From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

Lawrence tapped the table twice with his index finger to signal everyone to quiet down.

Although there were differences of opinion among his subordinates, Lawrence also knew that both sides were loyal to Corsica's interests and proposed what they considered to be the optimal solution from their own perspectives. There was no right or wrong.

Lawrence first nodded tacitly to each speaker, indicating that their opinions had merit, and then said in a deep voice:

"Everyone, I think this battle is inevitable. Corsican affairs must be resolved by the Corsicans themselves. There will always be variables in placing hope on the French."

Lawrence's meaning was already obvious. It was not appropriate to abandon Ajaccio for a strategic shift, because it would be equivalent to giving the initiative completely to the French.

Once something goes wrong on the French side, it will be even more difficult for the Lawrence faction, which has lost Ajaccio, to confront General Nathan.

Major Trifali listened silently. Although Lawrence's decision was contrary to his thoughts, as a qualified soldier, he immediately accepted the superior's decision and began to think about a plan for a head-on battle with the Northern Army.

"Governor Bonaparte, in this case, I think we can recreate the Battle of Bonifacio and use sniper tactics again."

Major Trifari looked up at Lawrence and said, but his tone was not very firm, with a bit of hesitation.

Lawrence and Major Trifari looked at each other, nodded slightly, then shook their heads and said:

"Use this tactic as a last resort and prepare other options first."

The reason why both of them were so hesitant to use sniper tactics was because this tactic required large-scale sniping of low-level enemy officers.

If they were facing those three thousand Sardinian troops, Lawrence and Major Trifali would certainly not have any concerns.

But this time is a civil war after all. If sniper tactics are used, a large number of grassroots officers of the Corsican army will be killed.

In this way, even if Lawrence wins this civil war, he will inherit an army with a broken army and a broken command.

Now that he has sat in the position of governor, Lawrence must consider the interests of all Corsica.

Of course, if there is a last resort, when Lawrence has no other choice, he will not hesitate to kill to win the victory, even if the entire Northern Army is destroyed.

The rest of the people present listened patiently and carefully to the plans of Lawrence, Major Trifali and Lieutenant Seth. Since they had decided to fight the enemy head-on, the next main task would undoubtedly be handed over to the military.

"But if we don't use those precision shooters."

Major Cui Farley sighed slightly, rubbed the corners of his mouth and took a breath and said:

"In conventional combat with the Northern Army, we are completely at a disadvantage. We only have the Ajaccio garrison. The Southern Army that arrived yesterday and the special battalion that suffered heavy casualties in the last battle have a combined strength of just over a thousand."

"That's true, though."

Lawrence nodded, but his brows were furrowed and he was thinking about something. After a while, he spoke:

"We still have one huge advantage."

"Huge advantage? You mean?!" Major Trifali also thought for a moment and quickly understood what Lawrence was talking about.

Lawrence looked around for a week and saw that the others still looked puzzled, so he explained:

"No matter how future generations will evaluate my seizure of power, at this moment, in the eyes of ordinary people and soldiers, this is just a normal change of power."

"That's it." Carlo also reacted, clapped his hands excitedly and said:

"In other words, although General Nathan will come to crusade you for usurping power, in the eyes of everyone, he is the usurper."

"But this is not enough. Although it is a blow to the enemy's morale, it is not enough to make up for the gap in our military strength."

Major Trifari considered Lawrence's words carefully, and then added with some frustration.

"Of course this is not enough, but it will be enough if we add another actor."

A flash of light flashed in Lawrence's eyes, he had already decided on the battle plan in his heart, and said slowly:

"Everyone, thank you for your opinions. You can leave. Also, guards! Bring Pasquale Paoli to see me!"

"Pasquale Paoli?"

After everyone present heard the second half of Lawrence's order, they looked at each other in realization and probably guessed what Lawrence was going to do.

"You seem to look better than before, Mr. Pauly."

Lawrence sat behind the desk, watching the guards escort Pauly into the study, and said to him with a smile.

Paulie's face was indeed rosier than before, and facing Lawrence's greeting, he just waved his hands expressionlessly and said casually:

"I have left the burden of Corsica to you, and life will naturally be much easier. What? Governor Bonaparte has time to chat with me, an ordinary citizen, today?"

Lawrence chuckled and shook his head, corrected Paulie's sentence and said:

"You are not an ordinary citizen. You also have a big title on your head."

Paulie was stunned for a moment, then he came to his senses, laughed at himself and said:

"Oh, I almost forgot, I am still the general of Corsica."

In the Republic of Corsica, the highest military power and the highest political power are held by the two titles of General of the State of Corsica and Governor of Corsica respectively.

However, both titles were previously held by Pauli alone, so few people specifically distinguished between them. They just called Pauli differently on different occasions.

However, in the coup on April 1, Paoli only resigned from the post of Governor of Corsica, but the nominal highest military power was still in the hands of the country's general.

"Hehehe, so you came to me to ask for this title?"

Paulie looked at Lawrence nonchalantly. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest anyway. He couldn't even receive visitors without Lawrence's permission. It was completely useless to retain this title, so he said directly:

"Okay, you've got the paperwork ready, I'll just sign it."

"No, no, no, you misunderstood me."

Lawrence smiled and shook his head and said that although Lawrence would take back this title from Paulie later, at this moment, it would be beneficial to him to let Paulie retain this title.

"Huh? Lawrence, what do you want to do? You can't come to me, an elder, to ask for life experience, right?"

Paulie was stunned for a moment and said with a grin.

Lawrence also ended his courtesy with Pauli and said in a deep voice:

"Your loyal subordinate, General Nathan, will probably not stop after receiving the news from Ajaccio."

The smile on Paulie's face gradually faded, and he looked at Lawrence seriously, but did not speak.

"I need your help in fighting the Northern Army."

Seeing that Paulie didn't speak, Lawrence directly stated his request.

After hearing this, Paulie turned his head and sighed, then looked at Lawrence with a somewhat contemptuous expression and said:

"Governor Bonaparte, are you asking for my assistance? Then you must show some sincerity, and General Nathan's invasion of Ajaccio is great news for me. Why should I assist you?"

Lawrence glanced at Pauli coldly and said calmly:

"Mr. Pauli, I believe you are a smart man. You should know better than me whether General Nathan's invasion of Ajaccio is good news for you."

Hearing Lawrence's reply, the contempt on Paulie's face immediately disappeared.

He knew that what Lawrence said was right. After General Nathan invaded Ajaccio, he would probably be idle, and what awaited him would be another prison sentence.

Even if the conditions under which General Nathan imprisoned him would be as good as the conditions under which Lawrence imprisoned him, Pauli could not tell.

"in addition."

Seeing Pauly fall into silence, Lawrence then said:

"I'm not begging you, I'm asking you. Mr. Pauly, I will take you with me. As long as this battle fails, I will be the first to kill you."

"You! Lawrence, you really don't have any aristocratic rules." After hearing this, Paulie couldn't help but scolded in a low voice.

Lawrence smiled nonchalantly and continued to threaten:

"So what? If this battle fails, I will go into exile abroad and may never return to Corsica. So what impact will killing you have on me?"

Paulie raised his eyebrows and glared at Lawrence, but could only sigh helplessly.

He knew that his life was in Lawrence's hands. The General Nathan mentioned just now was just to test Lawrence to see if he could get some concessions, but Lawrence saw through it at a glance.

In this case, as long as Pauly does not want to end his life prematurely, there is only one way in front of him.

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