"Don't you want to find a few supporters among the Bonapartes? Sir, though I am not in France, and not very well-informed, I seem to have heard that you are not very popular among the Bonapartes...... If you could do this for us, wouldn't you be grateful to us? ”

When the old woman said this with such determination, Charles fell silent.

He calmly glanced at the other man again, then wiped the smile from his face.

He was not surprised by the proposal, but what really shocked him was that even in foreign countries it was well known that he was not in harmony with the Bonaparte clan - even the old woman knew about it.

To be honest, he's not in a good mood right now.

No matter who you are, when you encounter this situation, you may not be in a good mood.

Hmph, say "gratitude" lightly, and plan to trick me into going to the soup, isn't this when I'm a child?

"Madame, I have to say that you surprised me too much...... Grateful! Kindness! You're trying to impress me with this kind of thing, so that I'm going to take the risk of doing something like this for you? Charles shrugged his shoulders and smiled slightly mockingly, "No, no, thank you." I can give this kind of thing to others as much as I want, and I don't need you to bring it to me again...... Okay, I think we've been talking long enough that I need a break. ”

Perhaps because of Charles's sudden change of face, the lady was a little sluggish for a while.

Finally, the smile on her face turned to a wry smile.

"It seems that you are not going to promise me. That's right, in the current situation. I can't give you a convincing guarantee...... But, sir. As I said, isn't that good for you? If you can bring my grandson back to France. So...... It won't cost you anything, will it? On the contrary, whether he appreciates you or not, he can weaken that person...... The position and influence of that Monsieur Joseph Bonaparte, do you think that this prospect is favorable to you? ”

That's right.

Today, Louis Bonaparte did not have legitimate children (and it is not known if there would be one in this changed world line), and it is theoretically possible that if he left the world suddenly, the head of the Bonaparte family would be transferred to the Prince of Jérôme, whether Charles liked it or not.

Judging by Joseph Bonaparte's attitude towards Charles today, I am afraid that this is not a good thing for him.

And if there is a day. Charles certainly wouldn't be willing to sit back and be killed as a foolish minister.

Instead of being a rebel who betrayed the Bonaparte family at that time, why not take precautions and find an ally among the Bonaparte family first?

The thought crossed Charles' mind.

This is not entirely impossible - if the Jérôme Napoleon Bonaparte, who had just graduated from the military academy, were to be recognized by Louis Bonaparte as a member of the Bonaparte family, then Charles and his comrades could have turned a rebellion into an internal power struggle within the family, at least to some extent, even if his status would have been restricted, and if there was a need and no way out, Charles and his comrades could have declared him one of Louis-Bonaparte's successors.

It's not that Charles is afraid of ruining his reputation. It's that he is too tightly tied to the Bonaparte family, and he himself does not have too much prestige in France, if he really puts aside the golden sign of "emperor", he is not confident that he will be able to maintain the position he has won so hard.

Oh, yes. If it was true that the descendants of the Bonaparte family could be brought into France, it would at least be a solution to the problem he had been vaguely fearing in his heart.

As long as Joseph Bonaparte was not able to inherit Louis Bonaparte's position by virtue of his natural qualifications, what did he have to fear of this man?

Come to think of it. His eyes became much soothed when he looked at the old woman.

"Madam, please do not misunderstand. I'm not saying that your request is unreasonable. I'm just saying that the risk you're taking doesn't match the perceived benefit - that's all. Charles replied with a slight smile, slowly changing his position without a trace. Given the situation of you and your children, I am not unsympathetic. You do have a reasonable reason to make a request. ”

"Oh! What a compassionate gentleman you are! The de Treville family is the noblest family in France! As soon as Charles replied, Ms. Patterson knew that her persuasion had worked, and she couldn't help but smile with confidence back on her face. Understand, Monsieur de Treville, that I am an American, and that though I have lived in Europe for a long time, I have never been accustomed to your tortuous way of speaking - therefore, since you are talking about prospects, I will tell you directly, that we will pay you a large sum of money, and promise you that my grandson will always regard you as a benefactor, a helper, and a guide......"

"Why do you believe I can do it?" He asked in a low voice.

"I believe that you can do it, and everyone believes that you can do it—you are the person on whom Monsieur Bonaparte relied on and trusted him the most, and everyone said that you were his most effective assistant, and that you were of great help to him. And your suggestions, he rarely dismissed. So, I believe that although what I ask you to do may be difficult, you can do it if it is given to you, and besides, even if it can't be done, what is the loss for you? We don't have a way to get revenge on you, it's up to you. At this point, Ms. Patterson's voice lowered, "In addition, the British government will be more than happy to see that there is a Bonaparte who grew up in the United States in the French royal family - yes, this is not just the Duke of Wellington. ”

That's right...... So it was, and Charles finally understood it in his heart.

After several exchanges with British dignitaries, he always felt that the attitude of the British was somewhat ambiguous.

Now it seems that everything is very clear.

The Duke of Wellington and other British dignitaries were still suspicious of Louis Bonaparte, believing that he was too ambitious and might threaten British interests when he became too big.

So, as a kind of insurance, they wanted to use Jérôme-Napoleon-Bonaparte as a member of the royal family and de Treville as the nucleus to prop up a pro-British faction in the French government, and then use these pro-British tactics to keep him from drawing his sword against Britain like his uncle - or, at worst, replacing him with these more moderate British men.

The reason why Tréville was chosen is probably because they have already seen that the Charr is undisciplined and will not dwell on the historical legacy of half a century ago.

The offer was so sensitive that they did not even present it in person during the interview with Charles, but through the mouth of an old woman who seemed to have no connection with the two governments—so that they could deny it afterwards, whether Charles agreed or not.

Well, the old policy of continental balancing has sprouted again.

In order to maintain their position, these British people are really working hard.

"It seems that you are more prepared for today than I just thought." Charles sighed softly.

"Of course, do you think I'll do nothing beforehand, and then rush over when I hear you're here?" Ms. Patterson replied with a sneer, "Pleading and tears don't mean anything to you, do they?" Well, sir, give me an answer, for God's sake, how far are you willing to do for your compassion? Or what are you willing to do for the sake of the Duke's friendship? ”

Charles didn't answer immediately, but fell silent.

Mrs. Patterson went on, silently awaiting Charles's answer—in a sense, the Duke and the British government awaiting his answer.

"I'll do what I can." It wasn't until a few minutes later that Charles replied slowly, "That is, I will convey your request to the President, and—I will express my sympathy in his presence." ”

Yes, he was not averse to giving himself a reputation as a pro-British faction when France was currently in need of Britain to support the scene.

A relieved smile slowly spread across the wrinkled face of the lady, who shook it imperceptibly.

It was only at this moment that she showed a little weakness.

"Thank you, sir! Rest assured, we will never be as ungrateful as they are! ”

"Really? Let's hope so. Charles smiled and nodded. If all this can be done, I sincerely hope that your grandson will add to the glory of this great family and, as the British expect, work for the friendship between the two countries. ”

This is irony.

He was absolutely sure that even if a pure Englishman were to be made emperor of France, let alone a Bonaparte who had grown up in the United States, that person would have been ruthless in order to maintain his rule and England if the situation required it—and that any affection would be insignificant and worthless in the face of the maintenance of power.

"He will, he will......" the woman muttered to herself. My grandson, a hundred times stronger than the poor offspring of that princess! ”

Then, unexpectedly, she clenched her fists, and then took a deep breath.

"Monsieur de Treville, he and the princess's child are destined to be trampled to the ground by you and my grandson!" (To be continued......)