"Richard von Metternich!"

Charles was taken aback when he saw such a name on the list of Austrians who would attend his banquet.

The surname is so famous that it doesn't even need much introduction, and it can make the charr awe-inspired.

Clement von Metternich, the superstar of the Napoleonic era, was a diplomat who could rival Talleyrand in his cunning and cunning.

"This Monsieur von Metternich ......," after trying to suppress the excitement in his heart, Charles asked the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who had come to report as calmly as possible, "Is it a relative of Prince Metternich?" ”

"The Prince's son, sir." The other party replied respectfully. "And the legal heir of the Prince."

"Oh?!" Charles's heart was even more excited, "Then why didn't I see this name on the list of embassy members before?" ”

"Actually, he's not a member of the diplomatic corps, sir." The other party patiently explained to Charles, "He came to Paris for a trip, and he only relied on his father's relationship and had a close connection with the embassy." When he heard that you wanted to invite members of the Austrian Embassy, he asked the embassy secretary to attend, and the embassy secretary agreed. Of course...... If you have a problem with that, we can decline their approach. ”

"No, there's no need, I'll entertain him as usual." Charles waved his hand, "It's all guests, I don't need to turn anyone away." ”

Although his tone seemed a little reluctant, Charles was already very excited at this time.

I accidentally caught a big fish! The first time you engage in diplomatic activities, you can encounter such a good thing!

Although this Metternich does not appear to have any diplomatic position. He just came to France to travel, but with his family background. In the future, he will definitely become a big figure in Austrian politics and diplomacy. If he can make friends with such a person, it will obviously be a great help to his future career.

……………………

"Prince Metternich's son will come?" After hearing Charles's relay. Charlotte was also amazed. "Charles, why didn't you tell me this before!"

"I also just got the news that he is not an embassy official, and he was not included in my invitation, but he just wanted to come because he heard that I was going to hold such a banquet...... Charlotte, I suppose you're willing to entertain such an uninvited guest, right? Charles replied with a smile.

"Of course! A Metternich deserves to be treated as a guest of honor. Charlotte replied without hesitation, and then, with a slight concern, she glanced around the hall, "Still." In that case, I'm a little worried that we won't be able to make a good impression on him......"

Charlotte, who has always been arrogant, also admits that the Metternich family, which is also an aristocratic family, is worthy of being compared to Treville. Because of this, she was a little worried that she would be rude to this Metternich as a new housewife who had not yet gotten used to the rhythm.

"It's okay! Don't worry, Charlotte, you can receive these Austrians the way you have planned, there is no need to be nervous, and there is no need to make a big deal. It's not easy enough for the future prince to get such a courtesy from us......" Charles smiled and patted Charlotte on the cheek. "It is an honor for him to be invited and respected by us, and he should be satisfied with it."

"You're a big talker! Turning back and causing a joke in diplomatic circles, I want to see what you wolf bèi becomes! Charlotte glanced sideways at Charles. But apparently a lot of relief.

As the days passed, the shadow of the sun slowly set westward, and soon it was late in the evening.

When the time for the charr to hold the banquet is about to be reached. Several carriages galloped all the way to the door of the Charles mansion, and handed over the invitation that Charles had sent them.

The porter, who had received the invitation, quickly put the carriages into the mansion. Then, the Charles, who had been waiting for the guests for a long time, also got the news immediately.

The two of them hurriedly walked out of the gate of the mansion. Greet this group of invited guests.

Under the watchful eyes of the couple, a group of people in top hats and civilian clothes appeared at the bottom of the steps.

Although they were dressed in civilian clothes, the group of people were very orderly in their movements, their expressions were very strict, and their orders were also very distinct, and it was obvious that they had received good diplomatic training, and they had come prepared today.

Charles and Charlotte walked down the stairs step by step, and only stopped when the two groups were about to face each other.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm glad you're here to see ......," Charles nodded to one of the people at the front of him, and then held out his hand, "I'm really scared to interrupt your schedule in such a hurry. ”

The man in the lead was not tall, but he was very well-dressed, and although he looked quite old, his face was still very ruddy, and he had a well-trimmed gray beard.

"Monsieur de Treville, where are you talking about that? Actually, we should thank you for giving us a good opportunity to pass the time......" He smiled and bowed to Charles, then shook Charles' hand and shook it a few times rather reservedly, "I'm Helmut von Melersen, the current Second Secretary of the Embassy, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to meet you today. ”

"I am relieved that you can say that, Mr. von Melersen, thank you." Charles smiled and let go of his hand, "I sincerely hope that you will have a pleasant banquet with me. ”

Not bad, a second secretary was at least able to say something, and it seems that the attitude of the Austrians was not unpositive. Charles thought to himself.

Since the current title of Austrian ambassador to France is owned by the famous banker Baron Rothschild, the actual head of the Austrian embassy is now the Embassy Counsellor and the First Secretary. These two important diplomats, of course, were very busy with their business, and could not have found time in a hurry to attend Charles's sudden invitation, and the fact that Charles could be led by a second secretary would have actually been able to satisfy Charles - at least he felt that he had been taken seriously enough by the Austrians.

"I'm convinced of that, too." The secretary was still smiling kindly. Then he turned his head to look at Charlotte, who had been carefully dressed, and walked in front of Charlotte in one step. Then he stretched out his hand. "I am so sorry to be entertained by such a beautiful lady for my colleagues who could not come."

"You're so gracious. Mr. Charlotte smiled and let him pick up her right hand, her lips touching the back of her hand. I'm just afraid that I will not be able to treat you well, and as a result, I will cause a terrible European crisis! ”

"The only possible European crisis tonight is for you to get us out of the way, ma'am." The secretary replied with a smile on his face, "Other than that, there is peace in Europe. ”

"Haha, then you don't have to worry." Charlotte was amused by him, "As long as you think you can, you can take it with us for as long as you want...... Even if it is to save Europe, I will always stay at the table to entertain you. ”

The second secretary, with just the right amount of cordiality, made a good impression on both Charles and Charlotte. In the diplomatic arena, the Austrians, though unprincipled and capricious, were at least impeachable in their manners.

While Charlotte and the secretary greeted each other. Charles did not sit idle, but looked at the secretary with a smile on his face, following the small group of people, trying to find the person he was paying attention to.

And then he was in the midst of the crowd. A young man was found.

The young man was equally well-dressed, and with an easy-going smile on his face, he was also looking at himself. He had short grayish-brown hair. His face is well-defined, and his eyes are very bright. I can see that he is the kind of person who has a lot of ideas.

In addition to his more youthful appearance, the high-spirited attitude on his face. Obviously a little different from the other people's somewhat cowering and reserved appearance. Under Charles's gaze, he looked at Charles with a smile and the same, as if he did not know that this man was one of the most powerful men in the French Foreign Office and the most trusted assistant of Louis Bonaparte.

This kind of mild-looking arrogance should be only available to the son of a duke or prince.

"Monsieur von Metternich?" With a hint of certainty, Charles greeted the young man, "Good evening." ”

"Good evening, Monsieur de Treville." Sure enough, the young man nodded slightly at Charles, "It's a pleasure to meet you." ”

"Please forgive me for being an uninvited guest." Richard von Metternich smiled a little embarrassedly, "Out of curiosity and admiration for you, I am full of curiosity about you, and I want to meet you this time when I have the opportunity......"

"It is a great honour to have Prince Metternich's son as a guest." Charles walked up to him, then stretched out his hand, "I have always respected your father, he is definitely one of the best men of the last era. ”

"I'm glad you were able to speak so highly of my father." Richard shook Charles' hand heavily, "I think he'll be very happy, for he thinks so much of you—to paraphrase what you just said, we both father and son think you're one of the best men of our time." ”

I? How could he be so praised by Metternich? Is this a polite remark?

No...... With the pride of this prince, he had no reason to make up such words to flatter himself.

It seems to be true......

One of the best men of our time...... What a rare evaluation!

Even the deep Shire of the city government couldn't help but feel that sense of complacency in his heart at this moment.

"Well, I don't think I can entertain you outside the door," Charles quickly shifted away from the subject, lest he seem to get carried away, "Come in, everyone, and don't waste the dinner that Madame has prepared for the evening." ”

In the midst of the bright lights, guests such as Richard von Metternich and Helmut von Melerson followed the Charles into the grand hall.

"What a nice place!" Looking at the elaborately decorated hall and walls, and the brilliant light everywhere, the future prince could not help but sigh.

"Monsieur de Treville has indeed grabbed a good spot." Helmut von Mellersen replied in a low voice.

"This is Louis Bonaparte's reward for his talent." Perhaps hearing the second secretary's subtle mockery, Richard whispered to his master who was walking in front, "If anyone can do the same for our majesty." He will be rewarded like that. ”

"The Habsburgs would not allow themselves to be in that predicament." The second secretary shrugged.

No, he once fell into. It was only by relying on my father that it avoided further humiliation, no matter how unwilling it was to admit it. Facts are facts.

Richard replied in his heart.

In the whispers of the two Austrians, the group walked to the table, and as soon as they were seated, the musicians who had been on standby for a long time began to play a soft music.

The unique Austrian melody touched the Austrians almost immediately.

"Today's dinner has been carefully prepared by Charlotte, and I hope you can have a pleasant enjoyment, both in your mouth and in your ears." Charles smiled and waved his hand as he motioned for the servant to start serving.

"I am very grateful for your hospitality, ma'am." Richard hurriedly thanked Charlotte, "You are bound to become one of the most high-profile hostesses in the social world. Let's have a toast to the youth of the beautiful Madame de Treville? ”

"Thank you. Cheers! ”

Everyone raised their glasses.

In the midst of the staggering, everyone enjoyed a well-prepared dinner and chatted together.

It wasn't until he saw that the guests were slowly getting into a state of mind that Charles finally asked about Prince Schwarzenberg's condition.

He soon received a no-optimistic reply from his secretary.

"Hey, I really didn't expect such a disaster to happen to the prince at such a young age! It would be a pity if the prince really left us because of this. Charles sighed as if dejected, "I have a lot of respect for him, too. As the man who saved the country in the midst of danger, he deserves everyone's respect. ”

"May your good wishes move God, sir." Helmut von Melersen thanked Charles reservedly: "Each of us is just like you. I sincerely hope that he can survive the disaster and continue to help His Majesty protect the whole country. ”

"Yes, with great determination and willpower. The forcible subjugation of the Prussians was a masterpiece of diplomacy to me. Charles let out a long sigh. It would be a pity if this masterpiece had faded because of the calamity of the great man. ”

The Austrians looked at each other.

This is bottoming out.

"The Prince's greatest merit was to preserve the peace of the Empire. We Austrians are peace-loving. "Helmut von Mellersen has hinted that he is not open to provocation and is unable to give a more definite answer." We deserve a toast to peace. ”

Hehe, do you want to play tricks with me?

Charles suddenly sneered in his heart.

Everybody says that diplomacy is a serious art of lying. Don't look at me as just starting out in the diplomatic world, in fact, in this regard, I have long been self-taught...... Mr.

While sneering inwardly, Charles piled up a solemn and sincere expression on his face.

"Sir, like you, I am a very peace-loving man and a great hater of bloodshed. Yes, I hate killing, and I think war is meaningless, but have my country and your country gained anything from the fighting of the past few hundred years? Killing only makes us hate each other, but nothing else is gained. "It pains my heart to think that thousands of young people like me, full of ideals and bright futures, and even those who have just started a family, may have to face the most terrible risks next to death!"

I love my wife, I love my relatives, and so do everyone else - so is there any reason to force young people to abandon their loved ones and shed their blood for their own selfish desires? This is not only irrational, but also immoral! I dare say that in France, after decades of pain, this trend of pacifism is also a common idea. This is a time of recuperation, a time of prosperity and harmony in peace — and that's what the President thinks. He and I are willing to do our best and dedicate our efforts and sweat to the peace of Europe and Europeans!

Yes, gentlemen, in praise of the Great Peace, let us make a toast! ”

In the midst of everyone's stunned gaze, Charles raised his glass with a smile on his face. (To be continued......)