Confetti, brought from the east through unknown and mysterious trade routes, now littered the streets of Paris as the people through it by the bucket full from the tops of homes and other structures. A colorful walkway was thus produced for the marching of thousands of soldiers, from swordsmen to cavalry, at the beat of a lively drum, flute, and horn music. The people gathered at the sides of the streets to wave to the victors and their liberators.
And yet, just the next street over, people were still cleaning up from the mess left by the Portuguese, and inflicted by the Germans. Rubble lay spread across the once great and educational streets, while temples remain half repaired and graves, dug by and for loved ones, remain in random places throughout the city, as it was Frankish tradition and religion that one would bury ones loved one in the place they took their last breath. King Cheron, the fourth in his dynasty, walked the decrepit streets, dressed down to not be noticed. The top vizier and also his best friend, walked beside him.
Charles, you have not you or your forefathers to blame for this mess. It was the Portuguese and the brutal Germans who created this destruction. Algernon confessed, trying to make his friend, and king, feel better. It did not work.
But it is I who they will look to for cleaning it up. Algernon, Paris must be turned into the greatest city in Europe, we must attract philosophy like we once did, and we do have competition.
As they continued to walk, they stumbled into the most recently hit place, where Portuguese were driven out only weeks ago. Here, blood still stained the sandstone that made up the buildings, and people were still walking around with brooms and shovels to clear the streets for merchant travel.
Still more of the city remain intact, but was vacant. After the Portuguese siege and final take over, many people left for the northeast, repopulating that land and creating Metz, yet leaving their homes in Paris. Its no doubt over the duration of the war they have grown fond of their new country homes, and probably do not wish to return. That was fine, Cheron thought. The space in which their homes were would be turned into greater things for Paris.
Meanwhile, there was the question of what to do about all of the Portuguese who have decided to remain in France, mostly in Metz, Paris and south in Aquitaine. Most of the advisors he talked to explained the security risks, and that it was not worth it keeping them in the country. But the King thought differently. If the Portuguese were allowed citizenship, then it would help to reconcile the differences between France and the rest of her southern neighbors. Plus, the workforce they would produce would help reconstruct France, and bring riches once again to the people, as the Portuguese are natural traders.
And so, Cheron wrote down the plan for the reconstruction of Paris. La beauté de Paris.
La beauté de Paris: This will be a testament to the will and culture of the French. The city of Paris is, in some ways, fortunately half rubble, as it will give places and resources to construct a series of public monuments and institutions to make Paris even greater then before. In the far western edge of the city, mediocre homes will be built for the Portuguese, and just north of them, more for those French without homes. In other places, large and stylish apartments will dominate the skyline.
Where rubble is the most abundant, clear the area and create a large park. It will include many small ponds, and statues that look like
this throughout the park. In the upper corner, a large temple will be built, and in the lower corner, an even larger university will be constructed for philosophers. Now philosophers can walk in the park and think about
stuff
The bridges in Paris will be redressed with statues, exquisite architecture, and safety features. The rest of the city will be built up in stylish temples, schools for philosophy and other educations, statues, small parks,
fountains,
aquaducts, out door theaters, and bath houses.
But the centerpiece of the whole extravaganza is the
coliseum that I will build. Think OTL Roman coliseum. Seats thousands of people, and will show theater, mock naval battles, mock land battles, and other plays and such. Note, no gladiator type things. Yet.
Effects? +ton of culture and education, and a tiny bit of economy (generated from coliseum tickets?
)
, now then.....
