Flowers, Swords and France

When Ciel revealed all his intentions, the whole office fell into a subtle and awkward atmosphere.

The Marquis of Turgot just said some nonsensical polite words and kept smoking his cigar. He was obviously just dealing with Charles, while in his mind he was weighing how to resist Charles's 'threat' and try to maintain his own self. of power.

Although Charles could see what the other party was thinking, he had no interest in revealing it. He just kept smiling and chatting with the minister. He could completely see the depression and regret in the Minister's heart, but he had no intention of comforting him.

"Okay, Charles, I have finished explaining to you what needs to be explained. The rest is up to you!" After stubbing out the last cigarette in the cigarette pack, the minister implicitly issued an order to expel the guest, "I sincerely believe that, You will definitely be able to leave a mark of your own in our country's diplomatic career..."

"Thank you for your compliment, Your Excellency." Charles saluted the other party knowingly, "Then, I won't disturb you for your business...goodbye."

"goodbye."

After walking out of the office door, Charles unexpectedly took a deep breath - because the minister had been smoking non-stop, the room was filled with smoke just now, which was really uncomfortable.

Then, he returned to his office. Then, soon, his secretary placed stacks of documents on his desk.

These documents are all reports written by the staff of French embassies in various European countries. They describe in detail the current dynamics of the political circles and other social sectors in European countries as well as predictions for the future. Although the accuracy of these judgments will vary depending on the capabilities of the embassy personnel. However, due to his lack of diplomatic experience, Charles still needs to rely on these reports and judgments to initially understand the operation of the French diplomatic machine and the situation in Europe as a whole.

Just because it was my first time getting involved in diplomacy. In addition, as a way of respecting the Minister, he has not made any comments or instructions on the document. I browsed randomly, just marked the files I was interested in and checked them at any time.

In order to let Charles better understand the causes and consequences of these reports, his secretary also deliberately placed a large stack of diplomatic files that had been sealed next to them, and classified them into categories so that he could consult them at any time. After Charles read these reports, he began to look at the diplomatic files carefully.

Reviewing these reports and files has been his main job in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during this period.

Diplomacy is a very delicate and dangerous art. Ciel would rather understand everything clearly first than rush into battle rashly and cause a joke or even a diplomatic crisis.

Moreover, looking at these files can indeed give people a strange feeling.

In these long-dusted diplomatic files, in the ordinary narratives of diplomats, Charles saw the thrilling conspiracies and major events that took place in various European countries, and felt that he was transcending history. .

Even if it is read as a history book, it is indeed interesting to read.

"Prince Schwarzenberg is seriously ill and may not live long. Emperor Franz-Josef was panicked that he would lose such an important minister and teacher. This young man did not seem to have the knowledge to manage such a huge empire. Be prepared so policy continuity is not apparent.

If the prince dies, Austria's next political situation may undergo drastic changes. It is possible that the Austrians will ease tensions with the Prussians in the future, and we should pay close attention to their movements..."

After seeing this report from the Austrian Embassy, ​​Charles circled the report with a red pen. Then put it into your own special folder.

Prince Felix Schwarzenberg is now the Chancellor of the Austrian Empire, and his foreign policy is extremely tough. In 1850, in order to thwart Prussia's ambition to exclude Austria from integrating Germany. He gave Prussia an ultimatum to abandon the Little Germany plan without Austria. Under the threat of war, Prussia hesitated again and again, and finally signed the Treaty of Olmitz under his coercion, dissolving the alliance and being forced to surrender to Austria.

But the prince is now seriously ill and will die soon.

"Write some invitations for me to the members of the Austrian Embassy." Then, without raising his head, he said to the secretary next to him, "I will hold a banquet at my home in two days. I hope they can attend the banquet."

"Two days later?" The secretary looked a little hesitant, "The time may be a bit rushed, sir, after all, they may all have their own schedules."

"I know it's rushed, but I'm going to England in a few days, and I really can't find a better time." Charles replied in a low voice, "It doesn't matter even if everyone can't attend, as long as there are one or two that are important enough. That's all. I want to at least explore the Austrian people's background and find out what our cute little kid is thinking about now - but it is very possible, and I even dare to conclude that our little kid hasn't thought of anything yet... …”

"You mean children?" The secretary looked at Ciel with a somewhat frivolous and sarcastic tone with some confusion.

"Oh, it's nothing..." Charles' face returned to seriousness, "Anyway, just follow my instructions and bring the invitation over this afternoon."

"Okay, sir." Seeing that Charles's will could not be shaken, the secretary did not ask any more questions and bowed to agree.

"Oh, it's already this time!" Charles looked out the window and found that the sky was already gloomy. "Okay, go quickly and don't waste time."

Then he stood up and walked out of the office, mixing with the people who were leaving get off work in groups of three or two.

Charles greeted the staff politely along the way and soon walked to his carriage.

The coachman was ready, but Charles stood outside the carriage for a long time and did not get in. He lowered his eyes as if thinking about something.

But, strangely, even he himself did not know what he was thinking.

"Sir?" Seeing that Charles was always in a daze, the coachman boldly asked in a low voice, "Are you going home?"

Go home... Yes, go home?

This word inadvertently stirred waves in Charles' heart.

Although he and Charlotte moved to their new home after their wedding, he still hadn't changed his mind mentally and still regarded the place where he had lived for more than 20 years as his home.

I haven't been home for a long time. I don't know how my grandfather is doing these days.

I don't know either...

"Yes, go home, I want to go home to see." Charles whispered to himself, "Let's go home and go to my grandfather."

"Sir?" The driver was even more surprised. "You're not..."

Charles realized his slip of the tongue at this time.

"I mean, go to my grandfather to see him. I haven't seen them for a long time."

"Oh, okay, I see!" The driver nodded immediately.

The original text is in the six # 9 @book/bar!

"Take me to my grandfather first, and then go home immediately. Tell my wife that I'm having dinner at my grandfather's tonight and will be back later..." Charles said as he walked into the carriage. "Tell the lady not to wait and have dinner first, understand?"

"I understand, sir!" The coachman responded, waving the reins and letting the carriage start suddenly.

Soon, the carriage brought Charles to the outside of the Marquis de Treville's mansion. After all, the Marquis de Treville's mansion in the city was much closer than the new house in the suburbs.

"Master, you are back?" The old doorman exclaimed, and hurriedly opened the door so that Charles' carriage could drive directly in.

Charles smiled and nodded at him.

The mansion, which was originally a bit dull, quickly became agitated again because of Charles' sudden return. The servants ran over to greet Charles, obviously they had not yet adapted to his relocation.

Charles greeted everyone politely, and then walked back to the mansion step by step along the route he had already been familiar with.

"Sir... are you here alone? Why didn't you tell us in advance?" Charles had just walked into the hall when Miss Marie de Léoran came over immediately with the same joy on her face, "We are all having dinner, but there is no portion for you!"

"I came here alone, just to visit Grandpa and you, nothing else." Charles replied with a smile, "Anyway, I'm not hungry now, it's not too late to ask the chef to prepare now. Besides, I'm not a guest, do I need to notify the appointment in advance to come here?"

"That's not what I meant, you know!" Marie replied with a wry smile, and then looked at Charles with some surprise. "You came here alone..."

This kind of sight made Charles feel a little uncomfortable.

"Were you having dinner just now? Grandpa was there too?"

"Yes, the master was eating in the restaurant." Marie nodded gently, "And Fran was there too."

There was a moment of silence.

"Really..." Charles' face was still very calm. "Then take me there! I want to see Grandpa. I miss him a lot recently."

Just want to see Grandpa? Mary sneered in her heart.

"Well, come with me, sir." She made a gesture, then turned and took Charles to the restaurant.

"By the way, I have something else to ask you." Charles suddenly quickened his pace and walked to Mary's side, "Recently... Fran has not done anything special, right?"

Since Fran woke up, Charles also left Mary here, and specifically told her to keep a close eye on Fran and watch any suspicious actions of hers, and not to allow her to go out again during this period.

"No, sir!" Mary opened her eyes wide, "She has been very well behaved recently, and she no longer has any thoughts of seeking death, and of course, she has not written a letter of denunciation to the Baron."

"Oh..." Charles responded in a low voice, without commenting. (To be continued...)