Such an arrogant and rude declaration made the little excitement and fantasy that had just risen in the hearts of young people suddenly disappear.

He found that the powerful Monsieur de Treville was even more conceited than he had originally thought.

However, even though regret and bitterness rose in his heart, he did not retreat - for if he went back now, he could be sure that his betrayal would never be forgiven, and that the ambassador had a way to ruin his future.

"Sir...... I see what you mean, and I will never let my personal opinion influence your judgment," replied the young man to Charles in his most groveling tone, with a resigned touch, "I will only carry out your will......"

"If that's the case, that's fine." Charles nodded in satisfaction. "I think you also know that I have always been very generous to those subordinates who can satisfy me, don't worry, as long as you can satisfy me, then you will never just stay in your current position without a name, I will bring you back to the country."

If you return to China, it won't be just this insignificant position now...... Paul Bilot thought to himself.

If you can return to China and be able to soar in the ministry, then even if you have to grovel to this person, so what?

"Before I came to England, I already knew a little about the British, but after all, there is something I don't know much about the strait......," after a moment of silence, Charles reopened, "So, tell me everything you know about British politics." But. I'm going to say it first, considering your position. I don't need you to sue me for too much, I just need to sue me for a rough idea. I'm not going to reproach you for that - but you can't take any personal opinion into your pathetic messages that would influence my judgment, or you won't get anything from me what I promised, understand? ”

"I understand, sir." Not bothering to wipe the sweat from his forehead, Paul Birot bowed respectfully to Charles, "I will tell you everything I know......"

In this way, Charles kept asking Paul-Bilout questions. Paul Birot had been careful not to make his answer personal, until late in the evening, when Charles asked the palace servants to take him to a small room to rest.

……………………

The next day, Charles woke up early.

"Charles? Why don't you take a break anymore? When he was about to get out of bed, Charlotte next to him was also awakened, and then asked in a confused tone, "Why do you get up so early......

"I've got something to do, so go ahead and get some rest." Charles patted her cheek affectionately. Then he leaned into her ear and whispered, "Leave me alone, aren't you going out with the queen today?" Let's get some rest. ”

"Well, then you can get busy first......" Charlotte replied, still confused. Then he turned sideways and continued to fall asleep.

On a normal day, Charlotte would wake up with Charles. Sometimes she would even make her morning coffee earlier than Charles. It's just after a bumpy ride along the way during this time. Charlotte was indeed a little tired, plus she was now far away from home. And she also had an event to attend with Her Majesty the Queen later, so she didn't have the heart to care about Charles anymore.

After putting his wife back to sleep, Charles slowly got out of bed, and after some freshening up, he went straight to his desk, and put together a memo of some of the ideas he had come up with yesterday, ready for his own inquiry at a later date, and at the same time he wrote a few letters to the country to deal with his other affairs.

By the time Charles had finished his busy routine work, the sun had already risen.

Looking at the golden morning sun in the distance, Charles breathed a sigh of relief, and then slowly stood up.

It's almost time to come.

He walked out of the room, and then ordered the attendant to summon Paul Bilot to his side.

"Good morning." He greeted the other with a smile, "I hope you enjoyed a great evening." ”

However, the other party's state is not good at all.

His face was very pale, and he still looked tired, apparently having had almost a sleepless night last night.

The opportunity to spend the night in the palace was truly an unforgettable experience for him; What is even more memorable for him is that he became an assistant to the famous Monsieur de Treville and participated in the most high-level meetings between the two countries...... This honor, while giving him encouragement, also gave him a lot of fear, he was deeply afraid that his appearance would not be good, so that he would lose the luck that fell from the sky.

After glancing at Charles with some fear, he barely managed to put on a flattering smile on his face.

"Good morning, sir."

"You should be calmer so you can make a good impression on them." Seeing that the other party was a little panicked, Charles couldn't help but frown slightly, "Although I don't intend to involve you in the next discussion with the British, at least you should act like someone who can take on the heavy responsibility......"

"I ...... I see, sir......" Paul Birot nodded reluctantly, but still seemed a little uncomposed.

Never mind...... Don't be too demanding of the original junior staff.

"Let's go have some breakfast first, I guess they're almost here." Charles no longer blamed the other party, but turned and left, "Don't be afraid, it's just to meet some mortals......"

Then, without further ado, he walked straight on.

With apprehension in his heart, Paul Bilout followed the steady pace of Charles and walked towards the restaurant step by step.

He had originally planned to eat something to replenish his hungry stomach and calm his feelings, but when he arrived at the restaurant. His uneasiness grew stronger.

"Oh God!" As he stood in the doorway, he suddenly exclaimed in a low voice. "They...... They...... It's all here now! ”

I can't help but be a little panicked, because. At the table not far away, there were three men sitting at this moment, except for the Prince, the other two, all of whom looked to be old, and dressed in black formal suits and gray or black ties, were chatting in a whisper while eating, and all three of them he could recognize.

Prince Albert, Prime Minister Mr. Russell. and Foreign Secretary Palmerston -- several of the big names have actually come together financially.

"Looks like the person I'm waiting for is here now?" A gentle and calm question suddenly came from the side.

"Yes...... Sir......" replied Paul-Birot mechanically, "the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have arrived. ”

"Calm down!" Next to him, Charles suddenly whispered, then reached out and patted him on the shoulder, "At least for now, you're representing France!" ”

On behalf of France! Oh, my God! When did I suddenly get such an honor?

Although he sighed in his heart, Paul Birot bit his lip and finally managed to reluctantly calm down.

At this moment, the two old men other than the prince also happened to turn their eyes. Then it focused on Charles.

One of them has an ordinary face, gray hair, and a restrained demeanor. With a thoughtful expression, it looks like Prime Minister Russell; One is quite handsome, and his spirit seems to be very strong. He smiled and nodded at Charles, as if admiring his youth—this must have looked like His Excellency Palmerston, the Foreign Secretary.

At least for this moment. They are the UK.

They make decisions that can be guaranteed by the wealth and military might of one of the world's strongest countries. Able to leave a deep mark on the whole world.

Even Charles, at this time, his heart was suddenly a little excited, and he was also a little nervous.

However, years of experience have already allowed him to be moody.

He bowed to the other side with a smile on his face, as if to apologize for his tardiness, and then walked unhurriedly to the table.

"Good morning, everyone, I'm sorry I'm late."

"Good morning, Charles." When he had reached the side, Prince Albert spoke first, and made a gesture for Charles to sit on the opposite side. "No need to apologize, in order not to disturb your rest, we did not notify you to come over for breakfast...... Well, let me introduce you first. ”

Then, unhurriedly, he spread his hand to the other two people, "This is Mr. Russell, the Prime Minister of our country; This is Mr. Palmerston, our Foreign Secretary, and they have come here today to discuss some personal matters with me, and you have come as well, so I will introduce you to you. ”

It had already come to this point, and the Prince still maintained the semblance of a 'private and unexpected meeting', which surprised Charles a little.

However, now that he has substance, he doesn't care what the name is.

"Oh! Then I'm so lucky! He shouted with a slight exaggeration, then bowed to the two men again, "It's nice to meet both." ”

Neither old man answered, but looked at Charles as if to find something in his face.

"Monsieur de Treville, you are younger than I thought, and you are a little jealous." After a long time, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Palmerston, finally spoke in French, and amazingly, his voice was so full of breath that it could not be seen as an old man in his sixties, "I lived in France for a long time when I was young, so you can speak freely in French." ”

"Thank you." Charles nodded respectfully at him, and then sat down in his seat, "But I suppose Your Excellency the Prime Minister doesn't know French, right?" So I brought a translator with me. ”

"It's okay, that's your freedom." Palmerston waved his hand indifferently, indicating that Charles could do as he pleased, "I don't need an interpreter here, I can pass on what you say to His Excellency the Prime Minister." ”

Then, in English, he told the Prime Minister what he had just said to Charles.

Even though he could understand what he was saying, Charles still pretended to be confused.

After listening to the Foreign Secretary's words, the Prime Minister's grim expression relaxed a little, and then nodded to Shire.

"Mr. Treville, this is a private party. I don't think we need to be so formal, you can do as you like with us. "Wait until the two of them greet each other. Mr. Palmerston clapped his hands with pleasure, "Actually. I'd love to get some energy from young people...... After all, at my age, there aren't many opportunities like this. ”

Although there was a faint hint of qualification in the other party's words, Charles felt that the other party had some kindness to him.

That's not bad.

"I've heard a lot of your deeds, and it's very respectable." Charles smiled respectfully at him, "It fills my heart with respect for you. ”

"Oh? That's gratifying, I'm afraid the admiration of a young man like you is not so easy to get, right? Palmerston seemed pleased with Charles' attitude, "Everybody says you look a bit like Talleyrand, and I think at least you look a little like you - I've seen him with my own eyes." He was so handsome back then. ”

"I'd rather learn more about that character than from the outside." Still smiling, Charles replied, "Still, I think I should be able to get closer to the big man if I can continue to learn from you." ”

"Ahh I don't dare compare to him! Mr. Palmerston shook his head rather exaggeratedly, "He saved France from partition in Vienna, and I did not save England to that extent......"

After all, it's the Foreign Secretary. He blended praise and ridicule in just one sentence, and Charles couldn't even tell which one was his true intention.

However, there was no need for him to explore the true meaning now.

"What you accomplished in 1839 is comparable to what he did in 1815...... One could even say. He saved France from the present, and you have eliminated even the future crisis facing Britain. Charles looked at the other with admiration, "What a feat you have. It is worth remembering your homeland for a hundred years. ”

[Refers to 1839, under diplomatic pressure from the British.] Britain, France, Austria and Prussia and other European powers signed an entente to guarantee Belgium's independence and permanent neutrality. As a result, Britain has a very important buffer zone on the mainland.

The British Foreign Secretary at that time was Palmerston, which was one of his greatest diplomatic achievements. 】

"Oh?!" The old man raised an eyebrow, clearly interested in what Charles was suggesting. "That is, Monsieur Bonaparte strongly agrees with this treaty?"

"Not only does the President agree, but France intends to defend this treaty with all its might, if anyone dares to infringe on it, as it did before." Charles replied categorically, "As we have repeatedly reiterated, the President is peace-loving and willing to contribute to the existing peace in Western Europe." ”

Western European.

Charles deliberately emphasized the word.

Palmerston did not reply again, and then relayed Charles's words to the prime minister in English.

"Is France, then, willing to reiterate this claim to the European countries?" After a few moments, Palmerston asked again.

"We can reiterate it now if we need to." Again, Charles replied without hesitation. "You can see how much we are willing to do for the sake of peace."

"Judging by Bonaparte's surname, such peace sincerity is already very valuable, sir." Palmerston nodded quietly, "But...... I think you can understand that we in the UK are more focused on action than on words. Now that he is the de facto ruler of France, how much does M. Bonaparte intend to contribute to the existing peace in Europe? ”

Because Charles had been emphasizing "Western European" before, the foreign secretary immediately followed up on what to do with the whole of Europe.

"France respects the existing order and is willing to assist any peace-loving power in maintaining the existing peaceful order." Charles was still flickering, but he added at the end, "Of course, if this order is broken by some country, he is willing to help others restore it - France is well aware that peace cannot be left alone by one country...... Peace is not defended by words, but by some kind of ...... Some kind of coercive means. ”

"That's a funny thing you said!" Palmerston burst out laughing. "Can I take it as the president himself is answering me?"

"I think so." Charles nodded. "But—I'm not that sure about you."

"What?"

"We don't have an opposition in France, so my words, as long as I can represent the supreme leader of France one day, then one day I will be able to work...... And with all due respect, in England I am not sure that the same is true. With a kind of uncertain inquiry, Charles looked at Palmerston earnestly, "If we have reached some satisfactory tacit agreement with the two of you, and soon after, there is some change in the political environment of your country, will it bring about a sharp change in diplomatic strategy, so that this tacit understanding will be shelved?" I may not be able to pronounce it, but this concern is a general concern among the leadership of our country......"

"You and your boss are overly worried about this, but you don't seem to understand Britain very well." Mr. Palmerston raised his head slightly, and glanced at Charles with a slight haughtiness, "Not only in France there is no opposition, but also in England. ”

"If that's the case, the president will be relieved......," Charles sighed rather comfortingly. He is willing to make his own effort for the cooperation of England and France - if this effort is taken seriously by your country, then ...... We will also hope that your country will cherish our efforts ......" (to be continued......