French Empire: But Napoleon IV

Chapter 126 "Busy" Paris Train Station (Please subscribe, add to your favorites, and continue reading)

As the carriage passed through Boulevard Saint-Germain, Eugène, having regained some of his energy, saw the outline of the Paris train station through the window.

This building, which is usually bustling with people, has now changed its appearance.

The square in front of the station was piled with sandbags, and several cannons were set up behind sandbag bunkers, with their muzzles pointing directly at the main roads leading to the city.

A group of civil defense soldiers were doing their morning exercises in the square. Their uniforms had creases from being taken out of the warehouse. Although their steps were fairly neat, each of them had an indescribable sense of tension on their faces. They were what people commonly call rookies who had just enlisted.

Although the Paris Incident had ended, Eugene continued to construct fortifications in Paris in preparation for a potential breach of the Marne River defenses by Prussia.

He's not stupid. Although he has a gambling mentality, there's no need to go all in. If the Marne River can't stop them, then Paris can continue fighting. If Paris can't win either, then they can just give up.

Moreover, these fortifications can also prevent a second rebellion.

The carriage stopped at the station entrance. As Eugène stepped off, a man dressed in blue overalls, who looked a rank above the others and resembled a stationmaster, jogged up to greet him.

"Your Highness, why have you arrived at this hour? It's too chaotic here. Let me arrange a waiting room for you..."

"No need."

He had the obligation, but not the need. Not wanting to stay in the waiting room, Eugene waved to the stationmaster, then looked towards the interior of the station.

The sight on the platform made Eugène squint; the Paris train station had now become a massive transit hub for military supplies.

The railway tracks were full of freight cars, some loading and unloading ammunition, some herding mules and horses into the cars, and some cars crammed with wounded soldiers wearing dusty military overcoats.

The uniforms were covered in blood and mud. Some of the more seriously injured had broken arms or legs and could only be slinged with bandages or use simple crutches.

This tragic scene did not have much impact. The dockworkers, who seemed used to such sights, pushed their carts back and forth on the platform, which were piled with boxes of Chassepot rifle bullets, as well as bags of coffee beans, bundles of military blankets and uniforms.

"These are the wounded evacuated from the direction of Mays. Two trains arrived last night, carrying a total of more than 300 wounded soldiers."

Due to the events of the past two days, all hospitals in Paris are full, so they can only accommodate them in the train carriages for now, and will be transferred to hospitals in the west later today.

Seeing Euren's curiosity, the stationmaster, with keen insight, began to explain, but all that came in response was a muffled groan from Euren.

The prince didn't say anything, but simply made a sound through his nose to indicate that he was listening.

Eugène remained silent as he walked along the platform. As he passed the carriages where the wounded soldiers had been, he could see the expressions on the soldiers' faces.

It was clear how brutal the battle on the Meuse River was, because some of the wounded had become numb; when Eugene arrived, they simply stared blankly at the ceiling.

It's clear that these people are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, but in this day and age, where are there mature psychologists who can counsel these wounded soldiers?

Knowing that such wounded soldiers could only rely on themselves, Eugene could only shake his head helplessly and continue walking forward.

Aside from the mentally broken wounded, the remaining wounded at least showed some reaction, or were still groaning, or had their lips cracked and their faces pale due to the worsening of their injuries.

Or perhaps she's in much better shape; when she sees Eugene passing by, she tries to sit up, but is held down by the nurse next to her.

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

A faint voice came from the corner. Startled by the voice, Euren stopped and turned to look in the direction of the sound.

He was a young soldier, who looked to be only in his early twenties. But this young man had his left leg amputated below the knee, and blood seeped through the bandages.

But the young man showed no pain on his face; instead, his eyes shone with a strange light when he saw Eugène.

"Your Highness, Your Highness. Have you come to lead us to revenge?"

Looking at the young man, who still had a hopeful expression, Eugene stepped forward, squatted down, and looked the soldier straight in the eye.

"Yes, soldier, you're absolutely right. I'm here to avenge you."

"That's good...that's good...—"

My brother died at Verdun, and my father is besieged in Metz... Your Highness, you must defeat them!

I will, I definitely will.

Damn Prussians, I'll personally deal with you...

After a long silence, witnessing the horrors of war and filled with rage, Eugène stood up and looked around at the wounded soldiers watching him. His voice was firm.

"I assure you."

There was a few seconds of silence on the platform. It's unclear who started it, but the wounded who could move raised their uninjured arms.

Everyone was saluting Eugene. Yes, everyone, even those who couldn't move, were nodding vigorously in bed to express their respect to Eugene.

Despite being a very good speaker, Eugene was genuinely at a loss for words at this moment.

Unable to continue speaking, Eugène could only turn and walk towards the special train.

Watching His Highness leave, the platform returned to its busy state. The loaders continued to move supplies, the nurses continued to move among the wounded, and the stationmaster, who had failed to please Eugene, continued to shout and direct the dispatch.

It only takes a little over three hours by train from Paris to the Marne front.

Instead of choosing the Royal Railroad, which would have been completely useless in this day and age without wireless telegraph, they opted for the Royal Railroad.

With insufficient cargo capacity and only considering comfort, Eugene didn't need much comfort for just over three hours, so he chose a military train.

This military train had a black steam locomotive at the front, with five carriages attached to it. Only the first carriage was for Eugène and his staff officer, the second was a troop transport carriage, and the last three were filled with Chassepot rifle ammunition and medicine shipped from the Paris munitions factory.

As the unadorned military train pulled out of Paris, Eugène, finding little entertainment, simply looked out the window at the scenery along the way.

By mid-September, the temperature had cooled down considerably, and northern France was experiencing a slight chill.

Although the war was ongoing, life had to go on. The wheat in the fields had just been harvested, leaving only golden stubble.

Along the railway, one could occasionally see groups of refugees heading south. These French people, from the northeastern war zone, were unwilling to submit to the Prussians. They moved their entire families, pushing wheelbarrows, carrying bundles, their faces etched with exhaustion.

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