While Charlotte and Agnes were talking about the loan, Charles was chatting happily with Ambassador Bismarck in the dining room downstairs. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

By this time the two of them had finished their meal, and the servants brought them after-dinner snacks and shaved ice with chocolate sauce. On this still hot summer night, when the crushed ice cubes in the cup were put into their mouths, both people who were full of wine and food felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

The physical comfort also made the spirits of the two people lose their usual sharpness, they no longer fought against each other like before, but talked with smiles like real friends.

"Everyone says that the French are good at enjoying life, and when I look at it today, it is indeed so, and you are really enviable." Bismarck complimented and put a large spoonful of chocolate shaved ice into his mouth, and then chewed it without hesitating his image, "No, no, no, it's not just life, age, family, power, every part of you is enviable, enviable!" ”

"There's nothing technical about your compliments." Charles smiled and replied, "Let's think of something more creative." ”

"It's true because it's not fanciful." Bismarck still complimented, "I suppose you would hardly hear a diplomat so outspoken, right?" ”

"That's true." Charles picked up his glass and poured himself another sip. "Well, thank you very much."

"I can't know exactly how much effort you've put into getting this enviable, but I can feel it." Bismarck suddenly looked up at the Charles, "And you're afraid you'll have to put more effort into defending what you've got." And you are destined to walk on thin ice, because you have nothing at the beginning, so you can move forward; And now you are doomed to gain and lose, because what you get cannot be easily lost...... Now that you're a minister, you have to think about everything, don't you? ”

"You're right, you're right." Charles nodded, "When we were in the opposition, we could have no scruples, but now we are in power, and we ...... It doesn't feel great that we occasionally have to behave like the person we've knocked down, but it has to be. ”

He knew in his heart that Bismarck must have used the topic to play when he said this, but he was not in a hurry, and calmly waited for his later words.

"So, may I assume that His Majesty the Emperor does not have strong feelings of revenge against the Russian Empire?" Bismarck really asked, "Is he really serious about his appeal for peace to Russia?" ”

After a pause, he lowered his voice, "If France really has the idea of opening peace talks with Russia as soon as possible, we in Prussia are willing to act as an intermediary to mediate." If you need to, I can set up a communication channel for you to Russia, because I had a good relationship with the Russian minister there when I was in Frankfurt......"

Prussia was caught between the great powers, so it had always hoped to gain political capital between France and Russia, and Bismarck did not surprise Charles by saying this, and he naturally did not let the other side succeed.

"I thank you for your kindness to us, sir. But I regret that we now have another channel of communication with the Russians, so we don't need you to communicate with them for the time being. In addition, we must also take into account the thoughts of the Allies, after all, we have made an agreement with the British not to sign a peace treaty with Russia alone, so this communication must be cautious, and we must work in concert with the Allies. Charles smiled and replied, "Of course, if there is such a need in the future, we will ask you to help." ”

This implicit refusal made Bismarck slightly unhappy, but it did not surprise him, and he already understood that although the minister seemed to be friendly to him, he did not give up an inch of territory on key issues, and did not mean to be pro-Prussian at all.

Chancellor Tréville was one of the most relied upon ministers of the French Emperor, and his attitude undoubtedly foreshadowed a very bad tendency, which would greatly affect his work, for he had come to be ambassador for the sake of friendly relations between the two countries.

"I've heard that you have a good relationship with Prince Metternich the Younger, don't you?" After a moment of silence, he changed the question, "The Austrians are now so in step with France, I think it's because of the influence of Prince Metternich, right......?" ”

"That's a reason, but ...... The main reason was that the Austrians were tired of the Russians and felt the pressure of their expansion, so they were desperate to find a backing for themselves to rely on, and France happened to be in a position to do so. Charles immediately replied, "Of course, personally, I do like Richard...... He talked to me very well. ”

"Richard is indeed a good lad, possessing some qualities that everyone likes, and I am personally willing to be his friend...... Bismarck's tone became a little strange, "But, Your Excellency, I do not think you should put your personal feelings above the interests of the state, and the friendship with Prince Metternich the Younger cannot influence your judgment, can you?" ”

Where did you start? I don't think I've been affected in this way, or I wouldn't have angered Emperor Franz Joseph like that. Charles smiled bitterly, "Rest assured, the Austrians can't dominate my mind." ”

"I hope so, Your Excellency, or it will be too bad." Bismarck seemed to have made up his mind, and said directly, "Austria is a stubborn power, they should have retired from the stage of history a long time ago, but they are still alive, and they are holding their family inheritance, which makes the whole of Europe a headache." Austria is the traditional enemy of France, and I think sooner or later there will be a serious conflict with France, unless it is willing to disappear on its own! ”

"I don't think so." Charles shook his head immediately. "Austria doesn't have a common border with us now, does it? I don't see any reason why we have to break up. ”

"Even if there is no border, there will be no conflict? So why did France and Russia fight now that they don't have an inch of land on the border? Bismarck asked rhetorically, "Unless your eyes are blinded by emotion, you will see that the Austrians are in the way of France's advance, and they maintain a position entrenched in the whole of northern Italy, so that France cannot control it, and if it cannot control it, then France will be trapped!" I dare predict that France will fight Austria there, and you may not believe it now, but you will remember my words later! ”

Charles was silent, as if he were thinking about Bismarck's words.

In its original history, this was indeed a prophecy fulfilled, and not long after the Crimean War, France went to war with Austria in the name of protecting the vassal state of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and completely defeated Austria at great cost, leaving it with the humiliation of defeat and huge territorial losses.

And today, he absolutely does not want to see such a thing happen again, because that would mean the failure of his foreign policy.

"And what about us? So do we! Austria stood in the way of all Prussia's advances, and with its inaction, it was doing a trick against every German! Any German, who loves his nation, would want Prussia to remove the Austrian toxin from the land. So, unless Austria voluntarily withdraws from Germany, Prussia and Austria will have a duel, if not today, someday in the near future. "And I think that Prussia and France will have a common interest in the fight against Austria, and that the two countries can act together and make the country at the mercy of our arrangement." If you do, you've done a great job for France, haven't you? ”

"It's not what I want." As if coming to his senses, Charles finally spoke, he looked at Bismarck with his head held high, "I do not agree with any Prussian unilateral change of the status quo in Germany, you know, Germany is a people who have endured too many disasters, and they deserve to enjoy a time of peace, not shed blood because of your ambitions......"

"The problems of the Germans are naturally solved by the Germans themselves, and there is no need to bother any foreigner to advise them." Bismarck interrupted Charles impatiently, "Sir, Germany is indeed too miserable, for these two centuries they have been divided, they have fought each other, and because of their own weakness they can only watch the iron hooves of foreigners recklessly in their own land, this status quo cannot continue forever!" Germany must be re-coagulated and transformed into a strong state, which is the only way it can defend the Germans, and only by a bloody conflict once and for all. Yes, sir, the power of the common aspiration of the German people is unstoppable, and Austria will either obey it and give way after being beaten, or it will have to be crushed to powder! ”

Bismarck's proud, unmistakable statement in Charles' presence was certainly harsh, but powerful enough - especially when he knew that this man could really make it happen.

"I always felt that you weren't just referring to Austria." Charles frowned. "You make me feel oppressive."

"Of course, this is only against Austria, and we only want to defend Germany, not to fight against other peoples." The sternness on Bismarck's face was immediately replaced by a smile, "As long as you stand by us and be a friend of the German nation, I can assure you that the French and the Germans will be friendly for generations to come, and together they will build a beautiful and prosperous Europe!" ”

Charles was silent again.

He knew he didn't need to argue with the ambassador.

He had regarded Prussia as the nucleus of the German national revival, and he firmly believed that this must be achieved as soon as possible. He did anything to do it.

Charles himself, on the other hand, believes that for his own interests, he must stop the other party, so the positions of the two are extremely opposite, and there is nothing to reconcile.

So, all to do now is to be his friend and then look for an opportunity to strangle his neck at any time.

"You said I understand, I'll think about it." After a moment, he picked up his glass, and then raised it to Bismarck, "Then let us toast to the friendship of two great peoples." ”

"Cheers." Bismarck also picked up the glass and drank it in one gulp.

After nightfall, Bismarck finally took his leave, and Agnes and Charlotte came to Charles.

Charlotte briefed Charles about Agnes' request, especially the fact that Agnes had rejected her offer and was therefore unsure.

“…… Charles, now that this is the case, will you lend money to your uncle? Charlotte asked.

However, to her surprise, her husband had been staring thoughtfully at the quilt on the table.

"Charles?" Agnes, who was nervous, couldn't help but walk up to him, "Are you having any difficulties?" ”

"No...... No, there is nothing difficult. Charles finally came to his senses as he sat in his chair, and then smiled bitterly at Agnes, "I don't have any opinion, your promise is already strong enough for me, as long as you guarantee it, I agree to lend money to my uncle." But...... Charlotte has the right to supervise the use of loans, and we can't tolerate others squandering our money, don't you think? ”

"Oh, of course! No problem. Agnes was finally relieved and relaxed, "Thank you, Charles. ”

"Also, I have one more thing to say...... In politics, you can only threaten once for a handle. I was caught once, and I pleaded guilty, but when I paid it, it meant that the deal was closed. Charles looked at Agnes solemnly and carefully admonished, "If you want to use a handle as a cash cow and continue to blackmail you, it will only make the foundation of trust between you completely lose and finally make everyone uneasy." ”

"This kid talks to his aunt so literately, is it stupid to be a minister?" Agnes couldn't help but smile bitterly and pinched his face, "Okay, don't worry, I will never let him blackmail you, this is a loan, not blackmail, if he dares to say a word to someone about it, I will beat him to death, after all, I am your subordinate......"

"Don't say anything about your subordinates...... It's embarrassing. Charles couldn't help but laugh.

"By the way, you seem to be in a heavy mood, is it because of that person just now?" Agnes asked in a low voice. "I also think that person is a bit of an eyesore and very scheming."

"Don't ask, Auntie...... Just let me relax. Charles let out a long sigh, then hugged Agnes and placed his head in her arms. At some point, I really wanted to ask you to kill this man for me, so that he would never return to his country. But...... Forget it, I have more important things to do, don't take it seriously. ”

"Silly boy......" Agnes stroked his hair. Well, just tell me if you need to. ”