Under the watchful eyes of all present, Charles passionately uttered a grand message of love for peace, almost as if it were from the heart. However, instead of a warm cheer in response to him, he looked at each other with a slight shock.

The Austrians looked at each other as if they wanted to say something but couldn't.

There is no doubt that they will not believe this kind of performance at all.

In today's France, anyone can say they hate killing and love peace, but Louis Bonaparte and his comrades are not qualified. If they had not been ambitious, and had not been afraid of murder and arson, how could they have risen step by step from the cold and finally launched a bloody coup d'état to usurp the supreme power in France?

And this Monsieur de Treville, obviously, is as vicious, cunning and insidious as any of his own comrades.

From the information they received through various sources, they knew very well - Charles de Treville was one of the general directors of the coup d'état and personally ordered the bloody suppression of the opposition and popular demonstrations.

However, for the sake of diplomatic etiquette, it was impossible for them to interrupt Treville's exaggerated performance, and they could not even show a smile, so it was no wonder that their expressions were strange.

What's more, it was Helmut von Melersen himself who just professed to be peace-loving, and if he made a mockery, it would obviously be an irony.

Helmut von Mellersen, who was originally going to play tricks, did not expect that Charles not only did not wait to post it, but also came to such a brazen high statement. Seeing that the topic was blocked by Charles, he was so embarrassed for a while that he didn't know what to say.

I saw that the atmosphere was a little cold. Charlotte smiled and patted Charles' hand, "Alright! are still doing some tirades at home. I'm not ashamed! Cheers, don't scare the guests! ”

After saying that, she picked up her glass and looked at Helmut von Melersen and the others. "Alright, gentlemen, let's have another drink, shall we?"

After getting Charlotte's round, Helmut von Mellersen finally looked a little better.

"Cheers to peace!"

Everyone raised their glasses again and toasted.

After another long sip of wine, Helmut von Melersen relented.

"Monsieur de Treville, you are right. Peace and prosperity are very good for both of our countries, and for all of Europe, and each of us should love peace......," he stared at Shire, as if to inquire about every change in his expression, "but, as we know, there are many kinds of peace—peace that everyone is happy with, and there is peace that everyone is not like, I think. You should be able to tell the difference, right? ”

This time, after Charles's riposte, his attitude has become much stricter, and he obviously no longer has a contempt for Charles because of his first foray into the diplomatic field.

It seems that there is a drama!

Charles's heart was immediately relieved.

And the same as your own judgment. The Austrians did not come to the door this time with a false story, but a genuine desire to find out something meaningful to themselves - otherwise they would not have begun to re-test now. Instead, I moved on to the subject.

"You're right, sir. Peace is diverse. Charles nodded, staring at von Melerson's face as well. If there is a kind of peace, which is born by chance because of the mistakes of the times, and if everyone feels deeply unhappy about it, then the foundation of peace is very fragile and unreliable, and it is very difficult to maintain. I prefer a positive, constructive peace to a peace that, in my opinion, is beneficial to any country in Europe. ”

"Positive, constructive peace...... What is it based on? Although it was not very diplomatic to ask such a question, Helmut von Melersen continued to ask, "Is it 1789, or 1792, or 1810?" ”

"Of course it was in 1815, and I have no grievance with the ruling of the Congress of Vienna, and besides, we can hardly provide a better peace." Rather than falling into the trap of his words, Charles made it clear that he did not want to overthrow the existing order. "Although, it must be admitted, there is some muttering about the existing order in our country, this does not change our whole view that the balance of power in Europe is an important cornerstone of peacekeeping, and we are in no way opposed to this."

His words made the Austrians look at each other again.

"Sincerely?" They seemed to be asking.

The Bonapartes were skeptical of whether they could accept the decision of the Congress of Vienna calmly and tacitly, and this doubt was one of the reasons why they had difficulty in making up their minds to make good relations with France.

"It is very heartening that you can say that, sir, at least for me." Helmut von Mellersen, though skeptical, continued in an encouraging tone, "However, I have some rumors here that are not in tune with yours...... Sir, I heard that you also made a statement at the World Peace Conference a little over a year ago? I have read some of the accounts of that statement, and the tone may not have been so constructive......"

"Oh? I did make some impromptu remarks, some of which were not thought out in advance, but if you think they are some kind of belligerent remarks, you must be misunderstanding me...... If you can get what I said at the time, you should be able to see that I am in favour of the principle of balance of power and détente, but that the existing system needs some corrections that are not difficult and that are still based on the existing order, so that they can reflect the place that France rightfully should. ”

"A few minor corrections? With all due respect, sir, people are all different, and while you don't feel offended, some people feel offended – so for us, being open and honest helps mutual trust and understanding. Helmut von Mellersen was even more stern, "In addition, you want to raise the position of France, and to be honest, I understand it deeply, because every patriot has this hope...... There's nothing wrong with that. ”

He deliberately lengthened his tone in order to suggest to Charles that the Austrians were not particularly opposed to the Bonapartists continuing to hold power in France, and Charles was relieved to hear this hint from him.

He waited for the other to say 'however' and reveal the Austrians.

"However......" Helmut von Melersen immediately changed his tune, "as far as we understand it, the balance of power means that each side is willing to respect each other and exercise restraint, and on this basis, we sincerely hope that your wishes do not unfold in the most dangerous form...... If anyone were to unilaterally and wantonly destroy our precious peace, I think it would be extremely difficult for us - all of us - to accept, after all, France has done so recklessly in the not-so-distant past. ”

Are you going to use other countries to embolden yourself? Charles sneered.

The Austrians feared that the French would find themselves to provoke, and this was not unusual, after all, the Bonapartes, who had beaten the Habsburgs several times and begged for mercy, had left them with too much shadow - a kind of Cheng dù, perhaps more than any other country, the Bonapartes would have come to power.

And he didn't expect to completely dispel their doubts on this occasion.

"What are you worried about? War? Charles looked up and asked in a loud voice, "Sir, as I have just said, no one in France would ever think of war, neither did the president, nor did I. The lessons of history are always in our minds, and we do not want to be enemies of anyone...... The president is more sensible than anyone else on this issue, because no one has been taught such a hard lesson as he has. There's no need for you to worry about that. ”

Then, Charles stood up lightly and bowed sincerely.

"Believe me, as the President said, we are now only thinking about defending our country and our nation, and we have absolutely no war plans against anyone. Moreover, our country has just recovered from turmoil and needs to recuperate, and the people do not have any desire to compete with other countries, but only to live a stable and prosperous life. ”

His tone was so sincere that even he was about to believe that he and Louis Bonaparte were not preparing for war against Russia.

Such a sincere tone, such a rational confession, finally made Helmut von Melersen slightly moved.

Undoubtedly, he certainly didn't fully believe Charles' words, but at least he felt that Charles was not a madman without scruples.

"Not only does France not want to destroy the peace, on the contrary, it is more diligent in his pursuit of defending it." Charles continued, "And this is not a task that France alone can bear, but all the peace-loving powers of Europe should unite and work together for this great goal, right? ”

"Do you think there is a need for cooperation between France and our country?" After a moment of silence, Helmut von Mellersen asked rhetorically.

"It's necessary, and it should be as soon as possible, that's what the President and I are convinced." Charles nodded, and replied with undoubted certainty, "You may not believe that the Bonapartes have a natural affection for Austria...... So the emperor ended up marrying an Austrian princess. Moreover, we are all devout followers of God and owe a greater role to play together in the defense of Christ and the church...... Germany and France, both defenders of Christ for thousands of years, are there any reason to change this? (To be continued......)