Flowers, Swords and France

As time passed, a tough winter, under the call of spring breeze, the earth regained its vitality.

This spring breeze not only made everything begin to revive, but also restored the vitality of the city of Paris. People who used to stay indoors began to go out, and the dignitaries who went out to spend the winter also returned to their nests. The whole city began to become busy again, and the heart of modern civilization was beating at a speed that mortals could not catch up with.

In an inconspicuous corner of this metropolis, the rekindled passion did not seem to infect here. The door of this gray building was closed, and there were few pedestrians outside, as if time had stopped.

However, unlike the lifeless appearance, the furnishings inside the building were very sophisticated, with luxurious decorations everywhere, and even the windows were covered with tassels. Although the doors and windows were closed everywhere, the light inside was very bright, and the chandeliers were brightly lit everywhere. Every hall and room was carefully decorated, and there were also study rooms, libraries, restaurants and entertainment rooms inside.

Yes, this is a place carefully imitating the form of the British club.

However, although this club is decorated very luxuriously, few outsiders enter. This is a private reception and communication. Almost from the beginning, it has no intention to make a profit from it - or in other words, its way of making money is more high-end.

At this time, in the billiard room on the second floor of the club, two young men were competing with each other with cue sticks. They were both wearing vests. One was wearing a black tie and looked serious, and the other was wearing a blue bow tie and looked quite frivolous. There was also a group of people standing by, like their followers.

A new round began. A young man picked up the cue and placed it flat. With a blow containing power and skill, the ball quickly scattered, and two small ivory balls rolled into the bag at the same time. Seeing that his blow was so perfect, Albert de Foa-Gray couldn't help but cheer a little, and then he looked at his opponent and friend.

"Your technique has become much less sophisticated. It seems that you are too busy to have fun, Charles."

"Albert, you know, I haven't played billiards for nearly a year," Charles shrugged, then swung the club and hit the ball himself, "There are so many important things waiting for me to do."

"Haha, I knew you would answer me like this," Albert laughed, "Our Minister's life is so fulfilling. He works hard for the country, takes care of major European affairs, and finally changes diapers for his children when he returns home! I think he will get older much faster than me if he keeps busy every day."

"I have never changed my son's diaper, Albert." Charles shook his head. "But you are right. I do feel that I have aged a lot in the past two years..."

Last winter, Louis Bonaparte ascended the throne and established the empire, becoming a truly legitimate emperor. Soon he reorganized his cabinet, combining the Ministry of Railways with other transportation departments to form a Ministry of Transportation, which was responsible for the country's railways, roads and water transportation. The original Minister of Railways, Count de Dillion, resigned, and his confidant Charles de Treville was appointed Minister of Transportation.

Becoming a minister at the age of only 25 was already enviable enough, but few people complained about this appointment, because this young man had outstanding achievements and was already famous in Europe and abroad. What's more, he was notoriously ruthless and never polite to his political opponents, so this appointment was completed quietly.

This Ministry of Transportation still uses the old office of the Ministry of Railways as its office, and Charles, as a minister, returned to the Ministry of Railways amid the cheers of his old subordinates.

Because the original structure here was created by himself, and the minister who took office had always obeyed him, Charles did not do much cleaning after his return. He quickly took control of the department and implemented the authority of the minister.

And he soon issued an order after that, requiring funds to be allocated from the budget of the ministry to rent an apartment in a secluded place and transform it into a British-style club for the use of officials and civilians in the ministry.

Although his request was somewhat inhumane and suspected of violating the law, it was implemented without any complaints - in this era, most financial officials have some instincts and know how to dig out enough money from the national budget in a very decent way to meet the needs of themselves or their superiors. What's more, the Ministry of Railways originally had a huge investment and debt department. Just scratching it from it can allow the minister and his cronies to enjoy the most favorable conditions - what's more, these officials themselves can also become guests inside.

The financial official listed a financial project under another name, and then transferred the money to a private account. Then he bought a mansion with his own money, and then spent a lot of money to renovate it, and finally turned it into one of the most luxurious private clubs in Paris. The officials of the Ministry of Railways also enjoyed a much higher level of enjoyment than other departments. As long as they can conscientiously implement Charles' intentions and execute every order without hesitation, Charles does not mind seeking the best treatment for his subordinates.

Today, Charles brought a few of his confidants to this club again, but of course he did not just want to relax his body and mind.

"Albert, I think you should settle down and find yourself a wife and have a few children. It's not that scary." Charles suddenly persuaded his friend again, "Look, I'm fine now."

"Okay, stop persuading me. What's there to say about this kind of thing?" Albert didn't listen to him, but continued to swing the club and hit the ball. "I'm still young, and I haven't reached the time to get married. I'm not like you, the only child, and my family doesn't expect me to pass on this surname, so I might as well play with some more ideas and see when the time comes..."

"Okay, if you think so, I can't force you." Charles gave up his idea.

At this time, a handsome young man in formal clothes suddenly walked up to him and whispered in his ear.

"Sir, those people are here."

"Gaston, let them wait for a while until I finish this game." Charles waved his hand calmly, and then continued to play this game with Albert.

"Okay, sir." The young man nodded and stepped aside.

"Gaston, why don't you just go and receive them." At this time, Albert said to the young man with a smile, "You are still young, you need to get to know more people, and they are exactly the people you need to know-"

"I think I'd better listen to your instructions here. I'm not needed there now." The young man answered very seriously.

This young man who looks very gentle is the Duke of Gaston-Louis-de-Choiseul-Praslin. This duke is the grandson of Marshal Horace Sebastiani, a friend of Marshal Treville. Because his parents died unexpectedly, he has been under the guardianship of his grandfather in recent years.

However, just last year, this marshal unfortunately passed away, and according to his request to Marshal Treville before his death, the Treville family also became the new protector of him and his brother. Therefore, this duke, who is only 20 years old, has now become Charles's private secretary. Recently, he has just graduated from school and is often brought to him by Charles to teach him many of his affairs.

Like any young man of his age, he was a little bit conceited and liked to show his intelligence in various ways. However, such efforts of young people are doomed to fail most of the time. However, after years of education, he still has good manners and calmness, which has diluted some of his sharp edges. At the same time, he is also passionate about learning.

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

After several months of observation, Charles has almost understood him. He is a very smart and enthusiastic young man. He is very grateful for the protection and support of the Treville family. Therefore, he wants to repay the family's kindness with his own performance and prove that he is worthy of being valued. At the same time, he is also smart, quick-witted, and outspoken.

However, he has not only advantages, but also obvious disadvantages, that is, he is sometimes impatient. At the same time, because of his family background and title, he is a little arrogant. Except for Charles and Albert, who are also from old families, he is always a little arrogant to others. However, young people generally have such common problems, so he is not demanding. No one is perfect, and he does not need perfection.

Under the gaze of others, the minister and his important assistant finished the billiard game as if no one was around, and then asked the servants beside them to put away their cue sticks and put on their coats again.

"I think they can't wait." Albert shrugged.

"And this is exactly what I want." Charles just smiled slightly, "I have countless budgets and projects in my hands, I should take the lead, and I should let them understand this."

"If anyone doesn't understand, then they will definitely suffer a great loss, right?" Albert asked back.

As the two talked, they walked towards the hall where the guests gathered, surrounded by a large group of people.

"Of course." Charles said firmly, and then he waved to Gaston.

"Sir?" Gaston walked to his side.

"Gaston, please take notes today. No one who has nothing to do with you is allowed to approach."

"Yes, sir!" Gaston answered without hesitation. (~^~)