Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 370 A kidnapping case that was announced in advance!
Lionel welcomed Albert in. Under the electric light of the living room, the weathered look on Albert's face and his bloodshot eyes made him appear even more haggard.

Lionel poured him a glass of water: "Aren't you managing the Roon family's iron mine in Algeria?"

Albert took the glass of water, drank it all in one gulp, and then wiped his mouth with his sleeve: "I received a letter from Alfred, along with a bunch of newspapers from Paris that he sent!"

He said urgently, "It's all about you! The little bastards in Lyon burned 'My Uncle Jules'! God, I couldn't sit still!"

Furthermore, Alfred mentioned in his letter that 'many people feel it is necessary to teach the traitors a more painful lesson!' I think this is a dangerous sign.

Alfred is far more well-informed than I am, which means... means that besieging you isn't their ultimate goal! They want to do something else!

I immediately bought a ticket for the next available ferry and rushed back! Leon, you can't expect these crazy bastards to stay rational..."

He angrily pointed out the window: "These idiots, they're being used and they think they're so noble... hopeless!"

Lionel looked at him, smiled, and asked in a calm tone, "Albert, did Count Rohan send you?"

Albert jumped up as if stung by a scorpion, his face flushed red, and shouted as if making a vow: "Leon! I swear on the honor of the Roon family!"
Absolutely not! My father had no idea I was back! I only found out from the newspaper… If I'm lying, may the Algerian sun bake me into a mummy!

He waved his arms excitedly: "I am your friend! Do you think I, Albert de Rohan, am the kind of person who would stand idly by while my friend is in trouble?"

Lionel patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down: "Sit down and talk, sit down and talk. I believe you."

He paused, then asked with a hint of teasing, "If your father finds out you came all this way, won't he be angry?"

Albert's face turned even redder. He remembered his father's admonitions, those words about family interests and political considerations, which now echoed in his ears.

But he shook his head forcefully, his neck stiff, and stubbornly said, "The family is the family! I am me! What my father thinks is none of my business!"

I know you're right! At least... at least you shouldn't be treated like this! Cornered in your house by a bunch of brats!

Seeing his appearance, Lionel was somewhat moved and was about to say something more when there was another commotion at the door, followed by the urgent ringing of the doorbell.

Lionel got up again and opened the door, where stood Guy de Maupassant, panting heavily.

His hat was askew, his bow tie was loose, and his face showed both anger and worry.

As soon as Maupassant entered, he exclaimed, "Léon! My God, look at the scene outside!"

Upon seeing Albert, he paused for a moment, then nodded as a greeting.

Then he turned to Lionel: "I met with Emile and the others during the day, and we all think you can't stay here any longer! It's too dangerous!"

He grabbed Lionel's arm and said sternly, "Take back your naive ideas! Do you really want to be surrounded by this group for a month?"
Emile heard some very bad news: someone was inciting these fools to give them a little 'physical punishment'—you know what that means!
Listen to me, Leon, think of a way to leave right now, at least get out of here!

Lionel fell silent.

He originally planned to use the court to publicly state his position and, if found guilty, to immediately appeal.

During the appeal process, take advantage of any gaps in the legal proceedings to decide whether the person will go into "exile" or actually go to jail.

According to De La Ruyak's estimate, he would receive a maximum of six months to a year in prison, along with a fine of several thousand francs.

Of course, this verdict is not effective immediately; Lionel can appeal, and the proceedings could drag on until October at the latest.

So he privately had De La Ruwak make some legal preparations to ensure that his business would not be affected if something happened to him.

But now, Charles de La Rochefoucauld and his gang of "Youth Guards" have disrupted his plans.

What if they don't just "escort" him to court, but take more extreme actions instead?

These young people, blinded by fanaticism, are capable of anything!
Lionel is willing to go to court and is not even afraid of going to jail, but being surrounded by this group of lunatics for two months is a completely different matter.

Moreover, they could easily lose control at any time; you can't expect a group of fanatics to remain rational.

Think about it, wherever he goes, as long as it's a public place, there will be several tails following him, and these tails could become whips to lash him at any time.

The letter from Albert's brother, Alfred, was clearly an implication that the Count of Rohan was trying to warn himself.

Seeing Lionel's silence and furrowed brow, Maupassant knew he was weighing his options.

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Leon, don't hesitate! There's no point in stubbornly resisting! We've come up with a plan..."

------

The next morning, just as dawn broke, the noise outside the villa intensified.

Lionel put on his coat, went to the window, and saw a moving scene:

A group of veterans, dressed in old military uniforms and bearing various physical defects, arrived at the villa's perimeter at some unknown time.

Some of them were in wheelchairs, some were using crutches, some had one sleeve empty, and some had hideous scars on their faces.

Their faded but still recognizable military uniforms were covered with all sorts of medals.

They were confronting young military cadets from the "French Republican Youth Guard".

An old soldier, who had lost a leg and stood with crutches, shouted in his hoarse voice:

"Courage? You greenhorns, what right do you have to talk about courage? Courage isn't about showing off in front of other people's houses!"
Have you ever seen your comrades turn into mincemeat under the artillery fire of Sedan?

Another veteran, who had lost one eye, pointed to his empty eye socket: "Look! This is the 'glory' that war gives us! What do you think war is?"
Is it a ladder to advancement? Is it the adoring gaze of the ladies in the salon? Bullshit! War is a machine that crushes flesh and blood! Out of a hundred people, is one even able to crawl out and return with anything of value?

Another voice roared: "We have shed blood and been wounded for France! But we have never believed that opposing war is opposing us!"
On the contrary, only those who have experienced it know how precious peace is! Only they know what those who incite war are really thinking!
You've been used, and you're still here self-righteously proclaiming your 'patriotism'!

The veterans, one after another, used their broken bodies and weathered experiences to utter deafening questions.

Their words lashed at the faces of the young military cadets like whips.

Many military academy students lowered their heads, their faces burning with embarrassment.

They were deeply ashamed by the rebukes of these true heroes, living fossils of war.

Some people's beliefs began to waver, and their steps unconsciously took a backward step.

However, Charles de La Rochefoucauld, though his face was ashen, still retorted loudly: "Veterans! We respect your sacrifice! But times have changed!"
France needs expansion, it needs glory! Sorel's words are undermining our morale! We must…

A rude voice interrupted him: "Shut up, young master! Do you think that nice uniform you're wearing can stop a bullet?"
"Wait until you're crawling in the mud like us, watching your intestines spill out, then you can talk about glory!"

The standoff continues, and the atmosphere is tense.

Although the veterans were few in number, their experience and the moral strength derived from their scars temporarily suppressed the arrogance of the youth guard.

But despite the setback in morale, the youth guard showed no sign of disbanding, thanks to Charles's stubborn insistence and encouragement.

The veterans also set up tents and small cooking pots in the open space, seemingly preparing for a protracted battle with these young men.

Lionel didn't know how to thank them, so he and everyone in the villa worked together to prepare dozens of meals and deliver them to the veterans.

As Lionel handed the food to an old soldier, the soldier suddenly said to him mysteriously, "Mr. Sorel, don't worry, you'll definitely get out of trouble..."

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The situation was still changing, and that evening, a group of people began to get busy on an empty lawn not far from the villa.

They were all strangely shaped, some of them almost unlike God's creations, inspiring awe in those who looked upon them.

However, these oddballs moved quickly and were extremely efficient. Soon, a huge, brightly colored circus tent was erected.

The huge canvas canopy was being slowly raised, with some exaggerated and bizarre patterns painted on it.

The roars of ferocious beasts like tigers and lions could be heard from time to time in the camp, so no one dared to approach.

This sudden scene stunned everyone, including the veterans and youth guards in the standoff, as well as Lionel and others behind the villa window.

There aren't many residents around here; it's mostly villas, so hardly anyone goes to the circus.

What's the circus doing here? Although there are many people gathered nearby, no one is interested in watching the circus.

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As night deepened, almost everyone drifted off to sleep.

At that moment, a luxurious carriage decorated with a golden imperial eagle, crossed scepters, bees, and a crown quietly drove into the camp of the "French Republican Youth Guard".

The car door opened, and Napoleon Victor Jerome Frederick Bonaparte stepped out.

Charles de La Rochefoucauld was already waiting there. After bowing, he respectfully welcomed the other party into his tent.

Victor Bonaparte's face darkened as soon as he entered the tent: "You fool, do you want to turn this operation into a joke?"

Charles de La Rochefoucauld was stunned, and couldn't help but explain, "Your Highness, it's not that we didn't try, it's just that Lionel... he's too cunning..."

Victor Bonaparte wouldn't listen to his explanation: "Do you know how much relationships and money those big shots paid this time?"
"You've been eating and drinking here every day, and you even have horses and carriages... and now you've really become Lionel's lackeys?"

Charles de La Rochefoucauld was at a loss, and several times he tried to speak but was silenced by Victor Bonaparte's stern gaze.

Victor Bonaparte said coldly, "We need to take more effective action... Sorel's arrogance must be taught a lesson!"

Charles de La Rochefoucauld panicked: "But His Grace the Duke said we cannot..."

Victor Bonaparte waved his hand, interrupting Charles: "So the Bonaparte family's words no longer carry weight? Are you planning to serve in the rainforests of Tokyo?"

Charles de La Rochefoucauld swallowed the rest of his words: "...Yes, Your Excellency!"

Victor Bonaparte smiled with satisfaction: "Very well, tomorrow night, after it's completely dark, you..."

……

Fifteen minutes later, the luxurious carriage quietly left the camp.

Charles de La Rochefoucauld watched the golden imperial eagle emblem disappear into the distance, his expression changing repeatedly.

After a long while, he returned to the tent; a little while later he came out again, and called his most trusted junior classmate.

Charles de La Rochefoucauld handed a slip of paper to the other party: "Send it to the address on this page immediately, set off now!"

(End of this chapter)