Flowers, Swords and France

On this cold morning at the beginning of winter, in the private gathering of a group of state dignitaries in the Palais des Parle-Leyard, the highly respected Prince Jérôme Bonaparte faced this group of people who could be said to be his descendants. A discussion was made.

Although he seemed to be just chatting, and these words seemed to make sense, everyone could see that there was indeed a deep meaning in this chat, and it also had some specific pertinence.

"I have already raised the question with you. Of course, I am just an old man and may have lagged behind this era, so I may not be accurate in my opinion and may not be right in my opinion. If you really have any opinions, feel free to do so. Follow me." With everyone listening carefully, His Royal Highness Prince Jerome continued speaking slowly, "To be honest, in my current situation, I shouldn't have said these words. , just enjoy the wealth and glory in peace and quiet, but I feel that I can't just turn a blind eye to the current situation that has created rifts among everyone, but should find a way to solve this problem so that everyone can continue to unite as sincerely as before and serve the empire wholeheartedly! . In fact, everyone should be close companions. Everyone has made great contributions to the empire, and one should not be favored over others because of certain circumstances, don't you think?"

He looked around at the group of people around him with a smile on his face.

"Yes..." Some people responded with a little hesitation.

But more people were still in a wait-and-see state, looking at each other but not easily expressing their stance.

Charles is one of these people.

And because he was sitting very close to the prince, he was quickly noticed by the prince, and his rich face soon met Charles's.

"Charle, do you think what I say makes sense? If there is anything I say that dissatisfies you, please point it out."

"Your Highness, I think your words are very reasonable. We really can't sit back and watch rifts develop between us." Seeing that he had been asked face to face, Charles decided not to dodge anymore. "Actually, it's not that I haven't noticed anything about the situations you mentioned before. To be honest, this phenomenon does exist - since the empire was rebuilt, everyone has indeed accomplished a very remarkable feat. However, amidst the cheers, some people "I feel like we're done, we feel like we can rest, and I think this is a problem worth worrying about."

"Oh?" Prince Jérôme Bonaparte was a little surprised because he didn't expect Charles to say such a thing, but he still nodded, "Since you agree with my opinion, that's great. ...To be honest, I also know that these words are very offensive. So I never knew whether I should say it or not, but then I thought, at my current age, what else do I need to worry about offending people? And besides me, who else is suitable to say these things? So I had to. I have stood up, but please don’t take it to heart.”

"You are worried about us. This is because you care about us and care about the safety of the empire. How can we have any objections? Moreover, the questions you raised are also very sharp and should indeed be resolved as soon as possible." Charles immediately took over the conversation. , don’t give others the opportunity to add ingredients smoothly Yes, "However, this situation is excusable. Nowadays, we all hold important positions. Amidst the flattery from our subordinates and the outside world, how many of us can still remain cautious and calm before? Everyone who flatters us will compliment us and say that we are Consistently correct, over time we ourselves will feel that we are always correct, let alone others, even I sometimes feel so carried away! You said that we are becoming more and more immersed in our own departments, and we are becoming more and more like living in a world with the outside world. In the kingdom of separation, although it is said that It's a slight exaggeration, but I think it's true. My own experience has proven this. Sometimes my subordinates are too respectful to me, which makes me feel that I am already invulnerable. Of course, this situation is also necessary. Got some kind of change.”

"Then what do you think should be changed?" Although it seemed that Charles was echoing his opinion, Prince Jérôme certainly knew that Charles was not someone who was willing to give in easily, so he was not sure what Charles meant by his words. What's the deep meaning? I had to ask again.

"We must step away from the adulation that overwhelms us, abandon the idea that 'we have done all the work, now it's time to rest and enjoy', and step out of the narrow thinking that is limited to departments and focus on Pick up the conflict we once had Energy and spirit, because the empire still has too many problems to solve, and people still have too many wishes to realize." Ciel held his head high and encouraged with an extremely eager attitude, as if he was on the podium. “We are not just rebuilding the empire; Inheriting the achievements and spirit of Emperor Napoleon, he finally completed the Great Revolution with his own efforts and left the Code to France. What we are now going to carry out is the revolution after the Great Revolution, a bloodless social revolution, a Turn the country into the most prosperous revolution! Such a revolution requires us to make some military and economic efforts to make the entire country enjoy the prosperity brought by industrial and commercial development, so I have something to say. Everyone - the revolution has not yet succeeded, comrades still need to work hard!”

His face was full of intoxication, but it did not resonate with everyone. On the contrary, most of the people present looked at Ciel with a strange look as if they were seeing someone from another world. Some people were dumbfounded, some looked embarrassed, and even Ciel I also faintly heard the laughter that was slightly mocking and disdainful.

It's really strange for him to say this. After all, everyone knows that he is not that kind of idealist.

However, even if everyone is disdainful, they all know that Charles is talking high-profile, but because his words are so correct that no one can refute it, even Prince Jerome Bonaparte can only use a " This kid can really make trouble, I feel like I can't control the rhythm anymore." He looked at the young man in front of him with a strange expression.

But now that Ciel has spoken out, he doesn't intend to let the other party take the initiative anymore.

"We must regain our ideals, regain our revolutionary spirit, and regain the fighting spirit we once had, for the sake of the empire and the welfare of the people!" In order to increase his persuasiveness, he simply stood up and raised his head high He said, "This is His Majesty's wish and the goal we should strive for. No one cares more about the well-being of the people than Your Majesty. He firmly believes in socialism and wants to eliminate people's poverty. Now he has everything The conditions for achieving this goal have always been As his ministers, how can we slack off in our efforts to achieve our goals? His Majesty has repeatedly told me earnestly that he hopes that I will maintain the passion of young people and make the empire's transportation industry move at a speed that no one could have imagined before. to develop and make this enterprise the most important support and driving force of the national economy. I only hate that my ability is limited and I have never fully achieved the goals set by Your Majesty for me. So to be honest, I am very ashamed of Your Majesty and also I am so ashamed of my countrymen..."

If when he boasted just now, everyone was completely disapproving of it, then when he carried out the emperor's endorsement to endorse himself, everyone did not even dare to show their superficial disdain and became serious. Listening to Ciel's self-examination.

However, Ciel said that his abilities are limited, but who can say, "Then you abdicate and give way to others?" So I could only sneer secretly in my heart.

"Char, you don't have to blame yourself so much. We all have our own difficulties. I know this. As long as you recognize the existence of the problem and remember our common ideal back then, that's enough." Seeing the rhythm Something was wrong. Prince Jérôme finally couldn't sit still. "Furthermore, you have been working hard to serve the country over the years and have made great achievements. The outside world appreciates your abilities very much, and we are all very satisfied with you." "

This is indeed what he means.

Being irreplaceable is Charles' greatest confidence - he has done his job very well. He is confident that he can do it better than anyone else in promoting railway construction and industrial centralization. No one can be more cooperative than him. His Majesty the Emperor's philosophy of governing the country, so although he has various moral flaws, everyone thinks that he is one of the best ministers in the empire. After all, under the background of his colleagues who only care about enjoying wealth and fighting for power, he That bit of arrogance and extravagance is nothing anymore.

Therefore, even Prince Jérôme had no intention of asking Charles to abdicate the throne in favor of others, but just reminded him to use up some of his resources to take care of his comrades.

"Thank you for your compliments. This gives me more motivation." Charles smiled and nodded to His Royal Highness, "Actually, I understand what you just meant. I also admit that although we are also serving the empire, But having resources and budgets of varying sizes creates... it can create some kind of psychological imbalance. . But to me, this imbalance is actually unnecessary, because we are all serving His Majesty and the people. We are all the cornerstones of the empire. Those resources and wealth belong to His Majesty and the people. We are just because of our respective I am just temporarily borrowing my position. In essence, everyone is equal and there is no difference..."

"Of course, we are all equal, and we all serve the empire. But others don't have as much spare money as you. Can you help your majesty rebuild the Palace of Fontainebleau?" After a moment of silence, Prince Jérôme finally decided to The young man made a direct attack, "To tell you the truth, there is actually a lot of gossip about this matter in the outside world. Everyone is surprised that you can actually come up with such a large amount of money without any effort..."

"It's not effortless. In fact, in order to meet His Majesty's request, I have embezzled and spent it from the ministry's budget. There is still a large amount of money that has not been paid to the contractor. This is not idle money." He shook his head with a smile and immediately denied the fact that he was extremely rich, "If it were anyone else, of course we wouldn't do this, but as a minister of the empire, I must I am responsible for His Majesty the Emperor, for the country, and for our previous ideals. For me, what Your Majesty hopes to achieve must be accomplished. If Your Majesty still needs the same amount or even more funds, then fine, I can still provide it. Even if the railway tracks we laid are dismantled and sold as scrap metal, even if we officials in the ministry do not receive salary, we will remain loyal to His Majesty to the end!"

In other words, without the approval of His Majesty the Emperor, none of you can even think of instigating me or asking me to tell you the benefits - Prince Jérôme certainly understands this hint.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Charles didn't give him time to think, and he immediately looked at Count Valewski.

"Mr. Count, are you really in urgent need of financial support now? Although I cannot use public funds for private services now, if you need it, I can take out funds from my personal savings to support you, and you don't have to pay it back in a hurry."

The middle-aged man was a little overwhelmed by Charles' sudden inquiry. He looked between his uncle and Charles, hesitated for a moment, and finally shook his head.

"No, thank you, Charles, I am not very short of money now."

From his answer, Charles understood that he did not reach a united front with Prince Jerome in advance, but was just used as an excuse by the prince, and his confidence was greatly increased.

"So, is there anyone who is particularly short of money now?" He raised his head and looked at almost everyone present.

He wanted to turn the conference of unity and division of spoils into a conference of standing in line. (~^~)