"This is not just a facade, but also to ensure that your rule there can be maintained for a long time, Your Majesty." Father Faria warned him solemnly, "You can certainly defeat Ioannis by force or temporary advantage.
The Principality of Namibia is your treasure, but don’t forget that the Balkans is a place surrounded by powerful enemies. If you don’t let the locals return, sooner or later they will cause you big trouble... Since
It is something that must be done, so it is better to do it early, so that you can still have the initiative."
Father Faria's meaning is very clear. Now, the Principality of Ioannina has just been established. It was Aiglon who drove away the hateful Turkish pagan rulers and can confidently exercise his rule; but as time goes by, the local
The elites among the Orthodox Christians will gradually develop a consciousness of participating in politics. If they adopt a brutal and repressive attitude, they will inevitably flirt with neighboring countries and even Russia to seek opportunities to strengthen themselves.
In this case, it would be better to take advantage of the "legitimacy advantage" now, actively support this group of elites, and then absorb them into the principality's ruling institutions, and then use them to stabilize the situation.
Confiscating the land of local Muslim landowners and then granting part of it to Orthodox converts laid the "foundation" for this plan.
"Okay, I will consider it." Aigron understood clearly.
Then, he asked the priest, "So, do you think Haidee should be arranged?"
As the only surviving granddaughter of Ali Pasha, Haidee was single-handedly raised by him to become the Grand Duchess of Ioannina, and she was also specially converted to Orthodox Christianity, so that her "blood" and "faith" were combined.
It has almost become a symbol of this new country.
At the time, this was a brilliant move that allowed Aiglon to legitimately establish a country in the Balkans, and also gained recognition from the locals at the lowest cost.
However, as time goes by, it is time to consider the next step.
The most important thing to consider is Haidee herself. She was just an ignorant child at the time, but now she is a girl of thirteen or fourteen. From the perspective of this era, she is only one step away from growing up and even getting married and having children.
It's just a step away, and you have to think about it in advance.
Obviously, Father Faria had also thought about this question seriously, so he steeled himself and answered to Aiglon. "Your Majesty, there are many options on this issue, and each has its own pros and cons. You can let her
Marrying an outstanding local Orthodox elite when she grows up can also allow her to marry princes from surrounding countries, or even keep her unmarried for life... But I think the best way to deal with it is for you to marry Bonaparte
Find a young prince in the family to convert to Orthodox Christianity, let them get married when they grow up in the future, and then in this legitimate way, let the Bonaparte family get a kingdom and a crown..."
When Aigron thought about it, the priest's last idea was indeed a cunning rabbit's strategy.
Whether the Bonaparte family can always occupy the throne of France, or how long it can occupy it, even he himself dare not guarantee. In this case, if the family can legally occupy another kingdom, it will be regarded as one more
A place to live.
Moreover, if two countries are owned by the same family, the connection between them will be closer and there will be an extra layer of insurance.
As for conversion, it will be very confusing and painful for a devout believer, but for a person who wants to wear a crown, it is as simple as eating.
"What you said makes sense, then I will think about it carefully and then refer to Haidee's own opinion. Although she is just a puppet, I still hope that she can live a better life." Aigron nodded lightly.
"She is still young anyway, so we still have time to make a decision slowly."
After hearing Aiglon's answer, the priest did not continue to dwell on this issue, but changed another topic.
"Your Majesty, I have heard about your actions in Algeria. So far, although everything is going well, you must not ignore it. For a conquest, military victory is just the beginning, and there will be a long journey ahead.
If you are not careful, you may lose all your achievements. You need to immigrate as many people as possible and let them occupy the best lands, just like the British occupied Australia... Only in this way can you occupy the newly conquered land for a long time.
The place."
As soon as Aigron came to power, he continued the Bourbon family's war to conquer Algeria. Father Faria naturally heard about this. He would take time out of Ioannina's busy schedule to inquire about the news and confirm that France was here.
Progress in a war of conquest.
Colonial expansion is the main theme of powerful countries in this era, so he doesn't think there is anything wrong. He just wants to provide suggestions for his master out of the position of a "subordinate".
And Aiglon also deeply agrees with this.
War alone was not enough to conquer Algeria; immigration must be used to support it.
And immigration, what does this mean?
Of course that means grabbing the land where locals have lived for generations, driving them out of those villages, and then letting immigrants take over.
Algeria is destined to be different from Ioannina.
For Aigron, Ioannina is just the starting point for him to launch his own banner. He is neither greedy for the land here nor does he need to extract huge amounts of money from here to satisfy his treasury, precisely because he has almost "no desire and no need"
, so he can use "lenient" means to his heart's content and win over the local Orthodox Christians. As long as he can maintain the normal operation of the country, he will be satisfied.
But Algeria is completely different. In the name of "Emperor of France", he continued the great cause of conquest of the previous dynasty. In other words, this was the "national line".
This conquest was merciless colonization and plunder, at least to seize the most fertile lands in the coastal areas as spoils of French expansion and as a new "living space" for the people.
But the question comes again, are there really that many people?
For hundreds of years, France has been the most populous country in Europe. French monarchs in the past have relied on this "capital" to launch wars repeatedly, compete with other European countries, and expand their territories step by step.
However, after the end of the long Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, France fell into an unprecedented era of low fertility rates, and population growth became slower and slower.
In the original historical line, although France worked hard to completely defeat the resistance of the local tribes for 20 to 30 years, there were very few French immigrants to Algeria. The reason was that the declining birth rate made it difficult for the French to immigrate to Algeria.
There was pressure to bid farewell to the comfortable life in the country and emigrate. Even though the government took various measures to encourage immigration, not many responded. In the end, the French government even recruited immigrants from Spain and Italy to fill the newly conquered land.
By the 1960s, more than a hundred years later, there were only about one million descendants of European immigrants living in Algeria, while the combined number of Arabs and Berbers had multiplied to nearly 9 million. Under these circumstances,
How about controlling Algeria?
Therefore, in the final analysis, all conquests are human conquests, and only by allowing "one's own people" to occupy the land and thrive can the conquest be truly completed. For example, the United Kingdom simply used methods such as deporting prisoners to allow its own citizens to
Australia, which was still a barren land, took root and turned it into a continent of "white people".
If you want to save France's colonial conquest, you must save the birth rate. This is a completely mutually reinforcing issue, both of which are indispensable.
Aigron had already thought about these things clearly in his mind, but he did not explain it to Father Faria. He just nodded calmly, "Thank you for your suggestion. The imperial government and I have been considering this. We will think about it."
We must do everything possible to consolidate our victory - and we must achieve this goal, and the manpower and financial resources spent on this war of conquest must not be wasted."
"I believe you can do it, Your Majesty, you have accomplished so many miracles, and you can definitely create more miracles!" Father Faria showed a gratified and indifferent smile, and then nodded slightly.
Then, he breathed a sigh of relief again, "I have done everything I can do for you. Now, Your Majesty, please return me to my adopted son... My life should be in his
It's over."
Seeing the old man's relieved smile, Aigron felt a surge of sadness in his heart.
It's like an old horse that works hard and is exhausted to the limit, just looking for the final peace.
Moreover, Aigron also knew that the dying priest could still have a clear mind and speak so many words to him clearly. This was probably not because his body was getting better, but because... the various organs in his body finally only
The remaining energy is being gathered for the final explosion.
It is also commonly known as "returning to the light".
Poor guy, he can't live for more than a few days... Aigron felt a little sad.
He said nothing more, but quietly stepped aside and returned the priest to the Count of Monte Cristo.
When the two of them were talking just now, Edmund stood aside and said nothing, but seeing his adoptive father's tired and energetic appearance, he felt heartbroken. Now, when the priest's eyes fell on him again,
When he was lying on his body, his grief could no longer be endured and he burst into tears.
"Edmund, my child, don't cry... You should be happy for my fate. How many people can be as happy as me before they die..." The priest comforted the adopted son in a low voice.
Then, he wanted to look up, but because his strength was getting weaker and weaker, he could only look around with his eyes, "By the way, where is your fiancée? Is she here?"
Of course, Edmund and Valentine were notified of the marriage contract as soon as possible. He was surprised and a little bit dumbfounded that the feud ended in such a way. But in any case, the adopted son
Having a marriage partner is always a good thing, so he has long been looking forward to seeing Valentine in person.
Fortunately, Edmund had already predicted that the priest would have this idea, so he had already sent someone to notify the Villefort family. "She has already arrived in Fontainebleau, and they also want to see you."
"Then let her come... I hope I won't scare her like this..." the priest replied with a smile.
Aigron immediately called Valentine, who was waiting in the next room, and her grandfather, the Marquis of Noirtier.
As soon as the grandfather and grandson entered the room, they were infected by the sad atmosphere permeating the room.
Seeing the priest dying and the count sobbing, Valentine could not help but feel a little sad. However, she did not have stage fright. Instead, she walked up to the priest and bowed solemnly.
"Father Faria, I have been looking forward to meeting you, and today I finally see you. I would like to thank you with the most sincere heart for everything you have done for the count... To him, you are a father, so
You are also my father. I pray to Almighty God that you can live a long life so that the count and I can serve you for a long time..."
After she finished speaking, she leaned down and gently kissed Father Faria's forehead without any distaste.
What an outstanding little girl!
Seeing her performance, the priest couldn't help but his eyes lit up.
Although her words must have been taught by adults behind her back, she was able to say these words in such a solemn and sincere manner on such an occasion, which shows that she does have the demeanor of a lady.
Very good, worthy of Edmund, he breathed a sigh of satisfaction.
Then, he looked at Valentine, and then continued in a loving tone, "Dear Miss Valentine, I'm sorry that fate has dragged you into the whirlpool and made you unable to survive at such a young age.
I will not bear the burden of the family, but will entrust my life to my life. But I also want to tell you with pride that this is a choice you will never regret in your life. Edmund is worthy of your entrustment, and you will definitely be happy all your life.
, and I will watch you in heaven and bless you and your descendants..."
At this point, he suddenly gasped out of breath. After a while, he regained his energy and continued, "I just made a will to give away all the wealth I have accumulated."
To the earl and your descendants, and those jewels, I will give them to you now... Unfortunately, although I have prayed to God many times, I can no longer survive until your wedding day. I only hope that you will become a bride.
During the ceremony, being able to wear one or two of these jewelry will feel like I am here to bless you..."
Hearing these affectionate words, Valentine couldn't help but burst into tears.
"I will... I will definitely do it!" She nodded in agreement, "But please keep insisting... You will definitely survive until that time! We need you!"
The priest only smiled indulgently at Valentine's childish supplication.
"Everything has been entrusted to you. You must always be united, respect each other, and never dislike each other... I will always love you."