Through his connections in the literary world, Blois finally got into a relationship with Mérimée. He decided to visit the big man who could turn things around.

Cautiously, he changed into a decent dress borrowed from a friend, gritted his teeth and spent a sum of money, rented a private carriage, and rode it to the door of Mérimée's villa.

He took off his hat and stared at the lavishly decorated building, hesitated for a moment, then rang the doorbell apprehensively.

The servant opened the door, and after Blois had made his intentions known to him, he was invited into the study. Along the way, he wore a pair of old leather shoes, carefully stepped on the smooth floor, and was guided by the servant to Mérimée's room.

Mérimée, who was sitting on the window couch, took off her glasses, looked up at the young man in front of her, and smiled after the other party explained her intentions.

"You may be seated, Mr. Blois. I have seen your deeds. Very brave, true warriors who dare to face the evil dragon, allow me to express my admiration and admiration to you. ”

Mérimée pointed to the Le Figaro, which had been set aside, with articles that had brought disaster to Blois. With a wry smile, the other party explained, "Don't laugh at me anymore, Your Excellency Mérimée, it was this article that brought a great disaster to my life. Sir Mérimée, you are the only one who can save me now. ”

The cunning councillor made a pause gesture, stood up and walked over to the table, took out two glasses, opened the half-remaining whiskey on the side, and poured him a mouthful.

Mérimée stared intently at the wine in his glass, explaining to him in passing, "Popular writers are always jealous of other people, who are wary of all the unfriendly crowds around them. Anyone who infringes on their interests in the slightest way will be treated as an enemy by them. It's just that Lord Garion's reaction was a bit too aggressive. ”

Blois's face flushed, and he could hear Mérimée mocking his little gesture of not being able to get on the stage, but now that he had something to ask for, he had to listen to him cheekily.

The senator's words continued.

"For example, how did the once-smash hit poet Khakimir Dravigne and the satirist Bélange become depressed until they disappear? The slightest carelessness of Hugo now would have been maliciously attacked by literary critics and other writers, who had no habit of magnanimity. Garion may be a newly promoted and popular writer, but his backstage is bigger than you might think. ”

"International political adviser to the Emperor of the Second Empire?"

"How many people in Parisian literary circles scoff at this title?" It's just an empty title. ”

"yes, it's an empty title, nothing remarkable. But the following title may not necessarily be necessary. ”

Mérimée placed a glass of wine in front of Blois and said with emotion, "Although it is just a rumor, I heard that he is now Hugo's son-in-law." In the future, it is very likely that he will be the successor to the mantle of Hugo. ”

"Hugo's son-in-law? It's true? ”

Blois finally realizes that something is wrong. At first, he was dismissive of this claim, but the information from Mérimée's mouth was obviously much more reliable than the information in the third-rate tabloids on the street.

"Although Hugo is now exiled, he still has many friends in the country. And these friends of his still have considerable influence in the Parisian literary scene. When Mr. Blois challenged Garian, he obviously didn't take this situation into account, right? ”

Hugo's aura is like an endless sun, occasionally obscured by the darkness of dark clouds, but it will eventually be sprinkled on the literary soil of France. At the time of the Third Republic, Sainte-Beuve, Lamartine and Poohne had died, and no one dared to accuse his authority to his face. Only the "street writers" who have nothing and no scruples, gathered in unrealistic literary groups such as Yibart, dare to point fingers at him.

Mérimée realized that no matter how much he suppressed Hugo, the influence of the other party would not diminish or disappear. On the contrary, it is like rats and cockroaches in the sewers, every time they think they are wiped out, there will always be new ones.

Since Hugo cannot be destroyed, the people who inherit his mantle will be destroyed. And this person also happens to be Garian, whom Mérimée hates the most.

Originally, Blois thought that Garion was just a villain, but he didn't expect his backstage to be so tough that it was terrifying. Offending him is equivalent to offending most of the French literary circle.

"What should I do?"

Blois panicked, pushing his glass aside and staring at Mérimée with pleading eyes, hoping to learn something from him.

"Is it too late to apologize to Garion?"

"You are naïve, Lord Blois."

Merimé sneered and said, "The other party has already decided to sue you, do you still care about your apology." Oh, of course he won't care, and maybe he'll ruin your reputation and bankrupt your family. ”

And Mérimée only wanted to use Blois as a pawn to discredit Garion, although it didn't cause much of a stir. But at least it can be used as a small evidence to discredit Garion in front of Napoleon III.

A calculating fox knows when to make a move, and the right time is right.

For example, Blois's lawsuit must fail before there is an excuse to challenge Gallien, and even if it is someone from Gallien's judiciary, Mérimée will find a judge to convict Blois of defamation. On the chessboard of the game, the poor worm is just an outcast.

Poor Blois didn't know that whether he sought Mérimée's help or not, the final outcome that awaited him was to lose the lawsuit.

Mérimée looked at the panicked man in front of him and deliberately made a suggestion.

"Of course, if Lord Blois thinks it is unfair in this matter, then I will go to a friend of the judiciary. Let him do everything he can to acquit you. But I also implore His Excellency Blois, of course, who does not know anything, to participate in this lawsuit, and I will arrange the rest. ”

"Thank you so much."

Thinking that his life had taken a turn for the better, Blois took his hand and said, "I don't know how to thank you, Your Excellency Mérimée. I, I'm so excited. ”

Although he hated this poor writer, Mérimée smiled and slapped his hand from his hand, and then said with a friendly smile, "Please rest assured, Your Excellency Blois, you will not lose this lawsuit." Justice is with you, and so are those of us who are with you. ”