Chapter 204 Extra (48) Feeling like old friends at first sight
Chapter 1151 Extra (48) Feeling like old friends at first sight
Not to mention how the Duke of Lechstadt "proved" his loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen Mother, in short, after the two people discussed in private, the Austrian Empire's subsequent foreign policy was also determined.
Under the order of the Empress Dowager, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally submitted an invitation letter to President Louis Bonaparte through the embassy in France. The President, as previously agreed, readily accepted the invitation and sent a team
A goodwill delegation went to Austria for a visit.
This visit, on the surface, is to strengthen relations between the two countries, but in fact it is to prepare for President Louis Bonaparte's next great cause of proclaiming himself emperor.
It is obvious that the president has completed the integration of domestic political forces and is now ready to win the final international support - or in other words, even if he does not get international support, as long as major countries show a silent attitude of watching, that will be enough.
After some exchange of official documents between the two capitals, and the long journey of the French delegation, by the time the delegation arrived in Vienna, it was already more than a month later, in mid-June.
Although it is summer, Vienna is not hot. On the contrary, in this vibrant season, the Schönbrunn Palace is full of trees and water, the green grass is lush, and the carefully built and maintained botanical gardens are filled with all kinds of flowers.
The best time of year to entertain guests.
Amidst the pleasant warm breeze, the French delegation quietly arrived at Schonbrunn Palace.
A grand welcome ceremony was also held. Although Her Majesty the Queen Mother did not like Louis Bonaparte, nor did she like the group of careerists and revolutionary parties surrounding him, she was, after all, a political figure who had been in power for a long time.
When conducting foreign policy, I can naturally eliminate all emotions and receive this group of distinguished guests in the most cordial and friendly manner.
Amidst the roar of the salute, the Guards Cavalry in gold-embroidered uniforms lined up neatly to welcome the members of the delegation as they stepped off the carriage, then stepped on the paved red carpet and walked into the palace, and then
We came to the spacious hall.
The floor of the hall is covered with carpets, and there are two rows of long shiny glass windows on the walls at both ends. The walls between the windows are decorated with exquisite golden wall lamps. There is also an oil painting on the ceiling, depicting gods or gods.
The clouds are either riding horses, holding bare-chested halberds, or slashing with swords. The scenes of fighting and fighting are realistic and brutal.
The centuries-old wealth and luxury of the Habsburg family are now concentrated in this hall.
However, the irony is that the two people who dominate the Habsburg Empire at the moment are two in-laws of the Habsburg royal family...
Right in the center of the hall, the master of the palace, Emperor Franz Joseph I, was sitting on the throne. Wearing a military uniform and the highest-ranking Grand Cross, he personally received the French delegation.
The young emperor is now nearly 20 years old. He is young, handsome, and elegant in manner. Because he has received a strict education since childhood, he is proficient in many languages and has considerable knowledge.
However, despite his extraordinary intelligence, because his mother was the regent since he was a child, he did not have much contact with specific government affairs. He also knew that he was inexperienced, so he rarely interfered with the decisions of his mother and the prime minister. In most cases, he
Just like when he was young, he directly approved the documents sent by his mother without asking any questions.
However, a young emperor is still an emperor after all. Since he wears a crown, his desire for power will naturally grow. As he grows older, the emperor becomes dissatisfied with his mother's strength and questions more and more about various government affairs.
.
Although the relationship between the emperor and his mother is still harmonious now, and the palace can still operate as a subject of power, who can guarantee that as time goes by, the young emperor will not fall in love with the French kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV
Similarly, what if, after adulthood, you are dissatisfied with your mother's tyrannical rule and are determined to seize the power of the empire on your own?
Naturally, Your Excellency the Prime Minister is well aware of this situation. In order to prevent things from developing in the worst direction, in the past few years, in addition to teaching the emperor all kinds of knowledge, he has also begun to gradually involve the emperor in decision-making.
, gradually transferred the decision-making power.
He dutifully served as a buffer between mother and son, and used his talents to maintain the aging empire and try to revive it.
The young emperor also saw the Prime Minister's good intentions, so he did not show any urgency, but tacitly reached a tacit understanding with the Prime Minister and his mother about "gradual transition of power". Anyway, he thought to himself
He is still young now, and it is not too late to wait until his wedding in a few years before considering pro-government. Besides, the governance achievements of his mother and the Prime Minister over the years are obvious to all, and His Majesty the Emperor does not want to rashly change the status quo and create trouble for himself.
As for the folk rumors, the Emperor and the Prime Minister are not cousins in public, but have a "special" kinship. Ahem, those are just rumors after all. If you are caught by the government for spreading rumors, it will take a long time.
Prison food...
No matter how the Austrian power center operates in the future, in short, the Queen Mother Sophie and the Duke still have the final say. In addition to the Emperor, Her Majesty the Queen Mother and His Excellency the Prime Minister are already waiting here. They sit on the left and right.
At the side of His Majesty the Emperor, we will receive this delegation together with His Majesty.
Under the guidance of the palace attendants, the members of the delegation came to the front of the three people.
Everyone knows that this is a historic moment.
This moment not only represents the end of the half-century-long period of hostility between France and Austria after the outbreak of the Revolution; it also represents the official revival of the Bonaparte family, once again becoming the number one player on the European stage.
The two cousins are in power in Austria and France respectively. At this moment, they are "merging" in the name of the family, preparing to face the next storm together.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, members of the delegation saluted His Majesty the Emperor and the Queen Mother of Austria with the most respectful etiquette.
His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Empress Dowager also greeted them, but no one paid attention to this polite greeting. Everyone was waiting for the next scene.
Without keeping everyone waiting, the Duke walked step by step in front of everyone under everyone's gaze.
Standing at the front of the delegation was naturally the leader of this delegation, the former King of Westphalia, Jerome Bonaparte.
Back then, he was known as a young and dissolute man, but now he is already over sixty years old, with gray hair on his temples and wrinkles on his face, but his movements are still full of joy.
He has always been an optimist who prefers pleasure to taking responsibility. When he was young, he attracted bees and butterflies and became dishonest when he got older. As his two nephews took power in two big countries respectively and the Bonaparte family made a comeback, he also Therefore, "a rising tide lifts all boats", and I have the capital to enjoy life as a royal family, so I am even happier and more comfortable.
"Aiglon, I finally see you... You are as handsome as the rumors." After seeing Aiglon, the old prince who had experienced ups and downs was naturally filled with emotion, "Thank you Almighty God for letting me You can grow up healthy and safe, and you can use your talents in this great country..."
Although they said this, both of them knew in their hearts that over the years, the supporters of the Bonaparte family had refused to return to France to lead the restoration cause because of the King of Rome, preferring to serve as auxiliary ministers of the Habsburg family they hated. , has always been quite critical, and people even secretly went to Austria many times to urge the Duke not to forget the legacy of the late emperor and the mission of the family, but the Duke has always flatly refused, and the two parties even had fierce quarrels over this.
After so many years, everything has changed. The original quarrel ended with the rise of President Louis Bonaparte. The supporters of the Bonaparte family found a new backbone, but the quarrels in the past left behind The grudge still remains in their hearts.
Of course, after some time, everyone will forget all this. Right now, the most important thing is the "reconciliation and unity" of the family.
The Bonaparte family has re-emerged on the European stage, and the two branches will cooperate closely and support each other in the future, making this family truly a powerful member of the European monarchy family.
"My uncle, I have always missed you..." In this touching atmosphere of 'finding relatives', the Duke also showed his due attitude. He emotionally stretched out his arms and hugged his own Uncle, then continued with an excited tone, "To me, you are one of the few close relatives I have. I pray to God for your health every moment... I hope you can stay here longer. For a while, I can do my best to warmly receive you and fulfill my long-cherished wish."
"Of course, I'm very happy! I have always been fascinated by Vienna, and having the opportunity to enjoy its beauty and customs will definitely be an unforgettable memory for me. It will be even more important if I can have you by my side. Well," Jérôme Bonaparte replied with a smile.
Under the gaze of everyone, the uncle and nephew talked with each other in the most cordial tone and movements, unreservedly showing their bond of family ties.
However, this is just a public relations performance after all. For the Duke, although he is his biological uncle, he has not seen him since he can remember, so naturally he cannot say that he has much closeness.
After greeting his uncle, the Duke met and exchanged greetings with the other members of the delegation one by one, exchanging names. These people also showed the right attitude of being flattered, and they all looked up to the people they had admired for a long time and who had followed them from afar.
Salute to His Majesty the King of Rome.
Although the title "King of Rome" has long been abolished by the Duke's grandfather, the old Emperor Franz, the Duke himself usually only uses the slightly ordinary title of Duke of Lechstadt (he also actively refused to be given the title of Duke of Lechstadt by Sophie).
idea), but for the followers of the Bonaparte family, this is a matter of political stance. Even if he does not use it, they will continue to call it that-even if they will no longer be his ministers in the future.
The Duke calmly greeted the members in a cordial and nonchalant manner until he reached the end of the queue.
He first smelled a faint scent of flowers, then looked up and found a young woman with blond hair and blue eyes looking at him with a sweet smile.
She was wearing a luxurious palace skirt, made of luxurious white satin and velvet fabric, and was cut close to the body, allowing her to reveal her slender and charming neck, as well as her white shoulders and neck, and she could even vaguely see the already large peaks.
, there is also a flower-shaped brooch on the chest, and the hanging skirt is decorated with lace, bows and floral decorations made of jewelry.
This outfit not only showed off her beauty in every detail, but also made her look dazzling and magnificent - just like this palace.
It seems that this is Miss Charlotte de Treville... Indeed, as Sophie said, she is an extraordinary beauty.
However, the Duke has grown up in the palace since he was a child. He has seen many beauties of all kinds. He has already been "immune" to this, but at this moment, he felt a little absent-minded, as if a wave of emotion surged in his mind.
There was an inexplicably familiar impression. It was obviously the first time we met her, but it felt like I had known her for a long time.
Strange, what is going on?
Just as he was thinking about it, he suddenly felt something was wrong.
In such a scene, it is indeed too rude to stare at a young girl in front of everyone...
Moreover, Sophie will definitely be angry.
When he thought of this, the Duke suddenly came to his senses.
The corner of his eye turned slightly, and sure enough, he noticed that there was a trace of black line in Sophie's smile at this moment.
Although Sophie didn't speak, her eyes were quite sharp, and Aigron seemed to hear her questioning, "Okay, I said before that I wouldn't be attracted to this little girl at all, but now I see it straight when I meet her?!"
…
Fortunately, this embarrassing scene was quickly broken by this girl in her early twenties.
"Your Majesty, I have always been full of respect for you...Thank God for giving me the opportunity to see you..." As she spoke, she curtsied to the Duke calmly, with an extremely upright attitude, as if she was really on a "pilgrimage"
"My name is Charles de Treville, and I am the granddaughter of Victor de Treville, the emperor's cavalry general."
The Duke, who is experienced in the world, will certainly not be fooled by such words. However, from the smooth and natural words and deeds of this woman, he can also see that the other party has indeed seen the world and is not a pure "vase".
.
"Nice to meet you, Mademoiselle de Treville." The Duke nodded slightly, "Excuse me, have we met somewhere?"
This strange question caused a flash of confusion on Xia Lu's face, which was originally calm.
If the situation were different, she would only think that this was an extremely clumsy approach, but at this moment, the King of Rome said it openly.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty... I have never received such an honor in the past. After all, you have never been to France, and I have never been to Austria before." After a moment, she answered the question honestly.
That's right, it should obviously be like this, but why... why is there a lingering sense of familiarity? The Duke asked himself.
However, even though he was doubtful, he knew that he could not continue to entangle with the other party, whether it was from a courtesy point of view or from other points of view.
"It seems that I was wrong...please forgive me." He smiled reluctantly, and then waved to the other party, "I wish you a pleasant stay in Vienna."
Let's explore it again when we have the opportunity... The Duke thought to himself.