"I have to congratulate you, Mr. Treville, on your success in becoming the helmsman of an ancient lineage."

Under Charles' gaze, the great banker, Baron de Beauvan, with his characteristic smile of the spring breeze, extended his hand to Charles, "I always believed that the late Duke of Treville had made a wise decision before his death, and I regret that I could not have had more contact with him." ”

"Thank you for complimenting me," Charles also held out his hand and shook his hand, "Long time no see, Lord Baron." ”

He was really getting older—that was Charles' first impression when they met again in a few months.

Since the sudden death of his son last year, the baron has fallen into a lot of depression, not only has he lost a lot of weight, but even his temples have become white. In addition, perhaps because his eyesight began to deteriorate, he also wore a pair of thick reading glasses, and no longer looked like an ambitious bourgeoisie with huge capital in his hands, but had some kind intentions.

But no matter how kind they are, the tiger is always a man-eating tiger and will not become a domestic cat.

Although the two of them talked and laughed, Charles certainly remembered that just a few years ago, the big banker had used a little trick to almost make the Treyville family a big deal, so he was a little wary of each other anyway.

The lessons of the past can be avoided forever, but they must always be kept in mind and remembered at all times, so that they will not be repeated.

"I guess you put aside the foreign affairs that are important to the country for a while, and don't just come and say hello to me, right?" The baron shrugged, "In order not to waste your precious time." It does not affect the national interests of France, please tell me directly. I think we, as collaborators, can speak our minds. ”

"That's good. I'm not going to waste your time. Charles smiled, "I'm here to ask for your help." ”

"Oh, is it borrowing?" When he heard the word, the baron put his hand on his reading glasses, "It's okay, that's what we do, of course I'm happy to borrow money from you." How much would you like to borrow? ”

"No, I'm not here to borrow money." Charles said very calmly. "I want you to help me with the details of my cousin's and cousin's bank account with me. By the way, help me monitor these accounts in the future. If there's been a big unusual transfer lately, please let me know. Also, you're a big man in the banking industry and you're very influential with other people, and you're talking to a few other colleagues about doing me a favor – in your name, of course. ”

"In principle, we can't do that, it's not in accordance with the rules." The baron frowned slightly, obviously hesitant. "Besides. You also want me to pull others to break the principle......"

"I didn't know you were talking about principles like that, did you?" Charles couldn't help but laugh.

"That's how we talk about principles when it's profitable." The banker calmly replied.

"Well, I can assure you that doing me a favor is absolutely profitable." Charles straightened his chest and looked at the other with his head held high. "Or. You still don't believe that? ”

After the two men looked at each other for a moment, the baron nodded, "Okay." Sometimes we can make exceptions. ”

"Thank you." Charles bowed slightly.

"I don't have to ask you what you're for, though. But at least I want to know, why do you want to do this? The baron looked at him again with some curiosity. As far as I know, you are not a person who likes to find faults, and you are magnanimous to your relatives, so why are you keeping a good eye on the new Duke of Treville, your cousin? ”

"To do my duty, of course." Charles smiled slightly, "There are some things we have to do even if we don't want to. ”

"Is something big going on?" The baron was still a little curious.

"I'm not in a position to talk to you about the internal affairs of the family...... "Charles, still smiling, "but rest assured, everything I do is just an internal matter of our family, and I don't need to bother anyone else, and I won't be involved with anyone else." ”

Yes, he did this in order to monitor the money transactions of his cousin's family - if his cousin's family were really going to return such a large sum of money to the Bourbons, although this was unlikely, he would have to raise money through the various banks in order to repay the money.

Yes, he was not only worried about his cousin and cousin, but also about Charlotte and her loyalty to the old ideas.

Saying comforting words to Charlotte doesn't mean he's going to let her do all of this, especially when it comes to something so important.

In today's political environment, he can't afford to be charged with "sponsoring the Bourbon family with a lot of money", even if it's just a debt to pay off.

Besides, the basis of the agreement he made with his cousin was to give the Bourbon family money to them for their own use, and if the money was returned, the basis of the agreement would no longer exist, and God knows how many more troubles would arise within the family.

After hearing the subtle and strong warning of "don't bother the others", Baron de Beauvan duly restrained his curiosity. "Okay, I'll do you a favor. However, please also remember that I am not a natural philanthropist, and it is natural to do you a favor. ”

"Of course I understand, and I'll do whatever it takes to repay you." Charles shrugged, "After the Duke died, in accordance with his will, we need to take stock of the property he left behind and convert most of his wealth into cash, which will require your help...... Of course, commissions are absolutely indispensable. ”

"You know, I don't care about the little money." The baron was not relieved by his words, "I should have told you what I wanted." ”

"Of course I do." Charles sighed, and had to give the other party one more promise, "His Majesty the Emperor will soon return to the throne, as he becomes more and more in control of the country's economic affairs. You will become President of the Banque de France. ”

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve my country." The baron finally smiled with satisfaction, "Alright. Actually, I just have something to tell you, and you can spare me if you come by yourself......"

"What's the matter?" Charles was a little confused.

"Do you remember? You borrowed a lot of money from us not long ago...... To buy land. There was something strange on the baron's expression.

"Yes." Charles froze. Then he nodded, "Are you going to reclaim the money now?" ”

Speaking of this, he was still a little depressed, at that time he was discovered by Charlotte because of cheating, so in order to please Charlotte, he raised money to buy a large amount of land in the south. However, it now seemed that this was not necessary, and he and Charlotte had inherited the Duke's inheritance, and the land was many times larger, and it seemed to him like chicken ribs. There is little value.

"Mr. Treville, given our relationship, if you have any inside information in the first place, you should tell me about it?" The baron's expression was a little strange, "Do you think that it is not too lonely for a person to make a lot of money?" ”

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Charles was still confused.

Then, after the baron's explanation, he understood that the price of land in the country had begun to rise, and that the south was now beginning to prepare for the construction of railways. Some of the plans were meant to pass right next to the land he had bought, and the price of that land had risen considerably in a short period of time.

However, it is not surprising that at the outbreak of the February Revolution and the turmoil of the Second Republic, the whole of France experienced a decline in asset prices due to turmoil. Land transactions were also sluggish, so it was not normal for him to be able to acquire large quantities of land at low prices.

After Louis Bonaparte's coup d'état was successful, and it seemed that he would be able to rule France for a long time. The political situation began to stabilize, and the economy began to be active again. It is also very normal for land prices to rise again, plus now that the South is also beginning to industrialize. Railway construction is in the ascendant, and it is natural that land prices will skyrocket.

This kind of thing does seem like a coincidence, but it's really just Charles's inadvertent intervention, but the baron probably won't believe it.

"I'm really just doing it casually." Charles smiled and said, "But you mentioned this to me just to congratulate me on my fortune, right?" ”

"Of course it's more than that," the baron nodded, "and I hope you'll be able to sell me all this land at a new price as low as possible—and you're not short of land anyway." ”

"You mean, behind the scenes, you're supporting the railroad companies along the way?" Charles finally understood.

The baron just smiled and didn't reply.

What is the reason not to do such a good thing as buying land with someone else's loan and then selling it back to someone else at a high price?

"Well, I agree to sell the land to you." Without much hesitation, Charles made a decision, "You can arrange the formalities as soon as possible, and let me sign it when the time comes." ”

"Very well, Mr. Treville, I knew we had been working well together." The baron laughed heartily, and shook the bell on the table.

After waiting for the servant, he gave the order directly. "Go and call Miss!"

When he heard this order, Charles felt a shock in his heart, but he quickly regained his composure.

Just as he was wondering what the Baron meant, there was a sound of soft footsteps outside the door, and Lola walked in.

Even at home, she was dressed in a long embroidered dress with lace, and her hair was so permed that she looked like a doll.

However, her face is a little more mature than last year...... Isn't that my fault......

Just as Charles was still thinking about what was wrong, Lola also discovered his existence, and then at that moment, her eyes widened slightly, and the resentment in them stabbed at Charles without reservation.

However, Charles only smiled.

"Dad, is there anything you want me to do?" Lola's resentment was only a flash in the pan, and soon she was back to her unwavering appearance.

"Lola, I have just consulted with Mr. Tréville, and he has decided to resell us all the land he has bought in the South. So, it's very good for our railroad, and I think it's up to you to take care of the rest of the matter, and you and Mr. Tréville are going to finalize the deal. ”

"Okay, Dad, I'll get it done as soon as I can." Lola agreed directly, without any mud and water, shrewd and capable, not like a woman.

"Closing a deal is just a small matter, and Mr. Treville will not help you a little bit......" The baron spread his hands again, "Although Mr. Treville is no longer in the Ministry of Railways, he is the founder of this department after all, and he is very familiar with the relevant affairs, you need to learn more from him, understand?" ”

"Good ......" Lola's voice changed slightly, but of course her father didn't hear it.

Then, the baron looked at Charles again, "Charles, now I will tell you the truth, this railway company is indeed secretly created by me, and the affairs of it are actually managed by Lola now, I ask you to take care of her in the future......"

Charles almost understood that Baron de Beauvang was already training Lola as an heir, and that the railroad company had given her to practice her skills and familiarize herself with her father's network in politics and business, paving the way for succession.

"Yes, of course I'm happy to help Miss de Beauwon." Charles immediately agreed, "If she has any problems in this regard in the future, just mention it to me, I think my words still carry weight in the ministry." ”

"That's great!" The baron laughed, then glanced at his daughter, "Lola? ”

"Thank you, Mr. Tremville." Lola bit her lip, then bowed down to thank Charles.

"No thanks." Charles sneered, then bowed to Lola as well, "I'm sure that a child of Miss de Beauwon's will be able to live up to your expectations and carry on your business. After all, God has made up for your tragic loss. Our Maurice will be very pleased, too. ”

Lola's expression could no longer be maintained when she heard this obvious taunt, and she looked up at Charles with her back to her father.

However, Charles just likes to see how others hate him but can't help it, so he is very happy.

In order to make Lola more unhappy and thus make himself happier, he pulled Lola's hand under the baron's gaze, and then, ignoring her resistance, pulled her hand to his lips little by little.

"I am glad to be your most deferential friend, Mademoiselle de Beauwon, and I hope you will trust me in the same way." (To be continued.) )