shadow of britain

Chapter 460: Sharing France

When the sun sets and the stars rise, the night gently embraces the pearl of France, Paris.

The streets were filled with rolling wheels and gentlemen and ladies getting out of the cars with the help of servants.

The lights in the Kaido Sai Mansion were bright, and a grand dance was in full swing, which vividly displayed the elegance and prosperity of that era.

The exterior wall of the mansion is outlined with a classical outline by the soft, warm orange-yellow gas light. Guards in gorgeous uniforms stand on both sides of the door. The housekeeper and the valet stand respectfully in front of the mansion to greet everyone who is invited. Guests, their carriages parked slowly in the cobbled courtyard.

Entering the interior of the mansion, the first thing you see is an extremely luxuriously decorated hall.

Under the high dome, the crystal chandeliers shed soft and brilliant light like bright stars. Each one is carefully polished to reflect dazzling light spots.

Exquisite tapestries and oil paintings hang on the walls, depicting classical mythology or French scenery, adding an artistic touch to the space.

In the middle of the dance floor, men and women in gorgeous dresses were dancing to the melodious violin and piano melodies.

The ladies wear long skirts with waists and wide hems like flowers. The gauze and satin interweave dreamy colors. The feathers and jewelry on their heads sparkle under the light. The men wore tailored tuxedos, white shirts with exquisite bow ties, and held gloves in a graceful manner. They waltzed, spun, and slid, and every move revealed well-trained elegance and tacit understanding.

Beside, a variety of delicacies are placed on the exquisite dining table: fresh oysters are stacked on silver plates, French stew and cream of mushroom soup are served on gold-rimmed porcelain, as well as various desserts, such as macarons, Thousand-feuille pastries and carefully crafted fruit platters of various colors exude an alluring aroma, tempting the taste buds of the guests.

In the following years, Soult followed Massena, the commander of the Danube Army, in the north and south as a division commander. Due to his repeated achievements, he was promoted to the rank of general in only 9 years.

In the Battle of Austerlitz, which Napoleon was most proud of, the Fourth Army led by Soult unexpectedly attacked the Brazan Heights guarded by Russian Marshal Kutuzov with a small number and defeated the enemy in just 2 hours. He defeated the Russians and tore apart the central zone of the Russian-Austrian coalition. Even Napoleon praised him as 'the best tactician in Europe'.

In the corner, a group of literati sat around a round table covered with velvet tablecloth, holding pipes or slender cigarettes, discussing current affairs, literature or the latest art schools, bursts of laughter from time to time.

Just wherever he looked, he saw many famous literary figures: Victor Hugo, the leader of the French Romantics, Honoré Balzac, a rising star in the Paris novel world, former republican terrorists, The fat cook Alexandre Dumas, who has been pardoned now, Alfred de Vigny, who together with Hugo and Alexandre Dumas are known as the three giants in the Paris theater world, and France's leading lyric poet Alphonse de Lamartine...

Of course, people can't always have smooth sailing, and Sirte's calm mind can sometimes get hot.

Just when Sirte was lost in the cheers of 'King Nicholas' from the soldiers, the Duke of Wellington had already taken over the command of the British army on the peninsula and led his troops in Mondegu Bay, 100 miles north of Lisbon. Logged in.

After Napoleon proclaimed himself emperor, he naturally became one of the first eighteen marshals to be canonized by the French Empire.

As for Marshal Soult's record against the Duke of Wellington, it can be summarized in one sentence. In short, he did not win.

Adolphe Thiers, President of the French Council of Ministers, François Guizot, Minister of Education, and a number of ministers whose names Arthur could not name.

But the person Arthur was most interested in among all these people was neither Thiers nor Guizot, but the Minister of War, the Duke of Dalmatia, Field Marshal, and nicknamed "Iron Hand" Jean-de-Dieux. · Sirte.

This big shot in Paris, who came from a family of lawyers, lived through the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars completely, and personally experienced most of the events.

In the Battle of Jena, Puutusk and Heilsburg launched against Prussia, Soult's calm command played a decisive role in the final victory of the battle.

Arthur was leaning against the window, holding a goblet filled with a light drop of Chateau Grande wine in his hand, looking at this group of representatives of Paris' upper class.

He joined the army at the age of 16 with the rank of sergeant. At the age of 22, he was promoted to a grenadier lieutenant due to his good military qualities. At the age of 24, he was promoted to captain and was promoted to the army commander's staff by Marshal Jourdan who was chatting beside him.

In the same year, Soult was promoted to the rank of brigadier general due to his excellent performance in the Battle of Fleurus. At this time, he was only 25 years old.

As for the celebrities in the music circle, Franz Liszt, the piano king who was looked down upon by Heine, was naturally present. In addition, there was also Giacomo Meyerbeer, the Paris opera master from Germany. Hector Berlioz is the most outstanding composer in France today. Of course, the French government used it as a 'free canary' to support the Polish exiled pianist Frederic Chopin.

However, in this rather performative dinner, these writers and musicians were not actually the protagonists. This was a stage that belonged exclusively to politicians.

On the other side, the beautiful ladies in costumes gathered in front of the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, chatting softly. Occasionally, they secretly admired the night view outside through the gaps in the curtains, enjoying a moment of tranquility.

For example, in Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, perhaps it was the smooth sailing of the Spanish war in the early stages that made Sirte so complacent that he actually had the idea of ​​being crowned king in Portugal while the war was still not over, and therefore he and Several other marshals had gaps in their hearts.

But this is not a shame, because even Emperor Napoleon himself failed to win against Wellington.

Of course, this may be unfair. After all, Napoleon only fought against the Duke of Wellington once. Moreover, during the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon had frequent mishaps, so much so that Arthur saw that many historians speculated that the reason why Napoleon fell short in the Battle of Waterloo was probably because he had painful hemorrhoids.

Regarding this issue, Arthur has always wanted to find someone to ask clearly, but Louis was too young at the time, and there was a high probability that he would not know whether his uncle had hemorrhoids. As for Soult, he was a close minister of Napoleon and had fought with him for many years. He must know the best about Napoleon's physical condition. The only problem now is that Arthur feels that he is asking Marshal Soult in front of so many guests, especially ladies: "Did Napoleon have hemorrhoids?"

This question is so disrespectful.

But this problem really bothered Arthur. Arthur did not intend to believe the historian's conclusion until he received the personal admission from Marshal Soult.

Because to a certain extent, the professional ethics of some historians and journalists are almost identical.

How dare they say with certainty that Napoleon had hemorrhoids?
It's like they took a look at it.

That's not as credible as the fact that Napoleon's ex-wife Josephine smelled like cheese.

After all, that was what Louis himself admitted.

"Huh." The spy chief's always rigorous style made our Sir Arthur Hastings couldn't help but exhale gently through his nose. He was still thinking about how to use a tactful way to ask the question, so as to make Su Marshal Walter was not offended.

Arthur murmured to himself and rehearsed the conversation: "Your Excellency, I heard from those phrenologists that noble people usually have unusual appearances. So do you think there is a possibility that the emperor will also be more beautiful than ordinary people? How long is the piece of meat?”

Agares poked an apple chunk with his little fingernail. He saw through the kid's thoughts at a glance: "Arthur, you little bastard, I advise you not to do this. Only a contract with a shameless devil like Baal can be made." Only a person would ask something like this while eating.”

Arthur just glanced at the red devil: "Agares, you always boast that you are very knowledgeable, but you don't even know whether Napoleon has hemorrhoids."

Agares was not angry at all. The Red Devil just retorted: "Aren't they planning to transport Napoleon's coffin back to Paris anyway? If you don't mind, you can open it and take a look at it then."

"I'm not that obscene. It's an insult to a corpse."

Agares chewed apple chunks: "What's the big deal? You're talking like you've never been a corpse."

As soon as Arthur finished speaking, he suddenly heard a low voice coming from the corner of the room.

"My friend, Your Majesty cannot promise to appoint you as a minister or minister at this time. If we are really 'public servants' of the people, because of our political opinions, neither I nor you can be content in our positions. Parliamentary government is This has the advantage that it saves the trouble of having to remove ministers personally from the king. Our Parliament is like a hotel, and public opinion often sends us some unexpected visitors. But don't worry, His Majesty always does. He will know how to place a loyal minister like you."

"Mr. Thiers, I understand what you mean. Public servants like us do have to be able to endure loneliness. But look, we all contributed to the revolution and are all bankers with professional knowledge. In the past three years, Lafitte has served as prime minister and finance minister, Perier has served as prime minister and interior minister, and even Rissauquet, who is not as good as me, has now become the director of the Greater Paris Police Department. And what about me? I don't even have a chance to serve the people."

Thiers coughed: "Edmond, it's your own fault. Your stance in the revolution is really too shaky. His Majesty has doubts about your stance. He suspects that you may be a potential orthodox." "

The old banker wearing a top hat became anxious when he heard this: "Orthodox? My God! Mr. Thiers, I assure you, I have never been orthodox in my life. During the Great Revolution, I first Supported the Girondins, then the Jacobins, then the Directory, supported Napoleon during the Empire, provided generous loans to Louis XVIII during the Restoration, and now, after the July Revolution, I am a fake Changed Orleans."

Thiers frowned slightly when he heard this. Although this movement was very subtle, it all fell into Arthur's eyes.

It can be seen that Thiers, the political giant in Paris, is getting impatient.

He warned in a sinister tone: "Edmund, what you need most now is to wait. Besides, aren't you living a bad life now? Your wit, cleverness and sound judgment have made your whole family happy. Thank you for your kindness. Everyone in your family is like a silkworm eating at the mulberry leaves of the towering tree of government.

Due to His Majesty's grace and the widening of the net after the revolution, your eldest son still serves as a lifelong urban judge after the revolution. Your second son was only a captain of cavalry during the Restoration, and what about now? Not only was he not dismissed, he was promoted to colonel.

Your third son is serving as a county magistrate in another province, and he is the most promising among them. I dare say that it won't be long before he becomes mayor of Paris, and perhaps also holds an office in the Assembly. His position is quite secure, more secure than mine, because his position is never affected by cabinet changes. And I still have to worry about the cabinet reshuffle every day.

Although you do not hold an official position, His Majesty's unglamorous grace has fallen on your family like raindrops without anyone noticing. You didn’t become the Counselor and Dean, and you don’t have a seat in the parliament, but the salary and annual income received by your family members are higher than any minister in the cabinet!

The most important thing is that with such treatment, you don't have to worry about arousing people's jealousy. In the early days of the post-revolutionary constitutional government, few people could fathom these delicious and inconspicuous areas on the dinner plate, and only the smartest people could grab these things here. Be content, Edmond, do you think that my job in the Cabinet and Zhisouquet's job at the Grand Paris Police are easy to do? "

When Edmund heard that Thiers was a little angry, he immediately put on a smile and comforted him: "Adolphe, don't be angry. I know your job is not easy, so don't I want to share some of it with you? Of course, if You want to shoulder it, and I believe you have the ability. But... you are right about one thing, my current life is indeed pretty good, and my sons also have a good future. It's just..."

Thiers raised his eyebrows and said, "Just what?"

The old banker sighed: "You should know that I have three daughters. The eldest daughter and the second daughter are both married. But the youngest daughter is the only one with high vision. Her family has spoiled her rotten since she was a child, so that she is now She talks about not marrying anyone who is not a nobleman every day. I think if this continues, she will become an old girl sooner or later. So, if you see His Majesty and the Queen, can you help me ask if the Queen is short of maids. ?I want to send my dear little Alice to see the world."

(End of this chapter)