Perhaps because of Princess Mathilde's advance preparation, Flaubert did not refuse the invitation at the first opportunity.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your recognition of me!" Flaubert said to Jerome Bonaparte politely, "However, I think that my current literary quality is not enough to enter the French Academy of Literature!
If you cut it off rashly, I’m afraid it will affect your holy name!!”
In response to Flaubert's humble response with a hint of flattery, Jerome Bonaparte showed a knowing smile on his face. He spoke to Flaubert again and said, "Mr. Flaubert, you are really too modest.
!
I can guarantee that your book "Madame de Bolivar" published in the Paris Magazine in 1856 was enough to silence a large number of academicians of the French Academy of Letters!"
When Jérôme Bonaparte said the title of the book accurately, Flaubert had a look of astonishment on his face.
In Flaubert's mind, the reason why the emperor was willing to recruit him to become an academician of the French Academy of Letters was probably just for Princess Mathilde's sake.
The emperor probably didn't even listen to his works.
Unexpectedly, the emperor was able to accurately tell the time when "Madame de Bolivar" was published. He must have put in a lot of effort.
"Why! Mr. Flaubert, you are surprised that I can accurately tell the time when your work was published!" Jérôme Bonaparte, who claims to have read countless people, naturally understands what Flaubert is thinking at this moment.
, he decided to "add fire" to this literary master, "Actually, my wife and I are both loyal readers!"
Now Flaubert's face was even more surprised, because as soon as the book "Madame de Bolivar" was released, it was immediately accused by the authorities of "moral corruption and defamation of religion" and its dissemination was strictly restricted.
If Princess Matilda protected him, Flaubert himself would probably have to go to prison.
"Mr. Flaubert, your majesties are indeed your loyal readers!" Princess Mathilde, who was standing aside, also said to Flaubert, "The reason why "Madame de Bolivar" has not been completely banned is that
The ability to spread within a small area depends entirely on Your Majesty!"
"Monsieur Flaubert!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Flaubert solemnly, "I personally like "Madame de Bolivar" very much, but as the monarch of the empire, I cannot rely on my own preferences to do whatever I want.
.
Sometimes, I have to take into account the face of some forces (the church)!
I personally feel very sorry for the empire's restriction on the dissemination of "Madame de Bolivar"!"
Jerome Bonaparte's apology made Flaubert feel a little overwhelmed.
Although Flaubert was a pessimist at this time, he was still essentially a man of letters.
What literati need most is not the stimulation of money, but respect.
Nowadays, the monarch who controls a country apologizes to Flaubert in a "lower voice". How could Flaubert not be moved by this?
"Your Majesty...I...I..." Flaubert was slightly absent-minded for a moment, then he spoke again and responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Thank you for your recognition! I never thought of doing this to you.
The monarch is able to become my reader, and is also willing to apologize to such an insignificant person like me on behalf of the empire... It is difficult for me to describe my mood at this time in words!"
"Mr. Flaubert, I am also a human being, and I naturally have my own preferences!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Flaubert, "After I saw the book "Madame de Bolivar", I
I feel that your future achievements will never be inferior to those of Mr. Victor Hugo.
At that time, I would like to invite you to join the French Academy of Literature!
However, because I was too busy with work at that time, I always forgot to invite you!
Now, on behalf of the Honorary President of the French Academy of Letters, I formally extend an invitation to you, Mr. Gustave Flaubert!
I hope you can consider it carefully!”
Having said this, Jérôme Bonaparte stretched out his hand like Flaubert.
After Flaubert hesitated for a moment, he stretched out his hand and shook it with Jérôme Bonaparte.
The proud Flaubert also maintained a humble attitude and praised Jerome Bonaparte at this moment, "I am honored to be able to shake hands with a great monarch!"
Later, Jérôme Bonaparte, Mathilde, and Flaubert sat on three sides of the sofa respectively, and they explored the book "Madame de Bolivar".
As the author of this book, Flaubert inevitably became the protagonist of the chat. He explained to Jerome Bonaparte and Mathilde the reasons for writing this book and the source of inspiration.
Jérôme Bonaparte and Princess Mathilde listened carefully to Flaubert's speech, adding some subjective comments of their own from time to time, and the atmosphere in the room soon became heated.
As Jérôme Bonaparte and others gradually got to know each other, their topics were not limited to "Madame de Bolivar", and the content of their conversations was not limited to novels.
At this moment, Gustave Flaubert has turned into a vicious critic. He sharply criticized every novel, poem, and even drama script proposed by Jerome Bonaparte and Princess Mathilde.
Comment.
Some comments were unanimously approved by Jérôme Bonaparte and Mathilde.
Some comments were opposed by Jérôme Bonaparte and Mathilde.
Faced with the differences, the three people argued with each other without any concern for each other's status. At this moment, there was no longer a distinction between monarch and ministers in the room, and everyone's status was equal.
This lasted for nearly an hour, until there was another knock on the door, and the argument in the room stopped.
Jerome Bonaparte showed an apologetic smile to Flaubert and Princess Mathilde, and then called the people outside the room in.
"Your Majesty!" The person standing outside the room was none other than Angelo von Becciu, the emperor's secretary-general.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Mr. Becciu, what's wrong?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Angelo von Becciu.
Angelo von Becciu politely told Jerome Bonaparte that there was still a batch of documents waiting for him to deal with.
After hearing Becciu's response, Flaubert and Princess Mathilde immediately realized that it was time for them to leave.
So Flaubert and Princess Mathilde bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte.
After Jerome Bonaparte simply said a few polite words, he no longer tried to persuade Flaubert and Mathilde to stay.
However, Jérôme Bonaparte ordered Angelo von Becciu to escort the two men out of the Palace of Fontainebleau himself.
Under the watchful eye of Jérôme Bonaparte, Princess Mathilde and Flaubert left the Palace of Fontainebleau.
Looking at Flaubert's leaving figure, Jérôme Bonaparte couldn't help but feel a sense of relief in his heart.
For Jérôme Bonaparte, bringing a literary figure like Flaubert who was outside the system into the official system would indeed help maintain the rule of the empire.
After all, a scholar who is outside the system and has great influence at the same time can easily be used by those who are interested to become a banner of the imperial opposition.
Victor Hugo is a living example. When he was exiled by Jerome Bonaparte, he did not have the influence he has now.
With the passage of time, Victor Hugo, who was exiled abroad, became more and more influential and had more and more French sympathizers. Now he has become a spiritual banner of the imperial opposition.
To be honest, Jérôme Bonaparte already regretted his decision to expel Victor Hugo.
Of course, Jérôme Bonaparte also tried to reconcile with Victor Hugo.
However, every time the reconciliation messengers he sent out were severely rejected by Victor Hugo.
Even if Jérôme Bonaparte proposed to make Victor Hugo a cabinet minister, he was rejected by Victor Hugo.
But if you think about it carefully, if you don't expel Victor Hugo from the country, then Jérôme Bonaparte really doesn't know how to place such a giant Buddha.
Victor Hugo's influence was destined not to imprison him, and he even needed to protect Victor Hugo personally.
Because if Victor Hugo was killed in China, then Jerome Bonaparte would really lose his crotch - he would be miserable.
After much thought, it would be better for Victor Hugo to stay abroad.
Precisely because of Victor Hugo's mistakes, Jérôme Bonaparte had a very low bottom line for the literati within the empire.
As long as the literati living in the French Empire did not write articles that directly poked holes in the Empire's lungs and directly made remarks that were unfavorable to the Empire, the Empire would turn a blind eye and the money they should pay would not be less.
The professional titles that I should have will not be left behind.
For those intellectuals who cooperated with the empire, Jérôme Bonaparte would give them extraordinary treatment and status.
In short, when dealing with these literati who have mastery of pens, Jerome Bonaparte can only choose to seduce them with interests and reputation. The big stick and sweet dates will only have the opposite effect on some literati.
…
After Princess Mathilde and Flaubert returned to the hotel, Flaubert suddenly felt a headache. He knew that his syphilis might be relapsing!
"Your Highness, I need to take a rest!" Flaubert said to Princess Mathilde.
When Princess Mathilde saw Flaubert who looked slightly pale, she thought it was because Flaubert accompanied her to walk on the snow, so she nodded at Flaubert.
After getting Princess Mathilde's permission, Flaubert quickly returned to the room and lay down on the bed to rest while his consciousness was still clear.
On the other hand, Princess Mathilde, who returned to her room alone, soon received a telegram from Paris.
The content of the telegram was the summary of the message that Cavour sent to Mathilde's residence to express his respects. At the same time, the telegram also said that the letter would be delivered to her in three hours.
