Although there was no tolerance or friendliness in this laughter, in the midst of the Duke of Wellington's laughter, Charles suddenly felt that the gap between the two men had been divided

"I thought you were a little more prejudiced against us." Charles breathed a sigh of relief, then bowed to him again.

"I don't have a prejudice against anyone, it was a long time ago, and everyone has forgotten about it for a long time." The Duke waved his wrinkled right hand slightly, "Besides, if Britain were not to have prejudices against their former enemies, we would not have found anyone in the whole world to be friends with. ”

Maybe it's the heartfelt sigh that seems to make him look even older, and it also makes that arrogant and domineering momentum attenuate. The Duke looked at the void in front of him, as if lamenting that he was already a part of history.

Yes, he himself knew that he was about to become the final end of an era - and not many people would feel regret and loss about it.

"Even in another 100 years, if not 200 years, your deeds will never be forgotten." Charles complimented him again, "Even if you are French, you think you are a great man of Britain." ”

"I'm afraid not many French people think that." The duke's little melancholy soon vanished, and the sarcastic expression once again made him look very bright, as if he wanted to show his energy in this way, "As far as I know, most French people think that I am just lucky, and if God opens his eyes a little, my head will probably be trampled into slag by the old guard......"

Under the duke's taunt, Charles couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Because he was telling the truth. In France, there were indeed quite a few people who were not convinced by the defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. To think that Wellington had defeated the Emperor by luck was not only common people, but also many historians and writers.

Thiers said so in his historical writings. In Les Misérables, Hugo even ignores the facts of war history and exaggerates the extent of the British army's losses and collapse.

From the point of view of nationalist pride, this kind of unconvincing mentality is very normal and even encouraged. But Charles did not share this nationalist pride with them, so that the Bonaparte, who was obviously more "red and authoritarian" than them, could show his respect for the Duke without mind and in fact, and praise the exploits of the other party - of course, he would not have behaved in the presence of Louis-Bonaparte.

"There are some people in France who do think so. I think you can understand their motivations as well. However, I believe that this kind of performance is unnecessary, and ignoring reality is even more terrible than failure. "You have shown remarkable wit and composure, and your soldiers have shown amazing courage and perseverance, so you have won." In the midst of a fateful battle. Without these things, God's providence would never have come. I am a Bonapartist and I revere the Emperor, but I admit the irretrievable defeat of France at Waterloo. And willing to work hard for her to get back on her feet. ”

The Duke had been looking at him as Charles had said this, as if judging the young man's sincerity.

Until the end. He finally nodded slightly.

"Anyway. At least you have the demeanor of a high-class person, and you can understand things. Nowadays, there are very few little ones who can even do the above two things. Seemingly...... After all, I can also look forward to the future of Europe. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, the Duke frowned slightly, "Are you going to go back today?" ”

"I'd like to learn more from you if I could." Charles replied with a smile.

"If you spend half a day on the road and only get an hour or two in handouts, it may seem that I am too unkind......," said the Duke, laughing coldly, "and since you have been received by me, you will be treated with me a decent reception, little one." It just so happens that I have another guest coming over in the evening, so you can leave tomorrow. Of course, if you have other arrangements......"

"I'm doing it exactly according to your schedule." Charles hurriedly replied.

"I don't think you'll be disappointed." In the dim light of the room, the Duke's smile looked a little strange, as if he was expecting something, which couldn't help but make Charles feel a little curious.

"Since you're from France, I have something to ask you." Before Charles could begin to ask questions, the Duke abruptly changed the subject.

"Oh, just ask." Charles nodded.

"How's Sirt doing now?" A strange smile suddenly flashed on the duke's majestic and wrinkled face, "I heard that he seems to be seriously ill lately?" ”

"Yes, you're not wrong, he's really not in good health lately." Charles nodded, honestly admitting the question—he didn't have to lie to the Duke about such a thing. "The doctor said he might not survive this winter...... It's a bit sad indeed. ”

"Hahahaha, he was beaten by me all his life, but he couldn't even survive me!"

When he heard Charles's words, the Duke did not look sad or melancholy, but his smile became thicker, and the kind of trademark, extremely harsh mocking and sneering even made Charles feel a little aggrieved for Sirter.

For an old man, hearing that an old opponent will die before him, I am afraid that he will behave like this.

During the Spanish Peninsula War, he led the Anglo-Portuguese coalition to defeat the French army, often with superior equipment and troops, and several famous French generals, including Juno, Marshal Masséna, and Soulte, became his defeated men.

It was the most glorious achievement of his life, except for the summit of Waterloo.

However, in history. Although Sirte died in 1851, before the Duke of Wellington. But the Duke only lived one more year - and next year, the old man in front of Charles would also be called by God. With his life legend, merits, honors and even history itself, he returned to the loess.

But, of course, Charles wouldn't talk to the old man about such a disappointing thing.

As if to see Charles's embarrassment, the old man laughed mischievously for a long time, until at last he stopped a little out of breath. "But, to be honest, Sirter is a very nice man, although we used to share the same sky. But after all, it's just because of the position. The result is a disappointment, time will wipe us out together, and you little ones will finally rule over two great nations. ”

In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, the two commanders, dukes, and the most powerful military statesmen since Napoleon, did not disappear from the stage of history, but continued to strongly influence the whole of Europe. In the 30s, the two of them were in power in Britain and France, and it turned out to be one of the best times for Anglo-French relations.

The two of them except for their contempt and hatred for each other. After all, deep down, I'm afraid there is some sympathy.

Even if the heroes are gone, we will still work hard to protect their cause. Charles replied respectfully, "Marshal Soult is in favor of a rapprochement between England and France." He also hopes that we will continue our efforts to preserve that reconciliation - and, no doubt, we naturally want to uphold it. ”

"yes. Reconciliation, that's all we want. The Duke nodded. Then he sighed, "There is enough blood shed between Britain and France." It would be a good thing if we could stop fighting each other - if only you could understand the value of reconciliation, then we would reciprocate with reconciliation, and as for what you think, Britain doesn't care, and I don't care. By the way, did they talk to you about war? ”

"War?" Charles hesitated, not knowing whether to reveal his conversation with the prime minister.

As one of the previous British decision-makers, he must not have been ignorant of the British decision to stop the Russians from expanding their power by last resort.

"Forget it, needless to say, what else could it be? You all like war because you don't have to go to war. Whether it's here or there, if no one stops you, you're even eager to burn the whole sky. Before Charles could reply, as if to see something in Charles's expression, the Duke sneered. What else could war be in the eyes of you little ones? ”

"Of course we don't like war, but if we have to fight, of course we have to muster up the courage to fight it." Charles owed, then replied indifferently. "If Britain and France join forces, I believe that at this moment there is no power on earth that can compete with it - neither in Europe nor elsewhere. Therefore, in the midst of war, we can naturally chase glory. ”

and, the power to dominate others and other nations.

"Oh, glory! Dream! Of course you can make a lot of nonsense! You have not seen the blood dripping all over the ground, so thick that it seems to stain the earth red; You have not seen a severed arm, a wounded wailing in agony, but helplessly walking into the arms of death; You have never seen the horror of corpses everywhere, and you can't tell who is English and who is French...... You little guys, you haven't seen anything, of course you can sing high-pitched, anyway, you just need to watch others die! The Duke suddenly sneered, as if he had thought of something, and his eyes shone with some indescribable brilliance, "Listen, my military career is older than many of your comrades, and I am more qualified than anyone else in the world today to assert that in war, one can neither find dreams nor glory—that is all deceiving children...... There, I could only see endless death, and I could only see the servants of death singing in a miserable weeping! Sir, as an old man, I would like you to hear that a person who easily throws his country into war is a deeply irresponsible person. ”

The Duke of Wellington's sudden exclamation made Charles a little confused.

Did he want to suggest that I should not fanning the flames so recklessly that I was burned because I had some kind of support from the British? Or does he feel that in the near future, it is not the best option to directly intervene in Eastern Europe or the Near East by force to repel Russia?

Charles didn't know what he meant, but he knew very well in his heart that he shouldn't talk too deeply about this kind of thing with the retired duke, otherwise the British government would definitely not be happy.

Who likes the patriarch to point fingers at him all day long?

"You...... Your insights are incredible. "In the end, he decided to deal with the Duke's words in a kind of situation." I will be following your advice as carefully as the UK government. Please rest assured that I, like Mr. President, are not enthusiastic about war, we love peace, and we are willing to do everything in our power to help any peace-loving power to maintain peace in Europe......"

"Hmph, hahahaha, it seems that you still haven't taken it to heart...... the duke sneered again, and then shook his head slightly, "I can see that you are not humble at all, let alone gentle...... You look down on people, and you're just patiently dealing with fools...... It doesn't matter, as a senior, I can understand your thoughts, wasn't I the same when I was younger? Isn't the tragedy of the strong that they have to take care of the ideas of fools? But you don't have to behave like that in front of me, it's just insulting me and yourself - there should be a way of communication between the upper class, shouldn't it? ”

Charles frowned slightly. "I would like to listen to all your teachings."

"Listen, I'm going to say something very simple." The Duke glanced at Charles coldly, as if not at all impressed by his humility, "Since you feel that the reconciliation between England and France is so important, then, in the future, at any time, do not pretend to be clever in provoking a war between two great peoples.

We are all too brave and too strong to be exhausted only when the blood is about to run out - not even then! In Waterloo, I watched nearly 100,000 people die in front of me in a day or two. What about the next war? What about the next war? How many people can die? Hundreds of thousands or millions? All I know is ......"

The duke, who was staring at the charles, let out a sigh, "That is, no one will gain anything from this. When this is over, the empire that you took a few hours to rob, the empire that I saved in a few hours, will all be lost in a matter of hours. In that kind of war, defeat is not much more tragic than victory, and everything will be destroyed...... Including you! (To be continued......)