Descending On France 1780
Chapter 97: Captain 091

Chapter 97: Captain 091

The next day, the King announced that the Guards would be dispatched to participate in the suppression of the rebellion.

Then around noon, about two hundred Guard Cavalry arrived at the countryside estate of Anning on the outskirts of Paris.

Christina led the way; this estate belonged to her father, and she had lived here for a while, so she easily guided her sisters here.

When the cavalry arrived, Anning was in the courtyard receiving the silver coins sent by the Duke.

"Andy!" Christina called out as she entered the courtyard, "We’re here!"

"You arrived quite quickly," Anning looked up and glanced at the horse team entering the courtyard.

The presence of two hundred cavalry entering the courtyard was quite impressive.

"Is he your dream lover?" asked a cavalry behind Christina, "He’s not as handsome as I imagined."

Christina turned back and said in a playful scold, "Who told you he’s my dream lover? He’s my benefactor! Without him, I would have died in Germany."

"Sure, sure," the cavalry girl quickly agreed, mockingly, "A benefactor, indeed."

Anning carefully examined the girl talking with Christina: The girl had long flaxen hair tied in a ponytail at the back of her head, her skin was fair with a rosy flush, soft enough that it seemed water could be wrung from it, and her green eyes were as beautiful as gems.

A beauty on par with Christina.

Anning: "Christina, aren’t you going to introduce your friend?"

"Her name is Clarice, daughter of Earl Bass," Christina responded, "She’s the deputy leader of our cavalry troop."

"Deputy leader? Then who’s the leader?"

"Of course it’s me," Christina said as she dismounted, then she saluted Anning, "Commander, the cavalry troop you requested has reported for duty!"

Anning laughed: "Don’t call me Commander. Have you ever seen a commander who only holds the rank of Captain?"

"You clearly took Bastille and saved the King in Versailles, why haven’t they promoted you?"

Anning raised an eyebrow, "Probably because I’m the son of a leatherworker."

Immediately after, Clarice joked: "Then you could marry a Duke’s daughter, that would change your status to the Duke’s son-in-law, and you can even be considered nobility, fit to register at the Heraldry Office."

Anning: "I wouldn’t want to. Miss, you clearly don’t understand, under the current circumstances, being a leatherworker’s son is more useful than being a Duke’s son-in-law."

Clarice: "But you’re still a Captain, unable to get promoted."

Anning shrugged: "Whatever."

At that moment, Vanni came out from the main building of the estate, so Anning loudly called her over: "Vanni! Arrange accommodations for the cavalry ladies, they will stay at the estate before we set off to suppress the rebellion."

Vanni: "Sir, there aren’t enough rooms in the estate to accommodate so many noble ladies."

Christina quickly said: "Vanni, no need for that trouble, we are used to military life, we can stay in the servants’ rooms."

Clarice: "Actually, as long as there’s a place to bathe, we don’t really mind."

"Taking a bath, is it? No problem, please follow me," Vanni said.

Anning: "Then you go take a bath and get settled, I have some errands to run in the city."

Christina asked curiously: "What are you going to do?"

Anning smiled: "Just making some small preparations for the suppression trip."

At that moment, a few Artillerymen behind Anning finished loading the silver coins: "Captain, the silver coins are all loaded."

"Got it," Anning waved his hand, then said to Christina, "I’ll take my leave now; make yourselves at home."

Christina watched puzzled as the carriage loaded with several boxes of silver coins: "Well, alright, you go ahead with your tasks."

Anning jumped onto the coach and patted the coachman’s shoulder: "Let’s go, to the National Guard camp."

**

Upon arriving at the camp assigned to his command of over a thousand men, Anning immediately saw Sergeant Russell—now Lieutenant Russell—in front of the building, chatting with a few soldiers.

The Lieutenant initially didn’t notice Anning, just strangely watching the carriage entering the camp gate.

As soon as Anning stepped down from the carriage, Russell immediately stood at attention and loudly hailed: "Commander!"

Anning: "Just call me Captain, I’m not used to being called Commander."

"Captain Sir!"

Anning made a face: "Alright, Sir it is then. Russell, gather the troops immediately."

"Yes! Gathering the troops immediately!" Russell saluted and turned to run towards the building.

Moments later, a large number of blue-clad National Guard soldiers emerged from the building and began to form ranks in front of Anning.

After about ten minutes of noisy commotion, the formation was finally complete.

Although the speed of formation was still not as fast as university students during military training, it was a huge improvement from before.

Clearly, the non-commissioned officers promoted from the core Artillery had played a role.

Russell stood at the front of the queue and reported to Anning: "Report to Captain Sir, the National Guard’s special task force for rebellion suppression has assembled."

Anning nodded: "Good, better than before. It seems the non-commissioned officers I promoted are performing well."

Anning paused, then continued: "Today, I’ve gathered everyone here to distribute a special subsidy for the rebellion suppression operation!"

Saying this, he jumped onto the horse cart behind him, opened the silver coin chest on the cart, and poured a box of silver coins onto the cart’s board.

The clattering sound of silver coins dazzled the soldiers’ eyes.

Initially, some who were squinting or seemingly distracted also perked up, all staring intently at Anning on the cart.

Anning: "I’m giving you this subsidy because in the rebellion area we’re heading to, locals may not accept vouchers, so I’m giving each of you one Crown in silver coins, so you have money to spend in the rebellion area!

"As for what you buy with the silver coins, I won’t ask. This is your special subsidy, and once it’s in your hands, it’s up to you to manage!

"Remember, this subsidy is provided by the Duke of Orleans. The Duke’s money is still available, mainly for the expenses of the troops in the rebellion area. When we return, if there’s any left, it will all be distributed to you!"

The soldiers cheered together.

Then Anning gave Lieutenant Russell a wink, and Russell shouted: "Long live Captain Sir!"

"Long live Captain Sir!" The soldiers shouted together.

Anning: "Alright, alright, now we will start distributing the silver coins, one per person, keep order!"

**

Lafayette was in his office, watching Anning dispersing coins on the field, and muttered: "Relying on money to boost morale, huh, useless.

"When this mob is meant to collapse, they will collapse. I’ve seen it in America."

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in." Lafayette said loudly.

His adjutant entered, saluted, and reported: "The soldiers are watching Mr. Frost distribute money, and clearly, this move is very popular among the soldiers."

Lafayette: "Loyalty cannot be bought with money. Don’t bother about it."

The adjutant hesitated, then said: "Lately, military salaries have been paid in vouchers, and the soldiers are not happy, as some pubs don’t accept vouchers."

"Are there pubs in Paris that don’t accept vouchers? Which pub? Have the municipal authorities shut it down!"

Lafayette frowned as he spoke.

Adjutant: "I’m not sure, the soldiers mentioned there were some."

"Then find out. Those who don’t accept vouchers are definitely not patriots, we cannot allow such people to exist in Paris." Lafayette said decisively.

The adjutant made a face, changing the subject: "There are also soldiers asking, when we deploy to suppress the rebellion, will we also distribute silver coins."

"We currently don’t have plans to deploy for rebellion suppression." Lafayette paused, then suddenly smiled, "As for the troops, tell the soldiers that we will also distribute when we go to suppress the rebellion."

Since the main force of the National Guard didn’t plan to suppress the rebellion, issuing an empty promise wouldn’t matter.

Adjutant: "Understood, I’ll go tell the soldiers right away."

After speaking, the adjutant saluted and backed out of the room.

Farayet continued to watch Anning distributing money through the window: "I don’t believe it, with this rabble and the ornamental cavalry received from the King, that you can eradicate the rebels!"