Flowers, Swords and France

"Mr. Victor Hugo has arrived!"

Following the announcement from the servants, a middle-aged man slowly walked into the living room of this famous literary young woman, and then nodded to everyone who was already seated.

His forehead was broad, the bridge of his nose was straight, his square face exuded wisdom, and his eyes were very sharp, but also filled with inexplicable worry. His hair is slightly longer, as if to highlight the temperament of a scholar, but his movements also have a bit of a politician's air.

"Good evening, everyone."

The voice was not loud, but it was very calm and mellow, full of the proper demeanor honed in the French House of Nobles. How could this middle-aged man, who was so proud at this moment, imagine the ups and downs he would face in the future!

The others also said hello to him quickly, without any of the arrogance they had just now.

The writers who just now were enthusiastically criticizing Hugo for having exhausted their talent were now completely silent. Those who were interested in talking about him behind his back did not have the courage to criticize the academician of the Academy of France and the House of Nobles in person. Even if they said hello, they would be afraid of appearing impolite.

Well, that’s how most literati are.

On the contrary, Charles, who spoke for him before, was much calmer and just nodded to the future great writer. This was not because he was naturally arrogant and had to act outstanding, but because he was originally I don’t plan to live my life as a literary person, because I’m really not afraid of offending anyone in the literary circle, so even if I want to grovel, I can’t muster up the energy...

Mademoiselle Perriette courteously invited Hugo to sit next to her, as if the arrival of this person was the highlight of her plan, and then invited him to participate in the conversation. Hugo did not hesitate to sit down directly, and then chatted with the host in a very polite and attentive manner.

"What were you talking about? Our dear Mademoiselle Periette?"

"We are talking about today's French literary world, and each of them is talking about their favorite contemporary writers," Miss Blue Stockings replied, and then pointed to Charles with a smile, "Mr. Zwier is talking about, except for Balzac Besides my husband, my favorite author is you!”

"Aha, how dare you do this!" Hugo suddenly smiled awkwardly.

No, you will definitely deserve it in the future, as long as your life trajectory continues as before.

Then Hugo suddenly looked at Charles and smiled very gently.

"Are you Mr. Zweil? You are indeed as young as the rumors say! I have read your book and it is well written!"

"It's an honor for you to hear my name." Charles thanked him calmly.

"I never thought he would be so young..." Hugo murmured to himself, then raised his head and started chatting with others, "Speaking of the most admired writers of our time, I personally admire Chateaubu the most. Mr. Lyon, his poetry ushered in a new era."

His nomination was not very convincing, but everyone knew that Hugo admired Chateaubriand the most, so no one refuted anything, but all agreed.

But Charles did not like Mr. Chateaubriand very much.

Yes, Chateaubriand was an outstanding poet, and was Victor Hugo's idol. He was Hugo's guide into the literary world. He took a lot of care of Hugo when he entered the literary world in his early years. But at the same time, he is also a politician with low personal character, or in other words - a failed speculator, a negative example for French politicians.

He was a staunch royalist at the beginning, entered politics after the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty, and once served as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1822-1824). However, due to the failure of the political struggle, he was eventually dismissed from this position. After losing his position, he began to abandon the monarchist ideas that made him prosperous in the early years and packaged himself as a liberal republic. However, in 1830, after the collapse of the Bourbon dynasty and the establishment of the July Dynasty, he still could not get the new dynasty. appointment. I can only stay at home and work as a literary critic.

He is a failed politician, a loser who has completely fallen off the single-plank bridge, and is someone that Charles absolutely does not want to imitate.

After chateaubriand was mentioned, everyone chatted with each other about the famous love affair between this great man and the young M. Ampere and Madame Récamier, and the whole salon became lively for a while.

[In the 18th century, Jean-Jacques Ampere, the son of the famous physicist Ampere and the future famous linguist, Chateaubriand, who was already in his fifties, and the philosopher Baranche were pursuing Recamis at the same time. Mrs. Ye caused many interesting things and was often laughed at in the social circles at that time. 】

"Mr. Chateaubriand was already in his fifties at that time, right? It's a good thing he had the thought to play..." Miss Perriette sighed.

"My dear friend, for us writers, age has never been a problem." A middle-aged writer replied with a smile, "Even if our bodies are weak due to old age, our minds are still sharp enough..."

For a time, the entire living room burst into laughter at this slightly ironic pun, and even the literary young woman laughed.

[Impuissance means both weakness and ‘not to lift’ in French. 】

Logically speaking, it would be rude to say something like this in a normal salon, but writers admire unrestrainedness and despise rules, so as long as the answer is witty, no one will take it seriously.

"But now I heard that poor Mr. Chateaubriand is dying. I heard that he fell ill again recently? The doctor is running to his home every day now." After laughing for a while, a writer asked softly.

"Yes, I visited him before. Now he is seriously ill. I am afraid he will die soon..." Hugo shook his head gently, obviously unable to bear to say the last words.

"This is really a pity..." Someone sighed.

"Each of us will face such a day. Chateaubriand's life achievements are enough for him to return to God without regret." Hugo replied, "We will all have this day. The difference is not the result, but the way."

"Not only the way, but also the attitude." Charles added.

"Yes, and the attitude." Hugo nodded.

………………

It was getting later and later, and the guests began to leave one after another. Charles wanted to leave directly, but was stopped by Miss Perriette with a look.

What else? Charles couldn't help but be curious.

Soon, almost all the guests had left, and only Hugo and Charles were left.

Miss Blue Stockings smiled and nodded to Hugo, "Mr. Hugo, as you wish, I brought him to you today."

Hmm?

Charles was a little surprised.

"Mr. Zweil, I asked Miss Perriette to invite you here as much as possible. Didn't it cause you any inconvenience?" Before he could react, Hugo smiled and said to him.

The original text is in the six # 9 @book/bar!

"It's not inconvenient, just a little surprised..." Charles answered honestly, "I just didn't expect you to care about a small role like me."

"Small role?" Hugo shook his head, "Not a small role at all, even now, and definitely not in the future. Is your surname a pen name? What is your real name?"

"One day you will hear it, but not now." Charles replied with a smile.

His attitude did not make Hugo angry, and he was not even surprised. Before being smoothed by the cruel reality, young writers will always be a little reserved and proud, and he used to be like this.

"Well, I am looking forward to the day when you become famous. I believe that day will come soon. After reading your works, I have this feeling."

"Thank you very much for your compliment." Charles hurriedly thanked him, and at the same time, he felt a little excited in his heart - Victor Hugo, such a great writer, actually praised me for my literary talent in person one day, my God, my God!

Seeing Charles' excitement, Hugo smiled, "However, I came to you not to praise you, but to criticize you."

Hmm? The cold water on his head almost made Charles a little confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, you are very talented. Every character you portray is impressive. This is your talent. But you are wasting your talent now!" Hugo looked at Charles with a serious expression. "Look at your works. You either write about the luxury and splendor of the court or write about surprising and sensational but strange plots. Your novels lack philosophical thinking and exploration of the times themselves, which is the responsibility of writers, isn't it? Mr. Zweil, you should have done better, but you are unwilling to do it. This is too regrettable."

Perhaps because he was afraid that these criticisms were too heavy, Hugo immediately slowed down his tone.

"Please don't be angry. I said these words because of my expectations of you. Maybe I don't have any position to say anything about you now. You know that my current works are not favored by people, and I think they are really not good. But I hope that you, a talented young man like you, will not follow in my footsteps. You are talented and should not waste it. You could have become a great writer..."

Charles couldn't help feeling guilty in front of Hugo's harsh and sincere criticism.

"But now readers like this kind of novel, and writing this kind of novel can quickly earn money..."

"Are you short of money?" Hugo seemed to understand something, "If you are short of money now, I can help you a little. Young man, don't be too obsessed with meaningless dignity. If you need help, just tell me directly, just think of it as a loan from me. You should concentrate on writing books, don't be bound by those boring mundane things, and write a novel that everyone can admire as soon as possible, just like Goethe!"

Charles smiled bitterly in his heart.

I am indeed short of money, but how can your little fortune fill this gap...

"Thank you, I am not short of money for the time being, but I will remember your advice today and work hard to write a good novel in the future." He answered solemnly.

Seeing the young man's solemn look, Hugo finally put his mind at ease, but he still did not forget to remind him again.

"Fate will play tricks on each of us, but you are still you after all. When we are in glory, we cannot get carried away, and when we are in trouble, we cannot be discouraged. All the haze will eventually dissipate. I hope you can remember this."

"Thank you, I will remember it." Charles nodded sincerely.

He is the one who really did this. (To be continued.)