Charles had never expected that he would be able to talk so happily with Julie, and that the eldest lady would be much more clever and intelligent than he had always thought. However, he didn't talk to Julie for too long, after all, she had just become a mother and needed a good rest.

When she came out of her room, Charles was in a good mood. It's a great thing to be able to get such a clear promise from Julie to find a future helper for yourself, no matter how you look at it.

Just as he was about to go to his sister, an old servant in uniform suddenly walked up to him.

"Sir, are you free now? I want to see you. ”

Although it was an inquiring tone, there was always an unquestionable tone in his words, and his demeanor was both humble and had the arrogance peculiar to the personal servants of a large family.

"The Count wants to see me?" Charles was a little surprised, but he quickly reacted and nodded, "Okay, of course, I have time." ”

Since they have already come to see the eldest lady, it is not a big deal to go and see the earl himself again.

He then followed the servant down the corridor to the bedroom where the aged Dillieon lived.

This was the first time Charles had visited the former keeper of the seals, and unexpectedly, the decoration was not extravagant, except for various documents, only a few knick-knacks such as clocks and vases, which were both solemn and elegant. Next to the large bookshelf was a chaise longue that was swaying slightly, and the Count of Dillion was lying on it. With his eyes slightly closed, he seemed to be resting.

The servant brought Charles with him, and then saluted the Count. Then he walked away.

The Count opened his eyes slightly, then his face moved slightly, and he laughed.

"Mr. Treville, are you still having fun at my house today?"

Although he tried to show his affection, there was not much in the count's smile, only to make people feel old and weak, and the vigor of the Marquis of Treville could not be found at all. At this time. Anyone could tell that this old man was really in his last years and dying, and Charles remembered Julie's previous words. Yes, he does not seem to know that he will have to be called by God one day.

And me. Even if you live again, it seems that you can't escape that day.

Suddenly, a strange feeling suddenly flashed in his heart, but. He quickly tossed the slightest hint of the feeling aside.

"Yes. Very happy, thank you for your hospitality. With a faint pity, he lowered his tone very gently, "Congratulations on receiving such a precious treasure...... Little Matilda is very cute indeed. ”

"Huh...... It's cute, indeed. Hearing Charles's compliment, the Earl's smile deepened, "Actually, it's strange to say, when I was young. never imagined that one day he would be able to live to see his great-granddaughter born...... Come to think of it, it's scary how quickly time passes. Before I could get back to it, I was just lying here, reminiscing about the past all day to pass the time. ”

"It's also a kind of happiness." Charles replied cautiously, not knowing what to say in front of the old man who was feeling old. "At least you have prosperity and wealth now, and you have children and grandchildren by your side."

"Yes, you're right! It's already a bliss. It's the happiness I've always dreamed of. The Earl nodded slightly, and then he continued, "When I was young, the great tribulation struck, and my father and the king he served were guillotined, and I managed to escape with great difficulty—just like your grandfather, I suffered enough in those twenty years, and almost died several times. At that time, I swore that I would never let my children and grandchildren suffer such a disaster...... I'm relieved that I did. ”

The Earl raised his gaze and looked at Charles, and his originally cloudy eyes suddenly smeared with a few strange colors, as if he was a little excited. "Mr. Treville, I know that many people have laughed at me for my lack of loyalty, and I have changed my court several times, but what can I do if I don't do that? If I don't turn my back, won't the Bourbons fall? Won't Louis-Philippe get out? No! This is their destined doom. Since I have no way or ability to change the situation and turn the tide, why can't I think of a way to save my children from the sins I suffered back then? In my opinion, loyalty, like talent, is just a commodity, and one should sell it only to the winner. ”

After hearing the old man's monologue, Charles still didn't answer, and he vaguely felt as if the other party was explaining something to him.

What exactly was he trying to say?

"Actually, I don't resent your actions," Charles replied softly after a moment of silence, "It seems to me that you did not deliberately betray the monarch you served before, you only chose to leave after everything was irreparable, although it is not loyalty, but it is not a fault either, besides, many people are like this, and you are not alone." ”

"It's great that you can look at me like that!" After hearing Charles's words, the count suddenly seemed to be much more relaxed, "After all, if the Tsar or the Austrian Emperor came running, of course we must resist, but Bourbon, Orleans or Bonaparte, how much difference is there between them and France?" In my opinion, no, as long as the country can be stabilized, then everyone is the same. ”

Then, he glanced at Charles again, "The difference is only who comes up to us, and at present, it is indeed the Bonaparte family who is more advantageous......"

"That's true." Charles nodded again.

"So, young man, since you have talked so much with my bad old man, can you still listen to him say a few more words from his heart?"

"Just say it." Charles replied immediately.

"Presumably, now we can speak openly and honestly between us—young man, you want to help Monsieur Bonaparte to come to power. And then use him to soar, right? What drives you to be loyal to him is not loyalty. It's ambition, right? The Count stared at him intensely, and his old state was almost swept away.

After several exchanges, he had already established that Charles was not a pedantic man, but an equally ambitious careerist who intended to fulfill his personal desires by helping Louis Bonaparte ascend to power, so he went straight to the showdown.

Before Charles could answer. He continued.

"You have this idea, of course, yes, and even great. Financial speculation can turn people into great wealth, political speculation can turn people into great riches among the rich, and there is no more cost-effective business than political speculation. But because it's such a highly rewarding business. So. As a passer-by, I would also like to remind you that you must pay attention to it...... Just in case you suddenly fall from a height one day. ”

After saying this, the count paused deliberately, "That's right, I mean, if you are too tightly tied to the Bonapartes, then even if you re-establish the empire, you may be overthrown by the wind and waves with them at any time...... And then crushed to pieces in a raging and terrible frenzy. ”

Charles looked at the old statesman with some surprise. His alarmist remarks made Charles a little uncomfortable. I wasn't sure what he meant.

"Can you elaborate on what you mean?" He asked again tentatively.

The Count smiled again.

"Young man, haven't you seen this clearly? Not really, right? He asked playfully, and his face returned to seriousness.

"As long as you are not carried away by senseless loyalty, and as long as you are able to remain sober in the face of interests, you can see that the Bonaparte family has a fatal weakness...... That is, this small Italian aristocratic family just took advantage of the situation to rush to the front of the stage.

They don't have a history, and they don't have enough 'legitimacy' to deceive people, so they don't have enough strength and foundation to resist disasters, no matter how powerful they are, a terrible storm can overturn them! Especially in this country where no one is convinced!

The Romanovs and the orthodox monarchs of the Habsburgs could lose a couple of times and could lose badly, but what about Napoleon? He failed once in Russia and could not get up again! The Count squinted slightly, and recounted in that indifferent tone, "then, since even the brilliant Emperor can only lose once, what about our Monsieur Louis-Bonaparte?" How many defeats can he sustain? ”

It could only endure the one time in 1870, and then the whole empire would fall, Charles replied silently in his heart. But of course he wouldn't speak, just quietly listened to the old man's words.

"Mr. Treville, there is no denying that you are a very bright young man, and you have your own opinions on many things. However, after all, you were born early, and you still lack all the experience, and it is impossible to see many things thoroughly; And your family's support of the Bonaparte family for decades may make you reluctant to face my admonition. The Count smiled slightly, "But you can think about it, do I have any sense?" Do your feelings make you lose sight of reality? ”

After a moment of silence, Charles sighed softly, and then looked sincerely at the old man in front of him, who had now completely put away the pity he had just had.

Before Louis-Bonaparte rebuilt his empire, these old statesmen with brains were able to see the risks to his empire, and even when it was dying, his mind was good enough. Although he didn't know why he wanted to say this to himself, he was absolutely right—even extremely correct.

"You can see it very clearly, and I completely agree with you." He had no interest in concealing his opinion in the presence of such people: "The Bonaparte family is deeply rooted in prestige, and if prestige is damaged, power will be lost." But...... For now, at least, I think their prestige is still very strong, and at least it is worth using. ”

"That's it!" The Count nodded happily, "You're finally willing to get to the bottom of me, Mr. Treville." I appreciate you more and more, but at your age I don't have such clarity and cleverness...... I'm sure you'll climb much higher than I do in the future. Hey, it's a shame, I'm too old to see where you can go anymore......"

Then, seemingly unintentionally, he added, "But, my son, my grandchildren, and my little Matilda, they can all see it!" ”

Charles finally understood, he had understood everything.

The earl, already feeling that he would not live long, was working hard to arrange a good path for his children and grandchildren. And if he wants to maintain his glory and wealth, he must win over allies and Austrian aid, so he regards himself as a target for the future.

And what he said before is to imply that Charles - you have to find a way back for yourself.

Come to think of it, Julie had shown favor to herself before, wanting to find a future protector for her husband, and this old man must have given her guidance.

You really can't underestimate these people! He sighed in his heart again.

"We have always been loyal to our friends because they are loyal to us too." He replied in a low voice.

"That's great."

The Count smiled merrily. Then, they tacitly changed the subject, "You already know about Lucien, right?" ”

"I already know the way." Charles nodded, "And I've promised Julie that I'll do my best to help." ”

"You don't have to think too much about this, although the Dilier family is in the opposition now, there are still many ways to think about it." The Count looked at Charles kindly. "I'm a little curious, though......"

"Excuse me."

"Did you instigate Lucien to disobey him before?" The Count asked softly, "And what do you think of this whole thing?" Do you really think he's doing the right thing? ”

"Oh, that's right, it's not right." Charles replied directly.

"What does that mean?"

"First of all, I don't think disobedience is a good thing." Charles slowly recounted his opinion, "The army is a weapon, and a weapon should not have a mind. Swords are used to kill, and it is up to the person holding the sword to kill, not the sword itself. Since Lucien was a soldier, he should carry out the order after receiving it, not disobey it. ”

"Then why are you egging him on?"

"Because the sword is not in our hands now." Charles replied confidently, "Since it is not in our hands, the less satisfactory the sword in the enemy's hand, the better." When we have mastered the sword, whoever dares to disobey an order, even if it seems unreasonable, will be hanged. ”

Hearing Charles's answer, the Count burst out laughing, and the laughter grew louder and louder, eventually turning into a series of coughs.

"Haha......ha You have a great future. (To be continued......)