The endless sea always makes people feel at ease, right, Major."
On the Mediterranean Sea, a fleet flying the Iris flag was sailing smoothly towards Ajaccio.
On the flagship of the fleet, a tall three-masted sailing ship, Duke Choiseul was looking at the blue sea with great interest, sighing with emotion to a major officer beside him.
For the Duke of Choiseul, who has lived in the Palace of Versailles all year round, such an opportunity to go to sea is indeed rare.
The major officer nodded meticulously, looked at the hazy outline of Ajaccio in the distance, and said casually:
"Your Excellency, we will arrive at the small fishing port soon."
The officer's tone made no secret of his disdain for the backward Corsica, and was also mixed with a bit of disgust, because he would stay in this barbaric land for a long time as the commander of the French garrison in Corsica.
"Small fishing port...hehe"
The Duke of Choiseul heard the major officer's complaint, waved his hand and said with a smile:
"If Ajaccio is handed over to the British, it won't be long before it ceases to be a small fishing port."
"Yes, I understand."
The officer said seriously, knowing that Duke Choiseul was advising him to accept this responsibility well. After all, Corsica is a strategically important location for France.
"But speaking of the British..."
Duke Choiseul's expression became more solemn, he looked in the direction of Ajaccio and said:
"That Bonaparte has caused quite a stir. No wonder the English envoy has been inviting me to dinner a few days ago. It seems that he wants to test France's attitude towards Corsica."
The major officer had also previously learned about Laurence Bonaparte's treatment of the British in Ajaccio, whether it was burning British warships or executing surrendering officers, which shocked the officer.
However, as a Frenchman, especially a French soldier, the officer secretly admired Lawrence's behavior. After all, it was a good thing to see Britain in a state of decline.
This also made the major officer somewhat fond of Governor Bonaparte, whom he had yet to meet.
"Then how did you express your position?"
The officer followed the words of Duke Choiseul and asked.
The Duke of Choiseul snorted indifferently, seeming to remember the British envoy's face, waving his hand and saying:
"I told him directly that if he wants to sit at the negotiating table with Bonaparte, I will welcome it. But if the British army wants to land on Corsica, then just wait for a firefight with the French army."
The major glanced at the Duke of Choiseul with deep concern. Almost every French officer knew that the Minister of War was an active war-fighter and would not make any compromise with the British.
The British probably took this into consideration and did not directly launch a retaliatory attack on Corsica. Instead, they first asked the special envoy to France to test the French's attitude towards Corsica.
Although the United Kingdom is not afraid of another Seven Years War with France at this time, the game between great powers is not just a game after all. If there is no direct profit driver, the British are not willing to fall into the quagmire of war again.
"anyway"
Duke Choiseul suddenly narrowed his eyes, looked in the direction of Corsica, licked his lips and said:
"Laurence Bonaparte probably calculated that France would become Corsica's solid backing before he dared to attack the British."
"In other words, he took advantage of us." The officer said with a frown.
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter"
Duke Choiseul was not angry at Lawrence's little calculations, but said slowly and nonchalantly:
"The benefits he gained from France will only be spit out in subsequent negotiations."
"So that's what it is."
The officer nodded with deep understanding. The Duke of Choiseul had helped Lawrence solve this big problem with the British, so Lawrence would definitely make concessions during the negotiations because of this.
Of course, what Duke Choiseul did not expect was that Lawrence had already prepared the content of this concession.
...
On the afternoon of April 15, Lawrence led the cuirassiers and waited in the port of Ajaccio. The masts of the French fleet could be vaguely seen on the distant horizon.
The welcome ceremony on the pier was of a high standard. The surrounding neighborhoods were classified as controlled areas and decorated with Corsican flags and French fleur-de-lis. Lawrence personally led the patrol team to welcome him.
Lawrence on horseback watched the fleet on the sea slowly approaching here, and casually joked to old Sean next to him:
"Now I can understand how Paulie felt when he greeted William Pitt."
Old Sean smiled awkwardly, scratched his head and said:
"Of course you are different from Paulie. He betrayed the country and the people. You...you are different."
Lawrence just smiled and said nothing. If the time was fixed in 1770, I am afraid that the history books would also list him as a villain who sought power and usurped the throne and betrayed the country to France.
However, Lawrence doesn't care about the evaluation of these descendants, after all, it is a posthumous matter.
For him, how to preserve the existence of Corsica and improve the well-being of the Corsican people is the most important thing at the moment.
...
About an hour later, the French fleet finally docked at the port of Ajaccio.
The Duke of Choiseul walked off the deck surrounded by his entourage, turned his head and looked at the desolate surroundings, and couldn't help but frown.
If this is the most prosperous town in Corsica, then Duke Choiseul feels that he has underestimated the poverty level in Corsica.
"Okay, at least there's no bad smell here."
Duke Choiseul shrugged and comforted himself.
"It's an honor to see you again, Your Excellency the Duke."
Lawrence showed an impeccable smile, turned over and stepped on the stirrups, jumped off the horse, walked up and bowed slightly and said.
Duke Choiseul squinted at Lawrence, bowed to Lawrence with equal etiquette, and said with a smile:
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "I almost forgot, now I have to call you Governor Bonaparte, right?"
Lawrence smiled and spread his hands. After the coup two weeks ago, he had written a letter to inform the Duke of Choiseul about the current situation in Corsica.
After the two exchanged greetings and polite remarks for a while, Duke Choiseul waved to the major officer behind him, motioned for him to come forward, and then introduced to Lawrence:
"This is...or should I say, he will soon be, the commander of the French garrison in Corsica, Jean-Martial Philibert Serrurier."
The officer stepped forward, saluted Lawrence, and said in fluent Italian:
"Governor Bonaparte, just call me Jean Serulier or Serulier."
"Serurier?"
Lawrence looked at the officer in front of him in surprise. He really didn't expect to hear this name here.
Jean-Martial Philibert Serrurier, one of the twenty-six marshals of the First French Empire in history.
Although compared to Berthier, Davout, Murat and other imperial marshals with great military achievements, Serurier is very ordinary, but he also has outstanding advantages: good management skills and keen political acumen.
consciousness.
Historically, Serulier was just an ordinary captain until the Great Revolution. After joining the Revolution, because he made the right choices in a series of political positions, he was quickly promoted to brigadier general and followed
Napoleon was promoted to Marshal of the Empire in the process.
Lawrence lowered his head and looked at the ribbon on Serurier's cuffs, which showed that he was a major officer at this time.
In Lawrence's memory, the historical Serrurier was transferred to the Corsican garrison in 1770, but he was only a lieutenant at that time.
In the current timeline, Serulier has come to Corsica as a major commander of the garrison. In Lawrence's opinion, this is not just a coincidence, it should be that Serulier does meet the requirements of this position.
At least because he spoke fluent Italian, he had an advantage over other officers.
"A warm welcome to you, Major Serurier."
Lawrence smiled and waited for Serurier to finish his salute, then shook hands with him and said.
Of course, Lawrence would be more happy to see a familiar historical figure come to Corsica than a completely unfamiliar garrison commander.
Because this means that it will be much easier for me to communicate with them.
Even with his understanding of these people, when Lawrence wants to control them, things will undoubtedly become easier.
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