I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 954: Sheler's Travels - End
The room suddenly became quiet.

Everyone was doubting their ears.

General Massena?
General Massena, who led his triumphal army to Reims yesterday?
This name has been on people's lips almost all the time recently, and now, he is coming here? !
Old Tewait was the first to react. He knocked over two chairs, rushed to the door, opened it, and stammered, "Yes, yes, that is, you, General, ah, please come in..."

The captain outside the door smiled and said to him, "Are you Mr. Teveit? General Massena will be here soon. My name is Moeno, and I am the 'Meritorious Soldier Assistant Officer' of the Ministry of Military Affairs."

Old Tewait stood there in a daze, hunched over, and lowered his head, not knowing what to do.

When Moeno looked up and saw Sergeant Tewait, he realized the identity of the middle-aged man in front of him and helped him into the house.

The six or seven soldiers behind him began to hang ribbons and place flowers inside and outside the house, and finally hung a banner on the lintel that read "Tevailte, a Meritorious Soldier of France".

Moeno came to Tewait and asked him about his well-being warmly. Then he took out a paper bag from his suitcase and placed it on the table:

"Dear Sergeant Tevreit, here is your disability pension, a total of 6 francs.

"Of course, this little money is far less than the great contribution you have made to France. No matter what difficulties you have in the future, you can come directly to the Ministry of Military Affairs, and we will do our best to help you."

Elijah came back to his senses at this time. When he heard the number of 6 francs, he was a little surprised, but then he sneered with disdain and whispered to Scherer beside him: "Humph, his life is only worth these 6 francs. Tell me, how can I let Corinna suffer with him?"

Before he finished speaking, military music sounded again downstairs.

Scherer moved towards the window and saw that the floor downstairs was covered with flowers, hundreds of armed soldiers were neatly standing on both sides, and a general appeared in his sight surrounded by his guards.

Half a minute later, Massena, with yellow skin, high nose and thin lips, strode into the room.

People bowed hurriedly.

Moeno and the soldiers stood at attention, raised their hats and said, "General!"

It was also the first time that Teveyte met this general, who was known as one of the "three great generals of the new generation of France". He was so nervous that he was at a loss, but he saw Massena quickly walked up to him, stood at attention, saluted with his hand on his chest, and said loudly:
"Hail to the glorious French warriors!"

Everyone, including Elijah, was stunned - this famous general actually saluted a soldier!
In this era of strict class hierarchy, this is absolutely unimaginable.

Tewait didn't know what to do, and said in a trembling voice: "How can you salute me... I, I am just a..."

Massena stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "According to the latest French Hero Decree issued by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, even nobles must salute when they meet the recipients of the Order of the Iris."

He took a document tied with a silk ribbon from the servant and handed it to Tewait solemnly, still speaking in a loud voice:

“Sergeant Teweit, in recognition of your heroic performance in the Battle of Cologne, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince personally signs and awards you the Order of the Silver Iris.

"Thank you for your outstanding contribution to France. Everyone in this country will always remember you and your family!"

The awarding ceremony had already been held, and now it was customary to re-announce it at the homes of the decorated soldiers.

However, this process is usually completed by the Ministry of Military Affairs, but today it was presided over by General Massena himself.

Well, that’s what Joseph asked for.

Although the French army defeated the coalition forces in the war, it also suffered considerable casualties. Therefore, comforting and caring for the wounded soldiers is the top priority of the General Staff.

According to Joseph's order, the commander-in-chief of each front must personally visit the soldiers who won the Gold Iris and Silver Iris. Even the winners of the Bronze Iris must be visited by officers at the lowest level of major general.

A country must give enough respect, honor, and care to the heroes who have made great sacrifices in order to be truly cohesive and keep people confident and enthusiastic about the country.

Elijah next to him couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

He didn't expect that this disabled tailor's son would be so respected.

Scherer nudged him with his elbow and whispered:
“According to what the general said, Sergeant Tevite could hold his head high and accept the salute even from a true noble.

“I think he will most likely become a guest of honor among the nobles in the future.

"With such status and position, perhaps you should really consider him and Corinna..."

Elijah was stunned for a moment, but still shook his head stubbornly: "So what? He is still a cripple who can only stay at home and weave straw baskets... How can he be worthy of my Corinna?"

The old Tewaites were so moved that they bowed to Massena again and again: "Thank you, General, thank you..."

Massena motioned to the servants to help them up and said politely, “This is what your outstanding sons deserve.

"Oh, the French Heroes Decree also stipulates that wounded meritorious soldiers will be exempted from examinations and eligible to enter the Royal Administrative University. All tuition and living expenses will be borne by the Ministry of Military Affairs."

The Tewait family had never heard of the Administrative Management University, and they looked at each other in confusion.

Captain Moeno hurriedly explained to them in a low voice.

Elijah, who was standing by, was so shocked that he was speechless.

He often came into contact with French officials and was very clear about the current French bureaucracy - anyone had to study at the Royal Administrative University before they could get an official position. Otherwise, even if they became an official, they would be excluded.

In other words, as long as you graduate from this university, you can basically become an official.

However, the admission threshold of this university is not generally high.

The entrance exam alone will eliminate 90% of the people.

At the same time, the tuition fees are extremely high. If your family is not well-off, you must study hard and get a royal scholarship.

And now, Tewait has obtained a full set of "passes" from admission to graduation!
While he was thinking, Massena was already chatting with the Tewait family. "Did Sergeant Tewait go to school?"

"General, I studied at the Paris Military Technical School for nine months and then enlisted in the army."

Massena nodded and said, “Then you’d better go to a regular school to take a few years of basic courses, otherwise it will be difficult to complete the courses of the Administrative University.

"If you don't want to go through so much trouble, you can also choose to be an instructor in a military camp, or work in logistics management."

Elijah's heart tightened when he heard this, and he quickly stepped forward and said, "No, no, General, Mr. Tevait will go to the Reims Chamber of Commerce School to study. I will contact the school for his admission."

The Reims Chamber of Commerce School was the best general school in Reims. (General schools in this era were roughly equivalent to junior high schools in later generations.)
(End of this chapter)