The revolution, created by the French people and the bankers, was by no means confined to the borders of a single country. Suddenly, it has shaken the whole of Europe. Three days of smoke and artillery fire in Paris set off a storm across the continent, and soon everything will prove what an unforgettable year it will be.

The people who are watching the storm with eagerness or apprehension are not just on the mainland. On the other side of France, just across a narrow channel, countless eyes were watching what she was going through.

With this sister, with whom she has been entangled for ten centuries, she is sometimes cursed, sometimes blessed, but never forgotten.

And this time, she was blessed – perhaps.

At least in the eyes of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Russell, that is what happened.

[Since the passage of the Act of Union with Ireland in 1800, the official name of the United Kingdom has been "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland", and the British Empire (British-Empire) is not its official title.

The Prime Minister of Russell (1792-1878), a British Whig (Liberal) politician, was later made an earl by Queen Victoria in 1861. It was the first Earl Russell, and later the famous British philosopher Botland-Russell was his grandson, the third Earl Russell. 】

That's why he's coming to Walmer Castle in Kent today. For such a national matter, it was necessary for him to consult this retired person, who still has great influence in the House of Lords and the army. Even though he was a Tories (Conservative), even though he was an Irishman.

Guided by the unsmiling servant, he soon came to the master's study in the castle. Then the servant knocked on the door of the study. During the short waiting period, the head of government of the most powerful country in the world unexpectedly had a trace of apprehension in his heart.

Soon, the door opened, and after suppressing the unnaturalness in his heart, the prime minister gently walked into the study where the master was.

Then he met the owner of the castle.

He was sitting in a recliner. Looking out the window at the lawn and the blue sky.

Although he was resting, the owner still looked energetic, and his angular face was full of concentration. The thick curls, though mostly gray, were still neatly combed, as if to prevent any bit of fortitude in the heart from being ruined by this old spirit.

When he heard that the comer was approaching, the old man turned his head. Cast your eyes on the Prime Minister. And this sight. It's so hard that it can make people bleed.

Just looking at this picture, who can believe that he is already in his eighties!

The Iron Duke, worthy of his name.

He raised his hand slightly and motioned for the Prime Minister to sit across from him, and the Prime Minister gladly complied with the Duke of Wellington's instructions.

The chaise longue swayed slightly, making a humming sound.

"Your Excellency, your visit today is a great surprise to me." After the Prime Minister was seated, the Duke spoke softly. The tone is plain and used for shortness. It is exactly the usual style of the Duke himself. "Hopefully don't delay me waiting to trim my garden."

"Your Excellency, don't worry, I'm just here to ask you for some opinions, and I won't delay you too much." The Prime Minister's smile concealed a hint of flattery, "You can take care of your garden later." ”

"Oh? Then please say it," replied the Duke indifferently.

That being the case, the Prime Minister is not going to waste time.

"You must know about the unfortunate events that are happening on the European continent right now, right?"

"I do know a little bit about it." The duke nodded, but his expression was still so plain and casual, "But, at most, where is the turmoil, which dynasty has fallen, right?" To me, this news is not as important as the violets in my garden, which have worried me lately......"

"These things are not unrelated to our country, Your Excellency." Seeing that the other party seemed to be in a state of flux, the prime minister hurriedly spoke.

"But isn't the government now under your management? Don't you have confidence in the strength of this country? The kind of stinging gaze shifted to Mr. Prime Minister, making him uncomfortable, "Or is it that the government under Her Majesty the Queen, which country does it need us to crush?" ”

"I'm afraid, we don't need to play, there are already many countries that have been crushed." The Prime Minister replied rather gloomily, "At least it has been crushed to the ground......

The riots that broke out in France on February 22 succeeded in overthrowing the July Dynasty, and the news of the disgrace of French Prime Minister Guizot and the abdication of French King Louis Philippe in England shook the whole of Europe.

And this wave soon spread from the borders to the countries of Europe, stirring up one new wave after another, and the contradictions that had been accumulated for a long time finally broke out in the most violent way.

On March 13, the story of Metternich, the Prime Minister of the Austrian Empire, who escaped from Vienna disguised as a woman under the siege of rioting civilians and students, has spread throughout Europe and has become a laughing stock almost universally. In this way, the great diplomats who have been crisscrossing European countries for decades have bid farewell to the stage of history forever in a rather comical way.

And elsewhere in Europe, in Germany, in Italy, this wave is also surging and rising, making everyone tremble.

"Since you're not going to interfere, we'll just watch." The Duke replied indifferently, as if he were not at all moved by the appalling events. "Europe is always in need of some change."

Although his tone was flat and subtle, the Prime Minister understood what he meant – the Holy Alliance, led by Russia, and the European order covered by the Holy Alliance, did need some change.

"But we should always make sure that those changes are good for us." The Prime Minister replied equally implicitly, "That's why I've come to consult you." ”

The Duke cast his gaze out the window and waited for the Prime Minister's next words.

"I have received a message from Monsieur Bonaparte. He was planning to leave for France as soon as possible, and his purpose was of course self-evident. He was so anxious that he didn't even want to meet the former king of France, who had been in charge of him for six years...... "in order to dilute the solemn atmosphere in the room." The Prime Minister also deliberately made a little joke, "I have come to meet you today just to ask, what should I do best under this kind of application of Mr. Bonaparte?" ”

"You are the prime minister, you can do whatever you want, as long as you have the interests of the country as your priority." The Duke replied with a reassuring remark to the Prime Minister.

"But. As you know, I only took up this position two years ago, and I'm not very skilled in diplomacy. And I am still not very clear about the positions and considerations of previous administrations. Especially given the gravity of the issue, I feel that I should proceed with caution, Your Excellency. The prime minister replied carefully, "As our highly respected predecessors." I feel like I should listen to you. ”

[The Duke of Wellington briefly served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1834.] 】

The Duke lowered his gaze.

That is to say. Louis Bonaparte wants to go back to France now? ”

"Yes." The Prime Minister nodded, "It's not that I don't understand the considerations of my former colleagues, but...... If Napoleon's nephew is really the same as that demon, then it would be a huge mistake for us to put him on power...... So I have to be cautious about this issue. ”

"If you want to ask my opinion, let him go." The Duke replied directly.

His answer made the Prime Minister frown, and then listened intently to the Duke's next words.

"Monsieur Louis-Bonaparte had some abilities, but nothing more than that. To be on a par with that uncle is just a humiliation to Napoleon. Forty years ago, when we crushed his uncle. He's a little guy; Forty years later, he's still a little guy. There's no need to worry too much about him. The duke expressed his opinion, "Besides, even if there is another Napoleon, so what?" If we can break one, we can break another. Sir, you have taken the power of this empire too lightly, and it is not good for your work. ”

"That is to say, do you think that Monsieur Bonaparte, even if he achieves his goal, will not harm the interests of England, but will, as we wish, abandon the old preconceptions that ought to be discarded, and instead cooperate with us to contain the Slavs?"

"Yes." The Duke nodded.

"Are you sure?" The prime minister was still a little hesitant.

"The future of the world can be absolutely certain." The Duke replied with some displeasure, "But I can assure you that no matter what happens, I, and the army of this country, both army and navy, will be able to defeat all enemies for this empire." I defeated Napoleon's marshals one by one, and even he himself bowed his head before me. This country, decades ago, defeated that person without fear of any hardship, and decades later, this country is still afraid of a phantom? It's ridiculous. ”

Then, he turned his head to look at the table clock next to him, "Do you have any other questions?" I have to go to the garden. ”

The Prime Minister understands that this is the only time for his visit today.

However, his purpose had been achieved, and he had received enough answers to make up his mind.

"Thank you for your time, Your Excellency." The Prime Minister stood up and paid his respects.

…………

After the Prime Minister's hasty farewell, the Duke of Wellington also finished his rest and went to the garden according to the predetermined schedule to take care of his flowers. Even at the age of 80, his routine is still very regular.

He was born in the same year as the man who shook the world, he defeated that man's subordinates, and directed the most rebellious performance of that man on the stage of history.

He spent decades making the proud nobles who inhabited the island country forget his Irish origins, that he was the grandson of Baron Mornington, and that he was the Iron Duke of the Empire on which the sun never sets, and that the Prime Minister would think of consulting him when he was faced with a problem.

And after accomplishing this achievement that was enough to burn for centuries, what he was most concerned about now was the sick violets in the garden.

Suddenly, as he stood in the courtyard of the garden, the habits of the old man reminded him of the time when the artillery was flying, and the bright stars, who had all disappeared forever in the dust of time, leaving only a few people.

What is left of Europe today?

Nikolai Romanoff, John Russell, Louis Philippe, Frederick William, Louis Bonaparte...... What is this?

"A bunch of little guys."

He muttered to himself suddenly.

Then the Duke refocused and rested on his violet. (To be continued......)

PS: I really want to start writing a counterpoint between the protagonist and the Iron Duke now...... It's a pity that the status of the protagonist is still too low now, and he is not qualified to visit the Iron Duke......

Yes, I like to take the emperor, but I don't dislike the Iron Duke either.

By the way, today I fought Waterloo again. Once again, I must emphasize that the main responsibility for Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo lies with himself, who himself delayed for half a day after defeating the Prussian army and did nothing, so that the Prussian army had the opportunity to regroup; It was also he himself who pointed Marshal Grouch in the wrong direction and made Grouchy go around in a super circle......