The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 136

Chapter 136: With the Army in Hand, the World is Mine!

The choices for ordinary soldiers were relatively easier. Priority was given to those with good performance on their records, while those with violations of military discipline or criminal records were eliminated. A battalion of infantry and a cavalry regiment, comprising over 1,700 soldiers, were selected in just a few days.

The selection of officers, however, proved to be more complicated.

According to the Crown Prince’s instructions, Berthier eliminated all officers at the regimental rank and above, retaining only captains.

There was no need to worry about a lack of mid-level or senior commanders, because many of the captains had the capabilities of mid-level officers, but had been stuck in the lower ranks due to their origins or lack of money.

It was far more effective to promote excellent individuals from these ranks than to rely on the old hereditary officers, who were less competent in combat.

Among the remaining officers, those from noble families were also excluded, and those with poor character were further culled. The entire screening process lasted more than ten days before it was completed.

When Joseph received the report that Berthier had completed the team composition, he miraculously got out of bed, removed the bandages from his arm—though the wound had long since healed, leaving only a small scar.

The next day, he went to Paris to attend the public trial of Théodore, the mastermind behind the bombing of the farmhouse, and several of his subordinates.

The so-called trial was just a formality, a gesture to appease public anger. The verdict had already been decided a few days prior.

Théodore and Kerm, who had ordered the shelling at the scene, were sentenced to execution, while the others received various punishments such as imprisonment or forced labor.

After the military court judges announced the verdict, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd in the square in front of the Paris City Hall.

Many shouted, “Avenging the Axels!” and stone after stone rained down on Théodore. If not for the gendarmes blocking with shields, several of the perpetrators would have been killed on the spot.

Joseph then climbed a platform amidst the crowd’s cheers and declared:

“The injuries I sustained in the attack have healed. After an inspection, the ‘pests’ in the French Guard have been completely eliminated, and the rest of the officers and soldiers are innocent. I hope you will no longer disturb them.”

The crowd immediately erupted in cheers again:

“Thanks be to God, the Crown Prince is safe!”

“Praise the Crown Prince’s mercy!”

“May God grant the Crown Prince good health!”

“Long live the Crown Prince!”

Meanwhile, the newspapers under Joseph’s control also joined in, placing all the blame on Bessonval, Théodore, and others, promoting the idea that the rest of the French Guard had no responsibility.

Unfortunately for the few officers who had originally been reported, their crimes of embezzling or assaulting soldiers were confirmed, and they became the scapegoats to calm the public.

Less than a week later, the inspection of the French Guard was concluded. The once-buzzing public outcry quickly faded.

The officers and soldiers of the French Guard, who had narrowly escaped disaster, were overjoyed. They wanted to celebrate, but suddenly realized that the responsibility for guarding Paris had now been handed over to two regiments sent by the Frondel Brigade—now renamed the “Paris Legion.”

They were stripped of their title as the French Guard and rebranded as the “Mariette Legion,” stationed in a remote small town...

However, some of them soon saw a glimmer of hope—their new commander, Lieutenant Colonel Berthier, took them along with Odelik’s cavalry regiment and left their station at the Mariette Legion, heading to the familiar Mars Camp in the southern suburbs of Paris.

These more than 2,200 soldiers were essentially the most elite part of the former French Guard.

Meanwhile, the new commander of the Mariette Legion, Marquis de Mariette, felt completely helpless as he looked at the remaining 1,500 officers and soldiers.

Any capable or well-connected officer would avoid taking on the mess that was the French Guard. Mariette had been sent simply to clean up the mess.

Before arriving, he had heard about Berthier, the regiment commander with immense influence, who had been instrumental in resolving the crisis within the French Guard. Hence, Mariette dared not say a word about Berthier and Odelik's actions, treating them as if they were not under his command.

At the Mars Camp, the 2,200 officers and soldiers Berthier brought were neatly lined up, nervously looking toward the viewing platform, wondering what instructions their new commander would give.

However, the first person to step onto the platform was a young man in blue and white military uniform, with their commander and several officers following closely behind.

Joseph looked down at the sea of soldiers and felt a surge of excitement and pride.

Having been in this world for so long, he finally had an army that was completely loyal to him! Though the numbers were few, and even the officers were not fully in place, this was a significant starting point—royal and military power had finally been integrated. From this moment, he truly had the ability and means to change the future of France!

No, perhaps the entire continent of Europe would be forever altered from this moment onward!

From the crowd below, the sound of a bugle rang out, and an officer called out loudly, “Present arms!”

The flag signals were swiftly given, and the soldiers immediately raised their rifles in salute.

Joseph tipped his hat in acknowledgment, silently approving of the soldiers' training. After all, they were the elite troops responsible for guarding Paris.

Another officer shouted, “Attention!”

Joseph then raised his voice, “I’m sure you all recognize me. Today, I stand here on behalf of the royal family, to visit His Majesty the King’s most loyal troops.”

The flag bearer immediately waved his flag, and the soldiers in the camp immediately shouted in unison, “Long live His Majesty the King!”

Joseph continued, “From now on, you will set the example for all French soldiers and become a new type of army that is unlike any we have had before!”

The officers and soldiers below were all stunned. They had thought their military careers were over after the attack on the Crown Prince, but unexpectedly, the Crown Prince suddenly arrived and said they would become an example for all French soldiers?

However, after the Crown Prince outlined the new promotion and military pay systems, none of the soldiers could remain calm. The discipline broke down as they whispered among themselves.

“Does this mean non-nobles can be promoted to mid-level officers?”

“The Prince said, ‘Any position can be achieved,’ which includes senior officers!”

“Promotion based only on ability and military merit! Thank God, we all have a chance to become officers!”

“The best part is, there are no fees for promotion!”

“Did you hear? The Prince said the pay will be given directly to us by the paymaster, not through the officers anymore!”

“I heard it too! The paymaster will be appointed directly by the Minister of War, so we no longer have to worry about our pay being withheld!”

“The Prince also said the pay will be increased. Oh, thank God, thank you, Crown Prince!”

Joseph did not order the officers to restore order. He knew that with just these two reforms, he had already gained the absolute support of the more than 2,000 officers and soldiers.

Dear readers, Happy New Year!
May Tianhai Mountain wish you all your heart's desires, everything goes as you wish, and may you be happy every day! Mwah!

Table of content - Next Chapter >>>