I Am Louis XIV

   Chapter 183 Saint Denis (2)

  Everything seems to be going in the direction Louis expects.

After Charleroi came Tournai, then Atre, and before the attack on Lille, three more small cities presented the silver key to the king, only one city named Douai showed a slight intention to resist, Calling it resistance, it was nothing but silence to deny the king's messengers from entering, but after waiting for Louis's king flag to unfold in their field of vision, after hesitating for a long time, the seemingly forbidding city gate slowly opened.

But then, it is said that there are 6,000 defenders in Lille. It was still dusk when the army arrived outside the city of Lille, and the king's team would not appear until the sky turned completely dark. Of course, no one would blame His Majesty the King. , to say, that the king has been merciful enough—he could have waited at Tournai or Atre, until his generals and soldiers had taken Lille for him, and he would ride in his chariot, or ride The white steed, surrounded by obedient subjects, added luster to the city.

There is also a little selfishness of Viscount Turenne and Captain Vauban - anyway, they have always been worried about the king's intention to intervene in the battle. After all, the king is also a young man, and any young man would like to be able to gallop on the battlefield. Well-planned... Fortunately, Louis still maintains a humble and cautious attitude. As a distinguished mascot, he is always willing to consider the suggestions of Viscount Turenne or Captain Vauban... "But what is this?" He pointed out asked from the platform on the sand table.

This sand table is about the size of a desk. Perhaps the accompanying craftsmen misunderstood the meaning of the king. The models in the sand table are too delicate. They look like toys used by ladies to decorate their hair, and they are not stacked with mud. Sand, but golden wheat, now these wheats are divided into trenches - this Louis can understand, the question is what does a flat high platform mean behind the trench at the outermost side (by the French position)? There is also a small king flag on it, "Does this represent me?"

   "Yes," said Captain Vauban proudly, with his chest out. "Your Majesty, this is the stand I built for you."

   "Stand?" Louie couldn't help laughing, "This is not a show."

   "It's not really," Viscount Turenne said, "but, Your Majesty, if you are watching, our soldiers will be a hundred times more courageous."

Louis looked at them very carefully to see if they had suddenly acted stupid, or had been bribed to mock him and his soldiers, but he was saddened to find that these two were serious, that they were sincere. I think this is a very smart move.

"It's about fifteen hundred feet from the city walls," said Vauban. "They only have small cannons, so they can't reach here, and you don't have to worry about seeing a terrible sight - just how brave your soldiers are. fighting."

"I'm sure there won't be any cowards among my soldiers," said Louie, "but are you sure? You asked the soldiers if they would? I mean, they gave blood and life, I think We should respect them more."

"Isn't this the greatest respect?" Viscount Turenne said, "In fact, when Captain Vauban made this suggestion, I also hesitated. Your Majesty, your body is worth more than ten thousand dollars, and you should not be in danger. on the battlefield, but..." He hesitated: "If I'm not mistaken, the victory you need is unquestionable."

Louis nodded slightly in affirmation. Viscount Turenne was right. In this era, the king's martial arts are still ranked before Wenzhi. A king who can achieve victory for the country will be worshipped and loved by his subjects, and vice versa. He never increased taxes, never instituted harsh penalties, and even deliberately introduced potatoes and sweet potatoes to improve people's livelihood, clean up gangsters, drive out aliens, rectify the chaos of the city, and configure the water and sewage system, but people will only say that he is really good King, but not as brave as his grandfather and father, because he had not yet won a victory for France or himself.

  The reason why Louis was on the expedition was to break this unfavorable rumor, and, although he mocked himself as just a big symbol, such as a metal coat of arms and flags, there were times when he was eager to try.

   "If you think you can..." Louis said tentatively.

   "No doubt!" said Viscount Turenne.

So in the morning of the next day, the soldiers saw that in the outermost trench, a huge tent was erected on the flat high platform. The tent was made of dyed white cowhide and could accommodate a hundred people. The side facing the battlefield was opened left and right, and in the center of the tent was a splendid high-back chair covered with bright red velvet goose feather cushions. Blue curtains fell from both sides, and in their anticipation, a figure surrounded by people walked into the tent.

Before Louis could sit down, he heard a burst of cheers like a landslide and a tsunami. He couldn't help being taken aback, but when he heard people shouting "Long live the king! Long live France!", he felt relieved. Instead of taking his seat, he boldly walked to the front of the tent, which overlooked the three trenches that Vauban had dug. The soldiers in the trenches, who were busy or running, were almost all standing and facing the tent—some of them The man could not see the king at all, but he was constantly tossing his hat and shouting.

  Louis could hardly contain his joy, he also took off his hat, held it high and waved at the soldiers, and the soldiers almost jumped with joy.

"Thank you France," Louis finally returned to the tent under the comfort of the ministers, and the soldiers finally continued their work under the orders of the officers: "Thank you France, it gave me such a lovable and respectable soldier. ," he sat contentedly in his chair, hat on his lap, "thank you too, or I might never have known I was loved by so many."

   He looked at Vauban and said, "Tell our soldiers," he said, "that it was the king who thanked his loyal friends, and that every soldier was given a large aegis."

   A large Ecuador is not enough for a musketeer, but it is already a considerable amount of windfall income for ordinary soldiers, and considering the considerable number of people, the king is very generous.

   "They will be ecstatic," said Viscount Turenne.

   "I just hope they can understand my current mood." Louis said, and then his expression darkened a little: "I just hope that these good boys will be lucky enough in the next battle."

   "Yes," Captain Vauban said confidently. "St. Michael and St. Denis are protecting us."

   "You mean," the Marquis of Lois, who had been subtly quiet, suddenly spoke up: "If I'm not mistaken, are you planning to keep the king on the battlefield?"

   "Sir," Louis reassured him warmly after hearing his disapproval: "This place is still 1,500 feet away from the real battlefield, and you should trust our generals and soldiers."

   "But Your Majesty..."

"You may not know it," said Louis, "I have heard that my brother, the Duke of Orleans, always takes the lead in battle, and that the Prince of Condé often throws his marshal's warrant into the trenches of the enemy—I have always been very concerned about this. envious..."

  The Marquis of Lois and some ministers who did not agree with it immediately shut their mouths.

   (end of this chapter)