It was an ordinary day in summer, and the temperature made people sleepy. Even the Greek Parliament chamber in Astros city could not cheer up the spirit.
Since the convening of the Second National Assembly, this little-known small city of Astros has become the temporary residence of the Greek Parliament, exercising its weak but legitimate representative function and formulating the Greek Constitution.
However, not long after its establishment, the good wishes originally placed on it immediately came to nothing - for various reasons, there was a fierce confrontation between the parliament and the leader of the army, Theodoros Kolokotronis.
And eventually led to a civil war.
Although the civil war ended with a temporary victory for the parliament and the government, it also brought devastating effects, weakening the strength of the independent army. The Turks took the opportunity to make a comeback. In the end, most of the territory fell into the hands of the Turks again, and the Greek independent government
The territory that can be controlled is now limited to the small Peloponnese Peninsula.
The situation has taken a turn for the worse, which has severely affected the authority of the parliament. However, for the current members, it is fortunate that they can still maintain their current status.
Today, the seats in the chamber are not full, but no one is surprised. After all, since the opening of the second National Assembly, due to various political changes and military pressure from Turkey, there are often no members during the National Assembly meetings.
Although they were absent, in comparison, there were already a large number of people today.
With the speaker's announcement, the parliament began today's agenda.
As usual, the Greek parliamentarians, in accordance with the rules of procedure, fiercely debated all the unresolved issues on the agenda. Although they seemed to be enthusiastic, they just continued the quarrels of the past unchanged. They could neither reach consensus nor have any answers to the real world.
cause any meaningful change.
While they were having these arguments, there was a sudden commotion at the door of the chamber.
Not many of the people arguing noticed the commotion, but when the door opened, their argument finally and inevitably ended.
They were stunned to find that a group of heavily armed soldiers broke in and looked at them with very dangerous eyes.
As they rushed into the venue, the originally sleepy and dull atmosphere was swept away, and the place became filled with murderous intent.
"Panos-Colokotronis!"
Someone recognized the leader of the group of soldiers and exclaimed.
This young man is the son of the hero of the War of Independence Theodoros Kolokotronis. He has made many meritorious deeds in the past, so many people present know him.
During the civil war, he was wanted and went into exile, but later because Theodoros Kolokotronis was reactivated as commander-in-chief, his wanted order was naturally canceled.
But even so, no one saw him return to his father's side. Some people said that he was disheartened and chose to continue to live in exile abroad. Everyone accepted this theory. Unexpectedly, he appeared here today.
"Mr. Panos Colokotronis, what are you doing here?" In the murderous atmosphere, the speaker came to his senses and asked the young man loudly.
Following the Speaker's question, a group of MPs also came to their senses and loudly echoed and made noise.
"Get out! This is not where you should be!"
Although he now has legal status, his presence here with weapons and soldiers is obviously a clear violation of the law.
However, their clamor did not affect the young man. On the contrary, he did not flinch, but stared sternly at the group of hateful people in front of him.
It was this group of people who had gathered together to oppose his father, which eventually triggered a civil war and killed a large number of his comrades.
If possible, he wished he could order the shooting and bloodbath of this ghost place now, but he knew that he could not do so now. When the nation was in danger, he had no time to worry about the previous grudges.
"Gentlemen, I am here to submit a bill." He replied loudly. "This bill is not only my personal will, but also the will of my father and all our soldiers who fought bloody battles for the motherland. I
Please pass it!"
"You have no right to propose any motion!" Someone immediately roared back at him.
"You have no rights!" Under his leadership, almost everyone shouted. If they were not afraid of the soldiers behind him, they might have swarmed him and knocked him down!
Panos Colokotronis frowned and looked at the people in front of him. He picked up the pistol impatiently, and then looked up at the ceiling.
"It says I have rights!" he yelled.
"Bang!" Along with a loud noise, there was a bullet hole on the ceiling, and then a piece of dust fell into the air.
This loud noise immediately silenced the venue.
The congressmen looked at each other, no one thought that this bold young man could actually do such a thing.
This is a coup.
And it must have been the coup that was secretly led by Commander-in-Chief Theodoros Kolokotronis, and his son Panos was just the executor.
Now that he has taken this stance, he will never let it go with just a few words. Many people present have a grudge against them. Who knows what they will do next?
Fear silenced the noisy members of Congress.
"What motion do you want to propose?" the speaker asked after a moment of silence.
"No one says I have no rights now, right?" Panos Colokotronis sneered.
Then he stopped showing off and walked directly to the rostrum. Then he faced the congressmen and stated his purpose in a loud voice.
“In view of the severe situation currently facing our country’s independence cause, we urgently need assistance from friendly people abroad. Therefore, I suggest that the government and parliament warmly invite François Charles Bonaparte, the head of the Knights of Fontainebleau.
Your Excellency, come to help our country's cause of independence and save our country from danger."
As soon as he finished speaking, a new round of commotion immediately started.
Master of the Knights of Fontainebleau? No one knows what it is.
But the name at the end caused everyone present to fall into extreme consternation.
"Have you colluded with Duke Lechstadt?" The speaker seemed to have come to his senses and immediately asked him, "Were you ordered by him to coerce us?"
"I come to ask you because of the need of national interests." Panos-Colokotronis replied sarcastically, "His Excellency Bonaparte has great sympathy for our independence cause and is willing to spend huge amounts of money.
Sponsor to help our independent cause. In this case, shouldn't we give him corresponding respect? We should send him a formal invitation immediately."
This sudden news left the congressmen who did not know the inside story at a loss. They could only continue to look at each other in confusion, and no one knew what to do.
Logically speaking, this does not seem like a bad thing, but the Kolokotronis father and his son actually used such harsh methods to intimidate the parliament. Obviously, the nature of the matter is much more serious than it appears.
"The motion you proposed is too sudden and does not comply with the procedures." The speaker tried to ease the tension and suggested to Panos. "I suggest waiting for a few days to allow several members to propose this motion through formal procedures.
, and then the parliament will vote, so that it complies with our rules of procedure."
"Rules of procedure! Can you use the rules of procedure to drive away the Turks? If it can be done, I will be happy to agree!" Panos laughed and retorted, "Now is not the time to pay attention to the rules of procedure, we want results.
, want it immediately!”
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and several soldiers also waved their sabers in a ostentatious manner to show their determination.
"The bill must be passed today, otherwise no one will be able to leave." Panos Kolokotronis replied decisively. "Now, our situation is very critical, and we must not allow any more delays! Every second of delay
It will cause the unnecessary bloodshed of our loyal soldiers! Therefore, I must ask you to make a decision immediately, without delay for a moment!"
His arrogant attitude aroused the anger of his opponents, who started to make noise again and denounced Panos in the most vehement terms.
"This is a coup! A shameless coup! You have colluded with foreigners to put the country in danger!" a lawmaker yelled at Panos, "Theodoros Kolokotronis will be nailed to the motherland.
On the pillar of shame of history!”
"Down with the coup!" "Down with Bonaparte!"
The small meeting hall was filled with a storm of curses.
Panos Colokotronis became more and more angry as he listened. Finally, he picked up his pistol and fired another shot at the ceiling, finally calming down the venue a little.
"It's you scumbags and bastards who have put the country in danger!" He stared wide-eyed and looked angrily at the group of people in front of him, "You brought our independence cause to this point for your own selfish interests.
, let our brothers, sisters and our children have to face the butcher knife of the Turks again. You slaughter your own loyal soldiers but can do nothing to the invaders. You can only watch the motherland fall! As a result, now you still have to curse those
People who are truly willing to fight to defend the motherland, curse those who paid a huge price to help you, you are shameless!"
After cursing, he slammed the table in front of him and glared at the lawmakers in front of him.
"Facts have proven that your existence is meaningless and does not help anyone! Just play your last role honestly. Thank God, from now on our motherland will never be invaded by you scum again.
Trapped!"
As he cursed, another group of soldiers walked in from the door, and then came to the seats where the members were sitting, monitoring almost every member.
Now everyone can see that the "request" brought by Panos Colokotronis today cannot be refused.
No matter what, he must get this resolution today.
"No matter what happens today, the motion I proposed must be passed, otherwise the meeting will never be allowed to adjourn!" Panos Kolokotronis roared loudly on the forum, "Anyone who refuses to fulfill his obligations will be punished.
There will be no mercy for treating enemies of the motherland! Now, let’s take a vote! I want to see how long you will betray the motherland?!”
Under his roar and the threats of the soldiers' swords, the Speaker saw that he could no longer resist, so he had to violate the rules of procedure and formally put the motion he proposed on the agenda.
The discussion was simply omitted, and the bill went directly to the voting process.
There was a soldier standing next to each congressman. They stared at the sitting congressmen to express their will.
In such a murderous atmosphere, the vote was passed very quickly.
Panos-Colokotronis' motion became a formal resolution - the Greek Parliament warmly invited His Excellency François Charles Bonaparte, the head of the Knights of Fontainebleau, to come and help the cause of Greek independence.
Seeing that his will was finally carried out, Panos was in a very good mood.
However, he also knows that passing this bill does not mean that everything is done.
"Next, I hope that the parliament will pass a resolution to temporarily adjourn and transfer power to the provisional government." He continued to put forward a new proposal, "All the members present will stay here temporarily and wait for the arrival of His Excellency Bonaparte. We will hold a meeting
We welcome him together at the ceremony to show our respect and admiration for him!"
Of course, he will not be stupid enough to let all the congressmen present go away. He will temporarily lock them up and reconsider the next steps after a fait accompli is created.
Under his coercion, the parliament had to vote again and passed his proposal.
Seeing that he had achieved his goal so smoothly, Panos Colokotronis felt very high-spirited.
However, despite being excited, he couldn't help but feel a little sad in his heart.
Just for this group of people, we have made so many sacrifices before? It's ridiculous.
Fortunately, this mistake was finally corrected.
Standing on the podium, he watched as the soldiers escorted the group of MPs out of the chamber one by one and sent them to the designated place for detention. He waited until the chamber was empty before he finally walked out.
At this moment, Edmond Dantès walked up to him calmly and bowed to him.
"You did it very neatly. Congratulations."
Panos Colokotronis did not feel any excitement, but frowned and looked at the sponsor solemnly.
He walked up to the other party, then stopped and patted the other party's shoulder heavily.
"Mr. Count, what we can do is over, now it's your turn."
"Of course, we will not let you down." Edmond Dantès replied enthusiastically.