It was only then that Charles was truly sure that everything the Duke of Wellington had said to him was from his heart.

In other words, one of the greatest military commanders of the Napoleonic era, an old man who was once so tough and ruthless that he was called the "Iron Duke" with awe, is now an anti-war activist? This old man, who once led the army to defeat Napoleon's last hope of dominating Europe, now hopes that Britain and France will always remain friendly and not fight again?

Well, that does sound a little incredible...... It's just ridiculous.

However, when you think about it, this is actually not particularly ridiculous.

In the corpse-strewn Waterloo, looking at the terrible battlefield that had become bleak, Wellington once said, "I pray to God that I will never fight again." ”

And he did exactly that—after the war, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the occupation forces in France, but he opposed a punitive peace treaty and rejected the Prussian commander-in-chief, Blucher, who had proposed to shoot Napoleon and burn Paris. He also organized loans to bail out France's depleted finances, and offered to withdraw the occupying forces after three years in order to take care of the national feelings of the French.

Contrary to what people might think, most of those military commanders were reluctant to use military force after they came to power. For only those military commanders who have led troops to war, and who are accustomed to seeing their men and enemies strewn with corpses, will have the deepest understanding of what war is and how terrible it is, and who want to avoid war while in charge and carry out a conservative and relatively moderate policy.

This was true of the Duke of Wellington and Sirte, and there was no shortage of examples in the 20th century. Eisenhower, who had served as commander in chief of the Allied forces. He even reminded the American people not to be deceived by military-industrial interests and not to easily launch foreign wars when he left the presidency.

So. From this point of view, it does not seem strange that the Duke of Wellington sincerely hoped that England and France would not fight again.

But. It's normal not to want to go to war, but why just talk about Britain and France? A little doubt flashed through Charles's mind.

He made it clear that he did not want to see another war between the "two great nations" of England and France, not that he did not want to see Britain go to war with a foreign country again, even when Charles made it clear that England and France might have to fight Russia in the near future.

Then, in addition to expressing his pacifism, his anti-war declaration may have other profound meanings.

"You are quite right that two great peoples should live in harmony and that there should be no irreconcilable differences between them. I don't see this divide either. With such an understanding, Charles cautiously tested. I believe that it is in the same interest of France as it is for England to defend peace in Europe and in the whole world, and that they have no reason to oppose working together for such a great and sacred cause, for the same noble purpose. ”

"Work together for a great and holy cause—you're still too used to twisting and turning." The Duke snorted lightly, showing that he did not approve of the politicians of the Charles, "Let me be blunt, in my conception. As long as our two great nations join hands together, not even a single mouse can move in any corner of the world. That being the case, then why should two great peoples hurt each other. What about shedding the blood of young people in the midst of a senseless war, instead of helping each other? Britain is willing to defend France's vested interests, and those which may be to be gained, if France reciprocates with the same zeal......"

I see...... Finally understood.

Under the Duke's almost explicit statement, Charles finally came to his senses.

Isn't this the Anglo-French Entente?

Historically. The Duke of Wellington's proposal was indeed fulfilled - England and France would no longer fight each other, but would each recognize and defend its own interests. and jointly use all means to safeguard this vested interest.

From April 8, 1904, when the British Foreign Secretary, Fitzmaurice, Marquess of Lansdowne, and the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Cambon, signed a treaty of good faith in London, reciprocal recognition of their respective spheres of influence and the establishment of military alliances, to 1956, when Britain and France defended their interests in the Suez Canal. Until the defeat of the joint invasion of Egypt, an alliance was established between Britain and France, which remained in lockstep for half a century, during which two world wars were fought.

It was not until 1958, when Charles de Gaulle seized power in a coup d'état and abandoned the alliance in favor of a rapprochement with Germany in the hope of a united European Union.

The British sought this alliance, of course, not out of love for the French people, but for the preservation of their own interests.

And this proposal of the duke preceded the realization of the Entente in history by fifty years.

There is no doubt that the Duke of Wellington is a firm believer in pacifism.

But there is no doubt that he believed in pacifism premised on defending Britain's vested interests.

"You gave me a very big shock." After a moment's hesitation, Charles could only give such a noncommittal answer.

"Let me tell you the truth, my offer is to keep Britain in its own glory - I don't know how you want it too?" The Duke continued, in a calm tone, "In all the world, we already occupy enough land to be used even if all the people of Britain were to be exploited—and then what reason do we have to continue to fight against whom we should fight?" We have to defend all of this, but maybe it's not something we can do alone. Briton...... Like a shepherd girl, she was fortunate enough to be in a very privileged position by God's love, and to lock the countries of Europe in the sheepfold. However, can this unique blessing be sustained forever? No, as far as I am concerned, the wealth of the countries of the continent is increasing day by day, and their strength will only increase, and eventually they will be able to break through the sheepfold and march into the whole world......"

"France is also on the mainland, oh no, as you say. In the sheepfold. Charles calmly gave an answer. It's also the same as you said, eager to see what the world looks like. ”

"Haven't the French seen enough now? If not. It could go on and on. The Duke replied leisurely, "I think France can easily understand my opinion." Isn't it? ”

The duke's meaning is simple, and France has a vested interest, and it has an incentive to work with the British to preserve the old world order - as history has proved.

After all, it was the patriarch of Britain who had been in Britain for so many years, and the Duke was at the height of the glory of the British Empire, and he had a keen insight into a fact that almost no one has noticed yet—that is, as nations heal from the wounds of war and grow stronger from the Industrial Revolution, it is difficult for Britain to defend its vested interests on its own, and to defeat even the most dangerous enemies on its own. It needs to find a helping hand in Europe's great powers to help it defend its vested interests.

In the glorious prosperous era, I can still have such a clear understanding and see the hidden crisis, compared to those pretentious British politicians, I really don't know how much stronger.

In the Duke's view, France was a useful helper compared to other countries that were ambitious and unsatisfied.

Hmph, that's a good idea. In the Duke of Wellington's eager and expectant eyes, Charles sneered inwardly.

However. Neither he nor Louis Bonaparte were destined to accept such an offer.

Because, Britain is the biggest beneficiary of the current world order. Possess the most extensive territory in the world and be the master of the entire ocean, if you want. It would be tantamount to bowing down to the British, admitting that he could not compete with her, a condition to which no French ruler could now agree.

The reason is simple. One Earth is too small for two empires. As long as France wanted to have an empire that was on par with, or even surplus, Britain would not be able to fight to maintain its primacy—and the same was true of the German Empire in the early 20th century, when the British, despite repeated attempts to win over the German Empire, were unable to reach a compromise, even though together they could theoretically defeat any enemy in the world at the time.

Historically, it was not until the defeat of the Franco-Prussian War that the French lost hope of competing for world dominance and gave up their ambitions, that they chose not to expand further, but to help the British maintain the old order.

Thinking of this, Charles suddenly felt a little displeased.

The Duke of Wellington's proposal was nothing less than an expression of the fact that in his heart Charles was not as bold and ambitious as Louis Bonaparte. He believes that Charles can be satisfied with a small favor.

"I'm afraid the world that France sees is not big enough." Because of this displeasure, Charles's tone added a slight hint of mockery, "But what's the solution?" Everyone saw that the best of the world was in the hands of the lovely shepherd girl, and she did not want outsiders to see it. ”

"I think it's possible to make some compromise between Britain and France." Perhaps thinking that Charles's statement represented a play, with a peculiar expression, the Duke muttered quietly, "At the same time, from the point of view of preserving the vested interests of the two great nations, it may also be necessary." But France has just recovered from its trauma, so how much more does she need to see? Excessive extravagance will only provoke resentment, but in reality it will not benefit anyone. While I still have some time, you can tell me what France wants...... Don't forget, until this moment I am still the Supreme Commander of the British Army. ”

It was both a reassurance to reassure Charles and encourage him to make a request, as well as a threat that he would not take advantage of the lion's opening to the point of doing something bad. Charles was now able to grasp the old man's meaning completely.

The price I offer is something you will never be able to satisfy.

But even so, I still have great respect for you.

Charles whispered in his heart.

"Forgive me for not being able to answer you right away from this question, for it is not something I can say anything about. Only His Excellency the President is qualified to judge what France needs and what it should do to defend itself. Quietly, he circumvented the obligation to give the bid and threw the blame on Louis Bonaparte.

After a pause, he continued in that calm tone, "But rest assured, I will give you and the British Government a memorandum of reply to this question and further proposals from France, after communicating with the country, and I can personally assure you that we are willing to reciprocate the sincerity of the British Government and you with the same enthusiasm." Even...... I am personally willing to fight to defend the common interests of England and France, if necessary. ”

The Duke calmly looked at the blonde young man in front of him, and finished his words in that tone full of respect and enthusiasm.

Indeed, he had mastered the trade, like the beloved and hated Talleyrand.

"Now the little one!" After a few moments, he burst out laughing. "However, time will tell that I am right, and you are all just clever!"

Finally, he looked up again, looking thoughtfully and slightly apprehensively at the void above him.

"But I don't see that day." (To be continued......)