When Russia began to prepare for the terrible winter, France, which was far away at the western tip of the European continent, also began to enter the embrace of the cold wave, because of the cold wind blowing from the north, the temperature near Paris was very fast, and before anyone could recover from it, the streets were already bleak. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

However, this is also the time when the social scene is at its most active, because people are more willing to gather together and beat off the chill with laughter and excitement.

It is also from the beginning of winter that famous salons have opened, prestigious social gatherings have been held one after another, countless gossip and scandals have been circulated on the streets and in people's mouths, and the front page headlines of various newspapers have begun to be guaranteed.

However, unlike other popular places in the social world, the Palais de la Le Hyard, which is usually full of people, has fallen into an uncharacteristically silent today.

The palace was surrounded by guards, and the streets were sparsely populated with pedestrians, and even the curtains were pulled down so that no light could leak out, and there was a quiet and even eerie atmosphere everywhere.

In the midst of this silence, the Imperial Minister of Transport, Charles de Treville, rode through the guards' posts and the gates in the walls in his luxurious carriage, and galloped directly into the gardens of the palace's vestibule.

His attitude was the same as the atmosphere here, with a hint of indifference in his silence and a smile on the corner of his mouth. After years of teaching by his grandfather, after years of experience in the social world, and after the habit of being in a high position during this period of time, he is now able to use this smile very skillfully.

It was not until the carriage had stopped that His Excellency was a little moved, and he stepped out of the carriage in a good time.

A group of guards saluted him respectfully, and a servant in an old-fashioned red uniform bowed deeply to him, and then silently led the minister forward.

Charles did not respond to the salute of the guards, nor did he communicate with the servants, but walked behind him in a cold silence, as silent as before, except for the sound of Charles' cane tapping lightly on the ground.

Ever since Louis Bonaparte rebuilt the empire in a coup d'état and became His Majesty the Emperor, his cronies have come to the fore, reaped the fruits of victory, and occupied a series of important political and economic positions.

And their victories were reflected in their lives, and in just over a year these once penniless careerists had taken up residence in luxurious quarters and even palaces - the Charles had taken up residence in the mansion that had once belonged to the Prince, and the Palais de la Le Hâtre had fallen into the hands of Prince Joseph Bonaparte.

The palace belonged to the kings of the old dynasty, but it was never taken seriously, and since Joseph Bonaparte moved in, he spent a great deal of money and effort to renovate the palace and make it as magnificent as he had hoped.

There is no doubt that the fact that these newly powerful national dignitaries have lived a prosperous and wealthy life so quickly will naturally arouse the private criticism of the people and public opinion, but this is not "corroded", because this group of people originally got together for the sake of glory and wealth and seized the power of a country.

However, when Charles made his way through the vestibule to the steps of the palace, the silence was finally broken.

"Charles!" Prince Joseph Bonaparte, the owner of the Palais de la Palette-le-Ard, greeted him with great warmth, and then half-embraced his hands as if they had reunited old friends from many years. "We've been waiting for you for a long time!"

Charles didn't particularly like this overly enthusiastic way, not to mention that Joseph Bonaparte didn't like Charles, and he knew that the other party wasn't really used to him, so to be honest, Charles was going to block it when he just stretched out his hand - however, Charles didn't do it, after all, he was a minister, and the other party was a prince, and no one could lose their dignity.

Therefore, his face was almost instantly filled with the same warm smile as the other party, and then he also hugged the other party's hands.

"I'm sorry, Joseph, although I postponed all my schedules today, but the transportation still takes a little time...... But I hope I don't lose everyone's interest."

"You're the Empire's Minister of Transportation, but you're also tired of traffic on the road, isn't that reasonable?" Joseph Bonaparte laughed and quipped, "Do you know the voice of the people now?" We need to change this situation. ”

"Rest assured, we have been working hard to resolve the unfortunate traffic situation in the capital as soon as possible......," Charles said, taking the opportunity to let go of his hand, "It is expected that it will not be long before this situation is alleviated - of course, it is impossible to solve it completely." ”

"You always say that it is expected to be soon, and it is expected to be short, and the result goes on year after year, but nothing changes......" Joseph Bonaparte still teased, but his steps had already begun to move, and he took Charles into his palace, "and as a result, the real estate was speculated by you, and the traffic conditions did not change......

"Isn't that a good thing?" Charles asked rhetorically.

"Hahahaha......" and the two of them laughed at the same time.

When they reached the hall of the Pala-Le-Al Palace, Charles found that there were indeed a few people here, and all of them were very calm, although they had not been in power for long, but this group of people had already raised a little bit of the style that a high-ranking and powerful man should have.

However, some people have the ability and the ability, and some people just have the ability.

As Charles knew, His Royal Highness Prince Jérôme Bonaparte, the father of Prince Joseph Bonaparte, was here today, and he sat upright and laughed with the people next to him from time to time.

As the youngest brother of Emperor Napoleon, the former King of Westphalia, Jérôme Bonaparte, who had always been known for his bohemianism, although he was now the oldest member of the Bonaparte family and should be respected, he was as easy-going as ever, not putting on a show, and liked to entertain guests and talk freely.

Even if he came here today, he still didn't change his old ways, and chatted very happily with the people next to him. He was a little chubby, and with a smile on his face, he looked like a jovial grocery store owner, and he didn't see the killing momentum of his brother at all.

Judging from Joseph Bonaparte's expression, he didn't seem to like his father's unserious appearance, and in his opinion, now that their family had become a real royal family, they should put on a royal posture for others. But he could only grit his teeth and endure it, watching his father talk to others without caring about his image.

"Charles!" When he saw Charles approaching, the prince shouted almost with joy, and waved his hand at Charles.

"Long time no see, Your Highness." Charles followed his greeting and walked up to him and saluted.

When Charles sat down, the prince looked at Charles's face with a smile for a moment, and then suddenly lowered his voice mysteriously.

"Young man, I've noticed that you're getting more and more handsome recently, what's the matter, are you proud of your love? How many lovers have you gotten in again? ”

"You...... You're mistaken, I'm too busy with work to do anything like that. Chardon was a little embarrassed, and hurriedly waved his hand to deny, "Did you hear the rumors somewhere?" ”

"Who dares to tell your rumors in front of me?" The prince laughed, "I saw it directly! Don't forget, I'm also your old-timer, and I was the number one person in the party, and I can see that kind of spring breeze smug look at a glance - okay, don't dodge, tell me honestly, what good captives have you gotten recently? ”

"This kind of thing...... There really isn't much to say. Charles was even more embarrassed, just shaking his head in denial.

"Hey, why are young people still so restrained?" Prince Jérôme casually picked up the glass and poured himself a sip of wine, "What is there to avoid such a thing?" It's time to play when you're young! I'm also old, otherwise I would have gone to play with you a long time ago, so why bother to ask...... Charles, listen to me, you should indulge yourself when you are young, lest you get too late to play when you are old......"

"Thank you...... Thank you......" Charles didn't know what to say.

He decided to change the subject, "Can you tell me what you called me here for today?" ”

"Actually, it's mainly because we haven't been together for a long time, and I want to meet you." The old prince replied mysteriously. "Of course...... At the same time, it is also for you young people to unify their opinions and not always do things on your own. ”

"On your own?" Charles was a little confused.

"yes...... You see, since we rebuilt the empire, everyone has become a high-ranking person, everyone has become an important person in the country, and everyone has to avoid everyone when they walk, and it is inevitable that everyone is a little empty-eyed, isn't it? Prince Jérôme put the glass back on the table. Actually, it's nothing, you have put so much effort and sweat into the empire, and the empire deserves to let you enjoy what you deserve...... But...... If we keep going our separate ways, Bustraba won't be satisfied. ”

"Bustraba? Who? Charles didn't react for a moment.

"It's our Emperor's Majesty." His Royal Highness shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile. "You don't know yet, do you? This is the new nickname given to him, because he has been to Brun, then to Strasbourg, and finally to Paris...... It's an interesting nickname, isn't it? ”

"Uh......" After hearing His Royal Highness's joke, Charles's face suddenly became a little ugly.

His mind was nimble, and as soon as he heard the nickname and His Royal Highness's explanation of it, he quickly understood that it was an allusion to the exploits of His Majesty the Emperor, who had rioted in Strasbourg (30 October 1836) and Buren (6 August 1840) during the Napoleon III rebellion, and then became Emperor of the French Empire in the coup d'état in Paris.

It was obviously a mocking nickname, but given the status of Emperor Bonaparte among the people, and especially in the minds of the citizens, it was not surprising that such a mocking nickname appeared, but ...... On such an occasion, it is indeed bold enough to dare to talk and laugh and say such a satirical nickname as a joke.

Only as the uncle of His Majesty the Emperor is qualified to say such things on such occasions...... Charles didn't dare to take it, so he just smiled.

At this time, Charles also found that because of Prince Jérôme's loud conversation and laughter, the others also cast their sharp eyes on him, wanting to hear something useful from Prince Jérôme's words.

Prince Jérôme, as if he had not noticed this, laughed to himself.

"You're trying to get everyone to coordinate, don't ...... Well, don't get in the way of each other's work, right? Charles thought for a moment, then asked.

"Hey, you're a pedant like you, and it sounds crooked." Prince Jérôme smiled and shook his head, "But I'll be plain - it's time for everyone to divide the territory, and I'm ...... It is the oldest Bonaparte now, my words are still valid, and I will vouch for you. (To be continued.) )