Flowers, Swords and France

"He's already here today? How can he be so fast?"

In a certain reception room in the Elysee Palace, Charles asked Carlyon next to him in a low voice.

Because the coldness of early winter made it difficult for him to adapt, he picked up the cup and took another sip of steaming coffee.

"Yeah, it's surprisingly fast." Carlyon nodded, "We just sent the president's letter, and he left within a few days, and then took a boat all the way back to France, and rushed back Paris, it’s just…”

"It's almost like I can't wait." Charles put down the cup and then helped him complete the rest of his words.

"Hi! That's it! I can't wait!" Karion clapped his hands, obviously feeling a little amused, "It only took less than ten days to rush back from Africa. Hey... I have to say that I am lucky to be a soldier. , otherwise you may not be able to endure this hardship.”

"No matter what, at least we feel the sincerity." Charles took another sip of coffee, "Isn't this great?"

"Okay, that's very good, but, friend..." Karion scratched his head in embarrassment, "No one thought he could come back so soon, so the president's schedule has to be changed again, oops, This is going to give me another headache." "Anyway, there's always time for a squeeze." Charles shrugged, then lowered his voice, "So, what does the president think? Do you want me to meet him first?"

"Yes, what the president means is that you have one final talk with him in person to see if this person is a suitable candidate... Didn't you recommend the person? Then it is naturally up to you to check." The tone was very cautious, obviously conveying the president's meaning, "If you still insist on your previous judgment, then he will fulfill your wish-summon him. Then put pressure on the Prime Minister to let this general become the Secretary of the Army." "

"Is that so?" Charles sighed softly, showing no signs of joy or anger. "That's really stressful."

"Brother, this shows the president's trust in you." Carlyon knocked on the table lightly, "In short, the president attaches great importance to this matter. You must not cause problems."

"Of course." Ciel nodded. "I've said it before the president, I'm going to execute this plan with my own future in mind."

"I never thought that someone like you would take such risks!" Seeing Ciel's serious look, Karion couldn't help but laugh, "My friend, I am impressed by you." Then, He took out his pocket watch and checked the time. "Well, it looks like he has had enough rest. I'll call him over right away. Please prepare first. Everyone is pressed for time recently, so please finish the conversation as soon as possible."

"Yeah, okay."

Following Ciel's response, Karion stood up and quickly walked out of the room.

Charles, on the other hand, sat patiently and continued to pour himself a cup of coffee to calm himself down.

After a while, the door reopened.

Ciel took the opportunity to look towards the door, and then looked at each other.

This is a middle-aged man in military uniform.

He has slightly curly gray hair and a moderate beard. His face was solemn and his brows were furrowed, looking shrewd and harsh. Maybe it's because he has been serving abroad all year round. His skin is somewhat dark, and this skin color combined with his stern eyes gives him a rare and powerful demeanor.

Although he looked a little tired, Ciel was still touched by his tough demeanor.

It seems that there is no need to ask who he is, he is the person I need.

He is the General Saint-Arnaud who made great contributions to launching the mutiny by Napoleon III and was named marshal by him, and I have now become his recommender.

With a touch of joy, Ciel stood up.

"Come in. General."

As soon as this middle-aged man in military uniform came in, his eyes were completely fixed on Charles.

"Mr. Treville?" He looked at Charles hesitantly.

His voice was slightly hoarse. He is also a bit stiff and seems to be a taciturn person. Although he clearly wanted to appear slightly more affectionate. But that habitual rigid attitude still made the atmosphere slightly solemn.

"Yes, that's me." Charles nodded, then walked over, smiled and extended his hand, "General Saint-Arnault, welcome back to France."

The general also extended his hand.

The rough hands held it so hard that it made Ciel feel a little painful, but he still kept smiling.

"Thank you for your regard for me, Mr. Treville." General Saint-Arnaud looked at Charles very seriously, "I am a soldier and I don't know how to express my gratitude, but please rest assured that I will cooperate with you in the next step. working.”

Perhaps because he was in a very excited mood, his sincerity was so obvious that it made Charles feel a little embarrassed.

It is easy to understand why he expressed this way - it was precisely because of Charles's strong recommendation that he was able to suddenly receive this kind of good news that almost fell from the sky, and then was recalled to Paris from the vast desert of Africa. , and even had the opportunity to become famous.

And this kind of gratitude is exactly what Ciel needs.

"Oh, please sit down." Although he was very happy in his heart, he still pretended to be calm on the surface, "You must be tired after such a long and dusty journey back, right? Come on, let's drink some coffee."

"Thank you." General Saint-Arnaud let go of his hand and sat down.

"I think you already know our purpose of bringing you back, right?" Charles asked calmly after he drank a cup of coffee.

"Yes, I am fully aware." General Saint-Arnaud nodded, "Although I still don't know why I am so lucky...but I will use all my abilities to repay the president and your trust. "

He still doesn't understand why he was suddenly recommended by the president's confidants and had the honor to become the candidate for the Secretary of the Army. Although he had communicated with Charles several times before in Africa, the two were not familiar with each other and had never even met. He had no idea that he would be selected by him and then highly recommended by him.

However, it was clear that he had no intention of passing up such an opportunity.

He is willing to do anything to achieve success.

"General, I appreciate your firm attitude." Charles still kept a smile on his face, "However, I recommend you because after observation, I think you can unswervingly carry out the instructions given by the president. Your matter. I will ask you again in person whether you have made up your mind about this."

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"I have made up my mind from the moment I set off." General Saint-Arnault answered directly.

"Even if you do whatever is necessary for this?" Charles raised his eyebrows, "To tell you the truth, Mr. President recently plans to investigate and punish dissident forces in the army. Maybe some of your connections Close colleagues will be hit by this... Can you implement Mr. President’s plan without hesitation under such circumstances?”

"There will be absolutely no mercy." The answer Charles received was still decisive, "Mr. Treville, I can assure you that you have definitely not found the wrong person for the president."

Perhaps because of his awakening, the general's vision suddenly became a little scary, but he still didn't hesitate at all - presumably, this general had planned to remove all the stumbling blocks on his way forward a long time ago. Come on.

Charles looked at the other party quietly, feeling the determination expressed by the middle-aged general.

Very good, it seems that we have indeed found the wrong person.

"Then, I can tell you with great relief..." He smiled and nodded, "You have lived up to the president's trust in you. You are indeed the person we need to find."

Then, he calmly gave himself another credit, "To tell you the truth, the president still has some doubts about you, so he asked me to talk to you first. However, this conversation with you made me very Satisfied, I think you are fully capable of the important tasks we will give you..."

"I'm honored." A cold smile appeared on the general's face.

"Looks like you're ready to do your duty?"

"Yes, I will fulfill my duties to protect the president and the country." The general replied without thinking, and then added emphatically, "And I am willing to exclude all enemies of the country for this purpose."

"Very good!" Charles clapped his hands, and then stretched out his hand. "Then let's go together to eliminate the enemies of the country."

The two men held hands again.

"Mr. Treville, I really don't know how to express my gratitude to you, but don't worry, I will complete what you need me to do..." The general looked at Charles with gratitude, "Anything."

"After becoming the Secretary of the Army, you are my boss, but please don't say that." Charles smiled and shook his head, "Besides, you are responsible to Mr. President, not to me. There is one thing I I have to make it clear to you that it is Mr. President who feels your enthusiasm, so he values ​​you so much... and it is not me who decides anything."

Charles smiled and added, "You only need to follow the president's arrangements. You don't need to do anything special for me."

Beneath the high-sounding formula, General Saint-Arnaud discovered what Charles was hiding underneath.

You don't have to do anything for me - but you should allow me, help me, and let me do what I want to do.

In addition to his ruthless iron fist, this general also possesses sufficient wisdom.

"No, I am not your boss, not at any time." He held Ciel's hand tightly. "You can do whatever you want, I promise."

Well, very good, I passed the interview.