For the Pushkin couple who had just arrived in Paris, their trip to France was like a dream, even more perfect than their most magnificent dreams.
The couple was warmly received by the Aiglons, who introduced the couple to other attendees as their distinguished guests at the grand events of the palace.
Following the example of the emperor and his wife, other people, whether they were high-ranking government officials or well-known aristocrats, also greeted the Pushkin couple with smiles, as enthusiastically as if they were old friends for many years, and some even said it to Pushkin face to face.
, I have already read his poems and have admired him for a long time.
Of course, there is only one question they whisper in private - who is this Russian poet?
For a time, Pushkin's poems composed in recent years began to circulate in Paris through the circle of Russian expatriates and tourists in Paris. They had a certain Luoyang Zhigui flavor. Whether they really appreciated his poems or were out of favor of His Majesty the Emperor, everyone
Everyone praised Pushkin unanimously, praising him for "bringing a breeze of the prairie to the French poetry world that had been silent for a long time."
Pushkin naturally took great advantage of these compliments.
In this era, Paris was the center of the European literary world. Being able to become famous here naturally greatly satisfied his vanity.
And his wife Natalia was even more indulged in this feeling of being surrounded by stars.
The high-society gatherings that she couldn't squeeze into before were now like walking on plain ground to her. Under the guidance of the Duchess of Abrontes, she walked through them without any hindrance. And wherever she went,
Here, the distinguished guests, whether the duchess or the prince, all greeted her with smiles, as if they had never regarded this little Russian girl as an outsider.
For the daughter of a small aristocratic landowner in the Russian countryside, this kind of treatment was something she could not even imagine at first. It was almost like a heavenly feeling in her eyes.
For Paris, which is warm and indifferent, reserved and dissolute, it welcomes a group of foreign distinguished guests every year. There have been before and there will still be in the future. It will warmly welcome them with open arms, talk about their interesting stories, and try every means to please them.
I am happy and call them brothers, but I will forget them when I turn around, as if they have never been there or even existed.
The young Pushkin couple have not yet fully experienced the feeling of "the cold world". They are just enjoying the feeling of "famousness" comfortably, even though they know in their hearts that this extraordinary courtesy does not come from their talents and appearance.
-Although they are indeed outstanding in this aspect-but it comes from having a good friend that ordinary people don't have.
Fortunately, even at this time, he did not get carried away. He also knew very well in his heart that the reason why he suddenly became popular in Paris as a "poet" was entirely because the emperor and his wife personally "brought the goods".
Since ancient times, artists have often relied on politicians to become famous, because people tend to follow the trend and regard powerful people as fashion trendsetters. They will follow whatever praises are praised. This is considered common sense in the world.
Even knowing this, he still felt very happy. Who doesn't like the feeling of being recognized?
However, after a period of excitement, the Pushkin couple have taken some time off these days.
This was not because they were ignored by the social world, but because Father Faria, the Prime Minister of the Principality of Ioannina, had recently passed away suddenly, and the palace had to hold a funeral for him, so there was no time for any other activities.
For Pushkin, he and Father Faria were not close friends, and his death was just a small regret. It did not make him feel sad. He just expressed politeness to Aiglon and the Count of Monte Cristo.
He expressed sexual condolences and then kept silent. He was not even invited to the funeral and stayed in a hotel in Paris.
For him, this is also a rare leisure time. He is happy to stay in the house to rest and recover his nerves that have been exhausted by continuous communication.
However, the great poet who has been dragged into the world of glitz is destined to find it difficult to enjoy his leisure time.
On this day, he was lying leisurely on the sofa reading a book when a surprising visitor suddenly appeared.
The visitor handed over his business card and handed it to Pushkin through the hotel bellboy.
Astonishingly, it was Count Peter Garmanin, the counselor of the Russian Embassy in France.
At the time when France and Russia were at odds, the Russian Empire recalled its ambassador to France because of the turmoil in 1830, and later because of a dispute with the Bonaparte family, he never sent him back; instead, he served as the Prime Minister of the Empire.
Prince Talleyrand, in retaliation, did not send a formal ambassador to Russia. The two countries maintained this intermittent diplomatic relationship in a subtle state of confrontation.
Leaving aside the diplomatic and political rights and wrongs, at least one thing is clear: in the absence of an ambassador to France, the counselor is the highest-ranking diplomat stationed in France by the Russian Empire. He is definitely not without official position or position at this time.
Pushkin can compare.
Pushkin, who grew up in Tsarskoye Selo, had met many big figures, including the Tsar, and would naturally not be afraid of a counselor. But even so, being in a foreign country at this time, he couldn't help but feel proud that he could actually get a visit from a counselor.
And Weiwei feels a little proud - how many Russian overseas Chinese in Paris can get such an honor?
Because of this, he did not hesitate and immediately asked the waiter to bring the earl to him.
The earl was plain in appearance, but he was dressed in meticulous formal attire and had a serious and gentle demeanor. At first glance, he looked like a mature and experienced diplomat.
"Hello, Mr. Count - nice to meet you." Because the two people did not know each other, after Pushkin saw him, he just maintained a measured and polite attitude and greeted the other party in a friendly manner.
"Hello, Mr. Pushkin." Count Garmanin responded to Pushkin with a very humble and friendly smile, "I am also very happy to meet our country's famous poet in Paris..."
After a friendly handshake, the two people sat down facing each other on the sofa.
Although the other party always had a formulaic friendly smile, Pushkin did not think that the other party's visit was to talk about poetry with him - the reason is simple. If the count really cared about Russian poets, he would have come before
Why didn't he show any interest when we were in Paris and had to wait until now to come?
Obviously, he just wanted to take a look at himself because he had become "popular" in Paris social circles recently.
When he thought of this, Pushkin instinctively felt a sense of fear.
Because, if the other party is just following the trend and wants to see a "popular person" like himself, it doesn't matter; but if he intends to spy on the news because he is close to the French court, that would be terrible.
In any case, he would not sell out information (and even if he wanted to, he had nothing to sell. When he and Aiglon were in contact, the two of them had a tacit understanding never to talk about any political topics, so as not to avoid each other.
Embarrassing), but this diplomat is a powerful man after all. If he is angered, he will definitely get into some trouble... And when the news spreads to Petersburg, those who are jealous of him will probably
Spreading rumors that he has turned his back on the country...
When he thought of these possible troubles, Pushkin's good mood suddenly disappeared.
While Pushkin was still worried, Count Garmanin spoke first. "Mr. Pushkin, I congratulate you... You seem to have achieved great success in Paris recently, winning the favor and praise of the social world. Now at the party I attended
, everyone is talking about you and your wife, you have become the pride of us Russians."
Sure enough! Pushkin's heart suddenly sank.
Although the other party's tone was obviously praising and praising him, Pushkin felt that the situation seemed to have evolved in a direction that he did not want to see.
But even though he felt bad in his heart, he still had no choice but to cheer up and deal with the count, "You are serious. I just relied on some clever words to gain a little fame by chance. This will not last long. After a while,
I’m afraid everyone will forget about me in time.”
"There are many people with false reputations, but not everyone will receive the personal approval of His Majesty the French Emperor." The count shook his head, obviously disapproving of Pushkin's self-effacement, "In fact, you are the first Russian whom he has warmly received.
People...this shows that you must have your own strengths——"
The more the count praised him, the worse Pushkin felt, and his mood almost sank to the bottom.
Obviously, as a Russian, it must be unusual for outsiders to receive such special treatment from the emperor and his wife.
He knew that in today's context where old grievances between Russia and France (to be precise, the Romanov family and the Bonaparte family) have not been resolved and resentment has increased, his "luck" will definitely arouse the resentment of the Russian people.
I was suspicious, but I didn't expect it to come so quickly, and even find me in Paris.
"I have always been grateful to His Majesty the Emperor for the honor given to me." After a moment of silence, he could only suppress the nervousness in his heart, and then answered the other party in a low voice.
"Then can you tell me, as far as I know, most of your poems and articles are written in Russian, so why did your poems come into the hands of His Majesty the French Emperor and gain his favor? This is through
Who introduced him?" The count did not give up because of Pushkin's evasion, but continued to ask.
…………I see.
Seeing the count's sharp and suspicious eyes, Pushkin finally understood his purpose and what he wanted to know here.
In essence, he didn't care about himself at all, nor did he care about poetry - what he cared about was, through what channels did the French emperor control the domestic dynamics of Russia, so that he could even read the poems of a poet?
As we all know, as soon as Tsar Nicholas came to power, he caused a bloody storm in order to suppress the Decembrist uprising. Although the storm has subsided and most of the rebels have either been executed or exiled to Siberia, His Majesty the Tsar is still very nervous, fearing
There are some disgruntled potential rebels hiding inside.
His high level of nervousness also made the empire's bureaucracy very nervous, and they were always highly monitoring domestic publications and public opinion, not letting go of any potential clues.
In today's Russia, cultural people can almost be equated with aristocrats. Pushkin who wrote poetry was an aristocrat, and those who spread poetry will naturally be aristocrats. So, who passed Pushkin's poetry to the hands of the French emperor?
This issue becomes crucial.
Because this also means that there is a group of people who have dangerous "overseas relations" and even hooked up with the French Emperor.
This kind of reasoning seems very neurotic, but isn't the purpose of the existence of bureaucracy to satisfy the most bizarre neuroses of kings?
Therefore, it is completely normal for them to have such suspicions...
After figuring out the joints, Pushkin was already very nervous and almost broke out in a cold sweat. He did not expect that an ordinary visit could be so hidden with murderous intent that it might even affect the lives of himself and his wife.
What should be done?
It would be too false to refuse to admit it. After all, he himself knew that it all looked "suspicious"; but if he told the truth, he would secretly go to Greece to meet with the Russian army when they marched into the Balkans.
The King of Rome, not only could he not be able to clear himself of suspicion, but his military friend Boris Volkonsky, who had taken him to Greece in the first place, was bound to be implicated.
It was just his own misfortune, but involving his friends was something he was unwilling to do under any circumstances.
Therefore, we must find a way to give an explanation that at least seems reasonable... Pushkin's mind is spinning, but he can't come up with a perfect idea for a while?
After hesitating for a moment, he answered bravely.
"In fact, I have had doubts about your question before. I even asked His Majesty the Emperor in person."
"Then how did he answer you?" asked the count.
"He said that when he grew up in the Austrian court, he was very fond of literature and poetry - he even wrote his own script." Because this was the truth, Pushkin also spoke very smoothly and naturally, "It is precisely because of this hobby. , he not only likes French literature, but is also very interested in literature from various countries. He also talked to me about the poetry of Byron and Goethe... One day he was inspired to read Russian poetry, so someone recommended it. That's all I know. I don't think there's anything inappropriate about it."
"Didn't he say who recommended you?" the count continued to ask.
"Excuse me, are you interrogating me?" Pushkin asked the other party pretending to be angry, "Why should I ask such a disappointing question? Maybe it's one of his close associates who has been to Russia! He is the emperor, and he appreciates me. It is my honor to write poetry! And, do you think that my discussion of poetry with His Majesty the Emperor will harm any interests of Russia? If so, please point it out and I will leave Paris immediately!"