The protracted "Polish Crisis" suddenly became the focus of attention across Europe as the French Emperor visited the Parliament in person to deliver a special speech.
Just as Aigron had predicted and expected, after he finished his speech, the full text of his speech spread rapidly through official and unofficial channels in Paris, like a fierce wave. In just a few days,
It spread from France to the United Kingdom and the entire Western Europe, and was reprinted by newspapers in Central and Eastern Europe, and finally reached St. Petersburg.
Although this speech was brief, some explosive words contained in it easily aroused heated discussions among public opinion in various countries.
However, in response to his speech, international public opinion showed a very "fragmented" response. Officials from various countries were very cold, either making no comment at all, or implicitly criticizing the young French emperor for "managing too much."
It violates the "Vienna Spirit" of respecting national borders and sovereignty of all countries.
As a party involved, the reaction of the Russian Empire was naturally more intense. Because Russia still had not appointed an ambassador to France at this time, the "chargé d'affaires" protested to the imperial government. However, although this protest was fierce, it was meaningless. It was more like
It's just a formality.
However, among the people of various countries, this passionate and "humanitarian" speech has won acclaim. Many newspapers have reprinted the full text and attached comments from the newspaper itself to express support for this speech. Even if it is
In Russia itself, liberals who sympathized with the Decembrists also secretly agreed with the spirit of the emperor's speech.
This is not only because Aigron caters to the "political correctness" of Europe at this time, but also because he finally brought a little "new atmosphere" to Europe.
Since the establishment of the Vienna System in 1815, Europe has enjoyed a long period of peace, but at the same time it has also fallen into dreary "mediocrity".
Some of the progressive measures implemented by the French during the Great Revolution were cancelled. Countries with autocratic monarchies formed the Holy Alliance, ready to unite to suppress revolutions in various countries. The reactionary forces achieved an unprecedented "great unity."
Not only have the ideological conservatives achieved "suppression", but even the monarchs of various countries have made people feel depressed.
What did the monarchs of the major European countries look like in 1831?
The 68-year-old British King George IV has just passed away, but his 65-year-old brother William IV succeeded to the throne; Austrian Emperor Franz is 63 years old; Prussian King Frederick William III is 61 years old, the only younger monarch.
It was the 35-year-old Tsar Nicholas I. However, this young man was more reactionary and conservative than the old monarchs, and even more terrifying.
These "old men" have entered the twilight years of their lives, so they are dull and boring. They all particularly like conservatism, which also makes the courts and governments of various countries look lifeless, and these monarchs are simply unable to satisfy the emerging bourgeoisie and citizen class.
His taste is hard to be loved.
At this time, the 21-year-old French Emperor Napoleon II turned out. He had a fresh image, was young and energetic, and kept talking about "national freedom" and "humanism", all of which catered to the emerging classes in Europe at this time.
The interest of public opinion naturally gave him a sense of recognition that transcended national boundaries.
Even if they don't like the French or the Bonaparte family, people who are dissatisfied with the lifeless environment will feel that it is a good thing to have a young monarch to bring a little fresh air at this time - the emperor is already here anyway
He said that he did not want to fight for Poland, and no one would face any risks anyway, so why not applaud the emperor and just be "tu Yi Le".
In such a turmoil of public opinion, everyone is watching the excitement, and no one is harmed. The only victims are naturally the Poles who are resisting the Tsar alone at this moment, bleeding and weeping.
At this moment, the Poles were able to barely hold on, and even achieved several tactical victories, forcing back part of the Russian legions. However, since they did not receive any substantial "international support", no amount of public opinion support would have any effect, and the uprising
The ending of being suppressed is naturally close at hand, as if it is a destined ending.
Faced with this destined outcome, some Poles (mainly landowners and nobles) began to waver, hoping to compromise with the Tsar as soon as possible in exchange for retaining their own privileges and wealth; some were inspired by patriotism, even if they knew they would die.
He died for his country, hoping to let other countries see the indomitable spirit of resistance of the Polish people; while the largest proportion of people watched the development of the situation with an indifferent attitude, waiting for everything to end and for the restoration of order. After all, they were
For them, life is the most important thing, and who to rule is a secondary issue.
Of course, there are still some people, some intellectuals and nobles who know that there is no hope for independence and are unwilling to continue to be obedient subjects of the Tsar, who choose to go into exile. These exiled Poles will also disperse in the next few decades, and they will carry their own ideals.
The attachment to the "motherland" awaits the day when the country becomes truly independent.
And the French Empire, just as the emperor promised, welcomes these guests who are forced to live in foreign lands with open arms, allowing them to receive safe asylum without fear of being repatriated. France will also become their second home.
At this time, a Polish exile quietly came to this beautiful palace under the warm invitation of the Fontainebleau Palace.
After getting off the carriage, the young musician Chopin walked among the palaces. Looking at this beautiful palace and the green mountains and green waters surrounding it, he felt as if he was in a dream.
Not long ago, he had just escaped from the chaotic motherland and came to Paris. At that time, he was in a state of panic and desolation, and the bloody turmoil in his motherland made him even more worried; however, after just a few months, he
Suddenly one day, I received a notification from a friend that the young French Emperor invited me to perform at Fontainebleau.
He also learned from his friends that after His Majesty the Emperor heard about his talent, he admired him very much and wanted to listen to his performance, and even planned to hire himself as a court musician.
A helpless exile is about to become a famous musician in the blink of an eye. Is there any more fantastic experience than this?
As an artist, it is naturally a great honor to be invited to "perform art" in the French court. Even Chopin, who has a proud personality, is naturally a little complacent.
However, it is difficult for him to be happy considering the dangers his country is currently experiencing and the suffering his relatives and friends are enduring.
Under the leadership of the guards, he passed through the corridor decorated with portraits and was then taken to the reception room of His Majesty the Emperor.
He didn't wait long, the door to the room opened again, and then a young couple in casual clothes walked in together.
Even if no one informed them, the young musician naturally knew who the young couple were, so he immediately bowed respectfully to the two Supreme Beings, "Your Majesty, I am honored to be invited by the palace. Thank you for your invitation."
Dear, I will do my best to repay you with my talents!"
"Mr. Chopin, there is no need to be so formal." At this time, the young man responded in an easy-going tone, "You are our respected guest. Now there are only an ordinary couple and a talented artist here. We should be more harmonious."
attitudes toward each other, because art knows no class."
After receiving His Majesty the Emperor's permission, Chopin raised his head again and carefully looked at the young couple in front of him.
Just like the rumors from the outside world, the couple is young and handsome, and behaves elegantly and is full of affinity.
At the same time, Aigron also took a look at the young musician. He was thin and pale, with long light blond hair and a hooked nose. His face was a bit withdrawn, but it was not ugly, and it was in line with people's imagination of an artist.
Because it was his first time to enter the palace and see the king of a country, Chopin naturally seemed a little nervous, but he did not appear to be groveling.
Obviously, although the class status and wealth of the two people are very different, the young musician does not feel that he is inferior to His Majesty the Emperor in his heart - even though he is currently receiving favors from His Majesty the Emperor.
As a musical "genius", Chopin had absolute confidence in his talents, so although he is still an unknown young musician, he believed that he could make a name for himself in the European music scene even without the emperor's appreciation.
Therefore, his invitation to His Majesty the Emperor did not feel so frightening or so grateful.
After all, for those talented people, there is a mentality of "Of course I am very grateful to my benefactor for giving me food, but without you, I can make a living with my own talents." Beethoven said that
He shouted to his benefactor, "The prince is a prince because of his accidental birth, and the reason why I am who I am is because of my own efforts. There will be countless princes, but there is only one Beethoven."
And it did.
And Aigron didn't feel dissatisfied with the other party's attitude.
After all, he is very tolerant of those who are talented and does not care whether the other person is humble towards him or not.
"I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Chopin - to be honest, I only heard of your name not long ago, when Count Alexander Walewski recommended you to me and praised you as a great person.
A rare musical genius, I don’t know if he is telling the truth or exaggerating, but he did successfully arouse my curiosity... so I specially invited you here."
Then, Aigron spread his hands again and looked at his wife standing next to him.
"After hearing about your talent, Theresa is also very interested in you. Please don't forget that she grew up in Vienna. She loves music like everyone there, so she hopes to appreciate your talent.
Talent... I wonder if we have such an honor?"
"Of course, Your Majesty, I will be happy to play for you." Chopin immediately bowed his head and agreed, "I have no other skills and can only make a living through music, and I am quite confident in this skill. I believe I can
You won’t be disappointed.”
"Very good! I like your confidence." Aigron laughed, "Speaking of which, you seem to be only one year older than me, right? Then we are all young people of the same age, so we can use young people as much as possible.
Communicate in a simple and direct way.”
Then, he deliberately made a serious face and made a joke, "Let me remind you in advance that although my wife and I cannot compose, our appreciation level is not low, and we are used to seeing performances by famous artists in Austria, so we are very happy to please you."
It's not easy for us, so you have to cheer up."
Chopin did not answer immediately, but secretly took a breath to calm down his mood.
He knew that this was one of the most important moments in his life. If he could really use his talents to please the emperor and his wife and get their approval, then he would "become famous in one battle", even if he could not become the chief of the palace.
He is a musician, but with this capital alone, he is enough to gain a foothold in Paris, and he will have no worries about food and clothing.
However, if he fails and disappoints His Majesty the Emperor, he will naturally become a laughing stock and lose his footing.
However, he has full confidence in his own talent, and he is absolutely not afraid of any "test". He believes that he is an unparalleled genius on the piano, and even the most picky listeners will be impressed by his superb skills.
That's right, Chopin not only could compose music, but he could also perform it himself. He was a true genius spanning two generations. Any listener who experienced his performance in person would be impressed by his passion that came from the soul. He believed that this
a little.
However, at this moment, he had another thing on his mind.
Seeing the worried expression on his face, Teresa mistakenly thought that the musician was frightened by what her husband had just said, so she comforted him, "Mr. Chopin, you don't have to worry, we love music, and we also know how to be considerate of others. You
You just need to play with a normal heart and show your skills normally. Don't worry about other things. We will never ask you to perform perfectly..."
Her Majesty the Queen's gentle words of comfort made Chopin feel relieved.
To be honest, from a Polish standpoint, he also had a bad impression of Austria. However, compared to Russia, which believes in Orthodox Christianity, and Prussia, which believes in Lutheranism, Austria, which believes in Catholicism like Poland, also participated in the partition of Poland.
But the oppression is relatively small, rather than the double superposition of "national oppression" and "religious oppression".
Therefore, when facing a Habsburg princess like Theresa, his attitude will be much better.
"Your Majesty, I am not worried about my performance at all. I believe it will definitely satisfy you." So, after a moment's pause, the young musician took the initiative to look at Aigron, "But I hope that before that, you can
Can you give me a few words of advice?"
Faced with Chopin's question, Aigron was a little stunned, but he didn't feel dissatisfied.
"Of course, please tell me."
The tension in Chopin's heart became more intense, but at this time, he naturally would not back down, so he boldly continued to speak to Aiglon.
"Your Majesty, I am very grateful for your righteous speech to Poland not long ago, and I am also very grateful for your support for my motherland. However, in this endangered situation, although your declaration can be inspiring, I am afraid... I am afraid it will not help. I
I ask you to provide more practical help to my motherland. It has always loved you like the French people and eagerly hopes to stand with you... After all, at this moment, no matter how insignificant your help is,