Flowers, Swords and France

In a wealthy neighborhood near the Latin Quarter, there is a mansion that is very famous in the surrounding area. .In this deep and quiet mansion, the neatly manicured gardens isolate all the hustle and bustle around it. It is almost unbelievable that there can be such a quiet space in this bustling city.

However, unlike this silence, a new storm is brewing in the study of the owner of the mansion. Although it is intangible, it can still make the country tremble.

In the small study room, several guests had some uneasiness on their faces, but the master sitting in the front seat was calm and composed, as if an old god was present.

Seeing his appearance, several guests looked at each other again, and then spoke cautiously.

"Mr. Thiers, what do you think of Mr. Barrot's proposal? Should we cooperate with them? Or reject it?"

The middle-aged man sitting on the main seat was still silent.

He has a straight face, his hair is gray but neatly combed, and his beard is clean shaven. He has a pair of glasses on his middle-aged face and looks gentle and gentle. If no one noticed the sharp glance that flashed in his eyes from time to time, they would even mistake him for a university professor.

Look at this. Who would have thought that in later generations of China, he would probably be among the French of this era. The most famous one besides Napoleon!

He was only 1.55 meters tall, so he was ridiculed by his peers in his youth and youth, and even more so after entering the upper class. In the original historical line, as the first president of the Third Republic, he was even called a "dwarf monster" for his bloody suppression of the Paris Commune in 1871.

However, what drives this short body is shrewdness and wisdom that have always been indescribable. It is precisely because of this shrewdness and wisdom that he gradually became a rich man and a great politician from a situation of having nothing. He even served as Prime Minister of the July Dynasty several times.

In the eyes of his admirers, he is an omnipotent hero. His epic stories of starting from scratch, from being penniless to the top of the political arena, have long been recited by countless careerists and were temporarily regarded as idols.

He was broke when he was young. There is nothing else to rely on except brains and literary talent. There is no way out except struggle and camp. Even the wealth he initially accumulated was acquired through marriage with wealthy families.

In his eyes, political principles are empty words that can be changed at will, and only interests are the benchmark for everything. Before 1830, he was a republican, but after the July Revolution, in order to achieve success, he quickly switched to the side of King Louis-Philippe and became a monarchist. After 1848. He became the spiritual leader of the Orleans faction and campaigned for the Orleans royal family to return to power in France; however, after the establishment of the Third Republic in 1871. He became a republican again, declaring that monarchy was over in France.

When he was just starting out, he was recommended and promoted by Lafayette into the political world, and then quickly turned his back on the big banker under unfavorable circumstances. As a result, he quickly became a minister of the kingdom.

From then on, his path forward became uncontrollable. He played with eloquent words and intrigues, and made ups and downs in the parliament and political arena. In the end, he became the Prime Minister of the kingdom. The height and speed of his rise were enough to make him famous. Any onlooker is stunned!

His life can be said to be a vivid portrayal of an ambitious man squeezing everything he can.

If history continues to evolve along the same lines, 23 years later, this politician will leave his name forever on the bones of the Paris Commune. However, at this moment, who can imagine that he is a self-proclaimed "Friends of the Revolution"?

"I belong to the revolution, not only to the French revolution, but to the revolution throughout Europe. I hope that the revolutionary political ax will remain in the hands of the moderates... But even if this political ax falls into the hands of fierce people and even radicals, I will not I will never give up my career because of this, I will always belong to the revolution!”

These words were spoken by Thiers himself in a speech in the House of Representatives in January 1848, on the eve of the February Revolution. This politician, who was very good at observing the situation, became idle after being suppressed by his political enemy Guizot and others for many years. , after all official positions were deprived and only one member of the House of Representatives was left to comfort himself, this is how he treated the July Dynasty that had made him so prosperous, and this was how he created a revolutionary halo around his head.

When in opposition, he would not hesitate to advocate revolution; when in power, he would not hesitate to pour revolution into blood.

This is Adolphe Thiers, a politician who never cares about principles as long as it benefits him, a careerist who treats morality as nothing, an epic story of evil.

………………

At this time, Thiers had fallen from the pinnacle of the political arena for eight years, and had long since lost the power and momentum that he once had. However, he was still calm and composed, as if he regarded all this as a small setback. of.

He was not discouraged. Since the July Dynasty had abandoned him, he waited for the demise of the July Dynasty - and he also waited for this moment.

After the demise of the dynasty and the disappearance of Louis-Philippe and Guizot, he finally stood up and once again became the leader of the Orleanists who, although they still had strength, were already in panic for fear of being hit by another disaster. It is also slowly rebuilding its own power.

And today’s talks. For him it was part of this effort that the prestigious politician Odilon Barro happened to propose cooperation with the Orléansists.

Although the proposal was very much to his liking. However, his face still looked calm and composed, preventing anyone from noticing the joy in his heart - even if the people in this study were all his allies.

"Sir, would you like to share your opinion?" Seeing that he still didn't speak, the people next to him became a little anxious, "They are waiting for our reply."

Under the urging of his comrades, Mr. Thiers finally spoke.

"We can wait first, they are the ones who need to worry now."

"Wait?" After hearing his answer. One person was very surprised, "But under the current situation. Why do we continue to delay? Don't forget that what we lack most now is collaborators?"

"Just because we lack collaborators, we can't show that we are lacking." The middle-aged man replied in a low voice, "Otherwise, everyone who wants to cooperate with us will blackmail us severely. On the contrary. The more we We act calmly and calmly. The less they understand our depth, the less they dare to put forward too many conditions.”

After a pause, he continued to explain, "Besides, Mr. Barrow and the others are more anxious now. They have been frightened by the revolution, and are afraid of repeating the great tragedy of the past. They just want to restore everything. Stability, isn’t that what we can bring to them? So don’t worry, they will continue to come to us for cooperation.”

After hearing his explanation. The people next to him nodded or pondered, some were still a little dissatisfied, but no one spoke anymore.

Seeing that the time had come, Thiers decided to reveal his plan.

"Gentlemen, in the coming Constituent Assembly, our first priority is to win the election and restore the influence we once had. Won't you deny this?"

"That's true!"

"Of course."

He got a few echoes.

"So, for everyone, there must be some financial requirements?" The middle-aged man suddenly smiled.

"Yes, Mr. Thiers, this is one of the reasons why I came to you this time." A person next to him nodded in agreement, "You know, the new constitution of the Republic suddenly increased the number of voters in my constituency. Dozens of times! Now I have to worry about not being selected. If I can get financial support, I will be a sure winner!"

Others nodded in agreement with his statement.

After listening to the compliments from the people next to him, the middle-aged man's face remained as gentle and humble as before, but in his heart he couldn't help but feel comfortable with the long-lost feeling of being surrounded by stars.

Yes, a man who was once penniless, after a bizarre career for decades, has now become a major financial sponsor that many politicians rely on. The bizarre dream of life is really hard to predict!

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

After a moment of silence, after secretly enjoying this feeling of comfort, the middle-aged man spoke again.

"Don't worry about the budget. The royal family has already said that they will provide large sums of sponsorship to help those who are still loyal to it..." Mr. Thiers smiled, and then added, "And, now, Under this circumstance, winning this election is very important to us, and I will not be stingy with money as long as I can make you a member of the parliament, so please rest assured.”

After hearing his words, almost everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Yes, everyone knew he was rich, he had a lot of money, and there was even a rumor that every brick of that section of the wall brought him a franc. In this day and age, what could be more powerful than immeasurable money? As long as there is a donor who is willing to spend money, how much effort will it save to run for parliament?

"However, at the same time, I also have a proposal." After making the promise, the middle-aged man suddenly spoke again.

"What proposal?"

"I have discussed this matter with several gentlemen for a long time, and I have obtained the royal approval of His Majesty the King..." Thiers deliberately spoke slowly to show off, "I propose to Your Majesty that in this situation, Under extremely difficult circumstances, we should temporarily put aside our differences with the orthodox faction and unite first to restore the inherent order in France."

"Um?"

Unsurprisingly, his words sparked a moment of consternation.

"Sir...didn't you just say that you should stand still for now..." Someone raised his own doubts, "Moreover, is it possible to cooperate with those people whose minds are full of rust? Don't forget, over the years, we have cooperated with How irreconcilable they are!"

"Even if we were at odds before, we still need allies and helpers now." Thiers shrugged lightly, "And, unlike Mr. Barrot and others, these orthodox gentlemen who are monarchists are trying to eradicate the Republic. The mind is as anxious as ours, even more anxious than ours, but But the monarch we want to support is different! In that case, why don't we cooperate with them? Moreover, based on the current situation, we only need to temporarily rely on their power. As long as we can regain power for the Orleans family, then we will do it again. What's so hard about kicking them away?"

Seeing that the people next to him were still hesitant, Thiers increased his tone. "Don't forget, this proposal has already received His Majesty's royal approval. Can we still object to His Majesty's opinion?"

Under his suddenly stern tone, the commotion in the study slowly stopped.

Others understood that if they expressed different opinions on this issue, they would not get the financial support of this leader, so they all wisely chose to acquiesce.

At the same time, compared with those rigid and stereotyped old nobles, these people are much more tactful and intelligent, so even if they make such a major decision, they can still see the advantages from the practical interests.

In this way, under the strong encouragement of Mr. Thiers, the members of the Orleans Party finally slowly agreed to his proposal of "uniting the old nobles and other monarchists to strengthen their own momentum."

"Very good," Mr. Thiers nodded happily after seeing his proposal was successfully passed, "It seems that you can finally face the current predicament flexibly with a realistic attitude. I am fortunate for His Majesty the King, because relying on your efforts, he and his family will return to France in no time!" After a pause, he made another proposal of his own.

"So, since we are all working to restore the sacred order of France, then our new party in the future will be called the Order Party?"

No one objected to his proposal this time.

"Very good."

With his usual smile, the middle-aged man nodded again.

Looking at his party members around him, he seemed to have seen the future, and he was confidently heading for the peak of his destiny again.

"I thank you on behalf of France!". )