In between noncommittal diplomatic rhetoric, Charles reveals his conditions for supporting Count Bezukhov's plan in the vague words characteristic of diplomats.

And the Count agreed to him without much hesitation.

This is not surprising, and although it is superficially arrogant, no one really likes to fight with the European powers, at least not the Count. He is going to do the work of transforming a country, and before his career is successful, he is most worried about foreign interference, not interference in the affairs of other countries.

"I have no ill will towards the people of Europe, and I am even more fond of the French people, so I don't want to be an enemy of anyone in the first place." The Count looked at Charles very dryly, and then raised his hand, "Just give us a chance to prove ourselves, and we will do everything in our power to build Russia into a free and prosperous state, a country that can only be kind and helpful to its European neighbors, and we will never do anything that is detrimental to the interests of Europe, or threaten Europeans with guns and cannons like the old tsars, so I can promise you that I will never involve Russia in the needless disputes of Europe, It will fight only to defend its own well-being. ”

In front of Charles, Count Bezukhov gushed a bunch of very pleasant words, promising that once he came to power, he would never let Russia get involved in European disputes again, let alone become an obstacle to France.

Unfortunately, despite what he said, Charles didn't take it all.

Russia is Russia, regardless of whether Russia is the same feudal **** form of government as before, or a constitutional monarchy. Whether it is a republic or some other form of government, Russia's basic national interests remain. Its inherent ambitions are still there. In the case of the Count, perhaps he was sincere. But this sincerity will not mean much in the face of conflicting national interests.

As soon as Russia emerges from the quagmire of war and political turmoil and regains its former strength, it will inevitably want to expand its power and influence into Europe - and at that time, France, which wants to dominate Europe, will surely become a thorn in their side, just as France sees Russia as it does today.

Therefore, Charles will not put forward any naïve conditions with the other party: "I support you, and you must remain friendly with France forever in the future", which is simply impossible to achieve. Whether Count Bezukhov agreed or not, it didn't make any sense.

All he hoped for was the turmoil caused by Count Bezukhov, which would hold Russia back longer.

To sum up, the success of the Count's cause was not of particular importance to him, and he only hoped that the Russian Turmoil Party in and after the war would suffer as much as possible, so that it would be difficult to create any obstacle to the actions of France for some time to come, for which he would also give great help to the Count.

"I am glad that you are able to have such lofty ideals. Earl. Really, I was very impressed. Charles looked at him with great enthusiasm, "Like you, I want to be able to contribute to the well-being of Europe...... Including the Russian people. So. I am not averse to your ideals and ...... And be happy to see your wishes come true. ”

Seeing that this kid finally spit out a marginal sentence, the earl's heart was finally relieved.

"Can I see this as some kind of assurance from you?"

"All I can say is. This is a hypothetical guarantee. Charles didn't say yes as he wanted," assumed. Someday in the future, France will have to fight Russia on the battlefield under the manipulation of fate. Well, for the sake of victory, and of course for the sake of the well-being and freedom of the Russian people, we gladly accept to join you in opposing the Tsar and wishing to free all terrible slavery. Then, I hope that at that time, a newborn Russia will be able to have the same goodwill towards the whole of Europe, as you hope, and will not want to plunder and enslave other peoples and nations of Europe again......"

The Count watched Charles as he calmly uttered these high-sounding words, but he did not show any expression, so that the other party could not catch any of his thoughts.

This man looks young, but he didn't expect to be so sophisticated! The Count sighed to himself.

Either way, though, he finally achieved his goal. He was promised a connection, and he was assured of a connection with the French, which would certainly be of great help to his cause in the future when it was needed.

"So, can I think that at least we can be friends now?" Since tangible assurances seemed unattainable, he resigned himself to some kind of personal relationship with the other party first.

"I think it's my pleasure." Charles hurriedly stood up and stretched out his hand to the other party, "To me, you are a respectable senior and elder, and your ideas and ideals are also very admirable to me. I'm sure you can make yourself a great man by relying on that. ”

"If I save this troubled nation, I think I can be a great man." The old man did not humble himself, but also stood up, reached out and shook Charles, "At the same time I thank you for your help, although it did not come immediately. ”

The two men's hands were clasped together again, and this time they shook for a long time.

"So what can I do for you now?"

"First of all, I want my freedom back, because I didn't come to France just to see you, there are many other things to do." The Count was not polite, but directly expressed his opinion, "Besides, you can arrange me another passport, I will be leaving France in the near future - but I hope that this passport, there will be no more problems......"

"I can agree to both of these opinions." Without any hesitation, Charles nodded in agreement.

"Please let them go, the others are people I trust, and who have no ill will towards France, and it is too much to detain them." The Count made his request again.

"I'm really embarrassed by this request." Charles smiled apologetically at him, "Otherwise, I can give them a limited amount of freedom." But they are only free to roam around Paris, and they have to report to my people every once in a while. If you want to leave Paris, you have to be accompanied by someone from me. Sir, I know that such conditions are harsh. But please understand my concerns. ”

The Count hesitated again, pondering Charles' offer, and reluctantly agreed.

"Well, if you have to, then I can't help it, I'll talk to them and let them do what you say."

"Thank you so much for your generosity." Charles laughed heartily, "So do you have anything else you want me to do?" ”

"I want my son André to stay in France for the rest of my life and put him in charge of our private contact. Is this okay? The Count went on to make his demands.

"Of course it's okay, Andre is a good guy, my friends and I love Andre very much, as long as he wants to stay here, no one can get rid of him." Charles shrugged his shoulders and continued to graciously agree to the other man's request.

"This loser, God knows how prodigal he will have to be to make you all like him!" Seeing Charles say this about his youngest son, the Count was not happy, but smiled bitterly. "Hey, I'm just too pampered to this little son, and it turns out that he has become so unspeakable! Andrey, Andrey. I really lived up to the name......"

"Sounds like that Andrei is your friend?" Charles asked curiously.

"Yes, that Andrei's name is Andrei Borconsky, and he is a very good-hearted patriotic young man. He was kind, wise, and helpful. And it's not bad for anyone, and it's a lot of help for me......" The Count sighed. It seems to recall something.

"Is he still there?" Charles asked casually.

"No, he's been dead for decades." The Count replied calmly, "He fought many battles with your Emperor from 1805 onwards, and died on the battlefield of the French invasion of Russia—and if it was enough luck, it was probably your grandfather's men who killed him." ”

Charles suddenly felt very embarrassed. "Uh...... Uh......"

"You don't have to be sorry, who can control the war? Bullets are unsympathetic. You are also not obligated to take responsibility for what happened decades ago, and I am not bringing this up to accuse you of anything. "Besides, I am honored rather than sorry for his death, for he died in the defense of Mother Russia, a death that is ten thousand times better than wailing in a hospital bed." If one day a new invasion of Russia comes from a foreign country, I will take up my gun and fight like this friend of mine, hoping that fate will give me the same death, so that I can contribute to the inevitable victory of Mother Russia. ”

"I ...... I appreciate your patriotic fervor, but I think it's better to be alive than dead. Charles smiled vaguely, to avoid arguing with him about the war decades ago, otherwise he would not be able to praise or disparage.

"yes, yes...... It's been decades, and I don't need to mention it. Now we have to talk about another Andrey. The Count smiled too, "I would like to ask you to do me a favor - hasn't André been thanking you for your help in importing starch into France?" I hope that you will help him to expand his business so that he can sell as much of my territory's produce as possible to France—of course, I can assure him that I will give him the best price. ”

This sudden remark made Charles stunned for a while.

Count Bezukhov, who had just looked impassioned and righteous, suddenly mentioned a commercial problem, and was so excited, that it was really a little difficult for him to accept it at once.

"Now that we've become friends, I don't think we will refuse to give you this kind of unpaid help, right?" The Count looked at Charles with interest, "Mr. Treville, I have seen that you are really powerful in France, and the people in the port are selling you face, so if you want to help, this little thing can be done." In this way, we can hide the money and people we interact with each other in business. Not only my people can come to France, but yours can also go to Russia, in the name of a legal importer of agricultural products, and no one will doubt it with me. ”

Belch...... Doesn't that make sense? Charles couldn't help but be moved.

"However, you can also make a lot of money out of it." He couldn't help but laugh again, "I thought you were more interested in ideals." ”

"Ideals are important, but to achieve them, money is indispensable, I have said many times, I am not a stubborn person, but I like to be down-to-earth. I have a lot of expenses for my business, and I have to do everything I can to manage my land in order to raise enough money for this great adventure. The Earl didn't look embarrassed at all, "Don't look at me as a bad old man, I've made myself a good enough operator over the years, and many people have emulated me." ”

"That's really...... Surprising! Charles couldn't help but sigh, "Well, we're happy to work together, Mr. Earl." (To be continued.) )