From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

Chapter 4 Meeting the Governor



Seven days have passed since Lawrence was found by Carlo and brought home to settle down.

In the past few days, Lawrence had also roughly figured out the relationships around him.

Carlo Bonaparte was his brother, a member of Parliament in the Republic of Corsica, and a well-known local lawyer, so he wrote a letter inviting Lawrence to come to Corsica to work.

But no one expected that the White Rose would suffer such an accident.

As for Corsica, it was originally a territory of the Republic of Genoa, but due to excessive taxes, the islanders revolted and established their own republic.

However, the Genoese were not completely expelled from the island. They still controlled some cities and fortresses in northern Corsica and were ready to return at any time.

Another thing that makes Lawrence somewhat regretful is that the future French Emperor Napoleon has not been born yet.

According to the trajectory of history, this conqueror who made all Europe tremble would not be born for another year. Lawrence also hopes that the butterfly effect he experienced will not affect this future.

Although Lawrence did not expect to rely on his nephew who was not even born yet to achieve great success, as a history buff, he wanted to see Napoleon the Great in person, a figure who shocked the past and present.

In the past few days while recovering from his injury, Lawrence was also sorting out his memories of Corsica in history.

A history buff in his previous life, Lawrence soon found himself at a rather awkward point.

It is early January 1768, and by May, the Genoese will choose to abandon Corsica and sell it to the French. Historically, Corsica has since become a French territory.

Lawrence, who comes from the 21st century, knows the importance of the information gap. The historical knowledge he possesses is the greatest wealth at the moment, and he must use this information to create an advantage.

While Lawrence was wondering how to use this knowledge, Carlo opened Lawrence's door.

"Hey, Lawrence, how are you?" Carlo walked in the door and saw Lawrence looking at a map of Corsica intently and obsessively, and couldn't help but ask with concern.

Carlo was somewhat used to this weird little brother. Whenever he had free time these days, Lawrence would point at the map, not knowing what he was studying.

Lawrence put his finger down from the map and responded: "Basically recovered, thank you for your concern."

In the past few days of getting along, Lawrence was also very grateful to this brother. Although Carlo is usually very rough, he does have a deep affection for his biological brother and takes good care of him.

Carlo breathed a sigh of relief after learning that his brother was in good health, and turned to the business of today - it was time to find the Governor of Corsica to arrange a position for Lawrence.

"The Governor of the Republic of Corsica? This is a big shot, right?" Lawrence said slightly worriedly.

After hearing this, Carlo smiled bitterly, waved his hand and said:

"Who is a big shot? After all, the Republic of Corsica has not yet been recognized by the courts of various countries. Until now, the outside world still thinks that we are under the rule of the Genoese. As for the governor, there are only more than 30,000 people on the island. Just the leader.

As a congressman, I am just a representative of a small city in the west. My daily expenses have to rely on my income as a lawyer. "

Lawrence nodded, knowing in his heart that Carlo was speaking modestly, and his status as a congressman must have brought him a lot of convenience.

At least his career as a lawyer is so prosperous, partly because his client takes a fancy to his status as a congressman.

After that, Carlo personally rummaged for Lawrence to find a set of crisp gentleman's clothes and urged him to change into them quickly.

Looking at the clothes and accessories piled up on the bed, Lawrence could only smile helplessly, remembering the dressing style of vests and large pants in his previous life.

The most prosperous city in Corsica is Ajaccio, so the Governor's Palace of the Republic of Corsica is also located here.

But what surprised Lawrence was that Carlo's mansion was not far from the Governor's Palace, and it only took a quarter of an hour to walk there.

To have a big house in such a strategic location, it seems that this brother's status in the Governor's Mansion is probably not low.

After walking for a while, the two came to a large iron gate decorated with complicated patterns. The iron gate was very spacious and could pass two four-horse carriages at one time.

There are high white walls stretching for hundreds of meters on both sides of the gate. Watchtowers are set up every fifty meters, guarded by guards with guns all day long.

"It seems that the security here is not very good, the defense is so tight." Lawrence looked at it for a while and analyzed Carlo casually.

Carlo also nodded in approval and added: "The Genoese have been trying to assassinate the Governor for more than ten years. After all, he is the leader of the entire Corsica."

The two walked towards the door. The four guards on duty at the door obviously knew Carlo and saluted him neatly:

"Congressman Carlo, welcome."

As for Lawrence, since it was Carlo who brought him, the guards simply searched him and let him in.

The mansion is quite large, with seven or eight collective apartments for servants, and other entertainment facilities such as private gardens, cricket rooms, and billiard rooms are also available.

It was formerly the residence of the Governor of Genoa. After Genoa was driven out of Ajaccio, it was naturally taken over by the Republic of Corsica.

Of course, Lawrence and Carlo were not here for sightseeing today. After entering the gate, they walked straight towards a two-story building facing the gate. After undergoing a more rigorous search, they finally met the leader of all Corsicans.

His name is Pasquale Paoli. Although he is known as the General of the Corsican State to the outside world, the Corsican people are more accustomed to calling him directly the Governor.

Paulie met the two of them in the study room. At this time, he was wearing a silver wig and leaning on the desk to review something.

It wasn't until the two of them reached the desk that Paulie suddenly raised his head and asked them to sit down.

"Ah, Carlo, you're here." Paulie simply said hello to Carlo, and then focused his attention on Lawrence.

"So, this is what you said, your biological brother, Mr. Laurence Bonaparte."

Paulie stared at Lawrence with very sharp eyes, and said slowly: "I am very glad that you are willing to join the cause of Corsican independence like your brother."

"It's my pleasure." Lawrence responded politely.

Paulie nodded and said casually: "Originally, all public offices in Corsica need to be elected by the masses. But since your brother Carlo strongly recommends you, I also believe in Carlo's judgment."

Lawrence didn't say anything. He knew that this kind of favoritism would never disappear in any era.

"So, what public position should be assigned to you?" Paulie looked at Lawrence up and down, seemingly very confused, but in fact he had already made up his mind:

"The patrol in Ajaccio still lacks a deputy captain. How about Mr. Lawrence?"

"Vice captain?" Before Lawrence could respond, Carlo frowned first.

Carlo knew very well that although the position of deputy captain was also a fat one, and he dealt with many merchants on a daily basis, there was a lot to be exploited, but there was almost no room for political advancement.

After all, people like this who make small profits from the masses must have a bad reputation. They can't expect to get their own votes in any election.

Poly also had ulterior motives in choosing this position. Objectively speaking, this was indeed a fat job, enough to shut Carlo's mouth. At the same time, it can also prevent Carlo's influence in the Corsican Parliament from further expanding.

"I will never allow two Bonapartes to appear in the Corsica Parliament." Paoli made up his mind.

Before Carlo could make any protest, Lawrence took the lead and nodded with a smile, saying, "This is indeed a good public job."

"Oh? Did Mr. Lawrence accept it? I have prepared your letter of appointment in advance." When Pauly heard this, he was overjoyed and said repeatedly.

After saying that, Pauli accurately pulled out a piece of hard parchment from a pile of documents on the desk and handed it over.

At the same time, I was secretly happy: He is indeed a young boy, and he can get rid of it with just a small profit.

"but."

However, Lawrence suddenly changed the topic and said: "I heard that those who have made contributions to Corsica must be rewarded."

Paulie frowned slightly, not knowing what Lawrence was selling, so he could only smile, nodded and said:

"Of course, this is the same everywhere. If Mr. Lawrence can drive the Genoese in the north back to Italy, you can sit on my chair."

Lawrence's expression remained unchanged, he still smiled and said calmly:

"I'm not that capable. I can only contribute a piece of news to Governor Paul."

"Oh? What's the news?" Paulie and Carlo said in unison, both of them were intrigued by Lawrence's words.

"News that could save Corsica."


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