By the time he left the villa in Du-Ney, it was already nightfall, and the banker generously lent his carriage to the Charles. With the help of the wind lamps hanging on the carriage, the groom drove the carriage through the boulevard towards the city of Paris.

Worthy of being a wealthy man, the banker's carriage is very luxurious, with a delicate and gorgeous exterior and a very comfortable interior. Charles was half-lying on a velvet cushion, carefully considering today's event.

The matter of the Ministry of Railways had been agreed within the Bonapartist faction after many rounds of discussions, at the insistence of the Charles, of course, mainly through the Marquis of Treville, who was of great repute within the Bonapartist faction. And this seemingly very hot position is now coveted by many people, and everyone seems to have forgotten that the big thing has not succeeded at all.

However, for the sake of the Marquis of Treville's proposition and prestige over the years, it was generally agreed that the post of secretary should be held by Charles.

However, everyone just regarded the Ministry of Railways as a super fat shortage - because it was destined to handle a huge amount of money and could make good connections. Few people see it as a great undertaking in its own right, as Charles.

As soon as he entered the city through the gates, Charles dismounted - he could not have let the coachman know his address.

After seeing the carriage leave, he took out his pocket watch and looked at the time, then walked to the door of a small theater and rented another carriage, but the destination was not his own home, but to a club on Rue de Valerio in the 10th arrondissement.

As he expected, his good friend Albert de Fouay Grassy was playing right here. Albert often went to this kind of place to gamble, and it was not uncommon for him to win or lose thousands of francs in one night, and when he won he would squander it all at once, and if he lost, he would shake his head and leave.

Today it seemed that his luck was good, with a pile of banknotes and gold coins piled up in front of him. The light of the crystal chandelier and the glow of the gold coins on the table made him shine with the glory of a conqueror. Next to him sat a frivolously dressed girl, and Albert was playing cards while still stroking the girl next to him.

At this time, the new game has reached a critical moment, and a lot of money has been placed on the table. Albert's opponents had folded, leaving only one man to confront him. His cards on the board are 8,8,4,6 and his opponent is A,A,8,5.

When it was his opponent's turn to call, he stared at Albert, who turned his face away and continued to pet the girl next to him.

"You don't have an 8, do you?" The opponent asked softly, as if trying to see something in his answer.

"Of course I do." Albert smiled lightly and kissed the girl.

There was no wavering or hesitation on his face. Zuihou he decided to take a gamble.

"Open!"

He unfolded his hole cards, which were a 5 and a pair of two.

"I told you earlier...... I still have an 8. weishenme, you just don't believe it? Albert spread out his cards, three eights.

The opponent wrinkled his face in pain, and the other opponents and onlookers all exclaimed.

"This guy is really lucky tonight." Everyone whispered.

"But so what? Anyway, he's going to lose it all again in the future, Albert, don't you know yet? ”

"That's right."

Albert picked up a small plate of money from the table, threw it to the waiter, and shouted loudly. "Friends, I'm having a good time tonight, I'd like to invite you all to have a drink!"

"Oh! Good guy Albert! Everyone was in a hurry.

Just as Albert was about to start gambling again, he was suddenly tapped on the shoulder. "My friend, you've won a lot tonight, can you please have a few more drinks?"

Albert reacted immediately, and he looked to the side.

"Charles?!" His tone was a little surprised, "You're actually here?" ”

"Why, can't I come?" Charles smiled.

"Of course, of course." Albert got up from his seat, "Let's go, let's go have a few drinks." ”

The girl next to him seemed a little unhappy and tugged at his arm.

Albert picked up some banknotes, rolled them up and stuffed them into her ditch.

"You've taken quite a few Napoleons from me tonight, should you be satisfied? You go back first, and I'll come back to you when I get back! With that, he whistled, pocketed his winnings, and turned away with Charles.

[It refers to a gold coin issued by the French government in the Napoleonic era at that time, and the value is about 20 francs per piece.] 】

The two of them sat down in a quiet corner, and then Albert called the waiter to bring some wine.

"My friend, how many have you won tonight?"

"Who knows, I'm too lazy to do it." Albert replied casually. "But if you count it, I've lost a few thousand francs in the last few days, and tonight I've finally regained some money."

Charles sighed. "Let's be a little more modest."

"yes, I know." Albert nodded casually, "What, you came here today just to repeat something like this again?" ”

"Not really." Charles replied, "It's something else." ”

"What, what do you want me to help with?" Albert asked with a smile. "Poor Albert has to be busy again......"

"Speaking of which, I haven't thanked you for the incident last time, but thanks to your help, I was able to resolve the incident so quickly." Charles shook the other's hand.

"Gee, what else are we talking about, and I didn't really bother with it." Albert shook his head and said it didn't matter.

Charles was silent for a moment.

Albert didn't rush him, and he, who knew him well and had a temper, knew that Charles must have something important to do now.

"My friend, I have a deal now, and I don't have the manpower to do it......" Charles finally spoke.

Charles asked him to help before, of course, because he wanted to complete his goal, but it was also a test of Albert's ability and mind, and Albert completed it easily, which was quite satisfactory to Charles, so the desire to recruit his friends to join him became stronger and stronger.

"Oh? No wonder......" Albert raised an eyebrow, "what kind of deal is that?" How can I help? ”

"My friend, what I'm doing right now is a big deal that makes a lot of money but also has risks, so I want to ...... Can I get your help? Charles's tone suddenly became solemn.

"What kind of deal?" Albert's tone towards Charles was a little strange.

"Big deal." Charles read it out one by one.

Albert was a little confused by Charles at first, but after only a few seconds, he subconsciously asked.

"What kind of thing?"

"Well, that's the kind of thing." Charles nodded calmly in confirmation.

Albert's cold color changed. "My friend, did you really start?!"

"Yes, it's been a long time coming, and I want you to come and help me." Charles succinctly admitted. "My friend, I know, you are very talented, you are very courageous, and you are not lacking in cunning. However, France will never lack young people who have never met talents, only opportunities......" Charles accentuated, "Now, we have the opportunity to show our talents, you won't waste the opportunity, right?" ”

"Charles......" Albert's reaction was unexpected, "Don't do anything stupid! ”

Charles wasn't too happy with his reaction. "Of course I know what I'm doing."

Albert looked at Charles in a daze and breathed a sigh of relief. "Charles...... You know me, but I know you, with your talent and character, and a good family background, no matter what dreams you have, as long as you work hard, you will always achieve your goals. Why would you take such a risk? ”

Charles smiled bitterly.

"Albert, yes, people like us still have at least some capital, but what can we do to achieve our ideals without taking some risks? Either go to the diplomatic world or enter other ministries, boil up the qualifications little by little, honestly wait to climb up, carefully tout the king and tout the powerful, what can Zuihou do in the end? Go to the Luxembourg Palace to be a puppet! Even if you are lucky enough to become the prime minister, what age will you be at that time? My friend, France can't wait that long, and I can't wait that long! ”

[The Luxembourg Palace was the seat of the House of Lords of the French Parliament at that time]

"Can't wait that long?"

"It was only one successful revolution in which I participated in myself that I could reach that position at my age." Charles replied word for word.

"What location?" Albert asked, somewhat curious.

"You'll know if we've succeeded in the near future." Charles lowered his eyes.

"Haven't you thought about the risks? Shire? You're taking a big risk! Albert's tone seemed to be a little more anxious.

"Of course I know I'm taking a risk, but I'm not afraid, if you want something, you have to pay a price, that's how things are. But you, I didn't expect you to dissuade me from taking risks......"

"We're different!" Albert retorted, "I'm alone now, my father doesn't love me much, I love adventure, I love excitement, I love enjoyment, it doesn't matter what happens, but you're different!" ”

"What's the difference?"

"Charles, listen to me, calm down." Albert lowered his voice, then stretched out his right hand and pinched Charles's shoulder, "Don't keep thinking about what will happen if you succeed, think about what if you fail?" It's not just your family that's going to be hit, but your family? And don't forget your sister...... She won't be implicated, but can you imagine what she will do if you suffer? Isn't she your favorite sister? How could you bear to let her take such a big risk? ”

A strange look suddenly flashed across Charles' face.

"That's why I chose to do this."

"What do you mean?" Albert was a little confused.

"Yes, I love my sister," Charles replied calmly, "I love France too, and because of this, I cannot bear to accept the fate of Fran or France, and I will do whatever it takes to do so!" ”

As a friend of many years, Albert knew what Charles's expressions and words meant at the moment, although he really didn't understand what Charles's words meant.

However, it doesn't matter if you don't understand, because the other party is Charles, a friend of mine since childhood.

"You've already decided, and you can't change it?" He faded a trace of frivolity from his expression and asked solemnly.

"It was decided a long time ago." Charles also replied solemnly.

Albert let out a long sigh.

"Alright, alright, alright! Then do it! ”

Charles shook Albert's hand. "Xiexie you!"

Albert squeezed Charles' hand as well, but his expression was not as happy as Charles's. "Maybe one day I can save you."