Flowers, Swords and France

At Palmerston's initiative, these people stopped talking and started talking about irrelevant topics while drinking.

After Charles told them all the details quietly and in a tactful way, apart from the vague encouragement, neither Foreign Secretary Palmerston nor Prime Minister Russell made any further remarks. He was just chatting with Ciel, obviously not wanting to reveal any more details to Ciel.

They have talked enough, and it would be inappropriate for them to talk more now. Until the last moment, the British still hope to maintain a distant superior position and decide for themselves whether to participate or not to participate in certain activities. Intense "action to maintain peace."

Because he fully understood their behavior and motivations, Ciel did not want to do useless work and further pressure them to express their stance. Instead, he also chatted and laughed with them.

Years of experience have told him that if a person really wants to get something from others, then he'd better show that he doesn't care so much about it.

When the chat reached almost noon, Prime Minister Russell winked at Palmerston, apparently feeling that it was time to leave.

"Mr. Treville, I have to say that it was a very pleasant conversation with you today. You are more skilled in this skill than I thought." Palmerston raised his head slightly, and then said something profound. He added, "You have given us an attractive picture that at least gives us something to look forward to, and I hope you can make this picture come true."

"I think we are all gentlemen. And gentlemen should keep their promises, not just us. You also do the same." Charles responded without being humble, "We are happy to keep our promises in order to maintain the goodwill of the UK. But for the UK we There is no such certainty.”

"The British also keep their promises." Palmerston sneered and waved his hand, "However, I'm afraid you have misunderstood me - I am not doubting your or Mr. Bonaparte's credibility, but I am worried If you cannot maintain the stability of the new regime to which you belong, no matter how keen you or Mr. Bonaparte are to maintain the friendship between Britain and France, what will it do?"

"Judging from the French people's nostalgia for the Bonaparte family and the empire, our regime is quite stable." Charles replied without thinking, not taking his implicit sarcasm and worries to heart at all. "Besides, if you really have good intentions and hope that we can firmly maintain our power, you should actively and friendly eliminate this unstable factor for us. Don't forget, the current Orleans royal family, There are still a large group of people staying in the UK..."

As soon as Charles mentioned this, Palmerston's face became a little confused.

Of course he was unwilling to expel members of the royal family of Orleans just to curry favor with Bonaparte - this was a good card. You might be able to use it sometime.

"The late His Majesty Louis-Philippe I was an old friend of the British people. Although he lost his throne due to unfortunate disasters, he still maintained our friendship. He and his family were not criminals, but only because of fate. Just a poor man who had to leave his country because of mockery. Our unique kindness cannot allow us to add insult to injury." Palmerston still had a smile on his face, "If one day you end up in this situation because of your carelessness, it's because of our friendship today. I can also conclude that Britain will also open its warm arms to you."

"I don't think I need to accept your kindness. France needs me, and I will stay there." Charles rejected this 'kindness'.

"I know the French. I have spent a long time there." Palmerston shook his head as if he was disapproving. "They are all impulsive and irritable, and their enthusiasms are changeable. It is almost impossible to follow a set of rules." This principle... Therefore, even in today's superiority I think you should be more careful about your status. After all, the previous governments were as high-spirited as you and felt that they could manipulate the country at will. As a result, none of them survived twenty years. I have seen this in my lifetime. How many times have French governments changed?"

"When you were in France, the country was in unprecedented turmoil, so your impression of the French may be biased." Charles expressed his dissatisfaction with his conclusion rather implicitly, "In fact, the French Respect principles as much as anyone else and be willing to maintain order. All the turmoil that happened before was just because their governance was too bad and the people couldn't bear it. And we...we serve the country and the nation with unparalleled enthusiasm, and the people will not abandon us - besides, if it is true. There will come a time when we can accept it calmly.”

Although he said so, Charles actually didn't have much confidence in his heart.

After all, all the changes that have occurred in France in the past sixty years have been too frequent. Even today, when Bonaparte launched a coup and subdued all opposition with an iron fist, God knows what is brewing in France under the surface calm. In the turbulent waves, there are many rebels with different ambitions who are secretly waiting for the opportunity to do the same thing as Ciel did.

Of course, he still needs to speak confidently in terms of face.

"A Talleyrand would not answer like this." Palmerston looked at Charles with interest. "He would give a much more flexible position. Doesn't that prince serve many people?"

"Talleyrand is only for himself and has no loyalty or principles, but Treville has these things." Charles replied seemingly confidently, "Talleyrand betrayed Bonaparte, Treville would not - he would only Be loyal to the Bonaparte family in order to repay their rewards and favors.”

"Oh? Really? But shouldn't you think more about the country? Bonapartes will make mistakes, but France must always exist." Palmerston shrugged, "Compared to a person who may collapse at any time Come on, I'd rather deal with someone more flexible..."

What does this mean?

Openly encouraging himself to secretly betray Bonaparte?

Charles frowned, secretly pondering his statement.

Is it a personal opinion or some established strategy of the British government? Is it out of a desire to support a trustworthy person in France, or is it a desire to instigate infighting among France’s top leaders in order to profit from it?

"Sir, I think you have a lot of biased views on France and the French. If you are willing to know more, I would be happy to help you understand more in the future - after all, I work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we will deal with each other in the future. There will be many opportunities." After a moment of silence, he changed the topic without completely rejecting the possibility of getting closer to the British in the future.

As far as he was concerned, the aura of danger was too strong and he couldn't just take it on, but he shouldn't waste the opportunity casually either.

Anyway, what he got today was enough for him to go back and deal with Louis Bonaparte.

"I am very happy to act on your suggestion." Seeing that Charles had understood, Palmerston stopped talking. "Being able to deal with young talents like you, I sincerely feel that the times are progressing..."

After saying these words, Palmerston and Prime Minister Russell stood up at the same time and said goodbye to Prince Albert.

Ciel, whose energy and brain power had been consumed a lot, also said goodbye to the prince because he was a little mentally weak, and was going to go back to his room to take a rest.

Paul Bilott followed him nervously and respectfully, not daring to make a sound. After this experience, he once again realized that this peer was much more powerful than him, and was able to deal with the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary so calmly.

No wonder he has earned such a status!

And under his gaze, Ciel walked forward in the British palace with his head held high thoughtfully.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

His expression was solemn, as if he was thinking about some important issue, and he didn't say a word until he walked back to the room.

The moment he opened the door and was about to walk in, Ciel suddenly stopped hastily.

Such an unexpected move caught Paul Bilott off guard and almost hit him.

Charles turned his head slightly. After making sure that no outsider could hear him clearly, he asked the followers behind him in a low voice.

"Mr. Bilott, do you know any Russians?"

"I...I don't know him." After a moment of astonishment, Paul Bilott replied in a low voice.

"You don't know anyone?" Charles was a little surprised. "You seem to have been here for several years. Don't you even know anyone from the Russian Embassy?"

"Huh? If you want to say that..." After hesitating for a moment, Paul reluctantly nodded, "I do know one or two people, but I have never been in contact with them. I just know their names."

"Very good, that's enough." Charles smiled and nodded, "I want to give you an order."

"What order?" Paul Bilott looked at Charles in surprise, and a bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart.

"A good thing that can make you a fortune." Charles grinned, "Sir, go find a Russian and tell him that you were fortunate enough to participate in an important meeting between France and England as an interpreter, and then... … Just tell them everything you heard today.”

Then, Charles spread his hands and said, "Look, isn't this kind of credit enough to get a large sum of money from them?"

"Oh my God!" Paul opened his eyes wide and almost shouted, "Sir, are you doubting my loyalty? I will not treason, even if..."

"No, you are ordered to commit treason once." Charles interrupted, "This is an order." (To be continued...)