After half a month of continuous sunshine, Paris finally ushered in a rainy morning, in this rare day, the long-lost coolness finally let the people who were already in the sweltering heat find a breathing space, and the world was a lot more lively.

In the Treville family's mansion, the famous old marshal was sitting on his chaise longue at this time with his eyes closed, and the chaise longue swayed slightly, allowing him to occasionally make a comfortable hum, and only this intermittent humming made the grandson next to him confirm that the old man was not asleep.

The old man's bedroom was on the east side of the mansion next to the garden, quiet and cool, and the wide open windows were constantly bringing cool air into the bedroom at this time, making both grandparents feel very comfortable.

Charles stood beside the chaise longue and whispered as if he were reading a newspaper to the old man.

The old man kept his eyes closed, and he didn't know if he was listening, but Charles didn't urge the old man, after all, he also understood that an old man like his grandfather would have difficulty concentrating in a day, and it was not easy to take time out to listen to his report.

The old man has been outside to inspect the garrisons in other places for more than a month, and he has only returned yesterday after being ordered by His Majesty the Emperor recently.

“…… In this way, that night I confirmed that Father Boussani was a doppelganger, or rather, a disguise, of the Count of Monte Cristo. "To the sound of the breeze, Charles reported to Marshal Tréville everything he had recently found out about his approach to the Count of Monte Cristo.

Then, he stopped his narrative and looked at the old man, whose eyes were still closed, with a longing for guidance, waiting for the other to speak.

Since he came to this world, he has been educated by the old man, and the old man has been trying his best to teach him, treating him as the inheritor of his life's career and future expectations.

After so much to gain from the investigation, Charles now needs someone to sit quietly with him, analyze the current situation, and think of future actions, except for his grandfather, he has no such person by his side who can entrust all secrets - I am afraid there will be no more in the future.

Charles waited in silence, and after several minutes Marshal Treville finally opened his eyes with difficulty, took a dazed breath, and asked in a low voice.

"So you think the Count of Monte Cristo is a fictional character?"

Because he had rested for so long, the old man was inevitably a little lacking in energy, and even made people wonder if he had heard what Charles had just said, but Charles believed that everything was already in the old man's mind full of experience and wisdom, and he could learn from it at any time.

"Yes, I think that the so-called Lord Wilmo, Father Boussany, the Count of Monte Cristo, etc., are just different identities made up by the same man for himself." Charles nodded, "This man is Edmond Dantès, an unlucky man who has been in prison for many years in Fort Eve. ”

"A stupid unlucky bastard, if he wasn't stupid, he wouldn't have ended up like this." The old man added the comment rather causticly, as if he had no sympathy for the man. "Looks like he's a lot smarter now."

"So, grandpa, why do you think this unlucky bastard, who has escaped from prison with great difficulty, escaped with impunity, and become a rich man?" Charles blinked and asked the old man softly.

"Do you need to ask? For revenge, of course! The old man pursed his lips, "If it weren't for hatred, then who would let go of the glory and wealth of the days and have to run back to this country where he has been in prison for more than ten years?" ”

Charles was silent.

Because Grandpa and his judgment are in agreement.

Yes, what other reason could there be than revenge?

In other words, it's strange if you don't get revenge.

Ask yourself, if you are sent to prison and you have to stay in prison for more than ten years, then you must also take revenge, and you must let the enemy enjoy the same – no, double – pain.

Only in this way can I calm down.

So after knowing the basics, it is not so strange that the Count of Monte Cristo ran back to France after many years.

"Yes, he must have come back for revenge." Charles nodded, "But the question now is, how many people are there for the Count of Monte Cristo?" Also, in what way does he intend to get revenge? If these questions are not clarified, everything will remain in the fog. ”

"The Villeforts must be one of them, and they are the main ones responsible for keeping him in cell with rats." I don't know if it was because of cynicism, but Marshal Trevill's mouth showed a strange smile, "I'm right about what I told you before, right?" These prosecutors have been exposed to too much darkness, they are destined to be accompanied by darkness, and sooner or later they will be approached by darkness, and the farther away we are from them, the better. ”

"You were too prescient indeed, Grandpa." Charles complimented his grandfather convincingly.

"And what would you do to Villefort if you were him?" The old man asked again.

Charles was silent.

Indeed, in every sense of the word, the Villeforts were Edmond Dantès's enemies, and one sent him to the dark Champ Eve; One ordered that he should never be released for the sake of his son.

Together, the two of them gifted Edmond Dantès with one of the most unbearable lives.

If this kind of thing is put on you...... What would you do?

At the most brilliant age of his life, he was imprisoned in a dark prison, isolated from the world, and lived the most humble life - just thinking about it makes people feel a great anger in their hearts.

"If it's me...... I will surely let them die a miserable death, and I will bring them to a disrepute, and let all the fame, power, and social status that they have worked so hard to build be in vain, and I will make them bear all the unbearable shame, and only then will I be able to be at peace. Speaking of the back, Charles's voice was already a little trembling, "No, not only that, but I'm going to break their families apart, in short, I'm going to make them lose everything!" ”

"You're going to put your claws into their family and take over their daughters?" Just when Charles was excited, a cold word entered his ears. "Bring his daughter into his own house?"

"Uh......"

The excitement in Charles's heart disappeared immediately, and his face turned a little red from embarrassment.

"Grandpa, I'm not ......"

Obviously, as soon as he got home, his old servant told him everything that had happened before—especially the fact that he had forcibly taken Valentina into place for the night and had a conflict with the prosecutor of Villefort over it.

"Forget it, don't explain it to me, it's already happened, what's the point of explaining?" The old man shook his head, as if he was a little interested, "You are old enough to make your own decisions, so you are right, you can order my servants, you can do whatever you want at home." ”

"But I still want to explain to you - I really don't mean anything else about Valentina, please don't be angry." Charles insisted on explaining, "I know it's a little inappropriate for me to do this, but it happened so suddenly, and I can only do it, only then will Valentina continue to serve me, and I need her to serve me." ”

"I've already said everything about Valentina, so I don't want to add anything right now." The old man moved his fingers impatiently slightly, signaling Charles not to bother anymore, "You know my opinion, and I won't change it, but Charles, I don't want to blame you, not for anything else, I have struggled all my life and sacrificed so many things, just so that my children and grandchildren can live as they want, so if you have to get close to her, I can also let you, no matter how unhappy I am, I will endure it." I only hope that you will listen to the admonition of the older generation, after all, although we may not have much knowledge than you, we must have a little more life experience. ”

"I'll listen, don't worry......" Charles bowed his head a little ashamedly. As long as this is over, I will not embarrass you or anyone else. ”

Grandpa's words were not only admonishment, but also full of affection, which made him ashamed and depressed. Undoubtedly, the old marshal had stressed before that Charles should not get too close to Valentina, after all, she was definitely not a good match for him, and in order to avoid making both sides uncomfortable, it was better not to interact with him in the first place - and Charles broke through this admonition, although it was excusable, but it was indeed not told by his grandfather.

"Okay, let's not talk about that." Perhaps because of Charles's assurance, the old man's face became much better, "Now that we have determined that the Villeforts are the enemies of Monte Cristo, who else?" ”

"That's what I want to figure out." Charles was also happy to change the subject, "I have a guess - when we first met in Paris, the Count of Monte Cristo chatted with me, and told me about the three families, Villefort, Tangral, and Marsève, and since Villefort has been proven to be his enemy, then the other two families should be the same, but...... I really can't understand why a banker, a soldier, would have a grudge against Monte Cristo. ”

"Tangral was not a banker from the beginning, he was self-made, he used to work as a bookkeeper in a shipping company in Marseille, a small person." The old marshal explained to Charles that "he must have had some vendetta with Edmond Dantès in his early years." ”

"Marseille again! What a cursed place it is! Charles couldn't help but sigh, "I'm not surprised, but Malsev ......"

At the mention of Malceff, the two of them invariably looked at each other.

"That's strange......" the old man's fingers clenched slightly.

Indeed, judging by the resume of Marshal Malseff, he really did not look like a man who could have anything to do with Edmond Dantès.

As one of the most famous generals of the Empire, Marshal Malseff's background and resume are of course familiar to Charles - he was born in the De-Marseff family in the southeastern part of France near Lyon, this family has been in the army for generations, can be regarded as a local celebrity, as the second son he joined the army early, rose to prominence in the imperial era and finally achieved a great name on the battlefield of Waterloo, and finally rose to become the marshal of the empire.

What would such a person have to do with Edmond Dantès?

It's really hard to understand.

However, this instead piqued the interest of Marshal Tréville.

"Maybe we'll have to figure out why from the Count of Monte Cristo." The old marshal gave Charles a quiet look. "Maybe they don't have anything to do with each other, and it's all just your unwarranted speculation?"

Villefort and Tangral were mere passers-by to him, but Marshal Malsev was one of his competitors - after all, as a rising star of the new generation, Marshal Malceff greatly threatened the influence of veteran generals such as Marshal Tréville.

If you can use the side of the Count of Monte Cristo to strike at Marshal Malseve...... That would be excellent.

"Okay, I'll figure it out, grandpa." Charles nodded knowingly. "Give me a moment."

He rubbed his hands in his heart.

Today, the Count of Monte Cristo is not just a fat sheep to the slaughter, he is an old thing, a living history, a stepping stone that can be used to pave the way for himself.

"Speaking of which, this kid Malsef does make me feel a little problematic." After a moment of silence, the old man spoke.

"Huh?" Charles was a little confused.

"At this time, I was inspecting the army in other places, and I secretly talked to some people, including several of Malsève's former colleagues." The old man explained slowly, "I asked a few questions about Malseff. Of course, because he was a marshal, these former colleagues certainly did not dare to say anything critical, and they all praised it, but they all mentioned that when Malsev was with them, he never talked about family affairs, nor did he see any letters from his family, and when he asked him, he only said that his family had died young, and that he had no contact with other relatives......"

"You're investigating him?" Charles was a little surprised.

The old marshal did not answer, apparently acquiescing to Charles's question.

"Oh!" Charles took a deep breath and finally digested the shocking news, after all, secretly investigating a marshal and collecting black materials was definitely not a trivial matter, and even if it was spread, it would become an uproar. "You...... Did you do your own research, or did you ...... Still is...... Whose instructions were given? ”

"Don't ask too much about this, it won't help you." The old man made another gesture to Charles to stop asking.

Seeing the old man's expression, Charles had no choice but to forcibly suppress the doubts in his heart and fell silent again.

Of course, his heart was already turning upside down at this time.

It's really not a trivial matter.

It was as if he had sensed that in this city, in this empire, under the apparent calm, there was a turbulent undercurrent.

Grandpa, what role does he play in this undercurrent?

What exactly is he going to do?

Charles didn't know.

But he knew one thing - no matter what his grandfather did, the starting point must be for the family, to pave the way for him, to give him a more brilliant future, and he was convinced of this.

"Alright, let's leave the hell of Malceff alone, and now talk about your problem, silly boy." The old man suddenly changed his words, and then all his eyes opened, and he looked at Charles sternly.

"Me? What's wrong with me? Charles was a little confused, "Grandpa, what's wrong with me?" ”

"What's wrong, you ask? You don't know anything, that's the big problem, silly boy! Field Marshal Trevier sighed hatefully, "You have put yourself in great danger, don't you understand?" ”

"You mean the Count of Monte Cristo?" Charles finally understood.

"Of course, do you still need to ask!" The old man glared at him again, "Since you already know that he is going to seek revenge on Villefort, and you are stopping him, why are you so unconscious?" Sir, it is hated to prevent others from taking revenge, are you ready to bear this hatred? ”

"I ......," Charles said again.

After a long time, he spoke again, "From what I have known about the Count of Monte Cristo since my contact with him, I don't think he will do anything particularly radical against me, and though I have offended him, I think he knows what hatred is and what is reason. ”

After saying that, he was stunned, and then he couldn't help but laugh.

The old marshal also sneered.

Indeed, it is ridiculous to have reached this point, and to pin your hopes on the sanity of others, and if you change places, Charles does not think that she will have such a good temper and tolerate others to get in the way of her own affairs.

"I'll be safe, Grandpa." After laughing, Charles hurriedly assured his grandfather, "You know my skills, as long as I pay attention, no one can ...... generally."

"Come on, no matter how powerful you are, you're just a person, and you're a hairy boy, it's too easy to beat someone like you with a black gun." The old man interrupted Charles, and his expression became stern again, "I won't stop you from taking risks, since my grandson's surname is Treville, then he will go on an adventure, and I am glad to see this day." But, I beg you, take care of yourself, and if I have to officiate at your funeral while I am still alive, I am afraid that I will ...... I'm afraid I'm going to go crazy. ”

"Grandpa......" When the old man said this, Charles didn't know what to say all of a sudden, his eyes were sour, and he almost burst into tears.

"You were alone before, but not anymore, since you have provoked the Count of Monte Cristo, then you should have respect for him, and you should not deal with him with carelessness, so I must add safety insurance to you." After a moment of silence, the old man said what was on his mind, "I have already chosen someone." ”

"What?" Charles asked, stunned.

"You'll find out in two days." The old man shook his head, then shook the bell next to the chaise longue, beckoned his personal servant over, and whispered a few words in his ear.

……………………

Soon, Charles learned what Grandpa meant by "safety insurance."

Because this Mr. Safety Insurance is already standing in front of him.

Captain Massimian Morel.

As the name suggests, he was a military man.

And to be specially called to his home by Field Marshal Tréville proves that he is an excellent soldier.

At this time, he was standing upright in the reception room in Marshal Treville's mansion with a medal pinned to his chest, facing Marshal Treville.

The old marshal sat in his seat, while his grandson, Charles, stood next to the captain, looking at the captain with a casual gaze.

Charles was tall among adults, but the captain was almost half a head taller than him. He was about twenty-seven or eighteen years old, and perhaps because of his long travel, his skin had become bronzed, and his short black hair was slightly curly, which made him look very energetic. His uniform was puffed out with muscles, and he looked full of power. His face is a square Chinese character face, his expression is solemn and introverted, as if waiting to carry out orders at any time, straight and angular lines, revealing a sense of fortitude and integrity,

On the whole, at first glance, you can feel the image of a heroic and heroic soldier.

It seems very convincing to use him as a safety insurance.

"Charles, this is Captain Morrell." After greeting him, Marshal Trevier introduced the visitors to Charles. "He's an elite talent in our army, he served in North Africa before, and he has made a lot of achievements, so now he is about to be promoted, transferred back to Paris as an officer of the Guards, and now the transfer order has not yet arrived, so he has a period of vacation, I think he can help you."

"Hello, Captain Morrell." Charles hurriedly stretched out his hand to the other party, "As you can see, I am Charles de Treville, the grandson of the marshal, although I have not yet joined the army, but I am full of admiration for all the elites in the army, and I thank you for all your efforts for the motherland." ”

"You've won the prize, Mr. Tremier." Captain Morel hurriedly reached out and shook Charles' hand.

The captain's hands were rough and shook hands so hard that Charles was a little uncomfortable, but he smiled and shook hands with him for a while.

"I'm sorry to take your precious time off, Massimian." After the two men had exchanged pleasantries, Marshal Tréville spoke again, "However, my grandson is currently in trouble on a secret mission, and he needs some help, and this person must be brave and fearless, and clear-headed, quick-witted, and more importantly, able to keep secrets, so after thinking about it, I have found a very suitable person, and that is you." I just don't know, would you be interested in helping him with this task? ”

Field Marshal Trevier had always been a very decisive man, and when he saw that his grandson was now in danger, he immediately thought of sending some reinforcements for him with the thinking of a soldier.

Then, he searched in his mind for the right person.

As a scheming general, he has always paid great attention to cultivating cronies and consolidating his position in the army; As the marshal of the empire, he has the resources to cultivate cronies, and he has worked hard within the army over the years and has accumulated many contacts and cronies.

And after these cronies were slowly promoted, they also began to promote their cronies, and over time, a force group with him as the apex was formed within the army.

Naturally, the most important thing for power groups is to maintain their power and status, and this is inseparable from absorbing promising newcomers.

Captain Morrell is one of the new generation of military elites valued by this power group.

For many years he served under one of Marshal Treville's old subordinates, and his bravery and resourcefulness were seen by his superiors and recommended to the old marshal, who also took the time to meet him twice and personally awarded him a medal for his kindness.

So when he thought of equipping his grandson with reinforcements, he immediately thought of this excellent candidate.

This is obviously a public and private use, and those in the know may be dismissive, but Marshal Trevier, who loves his grandson, doesn't care at all.

As for Captain Morrell......

After hearing the marshal's words, he immediately put his legs together and gave a military salute.

"I will gladly serve the country at any time, Your Excellency Marshal!" He replied loudly, "I will do my best to complete your mission!" ”

Just kidding, being able to be taken up by a marshal in his personal time is an opportunity that many people can't ask for.