Flowers, Swords and France

"I'm glad that you can so clearly judge the current situation between us and France, Charles." Joseph took another sip of coffee and seemed to be much more amiable than before.

This is probably because it tested Ciel's "political consciousness" and it feels like Ciel is sincerely following the "central line".

This is a good thing.

Since the other party is willing to tell him such a major secret, he really regards himself as an important backbone member, and Charles knows it very well.

To be honest, since there is indeed a Bonaparte family in the UK with sworn hatred, and they can shake hands with the British in order to return to the peak of power (if it is not said to be groveling), then what will happen to people like Charles? What's the psychological burden... As long as I can regain my power, it doesn't matter what I do.

So he drank the coffee without a care.

Miss Perriette obviously had a much lighter taste than the two men. She added sugar one spoonful at a time, spread it evenly with a small spoon, and drank it slowly.

After a while, after seeing that the atmosphere had returned to calmness from the slight excitement just now, Joseph Bonaparte spoke again.

"Char, I have received the letter you sent yesterday. It is very interesting news."

So fast? Ciel was a little surprised.

Obviously, although Joseph Bonaparte kept a low profile after coming to Paris, he was definitely well-informed.

"Then what do you think about this matter?" Charles asked directly.

"This is a great thing." Joseph Bonaparte directly set the tone. "Although Count Dillion is old, he still has a lot of influence in the political arena and is able to speak in the court. If he can Being on our side is obviously a good thing, but... I think they are still in the trial stage, and they may not have much confidence in us..."

As he spoke, he began to ponder, obviously still thinking of a good countermeasure.

Charles didn't say anything and let the other party make up his mind.

"Charles, what do you think we should do?" Joseph Bonaparte suddenly asked directly. "After all, my life in France is very short, and I cannot see the current situation as clearly as you do..."

Is this still taking the exam?

But Charles had already thought about it beforehand and had some ideas, so he answered directly.

"I think I should contact the other party about this matter first to confirm the sincerity of cooperation. If others think that we have no hope of success, then what's the use of trying to please them? If the other party really wants to cooperate, Let them give their asking price and then discuss the final cooperation..."

"Well, since you said so, let's do it. As long as the Dilion family's asking price is within a reasonable range, we can try our best to agree to him." After listening to Charles's opinion, Joseph Bonaparte directly said Having made up his mind, his trust and reliance (and wooing) were evident, "Char, I'm going to trouble you again this time, thank you."

"What I should do." Ciel bowed his head humbly.

Obviously, since Charles fulfilled his promise and really helped to get Prime Minister Soult to step down, it is obvious that Joseph Bonaparte has completely regarded him with admiration.

It would be great if the person on the other side of the strait thinks so too...

"I won't say any more words of gratitude. That's too boring. Anyway... I leave everything to you!" Joseph stood up and patted Charles on the shoulder, "I have other things to do, so I'll leave first. "

Then he turned to look at Miss Blue Stockings and nodded to say goodbye. The young lady just smiled slightly and returned the favor. Then Joseph Bonaparte strode out of the living room.

how? He doesn't actually live here?

It seems that even though Joseph Bonaparte has reached this level, he still has reservations about himself. But this was for safety's sake, and Ciel didn't mind.

"There are really only two of us left this time, Charles." Miss Periette picked up the cup and took a sip of coffee, with a smile on her face again, "Are you satisfied with tonight's reception? ?”

"Very satisfied, thank you for your hospitality, Miss Perriette - let me continue to call you this." Charles nodded in thanks.

"That sounds great." The other party still smiled, "I heard that you have been stealing the show recently."

"Fortunately, the left and right were just taking advantage of the situation. It was not me who made Soult step down, but our respectable King." In the face of praise, Charles remained very calm.

"Yes!" Miss Periette suddenly sighed, "Fools always like to be smart, and do stupid things excitedly and feel proud of themselves. The scary thing is that such people can always be in the highest position. At the top...this ignorant monarchy is really ridiculous."

"This is not just a phenomenon that only occurs within the monarchy." Charles still said something fair.

"But it will be particularly outstanding." Miss Perriette replied, and then she suddenly raised her head, "Charles, you like playing chess very much, right? Look, who are the chess players in Europe now? ? The King of France is a mediocre person, but that’s good enough. There is an idiot and a lunatic sitting on the thrones of Prussia and Austria, and what about..."

Her tone became more mocking, almost speaking through gritted teeth.

"Our venerable Majesty Tsar Nicholas I is an ignorant wretch who thinks he is smart. He always thinks that cruelty and harshness is fortitude, he always thinks that being stubborn is composure, and he always thinks that capriciousness is wisdom! Yes, he is A self-absorbed idiot whose horizons are always limited to being a platoon leader, but he always loves to be complacent about his stolen fame. "

Are you sure you're really not talking about that person named Chang who loves to write diaries? Ciel couldn't help but complained in his mind.

However, although he could not understand why the other party hated the ** Tsar so much, this did not prevent him from scolding the tsar in order to please the master here.

"Perhaps his throne was stolen."

"It must have been stolen," Mademoiselle Periette said bitterly, "and this throne will not bring him any good luck. Charles, you know that since Peter I, the Romanov dynasty has None of the male czars deserved a good life. Didn’t Peter II die early? Peter III and Paul didn’t. Was he killed without scruples by his own relatives? Wasn't it said that Alexander, who defeated Napoleon by retreating step by step and then shamelessly called himself the liberator of Europe, was poisoned? I am convinced that the same will be true for the current Tsar, who does not deserve a better fate than his ancestors.”

"Maybe so."

He will commit suicide by taking poison. If history does not change significantly - judging from the current situation, there should be no change.

"So, Charles, this is an era of mediocrity. Since the fall of Napoleon, ordinary people have dominated this continent. But... this time will not last too long, and the long silence will eventually be shattered by thunder. , an exciting era is coming. Charles, you will be able to become a chess player by then, I have always thought so."

Perhaps because of her semi-identified relationship with Charles, this Miss Perriette changed her previous gentleness and became a little fierce. Maybe this is her true face? It's just a matter of saying, "Thousands of ancient Chinese figures still have to look at the present day."

Read the original article in Liu#9@书/吧!

"I'm very grateful for your regard for me." Charles sincerely thanked you again.

"Of course, even so, the manuscript that should be written now should be written on time." As if she had lost her temper after scolding, Miss Perriette softened her tone again and resumed her tongue-in-cheek tone, " It seems like you’ve been unscripted lately, and we can’t wait.”

"Uh... uh..." The sudden change of topic made Charles a little uncomfortable. He hesitated for a while before reluctantly answering, "I've been very busy recently, really busy, and I can't concentrate. I'll wait until I have more time. I will concentrate on writing it for you again..."

Obviously, this young lady planned to avoid those major issues and continue to pretend to be the original "Miss Blue Stockings". In this case, Ciel was naturally happy to cooperate.

"I remind you once again, don't imitate those shameful bears!" Miss Periette smiled half-smiling, very much like a joke but also a little serious, "Now considering that you do have a reason, let's slow down for the time being. But this You must finish writing this book, otherwise, not only the readers, but also you will be buried in the hole you dug. You must remember this, understand?”

"Uh...I know, I know..." Charles agreed repeatedly, with sweat breaking out on his face.

In any era, being scolded by an editor for delaying a manuscript would have tragic consequences... And if there really is a pit to bury the bear, that would be great...

Miss Perriette smiled even more happily, as if she had given the author a lesson, which put her in a good mood.

"By the way, you seemed to want to discuss something with me just now, right? Now that I'm in a good mood, you can tell me directly. The price will be much lower than usual."

"That's great!" Charles was overjoyed, "I do have something to ask you for help with."

Then Charles told the other party the project that the old Marquis planned to participate in.

"Mining?" Miss Periette seemed to be interested when she heard this. "It sounds interesting. Did the famous Baron de Beauvin also participate in it?"

"That's said to be the case."

"Even so, are you still worried?"

"Yes, I am still a little uneasy, so I entrust you to try your best to help me find out all the details of this matter." Charles looked at the other person, "Can you help me?"

"That's true..." Miss Periette's answer was meaningful.

"Then what price do I have to pay for what you want?" Charles interrupted her directly and went straight to the point.

"You are such a straightforward person." Miss Perriette smiled again, "I haven't thought about it yet, so you can keep the account first."

"Yes, no problem. I owe you a request. As long as I can help you in the future, I will do it." Charles's answer was very serious, "In addition, I have another question..."

"Tell me, I'm in a good mood now."

"If necessary, I may borrow a loan from you in a few days, a relatively large amount, such as five hundred thousand francs. The annual interest rate in the market is generally six to seven percent. I will give you a loan." What do you think of it being divided into five parts and paid off with interest after three years?”

"Let's talk about it when the day comes." Miss Periette's smile was vague. (To be continued.)