In the president's office, guards came in and neatly arranged the wine utensils, fruits and vegetables.

The guests were seated, and Adrian turned back to Wilhelm II and Likhnovsky: "Oh! Look, what do we drink? Coffee? Wine or something else? You know, these things are not what I usually enjoy, and thanks to the French, we can make an exception now, yes, come on my friends. ”

In Likhnovsky's heart, Adrian should be a high-minded, empty-eyed yellow-haired boy, I have heard of this guy acting dissolutely, doing things as he pleases, and he is a person who does not play according to routines. Although they used to work together, they didn't have the opportunity to meet, but they didn't expect that Adrian today is a well-behaved, methodical, and responsible young man. Likhnovsky's attitude changed a lot: "Okay, thank you, Your Excellency, we will drink red wine." However, today is very presumptuous, sir, I mean that we will not talk about how to cooperate in the future, but talk about the past, right! Just talk about the past, it's something very interesting, and I don't think you'll object to it."

Augustus II knew that Likhnovsky wanted to take the opportunity to mock Adrian and wanted to stop it, but it was too late, because Adrian nodded and agreed to Likhnovsky's proposal while pouring his wine: "Okay, that's a good idea, Mr. Likhnovsky, now we're together, this is God's arrangement, haha......"

With a gentle sip of red wine, Likhnovsky finally began to challenge Adrian: "Dear Mr. President, is your rare Imperial Blue Mark still there?" ”

Adrian didn't expect Likhnovsky to suddenly mention this, he looked at Augustus II, smiled and said: "Of course, this is the highest national honor that a soldier received at that time, and it is a favor given to me by His Majesty the Emperor, which I must keep forever!" Never forget," Adrian carefully pulled out a small delicate wooden box from the filing cabinet and respectfully placed it on the president's desk.

Prince Likhnovsky was very moved by this scene, but he did not speak, but quietly tasted the wine in his glass.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was a little stronger, but Likhnovsky didn't seem to want to stop there, and chased after him step by step: "Your Excellency, in fact, you have not only received this supreme honor, but also received unparalleled favor, and in such a short period of time, you have become the pride and dependence of the empire, which is an honor that no minister has ever had, including me. However, Your Excellency, you did not carry forward your honor, but used the Emperor's favor to serve your own future, so that you got everything you have now, Your Excellency, am I not right? ”

The atmosphere began to be tense again, but Adrian would not rest on his laurels: "Mr. Likhnovsky, what you said makes me feel extremely ashamed, yes, as the emperor's favorite minister, I should indeed raise my arms and shout and call on the national army to defend the imperial family, but you should also know that I did not have any foundation at that time, I was soft-spoken, and it was difficult to speak alone, even if my position was high and my voice was loud, how many people could accompany me at that time?" With my own strength, how can I turn the tide? When the dynasty was in danger, the people's hearts had turned their backs, and the people had lost confidence in the imperial power, how could you let me go against the tide? The reason why I founded the Federalist Party was to integrate the armed forces in the country, put an end to the chaotic division of military forces in various places, and save the lives of the people, which is fair to everyone. Actually, I didn't even think about making myself president of a federal country today, because I felt that I was still young and lacked experience. Albert became president of the puppet government, and the people's lives were not stabilized, on the contrary, the guns of his army were not pointed at enemies abroad but at his own friends! Based on this situation, I must unite all the people of insight to overthrow the Albert puppet regime and establish a federal state belonging to the people, which is also the trend of history and cannot be resisted. As for the bloody struggle of the Nationalist Army for the new Germany, I think that Mr. Likhnovsky would not have turned a blind eye, right? And at that time, honorable Mr. Likhnovsky, where were you? ”

A series of statements made Likhnovsky unable to deal with it, and Augustus II hurriedly broke the embarrassment: "Okay Likhnovsky, this page has been turned completely, you see, aren't we living very well now, sitting in that seat is actually not leisurely, facing international and domestic affairs, people have a headache all day long, this is better, we are free, and we no longer have to live in fear." Eric is not thin on us, when the country is in turmoil, it is he who desperately protects us, after the reunification of the country, we still come out to participate in politics, each doing his best, this is the beautiful scene I can't ask for, why is it entangled? Besides, what is being practiced now is a democratic system, and it is not something that the president can do whatever he wants, do you still want Mr. President to put us on the throne of the so-called emperor again? Oh, my God! I'm sick of sitting on you. Likhnovsky, do you see, although the common people are not rich now, but their confidence is more than before, their smiles are more real and happier than before, at least they see hope, this is the progress of the times. Our time did not benefit the people, but a daily struggle for power, and in the end, we hurt all our subjects and did not create a peaceful and peaceful world for ourselves, it is time for us to wake up, and the situation is that Mr. Eric needs you, and Germany needs you. Do you understand? ”

Adrian was greatly comforted to see that Augustus II had said what he wanted to say but could not say, so he turned around and sat down on the sofa again and said: "Gentlemen, the current Germany is not anyone's Germany, it is the common home of our entire German people, and we have an unshirkable duty to do it for its rebirth and development. Together, we are building this great country. How about Likhnovsky. ”

Adrian's open-mindedness and generosity touched everyone very much, and he began to persuade Likhnovsky to come out and help Adrian govern the country.

At this moment, the Hansafelt Palace is quiet and peaceful, the sky above Berlin is high and cloudy, and in the warm sun, green shadows are waving, and flocks of pigeons are flying up and down between the buildings and the rippling river, giving people an auspicious and warm feeling. This is a peaceful scene that has not been seen in a long time, and Likhnovsky is not unseen, not unmoved, and now Adrian has extended an invitation to himself, and he finds that he is not ready for anything.

Augustus II, with his very characteristic beard, curled up, hoped that Likhnovsky would give a cheerful word: "Come, gentlemen, let's have a toast, such a good time, such good weather, let us toast to the future of the great German Confederation." ”

Likhnovsky waved his hand and said, "Wait, wait, gentlemen, the wine must be drunk, but I must first know that Mr. President asked me to do something for the country." This is important, of course, in addition to cleaning the road. ”

It was a very auspicious message, and as soon as Likhnovsky's words were finished, Adrian and Augustus II burst into laughter, a laugh that erupted from their hearts, an indescribable laugh that had not been seen for a long time. The atmosphere in the hall began to thicken.

Adrian got up and walked over, held Likhnowski's hand tightly and said: "I sincerely appoint you as the president's chief of staff, in special circumstances, you can speak on behalf of the president, what you say is what the president wants to say, in the future, you must correct the president's mistakes in a timely manner, uphold the national law, safeguard the political program, let the president be honest, diligent and love the people, and as the president's special envoy and spokesperson to attend major international and domestic conferences, and serve the German federal state." If you don't have any other opinions, then we're all in this together. ”

Likhnovsky was so excited that all three of them raised their glasses almost simultaneously and dried.

Next, Eric briefly explained the current situation in Germany, and then carefully explained the real purpose behind the "Paris Action", laying out the whole plan and his own ideas. Then Likhnovsky was asked to send an envoy to Britain in the capacity of chief of staff and special envoy of the president to seek an opportunity for Germany to settle the dispute peacefully.

In the end, Adrian even said in a mocking tone: "My chief of staff, this time you can't use the telephone to determine diplomacy, Germany can't afford to be misunderstood, haha." Likhnovsky repeatedly said that he would personally meet in person during any diplomatic exchanges, and promised to confirm it in writing, so as to ensure that there would be no diplomatic misunderstanding between the two sides.

Eric? Adrian's pot-bellied, cunning and courage attracted the prestigious Prince Likhnovsky, who was sworn in in the presence of Augustus II and other members of his cabinet, and decided to swear allegiance to the country and the president.