In the presence of Charles, Louis Bonaparte scolded some "comrades" for being undetermined and unambitious, and that as soon as they came to power and seized power, they lived a corrupt life and indulged in the enjoyment of power.

However, in fact, he did not object to the pursuit of pleasure by his subordinates, what he could not tolerate was that these people were busy harvesting the fruits and indulging in pleasures, forgetting to fulfill their responsibilities, and doing things less and less accurately and crisply as before, but procrastinating, which seriously affected his governance.

He himself is also a person who likes to indulge in sensuality, but for him, sensuality is just a pastime, and he prefers to take the power he has seized in his hands, implement the policies he established back then, and make a great achievement that is not inferior to his uncle.

At the end of the day, careerists are not revolutionaries, they fight for themselves. Before usurping power, careerists may be as energetic and endure all kinds of hardships as revolutionaries, but once they seize power, most people will be satisfied with the status quo, and the desire to pursue their own enjoyment will slowly erode the former vigor and irretrievably reduce efficiency.

There is no way around it, because not everyone has the ambitions of Louis Bonaparte and Charles, which are almost insatiable.

"Hey, I can only say this in private, what can I do? If they can't move, I'll whip them as much as I can. Louis Bonaparte shook his head suddenly, looking a little helpless, "Now is the time to employ people, let them stay first, or it won't be long before new people are trained, and then they will be promoted to idle positions and retired." ”

Charles just kept his head down, not talking to Louis Bonaparte. Let him sigh for himself.

The "they" he spoke of were in fact the patriarchs of the Bonapartas. There were some who were not inferior to his own, and he could not follow His Majesty in criticizing these colleagues, although he himself thought so.

Criticism is criticism. Louis Bonaparte, like Emperor Napoleon, was a very nostalgic person, these people have been with him for many years, and now he also needs useful cronies, so he will not easily abandon them, so why should Charles pretend to be a bad guy and criticize his colleagues.

"What you said is actually very right, we can't just be a thug for the British, but we have to try our best to close the gap between the two countries." Louis Bonaparte waved his hand and changed the subject. "It's not that I'm not without consideration for this, but what you're saying is not comprehensive, and that trade protection and tariff barriers alone can't solve all the problems, on the contrary, excessive protection can only breed laziness and inefficiency - if you can easily make money by lying in the warm tariff barriers at home, what incentive do business owners have to improve their production? This is not beneficial to the country. A certain degree of competition"

"But that's something to worry about later, and what is needed now is to start from scratch, and if we don't restrict trade with Britain, our nascent industry. It will be vulnerable to cheaper British products, and will eventually die out in the hands of the merchants of the island nation. At that time, we will only be vassals of the British, and we will be held in their hands! We should implement trade protection in the early stage. Cultivate enterprises with scale and technology, and then open up fair competition with the British, otherwise...... I have only seen in the scriptures the miracle of David's victory over Goliath. In reality, he will only be trampled half to death by Goliath. ”

"I don't know what those Englishmen would think if they knew that you suggested that I be anti-British as soon as you returned?" Louis Bonaparte burst out laughing. "They had said a lot of nice things about you, and I thought you and they had a good conversation!"

"I have no ill will towards the British. In fact, I am grateful for the Queen's hospitality to me. But these are two different things, this is not anti-British, but principled pro-British. Charles replied rather solemnly, "Friendship and peace are maintained by strength, don't they?" ”

"Well, I'll consider what you said, and I'll call the ministers over tomorrow to discuss the issue, and if you want to attend, I can let you sit in on it......"

Charles heard the hidden meaning in Louis Bonaparte's tone.

Yes, now that he is in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is true that he should not be in charge of too much.

"Your Majesty, I'm just making a suggestion to you, the specific implementation is up to you and the relevant responsible persons to be able to stay outside my purview, I can't participate too much, otherwise this is an infringement of other people's rights, which is not beneficial to anyone."

"You're always worrying too much!" Louis Bonaparte frowned, and though he was a little regretful on the surface, it was evident that he was very pleased with Charles's knowledge. "Well, as for your opinions on economic issues, you can write me a document when you go back, and give it to me when the time comes, and I will adopt useful opinions."

Then, without a trace, he changed the subject, "By the way, when do you think I should be officially crowned?" ”

"It's up to you to decide, and I'm not in a position to put a beak...... Charles first foreshadowed himself, "but personally, I think it's best to set the date for December 2nd...... First, it is a very monumental day and can be used as a symbol of greatness; Second, we can also give ourselves another six months to get rid of all suspicious opposition elements as much as possible, so that they don't sabotage our plans. ”

Yes, December 2 is indeed a great day, because in 1804, it was on this day that the Emperor Napoleon snatched the crown from the Pope and crowned himself, and what better way to show the reincarnation of history and the legitimacy and legitimacy of his rule over the country in the place of God if he was also crowned on this day?

Even Louis Bonaparte fully agreed with this, and I am afraid that deep down he thought so.

"Okay, then let's wait another half a year, and then we can purge the opposition first, and then we can purge as much as we can." Louis Bonaparte clenched his fists and made a heroic gesture, "On that day, all Europe will be silent!" ”

In the richly decorated hall, he stared ahead in a big coat, as if he had everything under control.

Although I don't want to spoil his fun. But Charles suddenly felt that this was a good opportunity. You can take advantage of his good mood and tell his own plan -- at least you can leave a bottom in his heart.

"Your Majesty. I have already reported to you all the official matters, and now there is another private matter, which I think should be reported to you. Charles bowed down again, "It's about your family's private business. ”

"Huh? The private affairs of the Bonaparte family? Louis Bonaparte looked at him suspiciously, not understanding what his own private affairs had to do with him. What do you mean? ”

"I don't know how to describe it, Your Majesty. If you are reluctantly speaking......" Charles said with some hesitation and embarrassment, "this must be a headache for Prince Jérôme." ”

He then relayed the matter of Ms. Patterson and her grandson to Louis Bonaparte as it was.

After hearing his words. Louis Bonaparte's face slowly sank and finally turned into a sharp gaze.

"Charles, why are you doing this? Why engage with them? And why agree to their requests? Who am I who are you loyal to? ”

This palpable anger is easy to understand, as a monarch, no one likes his subordinates to get involved in his family's private affairs. "Why, do you have any problem with my uncle's disposition?"

"I have no opinion on the disposition of His Majesty the Emperor, and I am loyal to you personally." Charles sank deeply, "Please don't get me wrong, I'm just helping to relay their requests. ”

"Don't pretend!" Louis Bonaparte interrupted him directly. Shouted at him, "Isn't your report to me a sign that you agree with their ideas!" Tell me honestly, what benefits did they promise you?! ”

"They don't do me as much as you do in any way. If I want to seek benefits, wouldn't it be more beneficial for me to continue to follow you? Charles retorted in a low voice, "If it's good." I guess there's only the word 'stability'. ”

"Stability?" Louis Bonaparte froze slightly, his anger slightly halted by his answer.

"Yes. In the current good situation, I see a threat. Charles took the opportunity to continue. Although you have taken advantage of the opportunity to ascend to the highest throne, the foundation of the Bonaparte family is still precarious at home, even internally...... It may still be a lack of some kind of stability. ”

Louis Bonaparte frowned tightly.

"I think I know what you mean."

"Now that you know what you mean, let me point it out directly, some people who claim to be your natural heirs are expanding their power and are lawless. If this is not enough, the point is that he is not capable enough to subdue people inside and outside, and if you keep allowing him to act recklessly, it is very likely to bring unpredictable risks to your great cause......" Even if he is always bold, when he said this, Charles's heart still pounded, "In order to avoid partisanship and national division, I must help you find some way. You may think that I am unqualified and nosy, but my loyalty to the Bonaparte family makes me feel that I cannot turn a blind eye or avoid the present crisis. ”

"You mean that you are not loyal to Joseph, and if there is any crisis, you would rather embrace this young man?" Louis Bonaparte pointed out his true meaning very sharply. "So you suggest that I get this young man back first and see if I can be trained as an heir?"

"Mr. Morney also disliked the man very much, and he might have a hard time serving that man, if anything did happen." Out of arrogance, Charles did not answer directly, but gave enough hints.

When he heard him bring out his half-brother, Louis Bonaparte's anger slowly subsided and he fell back into deep thought.

He knew that Charles was right, that his brother did not look down on this cousin at all, and that if something really happened, it would be very difficult for Joseph to gain the allegiance of his brother and his men, and even the Trévilles—and this would undoubtedly mark a complete split among the Bonapartists and the collapse of all causes.

This is an unacceptable outcome in any way. But it's very likely to happen, and at the end of the day, what can't happen in this day and age?

He is forty-three years old, and in a world where the average age is only forty or fifty, he can already be said to be an old man, and God knows if God will one day send a messenger to take away him and all his ambitions?

He turned his head and looked at Charles carefully.

No wonder the young man was secretly worried—there must have been many who were worried, but he had just said it.

"You may think that I have speculated on you and interfered in matters in which I have no right to interfere, and I confess that I have shamefully transgressed, Your Majesty." Charles looked up and looked at him earnestly, "But, I beg your forgiveness for my transgression and rudeness, for this arrogance is a matter of sincerity, and I hope more than anyone else that your deeds and ambitions will be fulfilled without being interrupted by any sudden calamity." If I really have ulterior motives, why would I take the risk of telling you such a thing? Shall I enjoy the riches that you have given me? ”

This interrogation touched Louis Bonaparte's heart slightly.

Indeed, if it weren't for loyalty, why would he run to anger himself and ask such a question?

"That...... What the hell was that young man? ”

"He was a very nice young man, very simple, brave and determined, and equally kind and compassionate. In addition, he has personally been on the battlefield and knows how to show courage to carry out his will. Charles first uttered a lot of flattering words nonchalantly, and then added a derogatory derogation that was not derogatory, "However, he has too little experience, and there is no place in the Americas to give him a complete education, so his conversation is still relatively introverted, and he is also a little naïve, and he is easy to trust others." However, I believe that this is not a disadvantage for a young man, and on the basis of so many advantages, as long as he can be educated a little better, he can be taught to be a good ...... Citizen's. ”

The reason for this conclusion is that Charles saw that, after the initial consternation, Louis Bonaparte was not very much opposed to this request in his heart.

He also disliked his arrogant cousin Joseph.

"Also, even if it's not as an heir, it's good that you have an extra helper you can trust, you know, we're going to take the risk with the whole country, and it's a huge risk."

"Although most of the opposition elements have been suppressed by us, there must be many ill-intentioned people among them who swallow their anger, hide their political views, and continue to work in the dark corners, waiting for the right time. We must keep our eyes open and keep a close eye on all irregularities at home and abroad, and at least you must have someone you trust to be in charge or supervise the garrison of the capital, right? ”

It is certainly not a pleasant act to calmly point out to a person when he is just at the top of his life, that the risks he faces are not optimistic. However, Charles knew that after becoming a close assistant, he had a certain status in front of the monarch, and was qualified to pour cold water on him under certain circumstances, so he had the courage to say this.

"Are you going to have to accept this option?" After a long silence, Louis Bonaparte lowered his gaze, "Why don't you and Morni think about Joseph?" ”

"It's just an option, and it's a last resort. You are not old yet, and you can also have your own heirs...... It is only necessary to enter into a formal marriage that has been blessed by God. Charles looked at him earnestly, "I swear that I will remain loyal to you and your rightful heirs, and defend your empire with all my loyalty!" It is only when it is absolutely necessary that I pray that you will carry out such a plan, and I do not want it to come true more than you do. ”

"Okay, I'll think about it." Louis Bonaparte waved his hand, "You go back first, you are not allowed to tell anyone about this matter!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Charles bowed, then took his leave. (To be continued......)