Laughing, Charles was secretly shocked at the young man's audacity - in any case, it was not very safe to openly mock the emperor of his country in front of a foreigner he had just met.

"If the kind of youthful and rambling imagination of the emperor of your country can be restrained in some way, then I think that the goodwill between my country and your country can indeed be guaranteed quite solidly. I am convinced that only if Prince Schwarzenberg's cause is continued will your country's position in Europe be guaranteed and that it will be able to become an indispensable member of the European balance......"

After emphasizing once again that "Franco-Austrian cooperation requires Austria to continue to fight Prussia", Charles quickly changed the subject, "Of course, as friends, I also sincerely hope that we can work together to write a new chapter in the diplomatic history of France and Austria in the future...... The old ones are just too mottled, and we need to guide the future with a new spirit, aren't we? ”

"I couldn't agree more, sir."

Perhaps because of his private mockery of his emperor, Richard von Metternich became more in the mood as he put his club back under the table and tidied up his crumpled cuffs. "I am not afraid to tell you the truth, I was very interested in the spirit of your public statements before I came to France. If you follow this vision, I will be able to write a new chapter with you...... At that time, I revealed this idea in front of the emperor himself, although our majesty had not yet had time to come out of prejudices. He realized in time what was more beneficial to his rule, but His Majesty the Prince undoubtedly agreed with me very much—and it was for this reason that he was so supportive of my entry into the diplomatic world. If it weren't for this terrible calamity that fell from the sky, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been so hesitant to respond to you, and I even sent a second-class secretary over! Ha, it's a shame that you have the patience to say so much! ”

As he spoke, he shook his head to himself, apparently still haunted by Emperor Franz-Joseph's ungrateful act of ousting his father away.

Then, he looked up at Charles again. The demeanor is very serious.

"Mr. Treville, I have great respect for you, so I don't want it. Because I have too high illusions about you, I will lose color and lose color...... So I have to ask you some questions clearly in order to be realistic about the goodwill you have towards us. ”

"Okay, you can ask." In front of his stern expression, Charles also abandoned the illusion of a smile on the surface. "I know everything."

"Okay. ......Richard von Metternich pondered for a moment, then, and then continued, "you are not now Minister of Foreign Affairs, so do you have the right to decide on your country's foreign policy?" If the Marquis of Turgo wants to execute a different strategy than yours, who is he going to do? ”

"I have a good relationship with the Marquis of Turgo, and he will listen to me." Charles replied first, and then under the pressure of the other party. I had to smile and shake my head, "Okay." If there is a conflict between our line and our ideas, then there is no doubt that he will have to listen to me. ”

At this moment, he completely forgot his promise to the minister that 'not to interfere in your decision-making in European affairs', and generously admitted that he could have decision-making power in France's foreign policy.

"That's great." Richard von Metternich nodded, "Well, what if Monsieur Bonaparte decides to pursue an anti-Austrian line?" It seems to me that he had good reason to oppose Austria, especially because of his older brother...... If he really decided to oppose our country, then will you be able to convince him to abandon this idea and move to your line? ”

Such a strict questioning finally made Charles speechless for the first time.

He knew in his heart that it was not time for him to say something nice and perfunctory as he had just done.

In fact, this is indeed a big problem, because in the final analysis, the diplomatic course of the whole of France is still determined by this big man who is about to be crowned to the throne.

How to get Louis Bonaparte to let go of his anti-Austrian complex and turn to the diplomatic line he hoped for was a big problem that he could not get rid of.

"Sir, let's be open and honest with each other, but in fact, your question is also a matter of concern to me, and I am not sure what the president thinks...... I can't guarantee that he will listen to my advice. After a moment of silence, Charles continued, "But I can be assured that I will do my best to get him to follow my diplomatic line, even if it costs me my life for it." I'm sorry, but I can't give you a definitive answer, that's the limit of what I can do. ”

Richard von Metternich stared at Charles without saying a word, and then suddenly smiled again after a while, when Charles feared that he had given up.

"Ah, it seems that both of us are going to face a monarch who troubles us! The only difference is that my one is too weak and fickle, and yours is too stubborn! ”

"He's not a monarch yet." Charles quietly corrected one of Richard's slips of the tongue, "And the president is not as impersonal as you might think, and in fact, for the most part, he is really good at listening to me—so I think that even if there are some minor difficulties here, I can still get rid of the obstacles and do what I say!" ”

"I hope so," Richard von Metternich smiled and nodded. "I have to say that it's not as good as I expected, but it's not particularly bad."

"What should I say about this?" Charles was a little confused.

"I thought that your majesty would be more sober than mine, or more unrestrained by prejudices, but now it seems that I was wrong...... Even you are not sure that he will be friendly to our country. Richard von Metternich sighed with regret, "But...... After all, there is you, a great man so talented and trusted by Monsieur Bonaparte, who is so sincere pro-Austrian, that there is at least hope for anything. Looks like we're going to have to make a gentleman's agreement? ”

"A gentleman's agreement?"

"It's a secret agreement, a tacit idea that the two of us will take the place of the kings to bring about important measures for the benefit of the country," replied Richard von Metternich in a peculiar tone, and then he extended his hand to Charles, "the two of us will find a way to bring the two great nations closer to each other, and if you find a way to pull France forward, I will try to push Austria a step forward until the hands of the two nations hold hands......"

After being stunned for a moment, Charles suddenly realized.

Although the words are so eloquent, his actual meaning is also obvious - because considering that Charles is not the final decision-maker, he will not be completely active in promoting Austria's goodwill with France, and he will only take a step if Charles pushes Louis Bonaparte to make a step.

Charles looked at Richard von Metternich and looked at his smiling face, and suddenly had the feeling that he had known him for many years.

The words are so beautiful, but the actions are not an inch, but I have my demeanor!

"Sir, I have to say that I really appreciate you."

After a moment, Charles simply reached over and clasped his hand tightly. "Then I'm already one step ahead, my friend!"

"Please wait for my step." Richard von Metternich replied, "Although my father has stepped down from the post of prime minister, he has been prime minister for forty years after all, and his words carry enough weight in our country." ”

"Good luck, then." Charles let go of his hand, then patted him on the shoulder.

Suddenly, a very strange feeling rose in his heart.

A big event that was enough to shake the whole of Europe was started in such a secret room by two young people in silence?

Yes, I have become a person whose words and deeds are enough to affect the fate of the whole country! The trembling power of this country is now in the hands of a limited number of people, such as himself, so that everyone must look at it directly.

In my current position, with the slightest carelessness, I could really start a war!

With great joy, he realized this again in his heart.

It's a wonderful feeling.

……………………

After reaching this mutual agreement, Charles and Richard von Metternich finished the game of billiards and returned to the hall.

At this moment, Charlotte was still talking and laughing with the Austrian embassy staff, as if she hadn't noticed that the two men had returned.

Ignoring von Melerson's inquiring reproachful look, Richard sat back down and greeted Charlotte, causing Charlotte to burst into laughter.

It was not until the early hours of the morning that the pleasant feast came to an end, and the Austrians returned to the city in a horse-drawn carriage.

After freshening up, he and Charlotte returned to the bedroom.

"Charles, you seemed to be in good spirits just now?" Lying on the bed, Charlotte looked at Charles with some confusion, "Looks like you're talking to that Mr. von Metternich?" ”

"Yes, he's a nice young man." Charles replied bluntly, "In addition to having a good surname, he also has a good mind. It would have been much easier for me to do things with the help of such people......"

"The Austrians are much cuter than the English......" Charlotte muttered softly.

"Huh?"

Charlotte's reply is indeed very Charlotte-style.

"The British are a bunch of nouveau riche, although they like to call themselves nobles, but everyone knows that the British aristocracy has long been wiped out in the War of the Roses, and all that remains is a group of rich landowners. Moreover...... Her Royal Highness the eldest princess is still in Austria, isn't she? (To be continued......)