The scorching heat of summer sounded the clarion call for the last wave of "offensive". The scorching sunshine was raging on the earth and spreading its own heat. The soil under the sun gradually became hot and dried up.
In this drowsy temperature, there is still a group of people next to the train station in Tours, located in the Indre-Loire department in central and western France. They are wearing smart black suits and top hats.
Standing at the train station under the scorching sun, looking into the distance along the northbound railway line.
Even though the white lining has been soaked with sweat, the lips are dry, and the sweat stains on the forehead can't stop sliding from the top of the head towards the cheeks, making them have to wipe it with a pure white handkerchief over and over again, and the white handkerchief is also over and over again.
Their handkerchiefs got wet when wiping them, but they still refused to leave.
Until the rumble of a steam train came in the distance, and then a train appeared from the distant horizon and gradually drove towards the Tours train station.
The gentlemen standing at the Tours train station showed relieved smiles.
After more than an hour of long waiting, they finally waited for the train coming from the north, but they didn't know if the people on the train were the "distinguished guests" they were waiting for.
"Quick! Line up! Line up!" The person in charge of commanding this team of dozens of people was a man with gray hair and gray clothes, and there were several Legion of Glory medals and knighthood medals hanging on his chest (there are rumors that these Legion of Glory medals are
He bought a middle-aged man from some old men who had served the emperor. His broad forehead and aquiline nose gave this middle-aged man an inexplicable majesty.
The gentlemen lined up in three rows under the command and control of the middle-aged man. There were 10 people in each row forming a square formation. Next to the square formation was a band wearing imperial military uniforms. This was the brass drum, trumpet and clarinet.
With the configuration of a small band, I just don’t know where they got so many imperial uniforms.
Beside the iron guardrails on both sides, National Guardsmen wearing National Guard uniforms and carrying a variety of muzzle-loading guns are responsible for maintaining security at the Tours train station.
[Since the National Guard has to rely on its own expenses to solve everything, the guns equipped by the National Guard are also configured according to personal economic strength. The richer people are equipped with the mtl1842 of the French regular army, and the poorer people are equipped with the MTL1842, which is said to have produced 7 million
Branch Charleville 1777.]
"The military band is ready! Listen to my command! Play music for me as soon as you see someone getting off the train! And the flag bearer, you are also ready, watch my gestures and raise the flag at any time!" The middle-aged man who was worried about the military band warned again.
once.
"Mr. Mayor de Reina, don't worry! The boys I have accepted have played many times, and they will definitely not go wrong this time!" The band leader, holding the clarinet in his right hand, patted his chest and said to the middle-aged man.
It was Mayor de Reina who confirmed it. Then he showed a treacherous expression like a businessman and came to Mayor de Reina to discuss in a low voice: "Mr. Mayor, you see it is not easy for my young man to stand here.
So can you..."
The band leader rubbed his hands, his eyes full of treachery and greed, with a look like "I'll eat you up".
As soon as Mayor de Reina heard the talk about money, his face suddenly dropped. He glanced at his colleagues watching the show and grabbed the band leader's arm, came to an open space 10 meters away from the square, and said in a low voice: "We
Isn't it already negotiated? One performance costs 300 francs! How can you increase the price at will?"
The band leader showed the cunningness of a mountain man, pretended to be worried, and complained with an unhappy expression: "But Mr. Mayor, 300 francs for a performance is the price of a performance at the Opera House! My band and I have been standing here for nearly an hour.
Hours, at least this number!"
The band leader opened his left palm, and the meaning was self-explanatory.
"Damn it, 500 francs! Are you the reincarnation of a vampire? For this price, I can definitely hire a better band from Tours!" Mayor De Reina still lowered his voice and said in a long tone.
"Mr. Mayor, we are the only ones here now!" The band leader pointed at the approaching train while biting the price of 500 francs and shouted: "Look, the train is coming. Mr. Mayor, you have to make a choice!
"
Mayor De Reina hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "You greedy guy! Well, you win! I will give you the remaining money after the show is over!"
"Thank you! Mr. generous mayor! May God bless you!" the band leader beamed instantly.
"Remember!" Mayor De Reina said viciously to the band leader: "If you mess up the welcome ceremony, don't get the rest of the money!"
"Of course, Mr. Mayor!" the band leader clapped his chest and assured Mayor De Reina: "I guarantee that every penny of your gold coins will be worth it!"
If I had known better, I should have added some money and hired the best band in Tours!
Mayor De Reina secretly regretted his original decision, and then comforted himself that there was no need to argue with a group of vulgar people.
The most important thing is to deal with the immediate situation first. He must "fight this battle well". Only in this way can he pave the way for his subsequent requests.
The steam locomotive began to slow down as it approached Tours train station. A strong buzzing sound came from the wheels and rails, and sparks caused by braking scattered on both sides of the rails.
When the predecessor of the steam train left the station, the train came to a complete stop.
The three red carriages hanging behind the steam locomotive opened their doors one after another, and a soldier in blue and white imperial uniform got out of the carriage first.
Some of them, armed with mtl1842 muzzleloaders, immediately pointed their guns at the crowd headed by Mayor de Reina, while the other part trotted in front of the National Guardsmen who were supposed to protect Tours train station.
fully control.
Mayor De Renner and everyone present did not react to the sudden change.
Until a slightly bald soldier came out of the carriage. He glanced at everyone at the Tours train station with sharp eyes and said in a loud voice: "I am Colonel Canrobert, the presidential adjutant. You are gathered at the Tours train station.
What do you want to do? Do you want to kill the president?"
There was a fierceness in Canrobert's eyes, and everyone present believed that once his response dissatisfied the presidential adjutant in front of him, Canrobert, then only death would be waiting for him.
"Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!" De Reina shouted after reacting and wanted to walk in the direction of Canrobert.
Before Mayor De Reina could reach Colonel Canrobert, a soldier blocked Mayor De Reina with a muzzleloader. The bayonet from the gun almost hit De Reina.
mayor.
Mayor de Reina hurriedly raised his hands and explained sincerely: "I am Mayor de Reina of Tours. I led the Tours City Hall here to meet with the President. I have absolutely no intention of murdering the president!"
"
"What's going on with those people!" Canrobel asked, pointing to the controlled National Guardsmen?
"They are the people we specially use to protect the safety of the president in Tours!" De Reina said with a slightly embarrassed expression, complaining in his heart that this group of National Guardsmen really failed to succeed and failed.
"They? Protect His Majesty the President?" The soldier who put his bayonet on Mayor de Reina's chest said with disdain: "Don't be ridiculous! They should protect themselves!"
After saying that, all the soldiers present laughed.
The National Guardsmen, who were controlled by a small group of soldiers, showed feelings of shame, anger, and even resentment.
The soldiers' unbridled ridicule made Mr. de Renal even more embarrassed.
As the top administrator of the city of Tours, he is also responsible for training the National Guard.
After de Reine became the mayor, he focused on firmly grasping the National Guard, making the originally loose National Guard become what it is now. Although it is impossible to compete with the Paris National Guard, at least it can
Responsible for daily security work, it can be said that Mayor De Reina is most proud of one of his political achievements.
Today, this achievement was ruthlessly exposed by the direct guards led by Canrobert.
Of course, if Mayor de Reina knew that the presidential guards in front of him were soldiers of the Zouave regiment who were famous for being fierce and combative in the Algiers area before serving as guards, his psychology might be much more balanced and he would be able to
The team that made its name in Algiers is incomparable to the National Guard at home.
"Quiet!" Canrobert shouted loudly, and then waved his hand.
The presidential guards who received Canrobert's order put down their guns and lined up in two lines in front of the second carriage.
Gérôme Bonaparte appeared in front of everyone wearing a large twill coat made of breathable linen, white tight trousers and long breathable leather boots.
For a moment, everyone present fell into a daze. Even the band leader forgot to play and muttered: "The emperor's...nephew?"
De Reina, who was the first to wake up from his sluggish state, hurriedly greeted: "Quick! Play music! Play music!"
After reacting, the band leader hurriedly started playing music. The "La Marseillaise" that was supposed to be impassioned was played intermittently due to too much panic.
The eagle flag symbolizing the Bonaparte family was also struck by De Reine.
Jerome Bonaparte stood quietly on the train and watched everything happening on the platform.
"Welcome to Tours, Your Excellency the President!" Mayor De Reine said respectfully to Jérôme Bonaparte, who was still standing on the train.
Jérôme Bonaparte walked down the train slowly, came to De Reina, patted De Reina on the shoulder and said, "Thank you for your hard work!"
"It's not hard work! It's not hard work!" Mayor De Reina responded to Jérôme Bonaparte with a simple and honest expression.
"Let all your subordinates go back! And these National Guardsmen, go back too!" Jérôme Bonaparte pointed at the subordinates and National Guardsmen behind de Reine and said.
"Yes!" De Reine followed Jérôme Bonaparte's suggestion and asked his subordinates and the National Guard to leave first.
The subordinates who endured the scorching heat quickly dispersed after receiving orders from De Reina.
Jérôme Bonaparte officially left the station under the leadership of de Renard, and got into the open-top double-bridge carriage specially prepared for him by de Renard.
De Renal and Pesini sat on the left and right sides of Jérôme Bonaparte, while Canrobert rode on horseback to command the guards to protect the president.
