"Isn't this a fake public benefit? Mr? Jean Calvert's cross-examination once again brought the atmosphere that had eased a little into a dead silence.

Not only Charles, but also many other officials couldn't help but look sideways.

In any case, it is a very unseemly behavior to publicly accuse colleagues in a departmental meeting, not to mention that it is such a strict crime as fake public welfare and private interests, although the relationship between ordinary Charles and him is very bad, but this is the first time that he has such a-for-tat confrontation in a meeting, and it is simply the same as blatantly tearing his face with Charles.

For a moment, even Charles couldn't help but wonder what this man wanted to do - it couldn't really be for the public good, right?

However, although he has been thinking in his heart, he is still silent on the surface.

"Fake public and private? I don't understand what your accusations mean. Charles replied mildly, and then glanced at the stenographer, who was already pale, and continued to record.

"Don't you understand? Let me remind you in detail. Jean-Calvert continued, "You want to appoint suppliers related to you for the procurement of the Ministry, and this is a false public interest." ”

"I still don't understand what you mean." Charles still looked confused, "Designating suppliers for equipment procurement and avoiding disorderly competition is what Your Excellency the Minister meant. ”

"Please don't use Your Excellency as a shield, sir." Jean-Calvert interrupted him directly, as if he was no longer going to put up with him. "Those of us here know that. It has always been you who have advised His Excellency the Minister to act arbitrarily and cut off our communication with him. Let's not be able to build him properly. This reform must also be led by you alone, Your Excellency Minister is usually busy with affairs, and he doesn't have much to think about the department, plus he is still at home to handle the funeral of the Count of Delion, how can he have so much time to take care of here? The situation is already obvious, you neither respect us. and not respecting His Excellency the Minister, but deliberately creating distrust between us and His Excellency the Minister, and then using it for their own benefit......"

Even with the charre's self-cultivation. Hearing this, the smile on his face couldn't help but disappear completely.

"Your baseless accusations, can I consider them slander?!"

Although his expression did not show much anger, it was secretly frightened in the hearts of everyone present. Only Jean Calvert looked at Charles calmly. Untouched.

The other officials had stopped even making eye contact. Everyone sat quietly in their seats, as if they wanted to crouch under their chairs. The big leaders of these two ministries fought so fiercely in such a seemingly ordinary department meeting, which was honestly beyond their imagination, and what scared them even more was that they seemed to be forced to sit in on this qiē and had no excuse to leave.

"Slander? I don't think so. In the silence, Calvert's voice seemed louder than usual. Mr. Tréville, since you have denied my claims. So can you answer me a question? ”

"Oh? Excuse me. Charles replied.

"I have heard that your relatives, the Dukes of Treville, have begun to invest in the railroad business...... Is there such a thing? ”

It turns out that I want to make trouble from here! Charles frowned slightly.

I don't know where he heard about it, but it's not surprising that he did.

"Oh? Is there such a thing? In an instant, all kinds of thoughts turned in his mind, but his face was still pretending to be impassive, "I don't know much about this, although we are relatives and don't have much contact with each other, but I can ask ...... these days."

"Well, maybe you don't really know it. So, what if this is true? Calvert was not satisfied with his answer, and he continued, "What are you going to do if what I say is true?" ”

"Oh, thank you for your understanding. However, if it does, then I can't help it. Charles replied calmly, "I can't interfere with them, I don't see anything wrong with that." ”

His attitude made Calvert pause slightly, as if he did not expect this man to be so brazen as a fool, but he soon regained that aggressive attitude.

"If this is the case, then your assumption of such a position will inevitably give rise to the impression that the Duke of Treville's family is planning to use your power and influence to seek improper benefits......" Jean-Calvert kept his eyes on Charles, as if he was about to bite off his anger from him, "Monsieur Treville, as colleagues, we may not doubt your character and integrity, but if this qiē falls into the eyes of the outside world, then I dare not guarantee what the outcome will be... …”

Such an obvious threat, of course, Charles could hear it, and he didn't have time to argue with the other party at this time, but his mind accelerated to think.

There is no doubt that Charles used his position to secretly help the Duke of Treville's family to make a fortune in the railroad business, which is a standard abuse of power for personal gain, and it is a violation of the law, and it must not be revealed to the world.

However, in this day and age, who is not doing this kind of thing? Isn't everyone accustomed to it? Aren't Jean-Calvert and others doing it? It's weird. Besides, even in the 21st century, is there less collusion between officials and businessmen in France? Since the Fifth Republic, not to mention ministers or secretaries, how many presidents and prime ministers have been investigated for corruption cases, but who has really been punished by law?

"Mr. Treville, do you think I'm right?" Seeing that Charles had fallen silent, Jean-Calvert continued to urge with secret joy in his heart, "I guess you don't like to be misunderstood by the world because of this kind of thing, right?" ”

"And what do you think?" Charles asked rhetorically, "Can I interfere with the Duke of Treville's family?" The law doesn't prohibit my distant relatives from doing anything, does it? ”

"Oh. You certainly don't need to force your relatives to do anything," Jean-Calvert smiled triumphantly, seeing that Charles had already taken the trap. "You just need to protect your reputation, you leave everything to us, huh...... The Armament Authority is also staffed by a loyal and reliable officer, who will then be assigned to review the qualifications of the candidates and select the right suppliers. You can rest assured that our audits are non-discriminatory, as long as the process is in compliance with laws and regulations, what if there is a company in which the Duke of Trevil has a stake? No one can say anything...... You can rest assured. We will do our best to protect your reputation. ”

Charles remained silent and didn't say a word, presumably weighing the pros and cons.

Seemingly. This man was motivated by the idea of receiving the fruits of Charles' labour in its entirety - that is, he intended to accept Charles's proposed reform of the sector, but he had completely installed his own men under the pretext of protecting the reputation of the Charles and the Tréville family. Receive all the results. It seems that I still think too simply. His objection just now was only to lure the snake out of the hole, and now it is his real purpose.

And why did he dare to do so? Or even dare to play routine at departmental meetings for this reason, and directly attack colleagues?

I'm afraid there is only one reason...... He must have felt that both the Minister and Charles had been in the ministry for a short time, so he could offend as much as he wanted.

Why did he think that? I'm afraid this is a question worth pondering......

In that brief period of time, Charles carefully weighed the pros and cons and realized that this was indeed not the time for a full-scale showdown with Jean Calvert - it was easy to force his opinion to be ignored, but it was not wise to lose both sides for it, at least for now.

"Mr. Treville. What do you think? Seeing that Charles had been pondering, Jean Calvert pressed again. We have clearly felt the urgency of the reform you just mentioned, so let's just speed up the implementation, shall we? ”

"You're right just now, I put forward this reform plan in a hurry, and there are some things that are not considered carefully enough, and we need to think about it more carefully." Charles said suddenly.

Jean-Calvert froze for a moment.

"As subordinates, it is our natural duty to help realize His Excellency the Minister's vision, but now His Excellency is unable to take matters into account, so it is better for us to discuss the details more carefully and wait until His Excellency the Minister returns to make a final decision......," Charles said calmly.

Jean Calvert watched Charles silently, watching him slap himself in the face in front of everyone. He kept looking at Charles, as if expecting him to blush for a moment.

"So, your opinion is very reasonable, important things always need to be discussed enough, and the government has always been like that." Charles lived up to his expectations and smiled instead, "Let's continue to think about this proposal slowly, since it was taken out in a hurry, then there must be a lot to be desired." ”

"Mr. Treville, you are backing yourself up with all the arguments you have just refuted!" Seeing that something was wrong, Jean Calvert had to remind Charles in a deep voice.

"Really?" Charles shrugged slightly, "I found myself being too impatient, and indeed as you said, we need to think again." ”

I'm sorry, but the Trévilles have always valued profit over fame - though they will never admit it. If his own reform programme does not currently benefit him – or even suffer – the charr will not mind taking it back immediately.

Jean-Calvert's face was cloudy, but he finally accepted Charles's retreat, and he found that the other party's brazenness was higher than his own estimates, and he made a complete turn in his attitude in full view of everyone.

This guy is really not afraid of losing face in front of his subordinates, is this still a young man in his early twenties?

After a few angry words in his heart, Jean-Calvert had to accept the result. Anyway, he still got a small victory - using the Trevill family to give the other party a surprise blow, so that he had to lose face in front of everyone, although it may not make much sense, at least it can make him feel happy.

"Well, sir, since that's how you see your efforts, let's take our time, for we have always been at the service of His Excellency the Minister and you...... Oh, by the way, don't take back your proposal yet, can you leave me a copy? Maybe we'll be able to use it soon? ”

Then he looked at the stenographer with great interest.

"What are you doing? Remember all of Trevier's words! Wait a minute, sir will review it! ”

Calvert's sarcasm, but Charles wouldn't take it to heart, he was thinking about what really mattered.

He seemed to be convinced that I had been with Monsieur Delion for a short time, but why? …… Charles's heart was cold again.

Well, I'm going to see who wins in the end.

"Of course, you can keep it." Charles smiled and replied, "I also believe that we will be able to use this plan after all." ”

Sooner or later, I'm going to have to clean you up.

The two men looked at each other, and then thought to themselves at the same time. (To be continued......)