For the island nation in the western part of Europe, the spring of 1851 was much warmer than usual. It has just arrived at the end of April, and there are continuous sunny days shining on the earth, birds singing and flowers in the trees, green grass in the countryside, and spring colors everywhere.

In the sun, horse-drawn carriages galloped along the main road from London to Kent towards Walmer Castle, the grey walls of which loomed between the woods and the meadows.

"Sir, you are blessed to have been born in a very beautiful country."

Because he was about to reach his destination, Charles sat in the carriage and swept away the fatigue on the road, and complimented the person sitting next to him with a smile.

His words were not pure compliments, because the recent rare sunny days have made this green grass even more vibrant, and it is indeed a picture full of British characteristics. As Charlotte said, the scenery of the English countryside is always something to admire.

"Monsieur de Treville, it seems to me that France also has her incomparable beauty." The young man sitting next to him complimented him with the same enthusiasm. "As far as I am concerned, everyone who admires civilization will yearn for your country"

In order to make it easier for Charles to have fun in England, the British government specially arranged for a diplomat to accompany him on the tour, and at the same time, in order to take care of Charles's affections, they also deliberately used French proficiency as a criterion when selecting people, and what made Charles even happier was that this diplomat named John Milson was not only fluent in French, but also seemed to be full of affection for France, so he was happy with his mission.

Thereupon. Charles and he talked a lot along the way, which was a little less boring on the way.

Right between their conversations. The carriage had come to the vicinity of the castle, and its speed had begun to slow down.

Am I about to meet the last remaining superstar of that era?

A strange sense of excitement and excitement suddenly rose in Charles's heart. In order to relieve this tension, he subconsciously reached out and gently twisted his tie.

"Well, it's finally here." Charles breathed a sigh of relief, then stumbled to his feet.

"You didn't have to make such a trip." John Milson nodded slightly apologetically at Charles, "Since he is already in retirement, we can't support him, but please understand." ”

"I hope the Duke doesn't find my visit annoying." He whispered to himself.

"He'll be grateful to you, because it's not often that people visit him." As if he could see Charles's nervousness. The official replied to Charles with a smile on his face, and then he shrugged his shoulders slightly with regret, "Originally, it was supposed that I would have come with you, but ...... Your Excellency our Foreign Secretary, you have cleverly escaped this unpleasant task. ”

"He's really busy."

"It's one thing to be busy, but the other is more important...... "John Milson still had that ambiguous smile on his face, "There are few people who are willing to take the initiative to face such a grim Duke as you are...... Ultimately. The whole government breathed a sigh of relief at his retirement. According to me, why did you come to him to ask for your own suffering? You are a distinguished guest in England, and you are greeted with great pomp wherever you go, and I can follow you - but not here. ”

That's true.

As a military commander-in-chief. The Duke of Wellington had always been accustomed to speaking straightforwardly, even arrogantly, and ruthlessly, and in the army this style could be loved. But it doesn't work in the slick political world, so few people in the government like him.

Meantime. Because his qualifications are too old, and his merits are too high. So these successors who are almost completely qualified to train him, naturally, after his retirement, few people are willing to run over to be bored.

"You can scare me, sir." Charles smiled bitterly and bowed to him slightly, "Duke, that would definitely not be kind to us. ”

"You don't have to worry about that—you must understand, sir, or you won't be able to come, can you? Unlike Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Wellington does not take the government's concerns very seriously. ”

John Milson smiled and nodded at Charles.

Although he could not give a direct answer due to the instructions of the British government and his own position, he gave a hint with a characteristic tactfulness of a diplomat.

"Oh, I see." Charles stood up, then nodded at the other man, thanking him for his kindness, "I think a man who has saved a country in a few hours is qualified to be arrogant to his juniors. ”

"Who's to say it isn't?" The diplomat shrugged his shoulders again, and then stepped out of the carriage with him, "All right, sir, I wish you more lessons to learn from him." ”

……………………

Because they had been notified in advance, the servants of the castle were not surprised by the sudden arrival of visitors.

They received the guests coldly with a silent and implicit arrogance, and John Milson could only shake his head at Charles with a wry smile, indicating that he could not do anything.

Because he had been mentally prepared in advance, Charles did not feel sorry for this, and while sniffing the peculiar damp smell that had accumulated due to the age of the building, he respectfully followed the old servant and walked slowly along the old corridor of the castle.

Sirte, Wellington.

Why do these battle-hardened commanders like to live in such ancient castles after retreating? Such a question suddenly flashed through Charles's heart.

They have been leading troops to fight for many years, and they have accumulated a lot of wealth for themselves, but they have spent this money on this kind of thing, but he doesn't understand this very much. What is even more puzzling is that living in such a damp and dim place, they can still live to be in their eighties.

Maybe that's what makes them special, right?

I don't like to live in this kind of place anyway. Charles smiled bitterly inwardly, then stopped his thoughts.

Soon, they came to the door of the duke's bedroom.

When the old servant's hand was on the door, Charles's heart couldn't help but pound.

The door to the room slowly opened, and then, with a feeling of incomprehension, Charles slowly walked inside.

What greeted him was two cold and emotionless glances.

This sight came from an old man lying in a rocking chair.

His hair was gray and his face was wrinkled, but he still couldn't hide the handsome appearance of his youth.

And the high forehead and sharp eyes show the master's incomparably arrogant carving.

Although the rocking chair swayed slightly, he seemed unmoved, staring coldly at the young visitor. Even lying in a rocking chair, he seemed to stand taller than anyone else.

This is the victor of Waterloo, the former patron saint of Great Britain, the man who once fought against the emperor and created an incomparably brilliant feat!

Charles walked up to him gently, then took off his hat and bowed his waist.

"Your Excellency, it is a great pleasure to meet you."

His courtesy was so respectful, in exchange for the duke's mouth twitching the corners of his mouth slightly, as if he was smiling, but without much smile.

"It is indeed a great honour for you, little one sent by little Napoleon."

Although his voice was still full of that ruthless courage and arrogant ambition, he still couldn't hide the weakness in the depths.

Obviously, his life is finally coming to an end.

Then, he lifted up slightly, leaned back in his chair, and looked at Charles coldly.

"The French know how to put good-looking people in power this time!" After a few moments, he made a sarcastic or teasing remark, and then made a gesture for Charles to find a place to sit. "Why did we have to kill so many people when we were so smart?"

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Excellency." Charles slowly rose up, then sat down in a rocking chair closer to him, "But, let me argue, we don't rely on looks to be in power. ”

"If it weren't for that, it would be pretty much the same." The Duke remained unmoved, "You are proud of your recent conquests...... But you are not conquering a heroic France, but a mediocre France, which is nothing great! But then again, the same is true of Britain – it's just as unbelievably mediocre. So, the light is gone, and you little ones have found enough of the stage......"

"Feel free to comment on us, I'm more than happy to accept your criticism." Charles looked up and looked at the duke with a smile, ""

"Little one, they say you're pro-British, but I know from the first glance at you that you don't kiss anyone but yourself." Under Charles's such humble and arrogant response, the Duke indifferently withdrew his hands from his knees, folded them on his chest, and then looked at Charles with a little arrogance, "But this is normal, if you don't think so, I would be surprised, shouldn't Bonaparte and his followers be like this?" You're just doing what you're supposed to do. ”

"I'm afraid that Mr. Russell and Mr. Palmerston will think the same way, and those who do our business do not trust the good intentions of others," Charles replied quietly, "but it is not a matter of great importance, it is not my sincerity that matters, but my actions that matter." ”

After a pause, Charles continued, "Also, even if you are British, even if you defeat the Emperor, even if you ...... You are now too old to lie here and remember the past, and I still have great respect for you. Because I have great respect for you, we can also allow the elderly to be nostalgic for the old days......"

The long pause almost made Charles think he was about to get angry.

"Haha...... Interesting! The Duke of Wellington burst out laughing, "I would rather speak to an upper-class man than a fool of my country, even if he is a French nobleman!" (To be continued......)