Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

The room fell silent all of a sudden.

Everyone was doubting their own ears.

General Massena?

General Massena, who just led the victorious army to Reims yesterday?

Lately, this name has been on everyone’s lips, and now, is he really coming here?!

Old Twait was the first to react, knocking over two chairs as he hurried to the door, stammering as he opened it, “Yes, yes, uh, you, General sir, ah, please come in…”

The captain standing outside smiled at him: “You must be Mr. Twait, right? General Massena will arrive shortly. My name is Captain Moeno, an ‘Esteemed Soldier Assistant Officer’ of the Military Affairs Department.”

Old Twait was stunned, bowing and lowering his head, not knowing what to do.

Moeno looked up and saw Sergeant Twait, understanding the identity of the middle-aged man before him, and helped him into the house.

Meanwhile, the six or seven soldiers behind him began decorating inside and outside the house with ribbons and flowers, finally pulling a banner over the doorframe that read “Esteemed Soldier of France, Twait.”

Moeno then came before Twait, warmly inquiring about his wellbeing, and then took a package from his leather briefcase, placing it on the table:

“Esteemed Sergeant Twait, here is your disability pension, amounting to a total of 6,000 francs.

“Of course, this sum is far from matching your significant contribution to France. In the future, should you face any difficulty, you may directly come to the Military Affairs Department, and we will strive to assist you.”

Elijah also came to his senses and was somewhat surprised when he heard the sum of 6,000 francs, but he quickly smirked disdainfully, whispering to Scheller beside him, “Hmph, that’s all his life is worth, 6,000 francs. Tell me, how can I let Corina suffer with him?”

Before he finished speaking, a military band started playing downstairs again.

Scheller moved toward the window and saw that downstairs flowers spread across the ground, with hundreds of soldiers holding guns standing neatly on both sides. A general appeared in sight, surrounded by the escort.

Half a minute later, Massena, with sallow skin, a high nose bridge, and thin lips, strode inside the room.

People hurried to bow in greeting.

Moeno and the soldiers stood at attention, saluting, and said, “General!”

This was Trevoit’s first time seeing the general, hailed as one of the “three great generals of New France,” and he was nervous and at a loss, until he saw Massena briskly step up to him, stand at attention, and salute with a loud voice:

“Greetings to the glorious warrior of France!”

Everyone, including Elijah, was stunned on the spot—a general of such renown was actually saluting a soldier!

In this era of rigid hierarchy, this was unimaginable.

Twait was even more bewildered, trembling as he said, “How, how can you salute me… I…I am just a…”

But Massena stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, smiling, “According to the latest ‘French Hero Law’ enacted by the Crown Prince, even nobles must salute when encountering recipients of the Iris Medal.”

He then received a ribbon-tied document from his attendant, solemnly handed it to Twait, still speaking in a booming voice:

“Sergeant Twait, in recognition of your bravery in the Cologne campaign, this medal, personally signed by the Crown Prince himself, bestows upon you the Silver Iris Medal.

“Thank you for your extraordinary contribution to France. Every person in this country will remember you and your family forever!”

The medal ceremony had long been held; this was merely a customary reiteration at the honoree’s home.

Usually, this process was conducted by the Military Affairs Department, but today, it was presided over by General Massena himself.

Yes, this was Joseph’s request.

Even though the French Army defeated the Allied Forces during the war, they themselves suffered considerable casualties. Therefore, ensuring consolation and care for the soldiers was the top concern of the General Staff.

According to Joseph’s orders, the commander-in-chief of each army must personally visit soldiers awarded the Golden Iris Medal and Silver Iris Medal.

Even for recipients of the Bronze Iris Medal, a general-level officer, at least of brigadier rank, must visit them.

A state must provide ample respect, honor, and care to those heroes who have made significant sacrifices to truly gain cohesion and maintain the people’s confidence and passion for the country.

Elijah unconsciously squinted his eyes.

He had not anticipated that this disabled son of a tailor would receive such respect.

Scheller nudged him with his elbow and whispered:

“According to what that general said, Sergeant Twait can hold his head high and accept salutes even from real nobles.

“I think he will most likely become an honored guest among the nobles in the future.

“With such identity and status, maybe you should seriously reconsider him and Corina…”

Elijah was taken aback, but stubbornly shook his head: “So what? He’s still just a cripple who can only stay at home weaving baskets… How can he deserve my Corina?”

The old Twait couple was moved to repeatedly bow to Massena, “Thank you, General sir, thank you…”

Massena gestured to his attendant to help them up, politely saying, “This is what your outstanding son deserves.

“Oh, the ‘French Hero Law’ also states that wounded commendable soldiers are granted the privilege to enroll at the Royal School of Administrative Management without exams. All tuition and living expenses will be covered by the Military Affairs Department.”

The Twait family had never heard of the Administration College and was immediately perplexed.

Captain Moeno hurried to explain to them in a low voice.

Meanwhile, Elijah was so shocked that he was speechless.

He often interacted with French officials and knew very well about France’s current bureaucratic system—you must first study at the Royal School of Administrative Management to secure an official position. Without it, even if you became a civil servant, you would be ostracized.

In other words, graduating from this university practically guarantees a governmental position.

However, the admission threshold for this university is extraordinarily high.

In the enrollment exam alone, 90% of applicants get eliminated.

Furthermore, tuition is exceedingly steep. Without substantial family wealth, you’d have to study desperately to secure a royal scholarship.

And now, Twait had actually received a full “pass” from enrollment to graduation!

With thoughts racing, Massena had already started chatting with Twait and his family: “Has Sergeant Twait attended school?”

“Reporting to the General, I attended Paris Military Technology School for nine months, then enlisted.”

Massena nodded and said, “Then you’d better attend a regular school to brush up on basic courses for a few years; otherwise, completing the administrative university’s course would be difficult.

“If you prefer not to go through such trouble, you could choose to serve as an instructor or in logistics management at a military camp instead.”

Upon hearing this, Elijah was greatly alarmed and rapidly stepped forward: “No, no, General sir, Mr. Twait will be studying at the Lance Chamber of Commerce School. I will arrange his enrollment affairs.”

The Lance Chamber of Commerce School is the best normal school in Reims. (In this era, a normal school roughly equates to contemporary junior high and high school.)

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