Flowers, Swords and France

"Mr. Bismarck is here." Although Richard von Metternich's voice was low, Charles was extremely shocked and rarely wavered.

This wavering was keenly sensed by Prince Metternich, who felt very strange.

Obviously, although Bismarck has become the representative of Prussia at the Frankfurt Imperial Conference and is considered a big shot in the eyes of ordinary people, he is not a big shot in front of the rapidly rising Treville, so he does not need to pay so much attention to Bismarck.

Could it be that when Bismarck traveled to France, they met and reached some tacit understanding? Prince Metternich was also shocked when he thought of this.

The two countries that Austrians are most concerned about now are France and Prussia. The former has just replaced Napoleon's descendants in power, which is extremely uncertain; while the latter is now rising in national strength and is ambitious to squeeze Austria out of the top spot in Germany and replace it. If these two countries reach a tacit understanding behind the scenes, it will be a great trouble for Austria, even if it is not a disaster.

Although Metternich has been driven out of the position of Prime Minister by Emperor Franz-Joseph, he has always been in charge of Austria's national politics and diplomacy, and he is full of affection for Austria. Of course, he is not happy that something like this really happens, so he can't help but worry.

So, the two people in the room were shocked and hesitated, and the atmosphere suddenly changed from the relaxed atmosphere just now to a little weird.

At this time, Bismarck walked into the room led by the servant. Charles and Metternich both looked at him at the same time with their own thoughts, which made him stunned for a while.

Just like in the Imperial Conference, he was wearing a black suit and a black hat, looking like a gentleman. However, he was tall and strong, and his attitude was solemn and arrogant. This unruly temperament could not be hidden in the suit.

After he walked into the room, he was surprised by the strange atmosphere in the room, but he was very shrewd. Therefore, he quickly concealed this surprise in his heart.

"Your Highness, I am very honored to visit you again. It is really gratifying to see that you are in such good health." He took off his hat and saluted. While talking politely to Prince Metternich, he turned his head and looked at Charles again, "Mr. de Treville, I am very happy to see you again since I met you last time. I have always admired your demeanor."

"I admire you too, Mr. von Bismarck." Charles also stood up and saluted the other party very respectfully.

"Please sit down." Compared to Charles's hospitality, Prince Metternich was more reserved. He waved his hand and asked Bismarck to sit down. His face did not show the kindness and easy-going attitude towards Charles just now.

This was quite normal. The prince regarded himself as the best diplomat in Germany so far. He was a very arrogant person. After being the prime minister for decades, he was naturally more arrogant by his subordinates who obeyed his orders. In his opinion, Bismarck was nothing more than a young man from the remote country of Prussia. Even if he was excellent, he was not worth his flattery. Charles, who climbed to a high position at a young age, would make him feel that "this person is like me in my youth", so he was so kind.

Bismarck did not take this condescending attitude as an offense and sat down with respect. Of course, he did not know what achievements he would have in the future, so at this time he was willing to be below the prince and regarded the prince's personal reception as a rare honor.

The three of them sat down like this. Although they looked very calm on the surface, Charles' heart was already in turmoil.

The two people sitting in front of him were the two most influential people in the entire German Empire in the 19th century. They were active on the European continent. The first one illuminated the first half of the century, and the second one deeply influenced the second half of the century. Whether you praise them or criticize them, whether you agree with their behavior or not, you must agree that both of them have shaped an era in Europe - in this era when Europe ruled the world, this is equivalent to saying that both of them have shaped an era in the world.

One of them is already in his twilight years. Waiting for God's call at any time; the other is energetic and ambitious and is just waiting to do a big thing. The former is the last remnant of the Middle Ages, and the latter is the first cry of the new era. The two have many things in common in terms of thought, world view, and even ambition. In other words, they both hold the world view that puts interests first and ignores moral and religious concepts, and they also have extremely superb wisdom and extraordinary observation and action.

I was lucky enough to sit with these two people, and as an equal, which was a wonderful experience.

According to etiquette, the two young men did not speak first, waiting for the prince to speak, while the prince was not in a hurry and slightly closed his eyes, as if he was thinking about something, so they both waited quietly, and neither of them seemed impatient.

"I have always believed that there are only a few people in Europe, a very small number of people, who are thinking clearly and acting calmly and pragmatically according to their own ideas. Most of the others are either confused or have to be coerced by the situation and drift with the flow, waiting. Others prepare it for him A destiny..." After a long silence, the prince finally spoke, "There were very few people like this in the past, and they are even rarer now. So I think today we can almost speak on behalf of Europe. Anyway, others can only Listen or don’t even have a chance to listen.”

It sounded a bit pretentious, but when he said it, it was surprisingly convincing.

"I think we two, as juniors, should listen to your teachings." Of course, Charles did not dare to be as arrogant as him, and immediately lowered his tone, "You have dominated, or at least participated in, the fate of most people in Europe. And it has affected the entire history, and I... I don’t even know if I will still be on stage a few months later. In fact, I was forced to follow the trend by fate.”

"Mr. Treville, you don't have to be so humble. At least you have stood on the top of the mountain and can show your ambition. This is much stronger than me..." Bismarck suddenly interrupted Charles, " His Highness has already made achievements that will be remembered in history, and you also have the opportunity to replicate his success, but look at me? How am I qualified to say anything about my achievements now? Really, His Highness's words make me feel ashamed. "

"You don't have to be so humble..." It was Charles's turn to comfort him.

"This is really not modesty. I am not a person who likes to be modest. I am telling the truth. Sir." Bismarck shook his head, his face became more and more ugly, as if he thought of many very unpleasant things, "Look What am I now? A representative to the Imperial Conference hanging out with a bunch of fools in the auditorium every day. The language is tasteless, the power is low, and it makes people sick after reading it, but I have to hang out with them! You are making history and I can only stand aside and watch, with nothing but desire. None. I don’t even know when I will be able to express my ambition. I really envy you.”

"Isn't the imperial meeting enough to express your ambitions, young man?" Prince Metternich suddenly laughed. "If your Majesty the King hears this, I'm afraid he will feel aggrieved. You must know that he has tried his best to express your ambitions. You sent it here."

"I thank Your Majesty, but I must say that this is completely insufficient. Apart from letting me waste my time, noisy wet markets like the Imperial Conference are unlikely to have any major impact on history." Bismarck shook his head again, "I I thought I would get a more important appointment, but I didn't expect that I would be thrown here. In 1848, I risked my life to fight against the mob in order to defend the monarchy. As a result, the monarch, after safely surviving the crisis, sent me such an inconspicuous candy... If I hadn't been able to visit you often here, this This place really drives a poor guy like me crazy, Your Highness.”

In addition to compliments, his words also contained a lot of heartfelt emotion. Today's Bismarck, although in the eyes of others, being a Prussian representative to the Imperial Conference is a rare courtesy, but in the eyes of people like him, it is nothing more than a sinecure. What he wants is to enter the cabinet and become a minister. Even as prime minister. He used the military and financial resources of an entire country to realize his personal ambitions, but the current reality is difficult to satisfy him, so he is not as reserved, arrogant and aggressive as he was later when he became famous. Instead, he was full of complaints because his official career was wasted and he was unable to achieve his ambitions.

He made many complaints to his friends and his wife, many of which were critical of the king and the country's cabinet. It was precisely because of this that he became increasingly unpopular with the king and the cabinet. Even Prince William, whom he relied on as a supporter, also criticized the princess. Under the influence, I felt resentful towards him. Support for him waned significantly, and he became even more disillusioned.

"Outstanding talents are sometimes jealous or even suppressed. Even Napoleon was almost thrown into the colonies by a jealous minister after he rose to prominence." Charles also laughed, "Mr. Bismarck, although you feel that now I am frustrated, but I believe this is definitely only temporary. I think it won’t take many years for you to become someone that Prussia must obey.”

"Really?" Bismarck looked a little unconvinced, "Then I thank you for your prediction."

"I am convinced of this too, young man." Prince Metternich suddenly took over and said unhurriedly, "Prussia is a country accustomed to obedience, and there are too few brains willing to think independently, and you are The one with the best brains among these people , so in the final analysis, they still have to rely on you to run this country. I think your rapid rise is destined, and there is no need for you to blame fate for being unfair to you, otherwise you will be mocking the vast majority of people in Europe. That’s mediocre.”

Then, he slowly turned his eyes and wandered among the two young men, Bismarck and Treville.

"I originally believed that you two were outstanding, and I became even more convinced after meeting each other separately, so... don't worry, the future is yours. I am talking to Europe in ten or fifteen years, Although I may not be able to see that day...but I am still very curious and looking forward to it.”

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Charles and Bismarck looked at each other, surprised at the other's admiration for them, but also relieved by the prince's words - not everyone can be appointed by Prince Metternich.

"The real point is, what was Europe like at that time?" The prince continued, "In the final analysis, it is a question. The Europe you two want can be bridged together, and it is very different. As for the need to come up with a result?”

"What do you mean?" Charles was secretly surprised.

"My meaning is very clear. I have called you here together just to see if your ideals can be compromised with each other." The prince replied calmly, "Young people, although you are very polite to me, but I know that with me Same, you are all very stubborn and arrogant people. Only stubborn and arrogant people can close their eyes and keep moving forward, no matter what others say, until they reach where they want to be, so I don't intend to change your thoughts or concepts, but you must also know that reality is never smooth sailing, and there is never a world where you can completely follow your own ideas. After all, we have to adapt to the edges and corners of reality and make some compromises. . In my opinion, the future tranquility and peace of Europe depend on those who truly grasp the times making compromises with each other, just like we did in Vienna.”

After a pause, he continued calmly, "Although most of us have now become clowns in comics, or the butt of jokes in people's mouths, we were once bright stars, and everyone was ambitious and determined. Winning the highest glory for yourself and your country, but in the end, a tragic scene The curtain fell, blood was shed all over Europe, and millions of people lost their lives. Until finally everyone made a compromise, one of the most dazzling superstars had fallen along with the empire he had built... I don’t expect you to remember all of this tragic lesson, but I hope you can keep it in your heart.”

"Of course we can remember those things." Bismarck lowered his gaze, and he couldn't tell whether it was sadness or yearning. "Thanks to people like you, the tragedy did not continue forever, and Europe has had a new order and peace for decades. ”

"However, the new order will become the old order and eventually be shattered." The prince shook his head. "Mr. Treville just talked to me, and he told me bluntly that the order established by our generation in Vienna has been shattered. . This news is sad, but it is reality, and I am glad that he saw a reality..."

He made a long note, and the two young men looked at him unconsciously.

"The new order in Europe needs a new generation to rebuild, and it is up to you to rebuild it. Please rebuild it well, and don't be dazzled by your own power like that great man, and finally let blood and fire engulf everything, including himself!"

The prince's expression remained calm, as if there was no more fire in his blood, but these words still deeply shocked both of them.

"France is peace-loving." Charles immediately replied, "He has been taught enough lessons and is willing to maintain all orders that are conducive to European peace. We love peace."

"Prussia is also peace-loving." Although he was overtaken by Charles, Bismarck also showed the same sincerity, "We have been fighting since the founding of the country, and have experienced countless wars. The horror of war is in us. Deep scars were left in everyone’s heart. No one knows the cruelty of war better than us Prussians, and no one is more peace-loving than us Prussians.”

After hearing this answer, the prince struggled suddenly, raised his head and looked at the two young people, and then glared at them, as if he had heard a teacher who had heard a student's wrong answer.

"You are so pretentious! You are so pretentious! Why can't we be honest with each other when we are the only ones here? If you do this, you will definitely bring about a war that will spread across Europe!" (~^~)