After saying goodbye to Matilda, Charles left the Earl's Court under the guidance of the Handmaiden, and returned home in a cab. However, because he had important things to do, he did not rest at home, but only ate a little and changed a set of clothes, and then left his house in a hurry and hurried to the Elysée Palace.

Time was running out, and he knew he had to convince the president before the new appointments were made, not to really make the decision to replace Count Delion of Dilillion as Minister of Railways.

When they arrived at the Élysée Palace, perhaps because of their busy schedules, the president's attendants kept Charles waiting for an audience in the waiting room, and although he was anxious, Charles had to wait there.

I don't know if after looking at the pocket watch a few times, the door to the interview room finally opened.

Charles looked up at the door with a happy face, and the smile on his face froze completely.

Because, Joseph Bonaparte is slowly coming out of it.

His expression was calm, but with a smug look of triumph - Charles knew why, of course.

Charles calmed down and regained his original calm.

"Isn't this Charles?" At this moment, Joseph Bonaparte also saw Charles, he exclaimed exaggeratedly, and then walked quickly to Charles, "Why are you here today?" Is there anything to find Louie? ”

"Well, there is something in the ministry that I want to ask Mr. President." Charles smiled and nodded, "It's not a big deal, actually. I'm just in a hurry......"

"Oh? Then you've come to the right time, Louie is in a good mood right now, and you should be able to get a satisfactory result later. Joseph Bonaparte replied with the same smile.

"If that's the case. That would be great. ”

"Then I won't delay your time, goodbye." As if suddenly remembering something, Joseph Bonaparte suddenly looked at Charles mysteriously, "By the way, Charles, I forgot to tell you something." ”

"What's the matter?"

Joseph Bonaparte came closer.

"Charles, we may have to work together at the Ministry of Railways in the future."

"Huh? Are you sure? Charles was just right on the surface and surprised.

"Of course it's true." Joseph Bonaparte laughed merrily. He leaned into Charles' ear and whispered, "Charles, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister." There is a good chance that I will be the new Minister of Railways......"

"Really?" Charles was shocked, "So it's possible that the Count of Dilillion is leaving?" ”

"Possibly." Joseph Bonaparte still smiled mysteriously, "Charles, our chance to make a big difference is coming." As long as we work together. Isn't it all up to us? How much benefit can we get out of it then? I'm really looking forward to that day......"

"If that's the case, it's really something to look forward to." Charles hurriedly replied.

The two men then ended their conversation, and Charles walked into Louis Bonaparte's meeting room, led by his attendant.

"You've met Joseph just now, haven't you? Did he tell you anything? When Charles had saluted, Louis Bonaparte asked in a low voice.

Charles straightened up and glanced at the other man, and found him sitting upright in his seat with no expression on his face. I can't see the joy or anger.

"yes, I see." Charles replied calmly, "He told me that he might be the new Minister of Railways, and that he wanted to work well with me." ”

"So do you want that to happen?" The president asked rhetorically.

"It's not something I can decide if I want to, it's up to you, sir." Charles replied with extreme caution.

"Before I make a decision, of course, I have to take into account the opinions of all parties, Charles." Louis Bonaparte remained calm, "The Comte de Tillion seemed to be unable to bear the political pressure he had been subjected to, so he offered to retreat from the Prime Minister, who recommended Joseph to me...... As one of the key staff members, I would like to ask for your opinion. ”

"Of course it's great that you'll be able to listen to me, sir, because ......," Charles looked back at him, "I'm actually here to explain the matter to you. ”

"Oh? Have you already gotten the news? It's very well-informed. The president raised an eyebrow, not surprised by Charles' words, "Well, I haven't made a decision yet, so tell me your opinion, Charles." ”

If Joseph Bonaparte had really been a good candidate in his mind, he would not have hesitated to ask my opinion—a glimmer of realization suddenly flashed through Charles's mind.

"The president didn't like his cousin. Of course, even if he doesn't like it, he won't publicly dismiss his face, and if the prime minister intends to appoint him as a minister, the president won't object to it...... But if there were objections at the same time, the situation would be very different, because he had the steps to go down and could take the decision to keep my father in office. At this moment, he also remembered Matilda's previous words.

Combined with some of the facts I have seen before, it seems that this sentence does make sense.

At least, it's worth the gamble.

"In my personal opinion, I actually ...... I don't really want such an appointment, sir. Charles bowed down abruptly and replied respectfully. Personally, I don't think it's a good decision, either for him or for us. ”

Although Louis Bonaparte's expression remained the same, Charles always felt as if the air had suddenly cooled a little more.

"Oh? Why? After a few moments, Louis Bonaparte asked again.

"Because...... Personally, I think that after two years of adjustment and cooperation, the current ministry has formed a way of operation, although it is not very good, but after all, it can run smoothly and complete the current work. If you change a minister rashly, let alone ...... Not to mention the fact that someone as strong as Mr. Joseph Bonaparte has already worked and processes. There is bound to be a big change, which is not good for the grim situation we are facing at the moment......"

After waiting for a while, it was found that Louis Bonaparte had not interrupted him. Charles' confidence increased, "Of course, I am not saying that he is not suitable for this kind of work, but only that it is better not to let him take over for the time being in the complex and difficult environment we are facing......

"That is, you are against such an appointment?" After a few more moments of silence, Louis Bonaparte asked succinctly.

"Sir. This is just my personal opinion, and if you ask me such a question, it is my obligation to tell the truth. If you don't think my opinion is enough to be heard, then you can go ahead and do what you thought you were. Charles replied in a low voice.

Louis Bonaparte stood up suddenly, went to the window and looked out, apparently in thought.

"The last time you came to see me. You don't think that's the case. Shire. ”

"After careful consideration, I have come to this conclusion."

"So, your conclusion is that it is better to keep the Count of Dilieron in office? Make Joseph White happy? Louis Bonaparte suddenly turned his head and looked at Charles coldly, "Charles, you don't know what kind of person Joseph is, do you?" He's a very vindictive man, if you let him rejoice......"

"Joseph is a friend of mine and an important member of our party. Of course I hope to be able to maintain a good relationship with him. But...... In this kind of heavy dà matter, I don't particularly pay attention to his opinion. Because we need to consider the interests of the whole, and because our leader is you, you should make the most important decision. Charles replied with great sincerity, "If there is a conflict with the interests of our party as a whole, then even if it is possible to be hated by Joseph, I must express my opinion, of course, this is only a kind of construction." ”

"The overall good...... What a good word. The future emperor suddenly grinned.

This smile is both joy and mockery.

"But, Charles, I'm afraid you have other things to think about besides the overall interest, right?"

Charles's face changed suddenly.

"You ......"

"Is it because of the daughter of the Count of Delion?" Louis Bonaparte asked suddenly. "Speaking of which, I do recall that when we visited Wèn at the house of the Count of Delierion, you and his young lady suddenly ran out in the middle of the feast...... It turns out that the friendship was already deep at that time? Scold...... It seems that my reminder that day was taken as a deaf ear by you? ”

"Hmm...... Belch...... Not...... I mean......" Charles was a little stunned by the sudden blow, but nodded his head under Louis Bonaparte's sharp gaze. "There is indeed an element to her, but please believe me that my main consideration is our partisan interests......"

Because, this question, some kind of Cheng dù did hit the truth, and without Matilda, he obviously would not have done this.

"It seems that it is." Louis Bonaparte's face showed a look of understanding, as if something had been determined. "I didn't expect that our most optimistic future star, but he couldn't escape the support of a woman, for the sake of a woman, he dared to directly argue with my cousin!"

Then, he looked at Charles sadly, "Charles, I've told you a few times, don't interfere with your judgment because of this kind of thing!" Woman? What is that? It's a tool of pastime, or a ladder to step on, and it's foolish to ignore it for them! Come to think of it, you've been in the social arena for so long, can't you still see it? The women of this world are all born mean ghosts, they are all good at acting on the spot, you do anything for them, they will only take it for granted, and one day they will frown and cry, blaming you for never loving her! How many people in this country are there every day, for this kind of woman to fight for the wind and jealousy, and finally die in the dueling arena, but when they are mentioned by these young ladies after death, they don't frown, how heartless is this!

Therefore, Charles, who can make a difference, only treat women as children, give sugar but never give hearts, and then they will die for you. Did you do this today, thinking you could be a hero in her eyes? You're wrong, these young ladies will only feel like they're just having another slave, they've had everything since they were young, and they'll never know what gratitude is......"

Under Louis Bonaparte's exclamation, Charles bowed his head in embarrassment. However, he did not agree with the other party's point of view in his heart - there may be many women like this, but Matilda is certainly not such a girl, yes, at least she is completely different.

"Looks like you still haven't woken up." Seeing Charles' expression, Louis Bonaparte suddenly sneered, "Men who are addicted to romance are ridiculous, Charles, to be honest, I'm a little disappointed in you now." ”

It is not necessarily a bad thing to be seen by the future emperor as a weak-willed person who is easily influenced by women, and Charles comforted himself in his heart - a minister without weakness, the minister that every emperor hates the most.

"As I said, the main factor I consider is the overall interest of everyone, sir." After allowing Louis Bonaparte to mock himself, Charles once again expressed his opinion, "I still think that Joseph Bonaparte is not the right replacement. ”

"You want the Count of Dilillion to stay?" Louis Bonaparte looked at him sternly.

"If there is no suitable successor, I think it is better not to have too much impact on our department." Charles spoke calmly.

Then, the two men looked at each other like that.

"Well, it seems that you have made up your mind......" After looking at each other for a long time, as if Charles' determination had been determined, Louis Bonaparte nodded, "Then I won't say anything more, well, you are an important member of our party, and my opinion is for me to consider, Charles, just do as you say, Count Delion can stay in office." ”

Charles's heart suddenly relaxed.

"But, as I've said before, we should always say something to the outside world. Since you want the Count of Dilier to stay, then...... Charles, it's up to you to take care of it. ”

Charles, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, immediately became nervous again.

Well, that's to be expected.

At least not the worst outcome of both men leaving office - it seems that Matilda guessed well, and Louis Bonaparte really did not like his cousin, who always claimed to be the heir of the Bonaparte family.

So, how will he send me down? A flash of curiosity flashed through Charles's heart.

It is impossible to abandon it completely, and Charles has that confidence in himself.

Louis Bonaparte abruptly looked away and looked out the window.

"In that case, go to the War Department to avoid the limelight, Charles."

Charles' eyes widened suddenly.

Can this be considered punishment? (To be continued......)