Chapter 30: Joining the Army

"Louis, listen to me carefully, if Roland joins the army, I will use my influence to place him under my command, where he won't face danger," Napoleon earnestly explained. "Furthermore, Roland is so talented that he is bound to achieve significant military honors in the future. At that point, I can naturally promote him. As Roland's influence in the military grows, our Bonaparte family will also gain a stronghold."

Napoleon spoke earnestly to Louis, truly wishing for Roland to join the military, not just for Roland's sake but for his own as well. Despite Napoleon's widespread fame in France, due to his victories in two wars that had earned him the title of 'invincible general,' only he knew that his situation wasn't as glorious as it appeared. With his growing prestige in the military, envious parliamentarians had begun to guard against him, a sign that Napoleon did not take lightly.

Thus, Napoleon urgently needed to strengthen his own power base, and Roland was an excellent candidate for this. Not only was he intelligent, capable of devising strategies, but he was also Napoleon's nephew, whose loyalty Napoleon did not need to doubt.

"This is a big decision; let me think it over," Louis murmured, massaging his forehead in deep thought.

"Louis, think it through carefully. You can't just ruin Roland's future like this. If you do, Roland might grow up to resent you."

Seeing Louis wavering, Napoleon sensed an opportunity and pressed harder, even bringing up Roland's future to persuade him further.

"Ah!" Louis sighed heavily.

Just as Roland thought Napoleon's persuasions had failed, Louis suddenly spoke: "Roland, what do you think? I want to hear your opinion. Do you truly want to join the combat unit? Are you sure this isn't just a whim?"

At that moment, Louis's heart was shaken. It was undeniable that Napoleon was a clever man. He knew how dearly Louis loved Roland, so he always framed his arguments around Roland's future, which gradually softened Louis's stance.

"Yes, Father. I've thought it through," Roland nodded firmly.

"Ah!" Louis sighed deeply once more upon hearing Roland's words.

"Well then, if you've made up your mind, I won't stand in your way. Go ahead!" Eventually, Louis conceded, respecting Roland's wishes.

"Father, you agree! That's great. Thank you, Father." Hearing Louis relent, Roland could hardly believe it. He had expected a much longer persuasion process.

"I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to! You've already made up your mind," Louis said with a resigned smile, touching his head. He felt increasingly that his son had grown up and become his own person.

"Ah, children have their own fortunes. There's only so much I can control now," Louis consoled himself.

"Father, don't worry. I'll take good care of myself. And one day, I promise I'll achieve as much as Uncle Napoleon," Roland, moved by Louis's understanding, patted his chest in assurance.

...

With Louis's blessing, Roland felt completely unburdened. Now he could officially join the army and plan for his future.

The very next morning, Roland went to report to Napoleon's military camp.

"Halt, who goes there? This is a military zone, no civilians allowed," Napoleon's discipline in the military was strict. Before Roland could even get close to the camp, a French soldier approached him and demanded loudly.

"Roland Bonaparte!" Roland slowly stated his name.

"Roland Bonaparte?" The guard repeated the name, feeling it sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"Roland! Are you that Roland? Napoleon's nephew, the hero of the Battle of Macken Village?" the guard's companion recalled Roland's name and looked at him in surprise.

"If you're not talking about someone else, then yes, that's me," Roland shrugged.

"So it is you, the young hero! Truly, seeing is believing. You're about the same age as my son, yet you've earned such honors; a young hero indeed. If only my son could be half as accomplished as you."

Recognizing Roland, the guard immediately became enthusiastic, talking non-stop to Roland.

"Ha ha! You flatter me too much," Roland said, scratching his head embarrassedly as he saw the guard's enthusiasm. He hadn't expected his fame to have grown so much. This was the first time he was truly experiencing the treatment of a celebrity.

"Can I go in now? I'm here to see my uncle," Roland reminded.

Upon hearing Roland's reminder, the guard suddenly realized his lapse and nodded repeatedly. "Of course, you can go in. The general has already instructed us that you would be coming today."

"Alright!" After nodding and saying goodbye to the guard, Roland proceeded into the interior of the military camp.

Inside the camp was a bustling scene. Countless soldiers were running and training with high spirits and confidence, as if they were an invincible force.

Indeed, they had reason for such confidence. Under Napoleon's leadership, they had secured major victories in the battles of Marseille and Turin, defeating countless enemies. Through the wars, they had also been continually tempered, becoming formidable warriors.

"How do you like it? Your uncle's army suits you, doesn't it?" Just as Roland was absorbed in the scene, a voice suddenly spoke up behind him.

Turning around at the sound, Roland saw Murat. He had met him at his graduation banquet; Murat was courting his aunt, which meant he would soon become Roland's uncle by marriage.

"Uncle!" Roland called out respectfully.

"Good lad!" Murat's face broke into a smile at Roland's respectful greeting.

"Where is my uncle?" Roland asked curiously.

"General Napoleon is at the command post. He sent me to meet you. The camp is quite large, and it wouldn't do for you to get lost," Murat explained gently, showing no disdain for Roland's youth. He was well aware of how highly Napoleon valued Roland.