush it mercilessly, regardless of the president's rule of trying to act calmly." Got it?

"Got it!" the officers shouted at the same time.

Then, Charles marked each key point in the plan on the map and provided relevant instructions and explanations. These officers also clarified their responsibilities one by one. It was not until evening that this group of officers came together. As soon as I left, I felt confident and prepared for that day.

Only Alex and Lucien were left behind by Charles.

By evening. The weather was getting colder, so Charles took them out of the front yard of the garden and walked through the hall to the study on the second floor.

When they stepped into the study, they were immediately attracted by the globe in the study. In the dim candlelight. The brass base of this globe is reflecting the mysterious luster of gold.

Charles walked to the globe without saying a word, then turned it gently, silently watching the world turn in his hands. Until much later. Only then did he leisurely speak to the two people who were already a little anxious.

"Lucien, Alex. I'm not calling you here just for planning."

The two men looked at each other doubtfully. Then he looked at Ciel suspiciously, as if asking him why he left him behind.

"Is your work going smoothly recently?" Charles asked without looking back.

"Fortunately, it went very smoothly." The two people replied at the same time.

"Yes... you are all the people I personally selected, how could you not be able to handle the job..." Ciel continued to turn the globe gently, "However, I am afraid that my work is not going well."

"What happened, Charles?" Lucien asked in surprise.

"Oh, don't worry, Lucien, there is no problem with our coup, everything is going very smoothly." Charles took his hand away from the globe, and then smiled bitterly, "The real problem is with me. Because... I'm afraid... I can’t stay in my current position for long.”

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"What!?" The two people exclaimed in disbelief at the same time. In their opinion, no one should be able to challenge Ciel's status now.

"This is what the president means. He wants to push me to a place that is more suitable for me after the coup is successful." Charles replied expressionlessly, "I have to obey the president's opinion, right?"

Both of them hesitated uneasily. They clearly heard that Charles was dissatisfied with the president's arrangement, but they did not dare to say anything more.

Because this is not a question that they can interrupt.

"Okay, let's not talk about this issue anymore." Charles waved his hand, then turned to look at the two men, "I will call over the heads of the two departments he recently advocated to establish in the army. It’s just to let you know about this and prepare accordingly. I don’t plan to inform others yet, because I don’t want them to be shaken and affect our future events.”

He specifically mentioned 'responsible person' once. Although Lucien didn't understand what he meant, Alex instantly understood the hidden meaning in Ciel's tone, and was instantly panicked by it.

Yes, they are people promoted by Ciel. The people who will succeed Ciel in the future, no matter which political party they lean towards, will not regard him as a confidant, so... their status will be horribly impacted. .

Could it be that, just after touching the fragrance of power, we must bid farewell to it immediately? A panic immediately arose in his heart.

"Mr. Treville...could it be that this appointment is irrevocable?"

At this time, Lucien finally understood. "Char, are you worried about us?"

"Yes, this decision cannot be changed, although I will not leave office now." Charles nodded, and then suddenly laughed again, "But it is not that we have nothing else to do, so you also Don’t be too afraid.”

"You mean, even if you leave the army, you will still help us?" Viscount Lautrec asked immediately.

"Yes, although I will leave in the future, I will protect your status... you will never lack my help." Charles avoided answering at first, and then put his hands on their shoulders, " After so much hard work, I have achieved the results I have now, and I will never let anyone undermine our efforts, no one!"

Perhaps because there was enough contagion in Ciel's tone, the two people slowly recovered from the initial panic, and then looked at Ciel convincingly, waiting for his instructions.

Charles was not impatient, he just looked at the two of them.

It wasn't until a long time later that he took a breath.

"You, both of you are the kind of people I like - young, capable, and ambitious, just like myself. I discovered you, admired your abilities, and wanted to help you - and finally, Thank God, I did this, and I'm very happy about it. I don't want you to see me just as a boss, or a benefactor. I just want you to see me as a friend. Dear friends... Yes, I help you because I regard you as a friend. I am not afraid of others saying that I am nepotistic. Yes, I am nepotistic because I believe in your ability and your ambition - you must be sure. You will work hard to prove that you are qualified for the position you have won, won't you? Now it seems that my trust has been sufficiently repaid, and you are indeed worthy of the position..."

"Yes, Charles, we are friends, so just tell us whatever you need us to do." Lucien sighed, and then replied in a low voice. "Our future is tied to you."

Although Viscount Lautrec did not speak, he still nodded in agreement.

These are the reliable party members... Seeing how smart they were, Charles couldn't help but feel happy in his heart.

Only by relying on them can he still maintain the influence he already has in the military after leaving.

"You should keep this news in your heart first, and then work quietly and honestly for me." After a period of silence, Charles gave his instructions, "Remember, you must find a way to restrain your subordinates and promote those who are reliable. , Do you understand? We still have to find ways to get what others refuse to give us." (To be continued...)