Flowers, Swords and France

Charlotte's visit to the Marquis of Treville went more smoothly than Charles had imagined. Fran seemed to have accepted the reality that Charlotte would become her sister-in-law. Although she was still silent, she did not show much resistance, which made Charles feel relieved.

After dinner, because there was nothing to do, Charles was called by Charlotte to play a few games of chess, and Fran went directly back to her bedroom. After a few hours of playing chess and chatting, Charles and Charlotte said good night to each other, and then went back to their rooms to prepare for bed.

Yes, they did not go to Charles' room to rest together.

Even though Charlotte did not intend to make such an arrangement, although she did not mind making Fran even more angry, she did not want all the servants of this family - that is, her future servants - to look down on her. After all, in this era, even if there is an agreement, it is not a good thing for unmarried men and women to have any scandals.

With a feeling of relief, Charles finally had a good sleep, which was rare recently.

The next day, Charles got up very late. When he finished washing up, it was already breakfast time, and the two Miss Trevilles were already there.

"Good morning, Charles." Charlotte greeted him with a smile, and even knocked the plate with a spoon playfully, as if accompanying her greeting.

But Fran lowered her head and drank her milk, pretending not to see it.

There was something wrong with this aura. From their unnatural behavior, Charles suddenly felt that they had been facing each other coldly for a long time.

Oh, forget it... It's better not to pursue this kind of thing for now. He sighed in his heart. Then he felt a pain.

Will my future life often be as heavy as this morning? Forget it, let's not think about it.

"Good morning." Charles nodded. "Two beautiful girls, seeing you really makes me feel full of energy today..." He said a cold joke, and then sat in his seat and ate breakfast obediently, not daring to say a word.

Originally, he would read the newspaper delivered in the morning while eating breakfast, but this time he didn't read anything. He was afraid that he would not eat fast enough.

After finishing breakfast like a whirlwind, Charles stood up quickly and prepared to leave home to work in the ministry.

However, Charlotte suddenly stood up, stretched out her hand, straightened Charles's wrinkled tie, and complained in a low voice. "Can you pay attention to your image? Don't let people look down on our Treville family!"

After she was done, she let go of Charles' hand and let him leave.

"Thank you," Charles said in a low voice, and left the restaurant without looking back, almost like running out. Of course he knew. Charlotte suddenly became so gentle and virtuous, mainly to tease Fran, but it was difficult to stop her, so she had to let her come. He was too lazy to hate himself for coming up with such a stupid idea. He just wanted to leave early, and let them solve their problems themselves.

"Charles. Have a good journey!" Looking at Charles's back as he left, Charlotte shouted from behind, and then waved.

"Hmph." A faint cold snort came from the side.

Charlotte was unaware, still smiling at Charles's back as he left.

Wait, if I can't deal with you now, you'll have to wait for it in the future! She said viciously in her heart.

……………………

As the carriage arrived at the Ministry of Railways, Charles finally breathed a sigh of relief. He walked all the way back to his office and returned to the pile of documents. He finally had a place to put away the troubles at home.

Little did he know that just as he sat down in the office, his full-time secretary Clement Lechinski came running over.

"Sir, Mr. Calvert's secretary just came here."

Charles stopped reading because of some surprises.

Jean-Calvert? What did this guy come to see me for? He was confused for a moment.

"What does he want to do?" Charles asked coldly.

"He said that Mr. Jean-Calvert wants to see you. If you have time, he will wait for you in the coffee room this afternoon." Clement knew that Charles and Jean-Calvert had some conflicts, so he did not show much respect to that person.

Hmm? What's going on? This guy actually wants to talk to me on his own initiative? Charles was even more confused.

"Is the Minister in the ministry today?" Charles asked with a frown after a moment.

"Not here yet," Clement replied respectfully, "I heard that the Minister has something to do today and may not come in the next few days."

Oh, is that so? He picked a good day to come to me? Charles frowned even more and began to think nervously.

What does he want to tell me? Should I go to see him without telling the minister?

The troubles at home bothered him, but the troubles here made him full of energy and excitement, and he could tear people apart.

After a moment, he made a decision.

What's the harm in meeting this guy? Are you afraid of him?

"Okay, you go and talk to them later, I'll go there to find him this afternoon." Charles raised his head and ordered Clement expressionlessly.

"Yes." Clément agreed in a low voice, then bowed and exited the office.

……………………

Charles was accustomed to punctuality, so as soon as the clock hit twelve o'clock, he left his office and walked to the coffee room. To his surprise, Mr. Jean Calvert, the permanent secretary of the ministry, was already waiting there.

Although it is a coffee room, there are only two people here, Charles and Jean Calvert at the moment - like almost all other government departments, it is a place where senior officials of the ministry drink coffee. You won't be around low-level officials at all. When other higher officials saw these two leaders suddenly getting together, it was the natural instinct of officials to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. It was enough for them to avoid the coffee room at a distance.

"Mr. de Treville!" After seeing Charles, Jean Calvert stood up, and then greeted Charles humbly, "I'm afraid you are here earlier than you thought."

"I always like to be punctual." Charles replied coldly, then nodded in return.

"Oh, this is really a good habit. Not many people can do it." Although he felt Charles's indifference, Jean-Calvert's face was still full of smiles.

Ciel sat across from the small table. Then slowly poured myself some coffee.

"Why did you come to see me today? Sir?" Charles had no intention of going around in circles with him, so he asked directly.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"It's not a big deal, but we should bump into each other occasionally, right?" Jean-Calvert smiled and shook his head, "As colleagues in the department, if we always have poor communication, the people below will be at a loss as to what to do. As a result, wouldn’t it be difficult for everyone to complete their work?”

"That's right..." Charles paused meaningfully, then took a slow sip of coffee before speaking, "But I always thought that it wasn't me who was hindering our communication, right?"

Ciel responded so rudely. Calvert's face was a little confused, but he quickly concealed his emotions and looked at Ciel again.

"Since you have the same idea, that's the best. As long as we continue to cooperate sincerely, then our work will definitely go smoothly, and the Prime Minister will also look at us differently. I am just a civil servant. The Prime Minister is right I won’t have much support, but you are different. If the Prime Minister is optimistic about you, it will be of great help to your future prospects..."

Are you using the Prime Minister to suppress me? It's a pity that I'm really not afraid of him. Charles laughed in his heart. However, of course he will not adopt the attitude of "who is the prime minister?"

"In that case, that would be great." His expression softened.

Seeing that his threat was effective, Calvert also relaxed a little.

"Since you also think that it is beneficial for everyone to work together, can you please advise the minister about the compensation fund?" He asked quietly.

It is indeed this.

Charles understood, so he took a sip of coffee more leisurely.

This compensation fund is expected to be used specifically to compensate those land owners whose rights and interests have been damaged due to land acquisition.

Since a railway is to be built, the straighter the route is, the better. However, it will inevitably pass through private land, so compensation becomes a big issue.

Of course this thing needs to be done, but Charles and the minister Lord Dillie have deliberately delayed it. They have been waiting for this day.

"Well... of course this is something that must be done, and I also think we should handle it as soon as possible..." Charles spoke in an official tone slowly, "But, you also know, this matter is too important, and There is so much money involved, all aspects need to be considered, and preparation and pre-investigation are required, not to mention we have to consider the pricing strategy. In short... this is not something that can be completed at once. "

After hearing Charles's answer, Jean-Calvert became a little anxious. These words were what he often said to those who asked him to do things. Of course he understood it very well. There was only one meaning after all he said it - I don't want to do it. .

"Of course we need to consider the necessary considerations, but the ministry has been studying it for so long and has considered almost all aspects. Isn't it time to speed up the progress?" Calvert looked at Ciel closely, as if thinking I want to tell him not to be naughty, "If you are always considering it, then what's the point of no matter how perfect the plan is? Isn't it just shelving? We have to do something to show to the Prime Minister... "

Obviously, if such a fund is not created, land expropriation will basically be impossible, and the construction of railways will of course be out of the question. Then everyone's work performance will only be mediocre. Zero, no matter how accustomed to procrastination, Jean-Calvert would definitely not be able to accept such a consequence.

"Well, what you said makes sense." Charles nodded, "I will report it to the Minister. I think he will also consider it, right? Well, you can just wait... The Minister should be very careful. We’ll think about it soon.”

Seeing that Ciel was still dodging, Calvert became a little impatient, and he finally asked that question.

"So what do you think it takes to convince a good minister?"

"I'm not sure about this." Charles finished his coffee. "However, if the personnel adjustments that the minister wants can be completed, I'm afraid he will feel better, right? As long as he feels better, won't his work efficiency be improved?"

This is their purpose. The people they wanted to introduce before were blocked by the personnel department of the ministry. They didn't want to risk their reputation and force it directly, so they took a roundabout way.

The two of them deliberately blocked this, so that the work could not be carried out smoothly, forcing the permanent secretary of the ministry to bow his head and endorse the people they introduced, so that they have a formal establishment.

"Okay..." After hesitating for a moment, Jean-Calvert finally spoke, "Then let's all take a step back, we make Mr. Minister feel better, and he makes the Prime Minister feel better, is this okay?"

"Oh? Maybe?" Charles replied with a smile, and he felt inexplicably happy in his heart, "I'm not Mr. Minister."