Early the next morning, Charles went to his grandfather to say hello.

The old marquis leaned back on the bed, half-lying to receive his grandson.

As in the past, Charles reported on his recent actions and achievements. Of course, he didn't tell his grandfather about the secret agent he had met before, because he didn't want to worry the old man with something that didn't have a shadow yet.

After listening to Charles' report, the Marquis gave his own guidance and advice with years of experience in ups and downs, which has benefited Charles a lot.

Just as Charles finished his report and was about to retire, the old man suddenly spoke softly.

"I met Count Laporta yesterday at the old officers' party."

Charles was stunned for a few seconds before he remembered who his grandfather was referring to.

"You mean Marshal Olas Sebastiani?" He asked, hesitantly.

"Yes, it's him, we talked for a long time yesterday." The Marquis nodded slightly. "I had an old friendship with him, and during the attack on Russia, I was a division commander under the First Cavalry Corps under the command of General Sudi of the South Soviet Union, and he was a division commander in General Montbrun's Second Cavalry Corps, and then General Montbrunn was killed, and he went on to command the Second Cavalry Army, and together we withdrew to Europe. Ah......h......h

The old marquis had been traveling a lot lately, either to meet his old friends from his time in the army, or to attend the meetings of the old officers, and to reminisce about the old and to build relationships, the purpose of which was of course self-evident - in response to the policy of the previous meeting, it was to expand the political influence of the Bonapartist faction in military circles and to win potential supporters.

The so-called Count of La Porta was Marshal Olas Sebastiani, a Corsican like the Emperor, who was admired for his bravery in battle during the Empire, and later became a general of the Empire. After the fall of Napoleon, he returned to his hometown as a parliamentarian, and later found a new patron. After the establishment of the July Dynasty, he supported and won the king's credibility, successively serving as Minister of the Admiralty and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and finally in 1840, King Louis-Philippe conferred on him the title of Marshal of France. Only a few years ago, the marshal officially retired from politics.

"And what did you talk to him about?" Charles asked softly. He did have some doubts in his heart.

It stands to reason that such a person, who is deeply trusted by the king of today, will not have the heart to rebel, nor will he have time to deal with such a wrong-hearted person as himself...... But if there is not some topic of interest, how can two people talk for so long?

The old man could guess what his grandson was thinking. "Don't worry, if I don't have a certain certainty, how can I talk nonsense to others?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just curious......" Charles hastened to explain.

"We talked about the battles of the past, the emperor, and the life after the war, and the elderly in the waning mountains always have something to talk about." When the Marquis said this, he suddenly frowned imperceptibly, "But...... Then he asked me out of the blue. ”

"Ask what?"

The Marquis's expression became more and more solemn, and he slowly began to narrate.

………………

In the quiet courtyard of the organizers, a group of gray-haired elderly people gather in the early morning sun. They wore their old uniforms and talked in twos and threes. Sometimes he yells excitedly, and sometimes he cries like a child.

The military uniform of the imperial era, no matter how carefully preserved, can still fade with time. The uniforms on these old people have been damaged to varying degrees, but wearing them on these old people, there is a subtle sense of harmony.

The Marquis de Ville was excitedly talking to his old comrade about his brave charge with his cavalry at the Battle of Jena, and how the Prussians had scattered in panic, when he suddenly felt a slight tug on his sleeve.

He subconsciously looked behind him.

Then his eyes widened in surprise.

"Aulas!"

Standing behind him was the gray-haired old marshal, dressed in a crisp military uniform with a Grand Cross of the French Legion of Honor pinned to the ribbon on his chest. He looked a little serious, but not nervous.

Seeing Victor's startled appearance, he couldn't help but smile slightly, and there was a slight loosening on his serious face.

"Have a drink with me?"

The two old men slowly walked to a corner and sat down at a small table.

"Auras, why are you free to come to us today? I don't usually see you coming. After taking his seat, the Marquis was still a little puzzled.

"I'm old, I've been retired for too long, and I'm too idle, and I suddenly want to see my old friends." A trace of exhaustion flashed across the old marshal's old, wrinkled face. "If you don't run out and take a look, I'm afraid I won't have a chance in the future......"

The Marquis did not say anything to comfort the other party, but slowly poured the white wine offered by the party.

"We're all old." He replied calmly.

"Yes, they're all old." The marshal sighed quietly. "I can't do anything anymore, I don't even have the strength to walk...... Sometimes I really feel like I'm a different species than I was when I was younger. ”

"Sometimes I feel that way, too." The Marquis nodded. "Now those idle young people look at us, who will remember that it was us who formed the imperial army and followed the emperor to gallop all over Europe, and beat the kings all over the land?"

"Ah......," the marshal let out another long sigh.

The sigh was full of the twilight and helplessness of the old soldier.

"Let's have a drink first." The Marquis raised his glass. "Cheers to Jena!"

"Cheers to Jena!"

The marshal picked up the glass and took a sip. Then, suddenly, he smiled rather eerily.

"My friend, but speaking of which, although we are both old, you are much more energetic than I am......"

A subtle premonition flashed in the marquis's heart, but his face remained silent.

"What's wrong? Aulas? ”

"My friend, tell me honestly, have you been preparing for a big ticket lately?"

"At my age, how can I do anything big......," the Marquis laughed suddenly, and then raised his glass, "Come, toast." I think so highly of you for you. ”

The marshal did not raise his cup, still staring at the marquis.

"Victor, stop going around in circles with me, I'm not an idiot. Your recent actions, though you have tried your best to keep them secret, can always show some clues...... For example, what have you been here for lately? Is it just reminiscing? ”

"So what?" The Marquis replied.

"It's not good, really." The marshal nodded, "In life, you must always have some pursuits, right?" You are loyal to the emperor and his descendants, there is nothing to say about this, everyone knows it. ”

"We all have our own positions." The Marquis poured himself another glass of wine. "You choose to judge the situation, and I can choose to stand up for my loyalty."

"No, you're mistaking me." The marshal suddenly laughed again. "I'm still loyal to the Emperor."

The old marquis's eyes widened and he looked at the marshal in disbelief.

Is this guy going to choose a side again?

However, when he thought about it, he was relieved again - there was always a group of people in France, always loyal to the victors, and the situation was such that the marshal did not behave too much out of the ordinary.

"The Emperor has died." The Marquis quietly said tentatively.

"But the Bonapartes are still there." The old marshal responded to the marquis's temptation. "And Monsieur Louis-Bonaparte is the emperor and the rightful heir of the Bonaparte family."

A wave of surprise welled up in the marquis's heart, but the caution that had become a habit for many years still made him unmoved.

"I am glad that you are still thinking so after many years of service to Monsieur d'Orleans."

"hahahaha...... "The old marshal suddenly daxiao." It is better to serve him than to serve Louis XVIII, at least that Bixia will not only think about killing us. ”

"Maybe." The Marquis replied indifferently, "Well, what do you now want to recall of the Emperor and Monsieur Louis-Bonaparte?" ”

"Victor, I'm Corsican! The Corsicans are good men and remember kindness. What I have always remembered is that it was the emperor who made me from a tailor's son to a general, and he also made me a count! When he came back from Elba in 1815, I immediately went to follow him again and accompany him until Zuihou's defeat! It was fate that left him, not me! ”

"It's great that you still remember." The Marquis let out a long sigh. "A toast to the Emperor."

The two of them had another drink, and the atmosphere between them seemed to change, from slightly solemn to relaxed.

"Victor, I know, all of a sudden, you can't just believe that." After another glass of wine, the marshal spoke again, "But I have indeed made up my mind to fight for Zuihou's old life and continue to serve the emperor's descendants." ”

"What do you want?" The Marquis was somewhat loose.

"What do you want?" The marshal laughed again, "What else do I lack?" I have fame, titles, and ranks, what else do I need? Even if I still want something, what's the use of getting it at my age? ”

"Then you ......," the old marquis hesitated.

"Tell me the truth, Viktor, whether it is because of loyalty or ......something else that you are so dedicated at this age," the marshal looked at the marquis, "for example...... For the sake of children and grandchildren? ”

"Both."

"Your grandson and granddaughter, are you satisfied?"

"They are God's gift to me, both." The Marquis replied dryly.

"yes...... Yes......" The marshal laughed again, and then tears flashed in his eyes, "At our age, what hope do we have but children and grandchildren?" ”

Without waiting for the marquis to reply, he continued.

"Victor, you know me, I only have one daughter, Fanny."

"Hmm."

"She's dead."

"Huh?!" The Marquis was a little shocked.

The old marshal's originally calm expression was gradually eroded by sadness. "Just recently."

"How so?!" The Marquis exclaimed, then looked at the marshal sympathetically. "I'm sorry ......"

The Marquis, though not much known about the marshal, had heard of his only daughter, Fanny, who had previously been married to the Duke de Choiselle-Plaslan, and had two children. I didn't expect ......

The mood of an old man in this situation can only be understood by another old man.

"She was murdered." Tears overflowed from the marshal's eyes.

"Oh God!" The old marquis exclaimed.

The mask of the smile was removed, and only the deepest sorrow remained in the marshal's eyes.

"Has the murderer been caught? Who is it? ”

"The police said it was a suicide,......" the old marshal raised his head and looked at the sky, "Victor, I know that my daughter has not been happy all these years, but I know my daughter too well, she will definitely not be the kind of person who will give up her life on her own...... So......" tears welled up in his eyes, "she must have been killed." ”

"So, you mean, you want us to help find the murderer and avenge your daughter?" The Marquis asked softly, "In return, you support all our actions?" ”

"Nope." The marshal's denial, "I support you because I still remember what the emperor gave me, and I still believe in that person......" He suddenly patted the marquis on the shoulder, "This is a request as a comrade-in-arms, as a request for father...... Victor, help me find and kill the murderer. It's not a command, it's not a deal, it's a request, help me, Victor. ”

Victor felt the pressure on his shoulder, and the strong will of the other party.

"Haode, Auras." He nodded slightly.

………………

"Charles, find out the murderer and kill him." The marquis squeezed his grandson's hand, "For my comrades-in-arms." ”