Flowers, Swords and France

After the initial minor disturbance, the dinner of the Treville family went on as usual. No guest would talk about the medal on Fran's chest, nor did anyone talk about the quarrel between the three people in the hall. Everyone chatted with each other, passed on news inside and outside the government, and occasionally made a few jokes to make everyone laugh.

The atmosphere was as warm as a general gathering of young people, but Fran, as she had promised before, did not say anything to anyone. No matter who talked to her, she just responded with a few words indifferently. Everyone was a discerning person, and soon they tacitly understood that she was in a bad mood, so they stopped disturbing her.

Soon, it was almost midnight. According to the general banquet rules, they should have a midnight snack and then continue chatting. The banquet would not end before two or three o'clock, but Mrs. Treville was obviously tired. Everyone understood her current physical condition, so they quickly said goodbye to the host family. In the end, except Fran, only one other person stayed.

This person is Clement Lechinski, Charles's personal secretary after he joined the Ministry of Railways as Secretary of State, and the first person he accepted as his confidant among government officials. This young man served him like a saddle when he was in office, and tried every means to curry favor with him. In the end, he succeeded and won Charles' favor.

As a parting gift, Charles not only found him a position in the Ministry of Finance after leaving the Ministry of Railways, but also asked the Ministry to report and issue him a medal. Today, he came here with this medal on his chest.

It must be said that status and habits can change a person. After being promoted, Clement Lechinski had his own subordinates and status. Everyone in the Ministry knew that he had a backer, so everyone respected him. In just one or two years, he had developed a unique demeanor of a senior official, and no longer had the timidity when he first served as Charles's personal secretary.

However, in front of his benefactor. He was still very respectful, because he knew where his current status came from, and he also knew how he should maintain and expand this status. He often interacted with the Treville family. He claimed to be their assistant.

At Charlotte's call, the servants began to clean up the snacks and other utensils on each table. When they were almost done, Charles and his wife and Fran found a table and sat down together.

"Clement, come here." After the three members of the Treville family sat down. Charles waved to Clement.

His tone was very casual, but Clement did not dare to neglect it. He hurriedly walked to the side of the table, but he did not sit down, but hesitated for a moment. Miss Treville was next to him, and he was a little embarrassed.

"I told you to sit down." Charles pointed to the seat opposite, "Today is a private party, you don't have to be so restrained."

"Okay, thank you." Clement hurriedly thanked Charles and sat down.

"Her. I don't need to introduce her to you, right?" After he sat down, Charles pointed to his sister.

"No, sir." Clement replied immediately, "Ms. de Treville's beauty has long been known throughout Paris. I have seen her face before. Well, today... she is even more radiant."

"Thank you for your compliment, but I think you are telling the truth." Charles couldn't help laughing and complimented his sister. "I kept you here today because I have an important matter to ask for your opinion."

"What is it?" Clement's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Although it was kept secret. But as a confidant of the Treville family, he had heard a little about the lady's thoughts, and knew that Miss Treville was one of the most popular unmarried women in France today. Suddenly, Charles said so. He couldn't help but feel a little ripple in his heart.

Although he knew that the status between the two people was very different, and although he knew that he must be thinking nonsense, he still couldn't help but feel a little bit of expectation in his heart at this moment. Because this lady is really too beautiful, and she also has such a good family.

At this moment, he sat next to Miss Treville and felt a little uncomfortable. His eyes could not help but wander to her face and the exposed skin of her neck.

However, his momentary distraction was soon shattered by reality.

"My sister now wants to participate in the family business... and you know, our main business now is the railway and railway-related businesses." Charles explained to the other party in a low voice, "My time is very tight, and it is impossible for me to always watch her by her side, so I want to find an assistant for her to let her understand the mysteries of this industry, and... how to deal with the government and other companies. Clement, in the railway business, you are my most important and most trusted assistant, so I hope... you can help me, as an assistant to help her, okay?"

After listening to Charles' words, Clement could almost hear the sigh in his heart, but he also knew that the real world was not so beautiful after all.

Although the other party asked "Can you?", he knew that he did not have much choice.

"Okay, sir, I understand, I will tell her everything I know, and in the future work, I will give Miss absolutely unsparing support."

"That's good, thank you." Seeing the other party so respectful, Charles also nodded, expressing his satisfaction.

No matter what kind of person he is, his sister is only a civilian, and Clement is a government official. However, Charles assigned him as an assistant to help his sister familiarize herself with the business in an unquestionable tone. What's more amazing is that no one thinks this is unreasonable. Power can indeed distort common sense.

"Thank you, Mr. Lechinski." Fran also thanked the other party, "I hope I can cause you as little trouble as possible in the future..."

"It is the duty of each of us to solve problems for beautiful ladies. Please don't hold back and just order me around." Clement-Lechinski hurriedly complimented.

"This makes me feel much more relieved... Let me tell you something, Clement." Charles picked up the shaved ice next to him, scooped a spoonful and put it into his mouth, "I'm afraid I will be your direct superior again soon. I miss the days when I had a diligent and smart subordinate like you. It was much easier back then, not like now."

"What?" Clement was surprised.

The gifted nerves of an official made him keenly aware that this should be extremely important news, so he gave up all other thoughts and listened carefully. "You... what do you mean?"

"In less than a month or two, the Republic will be officially over. France will have another emperor - well, this is expected by all of Europe and will not cause any repercussions." Charles said calmly, not caring at all that he was leaking confidential matters, "After that. Of course, the current cabinet needs to be reorganized and then become a cabinet directly under His Majesty. That's right, His Majesty will personally reign over France and will not need a prime minister."

Clement opened his eyes wide and listened quietly to the news Charles gave him.

"Well... these things have little to do with you, but the next one will. According to His Majesty's plan - of course I also made a lot of suggestions in it - all the affairs under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Railways will be assigned to a ministry with all means of shipping, water transportation, etc., that is, the Ministry of Transportation, and I... I plan to become the minister of this ministry by then." Charles fed himself another mouthful of shaved ice and continued. "And I plan to transfer you back then, which means that you will work with me again."

"Great!" Clement shouted immediately. "Sir, I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. It was under your excellent leadership that our department has been developing so smoothly. I have always hoped to serve you again."

This is to show loyalty, and secondly, it is indeed from the heart. It is obvious that this department will be powerful in the future, and Treville will naturally promote him by transferring him back. By then, with the real vacancy and the care of the minister, he will be a big man in the department. How can he not be excited?

But reason quickly returned to his mind, "Then...then this news. Does Count Dillion know? What does he think?"

The Count is the current minister and is obviously one of the best candidates for the minister, so Clement also wants to know the reaction there.

"He..." Charles rarely stretched out his voice, "He has not yet reached an agreement with me. He may be reluctant to give up this position. But it doesn't matter, I will make him change his mind."

"Really..." Clement quickly calmed down.

The Count and Charles had worked together before. The relationship between the two sides was very good and the cooperation was very close. He had witnessed it with his own eyes, but... judging from Mr. Treville's determined look, he probably didn't want to show any mercy.

Politicians are indeed guided by self-interest, and no matter how deep the friendship between colleagues is, it's just this... he thought to himself.

However, whether the struggle and oppression at the top hurt feelings or not has nothing to do with him, he just needs to follow the winner to share the fruits.

"Okay, sir, then I will prepare as soon as possible. I am not responsible for many affairs in the Ministry of Finance now, I will prepare quickly, and I can hand over as soon as possible when the time comes."

"Oh, that's great." Charles nodded again in approval, "Clement, you never let me down."

After a moment, he pointed to his sister again, "Then... please come and help my sister get familiar with the situation as soon as possible. Time is tight. If you wait until you return to the Ministry of Transportation to do it, it will be too late, and there will inevitably be gossip..."

"I will, sir." Clement agreed immediately.

"By the way, I have something to tell you, sir." Fran suddenly interrupted when Charles was talking to Clement.

"Well, tell me?" Charles looked at him curiously.

"I... when I was on my way to Marseille, Lola came to me on the train and gave me a proposal..." Fran hesitated as she continued to speak, and said Lola's proposal.

"She wants to pull you into the company, and then use you to expand the business and exclude other competitors?" Charles immediately saw her intention.

"You can't say that she is simply using me, anyway, this is considered cooperation." Fran smiled slightly, not as serious as Charles.

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

However, although she seemed relaxed on the surface, she was still very nervous in her heart, fearing that her brother would not agree.

Since she reached an agreement with Lola, she has been burying this matter in her heart and waiting for an opportunity. After careful consideration, she felt that now was the right time, so she said it.

Charles frowned. He certainly remembered what happened the last time his sister and Laura dated.

"Isn't this bad? Laura is a cunning and ruthless person."

"At least she needs me now? She won't mess around when she needs me." Seeing that her brother objected as expected, Fran immediately continued to put forward her own opinions. "Besides, although I'm not very smart, but... but I'm not someone she can just manipulate."

"You're too modest. It's obviously you who can beat her." Charles said coldly. The ridicule and sarcasm in it are self-evident.

"Well... uh... ah..." Fran laughed dryly, "That's all in the past. Didn't you say you wouldn't bring up the past? Look forward, sir... You see, now Laura is here to help me, and then Mr. Lechinski can also help me. Can't I get started quickly? I can't wait to become your helper as soon as possible..."

Seeing his sister's answer, Charles's anger suddenly disappeared.

From a rational point of view, what my sister said is indeed correct.

No matter how much Lola hates their family, at least they will not turn against each other now. The cooperation between the two families can be maintained forever, which is good for everyone.

Next, it's time to see whether you are just ambitious or really promising. Charles didn't know what kind of result he was expecting. Anyway, either one is good or bad.

"Well, if you want it. Then let's do it. But... I know you have some grudges, but please don't bring those grudges to work-this is my consistent principle, can you do it?" Charles asked seriously.

When she heard this question, Fran knew that her wish had been fulfilled, so she was full of joy.

"Thank you, sir!" She almost cheered. "Don't worry, I will never let you down!"

The relationship between the brother and sister is really harmonious, almost too harmonious. Even if it is brother and sister, it is rare to have such a good relationship at this age.

He always felt a little strange. It seemed that the lady was an outsider... Lechinski, who was watching from the side, suddenly had such a strange thought.

Then, he glanced at Charlotte unconsciously, only to find that her face was calm, as if nothing had happened. It was just... just that her hand tightly grasped the cup, which seemed to be a little pale.

Oh my God, it was better not to look at anything. He immediately lowered his eyes and pretended that he had not noticed anything.

"Mr. Lechinsky?" Just as he was sitting upright, the lady suddenly called him.

"What does the lady want?" he asked immediately.

"You... you have always been our close friend. Now we have entrusted you with an important task. This is the result of your outstanding talents. I hope you can continue to help us." Charlotte said to him quietly, "Our sister is a smart and lovely woman. Now we hand her over to you. I hope you can spare no effort to help her... You should know how important it is to be appreciated by a famous woman in the social world, right?"

This statement is very ambiguous!

Before Lechinsky could react, Fran suddenly glared at Charlotte.

Then she looked at Charles again, as if waiting for him to express his opinion.

Charles was silent for a moment, his mouth twitching a little, as if he was hesitating about something.

Finally, he sighed softly.

"Clement, you are responsible for business issues, and you will be reused in the future. I hope you will continue to work hard and not waste your energy on boring activities in the social circle. You help her get familiar with the business, but that's all. Please don't waste the time of two people on other things."

This almost clear attitude extinguished the young man's fire that was ignited in an instant.

Yes, her last name is Treville, and she is Charles de Treville's sister, and what am I? I am just the son of a Pole, and there are some things that I really shouldn't think about... With such a thought, he lowered his head slightly.

"Yes, I understand what you mean, sir."

However, he was still curious about what kind of relationship these three people had? (~^~)