Flowers, Swords and France

When Russia began to prepare for the terrible winter, France, far to the west of the European continent, also began to fall into the embrace of the cold wave. Because of the cold wind blowing from the north, the temperature near Paris dropped very quickly. Before people could come to their senses, the streets were already bleak.

However, this time is also the most active time in the social world, because in this season people are more willing to gather together and use laughter and excitement to dispel the cold.

It was also from the beginning of winter that famous salons were opened one after another, and prestigious social gatherings continued. Countless gossips and scandals were also circulated on the streets and by people's mouths, and the front page headlines of various newspapers began to be guaranteed.

However, unlike other popular places in the social world, the Palais des Papes-Les Jardins, which is usually crowded with people, fell into silence today in an unusual way.

There were guards standing guard around the palace, and there were very few pedestrians on the streets. Even the curtains were all drawn, not letting in a single light. There was a quiet and even strange atmosphere everywhere.

In this silence, Charles de Treville, the Minister of Transportation of the Empire, rode his luxurious carriage through the guard post and the gate in the wall, and drove directly into the garden in the front yard of the palace.

His attitude was the same as the atmosphere here, with a hint of indifference in his silence, and a faint smile on the corner of his mouth. After years of teaching by his grandfather, after years of experience in the social world, and after the habits formed by his high position during this period of time, he can now use this smile very skillfully.

It was not until the carriage stopped that the minister was slightly moved and walked out of the carriage leisurely.

A group of guards saluted him respectfully, and a servant in an old red livery uniform bowed deeply to him, and then led the minister forward in silence.

Charles did not respond to the salutes of the guards, nor did he communicate with the servants. He just followed behind step by step with indifference. It was as quiet as before, with only the sound of Charles's cane tapping the ground.

Since Louis Bonaparte rebuilt the empire through a coup and became the emperor of the empire, these confidants around him have stepped to the front, reaped the fruits of victory, and occupied a series of important political and economic positions.

And their victory will naturally be reflected in their lives. In just over a year, these once almost penniless ambitious people have moved into luxurious residences and even palaces-Charles moved into the mansion that used to belong to the prince, and the Palace of Paler-Lejar fell into the hands of Prince Joseph Bonaparte.

This palace originally belonged to the king of the old dynasty, but it had never been taken seriously. Since Joseph Bonaparte moved in, he spent a lot of money and energy to renovate the palace and make it as magnificent as he wanted.

There is no doubt that these new dignitaries of the country who have lived a life of wealth and glory so quickly will naturally cause private criticism from the public and the media, but this cannot be said to be "corrupted" because these people originally gathered together for wealth and glory and seized the power of a country.

However, when Charles walked through the front yard and came to the steps of the palace, this silence was finally broken.

"Charles!" Prince Joseph Bonaparte, the owner of the Paler-Lejar Palace, greeted him very enthusiastically, and then half-huggled his hands, as if they were old friends who had reunited after many years. "We have been waiting for you for a long time!"

Charles did not particularly like this overly enthusiastic approach, not to mention that he did not like Joseph Bonaparte. He knew that the other party did not really like him, so to be honest, Charles was going to block his hand when he just stretched it out - but Charles did not do so. After all, he was a minister and the other party was a prince, and neither of them could lose face.

So, his face almost instantly showed the same enthusiastic smile as the other party, and then he also hugged the other party's hands.

"Sorry, Joseph, although I postponed all the schedules today, transportation still needs some time... But I hope I didn't spoil everyone's mood too much."

"You are the Minister of Transportation of the Empire, but you are also burdened by traffic on the road. This is not acceptable, right?" Joseph Bonaparte joked with a smile, "Now you know the voice of the people, right? We must change this situation."

"Please rest assured about this. We have been working hard to solve the regrettable traffic situation in the capital as soon as possible..." Charles took the opportunity to let go of the other party's hand while speaking, "It is expected that this situation will be alleviated in a short time-of course, it is impossible to solve it completely."

"You always say that it is expected to be soon, expected to be soon, but nothing has changed year after year..." Joseph Bonaparte was still teasing, but his steps had already started to move, and he took Charles into his palace, "As a result, the real estate was hyped up by you, but the transportation conditions have not improved at all..."

"Isn't this a good thing?" Charles asked back.

"Hahahaha..." Then the two laughed at the same time.

When they walked into the hall of Palle-Leyard Palace, Charles found that several people had indeed come here. Everyone's expressions were very calm. Although they had not been in power for a long time, these people had grown up a little. He showed the kind of style that high-ranking and powerful people should have.

But some people have style and ability, and some people just have style.

As Charles knew, His Royal Highness Prince Jérôme Bonaparte, the father of Prince Joseph Bonaparte, was also here today. He sat upright and talked and laughed with the people next to him from time to time.

As the youngest brother of Emperor Napoleon, the former King of Westphalia, Jérôme Bonaparte, has always been known for his dissoluteness. Although he has now become the eldest member of the Bonaparte family and should be highly respected, he still He has an easy-going personality as before and doesn't put on any airs. He likes to entertain guests and talk to people.

Even though he arrived here today, he still did not change his usual behavior and chatted happily with the people next to him. He was a bit fat, and with the smile on his face, he looked like a cheerful grocery store owner, and there was no hint of the murderous aura in his brother.

Judging from Joseph Bonaparte's expression, he didn't seem to like his father's lack of formality. In his view, their family had become a real royal family and they should behave like royalty to others. But he could only grit his teeth and endure it, watching his father talk to others without caring about his image.

"Ciel!" When he noticed that Ciel was approaching, the prince almost shouted in joy, and then waved his hand towards Ciel.

"Long time no see, Your Highness." Charles followed his greeting and walked next to him and saluted him.

When Charles sat down, the prince looked at Charles' face with a smile for a while, and then suddenly lowered his voice with a mysterious look.

"Young man, I have noticed that you are becoming more and more handsome recently. What, are you happy in love? Have you got a few more lovers?"

"You...you are wrong. I'm busy with work right now and don't have the energy to do this kind of thing." Charlton felt a little embarrassed at the moment and quickly waved his hand to deny it, "Did you hear the rumor somewhere?"

"Who dares to tell rumors about you in front of me?" The prince laughed, "I saw it directly! Don't forget, I am also your senior, and there was a person like me in the entertainment circle back then. , I can see that proud look right away - okay, stop hiding and tell me honestly, what kind of captives have you got recently?"

"There's really nothing to say about this kind of thing." Ciel became even more embarrassed and just shook his head in denial.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

"Hey, why are young people so reserved?" Prince Jérôme picked up the wine glass and drank a sip of wine for himself. "What's so taboo about this kind of thing? You should have fun when you are young! I am getting older too. , otherwise I would have gone to play with you a long time ago, and there would be no need to ask... Charles, listen to my advice, you should indulge yourself when you are young, lest it be too late to play when you are older..."

"Thank you... thank you..." Charles didn't know what to say.

He decided to change the subject, "Can you tell me why you called me here today?"

"Actually, it's mainly because we haven't been together for a long time, and I want to meet you." The old prince replied pretending to be mysterious. "Of course... at the same time, I also want you young people to unify your opinions and don't always act on your own."

"Just do what you want?" Charles was a little confused.

"Yes... you see, since we rebuilt the empire, everyone has become more powerful, everyone has become a national important person, and everyone has to avoid it when walking. It is inevitable that everyone is a little arrogant, isn't it?" Prince Jérôme He placed the wine glass in his hand on the table again. "Actually, it doesn't matter. You have put in so much energy and sweat for the empire. The empire should let you enjoy what you deserve...but...if we always do our own thing, Bustraba will not be satisfied."

"Bustraba? Who?" Charles didn't react for a moment.

"That means our Emperor." His Highness the Prince shrugged and said with a smile. "You don't know yet, right? This is a new nickname for him among the people, because he has been to Boulogne before, then to Strasbourg, and finally to Paris... This nickname is quite interesting, isn't it?"

"Uh..." After hearing His Highness the Prince's joke, Ciel's face suddenly turned ugly.

His mind was very flexible. When he heard this nickname and heard His Royal Highness the Prince's explanation of it, he quickly understood that this nickname was an allusion to the great achievements of his Majesty the Emperor - Napoleon III in Strasbourg. (October 30, 1836) and Boulogne (August 6, 1840) held riots, and then finally succeeded in the coup in Paris and became the emperor of the French Empire.

Obviously this is a mocking nickname, but considering the status of Emperor Bonaparte among the people, especially in the hearts of the citizens, it is not surprising that such a mocking nickname appears, but... on such an occasion It's really brave enough to dare to talk about this ironic nickname as a joke.

Only as the uncle of His Majesty the Emperor, he is qualified to say such words on such an occasion... Charles did not dare to continue, so he just smiled.

At this time, Charles also found that because of Prince Jerome's loud talking and laughing, other people also cast sharp eyes over, trying to find out something useful from Prince Jerome's words.

But Prince Jerome seemed not to notice this and smiled.

"You mean to ask everyone to coordinate, not... well, not to get involved with each other and hinder each other's work, right?" Charles thought for a while, then asked again.

"Hey, a pedant like you is too careful with your words, it sounds roundabout." Prince Jerome smiled and shook his head, "But I'll still say it in a simple way - now it's time for everyone to divide the territory, and I... am the oldest Bonaparte now, my words are still valid, I will guarantee you." (~^~)