Flowers, Swords and France

Although Ciel's attitude towards the Queen and even the words he said were very inconsistent with the etiquette that a courtier should have, at this time, Her Majesty Queen Kalona had no time to pay attention to Ciel's attitude.

Because Ciel's words were like a biting cold wind, sending the cruel reality in front of the young Queen, and forcing her worries that had been deeply hidden in her heart to surface.

As Charles said, although she is now rich and glorious, she is nothing more than a rootless duckweed. She may not be able to withstand too many hardships in the face of real wind and rain. To solve this problem, she can only rely on a queen. The traditional method is to give birth to an heir worthy of inheriting the empire, and let oneself rely on the future emperor to stabilize his position.

Of course, just giving birth to a child is not completely enough. She also needs powerful people in the court to support her, and Charles's statement is tantamount to ensuring that she, like her wife Charlotte, will continue to be the same as before. I am willing to serve Her Majesty the Queen before and after the horse, so that she can truly be the mother of the world.

Under the gaze of Her Majesty the Queen, Ciel slowly put back his smile.

"How is it, Your Majesty? Now I think you have fully understood everything I said, right? I think if you look at these suggestions of mine rationally, then you can see that there are only good intentions and no malice in them. Someone who has ill intentions towards you will never say anything that might upset you.”

Her Majesty the Queen's face was still very ugly, even a little painful, but at least she was not as angry as before.

She frowned and her eyes wandered around, as if her mind was very confused, but she couldn't find any support and could only endure the troubles and suffering in her heart.

"Is this my fault? Don't I want to bring a successor to this country?" With a hint of shame and resentment, but also some depression and unwillingness. "What's the point of you accusing me?"

"No one has accused you, Your Majesty, and I don't think you have done anything wrong." Charles shook his head gently, "But you also know that there is no right or wrong in many things in the world. Once you don't If you meet the expectations of some people, then these people will think that... you have at least failed to fulfill your obligations."

The queen's breathing became rapid. She wanted to say something, but in the end she said nothing.

Yes, what’s the point of this excuse? Neither her husband's age nor the physical damage caused by his privately dissolute lifestyle can be the reason for her failure to fulfill her obligations - at least to the world.

Reasons are meaningless, results are meaningful.

She suddenly realized that she looked too out of place in front of this minister, and the last thing she wanted was to lose her dignity.

"So now, I really think there is no need for you to interfere in His Majesty's affairs - firstly, this will affect His Majesty's mood and add turmoil to your married life with His Majesty the Emperor; secondly, you should not do it Something that is strenuous and has no benefits will make you look unwise." Seeing that the other party was already interested, Ciel continued, "You should...should try to maintain a good relationship with His Majesty and strive to...as soon as possible. Well...well...I think you understand."

Ciel knew that it was enough to talk about the matter at this point. If it were said any more, it would be considered obscene. There were still people watching outside, so he didn't dare to really cause any trouble.

"Okay, I understand everything you said." The Queen straightened her face again, and her tone returned to the arrogance and indifference that a Queen should have, "Thank you for your kindness, I will consider your suggestions carefully. "

When the Queen said this, Ciel finally felt relieved.

Although the queen was very angry with him, she was still a wise person after all. She assessed the situation wisely and realized that her position was indeed unstable and she urgently needed the support of others. Therefore, no matter how dazzling Charles was, she still had to endure her temper. Hang out with this family.

Charles didn't know if she would really follow his advice and turn a blind eye to His Majesty the Emperor's private affairs, but at least now the Queen would no longer force him to do something he didn't want to do like she did just now.

Her Majesty the Queen sat thoughtfully on the sofa, her face pale and silent, and she was worried, and Charles also knew that it was time for him to say goodbye.

He bowed again, said goodbye to Her Majesty the Queen, then turned around and walked back.

Just as he came to the door, he suddenly turned back and gave his last suggestion to Her Majesty the Queen.

"Your Majesty, considering His Majesty the Emperor's current living habits and status, I think it would be best for you to choose some famous doctors for him and take good care of his body... After all, at His Majesty's age, there is really nothing he can do about his energy and youth. Comparison, maybe you need What more needs to be done to achieve the goal, and it is best to do it as soon as possible - if you want us to help, I can also secretly find a good doctor for you and recommend it to Your Majesty... You know, I will keep some things secret , and then do it properly.”

He stretched out his index finger, pointed at his abdomen, and then immediately pretended to have done nothing and left the room, leaving behind Her Majesty the Queen, who looked very ugly.

The last sentence was meant to continue to mock Her Majesty the Queen, and it was also meant to be serious, because considering His Majesty the Emperor's current age, his fertility is indeed somewhat worrying - he is now in his forties, and his fertility is already deteriorating. In the original history, his romantic life also caused his body functions to deteriorate irreversibly, especially kidney failure, which eventually took his life.

In the previous world, although Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie gave birth to an only son as the heir, everything is brand new in this world now. It is Empress Caroline who married His Majesty the Emperor. Who can guarantee that everything will proceed as it was? Moreover, even at that time, Napoleon III only gave birth to one child with Eugenie, and never gave birth to other children.

In other words, from a logical point of view, there is a great possibility that His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Queen will really not leave any offspring.

This cannot be ignored.

At least we should be prepared in advance, and not panic when the time comes.

With this thought in mind, Charles walked through the corridor of the Fontainebleau Palace with an extremely serious expression, and his heart was heavy.

It was already evening, and the noise in the garden had become much more low-key. After passing through the scattered sound of the palace, it sounded like a whisper from underground in Charles' ears, which was sharp and annoying.

The setting sun stretched the trees in the garden and the spires of the houses very long, swaying on the windows next to them like ghosts, adding a bit of gloom to the palace in the evening. In a trance, Charles felt as if he had come to a bizarre fantasy, not a place where he had lived for a while before.

Whether in ancient or modern times, at home and abroad, the issue of the succession rights of a country's monarch is the most important issue. Now as an imperial minister, he will inevitably be dragged into such a vortex and participate in this struggle.

Fortunately, this is not the most urgent issue at the moment, and he still has time to solve it.

With these heavy thoughts, he returned to his room.

When he was in charge of the renovation project at the Palace of Fontainebleau, he lived in the bedroom of the Pope. Now, of course, he can't get such treatment, but the room he is temporarily living in is still in a very good location.

When he returned to the room, he found that his cousin Philip had also returned.

Because of the previous incident, Philip temporarily unloaded his previous job and became an idler again. And he naturally didn't want to be lonely, so he chose to follow Charles's arrangement and help him do things. When Charles came to Fontainebleau, he also came here, not only as a guest, but also took the horse raised at home as a rider to participate in the horse racing here.

However, although Philip is proficient in riding, he is certainly not comparable to those professional riders. He participated in horse racing just to relieve boredom and show his face in front of the public, and he didn't expect to win any competition.

Because of Charles's face, he was different from other people who came here. He also got a rest room in the Palace of Fontainebleau, right next to Charles.

When Charles came back, he finished today's game and returned to his room to rest. He was a little tired because he had spent too much energy on horse racing. After returning here, he changed his clothes and rested.

But before he could fully recover from his fatigue, his cousin who was the minister of the empire had him called to his place.

With a full heart of doubts, he came to Charles' room.

When he came here, Charles was sitting on the seat by the window, looking at the sunset scenery in the garden outside.

After hearing the footsteps, Charles turned around and looked at Philip, and then laughed.

"Philip, please sit down!"

Although his tone and attitude were very gentle, there was a little bit of commanding attitude.

Philip also obeyed his words and walked to the seat in front of him and sat down.

Originally, he was an arrogant and reckless person, but now in front of Charles, he no longer looked so domineering, and was as cautious as a student listening to a lecture.

This is quite normal. Although Philippe's personality is not very good, he is still quite smart. He knows that he has encountered setbacks now. Although his safety is not a problem, his future is already precarious. Therefore, if he wants to get rich again, he can only please his brother-in-law.

"Philippe, how was your fun today?" Charles asked with a smile after Philippe sat down. "Did you win the game?"

"I had a good time... But you know, my riding skills are just so-so, and I don't plan to be more outstanding." Philippe also answered with a smile. "I used to be very interested in this kind of entertainment, but now I don't have much enthusiasm..."

Although he seemed careless on the surface, he was secretly muttering in his heart what this cousin wanted to do with him.

Since the last time at Charles's house, Charles said that he would take him to work, but he has not been assigned any tasks during this period. He can only stay at home to eat, drink and have fun. Although he dared not express his opinions, he was already a little impatient in his heart. Today, Charles took him to the Palace of Fontainebleau, and his heart became eager again.

It was precisely because of this mentality that he deliberately emphasized to Charles that he was no longer the young master who was frustrated with playing with things, and was ready to do things seriously.

Naturally, Ciel could hear his statement.

"Oh? That's a pity... Actually, I really want to compete, but I don't have the time." Ciel smiled calmly, "However, it's not bad for you. At our age, it's time to settle down a little bit. Damn, we can’t play like we did in the past.”

So what are you going to do with me? Hurry up!

Philip didn't ask this question, but he looked at Charles eagerly, and no one could mistake his eagerness.

"Yes, Charles, after all the previous turmoil, I have figured it out now... I can no longer live the way I did in the past. I have to be serious and shoulder the responsibility of the family. I can't let my parents down anymore." He Looking at Ciel, his eyes were very sincere, "From now on, I will do everything seriously, make up for all the time I wasted, and become a useful talent to the country like you."

After hearing Philip's words of compliment and loyalty, Charles couldn't help laughing.

"It's great that you can say that. Charlotte and your father should be very happy. However, Philip, you don't have to be discouraged. You are still young now and there are still many opportunities to make up for the previous losses..."

Charles deliberately prolonged his voice, which whetted Philip's appetite.

"Then...what are you going to ask me to do? Charles?" Although Phillip didn't want to appear too eager, he couldn't help but ask.

Charles was silent for a moment, then raised his head, looking at the setting sun that had turned golden red and was about to sink under the green mountains in the distance, as if he was sighing at the beautiful scenery.

After a while, he spoke again, "Philip, I tell you something, you have to keep it a secret now."

"Okay, I will keep it a secret, tell me." Phillip felt that he had seen the light and nodded immediately.

"If we can't survive, we may have to go to war with Russia. Of course, it will not be a fight on the national border, but an expedition, to fight at the door of the Russians. This will be the largest expedition in the history of France. "Char looked out the window, and then whispered as if he was talking in his sleep. "This will be the most glorious action of the empire. The empire will sweep away the decadence of the two dynasties of Bourbon and Orleans in the previous forty years, and let the Russians see the power of the French nation in an upright manner..."

If he were a passionate young man or an officer in the army, he would definitely be very excited when he heard what Charles said, but Philip was not, so he was a little surprised.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Are you asking me to go to the battlefield?

This is not possible!

Phillip suddenly panicked.

Charles kept paying attention to Philip's reaction from the corner of his eye, but he remained calm.

"In such a great operation, it is impossible for our Treville family to be absent - my grandfather will go there as the commander of the expeditionary force, and we must also participate with our own enthusiasm. Only in this way can we You can prove that you are worthy of your current status, right? Don’t forget how many wars our ancestors have participated in!”

Then, he turned back and looked at Phillip firmly.

"Philip, are you ready to serve your country at such a critical juncture?"

Philip was frightened by Charles' question.

He had been living happily for so many years, how could he ever think of going to the battlefield to fight? Who is willing to go to a remote place to endure hardships and risk his life?

And it didn't look like Ciel was joking, which frightened him.

"Char... I... of course I love the motherland, and... I also want to serve the country..." Because he was so flustered, he could not speak clearly now, "But you also know, I am The eldest son of the Treville family, the obligations...the obligations are too heavy. I cannot waste my life. I want to inherit and prosper this family..."

He hurriedly looked for excuses for himself, fearing that he would be sent to a distant battlefield by his brother-in-law and uncle.

Charles remained silent the whole time, watching his embarrassment and couldn't help but laugh in his heart.

It's a shame that you can give so many high-sounding reasons. Isn't it just that you are afraid of going to the battlefield?

"Philip, the ancestors are waiting for us." In order to make Philip more nervous, he deliberately added another sentence. "Can you bear to let down their souls in heaven? You just said that you want to bid farewell to the absurd past and seriously do something meaningful. What is more meaningful than serving the country?"

"Char, I...of course I am willing to serve the country, but there are many ways to serve the country. There is no need to join the war!" Philip hurriedly defended himself, "Besides, you see, Eugène doesn't really want to go. The army? You can let Eugene go to fight, isn't this just what he wants? And I... I can stay in France, serve you, and make my own contribution to the continuation of our Treville family..."

"Haha..." Seeing the other party's anxious look, Charles finally couldn't help laughing. "Phillip, don't be nervous. Since you don't want to go, well, I won't force you."

After all, this was a bad joke. He had never planned to force Philip to join the army to fight - otherwise, his wife and father-in-law would not be able to spare him.

Hearing Charles say this, Phillip finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"But..." Charles suddenly changed the topic at this time, "What you said is also true. Even if you don't go to the battlefield, you can still serve the country."

Philip, who had just calmed down from the shock, became nervous again, but what Charles gave him next was good news.

"You also know that fighting is not only a matter of the front line, but the rear is also very important. Especially in this case of an expedition abroad, logistics support is the top priority, and there is no room for any mistakes." Charles said calmly. , "As the Minister of Transportation of the Empire, I am naturally responsible for maintaining the logistics of the army. This is what I just said. Like my grandfather, I will do my best to serve the country and fulfill the obligations of our family..."

Maintenance logistics? Do you want me to be the quartermaster? Is this what Ciel plans to do for me?

Oh my gosh! This is great!

Phillip felt energetic now, sweeping away the panic and haze just now.

This is quite normal. Since ancient times, quartermasters have been in great vacancy, especially for such large-scale expeditions, which cost countless amounts of money. If he can participate in it, then God knows how much benefit he can get from it? What's more, when the time comes, he will still have ministers as his backers, so he can do whatever he wants.

His blood boiled at the thought.

"Char, you can trust me on this... I can help you serve the country and do everything in my power to ensure the supply of military supplies for the army..."

"If you are asked to be in charge of military supplies, can you guarantee that there will be no problems?" Charles asked with a smile.

This question is indeed difficult for Philip to answer. If he answers no, he is obviously bragging. If he answers yes, how can he ask for an official position from his brother-in-law?

"Charle, nothing in the world is guaranteed to go wrong, so I can't guarantee you that everything will go without any obstacles." After thinking about it for a moment, Philip replied to Charles, "But I can promise that I will listen to you. Order, follow all your instructions... As long as you hand over the matter to me, I will do it well. "

Given his status, saying this could be said to be groveling to Ciel.

But even if he said this, Charles didn't dare to agree. He knew Philip's character, he was greedy and arrogant. If he was asked to be the quartermaster, it would be like putting a mouse in a rice barn.

It would be fine if he was greedy for money, but military supplies were so important. If he really made a mistake, it would be such a big mess that even Ciel wouldn't dare to do it.

"Philip, the supply of the army is a very important matter. It is easy for you to mess up things if you are born halfway. When the time comes, you will cause trouble for everyone, and any of us will be in big trouble..." Charles shook his head and rejected Philip's suggestion. proposal.

Then, he expressed his thoughts, "However, I think you can serve the country as a supervisor."

"Supervisor?" Philip was a little surprised.

"Yes, now that the war is imminent, the production and transportation of military supplies are the top priority, so I will set up a special department in the ministry to supervise the production and transportation of supplies, and report to me from time to time, so that Keep the transportation of supplies smooth, but this department The door will not interfere with specific affairs and material distribution," Charles patiently explained to his cousin, "As you can imagine, such a department has very heavy responsibilities and heavy responsibilities, so I think I must arrange something that can be trusted and have people who are responsible for it. People with brains do it, and I think that’s who you are…”

Then he added another sentence. "If you do well, His Majesty will also commend you when the time comes."

This is indeed Charles's plan. After the war breaks out, logistics work will become very important, and he must try his best to keep everything under control. The production and transportation of materials are of course the first step. He must let People help him to supervise the normal operation of all work.

Philip's mind is not bad, and he has had a troubled future recently. He definitely hopes to do something to restore his reputation and future, so he should try his best to help Ciel to achieve his goal - not to mention, he is still Ciel's Relatives are also very convenient to monitor.

Although Philip would definitely find a way to make some money in such a position, it was better than letting him be responsible for military supplies. After observing his cousin's performance recently, Charles finally made up his mind.

After Charles finished speaking, he kept looking at Phillip, waiting for his reply.

Although Phillip was a little disappointed, after thinking about it carefully, he felt that this arrangement was good - at least he could clean up the previous labels on himself and re-enter the house.

Moreover, judging from the expression on his brother-in-law's face, if he didn't agree, he might not be able to get better arrangements in the future.

In this case, he no longer hesitated.

"Okay, Charles, I will definitely listen to you!"

"That's good." Charles laughed again, "I will arrange for you to have capable people in the ministry to assist you, and we will start right away." (~^~)