From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

In the corner of the Prime Minister's Palace in Ajaccio, there is a remote and narrow hut that seems to be isolated from the world but well guarded.

After being inspected by three guards, several people came to the house and met the owner.

"Ah Carlo, it's been so long! Why do you have time to come here today?"

In the living room, a middle-aged man who was making tea and reading a book put down his book in surprise, seemingly surprised by the visit of these uninvited guests:

"As for these people, if I remember correctly, they should be people around Lawrence, right?"

Carlo Bonaparte looked at the man in front of him with a complicated expression. After a long while, he reluctantly said:

"It's been a long time indeed, General Pauli."

The man living in this heavily guarded hut is the former governor of Corsica, Pasquale Paoli, who retains the title of national general. Of course, given his current situation, a more appropriate term should be Under house arrest in this cabin.

As Pasquale Paoli's former adjutant and trusted right-hand man, Carlo Bonaparte could not help but feel mixed emotions when he saw his dead superior again.

Anna Celestia did not exchange greetings with Pauli. She sat directly opposite him and said straight to the point:

"Even here, you should have noticed something unusual outside, right, Mr. Pauly?"

Pasquale Pauli squinted his eyes slightly, put the book aside, and took a sip of the freshly boiled hot tea, looking nonchalant:

"I seem to hear the movement of the cannon. What's wrong, little girl, why didn't Lawrence come with you? Is it because the French have turned their backs? Or is there a new usurper in Corsica?"

General Pauli, who was under house arrest here, basically received news from the outside world for several months at night, and he did not know anything about the Naples Civil War.

"War, war with the Kingdom of Sardinia"

Anna Celestia briefly explained the war situation and the crisis in Ajaccio at this time, and then directly asked:

"That is to say, at a time when Ajaccio may fall, we hope that you will lead this volunteer army to the front line to fight against the Sardinian army."

Carlo Bonaparte licked his lips and stared at General Paoli. At this time, he also understood why Anna said that there was a more suitable leader in the Prime Minister's Office.

It is true that as the liberator of Corsica and the leader who ruled the entire country for more than ten years, Pasquale Paoli's prestige among the people is definitely not low. After all, his conspiracy with the British and Lawrence's coup These are secrets that only a few people know.

In the hearts of many people, Pasquale Paoli is still a great liberator, and after meeting the young and promising Laurence Bonaparte, he voluntarily abdicated his position and was willing to retreat to the second line. This incident was reported in Corsi Jia Ye has long become a good story that has been passed down by word of mouth.

In addition, Pauli also has considerable combat experience, and at this time he is indeed a more suitable leader than Carlo Bonaparte.

What's more, in Anna Celestia's view, if Pasquale Paoli can die in the battle, she can also help Mr. Bonaparte eliminate a huge hidden danger within the Corsican government. After all, this The former governor also had considerable influence among ordinary people.

Of course, the question before everyone now is how to convince Pasquale Pauli to accept this seemingly absurd request.

"Ha" General Pauli couldn't help but sneered, and poured another cup of tea:

"Little girl, don't you feel ridiculous when you make this request? You took away my power and status, imprisoned me here and took away my freedom. Now you even want to take my life. And take it away? Lawrence promised me to spend the rest of my life here."

"Mr. Bonaparte will understand." Anna added immediately.

"But I can't understand it." General Pauli sipped hot tea leisurely, looking a little gloating:

"For me, what will happen even if the Kingdom of Sardinia takes over Corsica? Most likely they won't kill me and will let me continue my current life. That would be much better than dying for a group of ungrateful old tribesmen."

Anna frowned slightly and wanted to persuade her, but Xia Diya Weiqi, who was beside her, had already lost her patience and rushed forward in two steps:

"enough!"

Xia Diya rushed to Pauli, took out a pistol, started loading it in front of Pauli's slightly stunned look, and then pressed the barrel of the gun firmly against Pasquale Pauli's forehead:

"Does that mean you're going to refuse?"

Paulie couldn't help but swallowed. He didn't know how long it had been since he had a gun put to his head, but he still tried his best to calm down and his voice became much lower:

"Child, I advise you to put this toy away."

Xia Diya's eyes darkened, she flicked her wrist, turned the muzzle of the gun to the tea cup on the table, and pulled the trigger directly.

There was an explosion, and in the thick smoke and flying wood chips, the exquisite ceramic tea cup instantly turned into a pile of fragments.

"I'm not a child, and this is not a toy." Xia Diya reloaded the pistol and put it against General Pauli's forehead again.

The boiling tea splashed on Pasquale Pauli's face. He endured the severe pain and took a deep breath, frowning and staring at Xiadia Vicki in front of him:

"If you want to kill me, then shoot me now, and my body can be used by you."

"Are you ready to wake up? Mr. Pauly."

Anna did not stop Xia Diya's behavior, but persuaded her in a cold voice:

"We will not only take away your body, but also your reputation, your honor, and every trace of your presence in this world."

"What on earth are you talking about?!" Paulie's voice trembled a little, whether it was because of the muzzle on his forehead or because of Anna's words.

"If you choose to refuse, then we will make your blood splatter on the spot." Anna Celestia also gave up the possibility of peaceful persuasion at this time, stared directly into Pauli's eyes, and said word by word:

“And all Corsicans will soon know that during the siege of Ajaccio, their former governor and current national general, Pasquale Paoli, was suspected of colluding with the Kingdom of Sardinia and trying to betray the entire country. , and was shot dead on the spot by the Central Gendarmerie after the conspiracy was exposed; and in the future, Pauli’s name will always be synonymous with the word traitor in Corsica.”

"You!" General Pauli's pupils trembled, and his voice became louder unconsciously:

"Do you think the people will listen to such lies? I am the liberator of Corsica! I led this country to become independent from the rule of Genoa. You are the real traitors! You!"

Pauli could accept that his fate was over, and he could accept that all his power and status had been taken away, but he absolutely could not accept that he had clearly fought for this country for more than 20 years, but in the end he would be forever nailed down in history as a traitor. On the pillar of shame.

Anna Celestia listened coldly, and instantly blocked General Pauli's mouth with just one sentence:

"Do you think a dead man has any chance to speak out and defend himself?"

Paulie was stunned and speechless for a long time. The lethality of this sentence was even far greater than that of the musket pressed against his head.

And he also vaguely remembered that Lawrence Bonaparte once said similar words to him.

Xiadia Vicki stabbed Pauli in the forehead with the barrel of a gun. She had already understood the dark side of Corsica long before she worked for Monsieur Bonaparte. She even knew that Governor Pauli was not at all. The people’s hearts are so bright and great:

"By the way, I would like to remind you that the Secret Police Service will not let go of any Corsican traitor, nor will it let go of the traitor's relatives and family members."

Pauly subconsciously looked into Xia Diya's eyes. At this time, he could only pretend to be calm and shook his head, saying in a trembling voice:

"No, my wife and children are not in Corsica. You can't find them! Don't even think about threatening me with this!"

"Really?" Xia Diya Weiqi sneered and recited the words on the spot without the need for any documents:

"The eldest son, Etienne, was thirteen years old and studying at St. Faithman's School in London, England, living in an apartment on Swanson Street; the second son, Giovanni, was twelve years old and entered a monastery in Mantua at the age of nine. Your third son and six-year-old eldest daughter are staying with your wife in the manor in the countryside of Florence, living off your savings."

Although he was still trying his best to maintain his composure, General Pauli was already breaking out in a cold sweat. He was completely convinced that the girl in front of him really had control over all the movements of his family.

"Don't underestimate the Secret Police Department, Mr. Pauly. It's easy for us to find your family's address from your past letters."

Xia Diya increased the strength on her hand, as if she wanted to push the barrel of the gun directly into Paulie's head:

"And please believe that we know your family better than you who are under house arrest here."

General Pauli lowered his head and did not dare to look into anyone's eyes. He knew very well that if the Corsican government really wanted to assassinate his family, he would have no way to stop it.

Even if Ajaccio fell today and the entire island of Corsica fell, according to Lawrence Bonaparte's status in France, Pauli knew that it would be easy for that young man to take action against his family.

Ana Celestia stood up and took a few steps forward, her voice became much softer:

"And if you choose to lead the volunteers to fight against the Sardinians, even if you die in Ajaccio, you will become a hero of Corsica forever. We will bury you in the center of Ajaccio and build on it A magnificent monument; anyone who passes through it thereafter, Corsican or foreigner, will know that there lies buried a brave warrior, a fearless general, a great liberator."

Looking at General Pauli who was already a little shaken, Anna continued to persuade:

"Including your children, they don't know all the secrets here, so they will be invited back to Corsica to receive the best education as sons of heroes, and when they reach adulthood, they will enter the Corsican government or the army. Even if they are unwilling to come back here, the Corsican government will provide your family with a lifelong allowance and provide lifelong asylum with the treatment of a national general; I swear in the name of Bonaparte, all this I promise All will come true.”

General Pauli took a deep breath, as if he had decided his fate in one breath.

Should he die tragically on the spot as a traitor, remain infamy for thousands of years, and be buried with his entire family? Or should he continue to maintain his image as a great liberator and die on the battlefield as a Corsican warrior, paving the way for a glorious life? With the verdict sealed and shadowed for future generations, Pasquale Paoli knew that he seemed to have no choice.

He slapped the muzzle of the gun against his head away, raised his head and stared into Anna's eyes, and said in a deep voice:

"Little girl, you are looking more and more like Laurence Bonaparte."

Anna said calmly: "Thank you for your compliment."

"I'm not complimenting you, huh"

General Pauli exhaled a long breath, stood up unsteadily, and walked straight out:

"I seem to have no other choice. I believe you will fulfill your promise. Let's go. I haven't gone outside for a long time."

A moment later, in Dongcheng District, which was crowded with civilians taking refuge, officials from the Prime Minister's Office were rushing through the streets, loudly calling on people with combat capabilities and experience to join the fight against the invaders:

"Mother Corsica is being violated! Compatriots, if you can still afford a gun, if you can still afford a sword, then stand up and join the volunteer army! Use our blood to declare the right to Corsi The loyalty of Mother Chia! Use our guns and swords to push the enemy into the sea! Now those who join can get a salary of five hundred livres immediately. If you die in this battle, the Corsican government promises to pay you extra. The family will receive a pension of five hundred livres and an annuity will be paid according to the treatment of the soldiers who died in the Wehrmacht!”

Relying on the resentment of the citizens of Ajaccio against the Sardinian invaders, as well as the high rewards and pensions, officials quickly recruited more than 500 strong men in the Dongcheng District and distributed weapons to them.

However, more qualified citizens still have hesitant thoughts. Although the remuneration and pension provided by the government can be equivalent to their income in the past ten years, in the face of life and death, only a small number of people can still Take that fearless step.

Citizens who have received military training or have served in the army know very well that street fighting can be far more brutal than ordinary people imagine.

Just when most citizens were hesitating about this, there was a sudden noise on the street in the direction of the Prime Minister's Office, and people subconsciously looked in that direction:

"Look! It's Miss Anna and the others. Why did Miss Anna come out in person?"

"Wait a minute, next to her is"

"That's General Pauli!"

"Did General Pauli come forward in person?! It's true that it's already time to attack the city."

People were surprised to find that General Pauli, who had disappeared from their sight for a long time, actually appeared on the streets of Dongcheng District riding a tall horse and wearing military uniform.

Pasquale Paoli sat expressionlessly on horseback. Accompanied by the surveillance of the Central Gendarmerie and the secret police, he drove silently to a square in the east city. People on the street spontaneously followed behind them. , the square was quickly filled with civilians who gathered.

Pauly waited silently for the crowd to gather. When the time was almost up, he took a deep breath again, as if to say goodbye to the world.

The bustling citizens held their breaths, patiently waiting for the general who had not been seen for a long time to speak. The central military police and secret police on both sides were also keeping an eye on Pauli, wary of the former governor who had regained his freedom. Do anything outrageous.

In the huge square, the only sounds that could be heard were the howling wind and the roar of the artillery of the Sardinian fleet in the distance. Occasionally, along with the sea breeze, a few battle roars and wails of soldiers from both sides could be heard.

The citizens could vaguely sense that the tragic frontline of the war was not far away from them.

"Do you hear that, Corsican children!"

General Pauli suddenly spoke, his voice as loud as a bell, even close to a hysterical roar:

"Do you hear anything coming from the sea to the west? I hear death and destruction, I hear war and invasion, I hear the sons of the Kingdom of Sardinia are committing unprecedented atrocities against our homeland, I hear The enemy has shattered, crushed and spurned the peace we have longed for! At this moment, this is the moment when Mother Corsica's life is in danger. This is also the moment when Corsican warriors rise up to fight back. Mother Corsica Need our swords!"

There was silence in the square, the children stopped worrying, the women couldn't help crying, and the men gritted their teeth and clenched their fists, feeling their blood boiling and filled with righteous indignation.

Pasquale Paoli raised his horse and raised his hooves, drew his sword and headed west, shouting:

"I will personally lead the volunteers to fight against these despicable invaders. I will personally use the sword in my hand to make them regret setting foot on Corsica. And for those who are willing to join the volunteers and fight alongside me, I, Pascua Le Pauli expresses the highest respect to you. You have made me see clearly that what flows in the bodies of Corsican men is not water, but blood! Our blood is splashed on those bastards! It’s enough to burn them!”

After saying that, with everyone staring blankly, General Pauli turned his horse's head, turned to face Anna Celestia who was not far away, and asked meaningfully:

"Miss Anna, if I die in Ajaccio today, please take my children back to their hometown. I am not worried that they will grow up alone, because I believe that all Corsicans will be His parents."

Anna immediately understood Paulie's hint, and also knew his intention when he said these words in public, and immediately nodded and promised:

"Corsica will not treat any of its martyrs unfairly."

"Then I have nothing to worry about." Pasquale Pauli pretended to laugh boldly and turned to look at the people below:

"Then, children of Corsica, we have no time to hesitate! Every second that is wasted at this moment gives the enemy a breathing space! Those who are willing to fight side by side with me can directly follow me to the armory to gather and receive weapons. !”

As soon as he finished speaking, General Pauli waved his whip and rode quickly toward the armory in the rear without looking back.

Immediately following, hundreds of citizens followed General Pauli's pace without hesitation and rushed towards the armory together.

Since even General Pauli risked his life and personally joined the front line of the battlefield, many citizens simply put aside all worries in their hearts, their minds went blank, and they followed General Pauli almost relying on their body instincts and blood drive. pace.

Although there is no exact number, combined with the citizens recruited previously, the number of volunteers instantly reached at least a thousand.

"By the way, Miss Anna"

Carlo Bonaparte looked at the crowd of citizens following General Paoli and asked with emotion:

"If General Pauli just insisted on not cooperating, do you really want to do that to him?"

Anna Celestia smiled bitterly, shook her head, and said bluntly:

"Mr. Bonaparte said that he wanted General Pauli to die a good death. I will not go against his wishes. What you did just now was just to threaten General Pauli. If he really resists to the end, I can only allow you to take the risk and go personally. Leading the volunteer army."

"Really?" Carlo Bonaparte touched his nose, but he didn't feel much lucky. After all, he was fully prepared to die for Corsica.

Xia Diya Vicki, who was on the side, looked at General Pauli who was gradually going away with an expressionless face, and suddenly said:

"Do you need to send someone to keep an eye on Pauli? Although the volunteers are just a group of temporarily recruited civilians, what if he has ulterior motives?"

"Well, I guess there's no need for that."

Carlo Bonaparte glanced at Xia Diya helplessly. He was not surprised by the girl's character. He knew that Xia Diya was full of vigilance and disgust towards almost all powerful people:

"General Pauli can be considered a general person, and he was hostile to the Kingdom of Sardinia when he was in power. It is unlikely that he would really collude with the Sardinian army."

As a former adjutant of Paoli, Carlo Bonaparte also knew a lot about him. Knowing that General Paoli would not have ulterior motives in such a dangerous situation, the Kingdom of Sardinia took over the control of Corsica. It doesn't do any good for Paul.

Anna also nodded, and was about to agree with Carlo's opinion, but she suddenly lowered her head and pondered for a moment, and ordered Xia Diya with a solemn expression:

"No, we still need to assign a group of secret police disguised as volunteers to follow General Pauli."

"Miss Anna?" Carlo Bonaparte was stunned for a moment, not knowing what the purpose of this move was.

Anna then lowered her voice and added:

"If General Paoli dies tonight, then everything will be business as usual. If he survives the battle, let the secret police assassinate him on the battlefield at the end of the battle."

"knew."

Xia Diya Weiqi smiled and nodded, and disappeared in the square with people coming and going in an instant, leaving behind a stunned Carlo Bonaparte:

"Well, Miss Anna, didn't you just say that you should give General Pauli a good death according to Lawrence's wishes? If the general really survives, he can just put him under house arrest as usual. Why do you need to do something like killing a donkey? Woolen cloth?"

After all, Carlo Bonaparte had followed Paoli for several years, and he still had some feelings for the old master.

In his opinion, if Ajaccio really survived the Sardinian attack this time, then General Paoli must have contributed a lot, and Carlo Bona's undoing of such an insult to the hero will undoubtedly make Carlo Bona Tomoe felt a little guilty.

Anna sighed softly. She could understand Carlo's thoughts, and she felt the same way, but it was obvious that she would not change the order just now:

"Mr. Bonaparte did not reveal General Paoli's collusion with the British to the people. Therefore, General Paoli still enjoys high prestige among the people. If he successfully leads the volunteer army to defend Ajaccio, his victory in Corsica will Popularity will undoubtedly grow further."

Carlo Bonaparte blinked and took one last look at General Paoli who was drifting away. Although he was still a little bit unbearable, he already understood what Anna meant:

“But even so”

"As for the worst case scenario, Mr. Carlo, if we succeed in driving the Sardinian army out of Ajaccio, but General Paoli, who leads the volunteer army, is unwilling to return to the Prime Minister's Palace without mercy, do we have to wait until the end of the fight? Are the invaders immediately followed by another civil war in Ajaccio?"

Anna closed her eyes, and the last red glow of the sunset slipped away from the corners of her eyes, and her handsome cheeks were wrapped in the cold night:

"I will give General Paoli a good death according to Mr. Bonaparte's wishes, but not while he is alive. I will give him as much fame and fame after death as he wants, but I will never let him live to become Mr. Bonaparte. Hidden danger.”

"Miss Anna."

Carlo Bonaparte originally wanted to say something, but after sighing with mixed feelings, he chose to shut up.

It was also at this time that Carlo Bonaparte suddenly understood why his brother trusted the girl in front of him so much.