Frank's arrival and public appearance attracted the attention of many people.
At this time, Poitou had gathered aristocrats who had fled from the north, former imperial officials, wealthy people, and some scholars who refused to cooperate with the Tulip Party.
These people, coupled with some forces loyal to the royal family in the south, formed a political force that cannot be underestimated. They stayed together and called themselves royalists.
Generally speaking, Genoese people neither support nor oppose the royalists, but the gathering of royalists in Poitou will inevitably affect Genoa itself.
These people brought huge amounts of capital. While the economy was prospering, they frantically acquired various industries in Genoa, thus intensifying the competition between local capital and foreign capital.
One of the more obvious examples is that people who support the liberals and those who support the Royal Hall debate every day and even stage physical conflicts on many occasions, making Poitou a mess.
The arrival of Frank gave the royalist party a banner figure, who quickly became the leader of the royalist party.
His slogan is simple: form an army and fight back to the Holy City.
This aroused the vigilance of the upper echelons of Genoa. They were worried that if the royalist army was really established in Genoa, it would most likely turn against the foreigners, so they sent envoys across the Otter Mountains to ask Sean if they could recall the National Army - which they now knew they had agreed to form in the first place.
What a wise decision the National Army made. Only we can make people feel at ease.
Just as the Genoese envoys were heading north, the envoys from the Holy City had already arrived at the Tudela front line.
The wounded who left the army and the troops ordered to be disbanded by Sean had spread the news of the recent defeat on the Western Front, but at the same time, Sean established his position in the country's political life by relying on the victory of the National Army.
Although Carmen Gable was the official messenger of the Tulip Party, the real speaker was actually a Tulip Party member named Jon Stuart who came with him.
It is said that this man was the illegitimate son of a nobleman and had a close relationship with Salaman and others before the revolution.
Sean's headquarters is located in the town of Tudela, and gunfire can still be heard from time to time outside the town.
The war is still going on, but both sides maintain a delicate balance. The Bili people were deceived a week ago and therefore became cautious.
Sean asked the envoy and his team to visit Marshal Lewis who was ill first.
The Marshal's movements did not change after his stroke. He needed help to walk a short distance. He had difficulty speaking, but he refused to evacuate Tudela. The only thing he did every day was to have people read newspapers to him. The newspapers were either true or false.
The news often makes him excited for a long time, which is very detrimental to his health.
In order to avoid irritating the marshal, Carmen Gable and Jon Stuart were only allowed to look at the marshal through the window.
Sean is in the room visiting the marshal.
Basically, Sean was talking alone, and the marshal could only listen.
On the day Tudela was liberated, Sean came to visit him. The marshal was very excited at that time, and it was obvious that he was very angry about what happened in the Holy City.
At least a small part of his anger was directed at Sean, because Sean took advantage of his defeat to take control of the military.
Due to the defeat and current physical condition, the marshal realized that he could no longer restore his power. His men either died in battle, fled, were forcibly dismissed by Sean or sent to the rear, and some became Sean's new subordinates.
Fighting under the command of Sean.
For example, General Grant's troops have penetrated deep into the enemy's rear. Even Sean is unable to grasp his accurate whereabouts. His latest news was sent back three days ago.
The vast enemy battle zone has become a stage for the ministry to maneuver vertically and horizontally, and Grant's actions are increasingly affecting the military mobilization and logistical supplies of the Billis.
Putting aside his political stance, Sean gave this battle-hardened marshal great respect. Although this marshal was a confidant of Carlos II, most of his prestige was gained from the battlefield, and he was respected for his reasons.
.
As the front became more stable, Sean often visited the marshal in person, reporting to him on every detail the battle situation on the front and his deployment.
The marshal was very quiet at this time. Perhaps it was Sean's respectful attitude that made him feel better. It was just because the stroke caused his facial muscles to stiffen, and slight changes in his mood would make him look a little funny.
"My Marshal, I still strongly recommend that you return to the rear. This is the front line after all, and the conditions are limited, which is not very conducive to your recovery." Sean said.
Marshal Lewis made a series of mumbling sounds that Sean couldn't understand. The marshal's adjutant explained:
"The marshal said that his home is in the Holy City, and he has no home to return to. The best destination for a soldier is to die in the last battle."
"You can go to Poitou. Don't worry, the people of Poitou welcome heroes like you to settle down. Moreover, the doctors at the School of Medicine at the University of Poitou are highly skilled. Maybe you will recover after staying there for a while." Xiao
Endowment.
Lewis sat on the recliner, looked at the ceiling, and remained silent for a long time.
"I know your loyalty to His Majesty. If you want to do something for His Majesty, you can only have a chance to do it when you recover." Sean said, "And I will fight fiercely with the Billis here.
I guarantee that the Belis people will pay a hundred times the price for their aggression, and victory is our best memorial to the fallen soldiers."
Marshal Lewis suddenly sat upright, his trembling hand stretched out to the side, and the adjutant quickly thrust a cane into his hand.
This is the marshal's scepter. It has beautiful natural patterns and a priceless sapphire.
Every marshal in the empire has a scepter, and Marshal Lewis's scepter is the most noble.
This was given to him by Carlos II, and it once symbolized the supreme power and honor in the military.
The power is still there, but the emperor has become a prisoner.
Marshal Lewis handed the cane into Sean's hand and patted the back of Sean's hand hard. He muttered, and Sean knew that this was a great trust from a marshal.
No matter how angry the marshal was, he could neither make the Belis people retreat of their own accord, nor could he use the sick to drive the Holy City to repay the emperor's kindness.
Even if he is now healthy and still in control of the army, he cannot act rashly. The fall of a royal family cannot be compared with the destruction of a country. It is self-evident which is more important. The duty of a soldier prevents him from turning a blind eye to the invaders.
.
At this moment, Marshal Lewis felt extremely regretful. If he had not taken the initiative to come to the Western Front battlefield and stay in the Holy City, perhaps none of this would have happened.
Handing the scepter to Sean also showed that Marshal Lewis had given up his former power. He looked at Sean silently, saying nothing.
"Please rest assured, Marshal, I will use my life as a guarantee that it will not be dusted." Sean said solemnly, "I will immediately arrange for someone to send you to Poitou to recuperate."
Leaving Marshal Lewis's residence, Sean asked people to invite the envoys from the Holy City.
In fact, Sean already knew the purpose of the messenger's visit in advance, and even knew the conditions that the messenger was going to offer.
Carmen Gable regarded herself as a transparent person, while Jon Stuart spent a lot of time complimenting Sean's victory and regarded this victory as a gift to the new regime.
Sean did not expose this lie that both parties knew well, and said bluntly:
"I need supplies, a lot of supplies, arms, food, uniforms, military boots and all other military supplies, and the salaries of all soldiers and officers must be paid on time."
"Of course, the Freedom Committee supports the war against aggression. This is a just war to save tens of millions of subjects from foreign slavery. But you know that it takes time to raise supplies." Stuart said.
"One month, I only give you one month." Sean said, "Because so far, my supplies still rely on the early reserves, which can only last for another month."
"Your Majesty Commander, transportation alone is not easy..."
"But Genoa has complete industries and can also be transported by sea and river, as long as you can afford it." Sean interrupted the envoy rudely, "Don't you expect us Genoese to shoulder the responsibility of defending the country independently?
?”
"You are blackmailing," Stuart accused angrily. "Are you prepared to abandon the defense line and let the Billis march in, thus committing treason?"
"No, Mr. Stuart, I am just pointing out a feasible suggestion. After all, our soldiers cannot fight the enemy on an empty stomach and with bare hands, and many industrial towns in the north have either fallen into the hands of the enemy or cannot go all out due to lack of funds.
Production." Sean said, "Maintaining the unity and territorial integrity of the country and protecting the people from foreign slavery are the basic responsibilities of a political power. After all, only if we survive can we talk about freedom and equality. Now,
This responsibility only falls on Salaman and other gentlemen."
"You are a royalist, especially since I see that Marshal Lewis is still in your military camp. He is a confidant of the Du Fu." Stuart questioned.
"No, in fact I also agree with and sympathize with the revolution. Mr. Gable sitting next to you can testify to this." Sean said, "As for Marshal Lewis, he has never suppressed liberal elements. His status comes entirely from targeting foreign countries."
In the war, this is a pure soldier, although his only loyalty is to His Majesty himself. But now, he is too ill to move freely, and even needs help to eat. Don't you still trust such a poor old man?
?What are you afraid of?"
Stuart subconsciously avoided Sean's aggressive gaze and said:
"As for Marshal Lewis, we don't have to hold him accountable, and we can agree to the conditions you mentioned earlier, but you must issue a statement to show that you support the revolution and oppose the imperial system."
"What if I don't make such a statement?" Sean asked, "You have to know that many soldiers in my army have sworn allegiance to His Majesty. Once they think that their bloody battle on the front line is not worth it, it will severely damage the morale of the army. I
I don’t want to see this happen.”
"No, no, this is our bottom line. Commander, please don't go too far."
"In that case, I can only ask Mr. Messenger to return to the Holy City and convey my position to Mr. Salaman face to face. If you want to change your mind, you can come and negotiate with me again. Sorry, I'm sorry."
While Stuart was stunned, Sean showed his strength.