Five hundred meters away from the gate of the Governor's Palace, the citizens' progress was blocked by the guards of the Governor's Palace.
The two sides soon faced off on the same spot. Even within a few dozen minutes, both sides built their own positions with simple sandbags and wooden blocks, and no one was willing to give in.
For the citizens, they are outnumbered and have already reached this point. Today, they must wait until Paulie comes forward in person and bring the hateful Harald to justice.
As for these guards, they knew that today was a grand gathering in the Governor's Palace. Not only were all nine members of Parliament present, but most of Ajaccio's celebrities and dignitaries were also gathered here, invited to attend the parliament.
Even if they let a mob break into the Governor's Mansion, they would not be able to bear the consequences even if they lose their heads.
Even so, the guards only pretended to intimidate the citizens with their muskets, but they did not dare to load ammunition into the barrels.
This situation is simply a tinderbox that is ready to burn. As long as a gunshot is fired from the guard, the crowds of citizens on the opposite side will inevitably rush forward regardless of the cost.
"Do you understand? You are not allowed to reload, but you are not allowed to let them come forward either."
The guard captain was anxiously walking among his own troops, repeating the orders loudly to the guards himself.
"Damn it, didn't we say that the National Defense Force would assist us?! Where are they!"
The captain gritted his teeth and looked at his team of only a few dozen people, and shouted angrily at the adjutant.
"This... I don't know. Logically speaking, I should have arrived a long time ago." The adjutant took out his handkerchief, looked at the dark crowd opposite, and kept wiping the cold sweat and said:
"How about... we go ask Governor Pauli for instructions immediately?"
After hearing this, the captain of the guard slapped the adjutant on the head mercilessly and cursed:
"You stupid pig, Governor Paoli is accompanying all the dignitaries of Ajaccio in the Assembly. You want us to interrupt the Assembly with such a thing? Where does the Governor's face go?"
"But..." The adjutant looked like he was about to cry, and muttered:
"Once the mob breaks into the house, wouldn't it be even more..."
The guard captain's face was uncertain, he frowned and glanced at the citizens opposite, then gritted his teeth and said:
"Wait a little longer. If it doesn't work anymore, ask Governor Pauli for instructions. Damn Harald, who put it in for him at that time!"
...
The time soon reached 11 noon, and it had been more than an hour since the citizens gathered in front of the Governor's Palace.
However, their enthusiasm and anger did not cool down at all, but became more intense because of the delay in receiving a response.
Even their demonstration methods have evolved from shouting in unison at the beginning to throwing stones and empty wine bottles.
Several guards were hit on the head by flying projectiles because they failed to dodge in time, but they did not dare to fight back at all. They still passively aimed an empty gun at the opposite side.
During this period, the guard captain also tried to shout to the citizens on the opposite side, but his hypocritical words without any sincerity could not soothe the restless citizens, but made them throw more violently.
"Damn it, where are the soldiers of the Wehrmacht?! Why haven't they come yet!"
The guard captain sat and leaned behind the bunker, punched the ground hard, and shouted in collapse.
Without reinforcements, even if they got permission to fire from Pauli, they couldn't stop hundreds of citizens.
The adjutant cautiously poked his head out of the bunker to observe the situation. He seemed to have suddenly discovered something, and actually froze on the spot for a while. It was not until he was almost hit in the head by a stone that he quickly retracted into the bunker.
"Coming, sir, coming!"
As soon as he retreated into the bunker, the adjutant shook the captain's shoulders like crazy and shouted excitedly.
The guard captain pushed him away and asked in surprise:
"Wehrmacht soldiers are here?!"
The adjutant was stunned for a moment, then stuck his head out to take a look, then scratched his head and said:
"No, they're not from the National Defense Forces, they're from the patrol team!"
"Patrol? How could they do that?!"
As the patrols arrived, the citizens' throwing movements gradually stopped, and they tacitly made way for the patrols to pass.
Although Harald has greatly tarnished the patrol's reputation during these times, these ordinary patrols still have an absolutely positive image in the eyes of the citizens.
The guard captain stared blankly at the patrols walking towards him, especially the appearance of the young man at the head, which shocked him even more:
"You... Laurence Bonaparte? Why are you here?!"
Lawrence smiled, saluted the captain of the guard, and explained:
"I heard that there was a riot near the Governor's Palace, so I came here to provide support."
"It turned out to be like this..." The guard captain glanced at the citizens who were gradually calming down and said gratefully:
"You have come just in time, Bonaparte... er, sir."
Halfway through his words, the captain remembered that Lawrence had been dismissed from all positions, so he could only call him this in embarrassment.
Lawrence nodded without hesitation, turned around and walked to the middle of the confrontation between the two sides, raising his hands so that all citizens could see him.
"That...that's Monsieur Bonaparte!"
"That's right, it was him who came with the patrol."
"Wait a minute, does that mean that Haled is no longer the patrol leader?"
"I don't know. Let's listen to what Monsieur Bonaparte is going to say."
During the discussion of the citizens, Lawrence spoke loudly:
"Citizen friends, I understand your thoughts. Harald, that is a scumbag that I cannot describe in words. Anyone whose blood is warm will express his anger towards such a scumbag.
But, friends, please don’t let hatred and anger control you. I have promised you that I will pursue justice to the end, and now is no exception. So, please let me represent your anger and hatred, and you, please
Remain rational and calm.”
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Lawrence's words floated into the hearts of the citizens like spring breeze, and everyone also knew that Lord Bonaparte's hatred for Harled would not be lower than his own.
Adding to his trust in Lawrence, a leading citizen came forward and said:
"Monsieur Bonaparte, we believe in your promise. We are willing to move back a thousand yards and wait for your good news there."
"Of course, thank you for your trust." Lawrence nodded and said.
Soon, under the leadership of the leader, most of the citizens took the initiative to distance themselves and gathered in the distance to wait for Lawrence to bring out the evil Harald.
As for the few people who were stranded in the same place, they quickly left after being driven away by the guards.
Although the threat of riots has not been completely eliminated, compared to the imminent danger just now, the guards breathed a long sigh of relief.
Looking at the messy scene, the captain of the guard's eyes almost popped out of his head. The serious worry he had ten minutes ago was completely resolved by Lawrence in just a few words.
"I really don't know how to repay you, Mr. Bonaparte." The captain of the guard excitedly held Lawrence's right hand and said repeatedly.
If something went wrong in the face of this riot today, his life would probably be at risk. Now that Lawrence has made a promise to these citizens, he is taking the responsibility on his own initiative.
"Actually, you do have a way to repay me."
Lawrence smiled, shook hands with the captain, and said with a smile.
"Really? Please tell me!" the guard captain said hurriedly.
"Please give the order to disarm your men."
"Ah? What?" the guard captain was stunned for a moment and asked blankly.
"Please give the order to disarm your men."
"Mr. Bonaparte, what do you mean by this?!" the captain of the guard immediately let go of Lawrence's hand, stepped back several steps, and asked loudly and vigilantly.
Lawrence didn't speak, just pointed behind him.
The guard captain looked behind him and suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
At some point, more than a hundred patrolmen were seen coming around behind the guards, and holding loaded muskets, they had already surrounded the guards of the Governor's Mansion.
And these guards had been bluffing just now, and there was no ammunition in the barrels of their guns.
"Laurence Bonaparte, what do you want to do?"
In the eyes of the guard captain alone, there were four or five dark gun barrels pointed at him, so he couldn't help shouting to Lawrence in horror.
"Do I need to repeat it again?" Lawrence said coldly, expressionless.
"you!"
The guard captain looked around. The feeling of being pointed at by hundreds of muskets had already made his legs weak. In addition, his own numbers and fighter planes were completely inferior, and there was no chance of resistance.
"All...all obey the order, put down your weapons, and do not resist."
The captain of the guard desperately squeezed out this order from his teeth, and then took the lead himself, throwing his pistol on the ground and raising his hands in the air to show surrender.
The guards who gave up resistance were quickly tied up and guarded by some patrols at the scene.
As for most of the soldiers led by Lawrence, they were already standing at the gate of the Governor's Palace.
This mansion, which has been the center of power in Corsica since the Genoese period, now stands completely in front of Lawrence without any obstruction.