Flowers, Swords and France

As the snow slowly melted, the green of early spring slowly covered the whole world, bringing new vitality to the gray-black earth. However, due to the continuous cloudy days, the temperature did not rise much, and the cold wind was still raging every day. The cold weather made almost everyone feel a little uneasy.

And on this gloomy morning, a large and simply decorated carriage also drove into the residence of the Imperial Minister of Transportation, Charles de Treville.

When the bishop in heavy robes and his entourage appeared under the sky, they certainly could not make people feel much warmth.

The leading bishop, who was about fifty years old, had carefully combed gray hair, which made people look awe-inspiring. Because he had not gone out for many years and was thinking hard, his face showed a white color due to excessive blood loss. Although he had a kind smile on his face, his tall hooked nose made people feel a little gloomy.

The bishop's name is Auguste de Cremer. He was originally the youngest son of an aristocratic family. His family was once impacted during the Great Revolution, but in 1815, he returned to France with the Bourbon royal family and lived his original life again.

In accordance with the family's centuries-old tradition, as the youngest son, he entered the church in his youth and became a priest. He struggled within the huge system of the French church, survived decades, experienced political turmoil and regime changes, and finally became the Archbishop of Paris.

As a major Catholic country, France has countless dioceses, which are governed by 16 provinces. Although the provinces are equal in theory, because of the overwhelming position of Paris over other provinces, the Parisian province with Notre Dame as its cathedral has become the most valuable position among archbishops, only below the cardinal who governs the entire French church.

To be able to climb to such a position, the bishop is certainly not just pious to God. Even piety is not his main specialty. His specialty is to please those monarchs and nobles who can benefit his future. Whether it is the Bourbon royal family, the Orleans family, or the Bonaparte family, the people on the throne are all kings to whom he must be loyal, and these kings also think that he is a useful person.

Not long after the establishment of the empire, the bishop has already won the favor of the new nobles. The marriage of Charles de Treville and Miss Charlotte de Treville was presided over by him.

And today, he was summoned by Madame de Treville.

After hearing the news from the lady early in the morning, the bishop did not dare to neglect it and immediately dropped the things at hand and rushed over. In his opinion, this lady came from a famous family and her husband was in a high position. She was really a noble lady who needed to be pleased.

Soon, they were led by servants to the mansion. As soon as they arrived at the luxurious living room, the bishop was slightly surprised to find that not only the lady was waiting for him, but also the husband of the lady, Minister Treville, was waiting for him there.

"I hope I didn't cause you any trouble, sir." As soon as he saw him, Charles greeted him with a very respectful attitude.

"No, sir, I am very happy to meet you..." Charles's enthusiastic attitude made the bishop a little flattered, "It's a pity that I didn't know in advance, so I didn't make any preparations..."

"It's okay, bishop." At this time, Charlotte immediately spoke, "Today we intentionally invited you here in my name, and Charles couldn't express it in person."

"Oh? I understand." The bishop nodded immediately, and in his heart hesitantly guessed the intention of the couple to call him here so anxiously. "So, what do you want me to do?"

After hearing his question, Charlotte's expression suddenly became a little hesitant, as if it was a little difficult to say.

"To be honest, this is really embarrassing..."

"Please go ahead, I am very happy to serve you, madam." The bishop bowed slightly with grace.

"Okay, then I will tell you..." Perhaps his attitude gave Charlotte a message, and she finally made up her mind, "I am afraid you will receive news about this matter in two days, but after thinking about it, I still think it is better to tell you in advance..."

After whetting the other party's appetite, Charlotte continued calmly, "I am afraid you know it? My brother, Philip, has been working as an inspector to inspect church properties in various places, preparing to return church properties to the church..."

"Yes, I know." The bishop nodded immediately, "I am very grateful for this gentleman's help to us, God will bless him."

Although he said so, the bishop's impression of Philip was not so good-Philip's methods of doing things were fierce and greedy, which had already caused dissatisfaction among many people in the church, but because he had such a backer and family background, everyone pretended to know nothing.

Could it be that this young master caused trouble? A flash of enlightenment suddenly flashed through the bishop's mind.

"Hey..." Charlotte suddenly sighed.

"Would you like some coffee?" At this time, Charles suddenly interrupted, waving his hand, signaling the servant to bring the coffee, and at the same time reminding the bishop of his presence in this way, "Our coffee here is all excellent, you can try it."

The steaming cup was quickly placed in front of the bishop, but it did not eliminate the doubts in the bishop's heart.

But his patience has been tempered by his many years of career. He sat calmly, blowing the coffee gently, waiting for the couple to reveal the answer to the mystery.

"I'm really sorry, Your Majesty the Bishop." At this time, Charlotte finally spoke again, "Philip... Philip's entourage was recently performing duties near Niort. During a meaningless dispute, he accidentally... accidentally... I accidentally injured a local priest, and... and caused him to die from his injuries..."

"What?" Although he was mentally prepared, the bishop couldn't help but raised his head and looked at Charlotte in shock, and the coffee cup in his hand almost fell to the ground.

He did not expect that Philip would be so bold as to shoot everyone in the church, and also cause the death of a senior cleric.

"Philip is really unpardonable for doing such a thing. This is an intolerable crime!" Charlotte looked at the bishop with a very angry and apologetic expression. "You know, I am a person who worships God very much. , when I heard the news, I was so angry. I didn’t expect that my brother would dare to do such a thing... Oh, this is really... This really breaks my heart..."

As if she was talking about something sad, her tone became dull, and then she picked up a handkerchief to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, "How can he bear such a sin!"

A beautiful woman crying will certainly arouse the sympathy of anyone, and the bishop is no exception. However, he has been in the church for decades and has heard countless confessions and scandals. Of course, he is not familiar with tears. You have an immunity that ordinary people cannot match.

He had also seen too many powerful families behave when their nephews committed ridiculous crimes, and the sad tears of those wives could no longer move him.

If she really felt that her crime was unforgivable, why would she bring herself here?

He already roughly understood Mrs. Treville's purpose in calling him here.

But he remained calm and continued to look at the coffee in front of him.

"You see, sir, this is really terrible... I never thought that my brother would do such a thing. After he came back, I scolded him and asked him to reflect on it and find a way to give it to him. To atone for oneself... But I don’t know if it’s useful,” Charlotte’s tone still contained a hint of crying, “Sir, will God forgive him? I’m so scared!”

"Yes, Your Majesty Bishop, we have been uneasy after getting the news. This really makes us feel terrible." Charles finally helped, "We are afraid that Philip's bad mistakes will arouse the wrath of God and bring disaster to the world." He brings disaster on his own, what do you think?"

After arriving here for only ten minutes, the Treville couple's questioning was immediately placed in front of the bishop. It seemed that they had already made up their minds to keep Philippe de Treville.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

If they have made up their minds, why should I insist on going against them? thought the bishop.

Hey, at least he is willing to adopt such an attitude now, which is already considered good.

In just a short moment, he had already weighed it in his mind.

The church has always been a hierarchical place. The senior priests are not from noble families - just like the bishop himself. Niort is a remote village, and a certain parish priest there is just a powerless commoner. On the other end is the Treville family.

This may not be a multiple-choice question at all.

"Each of us is born with sin, and sin will always accompany us until we finally sleep." With a solemn attitude, the bishop gently put down the cup, and then looked at the couple opposite, "But, God He also loves us deeply, and no matter what sins we have committed, God will forgive each of us as long as we sincerely repent.”

"I will make Philip repent, my lord..." Charlotte still looked at the bishop with tears in her eyes, "I have made it clear to Philip that he must do everything he can to atone for his sins, and all compensation must be of the highest standard. Repayment, the highest standard, and Philip sincerely hopes that he can express his repentance in this way.”

After hearing Charlotte's emphasis, the bishop also understood that he himself would also benefit from this compensation.

"But... your brother has caused such a disaster. I think he needs to rest at home and repent sufficiently. What do you think?"

Charlotte understood that his intention was to let Philip resign temporarily to avoid the limelight, and she agreed to the bishop's exchange conditions.

"Philip will continue to repent of his mistakes until he is fit to resume his duties."

"Well, if Philip has such a repentant heart, then I think God will forgive him." Seeing Charlotte being so straightforward, the bishop nodded slightly, and then said seriously, "I will check carefully about the matter when I go back. That poor man’s file, although he has no children, there should be many living members of his family, and they should receive due compensation for their immeasurable loss.”

His promise was tantamount to a guarantee that he would handle the matter in a low-key manner within the church and no longer become a reminder for Philip.

"It's great that you are willing to help, Mr. Bishop!" After receiving the bishop's personal promise, Charlotte finally showed her smile again. "You are compassionate and tolerant. You have mercy on us who are lost. Sitting with you When we were together, I felt like I was getting closer to God..."

Although he knew that these were just polite words, the charm displayed by this charming lady still made the old bishop couldn't help but smile, "The Lord is in the heart of each of us, and you don't have to be close to anyone to get it. lady."

At this time, Charlotte looked at Charles again, and then looked at the bishop with a smile.

"Ciel and I now have another child. He will be born in a few months."

"Oh, congratulations, madam!" the bishop immediately congratulated Charlotte.

"Can you be this child's godfather?" Charlotte continued to ask with a smile, "I really hope that my child can be taught by someone as wise and as pure in faith as you."

"Of course, madam." The bishop immediately nodded and agreed, "This is my honor." (~^~)