Chapter 52: Respect for the Elderly

Reality was harsh, regardless of whether the French wanted to accept it or not; whatever was bound to happen still occurred. Once the war had begun, it was beyond the control of the French government.

In this cruel world, nations communicated through clenched fists, far more reliably than any grand principle.

If the French could defeat the Russians on the battlefield, then there was still room for negotiation; if they were defeated again, from then on, France should content itself with being a minor nation without military strength.

For the future of their nation and their people, the French now had no choice but to fight to the death. To regain respect, they had to retrieve it with their swords and guns from the battlefield.

The French government had no way out, and neither did the Tsarist Government.