While Fran was still basking in the joy of admiring the ancient Egyptian art, her brother walked through the halls of the British Museum to the library's reading room.

However, contrary to what he had told the staff before, he did not go to borrow books, nor did he stay here for long, but walked out of the corridor next to him after a momentary pause.

It's not hard to see why.

If you stay here, you don't know when you'll run into that doctor, and if you do, you'll be in trouble.

Not long ago, his sister ran to someone's house, pretended to be his wife, and then visited the other party, and even claimed that she had died.

It is even more regrettable that he has no way to punish such a ridiculous act. Now that the wood is in the boat, you can only make mistakes, otherwise God knows how to cover up your lies.

So, he wasn't going to run into the doctor again.

When he first came to this reading room, he carefully looked around, and only after making sure that there was no one in it, did he pass by, and he did not know whether he was glad or regretful.

However, the fear of running into the doctor was just a reason for him to lie, and he had a more important purpose.

"Mr. Treville?"

As he walked down the corridor to the Greek and Roman branch of the British Museum, he finally heard the waiting greeting.

He looked in the direction the voice was coming from, and then spotted the person who was speaking.

This is an old man with gray hair. He was thin and his face was wrinkled, which made his already tall hooked nose even more huge.

He wears a black coat. Wearing a pair of reading glasses on his face, he looks like an old scholar who has been sitting in his study for a long time.

Next to him stood a young man.

The young man was Paul-Bilot, Charles's temporary entourage from the French Embassy in England.

And this old man was not an old scholar, but the Austrian ambassador to England, Count Wilhelm von Kreuzburg.

He's certainly not here today for no reason - in fact, he was asked out by Charles through Paul Bilot.

Charles nodded to him in greeting, then walked over to him.

The two of them walked side by side. It was as if it were a tourist on a tour together.

"You're younger than I thought you would, sir." After walking for a moment, the Count looked ahead. Without squinting, he said, "I have to say that you have a problem for me, and you actually want me to come to this kind of place to listen to your face-to-face teaching!" I don't even know if I want you to say more or less. ”

"I'm very sorry, Your Excellency. But I also have my difficulties. Thank you for your understanding. Charles looked ahead as if the two men were not talking at all, "I can't go to a place secretly in the company of the British, so I'll have to travel in the name of it, at least I can find a little space here to talk to you." As you already know, I love Austria and appreciate the conservatism it has practiced for many years......"

"I can forgive you for your troubles." The Count picked up his cane. Then he gently wiped it with a handkerchief, "You can talk to me whatever you want." I have time now. ”

"But I don't have much time, sir." Charles shrugged slightly, "So I'll keep it simple." When I came to England this time, the British talked to me about something, and because the stakes are so high, I thought it necessary for me to communicate a little bit about the countries that we thought were friendly......"

When he said "the stakes are high", he obviously noticed that the old man next to him shook slightly.

There was some kind of diplomatic coordination between Britain and France - at this point any politician and diplomat in Europe would want to know what was going on. Although he still pretended to be calm on the surface, he actually almost pricked up his ears.

"You know, I'm just entering the diplomatic service, and a young man like me is just a new student to you." Charles continued unhurriedly, "So, even from a personal point of view, I would like to learn some diplomatic lessons from an experienced veteran like you......"

"Well, tell me what you want to tell me." After a moment of hesitation, curiosity prevailed over suspicion and reserve, and the Count finally surrendered.

"Actually, the matter is very simple, the British congratulated the Bonaparte on their victory, and at the same time expressed their desire to strengthen relations with France in all respects. They say they need us to preserve the faltering European order...... At the same time, it is also glad to see a France under the rule of the Bonaparte family play an active role......"

In other words, have they admitted to the resurgence of their former rivals?

The Count frowned slightly.

No wonder he was astonished, for although Charles and Louis-Bonaparte staged a coup d'état, the proud monarchs of the continent at this time had not yet planned, or had yet to recognize, the new regime, and Napoleon's name was still lingering in their minds in shock, and they were not sure what attitude they should adopt towards the new changes in France.

In this diplomatic situation, the British, who were the most powerful and shouted the loudest slogans for the status quo, were the first to waver, and were the first to recognize the victory of the Bonapartes, which did take the Austrians by surprise.

"Britain is indeed a country of pragmatism, and congratulations, sir, I think you have completed your diplomatic mission." After a moment, he smiled wryly and nodded. He then emphatically hinted that Austria has no intention of following suit: "However, all countries have the right to conduct their foreign policy without interference, and I have no right to question this......"

"I recognize that Austria has the right to act freely, and this is no excuse for hesitation and delay, Your Excellency." "The Englishmen move much faster than you do—and at a greater pace than you think," Charles interrupted him without giving him a face. ”

"Bigger?" The Count had already fully aroused his appetite, so much so that he immediately followed up with a rhetorical question.

"They told me that given that the situation in Europe has become fragmented, it is time for strong countries to step up and re-establish the shaky peace. Britain and France are qualified to do so - they say that now as long as Britain and France join forces, not a single mouse on the continent can move. ”

Just as Charles had hoped, the Count shook slightly uneasily.

He didn't know whether Austria belonged to the ranks of "rats" in the eyes of these British people - maybe it should be......

"So where are the rats?" After a moment, he asked reluctantly calmly.

"Rats are everywhere, and whoever wants to destroy the order that there is." The more anxious he was, the less anxious Charles became, "The foundations of Europe are not something that anyone can easily touch. ”

Although it was ironic for the French, and especially for a Bonapartist, to say such a thing, the Count had no intention of refuting his nonsense.

"Austria is equally happy to maintain peace in Europe." As if to emphasize the status of his country, the Count's tone was a little more forceful, "She has been doing this for many years, whether it was four hundred years ago or forty years ago. ”

Four hundred years ago they were dealing with the Turks, and forty years ago they were dealing with ......

"Yes, Austria is a great country, he has crushed the Turks and defended the peace of Europe." Charles nodded, pretending not to understand the other party's counterattack, "I also believe that the current peace in Europe also depends on a big country like Austria to maintain it. ”

After hearing Charles's words, the count's expression finally relaxed a lot.

"I think the status of your country is actually related to the stability of the European continent." Charles continued, "I believe that it is necessary, and indeed capable, for your country to be the cornerstone of peace in Europe. ”

Although Austria has been in decline for an unknown number of years ago, and it is not a "cornerstone of European peace", since good words do not require money, Charles does not mind saying more at all.

"But...... The situation has always changed with the times, and a few decades ago, France was unfortunately infected with a disease that destroys the peace, so we have to be enemies of your country, and time has healed us; Similarly, hundreds of years ago, the Turks threatened peace in Europe, but now they are the one who has been invaded...... Europe is one big family, and peace must be maintained for every member. ”

Aggressor? What right do the Turks have to accuse others of aggression? The Count frowned.

He understood that there was no point in asking which side was better, the notorious Turks or the aggressive Russians, and who was the good guy when he needed it.

In other words...... "rats" originally referred to the Russians, and the British secretly reached a tacit agreement with the French against the Russians?

The ambassador suddenly noticed some cold sweat on his back.

"Some rats are hard to catch." He probed again.

"Yes, some rats are not easy to mess with, but the French are never easy to bully, especially now that Britain is also on the side of the French." Charles gently squeezed his right hand and made a slightly threatening gesture. "We like to make friends, but we're not afraid of enemies."

That's exactly what it means! The Earl's heart was sudden.

"Well, I've already told you about it," Charles decided not to say any more, seeing that the other party had understood. "I hope that your country will be able to maintain some kind of policy continuity when the Prime Minister is seriously ill, after all, time waits for no ......" (to be continued......