Flowers, Swords and France

Under the sunshine, the weather in Satori is particularly sunny today. ￥f,

Perhaps because it rained a few days ago, the sky without a trace of clouds is now blue and clear, like a gem upside down on everyone's head.

Although this is a rare sunny day in winter, the sun can't raise the temperature much. The winter wind still wanders in the grass and woods, making everyone feel a little cold, so Charles also wears a heavy coat like everyone else.

The parade ground is about to be built, and the viewing platform and walkway have been built, waiting for its most glorious moment to come. At this time, as a rehearsal before the formal ceremony, His Excellency Louis Bonaparte, President of the Republic, finally came to Satori again, inspecting the place where he will command the entire army.

Compared to the last time I came, because many troops have rushed here, it has been much more lively here. Looking around, the originally desolate countryside is now much more populated, and a large number of temporary wooden houses stand in rows on both sides of the dirt road, as if it were a small market town.

Under the sunshine, Louis-Bonaparte walked expressionlessly, looking around and examining everything that Charles and others had prepared.

Beside the president, a large group of generals who had already surrendered to Bonaparte gathered around him, like a moon surrounded by stars, and seemed to give this man some uncle's halo in a trance.

In order to leave a good impression on the president, these generals all wore brand new uniforms and pinned their medals in the most dazzling place. Everyone looked nervous and seized any opportunity to talk to the president.

In this serious tone. In order not to appear too flattering, the officers deliberately pretended to be careless. This made people full of a certain deliberate sense of ease, and from time to time someone said some humorous and flattering or sarcastic witty remarks. It made everyone laugh.

After walking for a while, Louis-Bonaparte stopped and looked at a group of troops in the distance who were training. And these soldiers seemed to be unaware of who was watching, and they still completed today's training at the rhythm they had cultivated on weekdays under the supervision of the officers.

"These soldiers are well trained." Amid the shouts, after watching for a long time, Louis-Bonaparte spoke in a tone that seemed like an expert, "The movements are very skillful, and they look like elite troops. Which unit is this?"

"This is the garrison here, sir." Before anyone else could answer. Charles answered directly, "In order to strengthen the defense here, I specially selected a regiment from the garrison in Paris, and these people belong to that regiment. Their battalion commander is Major Lucien Leflair, who is really good."

"Lucien Leflair..." Louis-Bonaparte frowned slightly and silently recited the name. "Okay, really good."

This is Charles's purpose-people in his position can remember this little major. What a great help that would be to Lucien.

"He served in North Africa, so he is very experienced, so he also trains very hard." After praising him, Charles complained in a seemingly derogatory but actually praising way. "But, hey, this guy is so stubborn. He is busy training the troops today. He didn't come to let you see..."

"What's there for me to see? Training his subordinates is his job." Louis-Bonaparte shook his head, "He did the right thing. Besides... since you specially came to praise him in front of me, does he need to come in person?"

The president's ridicule caused a dull laugh.

These officers had already seen that Charles intended to please the major in front of the president, but of course no one dared to say it or interrupt. Seeing that the president himself had said it, they couldn't help laughing.

"You will know him sooner or later. He is really a very good soldier," Charles also replied with a smile.

He was not embarrassed. For him, as long as the president remembered the name, it was a small matter to be laughed at.

Louis-Bonaparte stopped talking and walked straight to the soldiers, and then Charles and others followed him. At the signal of the officer, the soldiers immediately saluted the president.

He waved his hand and quickly walked into the middle of the group of soldiers, and then asked each soldier about their well-being. These flattered soldiers saw that the president - the emperor's nephew - was so kind to them. Some of them were even so excited that they couldn't speak. They just trembled around the president and looked at His Excellency the President.

It's really different to have a good uncle... Charles, who watched Louis-Bonaparte's friendly face with a smile, thought calmly in his heart.

At least in modern times, Louis-Bonaparte is still popular among the people, and Charles is happy that he uses this friendly skill to win more supporters.

After chatting with the soldiers for a long time, the president asked the soldiers to regroup and continued to patrol with the officers again.

"I feel comfortable being among such a group of soldiers." Louis Bonaparte continued to greet the soldiers with a smile, while whispering to Charles beside him. "They look much better than those in Paris!"

"You will soon be able to make them either pleasing to the eye, sir." Charles replied in a low voice, "or they will disappear from your sight."

"That's right, Charles." Louis-Bonaparte nodded, then turned around and continued chatting with the officers.

……………………

The days in winter are always shorter, and the president's inspection did not last long. The sky gradually became overcast, and the president, who was in a good mood, finally signaled to the attendants that today's inspection could end here, which made everyone else relieved.

"Charles, you did a good job. Everything here is in order, which makes me very satisfied." Louis-Bonaparte nodded to Charles, "If we have any military parades in the future, we will hold them here. It would be a pity if we only hold a place once after spending so much effort and money."

"As you wish, sir." Charles replied respectfully, "If you have this idea. I will arrange people to continue to maintain this place in the future and turn it into a permanent military facility."

"Then do it." Louis-Bonaparte confirmed immediately.

Then. As if he remembered something, he looked up at Charles, "By the way, I heard from your grandfather that you are going to hold a formal wedding with Miss de Treville in the near future?"

"Yes, that's right." Charles stood up straight and answered seriously, "Considering the occasion today, I haven't told you yet, sir."

"Oh! Congratulations, Charles!" In front of everyone, Louis-Bonaparte patted Charles on the shoulder, "After getting married, the responsibilities will be even greater, you must be prepared."

"Thank you for your reminder, I will do my best to fulfill my obligations, sir." Charles replied with a smile, and then he looked at Louis-Bonaparte cautiously, "In addition. Sir, I have a request. If you don't think it's inappropriate, I think... Can I let you be the witness for Charlotte and I?"

"Of course, no problem." As if without any consideration. Louis Bonaparte answered directly, "Tell me the wedding date when the time comes, and I will ask my secretary to arrange the schedule."

"Thank you!" Charles bowed to him again.

And the eyes of envy and jealousy. Suddenly focused on Charles again.

So young and so popular, and married a duke's daughter with a large dowry... well. Even if it aroused jealousy, Charles couldn't say anything.

"What are your plans for life after marriage?" After a moment of silence. Louis-Bonaparte asked Charles again, "What are your plans for living? You won't live with your grandfather, will you? Living with your father-in-law may not be right..."

"Oh, this? Charlotte said that she wants to buy a house, and then we will live there temporarily, and move there when it is ready." Charles smiled embarrassedly, "But, to be honest, Charlotte takes care of this kind of thing, I don't have much energy to take care of this kind of thing..."

"You let yourself fall completely into your wife's hands at such a young age? Charles, I didn't realize you were this kind of person?" Louis-Bonaparte couldn't help laughing, "By the way, speaking of this, I remembered that I haven't given you a gift yet, right?"

"Your presence is the best gift for us." Charles complimented again.

"Bonaparte can't be so stingy, Charles." Louis-Bonaparte pondered again, and looked at Charles again after a moment, "It's not easy to find a good house in Paris now, let alone the residence of Madame Treville. Let me give you a good gift so that your fiancée won't be embarrassed by this..."

"You mean..." Charles suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart.

"Prince Julesville's mansion has been vacant since it was expropriated by the state. It's just right that I'll ask them to open a procedure so that you can buy it." Louis-Bonaparte said with a smile, "Charles, what do you think of this gift? Is it big enough?"

Charles understood it at this moment.

The original text is in the six # 9 @book/bar!

This is indeed an extraordinary gift.

Prince Julesville is François de Orleans, the second son of the late King Louis-Philippe, and his wife is Francesca, the princess of the Brazilian Emperor. Because his elder brother died early, he was the oldest living son of the king in the middle and late July Monarchy, and his power and influence were naturally hot.

After the July Monarchy fell under the bombardment of the February Revolution, his status collapsed with the dynasty and he was forced to go into exile. Although the French government later abolished the decree prohibiting the former royal family, he never returned to France due to various realities.

His mansion was famous for its luxury in the past July Monarchy era, and grand banquets were often held at that time to entertain guests and envoys from various countries. Although Charles had never had the opportunity to enter it, he had heard about its furnishings many times in the social scene. After the revolution, it was confiscated by the government and became a public asset.

And now, this mansion is going to be awarded to him by Louis-Bonaparte?

That's right, this is a reward - since Louis Bonaparte himself has spoken, the so-called purchase must be just a symbolic price, just a name to shut the public up.

This is really an incredible reward...

However, Charles did not feel much excitement at the moment.

Because he could see clearly that Louis-Bonaparte had other intentions besides rewarding himself for his contributions.

Prince Jules-Jourville was not a small character who could be manipulated at will. With Louis-Philippe dead and his eldest grandson, Count Paris, still young, he could be said to be the leader of the entire Orleans faction. It could even be said that he was one of the spiritual leaders of Bonaparte and Charles' political enemies.

Louis-Bonaparte was going to give Charles the mansion he left behind again. First, it was definitely to show his importance to Charles; second...it was obvious that this move was to deepen the hatred between his favorite and the Orleans royal family, making it even more impossible for Charles to compromise with the Orleans royal family in secret and to tie Charles more firmly to his hands.

At the same time, there was another effect.

He rewarded Charles in front of so many generals, which could arouse their desire for fame and fortune and make them more loyal to him - he told these generals that as long as they followed me, they could get everything.

As for whether it would arouse others' jealousy towards Charles, that was not something he needed to worry about.

He was indeed an emperor who could rule this country for twenty years, even a few years longer than his genius uncle! Charles couldn't help but laugh in his heart.

However, even if he knew Louis Bonaparte's thoughts, Charles did not intend to refuse this reward - he had no reason to refuse the reward from his master, and he did not take the Orleans royal family seriously at all.

Humph, the residence of a former prince can barely be used as a wedding room, Charles thought.

The Orleans family's resentment? Bah, I will make them never return to their country!

Charlotte would definitely be very happy. She could get such a grand and exquisite mansion without spending much money. With a little repair and reconstruction, it could become a residence envied by everyone in the upper class, which would satisfy her at least.

What's more, she could severely humiliate the Orleans royal family she hated...

That's great.

Sugar-coated bullets... Just throw them at me, I can eat them all! I can eat as much as I want!

With such pride, he bowed humbly to Louis-Bonaparte.

"Thank you for your care, sir, she will be very grateful to you!"

He was indeed very grateful to Louis-Bonaparte, no matter how many purposes Louis-Bonaparte had, this was a great reward.

As for Charlotte... No wonder. (To be continued...)

!!