"Forced to buy them?" Albert was a little puzzled, "Okay, it's good...... But can it work? They are in a foreign country after all. ”

"Not in the short term, of course, but in the long term -- we have to try to do that." Charles replied in a low voice.

Although he was evasive, his friend immediately understood the meaning.

"What do you mean...... Someday, we may go to war with Prussia, and then take the Krupp factory into our hands? ”

"This is a bit of an overstretch - I mean that we must curb the inevitable expansion of Prussia's power by all peaceful or non-peaceful means, at the appropriate time, and ...... Deprive them of the ability and possibility to become a European hegemon through the Rhineland. "There are not many options before us, either do nothing and watch them become the most powerful industrial nation in Europe through the coal and iron of the Rhineland, or we will stop them by decisive means before that." ”

"Alright, Charles, you're already a minister, you don't have to talk like a diplomat anymore, do you?" Albert couldn't help but laugh, "You don't mean anything like this in the end. ”

"It's because I'm a minister that I can't say it so explicitly and vehemently." Charles spread his hands, "And, we are discussing a question about the direction of European history, and it must be decorated with politeness." ”

"It's a shame that you left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." Albert shrugged. "By the way, aren't all your public speeches in favor of peace in Europe? How can I say it in private, but I completely change the tone. ”

"Yes, I love peace, for a country, peace is a means, but definitely not an end. If peace is good, then she should keep peace, and if peace is not good for her...... It is inevitable then, then, to abandon peace for the time being and seek another kind of peace for ourselves by all means. Charles replied almost as a matter of course, "If it's just peace for peace's sake, why don't we just disarm now and invite foreigners to occupy it?" ”

"Okay, okay, I'm not going to talk to you about these topics - it's something you big people have to worry about anyway." Albert shook his head and looked around, "I'll just do what you instruct." ”

"Well, I think maybe you can make up for it." Charles smiled slightly.

"You...... Are you kidding? Albert was shocked again, "I ...... I'm going to be a diplomat? Hahahaha......"

"I don't understand what's so funny about this, you have a family background and good enough manners, can't you be a diplomat with these two points?" Charles laughed deeper and deeper, "Actually, I really think you are quite suitable to be a diplomat, you are good at deception, you are also good at pleasing people, and you are even better at figuring out other people's ideas - and in fact, you are also careful in your words and deeds, and you will not be easily seen through, my God, I think you are a natural diplomat!" ”

"Okay, okay, no kidding." Albert gave him a push.

"I'm serious, you can be a diplomat if you want to." Charles was still smiling, "And I knew some people in the Foreign Office before who could make you a diplomat - think about it, you can go to the capitals of Europe every once in a while and see the people and ...... Well, beautiful lady? ”

"Sounds interesting, huh?" After Charles's encouragement, Albert suddenly felt a little excited, and he was no longer so repulsed by the idea. "You let me think about it...... Ah, it's so hot! ”

As he spoke, he reached out and loosened his tie.

There are many steam-powered machines inside the factory, so the water vapor is very uncomfortable for those of them in formal clothes.

Charles looked around to make sure everything was in order, he also felt that it was a bit too stuffy to stay here, and then he turned to look at De Smond, the chief engineer of the place.

"Sir, after today's inspection, I am barely satisfied with the performance of your work, and I hope that you will continue to work hard and improve all the deficiencies. Remember what I told you, the production of munitions must be given the highest priority, but the production of other products must not be delayed too much, because these productions are also extremely important, you know? ”

"I have to say that you have made some demands that are too difficult for me to meet......" De Slim said with a bitter face.

"That's why I promoted you to chief engineer and gave you such a high salary." Charles shrugged, "If you feel like I'm proposing to go too high, it's beyond your means...... You can bring it up now. ”

"No, no, no, I didn't mean that, sir, in fact I'd love to serve you!" Hearing Charles' threat, the engineer quickly defended himself.

Then, Charles and his party left the sprawling factory area and came to a nearby Grange owned by Charlotte.

Because of the serious industrial pollution, in fact, the output of the farmland has dropped greatly compared to before, but the scenery is still good, so every time Charles comes to this factory to inspect, he will come here to rest, but Charlotte will not come.

Because of the telegram notice, the mansion, which had accumulated some dust, was re-cleaned to make it easier for Charles and the group he brought with him to move in.

What is the most in the countryside? Wine, of course.

As soon as they arrived, they were immersed in a feast of food and wine, and Charles wanted to please the representatives of the military, and let his friends have a good time here, and not have to worry much about the country, so they were very casual, and as soon as they sat down, they talked to each other without restraint, and then soon fell into a state of drunkenness under the influence of alcohol.

The group talked and joked with each other, and soon got into the most common topics for men.

At this moment, a group of women quietly walked in, and immediately provoked their exclamations. Then, the man's shouting and the woman's laughing and scolding were mixed. They were all Albert's "friends", and they came here yesterday on a train to fulfill Albert's promise to George.

After seeing this group of women wearing heavy makeup, George, who was already very drunk, widened his eyes, as if he had seen some demon.

"Look, little friend, I have fulfilled your wish, right?" Albert patted him on the shoulder, "Take your courage and let them turn you into a real man!" A man who is brave and fearless......"

"Ahh This! ...... like this," the young cadet shouted incoherently, as if he hadn't yet recognized the reality, although he already had a similar vision in his heart, but when it really came true, he was still a little incredulous.

"Nana, Nini...... You two take him up and let him enjoy it, this young man is my friend, you have to be serious. Albert raised his hand, pointed to two of the women, and called out the names of the flowers, "By the way, he's still a chick, you need to make him a better memory!" ”

"Hahahaha!" In the midst of the laughter in the restaurant, two smiling women took George's hand and pulled him outside.

There were many empty rooms upstairs, and any one of them was enough to leave a very deep memory on the young man. I am afraid that it will not be long before a new member will be added to this corrupt and depraved group.

In the midst of this laughter, the rest of the people became even more profligate, and they continued to drink wildly, and then laughed unscrupulously with the women next to them.

Charles didn't get involved at this point, he stood up and left the room.

Not that he was morally noble, but that he had no interest in the woman he could get his hands with his fingers, and Lucien and Viscount Alex de Roetrec also came out, both of whom did not want to participate in such an for their own reasons.

In a drunken daze, they decided to go out on the balcony to play cards, and immediately walked over.

And Charles's sister did not rest, and as soon as she came to the mansion, she told the servant to prepare her own horse, and then rode away from the mansion, although at the servant's strong request, two men followed her, but at her strong request, the two men had to let go of their distance, and could only follow her from a distance, and looked at her cautiously, fearing that the sister of His Excellency the Minister would make any mistake.

Fran didn't want to come out and see the scenery, in fact she urged her horse to follow the path she remembered through the forest and country paths.

The weather was a little hot, which made her feel a little uncomfortable, but she silently endured the inconvenience.

Soon, she came to the door of another country house. When she had stopped her horse, she ordered those who followed her to wait outside the door with her horse, and were not allowed to disturb her, on the grounds that she wanted to meet one of her friends here.

Then she pushed the fence open and walked into the mansion.

It was much more dilapidated than the last time I visited, and the weeds stained the surrounding fence with a turquoise color. There were also a few cracks in the steps. In recent years, she has been accustomed to a rich life, but when she encountered this declining appearance, she suddenly felt a little beautiful.

Then, with some nervousness, she walked up the steps and knocked softly on the door.

"Excuse me, anyone?" (To be continued.) )