Flowers, Swords and France

Before arriving, Charles never expected that he would be able to have such a happy conversation with Julie. This eldest lady was much smarter and smarter than he had always recognized. However, he didn't talk to Julie for too long. After all, she had just become a mother and needed a good rest.

After coming out of her room, Ciel was in a very happy mood. To be able to get such a clear promise from Julie and find a helper in the future, no matter how you look at it, it is a great thing.

Just as he was about to go find his sister, an old servant in uniform suddenly walked next to him.

"Sir, are you free now? I want to meet you."

Although the tone was inquiring, there was always an unquestionable air in and out of his words, and his demeanor was both humble and arrogant that was unique to a personal servant of a wealthy family.

"The Earl wants to see me?" Charles was a little surprised, but he quickly reacted and nodded, "Okay, of course, I have time."

Since we have already come to see the eldest lady, it is not a big deal to go see the count again.

Then he followed the servant down the corridor to the bedroom where the old Dilion lived.

This is the first time that Charles has come to the residence of the former Lord Chancellor of the Seal. Unexpectedly, the decoration here is not luxurious. In addition to various documents, there are only some gadgets such as clocks and vases. Son, both solemn and elegant. Next to the big bookshelf, there was a slightly swaying recliner, and Count Diliion was lying on this recliner. He closed his eyes slightly and seemed to be resting.

The servant brought Charles and then saluted the count. Then he backed away on his own.

The count opened his eyes slightly, then moved his face slightly and smiled.

"Mr. Treville, did you have fun at my house today?"

Although he tried hard to show kindness, there was not much pleasantness in the count's smile. It just made him feel old and weak. The vitality of the Marquis de Treville was completely missing. at this time. Anyone could see that this old man was really in his twilight years and on the verge of death. Charles thought of Julie's previous words again. Yes, he does seem to be called by God without knowing which day he will be.

And me. Even if he lives again, it seems he can't escape that day.

Suddenly, a strange feeling flashed through his heart, but. He quickly put this feeling aside.

"Yes. I am very happy. Thank you for your hospitality." With a touch of pity, he spoke in a very gentle tone, "Congratulations too, for getting such a precious treasure... little Matilda is indeed very cute."

"Haha... It's indeed quite cute." After hearing Ciel's compliment, the Earl's smile deepened, "Actually, it's strange to say that when I was young, I never thought that one day I would be alive to see myself. My great-granddaughter was born... Thinking about it, it’s really scary how fast time passes. Before I even get over it, I can only lie here and spend the whole day reminiscing about the past.”

"This is also a kind of happiness." Charles replied cautiously. He didn't know what to say in front of the old man who was lamenting his aging. "At least now I have glory and wealth, and I have my children and grandchildren by my side."

"Yes, you're right! This is already a kind of happiness. This is the happiness I dream of." The Earl nodded lightly, and then he continued, "When I was young, that catastrophe happened Yes, my father and the king he served have gone up. I ran out of the guillotine after a lot of effort - just like my grandfather, I suffered enough in those twenty years and almost died several times. At that time, I swore that I would never let my children and grandchildren. I also encountered such a disaster...I am very happy that I did it."

The earl raised his gaze and looked at Charles. His once cloudy eyes suddenly became filled with a few gleams of light, as if he was a little excited. "Mr. Treville, I know that many people laugh at me for being unloyal and changing my family several times, but what if I don't do this? Will the Bourbon family not fall if I don't betray it? Louis - Will Philip get out? No! This is their destiny. Doom. Since I have no way or ability to change the situation, why can't I think of a way to prevent my children from suffering the same sins that I suffered? In my opinion, loyalty is just a kind of talent. Commodity, one should only sell it to the winner.”

After hearing the old man's monologue, Charles still didn't answer. He vaguely felt that the other person was explaining something to him.

What on earth did he want to say?

"Actually, I am not disgusted with these actions," after a moment of silence, Charles replied softly, "In my opinion, I did not deliberately betray the monarch I served before, I just chose to leave after everything was irreversible. , although this is not loyalty, it is not a fault. Besides, many people are like this, and there is not just one. "

"It's great to be able to look at me like this!" After hearing Charles's words, the Earl seemed to feel much more relaxed. "After all, if the Tsar or the Emperor of Austria comes over, of course we must resist, but Bourbon, Orleans or Bonaparte, in my opinion, there is no difference between them. As long as they can stabilize the country, they are the same. "

Then, he glanced at Charles again, "The difference is just who comes up is more beneficial to us. At present, it is indeed the Bonaparte family that is more beneficial..."

"Indeed." Ciel nodded again.

"So, young man, since you have been with this bad old man like me and talked so much, can you still listen to a few more words from his heart?"

"Just say it." Charles replied immediately.

"Presumably, now we can be honest with each other - young people, want to help M. Bonaparte come to power. And then use him to make a career, right? The reason that drives allegiance to him is not loyalty. It is ambition, right? ?" The count stared at him closely, and his old demeanor was almost gone at this moment.

After several interactions, he had determined that Charles was not a pedantic person, but an equally ambitious careerist who planned to achieve personal independence by helping Louis Bonaparte ascend to power, so he directly showed his cards. .

Before Ciel could answer. He continued.

"It is certainly true to have this idea, and it can even be said to be great. Financial speculation can make people become extremely rich, and political speculation can make people become extremely rich among the extremely rich. There is no business that is more cost-effective than political speculation. . However, because it is such a high-return business, I also want to warn you as a person who has been through it. You must be extremely careful... in case you suddenly fall from a height."

After saying this, the Earl paused intentionally, "Yes, what I mean is that if you are tied too tightly to the Bonaparte family, then even if you re-establish the empire, you may be thrown into trouble with them at any time. Overturned...and shattered into pieces in a raging and terrifying tide."

Ciel looked at the elder statesman with some surprise. His alarmist talk made Charles feel a little uncomfortable. Not sure what he meant.

"Can you explain it in detail?" he asked tentatively.

The Count smiled again.

"Young man, haven't you seen this clearly by now? That's not true, is it?" He asked jokingly, and then his face turned serious again.

"As long as unnecessary loyalty has not gone to your head, and as long as you can remain sober in the face of interests, you can see that the Bonaparte family has a fatal weakness...that is, this small Italian aristocratic family is just borrowing money. He rushed to the stage in response to the current situation.

They have no history and no 'legitimacy' that is enough to deceive people, so they do not have the strength and foundation to withstand disasters. No matter how famous they are for a while, a terrible storm can overthrow them! Especially in this country where no one obeys anyone!

Romanov and the orthodox monarchs of Habsburg can lose several times and lose miserably, but what about Napoleon? He failed once in Russia and never got up again! "The count squinted his eyes slightly and narrated in an indifferent tone, "So, since even the astonishing and brilliant Emperor can only lose once, what about our Mr. Louis Bonaparte? How many failures can he endure? "

It can only bear the one time in 1870, and then the entire empire fell, Ciel silently answered in his heart. But of course he wouldn't say it out loud, and just listened to the old man's words quietly.

"Mr. Treville, it is undeniable that he is a very smart young man, and he has his own unique opinions on many things. However, after all, he was born too early, and he still lacks all experience, so it is impossible to fully understand many things; and The family has insisted on supporting the Bonaparte family for decades - these two points may make them reluctant to face my warning." The count smiled slightly, "But, you can think about it carefully. Does it really make sense? Do your emotions make you unable to see the reality?"

After a moment of silence, Charles sighed softly, and then looked at the old man in front of him sincerely. He had now completely put away the compassion he had just shown.

Before Louis Bonaparte rebuilt his empire, these wise elder statesmen were able to see the risks that his empire faced. Even if he was dying, his mind was still good enough. Although I don't know why he said this to me, what he said is absolutely correct - it can even be said to be extremely correct.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"You can see it very clearly. I completely agree with it." He had no interest in hiding his views in front of such people. "The Bonaparte family is deeply tied to prestige. Once the prestige is damaged, the power will be lost." It will be gone. But... at least for now, I think their prestige is still very strong, and it is at least worthy of our pursuit and use."

"That's it!" The Earl nodded happily, "Finally you are willing to tell me everything, Mr. Treville. I appreciate it more and more. At this age, my mind is not so clear, nor do I have this You are so clever...I am sure that you will climb much higher than me in the future. It's a pity that I am too old and can no longer witness the places I can reach..."

Then, seemingly unintentionally, he added, "But my son, my grandchildren, and my little Matilda, they can all see it!"

Charles finally understood, he understood everything.

This earl already feels that his life span will not be too long. He is working hard to arrange a good life for his children and grandchildren. And if he wanted to maintain his glory and wealth, he would have to win over more allies and Austrian aid, so he regarded himself as a target to win over in the future.

And what he said before was a hint to Ciel - you have to find more escape routes for yourself.

Thinking about it, this old man must have given Julie the guidance when she showed her kindness before and wanted to find a future protector for her husband.

You really can’t underestimate these people! He sighed again in his heart.

"We are always loyal to our friends because they are loyal to us." He replied in a low voice.

"That would be great."

The Count smiled happily. Then, they changed the topic in a tacit understanding, "You already know about Lucien, right?"

"Already know." Charles nodded, "And I have promised Julie that I will do my best to help."

"You don't need to think too much about this matter. Although the Dilion family is in the opposition now, there are still many ways to think of." The Earl looked at Charles kindly. "However, I am a little curious..."

"Excuse me."

"Have you ever encouraged Lucien to disobey orders before?" the Earl asked softly, "Then what do you think of this whole thing? Do you really think he did the right thing?"

"Oh, that's right and wrong." Charles answered directly.

"What does this mean?"

"First of all, I don't believe that disobedience is a good thing." Charles slowly recounted his views. "The army is a weapon, and weapons should not have thoughts. Swords are used to kill people. Whoever you want to kill is holding the sword. "

"Then why encourage him?"

"Because the sword is not in our hands now." Charles replied confidently, "Since it is not in our hands, the less satisfying the sword in the enemy's hands is, the better. When we have the sword, who dares to disobey orders? ——No matter how unreasonable the order seems, anyone will be hanged. "

After hearing Charles's answer, the Earl suddenly laughed, and the laughter grew louder and louder, and finally turned into a series of coughs.

"Hahahaha... It really has a bright future." (To be continued...)