Flowers, Swords and France

"With our unremitting efforts, the progress is very smooth, and many senior officers have expressed that they can support you. ±, wwOf course, this gratifying situation is not because we can influence the attitudes of many people, but..." In the reception room of the Elysee Palace, Charles bowed deeply to Louis Bonaparte opposite him, "Your reputation has been recognized by most people, and in the army, a general view has been formed - that is, only you have the ability to end the current chaos and make the country a close collective again..."

In this series of compliments, Louis Bonaparte, who was dressed in casual clothes, listened silently, as if indifferent. However, Charles knew clearly that like any ambitious big man who had to do a big thing, he also liked compliments from his subordinates.

Of course, compared with before, after a period of experience as the highest power, he has become more taciturn, and his eyes are deeper and more elusive than before. After two years of training, the future emperor who vowed to restore the glory of his family has gradually acquired the aura of being the only one who can do anything.

Because of this, unlike most of his fellow party members, Charles became more respectful in front of this person, because he knew that such a person liked capable subordinates, but also liked - or perhaps more liked - obedient servants.

At least, he had to look obedient.

"In summary, relying on your reputation, our recent actions have gone smoothly. Mr. President, it is foreseeable that you will be supported by everyone." Charles lowered his eyes and looked at the carpet under his feet, "Then, you will complete your destiny under the witness of God..."

"It is also foreseeable that you will not come to see me just because you want to say this, right, Charles?" After accepting Charles' words, Louis-Bonaparte suddenly asked in that cold tone. "So, what do you want to tell me?"

"Well. This is what I really want to tell you, sir." Charles smiled without embarrassment, and then turned serious again, "Of course, as I said just now. You will eventually be supported by everyone. But... we must also admit that at this moment, there are still some people who are stubborn and want to fight against you..."

"Are you saying that there are still many opponents in the Ministry of War who openly oppose me?" Louis-Bonaparte immediately found the point.

"Not many people openly oppose you. After all, sir, you already have such authority." Charles answered immediately.

Of course he had to answer like this, otherwise he would have to admit that he was completely unable to calm the situation, so that people everywhere openly sang against the president.

"However, not openly opposing you does not mean that some people inside are not dangerous to you. In fact, their silence only means that they are waiting for an opportunity. I personally think that those hidden enemies are more dangerous than the open enemies because they can do more vicious things in private..."

"Okay, just tell me directly, what difficulties did you encounter this time?" Louis-Bonaparte waved his hand, indicating that he was a little impatient, "And what do you want me to do?"

"The situation is not as serious as you think, sir. I think that although there are some setbacks, everything is still under our control." Charles bowed slightly again, "I just think that we can change some methods now so that more people who are still waiting and watching can make the right choice."

After hearing Charles' words, Louis-Bonaparte suddenly stared at Charles. His originally indifferent expression suddenly showed a kind of spirit.

"Charles, do you mean that you think we can have a showdown in the army?"

"Of course I won't make such an optimistic statement," Charles still maintained his respectful calm despite being stared at by the future emperor, "but I do think we can be more radical now, so that others can feel our courage and determination, so as to... so as to seize time for you."

Louis Bonaparte frowned slightly, and it was obvious that Charles' words had the effect they deserved.

Now that more than half of his presidency has been used up, he really needs to seize time.

"Then what do you want to do?"

"My suggestion is..." Charles answered calmly, "We can hold another large-scale military parade in Paris, and let the garrisons from all over the country send representatives to participate, so that you can review the military power of the entire France."

"Hmm?"

"There are two advantages to doing this. First, we can let everyone see who is the leader of the country's military power." Charles continued to talk, "Second... We can use this to call the chief officers of various local troops to Paris, find out their attitudes, and see who supports us, who opposes us, and who can be regarded as potential supporters..."

Louis Bonaparte continued to look at him without speaking.

"Then, we can find the hidden opponents now-" Charles increased his voice, "Then, we will send them all out, whether in the South, Africa, or other colonies, in short, we must not let them get in our way again!"

After Charles said this, the room fell into silence.

"This is not like your style, Charles..." After a long time, Louis Bonaparte muttered, "Don't you usually seek stability? Why did you suddenly give me such a radical suggestion?"

"Seeking stability is not the goal. Fulfilling our ideals is. Before, we wanted stability because of the situation, but now we have to be radical because of the situation... At least that's what I think." Charles nodded lightly, "I think now The time has come and we cannot afford to miss this opportunity, sir.”

"Ha, it seems that this time is really not in vain. Our Charles has become a lot tougher..." Not only mocking but also approving, Louis Bonaparte nodded. "So, are you sure about this? Will it be counterproductive? Don't forget, you suggested that we directly have a showdown with a large group of generals."

"If it were a year ago, I wouldn't be able to give you a definite answer, but now the situation is completely different." Charles immediately replied decisively, "We have now gained prestige and gained the support of a large group of people in the army. Support, I have often felt this in the Army Department in recent months. If this is the case, why can't we take advantage of the victory and show off our momentum? If we take action at this time, we can scare the onlookers... …”

Louis Bonaparte still said nothing. He seemed to be immersed in consideration.

Charles waited for his answer, knowing how tempting his suggestion was to the other party.

"What kind of support do you need?" Before long, Louis Bonaparte made the decision that Charles expected.

"I need you to assign me an effective Minister of War and let him cooperate with my work." Charles replied immediately. In order to make yourself appear more confident. "Only in this way can we successfully complete this plan."

"Oh? Why?"

"You also know that if we want to win over the neutrals, we must not only rely on benefits to seduce them. Sometimes... we also need some means that can threaten people." Ciel set his sights on For Louis Bonaparte, "If we can threaten their future, they will naturally know how important it is to listen to us - if they do not want to be thrown into a corner."

"So, you want to clean up the Army Department through the Minister of War so that you can take control of personnel rights?"

"Yes, sir, I need you to give me such support." Charles nodded. "The current Minister of War is concurrently held by His Excellency the Prime Minister. You also know that he has many things to do and does not have so much time and energy to manage the affairs of the Ministry. In addition... plus he does not want to be too aggressive, so he It's hard to do the job we want him to do."

"A minister will be assigned to you..." Louis Bonaparte began to ponder again.

"Yes, after these few months of work, I already have a general understanding of the situation in the War Department, and I also know who can be used by us and who can only be left aside." Charles tried his best Making his tone full of persuasion, "As long as you can send me a strong and determined minister, I can, with his cooperation, slowly clean up the inside of the War Department first, and then clean up those outside." A general who refuses to cooperate!"

Perhaps he was infected by Charles's tone, and there was a trace of imperceptible excitement on Louis Bonaparte's face.

There is no doubt that Ciel's suggestion was very tempting to him.

"This step is very important. It is related to the success or failure of our plan." Charles continued to persuade, "And forcing the Prime Minister is something that only you can do. It is impossible for me to do it."

After saying this, Ciel stopped talking and waited for the future emperor's decision.

At this time, his heart was filled with peace. After the unpleasant bargaining, the moment he came out of the racecourse, he had already decided to take this step.

After his previous plan was destroyed by army insiders, the setback did not discourage him. Instead, it aroused the violence in his heart. Not only for profit, but also for prestige, he must take revenge and return.

So, as soon as he got home, he started planning carefully.

Although today's suggestion must first consider his own party interests, it actually also has some personal emotional factors - he just wants to take advantage of the east wind to cleanse the opposition within the War Department, and remove those who he did not like before. That group of people were also cleaned up.

Naturally, he would not explain this idea to Louis Bonaparte.

I wanted to talk to you with good intentions, but you didn't accept this trick and thought I was weak and could be bullied. So, since this is the case, I won't reason with you. I will move all the obstructionists out of the way one by one to see who can resist. Can stop me.

So, since the decision has been made, it must be resolutely implemented and carried out ruthlessly to the end, and absolutely not give those people any chance to counterattack - or not do it, and once it is done, it must be done. This is his determination The principles of belief.

Count Opple doesn't have the courage or interest to do it, so he has to find an ambitious and courageous ally to do it, and the sooner the better.

The whole room fell into silence again. Louis Bonaparte suddenly stood up, and then paced the carpet slightly uneasily, looking strangely uneasy.

Until finally, he stopped.

"Charle, I don't care what other thoughts you have, but I must say that your suggestion is very good and very to my liking. I don't care if you want to do other things by the way, I just want to see the result—— As long as the results are good, tell me who you want to be the Secretary of War."

Coming! Ciel felt happy.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"I'm afraid this is not something I can interrupt. Sir..." he pretended to decline.

"No, since you made this suggestion and you are now working in the Ministry of War, you might as well put it forward to the end." Louis Bonaparte waved his hand. He signaled him not to refuse anymore. "I want you to tell me now. We don't have to delay any longer."

Charles pretended to hesitate for a while, and then finally spoke.

"If you want me to say it, I don't have no candidates to recommend..."

"Who?" Louis Bonaparte asked directly.

"I thought about it among several candidates. In the end, I felt that... there is one candidate who is the most suitable, and that is General Saint-Arnaud." Charles replied calmly, "The people I told you last time agreed. One of the generals who works with us.”

"General Saint-Arnaud..." Louis Bonaparte murmured to himself, as if thinking about something.

"It is perfectly reasonable to appoint a general as the Minister of War, and no one outside can say anything." Charles continued his advice, "And, as I said before, this general has the ability to respect both you and the army. He has a passion for honor and ruthless courage, and when needed, he can also use an iron fist that is enough to persuade others..."

Charles would have just made it clear that the other party was a careerist who was willing to do whatever it took to get ahead - but Louis Bonaparte naturally understood. After all, isn't this the kind of person he needs to rely on most now?

"Are you sure? Is he willing to cooperate with us, and is he qualified for this position?"

"I'm not completely sure, after all, people's hearts are extremely complex." Charles immediately set himself a step ahead, "But, I can guarantee that this is the best candidate I can find. Although he He is currently serving in Africa, but after several contacts with him, I found that he is exactly the kind of person we need most... Therefore, I dare to recommend him so strongly to you, sir, and you must also You know, I'm not one to make judgments arbitrarily."

Louis Bonaparte took a deep breath.

"If that's the case, then, great. I can summon him back from Algeria and have a talk with him. If it's really suitable, then... I'll do as you say!"

A burst of joy surged into Ciel's heart.

"That's very nice, sir." He replied quickly, bowing. "I don't think you'll be disappointed when you meet him, he's really the right person."

Charles dared to make such a guarantee in front of Louis Bonaparte, of course, not because he really trusted General Saint-Arnaud, but because the original history gave him this revelation-this is better than any words, A promise or guarantee is much more effective.

In the original history, General Saint-Arnaud joined the Bonapartists and became the Bonapartists' capable general slightly later, and was not appointed Minister of War until October 24, 1851. A year later than now.

In October 1850, Count Schramm, a veteran general, became Minister of War. However, since history has proven that General Saint-Arnaud will be a figure who can reorganize the army with an iron fist and assist Napoleon III in launching a coup, why do we need to take these detours?

Now, Charles, who was frustrated and determined to retaliate, decided to change this trajectory as soon as possible after careful consideration, and quickly sent this strongman to the Ministry of War to assist him and achieve Louis Bonaparte's goal of controlling the army. And work hard - at the same time, he also works hard to eradicate those people he doesn't like.

Not to mention, he can win the gratitude of the future Army Minister and Field Marshal who has not yet made a fortune because of his tireless recommendation.

However, of course he could not express his reasons directly to Louis Bonaparte.

In his sight, Louis Bonaparte was pacing more and more frequently, and he had obviously entered into the most intense thinking.

After an unknown amount of time, he stopped.

Then, he looked at Ciel with the most stern eyes.

That ruthless courage allowed him to make a decision quickly.

"Okay, Charles, since you said so, then I agree with your plan and follow your suggestions." His tone was cold but full of passion, "As for the choice of minister, I will satisfy you. I will try my best to meet your requirements and all conveniences, so..."

He lowered his voice. "I also hope you can meet my requirements."

Ciel lowered his head.

"Char, I hope you understand the meaning of this - you are guaranteeing your own future. If this thing fails, it will be your responsibility and you cannot escape. Of course..."

He slowly raised his head, "If everything goes well, then, I can guarantee that you... you will get the reward you deserve. So, now, tell me, even so, you must stick to your plan ”

"Yes, sir, it's a pleasure," Charles replied immediately.

"Haha, very good!" Louis-Bonaparte waved his hand, "Then do it! Sir!"

"Then do it." Charles echoed.

If no one wants the olive branch I extended, then I'll just extend the sword. (To be continued...)

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