Flowers, Swords and France

When Charles and his friends and assistants came to the hall of the club, the people who were still whispering fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on him, and then they saluted the imperial minister.

Unlike the shabby appearance, the hall of the club was magnificent, with numerous decorations hanging everywhere, shining with jewels. Because there was a banquet today, there were many gold and silver tableware on the table in the corner of the hall, and a crystal tower made of layers of glass cups. The high-end champagne inside was faithfully reflecting the light of the chandelier. This kind of decoration had no substantial function, and there was not much taste. There was only the pure show brought by the spirit of spending money like water - but it was very popular with businessmen. This method could really highlight the main theme of this era.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Charles just waved his hand slightly, and then found a seat and sat down.

The seats here were all arranged in a round table according to the club's charter, and there was no distinction between the main and the secondary. However, the gap in power and class would certainly not change because of the form of the seats. He was still the core of everyone.

After sitting down, he didn't rush to speak, but looked around to make sure everything was normal.

There were not many guests, and although they were old and young, they all sat upright, looked serious, and their expressions were just like those of a mold. Even their behavior was similar. Yes, you could smell the same smell from them - the smell of money.

In the past few months, people who came here often brought one or more female companions, making the atmosphere here very lively, but today, because of Charles's special instructions, they did not bring any female companions.

However, there was still a woman here.

Under Charles's gaze, Laura Konda, who was always dressed in gorgeous clothes, was no exception. She wore the most fashionable skirt and a cashmere shawl on her shoulders. This was a high-end product shipped back from Kashmir, India, by the British Empire. The golden buttons inlaid with sapphires on the skirt made her look even colder.

Although she seemed to notice that Charles was observing her, she seemed indifferent and just stared at the pile of documents in front of her.

"I'm sorry to ask you to come here in your busy schedule," Charles also retracted his gaze at the right time, and then continued in that calm tone, "At the same time, I also want to ask for your forgiveness. Today's meeting is very important, so I think we must cut down on all unnecessary entertainment activities. I hope you can understand my seriousness."

"We can certainly understand you, sir." An old man with a gray goatee replied. "In fact, I hope you can save unnecessary tedious receptions and save the little time left for an old man like me."

He looks about seventy years old, but perhaps because of proper maintenance, his face has few wrinkles, and it is white and rosy, looking very healthy.

His name is Jostan-Capafil, a director of the Bank of France and a close friend of the current president of the Bank of France, Count Argoud, who can be regarded as one of the important figures in the economic world. Perhaps because of his superior status and wealth, he paid great attention to health preservation, and almost regarded prolonging life as the most important thing in life. Since middle age, he has been following the doctor's fixed diet, eating all kinds of health-promoting foods every week, and rarely participating in banquets and other extravagant and licentious activities common in the upper class. He can be said to be an outlier in the upper class, but because of this, he has a much healthier body than his peers.

Albert didn't care about his lifestyle at all, and said privately, "I would rather die early because of excessive enjoyment like my ancestors than live to the age of ninety like him."

"Yes, sir, I think we should get to the point earlier." At this time, another young man who was about the same age as Charles took over the conversation, "I am glad that you can build such a perfect private property for us, so that we can meet in peace without worrying about any attacks and rumors in tomorrow's newspapers. It would be a pity to use it only for fun."

"If you want to have fun, I think your house is the first choice. I have no desire to compete with your family at all." Charles smiled and joked, and then all the guests, except Laura, also laughed tactfully.

There is no need to introduce him in such detail. His name is Alphonse de Rothschild, the eldest son of Baron James de Rothschild, and the future heir of the French branch of the famous Rothschild family.

He is the same age as Charles, born in 1827, and now 25 years old. Because his father is already 60 years old and his energy is beginning to decline, he has begun to get involved in the family business under his father's support and has left some fame in the social circle. This club was also allowed to join by his father, with the intention of cultivating his son's social circle and expanding the family business.

Baron James de Rothschild was specially named a baron by the then Austrian Emperor Franz I (that is, Emperor Napoleon's father-in-law who was only one year older than the emperor) because of his merits in issuing Austrian national bonds in France and raising a large amount of money for Austria. He officially stepped into the ranks of the nobility from a mere businessman.

If in Vienna, where the feudal tradition is deeply rooted, the stiff-minded German aristocrats still do not like this upstart banker, Paris, which now only recognizes financial power, has fallen at the feet of this big banker. , this baron has always been known for hosting large banquets to entertain guests, so his house has become a famous gathering place for the upper class.

"Well, since you are all busy people, let me make it clear." After laughing for a while, Charles regained his seriousness, "You must all know that although I just became the minister a few months ago, I have been the minister before. When the Ministry of Railways was first established, I served in it for nearly two years, so I am quite familiar with it, and many of the construction plans and plans were even established by me before I left.”

Everyone knew these facts, so no one interrupted and waited for him to get to the point.

"However, when I returned to the place where I once worked, I basically overturned all my previous plans." Charles continued, "There is only one reason. These plans seemed appropriate at the time, but now But it is difficult to keep up with the changes in the situation. Everyone, I can tell you without hesitation that in the near future, maybe within one or two years, the situation in Europe will undergo drastic and fundamental changes, and will bring unprecedented challenges to the empire. ”

Seeing that he spoke so seriously, the expressions of other people present changed a little.

Charles de Treville was famously unscrupulous and ruthless, and his words were not just lies.

"Excuse me, what is the challenge you are referring to?" After a moment, Alphonse de Rothschild asked carefully.

"Everyone must know that before I became minister, I briefly served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although I didn't accomplish much, I visited several countries and had more or less meetings with people from various countries. The dignitaries met and got in touch with each other. His expression has become very serious, "Everyone, I want to tell you a national secret here, and this is why I strive to keep it secret... This secret is still little known in the country, but it has been shared by His Majesty and It became a definite consensus within his cabinet.”

He suddenly turned his head and looked at Gaston, who had been lowering his head in silence to record, "Gaston, don't record this paragraph! Also, any words I mentioned about His Majesty are not allowed to be recorded."

"Yes, Your Excellency!" Gaston quickly crossed a few lines in his notebook and deleted the paragraph above.

"I believe that all of you or the people you represent are indispensable and important figures in our country's economic circles, so this secret should be informed to you in advance, but please keep it confidential." Then, Charles continued to turn his head and look at This group of people said, "Yes, we have reached a consensus with the British. We will form a coalition to attack Russia, and it will be very soon, maybe even next year."

Sure enough, as he expected, the expressions of everyone in these economic circles changed, and they were obviously very shocked.

In everyone's perception, Britain and Russia are the top powers in Europe, and because they entered Paris twice during the Napoleonic Wars, Russia and her army have already formed a certain shadow among the French, and they are not mentally prepared for it. The situation was that everyone was naturally shocked when they heard the news suddenly.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"Britain...is Britain's attitude firm?" After a long silence, Josédan Capafelle asked in a low voice, his fingers clenching together unconsciously, looking a little nervous, "Could this be them?" Is there a ploy to stir up discord and manipulate us? Are they planning to trick us into going up against the Russians, and then do nothing while watching the two countries fight behind their backs?”

"No, sir, although what you said does sound a bit like the nature of the British, but this time I can clearly say that they will not do this." Charles shook his head, "The British have made up their mind. With absolute determination and will, I will use all the power of the empire to defeat the Russian expansion into Europe and defend their national interests. In the UK, both the Prime Minister himself, the Foreign Minister Palmerston, and even Her Majesty the Queen herself, all spoke categorically, assuring us that they would definitely use all their land and sea forces to contain the Russians, even in the secret treaty It clearly stipulates the obligation of both countries to never back down, and they will not make such a joke with the UK’s credibility.”

"Have you already made a secret agreement?" Alphonse was surprised again.

He never expected that the Bonapartists, who seemed to be only thinking about seizing power in the country, had secretly planned to this point. Moreover, when they first gained a foothold, this group of people immediately thought of going to war, and it was a war. Big battle - what a bunch of crazy gamblers!

"Yes, there is already a secret agreement, and it was signed by me on behalf of His Majesty." Charles said while glancing to the side without leaving any trace.

Gaston indeed obeyed his order just now, and after he mentioned His Majesty, he crossed out the sentence. It's really a workable material.

There is no doubt that this is a state secret, but even if it is known that Josédan will tell the president of the Bank of France when he returns, Alphonse will tell his father, Baron Rothschild, and may even secretly inform the Austrian Emperor himself, Charles He also revealed this secret to this group of people without hesitation, because he needed to create an atmosphere of "everything is under our control" and highlight his "needs".

"Now that you all know the empire's plan, I think you all understand one thing." Ciel looked around again, but this time he was much more serious. "In order to complete the preparations in the plan, let's Our army can quickly maneuver to the predetermined battlefield and obtain maximum supplies after the war. In order to win the final victory, we must establish an efficient and effective A transportation network of unprecedented scale and order, whether it is railway or sea transportation, requires unprecedented changes. In order to achieve all this, we have no shortage of smart engineers and no shortage of workers. We only need money—— To be precise, we need a lot of money, countless amounts of money, and I believe that if we want to raise funds quickly, you are the best person to turn to.”

After hearing Charles's request, the visitors looked at each other and observed each other, but no one spoke first. The sudden silence suddenly made the atmosphere a little strange.

"Do you have any opinions? If so, feel free to mention it." After waiting for a while, Charles asked again, "I think the facts in the past few years have proven to you the return on investment in railways, right?"

"The return on investment in the railway is of course huge, but... Your Excellency, once military purposes are added, this may not be the case. Without a huge passenger flow to guarantee, the railway may not be profitable." Josdan-Capafelle said with a cautious word. His attitude was revealed. He had the highest qualifications and age, so everyone tacitly agreed Treating him as a co-spokesman to some extent, "Your Excellency, I am definitely not doubting your Majesty's wisdom, but I am pointing out a fact - we love the country as much as you do, but businessmen invest for profit and cannot use others to The money given to us because of trust has been invested in a place where we will lose money.”

"I understand your thoughts. Capital is an animal that proliferates, and you are the owners of animals. You will not want to see your pets injured in vain." Charles nodded, "But of course, Your Majesty and I will not If you suffer losses for this, we will make up for it with sufficient compensation - if His Majesty decrees that whoever invests for us will be responsible for the issuance of war bonds after the war begins, what will you think?" (~^ ~)