Iron Powder and Spellcaster

When Colonel [Cornelis], the head of the Army Academy, was having a showdown with Colonel [Pal], the supreme commander of Fort Daffodil, Captain [Fritz], the chief centurion of the Second "Faithful" National Army of the United Provinces Republic, was leading his men. Heading towards the State Palace.

The distance from the outskirts of the city to Martyrs' Square is less than five kilometers. It is flat and spacious and can accommodate four carriages traveling together.

Captain Fritz lost count of how many times he had walked on this road, but it had never been as long as today.

"Do they know they are participating in a rebellion?" Captain Fritz thought calmly.

"They" refers to the heavily armed, murderous soldiers and colleagues who are following Fritz's horse closely at this moment.

Maybe some people just follow blindly, maybe some people naively think they are saving the country, maybe some people would rather believe that everything today is to practice justice...

But Fritz is none of the above. The young captain, born into a poor yeoman family in Jos, knew full well that he was stirring up a turmoil, a mutiny, a storm that would overturn the entire country.

There was no doubt that this was treason—the Captain was not about to quibble.

Because of this, Fritz's will is firm and decisive.

Fritz led the First Battalion of the Second National Army to set off from the station at ten o'clock in the morning.

For reasons that some captains were not qualified to know, the time for the coup was chosen to be daytime rather than late at night when a surprise attack would be more appropriate.

The road Fritz led his troops into the city was also the main road of Guitu City, and it was the busiest time at noon.

Pedestrians and rickshaw drivers on the road stared in astonishment at the troops rushing towards the city center. Many citizens initially mistakenly thought that this was just a routine change of defense.

Until they saw the soldiers' clenched teeth and protruding veins on their foreheads, until they discovered that the spear tips with the cloth cover removed were shining coldly, until they realized that this army was driving towards the Palace of State in a rough manner and recklessly. Enter.

Citizens of Guitucheng with a keen sense of smell got out of the way, fled into alleys, and rushed home.

Mutiny - this nightmare that has tortured the citizens of Guitou City for more than ten years, this sharp blade that has hung over the government of the United Provincial Republic for more than ten years, finally crossed the bottom line of political struggle, pierced the border and became a reality.

"Stop!" Luka in front shouted with a trembling ending. The city guards leveled their spears: "Show your movement warrant!"

Kuitu City no longer has a city wall. Because it disliked the city wall obstructing internal and external traffic, the federal provincial government ignored the army's objections and forcibly passed a bill to demolish the city wall and fill in the trenches. This matter was also considered a government mistake within the federal army. One of the ironclad evidences of the country.

However, by mistake, the federal provincial government's decree to demolish the city wall became an excellent aid to the coup forces.

Without the protection of city walls and moats, Guitu City was like an egg with its shell peeled off. Although there was a star-shaped fortress designed by Antoine Laurent himself as a barrier, it was powerless to face a surprise attack from within.

At this moment, the only things blocking the coup troops from entering the city were a checkpoint responsible for collecting tolls and checking smuggling, and a few frightened and pot-bellied guards.

There is no clear dividing line between the "urban area" and the "suburban area" of Guitu City, but there is indeed an invisible line there.

Once you cross that line, there is absolutely no turning back.

The blazing flames became silent, and the officers and soldiers from the first battalion of the Second National Legion... everyone stopped and looked at the chief centurion involuntarily.

But Captain Fritz ignored the guards' warnings and stops, and without even touching the reins, he passed the checkpoints and guards without looking sideways.

The guards looked at each other. The leading guard gritted his teeth and stretched out his hand to pull the bit of the captain's horse.

However, without Captain Fritz's order, another accompanying non-commissioned officer immediately strode forward and knocked down the leading guard with the butt of his rifle.

This rifle butt was like a flood opening, and other soldiers rushed forward. The guard guarding the card was beaten until his nose was bruised and his face was swollen, and he was made a prisoner in a daze.

Fritz of Jos analyzed everything in front of him coldly. He originally thought that the line was insurmountable, but when he really crossed the invisible line - just like Caesar crossing the Rubicon, he Suddenly realized that "crossing the line" was not a big deal.

"Target!" Fritz drew his sword and pointed directly at the end of the long street: "Palace of State!"

The smoldering red coals turned into raging fire again, and tongues of fire danced up to the eaves, rising into the sky accompanied by human roars.

All the officers and soldiers of the First Battalion of the Second "Faithful" National Army shouted and spread out into battle formation, rushing towards the State Palace, which reflected the golden light in the sun.

…

Meanwhile, the Army Ministry.

Brigadier General William Barentsz, the nominal supreme commander of the Union Provincial Army and Minister of War, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, sweating profusely and walking around the office.

Barentsz was promoted to brigadier general last year, and was promoted from the casual job of director of the Ministry of War’s External Liaison Department to Army Minister last year.

There are rumors that it was precisely because William Barents had served in the War Ministry all year round and had always been unable to deal with the monolithic military command system that Secretary of State Lionel made an effort to appoint him as Minister of War.

In the eyes of others, Barentsz was just lucky. Only Brigadier General Barentsz knew in his heart how uncomfortable the position of Minister of War was at this juncture when the mutiny was imminent - the chair with the minister's title engraved on it was not a chair at all, but a red-hot iron plate.

Therefore, since taking office, Barentsz has been doing his best to bridge the differences between the military and the government, ease the conflicts between the parliament and the military, and pray every night that he can survive his term safely...at least not to have anything happen to him on his term.

But no matter what he was afraid of, the sharp sword above his head still fell down, and the gunpowder barrel under his butt still exploded.

Compared to the gaffeed Army Minister, the other two lieutenants in the office looked much more at ease.

"General, don't waste your energy." A lieutenant couldn't stand the panic of the dignified general, and advised him tepidly: "Sit down and take a rest."

Another lieutenant also spoke: "You are safe here."

Although the two lieutenants spoke lightly, their right hands held the wooden handle of the spring gun tightly, and their eyes were fixed on Barentsz, never relaxing for a moment.

William Barents stopped, looked at the two lieutenants, and asked tentatively: "Are you..."

"Issue 19, Fernando Albert."

"Issue 20, Henry Voss."

The two lieutenants raised their hands and saluted solemnly.

"Second Lieutenant Albert, Second Lieutenant Voss." Brigadier General Barentsz, who had white hair on his temples, looked at the two young juniors with pity and sadness: "You have a promising future, why are you involved in... this kind of thing? You were supposed to defend the Republic, but now, look at yourselves, do you know what you are doing?"

The two lieutenants exchanged glances. Second Lieutenant Albert of Issue 19 narrowed his eyes: "What about you? Do you know what you are doing?"

Barentsz did not expect that the other party would dare to refute, and subconsciously showed the majesty of a general: "Are you asking me?"

"Yes." Albert stared at the brigadier and repeated word for word: "Do you know what you are doing?"

"What's the meaning?"

"Don't you know better than us what kind of corruption there is within the government of the Republic? Don't you know better than us whether the National Assembly can represent the people? How many fat-headed morons sitting in the Palace of State who only care about their own selfish desires? Don't you know Don't you know better than us?" Albert gritted his teeth and asked in a hateful voice:

"But what about you? What did you do? You submitted to them! You flattered them! Just to continue to sit in this position, you betrayed the interests of the Army! You betrayed the interests of the people! You betrayed the interests of the Republic! What qualifications do you have to ask us if we are clear? What are we doing? We know it! We are saving this country - before it's too late!"

Barentsz was left speechless by the question, and for a moment he didn't know where to answer. He subconsciously crossed his arms, avoided looking, and said coldly: "Young man, don't make any judgments before you really sit in my position."

Albert also sneered: "Okay! Then let's talk about it one by one. Why didn't the corruption case of the city defense project seven years ago go undisclosed? The money squeezed out from the budgets of various municipalities and the army was allocated for repairs. Whose pocket does the money for city fortifications in various places end up in?"

Voss also asked in a low voice: "Every parish, village, and town draws lots to serve in the army every year. If you pay, you will not be selected. If you don't have money, you will be taken away to serve. The powerful and wealthy villains even regard the drawing of military service lots as the annexation of homesteaders' land." All this happened under the eyes of the Ministry of War."

"Lying! Fraudulent drawings are a serious crime that will lead to the gallows." Barents stared and slapped the table: "Who told you this?"

"No one needs to tell us." Voss replied in an unassuming tone: "These are all things we have seen with our own eyes."

William Barentsz slumped back in his chair: "I don't know this."

"So we don't blame you, General." Albert said calmly: "We also know that Lionel had no good intentions in putting you in this position. Your problem is that you are a corrupt, dirty Part of a dirty, bloated system — a system we want to overthrow.”

"You? Who are you?"

"All army officers who still have a conscience." Albert looked directly into the brigadier general's eyes: "All army officers who still remember the teachings of the old marshal."

"Conscience? Teaching? You are just rebelling." William Barents smiled bitterly: "You have shaken the sanctity of the command. Sooner or later, you will also taste the bitter fruit."

"Whatever you say!" Albert responded unwaveringly. He paused for a moment and said hatefully: "Compared to corruption, what is more intolerable to you is your incompetence! Incompetence!

How many reserve forces did the Republic mobilize after the Battle of Taneria? How much burden do these reserve forces add to the country? Having assembled such a huge army but unable to achieve any strategic and tactical victory, isn't this incompetence? What is it again? Compared to your corruption, your incompetence is a bigger and deeper wound on the body of the Republic! The Republic is groaning and wailing every moment, and we are going to stop this! "

"Then what do you think? Do you really want to start a full-scale war with Veneta and Plato?" William Barentsz was furious, like a spring that was compressed to the limit, suddenly bursting out: "Weapons are the most powerful. The most useful time is when it's in the sheath! Don't you even understand this?!"

"You are wrong, General." Lieutenant Voss raised his head, with a confident and mysterious look in his eyes: "It is the greatest incompetence and waste to clearly create the sharpest weapons but not use them."

"You...you..." Barentsz clenched the hem of his clothes tightly, his face turned pale with anger, and he yelled: "You bastards! You want! You want..."

The door was kicked open with a clang, and a school officer strode into the office with guards. Albert and Voss saluted hurriedly.

The school officer guessed what happened in the office at a glance. He glared at the two lieutenants: "Why are you talking nonsense to him? Your order is to keep an eye on him! Don't let him commit suicide!"

After saying that, regardless of how ugly Barentsz looked, the school officer took out a piece of white paper with his name written on it, slapped it on the desk, and asked in a sarcastic tone: "Your Excellency, please sign."

"Sign? What to sign?"

The school officer took out his handkerchief, rubbed his nose, and said nonchalantly: "Arrest warrant."

…

At the same time, in the Army Ministry Building, the Army Military Command Building, various army agencies, military camps and even government departments, there were heavily armed "gendarmes" arresting people according to orders.

These "enforcers" who claim to be the military police of the headquarters are extremely brutal and fierce in their methods. They will resort to violence when they encounter any resistance, as if it makes no difference to them whether they are taking away corpses or living people.

And the list they held in their hands was exactly the same as the list that was slapped in front of Brigadier General Barentsz.

…

William Barentsz did not pick up the list, but just glanced at it.

He could only recognize a small part of the names on the list, but most of the names that he remembered belonged to the pro-government faction within the army, or the non-military command faction who had served in the Army Ministry all year round. He even recognized a few A name belonging to a National Assembly member.

Barents snorted, crossed his arms, and proudly stated: "I will not sign a list that I have not written."

"Oh? Really?" The colonel put away his handkerchief, pulled out his short gun, removed the cover of the gunpowder tank, buckled the flint, and put the muzzle of the gun against the forehead of the Minister of War - his finger was already on the trigger: "Your Excellency, I want to ask you Guaranteed, your signature and your brain will be on the arrest warrant."

…

After a while, the school officer put away the arrest warrant, turned around with satisfaction and prepared to leave.

A cold voice came from behind, and William Barents was uttering his last curse: "Do you really think you can succeed? You thought you seized the opportunity of Lionel's visit to Vann, but you How do you know this is not the opportunity Lionel wants to catch you all in one fell swoop?

do not forget! Your power also comes from the power of command. When you destroy the sanctity of the command, it is destined that this poisonous snake will eventually bite your own tail! Devour yourselves! Remember what I said! remember! "

Faced with the barking of this corrupt dog, the school officer looked down upon him. He nodded at Voss and Albert, straightened up his appearance and left the room, and the heavy oak door belonging to the Office of the Minister of War was also closed.

…

At the same time, the Parliament Hall of the State Palace.

News of the rebellion had reached the Palace of State through various channels, and the halls of the Parliament were in chaos.

"There is no need to panic, gentlemen."

Facing the remaining members who were summoned to the meeting, Richard Milehouse, who acted as Speaker and Secretary of State, seemed calm: "You are all citizens who elected respectable representatives, and you should remain calm at this time. , decency and dignity.”

"Milehouse! Stop talking nonsense!" Someone in the parliamentarians shouted angrily: "The National Legion mutiny! It's all your fault!"

"Forgive me for not agreeing with your point of view." Richard Milehouse said slowly: "Congressman Quickburn."

"Save it! We will hold you accountable later!" Another member of Parliament shouted anxiously: "We have to evacuate as soon as possible! Parliament! The Palace of State! Evacuate as soon as possible!"

"Silence, gentlemen." Richard Malhouse hit the podium heavily with his gavel. When the venue fell silent, he showed a calm and capable smile: "Don't panic, Lord Lionel has already been prepared. .”

…

[Martyrs’ Square outside the State Palace]

After learning about the coup, the Honor Guard responsible for guarding Martyrs' Square immediately deployed for defense. Guard soldiers dragged furniture and carriages and barely blocked the entrance to Martyrs' Square.

Captain Narden, the commander of the Honor Guard, was distraught because the Palace of State Honor Guard was essentially a guard of honor and did not have any heavy weapons except muskets.

There was even very little gunpowder and lead - in order to prevent members of Congress from being assassinated, the musketeers of the Honor Guard were never issued gunpowder and lead bullets.

The only thing Captain Naarden could count on was the two salute guns brought from outside the main entrance of the Palace of State. The two six-pound bronze cannons that had been removed from the battleship were filled with all the nails, stones and gunpowder that Captain Narden could find.

If reinforcements from the garrison did not arrive soon, Captain Narden could only pray that the rebels would be routed by two rounds of shotgun.

Finally, dense spear poles and overlapping figures began to appear at the end of the street. The rebels were getting closer, their faces becoming clearer and clearer. An officer rode at the head of the column, followed by the musketeers, and then the spearmen.

And the reinforcements were still missing.

"Back off!" Captain Nalden shouted: "You are violating the most sacred land of the Republic! One thousand, seven hundred and fourteen martyrs are buried here! Put down your weapons and surrender immediately!"

The leading rebel officer continued to move forward until he could hear each other's words.

"You won't have any reinforcements." Fritz took off his helmet: "Don't die for them, senior."

Captain Nalden looked back at Martyrs' Square and then at the empty streets. After struggling for a long time, he finally made up his mind: "My duty is to guard Martyrs' Square! Back off!"

Fritz put back his helmet and drove his horse away: "Musketeers! Get ready!"

The barricade is like a mirror, reflecting two identical armies. They have received the same training, adopted the same organization, followed the same norms, and inherited the same spirit.

But now, their swords are facing each other.

Nalden looked desperately at the enemies in front of him, knowing that they would not be defeated by artillery fire.

"Fire!" he yelled.

There were two loud bangs one after the other, and two rounds of shotgun blasts swept through the street like raindrops with air waves.

Smoke obscured the view of the guards. Suddenly, a round of uniform gunshots was heard, followed by shrill shouts from behind the smoke. Legionnaires armed with spears and swords jumped over the barricades, and brutal hand-to-hand combat began.

…

[Barricade after fierce battle]

The hand-to-hand combat was short but intense, with the winner decided quickly.

Captain Nalden lay in a pool of blood. Two lead bullets penetrated his plate armor and embedded in his chest, causing every breath he took to be accompanied by burning pain.

"Why...you...don't understand..." Nalden coughed out light red blood bubbles and said dyingly: "...They...just...used you...as a...tool..."

"I know." Fritz held the senior's hand: "I know."

"……Why……"

"As long as something can change." Fritz paused: "I am willing to be a tool."

"So...that's it..." Nalden seemed to be nodding, and then his eyes lost their luster.

…

Later that day, the infantry brigade led by Fritz occupied the State Palace, Army Headquarters, and all key institutions in Guitu City.

The remaining members held a special vote under the chairmanship of Acting Speaker Richard Milehouse and unanimously passed a provisional resolution: dissolve Parliament, remove John Lionel from all his duties, and establish a provisional Supreme Council as a transitional body. National affairs, hold new parliamentary elections when the time is right.

The expected reinforcements never appeared.

The traitor Captain Fritz became the hero Captain Fritz.

The brief exchange of fire in Martyrs' Square was the only organized resistance throughout the coup.

Haarlem Naarden was the only officer killed in the coup, and his rank and membership were removed after the incident.

On the night of the coup, the newly appointed Speaker of the Supreme Council, Richard Malhouse, rushed to Vine. He wanted to completely eliminate the former Secretary of State Lionel before the news reached Plainfield City.

The April 1 Coup of the United Provinces - This huge boulder fell into the water in a calm way, but the undercurrent it set off would stir up every corner of the Senas Alliance and even the entire continent.

At the same time, the migration team led by Winters Montagne passed through Jiangbei Province and boarded the ferry back to Tiefeng County.

[return! have! one! chapter! Book! roll! Knot! bundle! ]

[And, according to my rough statistics, successful coups in history all look somewhat... funny. The more recent the period and the more complete the historical data, the more ridiculous it is...]

[But what I want to say is that although many coups look ridiculous, the process is like child's play.

However, as a violent means second only to war, there are often deeper reasons why a coup can succeed. In other words, it is not because the process was funny that the coup succeeded, but because the coup was already a matter of course, so it looks very funny]

[Thank you book friends for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation votes, monthly votes, rewards and comments, thank you all]

[PS: The Easter egg this time is the "Bust of Winters\