From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

"Report to the colonel! The mission is completed. The Observer Daily has been sealed and we have arrested all relevant personnel."

A police soldier ran into the cafe on the corner of the street, stood at attention, and reported respectfully to Colonel Giovanni, who was in a daze.

Colonel Giovanni was stunned for a while before he came back to his senses, but he still looked lost and depressed. In any case, this kind of thing that went against his conscience was still unacceptable to the colonel.

The customers in the cafe also noticed the two people here and started whispering to each other:

"Are they from the police force? Are the people on Main Avenue with them?"

"It seems that I just came from Main Avenue. They destroyed the Daily Observer like a fire. It's really annoying."

"The Daily Observer? I quite like that newspaper. What a shame."

"Yeah, it's so rare to find a platform to speak out for us in this era. Alas, it's a pity that this platform only existed for a few months, and people in the police force have done all kinds of bad things."

Colonel Giovanni smiled wryly and nodded, indicating that he understood. Then he picked up the already cold mocha coffee on the table and drank it in one gulp. He followed the soldier back to Main Avenue without even wiping his beard.

On the muddy street, more than a hundred police soldiers were already lined up in order, waiting for the arrival of Colonel Giovanni.

The captain police officer stood majestically at the front of the team, enjoying this rare command right.

As for the newspaper employees, they were forced into the three cramped and crowded prison vans like hamsters. According to the plan, these people would be paraded through the streets and then escorted back to the police force for detention.

"Colonel!"

As soon as Colonel Giovanni's figure appeared on Main Avenue, the captain and police officer immediately greeted him respectfully and humbly as if he were a different person:

"The operation ended perfectly. Everything went smoothly. All the prisoners were arrested and controlled, and the machines used to promote reactionary information were completely destroyed by us."

Colonel Giovanni couldn't help but pinch his nose. He could smell the smell of ink leaking from the newspaper office even as he stood here:

"Is there anything wrong?"

"No, no, don't worry when I do the work." The captain smiled flatteringly, secretly thrust a small wallet to Colonel Giovanni, and said in a low voice:

"We also found some cash and deposit slips at the scene. Sir, it would be better for you to keep the money."

Colonel Giovanni frowned in disgust, pushed the captain's hand away, and ordered displeasedly:

"Okay, you can take the money yourself, and now take me to see the prisoners."

"Yes Yes!"

The captain happily stuffed his wallet into his breast pocket, and then took Colonel Giovanni to the front of the three prison cars.

Many newspaper employees still do not understand what happened, and they can only cry helplessly in the prison car, trying to prove their innocence.

The captain officer obviously wanted to show off in front of Colonel Giovanni. He waved his baton arrogantly and yelled at the crying employees:

"Be honest! Otherwise you will have a hard time in the cell!"

Having said that, the captain immediately put on a flattering smile on his lips as if his face had changed, and leaned over to ask Colonel Giovanni for instructions:

"Sir, everything is ready. All the relevant prisoners are here. These people can be paraded through the streets at any time."

"Okay then let's go"

Colonel Giovanni glanced at the prisoners in the prison car casually, and was about to give the order to start the parade.

But in the next moment, his words suddenly stopped, as if a machine suddenly broke its spring.

"etc."

Colonel Giovanni murmured subconsciously, his pupils trembled uncontrollably, his face turned as pale as lime, and even his two strong thighs instantly began to tremble and tremble, almost falling down. On the ground.

He seemed to have seen a character who definitely shouldn't be here.

Did you see it wrong? !

"Then who is that!" Colonel Giovanni suddenly turned his head to look at the captain, pointed at the calm-looking young man in the prison car who was concentrating with his eyes closed, and asked like a roar:

"Is he also an employee of this newspaper?"

The captain police officer was also frightened. He followed Colonel Giovanni's fingers tremblingly, and then stammered:

"Sir, he is just a small shareholder of the newspaper."

"Minority shareholder? What's his name? Have you asked him clearly about his identity?" Colonel Giovanni's roar could be heard by half the people in the street.

The captain lowered his head, trembling all over and saying nothing.

He didn't know why Colonel Giovanni was so abnormal and angry. He seemed to be just a kid with some assets.

And when Colonel Giovanni walked towards the prison car with weak legs, he wanted to take a closer look at the young man's face.

Lawrence in the prison car slowly opened his eyes, glanced at Colonel Giovanni who was pacing nervously, smiled and greeted:

"Ah, you are Colonel Giovanni, right? It's been a long time."

Lawrence was indeed a little surprised. He didn't expect that this time it would be an old acquaintance who came to the operation.

And this ordinary greeting immediately made the lucky Colonel Giovanni freeze on the spot as if he had been struck by lightning.

"Your Excellency Bo Bonaparte."

Colonel Giovanni's legs weakened and he fell to his knees directly on the ground. His expression was as dazed and frightened as if his soul had been taken away.

At this moment, Colonel Giovanni had only one thought in his mind - the Paris police force arrested the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Corsica and the First Attendant of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince into a prison car? What the hell are you kidding me? !

As for the captain and police officer on the side, his face was so bitter that it could drip with tears. He walked carefully to the colonel and prepared to help Giovanni up. At the same time, he asked cautiously:

"Sir, is this an acquaintance of yours? I'm sorry, I really don't know."

Before he finished speaking, Colonel Giovanni shouted angrily and slapped the captain on the fat face with his backhand.

There was a snap, and five deep blood marks suddenly appeared on the fat and oily face, which was as scary as if it had been welded with a soldering iron.

"Ahhh!"

The burning pain immediately made the captain cover his face and scream, and the scream only lasted for less than a second before being interrupted by Colonel Giovanni.

He strangled the captain's neck tightly, veins popped out on his forehead, and roared with fire in his eyes:

"You bastard! You stupid son of a bitch! Do you know what you have done!"

The police and soldiers present were all shocked and looked at each other blankly, wondering what trouble the captain had caused to make the usually easy-going Colonel Giovanni so furious.

As for the policemen who escorted Lawrence and Grosso to the prison car just now, their faces were even more pale. Could it be that they had really offended some big shot?

The captain fell heavily to the ground. The suffocating feeling on his neck made him unable to speak a word, and he could only let out a series of miserable whines helplessly.

It wasn't until his plump cheeks faintly revealed a trace of purple color from lack of oxygen that the other non-commissioned officers suddenly realized and hurriedly stepped forward to grab Colonel Giovanni:

"Colonel! What happened!"

"Don't be impulsive, sir!"

Colonel Giovanni stood up only after being resisted by several people. He stared at the horrified captain and police officer with ferocious eyes. He seemed to be still upset and raised his right foot and hit the bastard's forehead hard.

Seeing the captain and noncommissioned officer fainting, Colonel Giovanni growled at the people around him:

"If this matter is not handled well today, we will wait to meet on the guillotine!"

Several sergeants were stunned for a moment. They looked at each other in confusion. They had no idea how closing down a newspaper could lead to death for them.

But only Colonel Giovanni himself knew that he was by no means alarmist.

The prime minister of a kingdom, the favorite of the current king, and the confidant of the future king, these pig-like subordinates actually put such a big man in a prison car?

Even if the top lieutenant general commander of the police force encountered such a thing, he would have to humbly find ways to seek forgiveness from the other party.

But as a small civilian colonel, how can I get forgiveness from the other party?

What's more, His Excellency Bonaparte had previously presented a letter of forgiveness for his foolish act of forcing his way into the Corsican embassy. Instead of repaying this kindness, he offended the other party for the second time.

When he thought of this, Colonel Giovanni's face instantly lost all color, and his whole body felt as cold and weak as if he were in an ice cave.

"Okay, Mr. Colonel, instead of punishing your subordinates, I think you should release me first?"

Lawrence's calm voice came from the prison car:

"Of course, if you think I am an unpardonable criminal, you can just escort me back to the police station."

Colonel Giovanni suddenly trembled, quickly took the prison car keys from the captain's waist, and personally opened the latches of all three prison cars.

Seeing Lawrence jumping out of the car easily and freely, Colonel Giovanni lowered his head in panic and said in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty Bonaparte, I really don't know what to say. This was definitely not my intention. I have no idea what the relationship is between you and this newspaper."

At this time, Colonel Giovanni wanted to blame all this on Duke Aiguillon.

But he gave up the idea after thinking about it for a while. After all, he didn't have a shred of evidence to prove that this operation was ordered by Duke Aiguillon. He didn't even know the name of the steward who threatened him.

"Corsica National Silver Company has invested in many industries, and this newspaper is just one of them." Lawrence shrugged and asked with slightly squinted eyes:

"I would like to ask Mr. Colonel, is there any grudge between the Kingdom of Corsica and the police force? First they broke into our country's embassy, ​​and then they seized our country's industry. This is not very friendly."

Upon hearing this oppressive question, a chill instantly spread from Colonel Giovanni's toes to the Tianling Cap.

Everyone knows that the relationship between France and Corsica today can be said to be close and integrated. If he is accused of maliciously damaging the relationship between Corsica and France at this time, Colonel Giovanni knows that he will definitely It is a complete capital crime.

"Not at all, Your Excellency!" The colonel's voice was already trembling.

Lawrence looked at Colonel Giovanni who was sweating and at a loss. He chuckled and continued to press:

"Oh? Does that mean there is a personal grudge between you, Colonel, and I, Laurence Bonaparte?"

Although it was the depth of winter, Colonel Giovanni still seemed to be in the scorching heat of June at this moment. A lot of cold sweat flowed down his face and down his neck, and his throat kept rumbling. He finally spoke with great difficulty. Come up with a complete sentence:

"No, no, Your Excellency, you have been a great kindness to me, how could I possibly retaliate against you? God can testify that I, Albert Giovanni, am definitely not that kind of bastard."

"Okay." Lawrence shrugged and said directly:

"Then, I guess there is nothing to do with you and your men here, unless you still want to carry out your mission."

Colonel Giovanni was stunned for a moment, still hesitating to defend himself.

But Lawrence didn't give him a chance. Instead, he turned around and approached the weakened President Hailsham. Seeing this, Colonel Giovanni had no choice but to walk away in a daze and commanded his men to start evacuating Main Avenue.

"I really don't know how to thank you enough, Monsignor Bonaparte."

President Hailsen, who was covered in bruises, coughed violently twice, looked at the police soldiers who were gradually moving away, and praised with a wry smile:

"I really didn't expect you to come here in person cough cough."

Lawrence also quickly instructed Grosso to come forward to check and treat his injuries. Lawrence still cherished this brave journalist.

"I'm fine, sir. You just arrived in time." President Hailsen still smiled bitterly and glanced at the messy newspaper building with a low expression:

"But our newspaper is not so lucky, alas."

Lawrence shook his head: "You can rest assured, Mr. Hailsham, the newspaper will be rebuilt as quickly as possible regardless of the cost."

President Hailsen's bitter and worried face finally flashed with joy:

"Once again, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart, Your Excellency. This way we can resume distribution in less than three days."

"Recovering your body is more important than recovering your circulation." Lawrence smiled.

"Serving you is the most important thing to me, Your Excellency."

Lawrence and Grosso did not stay on the Main Avenue for too long. After making sure that President Hailsson was in good health, they took a carriage back to the Champs Elysées.

After all, Lawrence doesn't want to expose his relationship with the Daily Observer too obviously. For now, maintaining the superficial identity of an ordinary investor is enough.

On the carriage on the way home, Grosso recalled what had just happened and asked with some confusion:

"I thought you would make a fuss about the person behind the colonel's command. His coming to seize the newspaper this time must not be an internal order from the police force, right?"

"Of course not, I can basically guess who ordered Colonel Giovanni." Lawrence shrugged and said:

"It's nothing more than those people from the Richelieu faction. At present, it seems that there is a high probability that it is the Duke of Aiguillon."

Grosso smacked his lips: "Then if it is found out that the Duke instigated this matter, wouldn't it be a clue?"

But Lawrence smiled and shook his head:

"The Duke of Aiguillon is not like Count Falcone. He is much more cautious in doing things and will not leave clues so easily."

In the last incident of breaking into the Corsican embassy, ​​Count Falcone was convicted of controlling the Paris police force. After all, thousands of onlookers saw him personally coming to the scene to boss around Colonel Giovanni. appearance.

But the Duke of Aiguillon will definitely not risk his life like the young and vigorous Count Falcone. If he can even leave traces when instructing a police colonel, Lawrence feels that he is not qualified to become the leader of the Richelieu faction today. The leader.

In fact, this is also true. Colonel Giovanni has no written evidence that the Duke of Aiguillon instigated him. He even has no way of knowing the identity of the steward who instigated and threatened him.

And Lawrence was not sure that Colonel Giovanni's words alone could lead the culprit of this incident to the Duke of Aiguillon.

This is why, just now, Lawrence knew who was behind this incident, but he didn't make a fuss about it with Colonel Giovanni.

"Really..." Grosso nodded understandingly after listening to Lawrence's explanation, and sighed with a smile:

"That's a pity. Your trip was in vain. This kind of trivial matter can be solved by just sending someone."

"No, on the contrary, I have gained a lot this time." Lawrence smiled mysteriously. He personally went to Main Avenue not to use Duke Aiguillon as an excuse:

"The police colonel is obeying my words now. I originally used this incident to create a handle, but unexpectedly I met an old acquaintance. Now he has two fatal handles in my hands."

"A police colonel? What's the use of him? There are four colonels in the Paris police force." Grosso curled his lips and said.

"Grosseau, you have to know that the top lieutenant general and two major generals of the Paris police force are on temporary retirement. They basically will not personally handle the complicated affairs of the force."

Lawrence clasped his fingers and said with a slight smile:

"In other words, the normal command authority is exercised by these four colonels; and due to the impact of recent citizen protest rallies, the Paris police force has been under martial law, and these four colonels have also been on rotation to ensure that they can be at any time Responding to anomalies in the city. Do you know what this means?"

"What does it mean?" Grosso couldn't help but swallowed.

"As long as I control Colonel Giovanni," Lawrence said softly:

"I can control the Paris police force for six full hours on a certain day, and there's a lot I can do in that time."