"Then you could not be more wrong, Your Excellency. The pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info that it is in the best interest of France to arm ourselves, isn't it? Because we can be a barrier for France against Austria and Russia......"

Ambassador Bismarck's words were very sincere and convincing: "After all, France cannot rely on its own to confront other powers, it needs friends." And I'm your friend. ”

Although it may seem strange to hear from Bismarck that he calls himself a friend of the French, there is a reason for this: in his conception France is a power that can be exploited, and in his diplomatic conception he needs France to help him fight against Austrian power or at least to stand by the expansion of Prussia, so that French friendship is indispensable.

Today, even Bismarck had not yet conceived of a decisive battle between Prussia and France, and that would only be feasible when Prussia had finally seized the leadership of the German states, and today Prussia was too far from it.

"Personally, I believe that the expansion of Prussia's armaments already means instability in Europe, and this also means instability in France." Under Bismarck's gaze, Charles smiled and replied, "After all, Prussia and we are neighbors, and we dare not imagine that one day Prussia will throw a few legions on the banks of the Rhine, ready to enter France at any moment." ”

"Sir, such worries are ridiculous and funny!" Bismarck's temper came up and directly interrupted Charles's words, "Prussia is a small country compared to France, his military strength is not as good as France, his strength is not enough to shake France, and he has a greater enemy by his side...... How could he possibly pose a threat to France? We are satisfied with only wanting to keep our territory in the Rhineland, where will we go against France?! I think you are making a great mistake if you are harming the friendship between France and Prussia on such grounds. ”

"As a French minister, I am grateful for your humility in the balance of power between Prussia and France, which is not easy for a Junker nobleman." Charles was not at all moved by Bismarck's harsh words, and remained calm and calm, "But, even if France is stronger than Prussia, there is no reason for him to sit idly by and watch the existing balance in Europe be upset." Was Prussia's expansion of its own armaments a defensive move? I don't think so. At this moment, Britain, France, Russia, the three strongest countries in Europe are fighting each other, and no matter who wins or loses, their power will be weakened by this. In the coming period, no one will be able or interested in continuing to intervene in Europe...... In such a free space, if Prussia would allow itself to expand its armed forces to invade a certain country, then the whole of Europe would have a headache, and what good would it do Prussia? ”

"Your Excellency, I still remember your words! You made your own speech and declared to everyone that France would not be satisfied with its current status and that France needed to seek the respect it deserved...... What a powerful and reasonable thing to say! It is because of your words that I regard you as a confidant, because I think so too, and Prussia also needs to seek its rightful place! Together, isn't the existing order in Europe easier to change in our favor? Bismarck looked at Charles sternly, unconsciously with a hint of sarcasm, "When did you again consider yourself the spokesman for peace in Europe and the existing system?" This is a big surprise, Chancellor Tréville is now the Spokesman for Peace! ”

"Yes, I used to say that, but times are different, and I was not what I was five years ago now." Charles shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "Now that France is on the right track, Europe has begun to recognize France's rightful place, so I think it is better for France to maintain this system." Sir, you are a diplomat, and of course you know that people like us are never bound by the norms of a particular moment, don't you? ”

Bismarck frowned and swallowed to himself. The minister seemed to be smiling, but he blocked him from saying anything, which made him really depressed. He didn't know how to agitate him, because the other party had already made it clear that his words could be nullified when needed. Who can take a person who is openly unprincipled?

"Monsieur Treville, Otto von Bismarck does not particularly love or hate a man, but he weighs a man according to the balance of his own heart, which is his ideal, and whoever helps to achieve his ideal in everything is his friend; Whoever stands in the way of his ideals can only become his enemy, and there is no place for morality and mercy in between. After a moment of silence, Bismarck's expression became more severe, "And I suppose that His Excellency Chancellor Charles de Treville is naturally the same, so in essence we should have a common language, and we shouldn't go together to turn Europe upside down?" You see, what a great opportunity this era has given us! Those kings and emperors are poor people who are well-dressed and poor, panicked in the face of the torrent of the times, and they can almost only rely on others to show them the way! So, the power of the state will be exercised by people like us, and we should use it to go down in history, right? You say that France is satisfied with the status quo, but I don't see it that way, do you think that France held hostage by the British is the France you want? Do you think that France confined to natural boundaries is the France you want? No, as a descendant of Napoleon, the French Empire should have a greater pursuit, and if you are not adapted to such a pursuit, then you have failed the mission given to you by history, and you have also failed the obligations you have undertaken! ”

In the midst of the oncoming wind, Bismarck talked to Charles about the blueprint for the future of Europe, and unnaturally brought some lessons: "Prussia is now gathering strength, he can go north or south, he can make Europe chaotic, maybe France can take the opportunity to get what it wants...... If you are indifferent to this friendship, then France will miss the opportunity and may even suffer from it! ”

"Why, does Prussia really want to provoke its neighbors? Including France? Charles asked rhetorically.

"Of course I didn't mean that, but I think that if France does not side with us, then it will definitely lose a lot in the future, including its honor and pride." Bismarck stared at Charles with his head held high, a challenger's look on his face.

He was not afraid of the vizier's anger, for as far as he knew about Emperor Napoleon III and the ministers of the empire, these men were seldom angry, but would shrink back in the face of a tough attitude, and he wanted to win the respect of the other party with such a firm attitude.

"Hahahahaha...... Haha" However, under his gaze, Charles suddenly burst out laughing, "Mr. Bismarck, I have to say that your jokes are quite funny. The honor of France, she herself can go and take it, I don't think you have to work the Prussians, don't you? ”

"Hahahaha......" Bismarck stiffened in embarrassment for a moment, then quickly laughed as well, "if you think it's a joke, then we'll see." ”

In the original history, after the unification of Germany by Prussia in 1870, Bismarck and Prussia could have intimidated the leaders of almost all European countries, but alas, they could not scare people now. In the eyes of the people, Prussia was just a European power, although it had some strength, but it was not a decisive force on the European continent, but more of a small follower of the Russians.

Charles laughed to show that he was not at all afraid that Prussia would be bad for France, and that he did not even bother to argue against it, which was undoubtedly an implicit contempt and provocation.

So after Charles laughed, Bismarck, although he was very unhappy, only laughed along, turned his intimidation into a joke between friends, and secretly vowed in his heart that he must let the French see clearly how good he and Prussia really are in the future.

And he knew all the more that this persuasion had failed, and that the young Chancellor, who was almost unmoved, was not at all moved by his proposal, and resolutely rejected the proposal of France and Prussia to join forces to disturb Europe, and Bismarck even doubted how seriously he was about the friendship he had shown to him.

In the end, he had miscalculated, because the French monarchs seemed to be ambitious and bent on getting rid of the shackles of the old system on France, and the Minister Tréville had made a speech directly before his birth, angrily denouncing the old European system as obsolete and obsolete, and demanding that a new system be established under the leadership of France and obtain its rightful place in it.

Bismarck was overjoyed by this state of thought, not so much because he had any special affection for the French, but because he saw in it an opportunity for Prussia to take advantage of the fire, which would be a chance to play a role in the fire if France was to make a fuss in Europe.

During the Napoleonic Wars, France, under the leadership of the Napoleonic Emperor, turned Europe upside down, and even brought Prussia to the brink of extinction, but in the end, the French Empire was destroyed, and Prussia was compensated for its anti-French stance - in the Vienna Peace Conference, his territory was greatly expanded, and a large part of the Rhineland territory was also in his hands.

Bismarck, of course, secretly wanted France to continue this kind of adult beauty, and he was encouraged by the Second Reich's war against Russia just a few years after the restoration.

He imagined that this group of militarists, preoccupied with a policy of expansion and aggression, had turned France into a pile of dry fire, and with a slight push they would behave as they wanted.

Unfortunately, he miscalculated, and it seems that now the rulers of France have changed to be the defenders of order, and they have felt that the existing order has become beneficial to France, so they are no longer so anxious to change everything.

Is this serious, or is it deliberately saying this out of self-wariness?

Is this the opinion of Chancellor Tréville alone, or of the new ruling circles of France as a whole?

As Bismarck laughed, so much thought came flooding back to him that there was a hint of dryness in the whisper.

Either way, he did receive an unmistakable rejection, which was a setback, although both sides retained decency.

However, he was not going to give up his idea, after all, even if Minister Trevier couldn't open the gap here, he could continue to try with others, especially with His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty the Emperor was ambitious, and he had spent his life trying to play the role of his uncle, and if this logic continued, I am afraid he could not resist the temptation to extend the borders of France in Europe.

The prey were cunning and agile, but he was convinced that he had a way to hold them in his hands.

While the two men were talking and laughing, the carriage had stopped, and Charles and Ambassador Bismarck came to his grand mansion.

As had been announced, Mrs. Charlotte had prepared the servants for a reception, and waited here, and then entertained the Prussian ambassador with gentleness and courtesy.

At the sight of Charlotte, Bismarck kissed her hand respectfully and with the proper courtesy of a diplomat.

"You are the brightest jewel of the country, Mrs. Charlotte, and it is my greatest honor to see you again."

"Oh, you're getting better at talking now, sir...... No wonder I became an ambassador! Charlotte couldn't help but laugh. Still, I've always felt that your compliments have a bit of a blade in them. ”

"That's your delusion...... I will always be a German gentleman in the presence of beautiful ladies. Bismarck replied gently, not at all showing the arrogance and toughness of the past, "I admit that sometimes I am quite aggressive, but that is only for the sake of fighting with the men......"

Look, isn't that a tough answer? You are a Prussian, and everyone says you would like to wear a military uniform every day...... "Charlotte said as she led her guests to her home.

And in the living room, a little boy sprang up to the Trévilles and stabbed them directly into Charlotte's arms. "Mom!"

"Clovis, don't run around!" Charlotte grabbed the child directly, and her angry rebuke was full of pampering. "It's so big, I don't understand any etiquette!"

Then she turned her son over to Bismarck. "Call Uncle!"

"Uncle is ......," Clovis said timidly to Bismarck.

Looking at the young child, Bismarck couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke his golden hair.

"What a lovely child." His tone was very sincere, as if it was a sincere expression. "Madame, you have everything to be envied!"

"Look, you're right." Charlotte couldn't help but laugh, "Your child should be cute too." ”

"Yes, they're cute, but they're not with me." Bismarck was a little regretful, "They all stayed in their hometown with my wife. ”

He now has two sons, a daughter and three children, the eldest daughter Mary is six years old, and the younger son is only a few months old, and it is precisely because of this that he can only let his wife stay in his hometown to take care of the children, and go to work alone, and when he sees Mrs. Charlotte and her children today, he can't help but think of his family, and only at this time is he more like a man than a conceited politician.

"That's a good thing for you, no one can control you, you can enjoy yourself in Paris." Charlotte said with a slight sneer.

"No, ma'am, I am a self-contained person, how can I do such a thing to be sorry for Madame?" Bismarck replied solemnly, "She has great respect for me, and has always looked after our family without complaint, and I must repay her and my children with the same loyalty." ”

"Sometimes you Prussians make me a little envious!" Charlotte couldn't help but sigh, "You know the meaning of family better. ”

Then, she glared at Charles covertly, and Charles had to pretend not to see it.

In the middle of the conversation, the three of them came to the hall together, and at this moment, Charlotte turned to look at the two of them.

"Dinner will have to wait for a while, you can talk about national affairs first, I will not accompany you, and the servant will call you to the dining room later." Then she nodded at Bismarck, "Sir, forgive me for being absent for a moment......

Bismarck nodded hurriedly, and then made a gesture directly, "Madam, please take care of yourself, don't be too accommodating to me." ”

"Goodbye." Charlotte turned away with her son, giving the two men room to face each other alone, knowing that the ambassador wasn't just visiting her to compliment her.

After Charlotte left, the hall fell silent, and just as Bismarck was pondering what to talk to the minister about, Charles suddenly spoke.

"Sir, how about we go and compare?"

"Huh?" Bismarck was a little surprised.

"I heard you...... You were a very courageous man when you were younger, and you dueled a lot of people when you were in college, didn't you? Charles asked lightly.

"When I was younger, I was a bit grumpy, and now I regret it." Bismarck replied hurriedly, and a premonition arose in his heart that it was not so good. "I should have read more books then."

"I don't think you regret it, do you?" Charles sneered slightly, "Sir, it's rare that we have time to get together alone today, would you like to reminisce with me about the past time?" To tell you the truth, I fought with others many times when I was young, and I am still somewhat confident in my swordsmanship. ”

Bismarck couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

After leading the guests to the door, do you want to compete with swords? This really doesn't look like what is fashionable today.

In the Middle Ages, the aristocracy was brave and ruthless, and they had nothing to do, so duels were commonplace, and it was normal to go head-to-head with guests, but now the times have changed a lot, at least not in France.

Did I offend him by what I just said? Bismarck pondered secretly.

If that's the case, that's okay, because it's better for him to be angry than to be indifferent.

But he still couldn't believe that a treacherous man like Charles de Treville would be a fierce fighter, let alone be so obvious.

"I haven't done that in years...... And I don't think it's good to do that. ”

"No, I'm not going to duel you, it's just a form of communication......" Charles was still smiling, but there was a hint of wit in his tone, "You are the descendant of a Junker nobleman, whose ancestors carved out territory in East Prussia; And my ancestors used to gallop all over France...... So, I guess sometimes, we need to regain the legacy of our ancestors, don't we? ”

Bismarck frowned.

He was a very cool-tempered man, and even more arrogant at heart, never wanting to back down when others were aggressive.

And, why should there be any need to back down? He's been on fire just now, and it's time to vent.

"You're more of a nobleman than I expected,......" Bismarck nodded helplessly, "Well, after all, you're a descendant of the Tréville family...... I would love to communicate with you like our ancestors. ”

"Okay, please come with me." Charles nodded, and led him to the side of the mansion.

Although it was already the age of muskets, there was still no shortage of places to store swords and fencing among the families of the great nobles, and they soon came to an empty room with only a few shelves full of swords.

"You're a decade older than me, and I think I should make some concessions in terms of weapons." Charles walked towards the shelves.

"No, quite the opposite." Bismarck's face was full of confidence and pride, "I think I should let you do it, because you can't have as much experience in dueling as I do." ”

"Okay, then let's do it fairly." Charles picked two weapons directly from the shelf and placed them in front of Bismarck.

This is a training sword, so it has never been bladed, not so much a sword, but a thin metal rod embedded in the hilt, and Bismarck was relieved when he saw the weapon.

He picked it up casually, then shook it a few times and tried the feel, "Hmm, it's really good, it reminds me a little of the time......

At this time, his eyes were already shining with excitement, and he seemed to be nostalgic for the green years of the year.

Charles picked up the rest of the sword and looked at each other steadily.

Of course, he didn't plan to take this opportunity to create an accident and kill the other party here, he didn't need to do such a bad thing.

He just wanted to fight the great man directly with his hands.

He's been looking forward to this for a long time, and what a fun thing it will be!

Under Bismarck's gaze, he raised the sword in his hand and pointed it at the other side.