Chapter 954: Scheller's Travels - Conclusion
The room fell deathly silent.
Everyone doubted their own ears.
General Masséna?
The General Masséna who had just led his victorious army into Reims yesterday?
Lately, his name had been on everyone's lips, and now, he was actually coming here?!
Old Twaite was the first to react. He knocked over two chairs in his haste as he rushed to the front door. Flinging it open, he stammered, "Yes, yes... that is... you... General, sir... ah, please, come in..."
The captain standing outside the door smiled and nodded to him. "You must be Mr. Twaite? General Masséna will be here momentarily. I am Moeno, an Assistant Officer for Meritorious Soldiers from the Department of Military Affairs."
Old Twaite stood frozen on the spot, bowing and lowering his head, not knowing what to do with himself.
Moeno looked up and saw Sergeant Twaite, immediately understanding the identity of the middle-aged man before him. He reached out to support Old Twaite and guided him back into the house.
Moeno approached Sergeant Twaite, warmly inquiring about his well-being before taking a paper-wrapped bundle from his leather briefcase and placing it on the table.
"Honorable Sergeant Twaite, here is your disability pension, totaling 6,000 francs."
"Of course, this small sum of money is far from enough to match the immense contribution you have made to France. In the future, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you can come directly to the Department of Military Affairs. We will do our utmost to provide you with assistance."
Elijah had also regained his senses by this point. He was slightly surprised when he heard the figure of 6,000 francs, but he quickly let out a disdainful sneer and whispered to Scheller beside him, "Hmph, so his whole life is only worth six thousand francs. You tell me, how could I let Corinne suffer with him?"
Before he could finish speaking, the sound of military music echoed from downstairs.
Scheller shuffled toward the window and saw the ground below covered in flowers. Over a hundred armed soldiers stood in two neat rows, and a general appeared in view, surrounded by his personal guard.
Half a minute later, Masséna—with his swarthy skin, high-bridged nose, and thin lips—strode into the room.
The people in the room hastily bowed in greeting.
Moeno and the soldiers snapped to attention and raised their caps. "General!"
It was also the first time Sergeant Twaite had seen this man, who was hailed as one of the "Three Great Generals of France's New Generation." He was so nervous he didn't know where to put his hands, but he watched as Masséna walked quickly to him, stood at attention, placed a hand over his chest in a salute, and declared loudly:
"Salute to the glorious warrior of France!"
Everyone, including Elijah, was stunned—this world-renowned general was actually saluting a mere soldier!
In this era of rigid social hierarchy, such a thing was absolutely unimaginable.
Twaite was even more lost as to what to do, his voice trembling as he said, "You... how can you salute me... I... I am just a..."
Masséna stepped forward and patted his shoulder, smiling. "According to the latest French Hero Decree promulgated by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, from now on, even nobles must salute a recipient of the Iris Medal when they encounter one."
He then took a document tied with a silk ribbon from an aide and handed it solemnly to Twaite, his voice remaining resonant.
"Sergeant Twaite, in view of your heroic performance in the Battle of Cologne, you are hereby awarded the Silver Iris Medal, signed personally by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Thank you for your outstanding contribution to France. Every person in this country will forever remember you and your family!"
The actual decoration ceremony had already taken place; this was a traditional follow-up to proclaim the honor once more at the soldier's home.
However, this process was usually handled by the Department of Military Affairs. Today, it was personally presided over by General Masséna.
Naturally, this was also at Joseph's request.
Although the French army had defeated the Coalition in the war, they had also suffered significant casualties. Therefore, the consolation and care of the wounded and fallen soldiers was currently the top priority of the General Staff.
According to Joseph's orders, the commanders-in-chief of each front had to personally visit the soldiers who had been awarded the Golden Iris Medal and the Silver Iris Medal.
Even recipients of the Bronze Iris Medal had to be visited by an officer of at least the rank of Major General.
A nation must give sufficient respect, glory, and care to those heroes who have made great sacrifices to truly have cohesion. Only then can people maintain their confidence and passion for the state.
Beside them, Elijah couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
He hadn't expected this crippled son of a tailor to receive such profound respect.
Scheller nudged him with his elbow and whispered:
"According to what that general said, Sergeant Twaite can now hold his head high and accept salutes even in front of true nobles."
"I imagine he will likely become a frequent guest of the nobility from now on."
"With such status and position, perhaps you really should reconsider him and Corinne..."
Elijah was startled for a moment, but he still shook his head stubbornly. "So what? He is still a cripple who can only stay at home weaving straw baskets... how could he be worthy of my Corinne?"
On the other side, Old Twaite and his wife were so moved they bowed repeatedly to Masséna. "Thank you, General, sir. Thank you..."
Masséna signaled his aides to help them up and said very politely, "This is what your excellent son deserves."
"Oh, the French Hero Decree also stipulates that wounded Meritorious Soldiers will be granted the qualification to enter the Royal University of Administration without an entrance exam. All tuition and living expenses will be borne by the Department of Military Affairs."
The Twaite family had never heard of any University of Administration, and they immediately looked at each other in dismay.
Captain Moeno hastily began to explain it to them in a low voice.
Meanwhile, Elijah was so shocked he was speechless.
He had frequent contact with French officials and was very clear about the current French bureaucratic system—anyone had to first enter the Royal University of Administration to study before they could possibly obtain an official position. Otherwise, even if they were appointed, they would be marginalized.
In other words, as long as one graduated from this university, they were basically guaranteed to become an official.
However, the entry threshold for this university was exceptionally high.
The entrance exam alone filtered out ninety percent of applicants.
At the same time, the tuition was extremely expensive. If one's family wasn't wealthy enough, they had to study desperately to obtain a royal scholarship.
And now, Twaite had actually obtained a full "pass" from enrollment to graduation!
While his mind raced, Masséna had already begun making small talk with the Twaite family. "Has Sergeant Twaite attended school before?"
"Reporting to the General, I studied at the Paris Military Technology School for nine months, then I was drafted into the army."
Masséna nodded and said, "Then you had better go to a regular school to brush up on basic courses for a few years first, otherwise it will be difficult to complete the curriculum at the University of Administration."
"If you don't want to go through that trouble, you can also choose to serve as an instructor in a military camp or work in logistics management."
Hearing this, Elijah's heart tightened, and he hurriedly stepped forward. "No, no, General. Mr. Twaite will go to the Reims Chamber of Commerce School to study. I will handle the arrangements for his enrollment."
The Reims Chamber of Commerce School was the best regular school in Reims.
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