Putting down the telegram in his hand, Marshal Patrice McMahon let out a deep sigh. He looked out the window and said with his back to the crowd, "Restore the normal supplies for the troops. We can't let the soldiers starve."
"Marshal, we don't have much food left, and the domestic supplies can't keep up. If we don't limit the supplies …"
McMahon interrupted before the middle-aged officer could finish, "Don't worry, the supply problem has been solved at home. The government has seized the grain merchants who are hoarding, and there is no shortage of food now. "
Hearing this news, everyone revealed a long-lost smile. It couldn't be helped, the French army had been having a hard time recently.
Not only were they being suppressed by the Allies on the battlefield, but they also had problems with logistics. With the decline of the British support, the Government of France was unable to gather enough strategic supplies.
Now that it was a battle to defend the homeland, there was no room for retreat. The French army was relying on their passion to hold on. They could hold on if they lacked other things, but they couldn't lack food.
The frontline was defeated too quickly, and they didn't have time to recover the food they had hoarded. The domestic supplies didn't keep up, and the local support obviously couldn't support the army.
In order to reduce consumption, Marshal McMahon took the lead to reduce rations starting half a month ago. Other than the frontline combat troops who could barely fill their stomachs, the rest of the people could only eat half full.
Hearing that the food problem had been solved, everyone was naturally happy. Other than a few people who noticed McMahon's unnatural expression, the rest of the people were immersed in joy.
After a pause, McMahon added, "Okay, the food problem has been solved. The other logistics supplies have also been solved at home, and they will arrive at the frontline in a week. You can rest assured now.
The remaining problem is how to defend France. Behind us is our homeland, and now we have no way out. If you don't want your family to be homeless in this chaotic world, then fight this battle for me.
Now I order … "
After the military meeting ended in a hurry, there were only a few trusted aides left in the command center, or rather, the direct officers of the Bonaparte dynasty in the army.
"Marshal, the enemy's air force is getting more and more rampant. The stations and bridges in the country are seriously damaged. Even if the government solved the food problem, there is no way to transport it in a short time, right?"
McMahon didn't answer directly. He handed over the secret message. "Take a look for yourself. You'll know why after reading this."
After a long while, the middle-aged officer said with trembling hands, "This … this … how is this … possible?"
McMahon replied bitterly, "I also wish that it was fake, but it really happened. The rebels in the country had colluded with the enemy and stabbed the empire in the back at the most crucial moment. There was no turning back now.
No matter what, he couldn't let those rebels benefit. Since they dared to stab us in the back while we were fighting the enemy, we'll leave this mess to them.
For the sake of this war, we have paid too high a price. If we continue to persevere, the young people will all be killed. What we need to do now is to end this war as soon as possible and preserve the vitality of France. "
It couldn't be helped. The Bonaparte dynasty was doomed. As a direct force, they naturally did not have a good impression of the Revolutionary Party.
Whether it was to preserve the vitality of France or to trap the Revolutionary Party, they must surrender as soon as possible and let the anti-French alliance in.
Although it was not popular on the European continent to fight to the end, surrendering also required skill and a suitable reason. Otherwise, the spittle of the people could kill them.
"Food shortage" was undoubtedly one of the best excuses for surrendering. No one could expect an army to fight with an empty stomach. In this regard, the French people were still very open-minded.
In order to strengthen everyone's determination to surrender, Napoleon Iv even prepared a way out for everyone. At the same time as the secret message, there was also a public telegram that solved the food problem.
As for why the food and supplies promised by the government did not arrive at the front line, they had to ask the Revolutionary Party. After all, the Bonaparte dynasty would no longer exist at that time.
Anyway, in theory, as long as there was no trouble from the Revolutionary Party, the food could reach the front line. The Revolutionary Party couldn't get rid of this black pot.
They didn't have to take responsibility and could retreat unscathed. For everyone, except for the fact that they couldn't accept it emotionally, they didn't reject this result.
After all, at this point in the war, it was only a matter of time before they were defeated.
Everyone persisted in resisting because they wanted to fight for a dignified way for the empire to end this war. Now that the empire was about to disappear, there was naturally no need to persist.
After a moment of silence, an old general with a beard slowly said, "Even if we let go of the restrictions, our food can last for half a month. If we want to achieve our goal earlier, we need an accident. "
Every man for himself, heaven and earth destroy. It could be imagined that the Bonaparte dynasty was finished, and the enemy came to power. As the defeated army, what would happen to them?
If they didn't want to end up in a miserable state, they could only strike first. It would be best if they could restore the empire, but even if they couldn't, they had to get rid of the enemy first.
McMahon shook his head, "No need, the Austrians will do it for us. You just need to find an opportunity to expose the location of the granary."
It was unbelievable to expose the location of their granary to the enemy, but there was no other way, the reality was just that nonsensical.
In this world where the weak were prey to the strong, if people weren't ruthless enough, they wouldn't be able to stand firm.
Using underhanded means was child's play. They already had integrity by not directly colluding with the Anti-France Alliance.
It wasn't just the battlefield in Central Europe, the same story was playing out in other battlefields. Following Napoleon Iv's order, the officers loyal to the Bonaparte dynasty began to move.
For a moment, the morale of the French army was greatly boosted, and the originally dispirited situation on the battlefield seemed to have been reversed.
…
In Paris, the rebels were originally at a disadvantage and were about to be finished. The revolutionaries were all ready to escape, but a miraculous turn of events happened.
A rebel army that came out of nowhere actually captured the Versailles Palace and reversed the situation.
It was a pity that Napoleon Iv escaped, but it didn't matter. They won anyway, and they didn't have to chop off the emperor's head to vent their anger.
Even the capitalists who hated Napoleon Iv to the core didn't have the courage to kill the emperor. There was no other reason than the Anti-France Alliance was already at their doorstep.
This mess was already difficult to clean up. If there was a massacre of the emperor, the Anti-France Alliance would definitely kill them to restore the prestige of the monarchy. At least the Government of Vienna would be happy to do so.
This was something that the revolutionaries and the capitalists firmly believed in. The concentration camp of conservatives in the European world was no joke.
Just the tens of thousands of feudal nobles were enough to make Austria and Russia the base camp of the "feudal diehards" and be despised by the people.
Unfortunately, no matter how they cursed, it didn't have any effect. It couldn't be helped. The two diehards were so powerful that it took courage to point fingers at them.
Well, overthrowing the diehards was a matter for the future. The urgent task now was to find a way to choose a boss to take charge of the overall situation.
At this step, the revolutionary group, which was already united in appearance, officially split up. After all, there was only one leader, while the revolutionary party had dozens of members.
In order to compete for the fruits of victory, everyone showed their abilities, and there were even some battles in some areas. In short, Paris was completely lively.
The temporary government had a difficult birth, but the parliament was born one step ahead. Regardless of whether the parliament was legal or not, it was better than nothing. Everyone could finally sit down and discuss the problem.
Looking at the quarreling parliament, Socialist Member Francois sternly reprimanded: "Everyone, calm down first. We can discuss the presidential election later.
Don't forget, France is at war and the entire European continent. The Bonaparte Dynasty has been overthrown, and now we need to perform the duties of the government.
I don't know if you have noticed, but the telegrams asking for help from the front line have piled up. There were those who lacked reinforcements, rations, ammunition, cannons, medicine, and supplies to ward off the winter cold …
In short, we lack everything we need on the battlefield. If we don't find a way to solve these problems, it won't be long before the Anti-France Alliance arrives in Paris. "
Francois's warning pulled everyone out of the frenzy of power. If they couldn't stop the enemy, it was useless no matter who came to power.
"Do we still need to think about it? Of course, we need to end the war immediately. We have already paid too much for this war. Even the Empire has been destroyed. How will the people live if we continue to fight? "
From his tone, it was obvious that he was a royalist member of parliament, perhaps even a supporter of the Bonaparte Dynasty. This was unimaginable in other countries, but here in Paris, everything was possible.
Although the Revolutionary Party was the main force in overthrowing the Bonaparte Dynasty, after the establishment of the parliament, most of the members were royalists.
There was no other reason. The Revolutionary Party's foundation was too shallow, and they didn't have enough prestige to govern. They had to rely on these "virtuous and respectable" guys.
If it weren't for the royalists, there would be nothing for the Gonghe party. After all, the idea of the republic had not yet taken root in the hearts of the people, and most people still had lingering fears about the previous two failed republican movements.
Francois immediately said sarcastically: "Honorable Count, what price do you think we have to pay to end the war?
It wasn't easy to wait for this opportunity. If you were the Government of Austria, would you show mercy at this time?
Even if Austria was bought over with benefits, can they rest assured that Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, German Confederation, and other countries that participated in the war? "
The three consecutive questions were like a heavy blow to the soul, leaving Count Glenn speechless. It wasn't that there was no answer, but that no one wanted to think about the answer, let alone face it.
The international situation was so volatile. Just a few months ago, most European countries hoped that France could preserve its strength so that it could continue to contain Austria. Now, it was different from the past. Now, these guys had become France's death talisman.
To reassure everyone, unless France became weak enough and lost the ability to threaten everyone, the neighbors would not be at ease.
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