On this cold winter morning, in the midst of a private gathering of a group of state dignitaries in the Palais de la Palazzo, His Royal Highness Prince Jérôme Bonaparte, who was of great virtue, made a remark to the group of people who could be said to be his descendants. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

Although he seemed to be just gossiping, and these words seemed to make sense, everyone could see that there was indeed a deep meaning in this small talk, and at the same time, there was a certain purpose.

"I've already raised the question with you, of course, I'm just an old man, maybe I'm behind this era, so I may not be able to see the problem accurately, there is something wrong, if you really have any opinions, you can talk to me." As everyone listened attentively, His Royal Highness Prince Jérôme continued unhurriedly, "To be honest, in my current situation, I shouldn't have said these words, just enjoy the wealth and glory in peace!" But I don't think I can turn a blind eye to the current rift that has been formed, but I should find a way to solve this problem, so that everyone can continue to be as sincere as before, and serve the empire wholeheartedly. In fact, everyone should be close and close fellow travelers, everyone has contributed greatly to the empire, and they should not be favored because of certain circumstances, right? ”

He looked around at the group of people around him, a smile on his face.

"Yes......" Some people responded with a little hesitation.

But more people are still in a state of wait-and-see, looking at each other, but not taking a position easily.

Charles is one of those people.

And because he sat very close to the Prince, he was soon noticed by His Royal Highness, and his rich face was soon met by Charles.

"Charles, do you think my words make sense? If there's anything I say that you don't like, please point it out? ”

"Your Highness, I think your words are very reasonable, and we really can't sit idly by and watch a rift arise between us." Seeing that he had been asked in person, Charles decided not to dodge anymore. "I was not unaware of the fact that you were talking about this, and to be honest, this phenomenon does exist - since the re-establishment of the empire, you have indeed accomplished a very remarkable feat, but, in the midst of the cheers, some people feel that it is done, that we can rest, and I think this is a matter of concern for us."

"Oh?" Prince Jérôme-Bonaparte was a little surprised because he didn't expect Charles to say such a thing, but he nodded anyway, "Since you agree with me, that's great...... To be honest, I also know that these words are very offensive to people, so I never know whether to say them or not, but then I thought, at my current age, what else do I need to worry about offending people? And who else is fit to say these things but me? So I have to stand up, and please don't take it personally. ”

"You are worried about us, this is caring for us, this is the safety of the empire, how can we have an opinion? And the question you raised is very poignant, and it really should be resolved sooner rather than later. Charles immediately took over the conversation, not giving the others a chance to add to the matter, "However, this situation is also excusable, now that we are all in important positions, in the flattery of subordinates and the outside world, how many people can not be fluttering, and maintain the previous caution and calmness?" Everyone who flatters us will compliment us and say that we are always right, and over time we ourselves will feel that we are always right, not to mention others, even I am so fluttering sometimes! You say that we are becoming more and more immersed in our own department, more and more like living in a kingdom that is disconnected from the outside world, and I think it is true, as my own experience has proved, that sometimes my subordinates are so deferential to me that I feel like I am invulnerable - and of course, this situation must be changed somehow. ”

"So what do you think should be changed?" Although on the surface, Charles was agreeing with his opinion, of course, Prince Jérôme knew that Charles was by no means a person who was willing to give in easily, so he was not sure what Charles's words meant, so he had to ask again.

"We must get out of the flattery that has overwhelmed us, get rid of the idea that 'we've done everything, it's time to rest and enjoy', and get out of the narrow thinking that is confined to departments, and regain the momentum and spirit that we once had, because there are still so many problems to be solved in the empire, and so many wishes to be fulfilled." "We are not only rebuilding the Empire, but we are also carrying on the legacy and spirit of Emperor Napoleon, who by his own efforts finally completed the Revolution and left the Code to France, and what we are now going to do is the revolution after the Revolution, a bloodless social revolution, a revolution that will make the country the most prosperous!" Such a revolution will require some military and economic efforts to accomplish it, so that the whole country can enjoy the prosperity brought about by industrial and commercial development, so I have one thing to tell you - the revolution has not yet succeeded, and comrades still need to work hard! ”

His intoxicated demeanor did not resonate with everyone, on the contrary, most of the people present looked at Charles with a strange gaze as if they had seen someone from another world, some were dumbfounded, some were embarrassed, and even Charles faintly heard a slightly mocking and disdainful "poof" laughter.

It's strange for him to say that, because everyone knows he's not that kind of idealist.

However, even if everyone was disdainful and knew that Charles was talking about empty words, because his words were so correct that no one could refute them, even Prince Jérôme-Bonaparte could only look at the young man in front of him with a strange expression of "this kid is really good at making trouble, I feel that I can't control the rhythm".

But now that Charles has said it, he doesn't plan to let the other party take the lead anymore.

"We must regain our ideals, the spirit of revolution, the spirit of struggle that we once had, for the sake of the empire and the well-being of the people!" In order to increase his persuasiveness, he simply stood up directly and raised his hand, "This is Your Majesty's wish, and it is also the goal we should strive for." No one is more concerned about the well-being of the people than His Majesty, he believes in socialism, he wants to eradicate the poverty of the people, and now that he has all the conditions to achieve this goal, and has been working hard to achieve it, how can we, as his servants, slack off? His Majesty has repeatedly told me earnestly that he wants me to maintain the passion of young people, to let the transportation industry of the empire develop at a speed that no one dared to imagine before, and to make this cause the most important support and source of power for the national economy, I only hate that I have limited ability, and I have not fully achieved the goals set for me by His Majesty, so to be honest, I am ashamed of Your Majesty, and I am ashamed of the people......"

If everyone was completely unimpressed when he boasted about himself just now, then when he brought out His Majesty the Emperor to endorse him, everyone didn't even dare to show their superficial disdain, and they all became serious, listening to Charles's self-examination.

However, Charles says that his abilities are limited, but who can say, "Then you abdicate and make way for Xian"? So I can only sneer secretly in my heart.

"Charles, you don't have to blame yourself so much, everyone has their own difficulties, I know this, as long as you recognize the existence of the problem, and remember the common ideals we had back then, that's enough." Seeing that the rhythm was a little wrong, Prince Jérôme finally couldn't sit still, "Moreover, you have been working hard to serve the country all these years and have achieved great achievements, and the outside world has praised your ability very much, and we are all very satisfied with you. ”

This is indeed what he is saying.

Being irreplaceable is where Charles's greatest confidence lies - he has done his job very well, and he has the self-confidence to do better than anyone else in promoting the construction of railways and industrial centralization, and no one can cooperate more with His Majesty's philosophy of governing the country than him, so although there are all kinds of moral flaws, everyone thinks that he is one of the best ministers of the empire, after all, under the foil of those colleagues who only care about enjoying wealth and power, his arrogance and lasciviousness are nothing.

So even Prince Jérôme didn't mean to ask Charles to abdicate and make way for him, but only reminded him to spit out some of the resources in his hand to take care of his comrades.

"Thank you for the compliment, it gives me more motivation." Charles smiled and nodded to His Royal Highness, "Actually, I understand what you just meant, and I also admit that although we are also working for the Empire, we have resources and budgets of varying sizes in our hands, which will cause ...... It may create some kind of psychological imbalance. But for me, this imbalance is unnecessary, because we are all working for Your Majesty and the people, we are all the cornerstones of the empire, those resources and wealth belong to Your Majesty and the people, we are only temporarily borrowed because of our respective positions, in essence, we are all equal, there is no difference......"

"Of course, we are all equal, and we are all in the service of the Empire. But others don't have as much money as you, so you can help Your Majesty rebuild the Palace of Fontainebleau, right? After a moment of silence, Prince Jérôme finally decided to strike at the young man, "To tell you the truth, there is actually a lot of gossip about this matter in the outside world, and everyone is surprised that you can come up with such a large sum of money without much difficulty......

"It's not effortless, in fact I've embezzled and spent it from the ministry's budget to meet His Majesty's request, and there's still a lot of money that hasn't been paid to the contractor, which is not a spare amount of money." Charles shook his head with a smile, and immediately denied the fact that he was rich in his hands, "If it were someone else, of course we wouldn't do this, but as a minister of the Empire, I must be responsible for His Majesty the Emperor, the country, and the ideals we once had." What Your Majesty wants to achieve is what must be done for me, and if Your Majesty needs the same or even more funds now, then I can come up with more, even if we dismantle the railroad tracks we laid and sell them for scrap metal, even if we officials in the ministry do not receive salaries, we will be loyal to Your Majesty to the end! ”

That is to say, without the consent of His Majesty the Emperor, none of you will be able to move me, nor will you be able to make me vomit good—Prince Jérôme certainly understands such a suggestion.

Charles did not give him time to think, and immediately looked at Count Wallewski.

"Mr. Earl, are you really in need of financial support now? Although I can't use public money to serve my own private people right now, I can use my private savings to support you if you need it, so I don't have to rush to pay it back. ”

The middle-aged man was a little overwhelmed by Charles' sudden questioning, and he wandered between his uncle and Charles, hesitated for a moment, and finally shook his head.

"No, thank you, Charles, I'm not short of money right now."

From his answers, Charles understood that he had not reached a united front with Prince Jérôme in advance, but had only been used as an excuse by the Prince, and his confidence was further enhanced.

"So, is there anyone who is particularly short of money right now?" He looked up and looked at almost everyone present.

He wants to stubbornly turn the meeting of unity and the distribution of spoils into a meeting of taking sides. (To be continued.) )