Flowers, Swords and France

It was an unpleasant morning.

The sky was gloomy and there was no trace of sunshine. The cold wind mixed with the cold rain was flowing wantonly through the streets, attacking everyone mercilessly. There were only a few pedestrians on the street, and they were all wearing thick clothes and rushing past. They were not willing to walk in the street. Stay on the street for a while longer.

In November, the weather has naturally brought with it the coldness of winter, not to mention the rain.

In the wind and rain, a carriage passed through the streets and soon arrived at the location of the French Ministry of Railways, and then stopped in front of this magnificent building.

After getting off the carriage, Charles, wearing a heavy coat, walked step by step into the office building of the Ministry of Railways.

Although it was windy and rainy at the moment, he seemed to be taking a leisurely stroll, and his mood was not affected by the weather while reading.

"Sir, you are finally here!"

As soon as he walked from the lobby to the second floor, his secretary Clement Lechinsky came up to him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I came late because there was some delay on the way." Charles smiled and read to him, "How are they doing, Mr. Minister?"

"They are having a meeting." Clément looked a little worried. "I heard that they have abandoned the minister now and are doing everything in secret! It's great that you are here now."

Of course Ciel can clearly distinguish the difference between the former "them" and the latter "them".

"Really?" He smiled coldly, "I really hope I can still make time."

"Yes. I'll take you there now!" Clement's face was filled with joy, and then he quickly turned around to lead the way.

The two walked quickly along the corridor and soon arrived at the ministry's large conference room.

When the conference room door opened. The eyes of everyone in the room were instantly focused on Ciel, but their reactions were completely different.

The minister looked very happy when he saw him coming, and made a gesture for him to take a seat quickly; while the secretary-general of the ministry, Jean Calvert, frowned slightly, as if he was very unhappy, and the others just glanced at him. She glanced at him and quickly looked away.

However, Charles seemed not to notice these glances, and walked to his seat with his usual smile on his face. Sat down happily.

"Char, you are finally here." The minister, Count Dillion, winked at him quietly. It seemed like he breathed a sigh of relief.

And Ciel smiled at him.

"Your Excellency, please continue our discussion just now," Jean-Calvert's voice broke the brief tacit understanding between the two people, "The plan you just mentioned. I personally have some reservations..."

"Reservation?" The minister could not care about Charles for the time being, and looked at Jean Calvert again. "What reservations do you have?"

"You mentioned the future bond issuance arrangements before. After careful consideration, we still feel that it is too radical..." Jean-Calvert looked at the Minister with a look that seemed to be humble but showed absolutely no respect, "Your Excellency, We believe that it is a good thing to raise as much funds as possible, but issuing a large amount of debt in a short period of time will make it difficult for the market to digest, and will ultimately make us lose more than we gain. Therefore, I think we must address this issue. Continue to discuss in detail and do more research..."

"You mean no?" The minister frowned slightly. Staring back at Calvert.

Of course he understood what the other party meant by his official words.

Undeterred by the minister's stern realization, Calvert responded expressionlessly. "If you insist on understanding it this way, I have nothing else to say. In short, I think this plan is indeed not feasible, but full of whimsical and naive views. It does not pay attention to the actual situation at all, and will only bring trouble to all of us. It will not bring you any unnecessary trouble and loss. If someone else did it for you, you can talk to him."

After finishing speaking, he looked at Ciel with a mocking look.

In fact, Jean-Calvert was right. The minister himself didn't pay much attention to these things at all. These were Charles's plans. He just agreed after casually looking at them - who called Charles his close assistant? ?

And from an official's technical point of view, his assessment is not wrong. Shire's fundraising plan is too radical and will have little benefit in the long run.

However, of course, he could not imagine that Charles had so many political considerations, nor could he imagine that he planned to harm his boss from the beginning, so in his opinion, this was just another reckless act of this young man. Just a new example.

However, even after being ridiculed by Jean-Calvert, Charles remained unmoved and sat quietly on the chair, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Ever since Charles was refuted face-to-face by Jean Calvert at the previous State Council meeting, Charles has always been like this in department meetings. He rarely participated in the discussion of meetings, and even often deliberately made excuses not to participate, so later in the department Daily activities are often presided over by him alone. In addition, the minister has been taking leave due to mourning, so the power is naturally in his hands.

At this time, it really looked like a crushed raisin... Jean Calvert couldn't help but laugh sarcastically again.

"Mr. Jean-Calvert, I think I must remind you." The minister's tone became increasingly cold, "I am the minister, and you are the secretary. Your task is to execute my will, not to question it! I demand that you implement my plan immediately!"

"When, after detailed and thorough demonstrations, broad consensus is achieved in this department and all walks of life, and we conclude that 'your' plan is promising and feasible, we, these humble officials, will do our best to achieve it." I have worked hard for your plan, Your Excellency, I can guarantee this reading," Jean-Calvert replied slowly.

Of course, it's actually the same answer.

"How disrespectful this is!" The minister looked at Jean-Calvert angrily, "What I ask is that you implement my will. Instead of talking official talk with me! I have been in the palace for more than ten years, you I know this better than anyone else, don’t fool me with these things, now do as I say!”

"Okay, we'll look into it right away."

"Bang!" The minister slammed the table hard, causing the hearts of almost all the officials present to skip a beat.

"I have discovered from the very beginning that I have been here, Monsieur Jean-Calvert, that you have always been against me, your boss. To act as a naysayer, to deliberately delay or even fail to carry out my orders. To hinder our reform plans," the minister said slowly He stood up and said, "You, and you officials. Is it really Do you really think you can fool us by showing off some clever tricks? I have been giving you opportunities before, but now I am completely disappointed with you. I want to ask you now! , do you still have me as a minister in your eyes?"

Then, he glanced at the officials next to the conference table.

"Who else agrees with M. Jean-Calvert?"

Officials don't understand what the minister means by his sudden attack today.

However, after all, the person opposite was a minister, and the natural instinct of officials to obey their superiors still came into play. In addition to those who originally supported the minister and Charles, some liberals who had little involvement with the two factions also gradually spoke out, saying that they basically agreed with the minister's opinions.

"We serve you and the country. You can't accuse us like this, Your Excellency!" Seeing that the wind was going against him, Jean-Calvert finally became anxious. "If you act so arbitrarily, it will not only cause trouble to the department itself, but also hinder the government's reputation. What will the Prime Minister do if he gets angry? Don't forget that the Prime Minister is also quite satisfied with your recent work performance. dissatisfied……"

"Are you threatening me with the Prime Minister?" The minister suddenly calmed down. He looked at Jean Calvert with a slightly mocking look. "Or do you plan to continue suing me in front of the Prime Minister? As far as I know, this is not the first time or twice."

The minister suddenly taunted. Jean-Calvert was a little embarrassed, but he quickly recovered.

"As an employee of the government, I am of course obliged to report to the head of government the operating status of my department..." he replied calmly, "especially when we are in a new department led by inexperienced politicians. Under the circumstances. Your Excellency, to be honest with you, your work performance The Prime Minister is very dissatisfied. He has told me several times that he wants to change ministers, and I have been urging him not to do it for the time being, so he has delayed it. However, if you still want to do this, I’m afraid I won’t be able to say good things all the time..."

This was of course a lie. In fact, it was completely the opposite. Jean-Calvert had been advising the Prime Minister to replace the minister, but it was only because the Prime Minister still had some concerns that he did not realize it.

"So I still want to thank you?" The minister sneered.

"That's not necessary, we are obeying you..."

"Go to hell, sir."

"What are you talking about?"

Seeing that a new round of quarrel was about to break out, Charles, who had been sitting silently in his seat, finally spoke.

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment."

He put the watch into his pocket.

The tenth reading has arrived.

"Everyone, after arguing for so long, I think it's better to take a rest first? I think I have some important news to inform everyone."

Everyone's attention suddenly focused on Ciel, even the two people who were quarreling.

"Char, tell them." The minister sat down with a relaxed expression.

Ciel stood up slowly.

Then he glanced at everyone present with his arrogant gaze, which was the unique smile of a winner.

“Today, at this very moment, the President of the French Republic, the illustrious Mr. Louis Bonaparte, has made a statement to the Parliament, which is... Mr. Odilon Barrot, the current Prime Minister of the Republic, because of his performance It is difficult to meet the president’s expectations and will now be replaced by the president.”

As if to make the officials present understand the meaning of what he said, Charles deliberately increased his volume and repeated it in simple and clear words, "You heard it right, it's a removal! The president has removed the prime minister!" "

"oh!"

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"scare……"

As expected, after a moment of suffocating silence, Ciel heard several uncontrollable exclamations and inhalations. Obviously. This news had a great impact on the officials present.

Generally speaking, although the sudden departure of a prime minister will cause an accident, it will not cause a commotion - because the prime minister or prime ministers in French politics change too frequently. The officials here have long been accustomed to it.

They were surprised because of a well-known fact in the ministry - Mr. Jean Calvert, the Secretary-General, has a close relationship with the Prime Minister, or to put it bluntly, the Prime Minister is his patron.

Under normal circumstances, ministers would leave their posts sadly after a cabinet change, but this is obviously different - because the ministers and secretaries are from the president's faction, they will obviously stay in office. If the new cabinet. If the ministers and state secretaries are still in office, what capital does he have to confront the ministers and others?

so……

"So. It's a pity that the Prime Minister can't consider our stay for the time being, because he can no longer stay..." Charles looked at Jean Calvert slowly, "Well. I have already announced this big news. , let’s continue the meeting.”

Immediately afterwards, Jean-Calvert suddenly became the focus of countless obvious or hidden sights. Some people were at a loss, some were gloating, and some were extremely anxious, eager for him to come up with something that would change the situation.

Jean-Calvert moved his lips, but no words came out. It was obvious that this sudden disaster had penetrated his psychological defense.

"Well, it seems that the quarrel just now has affected Mr. Jean-Calvert's mental state. Oh, what a pity..." Charles sighed regretfully, "Then. I will continue to preside over the meeting, okay?" "

No one raised any objections, and the new explosive news had everyone in disarray.

"It seems that no one has different opinions. Very good. Thank you everyone." Charles smiled and read the first chapter, "About the financing plan proposed by the minister. After careful study and observation, I think it is a good one." The plan should be implemented quickly without delay, what do you think?"

"Very good!"

"agree!"

He, the minister's supporters, and the Liberal faction expressed their stance almost at the same moment - while everyone in the opposition bowed their heads sadly, no one spoke, and their leader was trembling and slumped in his chair at this moment, as if he could no longer It's like I don't have the strength to speak anymore.

"Well, but Mr. Jean-Calvert also said a lot just now. This matter is so big that we need to study it carefully and carefully." Charles still smiled, "So I suggest that we should quickly set up a financing research committee. How about Mr. Calvert being the chairman of the committee? I am convinced that he can study these things for the country and the people in a professional manner, right?”

Before anyone else could express their opinions, Charles continued, "There are also Mr. Hugon, Mr. Josted, and Mr. Pellet. These officials with professional abilities, I think, are very suitable to serve as committee members and serve the country. Yes, are you right?"

Then, Charles ignored the looks that were full of anger, resentment, hatred, or pleading, and said out the names one by one-those who followed Jean Calvert in the previous state meeting and sang against him will now be dismissed. Charles was assigned to the cold yamen of who knows what, except for one or two who couldn't be replaced for the time being.

He didn't say a word. His colleagues, including the minister, all echoed loudly, and the few voices of protest were completely drowned in the cheers.

Jean-Calvert has now regained his composure. He sat quietly on the chair without saying a word or protesting at all, as if he had accepted the defeat and just wanted to leave the show with dignity.

However, Ciel was not so kind as to only give him this humiliation.

"Mr. Jean-Calvert?" Charles looked at him with a smile, "Can you still do me a favor?"

"What?" Jean-Calvert asked hoarsely, raising his head even though his face was pale, as if desperately trying to preserve his dignity.

"About my previous department reform plan, I seem to have given you a copy, right?" Charles's smile became more and more gentle, "Now I want everyone to discuss this, but I can't seem to find the original copy. Can you Can you go to your office and bring it over?"

"You! You..." In the face of this obvious humiliation, Jean-Calvert's whole body trembled.

"Give it to me right away." Charles emphasized again, "I mean, right away."

Jean-Calvert closed his eyes and no longer met Charles' gaze.

This man didn't even give himself the kindness to stay in the conference room to swallow his pain. He had to let himself go back and forth in the humiliating sight of everyone to satisfy his desire for violence and the joy of victory.

"Okay... It's up to you... Hahahaha... I'll get it right away, hahahaha..." He didn't realize that he was speaking incoherently, "Just wait."

Then, when he just stood up, in front of those mocking eyes, he suddenly felt his world spinning, his feet went soft, and he fell down on the chair again.

"Didn't you hear what I just said? Sir?" Of course, Charles would not let go of the blow to the other party because of this. "Bring it to me right now!"

"Okay! Just wait!"

The courage that arose out of nowhere suddenly gave Jean-Calvert his feet regained strength.

Even if you lose, you have to be able to afford it.

He stood firm, then strode towards the door, and then pulled the door hard.

Then, something suddenly occurred to him.

If this bastard de Treville was so vicious, how could he come up with such a mindless plan?

Could it be...

He turned his head and saw the minister in the middle of the meeting room.

This man was looking at him with a mocking gaze.

Ha, ha ha... You are just my fellow traveler, idiot!

With an inexplicable sense of superiority, he strode out.

Hahahaha, I'm waiting for you! (To be continued)