Chapter 72 (1/2)
Even until Napoleon left the wilderness and headed toward Gren.o.ble, Huang Xuan did not pull the trigger.
It was not just that he was afraid of killing. It was that Napoleon, the Napoleon of La Mure, was the most charismatic commander in the history of mankind. He forced his enemies - who were much poorer than him in terms of skill - to surrender. Moreover, he did so without firing a single shot. Instead, he made use of pure charm and the victories he had acc.u.mulated over many years to intimidate them into surrendering.
This was the greatest praise and validation to Napoleon. The howling cheers, endless as the waves in the ocean, infected Huang Xuan.
Rolin did not resent Huang Xuan. Rather, he did not even know resentment. Instead, he retracted Huang Xuan's gun and calmly said, ”Since we've lost the chance, we can only return to Lyon.”
Huang Xuan was at a loss for words. Quietly, he climbed to his feet and said, ”Rolin, must we… um… I mean, go against… hm… Napoleon? Maybe we can switch targets.”
”This is not up to us,” Rolin stated matter-of-factly. ”We have already arrived here. We have no other choice unless we're willing to waste the energy that we have consumed just to get here.”
”Maybe we can try doing other things, for example…”
”Like what?”
”Defeating Wellington?” Huang Xuan was referring to the Duke of Wellington, the commander of the Allied army in the Battle of Waterloo.
”We have no time to look for Wellington,” Rolin said solemnly.
”Then let's think of another one—”
Huang Xuan was still racking his brains when Rolin interrupted, ”Napoleon's defeat is a sure thing. Even if he emerges victorious in the Battle of Waterloo, he will still be defeated by the Eighth or Ninth Coalition. If we allow Napoleon to build his European empire, then this plane will be destroyed. If that happens, everyone in the plane will perish.”
”Let's go, we'll head to Lyon,” without waiting for Huang Xuan to repeat himself, Rolin urged him to begin their journey back.
The small town that had just seen battle had not yet been completely put to death. Huang Xuan paid 30 francs in exchange for a rental oxcart. A brave, young, French man volunteered to ride the oxcart until they found a carriage or until they reached Lyon - whichever was earlier.
At Lyon City, MacDonald was working hard to gather his army, strategizing to defend themselves against Napoleon's approaching troops. This was the second biggest city in France. King Louis XVIII had high expectations of him.
According to history, Napoleon would invest every gun and every bullet into taking Lyon down. Just as he firmly believed - there was no royal army in France; there was only Napoleon's army, the King's army, an army which spent 11 months under the white flag of the Bourbon Dynasty.
This was the last moment of glory for His Majesty the King.
Huang Xuan stealthily walked through the once prosperous streets of Lyon. The exiled n.o.bles remained in exile, and the businessmen closed their shops. Most people welcomed His Majesty the King, but not everyone did.
In these nerve-wracking moments, n.o.body noticed the Asian. Rather, they were only slightly intrigued by Huang Xuan's yellow skin and black pupils. He had already covered up his black hair and tried his best to look normal.
Walking down a small alley in Lyon, he felt like he was living in the Middle Ages. This was a people that was never lacking in creativity, just like China. Yet, the Gallic Roosters would always clash with ambitious commanders. What was interesting was that the most famous commanders were foreigners: Caesar, Octavius, or even Napoleon.
The places that were still open for business were mostly restaurants. French feasts first made their appearance during the time of King Louis XIII. King Louis XIV organized several cooking contests in the Palace of Versailles. The winners had their ribbons presented to them by the Queen. It was probable - just a probability - that the kissing of the Queen's hand catalyzed the development of the French Cuisine. King Louis XVIII, the present Bourbon King, had a father and a grandfather who were pa.s.sionate about delicacies. King Louis XVIII, himself, was probably too occupied with fleeing to enjoy the food in the Palace of Versailles. That was Napoleon's privilege!
Huang Xuan paid 8 francs for a sumptuous breakfast, which would have cost him 1200 francs in 21st century Paris. In Beijing, the same breakfast would have cost him an equivalent of 8000 francs.