plumnovel Chapter 88: The City Hall Captured – Were They All on Our Own Side?
Chapter 88: The City Hall Captured – Were They All on Our Own Side?
Faced with the workers' attack, the police captain in the city hall decisively issued an order.
The police captain could confidently say that he had earned every penny of the money Eugene gave him, and that he hadn't taken a single dollar for nothing.
On the police line, the officers relentlessly repeated the same action: pull the trigger, cock the gun, load the bullet, and pull the trigger again.
Due to street fighting, the numerical advantage was greatly limited, resulting in the workers' armed forces having more people and stronger firepower, but the dozens of workers at the forefront were still shot and fell to the ground on the spot.
As the workers charged, blood stained the stone pavement of the square. I had never seen such a scene before; it wasn't a battle against foreign lands, but a death in a civil war.
This psychological shock frightened the workers behind, causing them to retreat repeatedly. After a short while, the workers, feeling uneasy, quickly hid behind the pillars and statues surrounding the square.
"Charge! Charge! Don't be afraid, everyone!"
Seeing this scene, Blanqui realized something was wrong, but having no other options, he could only wave his pistol in the air, urging the workers to advance.
At this moment, Blanqui desperately wanted a few cannons; he dreamed of them.
However, knowing full well that a rebellion would break out in Paris, how could Eugène possibly leave a cannon for the rebels?
The 2500 cannons were either sent with the three armies to the front lines of the Marne to reinforce the fortifications, or they were left on the outer defenses of Paris, since the rebels inside the city would never be able to find a single one.
Without artillery, the only way to fight is in the simplest and most foolish way: using human lives to carve out a path.
Inspired by Blanqui, their spiritual leader, the workers mustered their courage once again and launched an attack.
But the truth is, mental strength cannot change reality. The police's firepower was too strong, and the workers' repeated charges were all driven back.
The number of corpses in the square was increasing. The blood flowing from the corpses gathered together through the cracks in the cobblestones and then, thanks to the well-developed drainage system of New Paris, all flowed into the sewers.
The elevation difference of the street caused the blood from the corpse to automatically smear the entire street.
The battle for control of the city hall lasted for an hour.
As torches were raised one after another, their light filled the entire street. Despite suffering over five hundred casualties, the Republicans still hadn't managed to capture City Hall.
Just when Blanqui was at his wit's end, Drema arrived with a company of military police.
"Mr. Blanqui, I'm here to help you."
Upon hearing the voice, Blanki's eyes lit up. The failure to capture this important stronghold not only risked unforeseen events but also damaged the prestige he had built up.
Everyone else has achieved their goals, so why is it that you, Blanche, with the most resources and the most manpower, couldn't take down the City Hall?
Now, the arrival of Drema, a professional officer wielding the powerful weapon of the military police, has practically saved Blanqui's life.
Blanqui, who looked at Drema as if he were an angel, also abandoned his reserve and hurriedly asked for a solution.
"That's wonderful, Commander Drema, do you have any ideas?"
"Watch me."
Drema, who had transformed into a riddle master, did not explain the solution, but simply smiled mysteriously.
Drema then appeared completely unconcerned about being shot and boldly walked to the barricades, a move that terrified Blankey and other Republicans.
Fortunately, the police force did not fire on Drema, the lone negotiator. Stopping in his tracks, Drema shouted at the police behind the city hall and barricades.
"Brothers, I am Drema, and I think many of you have seen me before. The entire gendarmerie has revolted, and Commander Pierre has been unanimously detained by the gendarmerie. Stop resisting and lay down your weapons."
I can assure you that I will guarantee your safety, and you may even join us. Gentlemen, consider this. I don't think that's the kind of situation you want to see if I order the military police to open fire.
Upon hearing Drema's voice, the police officers in the city hall erupted in uproar.
Everyone knew Drema and knew he was the former military police commander. Since the military police had already revolted, what was the point of their resistance?
The police captain hesitated, and since there was no dedicated armory in the city hall, after an hour of fighting...
Many of them have almost run out of bullets, and if they continue to resist, they will probably be wiped out.
Well, there's one more crucial factor involved: His Highness Eugène instructed them that they could surrender and follow Drema if necessary.
Yes, the Republicans understand the importance of the city hall, so how could Eugène not understand?
All night long, we still haven't seen Eugène. But even though we can't see him, his plans, influence, and authority are still rising. Eugène is still putting in the effort.
The hundreds of police officers at the city hall were all carefully selected by Eugène to join the Republican Party in a suitable and unsuspecting way, thus providing Drema with more manpower.
Aside from the purpose of transporting manpower, it was also to make the grassroots workers realize a reality. They were struggling so much against even a few hundred policemen; how could they possibly fight back with just their enthusiasm when the regular French army arrived?
This preemptive dose of reality will greatly help Eugene in suppressing Paris and reducing the loss of life later on.
To prevent any Republican infiltrators within the city hall, the police force must continue its charade.
"Captain, let's surrender."
Under the police captain's prompting glance, a young officer who had found success and had a promising future spoke up with a dejected expression.
"We've done our best, Captain. The Empire is finished; we don't need to die for it."
"Yes, Captain, we have families waiting for us."
........
The officers around him, who were a step behind, looked at the young officer and, disregarding his attempt to escape, quickly surrounded him and began to talk to him.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the city hall officials huddled together behind them had all heard their voices.
As the police captain selected by Eugene, whose acting skills were on point, he let out a long sigh and put down the rifle in his hand.
"Alright, maybe you're right, we'll surrender. But I'll ask Drema to let us follow him. We've just fought, and I don't trust anyone else."
When faced with the request relayed by the police captain, Drema first looked at Blanqui, and only after Blanqui waved his hand repeatedly, urging him to agree quickly, did Drema nod in agreement.
Once the message came back and it was confirmed that things were proceeding as planned, the police captain went to the window and shouted outside, "We surrender, don't shoot!"
After shouting, the police captain ordered the officers to lay down their weapons and open the doors of the city hall.