Flowers, Swords and France

The days in spring are not long. Starting at around five o'clock in the afternoon, the sky has become dark. By dinner time, darkness has enveloped the entire earth, making everything return to darkness and silence.

In the castle where the Duke of Wellington secludes himself, several visitors who arrived as scheduled gathered here, bringing a rare liveliness to this originally dull castle - although these visitors are actually strictly speaking People who like quietness.

"Mr. Treville, I heard you have a sister?"

Amidst the clatter of tableware, the elderly Ms. Patterson looked at Charles with just the right amount of curiosity, and her expression did not reveal the old man's fatigue at all.

"Yes, that's right." Charles replied affirmatively, while cutting the steak with a knife. "I have no brothers, I only have this sister, who is a few years younger than me."

"Oh, it's really not easy for you. You have taken good care of her for so many years..." Ms. Patterson blinked her eyes sympathetically, indicating that she had already heard about Charles's family situation. , "I heard that your sister is very beautiful and well-educated, and has great artistic talent. You must have put a lot of effort into cultivating her, right?"

"It's not very hard, I'm afraid you'll be a little amused...I've been taking care of her all year round, and it turns out that I feel like I'm her father. I've watched her grow up little by little, from an ignorant child to a child. "Big, I feel a sense of accomplishment. This sense of accomplishment makes me feel that all my efforts are worth it, and I can even enjoy it." Because he had been drinking a little before, Charles was originally very happy. The heavy guard was lifted a little. Recalling the past when I took care of my sister when I was a child and tried my best to fulfill all her wishes, I actually have a mixed feeling.

If only it could continue like that.

With this helpless sigh. He suddenly changed the subject, "But. The child will grow up eventually, and one day I will suddenly discover that she has grown into an adult like me and no longer needs my care... When I discover this Sometimes, everything is hard to accept, but you have to accept it.”

Although due to the occasion, he could not tell everything to anyone; although a long time had passed, he still felt a little aching in his heart when he recalled his sister's secret changes and everything she had done to him secretly.

"Oh? You...your words are really like a father's confession! It's really hard to imagine your age from these words!" She opened her eyes slightly and looked at it in surprise. Charles, "Do you know what your words made me think of? Thoughts Except for myself, I spent all my energy for my son. You know, he had an extremely irresponsible father who cruelly abandoned us all - so you can imagine how much it cost me to raise him. The price, the suffering endured..."

"It's completely understandable, ma'am," Charles replied respectfully. While thinking about why this old woman suddenly mentioned this issue.

"I heard that your sister is very beautiful. I really want to meet her if I have the chance. It's a pity that I can't go to France now... It's such a pity." The lady sighed as if she was sighing something.

In the end, you still want me to help...

"You don't have to regret this, because my sister has also come to England. Of course she came in a personal way." Although, Charles still declined the other party's request in a hint way. "If you meet him, you can do it here. You don't have to wait until France."

In other words, even if my grandson is called back to France. Are you unwilling to let me set foot on French soil?

Under Charles' gaze, Ms. Patterson's eyes narrowed slightly. Apparently he was a little annoyed that Ciel still refused to let go.

However, her good concentration allowed her to regain her composure quickly.

It doesn't matter, sooner or later my grandson will make everything happen.

"That's great, sir. You always have all kinds of preparations. I'm really grateful to you. Oh, I really hope to see her sooner. Such a young, beautiful and charming child will definitely make her I remember when I was young..." At this point, Ms. Patterson bowed to Charles with a slight apology, "Please forgive me, I lost my temper. An old man like me will always Find ways to get closer to young people.”

"If you have such plans, you can always have the opportunity. During this period, she will stay in London until the end of the World Expo." Charles spread his hands very friendly, "I believe you will also visit the Expo. Right? Then you can just go back to London and see her. I just hope you won’t be disappointed.”

"How could it be? I believe that the children of the Treville family are all outstanding and charming - aren't you and your wife the best proof?" Ms. Patterson smiled and spoke in a very relaxed tone. Answered in tone.

Not to mention that the young lady has already been rumored to be both talented and beautiful. Even if she is ugly, so what?

As long as Jerome holds this lady in his hand, the Treville family will not be afraid of not serving him wholeheartedly... While drinking the wine in the glass, Ms. Patterson sneered in her heart.

Undoubtedly, they are not a "match" yet, so this lady has no intention of putting forward her own idea.

However, out of the blind faith that old people usually have for their grandchildren, this woman absolutely believed that her grandson had the ability to fulfill her grandma's wish.

Jérôme is so handsome and talented, who wouldn't like him?

With this reverie, Ms. Patterson couldn't help showing a slight smile on her face, and her face was slightly flushed due to alcohol.

"Mr. Treville, there's one thing I really don't understand - how do you combine your lofty goals with the reality that you sometimes have to bow to them? I mean, you must have some Colleagues who are very difficult to get along with but have to be respectful to, right? They are usually resentful towards you, it seems. It’s as if there is nothing else to do except to hinder you..." As if to change the subject, she suddenly raised her head again and looked at Charles, "You have to bend down and fight with these people. We worked together reluctantly, and then with their help, we were able to achieve such great results... It’s really admirable.”

However, before her compliments made Ciel feel happy, she brought out another person.

"This is very common. If a person wants to do something, he has to whip his subordinates and his empty-minded colleagues." The Duke, who had been eating silently next to him, suddenly interrupted, "Tolerating the mediocrity of others is a necessary skill that smart people have to learn. The more a person accomplishes great things, the more bored he will be with the mediocre people around him."

"You must have been like this back then." Charles smiled at the right time. "Considering all the great things you've accomplished... you must be sick of them."

"Yes, you can't imagine what kind of wretches I was working with at that time." The Duke of Wellington commented unceremoniously. "Without me, their best outcome would be to be torn to pieces by your French army."

Considering that his subordinates and colleagues were already old and dead, Ciel had no interest in defending them. He just smiled and shrugged, and then took another sip of wine.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"Now, it's up to you to endure this suffering, young man..." The Duke sighed softly, and then looked at Charles again, "You must carefully restrain a group of energetic but simple-minded fools. To be honest, I'm really worried for you..."

Ciel tilted his head slightly, waiting for his explanation.

"A nation is always full of energy after a 40-year rest, let alone the vigorous French. This kind of vigorous energy can not only promote the revival of a country, but also lead a country to terrible destruction... ..." Under the dim candlelight, Duke Wellington's already wrinkled face now looked even darker. "And you, in order to seize power, helped your master implement a policy that improved the status of the military - if not put the generals in a dominant position in the country. Then, after gaining such a dominant position , I can understand what these hot-blooded French people are thinking.”

"I'm afraid you've taken everything too seriously." Charles smiled reluctantly.

"Really? I hope so." The Duke's expression still did not change at all, making it unclear what he was thinking, "Mr. Treville, I think there is one thing that as smart people we should tacitly understand - -Since you are improving the status of military personnel, you have an obligation to serve your country , restrain those people for the sake of your status, otherwise you are playing a vicious game of setting fire to the pasture and walking away, leaving the consequences to millions of other innocent people in Europe! Blood should no longer flow in vain like it did in the past - I think you understand these truths."

Charles wanted to argue, but he knew in his heart that the Duke of Wellington was not such an easy person to deceive, so he couldn't think of a better argument for a while.

To a certain extent, what he said does make sense.

"You don't need to explain it to me with fancy words. The trouble is your own. All you have to do is solve it." The Duke spread his hands. "I am already a dying old man, and I may pass away soon. Next In an era, the giant will be you - are you ready for your responsibilities?"

Such a sharp look seemed to pierce through Ciel's entire body.

Ciel twitched slightly uneasily.

"A Treville will never change his approach because of your opinion. He has his own pace." Finally, he left this answer. "But he would always stand by the fire and light his cigars with it."

"I hope so, young man." The Duke sighed leisurely, "You can go back tomorrow. I hope you can remember everything I told you." (To be continued...)