At 1 o'clock in the afternoon that day, the port of Ajaccio.
For the citizens of Ajaccio, there are very few important days that allow them to walk out of their homes one after another like this and gather together in a dark sea of people.
Even Corsica's Independence Day celebrations are not so grand.
There is only one event that can make thousands of citizens spontaneously and enthusiastically gather in the port. Their beloved Governor Bonaparte is about to return to his loyal Ajaccio.
Although Corsica is more than two thousand miles away from Paris, the citizens of Ajaccio are always paying attention to the deeds of Governor Bonaparte. From time to time, the latest news about Governor Bonaparte in Paris will be spread in the streets.
information.
Especially when the citizens heard that Lawrence had used the Ajaccio silver mine to amass tens of millions of livres, Ajaccio fell directly into a small carnival that day.
People raised their glasses of wine and praised Governor Bonaparte's name, and argued with red faces what an astonishing fortune that ten million livres was. Most of Ajaccio was immersed in joy.
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You know, such a fund would cost hundreds of livres to be equally distributed to each Corsican. Although Lawrence would certainly not distribute this fund directly, the Corsicans also knew that their poor life
Finally a turning point is coming.
At this moment, the streets around the dock were all occupied by enthusiastic citizens. Almost everyone's face was overflowing with joy, and they were vying to discuss things about Governor Bonaparte:
"I heard that the Governor was about to arrive at the port. I never thought that he would be able to dig out tens of millions of livres of wealth in our valley."
"Yes, Governor Bonaparte also brought peace to Corsica, which even Governor Paoli failed to do. Although I am not comfortable with recognizing Louis XV as king... But no matter what, Corsica
There is finally no war in the land of Xijia."
"Well, I still hope that Corsica can be a fertile land of freedom. I mean... no one wants to see a king they have never met suddenly sitting on their neck, right?"
"Although this is the case... But brother, peace, rare peace. I went to Bastia for a vacation not long ago. This was something that was completely unimaginable before. If Governor Bonaparte hadn't done this
, God knows how long we will have to fight with the Genoese."
"And the recent changes in Ajaccio are not small. Without the invasion and blockade of those damn Genoa bitches, there are many more merchant ships calling at the port of Ajaccio than before."
...
Compared to the noise and hustle and bustle of several surrounding streets, the scene above the pier is completely opposite to the solemn and solemn one.
Almost all the soldiers of the National Defense Forces in the Ajaccio garrison were dispatched, fully armed and guarding all the pathways in and out of the port. From a distance, they looked like a dark green solid wall.
The soldiers all held their heads high and their morale was high. Although the muskets in their hands were of different styles and some were even rusty, every gun here would obey Governor Bonaparte's instructions without hesitation, just as they did
Just like on the battlefield before.
The soldiers near the coast stared expectantly and seriously at the ocean in sight, waiting for the return of the only commander they recognized.
On the deck of the pier, the most elite combat force in Corsica, the cuirassiers, have also lined up here waiting to greet them.
The cavalry commander, Captain Mattick, sat astride a white-maned horse wearing a light blue horse coat, staring at the sea with the same solemn expression as his men.
Half a year ago, when Lawrence usurped the power of Corsica from Pauli, Captain Mattick, as a loyal supporter of Pauli, still had great hope for Pauli's restoration, so he was quite reluctant to accept Lawrence's order.
.
Now, after several months, Captain Mattick finally accepted the fact that the power of Corsica was firmly in Lawrence's hands.
And Captain Mattick also understood deeply that if he still wanted to wear armor, wear a sword, ride on the war horse under his crotch, and stay with the subordinates behind him who were going through life and death, then the object of allegiance could no longer be the one who would be under house arrest for the rest of his life.
General Pauli.
In front of the cuirassiers' formation, the first people who could see Governor Bonaparte were two majors wearing different uniforms:
Major Trifalli of the Corsican Defense Force and Major Serrurier, commander of the French garrison in Corsica.
Major Serurier narrowed his eyes and stared closely at the several French heavy frigates whose outlines could be distinguished on the sea. He rubbed his hands excitedly and expectantly and said in fairly fluent Italian:
"The French frigate...it must be Governor Bonaparte and his friends, they are almost here."
Major Cui Farley nodded in response, and then said with some curiosity:
"That's right, Major Serrurier. But I really didn't expect that you would take the initiative to welcome Governor Bonaparte together, and it seems that you want to meet the Governor immediately."
Since the last time Major Serrurier and the garrison came to Corsica with the Duke of Choiseul, they have been stationed in a camp near Ajaccio. Therefore, Major Serrurier and the commander of the Ajaccio garrison, Trefali,
There are also many work contacts between the majors.
During these few months of dealings, Major Trifari also figured out the character of Major Serulier to a greater or lesser extent.
He had almost no good impression of a remote place like Corsica, especially Major Serurier, who believed that he still had a lot of room for advancement in the army, but he never expected to be assigned to serve as a garrison commander in such a remote place.
.
This made Serurier, an ambitious man who joined the army at the age of thirteen, feel that his future was gloomy, and naturally he had no good attitude towards a small island country like Corsica.
Therefore, Major Trifali did not expect that Serurier would take the initiative to join the formation to welcome Lawrence.
Facing Major Trifali's curious question, Serurier smiled and shook his head. He seemed a little embarrassed to speak, but he still looked at the fleet not far away and said slowly:
"According to diplomatic etiquette, of course I have to attend such an important occasion. And...I was not mentally prepared to predict that His Excellency Bonaparte would be able to do those things in Paris."
When the historical Imperial Marshal mentioned Lawrence's deeds in Paris, he subconsciously showed obvious admiration and admiration, and his tone was even mixed with a bit of admiration, even though it had been a long time since he learned the news.
Already.
Although the twenty-eight-year-old Major Serulier can be said to be young and promising, he still feels inferior to the twenty-year-old Lawrence.
"Really? I don't know much about those things in Paris. I only know that the Governor has brought us more wealth than we can spend in a lifetime."
Major Trifali flipped up his hair, looked at Major Serurier and said.
Major Serrurier nodded in agreement, but his focus was not on the tens of millions of livres of wealth like Major Trifalli and all the other Corsicans.
Major Serulier, who was born in a small aristocratic family in Lyon, understood in his heart that although such a scale of wealth was astonishing, there were still many financiers and nobles in Lyon and Paris who could possess such a scale of assets.
.
As a young and strong French soldier with a promising future, Major Serulier is more concerned about how to climb up in this huge and bloated military system.
After being assigned to Corsica as the commander of the garrison, Major Serurier thought that nine-tenths of his future was cut off, and he would have to stay on this barren island for almost the rest of his life.
However, after receiving the news from Paris a few days ago, Major Serrurier was shocked to discover that the ruler of this island was actually able to win the favor of Duke Choiseul and King Louis, and even gained the favor of the Kingdom of France.
The central figure controlled the wind and rain and brought down the arrogant Duke Richelieu.
Thinking of this, Major Serulier's eyes suddenly became a little firmer and more intense, staring closely at the fleet that was getting closer and closer.
Serrurier, who is known for his accurate team formation in history, has already analyzed and understood the current situation:
If he wanted to leave this remote and barbaric place and seek a brighter political future, the key was all on that slowly approaching sailing ship.
...
More than an hour later, the much-anticipated fleet finally sailed into the port of Ajaccio amid the chirping of seagulls.
The eight escorting French heavy frigates are anchored in the military port area, and they will still rest and station here for a period of time to demonstrate France's right to garrison Corsica.
As for the brigantine of Lawrence and his party, it sailed straight into the dock that had been prepared and docked smoothly on the shore.
The soldiers who were strictly guarding their posts could not help but secretly move a few steps toward the dock, wanting to get a closer look at the only officer they supported.
Finally, accompanied by Grosso, Yan, Anna and Rousseau, Lawrence slowly walked down the gangway under the attention of everyone, and once again set foot on the land of Corsica.
Major Trifali and Major Serulier stepped forward in unison, raised their hands in a military salute to Lawrence, and their movements were very clean and neat.
"My Lord Governor, the land of Corsica supports you as always."
Major Cui Farley had a slight smile on his serious face and said in a deep voice:
"Your return has also restored the glory of this country to integrity."
"My glory is with the people of Corsica." Lawrence nodded in response.
Major Serurier then said:
"Your Excellency Bonaparte, the French garrison in Corsica pays you the highest respect. We are willing to use our lives to defend the peace of Corsica under your command."
Lawrence glanced at Serurier, and was a little surprised that the future marshal of the empire took the initiative to greet him on the pier.
However, after thinking about it for a few seconds, Lawrence understood why Major Serurier took the initiative to show his kindness, so he responded with a smile:
"Major Serrurier, Corsica will never forget the merits of anyone, especially those who fought for Corsica, no matter what nationality they are."
After hearing this, Major Serulier's eyes lit up, and then he nodded seriously, understanding that Governor Bonaparte had accepted his overtures.
The reason why Lawrence was so kind to Serulier was that, in addition to preparing to take this rare talent under his command in the future, the more important reason was that Lawrence also needed the garrison in Serulier's hands at the moment.
The changes in the situation in the Mediterranean have become increasingly confusing, and even Lawrence admitted that he could not figure out what secrets were hidden behind it.
But one thing is certain for Lawrence, he has smelled the smoke of gunfire in the Mediterranean.
Under this situation, any direct combat force that can be obtained is worthy of Lawrence's wooing, especially the three thousand well-equipped French troops in Serulière.
After the two majors took turns to express their welcome to Lawrence, the atmosphere on the dock became much more relaxed. After all, they were all companions who had shared weal and woe with Lawrence.
Major Cui Farley turned his head and glanced at the excited soldiers, laughed and shouted:
"Soldiers, come and give three cheers to our Governor!"
The soldiers who received the order completely let go of their voices and shouted with red faces:
"For Corsica! For Bonaparte!"
"For Corsica! For Bonaparte!"
"For Corsica! For Bonaparte!"
"For Corsica! For Bonaparte!"
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Deafening cheers resounded throughout the area, far exceeding the three cheers mentioned by Major Trifali. Even the soldiers who could not see Lawrence with their own eyes immediately joined in the carnival after hearing the cheers.
Even the citizens outside the dock began to cheer loudly together with the soldiers under the influence of this atmosphere, celebrating the return of a leader they supported from the bottom of their hearts.
"Oh my god, the information Mr. Pauli sent me didn't say that the Corsicans are so... fanatical. Such national characteristics are really rare. They must be taken into consideration when making legislation..."
Rousseau stared dumbfounded at the cheering soldiers in front of him, listened to the waves of sound in his ears, and said with emotion.
"No, that's not the case, M. Rousseau."
Anna bathed in the waves of cheers with a bright smile. Hearing people chanting Lawrence's name made the girl feel extremely happy. Then she said to Rousseau in barely fluent French:
"The nature of the Corsican people cannot be linked to fanaticism. They are so excited to surround, trust and support a person simply because that is Mr. Bonaparte."
"Just because he is Monsignor Bonaparte..."
Rousseau was startled for a moment, and seemed to suddenly think of something. He smiled at Anna and said:
"Thank you for your explanation, little girl. But I once visited a place where the people evaluated their rulers the same way as you do."
"Really?" Anna tilted her head and asked in confusion.
Rousseau looked at Lawrence who was surrounded by soldiers, watched Lawrence chatting with the soldiers arm in arm without any pretense, and said slowly:
"Do you know about the Kingdom of Prussia?"
"Prussia? I think I heard the tutor say that." Anna poked her chin and said after thinking for a while.
"The people there once loved their king as you said. Although he pushed despotism to its peak, his people still loved his enlightened rule."
Rousseau closed his eyes, recalled the days of exile in Prussia, and continued:
"That was really an incredible king. Some people even called him 'the Great'. Although his people no longer supported him as they did before, Frederick II was still a unique one.
Monarch... I have always thought so before, but now, I seem to see a trace of King Frederick in His Excellency Bonaparte..."