French Empire: But Napoleon IV

Chapter 83 The Last Meeting of the Republican Party

Seeing the various reactions of everyone present, Senucci, as a close friend of Gambit, tried his best not to look at his friend's disappointed eyes. Instead, he smiled at everyone, took out a check from his pocket, and made his stance clear.

"I'll offer another 500,000 francs. I'm willing to pay any amount of money as long as it can overthrow the empire."

A wise person knows when to yield. Cernucci did not lend money to Eugène, so he didn't need to be like the founder of BNP Paribas, who regretted lending money to Eugène and was heartbroken.

Senucci felt the time was right; there couldn't be a better time, and his past investments should finally pay off.

On days like these, of course we should seize the opportunity to give more money, so as to increase our subsequent bargaining power and weight.

"Now there are only 30,000 troops left in Paris."

Drema, who was watching all this with a smile, stepped forward and spoke at the right time. Knowing His Highness's plan, Drema understood that it was time to close the net.

His future military career, and how far it would go, depended entirely on these people. Drema, of course, did his best to embellish the story and get them to stand up and carry out an armed revolution.

As for Drema, is there any story of him betraying his uncle? Please, don't make your Uncle Drema laugh.

Faced with a prince who seemed to have a premonition of the Republican Party's rebellion and had made long-term preparations, unless Drema was drunk, why would he be willing to betray the Republican Party, who knew nothing and were still happily siding with them?

"The brothers in the military police are already dissatisfied with Eugene. I have already discussed it with all the officers, and they will defect as soon as I give the order."

No one present questioned Drema's words, because the officers he mentioned included 12 battalions of military police, all of whom they had met and photographed.

Republicans aren't stupid; they won't just believe whatever Drema says. To gain the Republicans' trust, Drema brought various battalion commanders to meet with them in batches and took photos with them.

Republicans see this as the best evidence of collusion. In this day and age, there is no such thing as photo editing. If Eugène finds out about these photos, these people will not be able to escape their positions and may even face imprisonment.

Therefore, the actions of Drema and these battalion commanders in demonstrating their loyalty reassured the Republicans.

However, there was one person who was uneasy: Gan Bida. This exceptionally capable leader, with a furrowed brow, sat silently in a corner, having lost control.

Gan Bida always felt that things were going a little too smoothly, so smoothly that it made him uneasy.

"Wait a minute, His Highness has done so much in Paris lately, I don't think he'd be completely unguarded against us. Perhaps... we should wait a few more days and confirm the veracity of this information?"

Gan Bida perfectly illustrated the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." In the eyes of everyone present, this leader was simply unwilling to carry out an armed revolution, which was why he kept delaying it.

Right now, when everyone thinks it's the perfect opportunity, he's still saying to wait. The group, feeling rather disappointed, has lost some of their enthusiasm.

Blanqui, his eyes darting around and taking in the expressions of the crowd, realized this seemed to be the perfect moment to strike at his political enemies. The radical leader immediately turned and glared at Gan Bida with utter disrespect.

"Wait? Gan Bida, you're certainly willing to wait. After all, you might have some kind of business relationship with that prince, which is why you keep saying 'wait, wait.' If you're willing to wait, then wait. We can't afford to wait."

The Prussians could march on Paris at any moment, and then we'll have no chance left. Now is the best time; if we miss it, we'll become the sinners of France.

After a barrage of flattery, Blanqui managed to break Gambida's resolve. Gambida, who was wholeheartedly devoted to the Republican Party, was accused of treason, and yet many in the audience seemed to agree with him.

Seeing the reactions of everyone present, Gan Bida looked at Senucci with red eyes, wanting to seek help from his friend.

As a result, Senucci, who valued self-interest over friendship, turned his head away from Gambida and instead echoed Blanqui.

"That's right. I've already contacted all the workers' organizations. Tonight at 8 p.m., as long as we fire a signal shot on Montmartre, at least 50,000 people will respond to us."

Seeing that the situation was settled, Drema didn't forget to kick Gambida, who had been hindering his plans, twice.

"Mr. Gan Bida, don't worry, I've already made arrangements with the military police. The battalion commanders are all my men. As soon as we make our move, they'll seize the police station and the telegraph office."

Gan Bi's eyes widened. It was because of you that I was worried, but you put my mind at ease.

Betrayed by a close friend, repeatedly attacked and smeared by political enemies, and comforted by a suspect... After experiencing all this, if Gan Bida hadn't been mentally strong enough, an ordinary person would have been driven to the point of vomiting blood.

Even after being treated like this, Gan Bida still wanted to say something more, but looking at the fanatical eyes of the people around him, Gan Bida realized that he could no longer stop them.

This Republican leader, in Republican territory, could only silently stand up and walk out of this pub that felt so out of place.

As he reached the door, Gan Bida glanced back at the brightly lit tavern and a strong sense of foreboding welled up inside him.

At 7 p.m. that evening, Gambit, along with a few close associates, left Paris and fled south to Toulouse.

Gan Bida was not a saint; he wasn't that pure. He knew he had lost power within the party. Even if he stayed and the armed revolution succeeded, he wouldn't be as powerful as Blanqui and others.

Since he couldn't compete, what was the point of staying as a mascot? He might as well take a gamble; if Blanqui and the others failed, it would prove him right. Then, outside, he could not only escape Eugène's purge but also continue the fight.

Even if Blanqui and others ultimately succeed, Gambiton could still rally the revolutionary forces in the provinces to fight against the Prussian army, thereby gaining political capital and returning to Paris, the political center.

Gambida's departure did not cause much of a stir, but Eugène, who had been keeping an eye on the Republican Party, was aware of it.

To avoid arousing suspicion from the Republicans, Eugène did not stop Gambida from leaving the city, but after Gambida left, Eugène took it very seriously and sent a cavalry company to pursue him.

As Gambit and the Imperial cavalry engaged in a rapid battle for survival, three sharp gunshots rang out from Montmartre at exactly 8 p.m.