Flowers, Swords and France

With the warm spring days, spring has left more and more traces on the ground, with bright green everywhere, and everything is full of vitality.

Under the care of the cool and bright spring breeze, the Fontainebleau Garden is already full of flowers, with blooming flowers everywhere, making it a place for ladies from afar to take a walk.

These ladies are wearing fashionable bright dresses, holding umbrellas in their hands, walking in groups of three or two between the paths and flower beds. In addition to chatting with each other, they are also accompanied by some young and handsome officers or well-dressed diplomats to cheer for them, with constant laughter and joy.

In the fields outside the garden, the horse race is still going on. Every round has the neighing of horses and the cheers of the audience, making the garden even more noisy and no longer quiet as usual.

In the depths of the garden, the flowers and trees blooming everywhere are like green walls, isolating the surrounding noise. If you stop and look around, you can see the blue sky and the beautifully shaped palaces, which makes you feel more relaxed and happy.

At this time, Charles stayed in a pavilion in the deepest part of the garden with a group of people. Next to him was the gurgling water of the fountain, which was like the scene of The Wizard of Oz. He talked happily with these people, as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years.

"Hahaha!" The middle-aged man sitting opposite Charles suddenly laughed, "So, Your Majesty has made this smart Russian ambassador laugh?"

"That's right," Charles nodded with a smile, "The ambassador is still waiting to sign an agreement with us to coordinate positions and take joint actions... I believe he will be surprised when the time comes."

"Yes, we want him to be surprised!" The middle-aged man raised his hand, then clenched his fist and waved it heavily, "Then give them this!"

The middle-aged man was wearing a navy uniform, with a red ribbon slung from his shoulders to his waist, and a medal hanging on his chest. Unlike ordinary people of this era, he also shaved his beard clean, which made him look more serious and a little more imposing.

Such a tough military demeanor, coupled with a high nose and a serious expression, made him look like a battle-hardened naval commander who had served at sea for many years.

Unfortunately, he never served in the navy for a day, although he is now the Minister of the Navy of the Empire.

His name is Jean-Étienne-Theodore Ducot. He was born into a merchant family in Bordeaux and became a shipowner in that port city after he became an adult. In his previous business career, he accumulated some wealth and also accumulated some fame in the local area. Relying on these fame, in the turbulent revolutionary year of 1848, he became a member of the National Assembly after election and joined the political circle of Paris.

Like many of his peers, this Ducot did not have any political beliefs, nor did he insist on the proposition of republicanism. Instead, he tried his best to seek a better political position for himself. At this time, Louis-Bonaparte returned to the country and succeeded in the presidential election with an overwhelming advantage, which made him see a rising star and the hope of a smooth rise.

After Louis-Bonaparte was elected president, he immediately surrendered to His Excellency the President, and President Louis-Bonaparte, who was suffering from too few party members at the time, immediately accepted the surrender of this congressman. Then, Senator Dickos served him and cheered for him, which made the President have great influence in the National Assembly.

His political investment was not wasted. Later, Louis-Bonaparte took power everywhere through a series of actions, and finally launched a coup and became the emperor of the empire. After the reconstruction of the empire, the first thing was to reward the people who had served the president before.

Although Dickos was a latecomer and not a Bonaparte party member, because of his early experience as a shipowner, some maritime experience, and extraordinary ability, His Majesty the Emperor directly appointed him as the Minister of the Imperial Navy - allowing him to bypass a large number of confidants and get such an important position. Such favor and trust are really rare.

Although the navy was initially skeptical about a minister who had never served, the minister quickly dispelled their doubts after he took office in the Ministry of the Navy.

Although this minister did not serve at sea, his enthusiasm for the navy is unquestionable. As soon as he arrived at the Navy Department, he set an example and required his subordinates to work with the highest enthusiasm and efficiency, sweeping away the previous procrastination in the government. He also used all his influence to advocate that the empire needs to build a world-class navy and must have the best and strongest warships to protect the people and interests of the empire.

With his full support, the budget for the navy has increased year by year in recent years, and His Majesty the Emperor has also spoken personally several times, saying that the previous regime's policy of not paying enough attention to the navy should be changed, and a world-renowned navy should be established for the French Empire.

With a huge budget and the support of His Majesty the Emperor himself, the strength of the navy has begun to grow greatly in recent years, with more and more new ships being built, and there will be even larger shipbuilding plans in the future, which can almost be comparable to the British Navy.

After receiving such encouragement, the navy began to put aside their previous prejudices and instead admired the Minister of the Navy, believing that he was the best Minister of the Navy in decades.

Now Charles took advantage of this opportunity of everyone gathering in Fontainebleau to chat with the minister. Although it was strange why Ciel specifically wanted to meet with him, as soon as he received Ciel's invitation, the minister immediately put aside the affairs around him and came to the garden to meet with Ciel.

As soon as they met, the Minister of the Navy was the first to ask about the meeting between the Russian Minister and His Majesty the Emperor yesterday.

Although no one else knows that the empire is preparing to go to war with Russia, as the navy minister of the empire, he certainly knows about it and is one of the main people in charge. So after hearing that His Majesty received the Russian ambassador, he Naturally, he was worried and asked about it as soon as he saw Ciel.

After Charles told the Minister of the Navy the whole story and His Majesty's plans, the Minister felt relieved and continued to speak harshly to the Russians.

"We will not reveal the answer to the Russians until the last moment and have a showdown with them. However, our preparations cannot be delayed until then. We must complete them first." Seeing the minister so excited, Charles couldn't help but remind him. One sentence.

"You don't have to worry about this. I can't guarantee you anything else. I can only guarantee you the things I'm responsible for - we are really ready, not only externally but also internally." The minister looked at Charles very seriously, "Ever since I became Lord of the Navy, what I have been thinking about every day is how to improve the navy's combat readiness. In the past few years, I have kept pushing the navy. Now they are all in high spirits and waiting at any time. Let’s fight for the empire!”

"Where's the British side?" Charles was much calmer. "Without their cooperation at sea, I'm afraid there might be some trouble."

"Of course, we have been coordinating with the British recently, and we have even conducted actual combat exercises several times. Now, if necessary, we will soon be able to form a joint fleet and then move to the Mediterranean together -" Pause After a moment, the minister added, "Even if we move into the Black Sea, I think the Russian fleet in those places cannot match our combined fleet. It is expected that by then, we will definitely gain complete control of the sea."

The Lord Admiralty has no doubts about the prospects of the British-French combined fleet, which is normal. In this era, the British Royal Navy can be said to be out of control. It is the most powerful maritime force in the world and can overwhelm any enemy country. Although France cannot compare with the British navy, it It can also be said to be the second strongest maritime force. When these two naval forces are combined, even if they cannot send all the fleets to Russia, they can overwhelm all Russian surface fleets and gain complete freedom of action. If they do not have this confidence, He is no longer worthy of this ministerial position.

If someone else had spoken so impassionedly, Charles might still have some doubts, but Charles had no doubts about what the minister said, because he was known for his ability.

In the original historical line, he assisted Emperor Napoleon III in formulating a huge naval development plan, and also personally supervised the development of the surface fleet. However, he himself died violently in the Admiralty Office due to overwork in 1855. It can be said to be a painstaking effort.

It was precisely because of his efforts that during the imperial era, the French navy developed a huge surface force and technologically advanced steam warships, which put great pressure on the British. So no matter what, Ciel trusts him very much when it comes to naval affairs.

"That's great." Ciel nodded, looking very pleased. "Don't worry, I will continue to support the navy. I think the empire needs the most powerful navy so that it can be commensurate with the empire's status."

"We need young heroes like you, Your Excellency." The Navy Minister beamed.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

He also had a good impression of Charles. After he became minister, every time he requested a budget from His Majesty the Emperor, Charles would help him and use all his resources to help him. It was precisely because of Charles' With help, the minister's naval reconstruction plan will go so smoothly, and naval bases everywhere will be given a new look in just a few years.

So now Minister Treville's reputation in the navy is quite good. Compared with his reputation in other places, it can be said to be worlds apart. The Minister of the Navy has also become his good friend.

"Actually, regarding this issue, I also have something to ask you." Charles suddenly changed the subject.

"What's the matter? Just tell me." Because he was in a good mood, the minister was very talkative. "I can help you with anything I can do."

"My cousin Eugene, do you still remember him?" Charles asked immediately.

"Oh..." After thinking for a while, the minister nodded, "I remember that he was a good boy. What happened to him?"

Charlotte's younger brother Eugene has always longed for the sea. After his grandfather passed away, he asked his sister and brother-in-law to join the navy. Charlotte couldn't help but finally agreed to his opinion, and then asked Charles to explain the situation to the navy.

After learning about Ciel's request, the Navy was also very embarrassed because they were afraid that this boy from the Treville family was a second-generation ancestor who only knew how to eat, drink and have fun, and would do bad things in the Navy. However, because of Ciel's face, the minister still agreed. Come down.

Initially, they planned to put this relative in the port as a civilian official, but in the end, at the strong request of Eugene himself, they had to send him to a warship of the Mediterranean Fleet as an officer.

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, this young member of the Treville family did not have the arrogance of a wealthy family. Instead, he was a very humble and enthusiastic person, and obeyed orders, so they secretly breathed a sigh of relief and admired the Treville family even more.

Now after hearing Charles mention him, the minister quickly thought of him.

"My younger brother recently asked me for help. He wants to be a captain." After hesitating for a moment, Charles whispered this request. "I would like to ask you to help him fulfill his wish."

After hearing Charles' request, the minister's smile immediately disappeared, and he looked embarrassed, "This... is not good, right?"

"What's wrong?" Charles asked with a smile. (~^~)