Flowers, Swords and France

In a harmonious atmosphere, Charles and Bismarck greeted each other and declared themselves to be the faction in their respective diplomatic circles that were friendly to each other's countries.

There is no doubt that they did this mainly to raise their own status in the other country, not to confess from the heart, but to say that they were insincere, that was not necessarily the case.

Especially Bismarck, he did not say this just to fool Charles.

Unlike the famous iron-blooded speech, Bismarck's mind was not only iron-blooded. In fact, he was much smarter and more flexible than ordinary Junker officers. Although he did not reject war and relied on three dynastic wars to unify Germany under Prussia, he was not a thorough militarist or a commander who was keen on war - he only fought when necessary, or in other words, he truly understood the saying "war is the continuation of politics".

After the establishment of the German Empire, his foreign policy was actually much more restrained.

In general, he is a man who knows what he wants and is willing to implement it unswervingly.

In his view, the current national goal of Prussia is to further establish its advantage within Germany and transform this advantage into a German state alliance dominated by Prussia. Therefore, this situation determines that his biggest enemy is Austria, and France has become the object that needs to be appeased or wooed accordingly, and must be friendly to a certain extent.

Of course, when the situation develops to the point where he needs to be an enemy of France, he will not hesitate to become an anti-French faction.

When walking out of Charles' office, Bismarck stood tall, with a serious and somewhat unruly expression. In the cordial conversation just now, he has weighed Charles de Treville.

This is an ambitious and very opinionated person, who believes in his own opinions more because of success. He does not believe in people's kindness or malice, and measures everyone with an attitude that is almost absolutely neutral. Act according to your own judgment.

It's just like himself.

Therefore, for such people, threats or inducements must be made with great caution. You must be cautious when dealing with them.

"However. Even so, I can defeat you." He thought to himself.

……………………

A few days later, the funeral of the Duke of Treville was held as scheduled.

Because the corresponding preparations had been made before, his descendants also handled the funeral quite smoothly. The obituary was printed in several newspapers the day after the Duke's death. On this day, most people who received the obituary also attended as scheduled.

The church was packed with nobles, wealthy businessmen and foreign envoys, and everyone looked solemn.

Such a funeral is worthy of this famous family, but how much does it mean to the Duke of Treville lying in the coffin under the altar?

"...Death has taken away our dear friend Duke Philippe de Treville, and we are deeply saddened. But we must not despair because Christ, our Lord, has changed the nature of death.

For the Lord's people, death is not the end or destruction of life. On the contrary, it is the threshold to eternal life..."

The priest read the eulogy in a slow tone, while his descendants and relatives gathered around the coffin and listened quietly.

Charlotte was wearing a black mourning dress, looking tired and sad, but her innate arrogance allowed her to maintain her dignity on the surface and not shed tears. Charles stood beside her, holding her hand, and also passed on his strength to her in this way.

Abide by etiquette. No one spoke in the seats, and the whole funeral continued in this restrained sadness and silence until the end.

"May God forgive our sins and grant all the dead a place of light and peace. We sincerely believe that Christ has risen from the dead. May we all live happily with him forever. Brothers and sisters present, may the almighty God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit bless you!"

"Amen!"

Everyone answered at the same time.

………………

It was the moment of the final farewell. The elderly Marshal Treville stretched out his hand and trembled as he placed it on the outer wall of the coffin. Touching the carved texture, it was as if he was touching the last remains of his brother.

Until then, his tears finally came out and dripped onto the coffin.

"No one will miss you as much as I do." He whispered to himself, then picked up the velvet blanket next to him and covered his brother's coffin.

Everyone came to pay their respects and then left. After the funeral, the coffin would be transported by carriage to the Duke's estate outside the city and buried in the family cemetery.

In the carriage, Charlotte remained silent, looking at the scenery outside the window. Her absent-minded look made her husband feel a little sad.

"Charlotte, don't be too sad." Charles hugged her waist. "Everyone will have such a day, he just got there before us..."

"I know, Charles..." Charlotte replied in a low voice, "It's just that I feel a little uncomfortable now... Just let me take a break for two days, I can still accept the reality."

"That's good." Charles breathed a sigh of relief.

"Even if it's for our children, I should cheer up." Charlotte raised her head and looked out the window again, "Grandpa left these for us, and we have to leave more for our children, so that it doesn't count as It’s an insult to our ancestors, isn’t it?”

"You couldn't be more right!" Charles nodded, "Speaking of which, how are your father and brother? They... they didn't cause any more trouble, right?"

"They have been honest recently and haven't caused any more trouble. It seems they have agreed to the conditions we proposed." Charlotte bit her lip and then suddenly sneered, "Our conditions have been so generous. If they are still dissatisfied, they will have to fight to the end!”

"As a member of our own family, there's no point in fighting..." Ciel smiled.

"Just because we are members of our own family, we have to make everything clear," Charlotte replied angrily, "lest they take any chances and make a fuss in the end, which will make everyone look very ugly!"

Unlike Ciel, her brother and father's behavior that night really made her a little sad. Even now, she is still aggrieved and has never been able to forgive them for what they did.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Of course, she does not intend to reduce the treatment of her father and brother because of this, but her attitude will be tougher and stricter in the future.

"By the way, I have something to tell you." Suddenly, her expression became more serious.

"What's going on?" From his wife's expression, Charles saw something unusual.

"Just two days ago..." Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then subconsciously looked around, "The Wang family's envoy came to our house secretly."

"Messenger of the royal family?!" Charles was surprised, then a little unhappy. "Why didn't you tell me? And what did they come to talk about?"

It's not surprising that he has this attitude. Today, when the Bonaparte family is in power, it is very politically incorrect to have private contacts with the Bourbon family, not to mention someone with his position. If Charlotte causes trouble with them again now, it would be really embarrassing...

"We didn't talk about anything. Don't worry. I have really quit and will never participate in their activities again. They have forgiven me." As if she guessed what her husband was thinking, Charlotte gave him a white look. , "They came over and first mourned the death of grandpa with us, and then...then asked dad to transfer part of the cash away..."

"Huh?" Charles was surprised again. "Your father...won't agree, right?"

Her father, the new Duke Philip, is not so easy to talk to.

Previously, in the negotiation with the young Duke of Treville, Charles threw the "Bourbon deposit" as a bargaining chip to his father-in-law. He must have planned to continue to keep this money in his hands to make money like his father. How could it happen? Are you willing to pay back now?

"Yes, dad refused. He told them that grandpa just died and we are still in the process of taking stock of the inheritance. We may not be able to get the money in the near future..."

"Then what did they say? Agree?"

"They said they understood our family's difficulties, so they were willing to wait a little longer." Charlotte's expression was very serious, even grim, "However, after a few months at most, they asked for a large sum of money to be repaid. , and also said that the matter is urgent now and cannot be extended any more..."

"So tough?" Charles was a little suspicious, "Why did they suddenly make such a request as soon as your grandfather died?"

"Her Royal Highness the Princess is also critically ill..." Charlotte replied in a sad tone, "So Bourbon needs to readjust."

Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess, is the only eldest princess in Louis XVI's family who escaped the flames of the revolution, and is now the oldest living member of the Bourbon royal family.

"So that's it..." Ciel suddenly realized.

"They had a quarrel the day before yesterday, and the attitudes of both sides were very tough." Charlotte was still full of sadness, "I really don't want to see a scene where Treville and Bourbon break up! That would be a disaster for me. Trapped!"

"Let me settle this matter. I will let them know what they must agree to." Charles frowned, "Now that the matter has come to a point, I should also let the Bourbons know who has the final say in France! Louis! -Philippe fell because he was not cruel enough to his opponents. , Bonaparte and I will not repeat the same mistakes. They have no room to disagree with my conditions. If they refuse, I will hang these envoys and followers one by one, and then stuff all the gold coins owed to them. There won’t be a penny missing inside the coffin…”

"Ciel, don't do this!" (~^~)