After the couple had discussed it, Teresa said goodbye to Aiglon and went back to inform Chopin, while Aiglon returned to Pushkin with Xia Lu in his arms.
Although Pushkin didn't know what the couple said because he was standing far away, from the fact that Teresa raised her head and glanced at him a few times just now, he guessed that the matter might have something to do with him.
So, after Aigron came back, he asked directly.
"What happened just now? Your Majesty."
"There is something about you, my friend." Aigron replied with a smile.
He didn't show off, and directly told the whole story, "Before, we hired a talented young musician..."
"I've heard of him, it seems his name is Chopin, right?" Pushkin took over. "He has become very famous in Paris recently, and many people have praised his performance. It's a pity that I have never been able to see him."
"Since you have heard of him, it saves me the trouble." Aigron nodded, "He wants us to be the middleman and then meet you."
Because the incident happened suddenly, Pushkin was immediately speechless.
Since he had heard Chopin's name, of course he knew the identity of the other party - a Polish exile.
At this sensitive time, a Polish exile suddenly asked to meet him, which was not a good sign no matter how he heard it.
Although he was passionate and romantic, he was not stupid. He guessed instantly that the other party's purpose might not be simple, and he might even have the idea of "demoralizing Russia".
Obviously, he is now famous and is even regarded as a representative figure of Russian culture in Paris. But on the other hand, this honor is also a target and will attract hatred to himself - this is what he is encountering now.
.
However, even though he knew that the other party might have bad intentions, the pride in his bones did not allow him to show any flinch.
Fighting for the honor of the Russian motherland? That would be great! He was eager to have such an opportunity.
In Petersburg, he didn't even flinch from a duel, so how could he be afraid of a mere Polish exile.
"Okay, Your Majesty, of course I am happy to accept this honor." So, without thinking, he nonchalantly agreed to the request. "I have heard about his name for a long time, and I have long wanted to know him."
Pushkin's reaction was not unexpected - in fact, it was normal.
So, he tried his best to warn the other party, "My friend, I know that you two are very unique people. This is exactly the reason why I admire you - genius should be proud and arrogant! But,
As a friend, I also hope that you will maintain your dignity no matter what and don't make too much trouble... After all, no matter what happens to either of you two, it will now become a stain on me."
Seeing Aigron's sincerity, Pushkin was also quite touched. He quickly nodded and agreed, "Your Majesty, you know that I have many shortcomings, but I am still a good friend! I will never make it difficult for you.
So as long as he doesn't take the initiative to provoke me maliciously, then I will never make a fierce confrontation. Maybe he and I can't be called friends, but I can at least respect him."
"Then I'm relieved." Aigron smiled and nodded, "Okay, then you can come with me..."
So, the two people walked towards Chopin's position together.
At this time, Teresa had already taken the lead and found Chopin. She first informed him that Pushkin had agreed to see him, and then told Chopin the same warning as Eggron.
Chopin naturally agreed wholeheartedly. After all, he was greatly favored by the Aiglons, and he did not want to embarrass the couple.
He just wanted to show the unyielding spirit of the Polish people, not that he wanted to fight the poet.
Soon, the four people met again (but Aigron still held the young Xia Lu in his arms).
Because this was a meeting between Chopin and Pushkin, Aiglon and Theresa took a step back after bringing the people there. However, because they were afraid of something happening, they did not leave too far and just watched from a distance.
Both of them.
The guards and attendants of the palace also moved aside at the order of their two majesties, so as not to disturb the two distinguished guests and make room for them.
In this way, Chopin and Pushkin completed their first meeting. However, at the beginning, the two people only observed each other from a distance of two or three steps. They did not appear aggressive to each other, but they did not feel any closeness to each other.
At this moment, Poland is fighting a life-and-death battle with Russia for its own freedom. In far away Paris, the best sons of these two nations are also confronting each other. Although they are not fighting each other, there is no friendly sign.
Not the slightest sign.
After a moment of unyielding stares, Chopin was the first to speak - precisely because he initiated the meeting, he was obliged to break the awkward silence.
"Mr. Pushkin, I have been hearing about your name recently. Everyone praises you as a very talented poet. Unfortunately, as a musician, I am only rudimentary in writing, so I have not read your poems. But I think,
From the perspective of His Majesty and his wife, since you can be recognized by him, you must have real talent and learning... Therefore, I admire you very much."
Pushkin was not sure whether the other party was sincerely complimenting him or secretly mocking himself, but he was not afraid of either way and just nodded calmly.
"I'm just showing off some words, nothing special. But Mr. Chopin, I have always heard of your name. It's a pity that I have been in Paris for so long and have not had the opportunity to listen to your performance... If you can let me
If I have settled this regret, I will be doubly honored."
"When I give a concert, you can come at any time, and I can give you free tickets." Chopin raised his head and looked directly into Pushkin's eyes.
Then, his expression and tone became more serious, "Sir, since you have heard my name, I'm afraid you have heard about my identity, right? I am a Pole, just because of my unfortunate fate
, and had to live in exile in this country, maybe I will never be able to return to my motherland to hold a concert in this lifetime."
"I did hear about it." Pushkin remained calm, obviously well prepared for this, "I also deeply regret this. Mr. Chopin, you may think that I am saying this politely, but I can assure you that
, I have deep sympathy for you and many of your peers. You should not have suffered such a fate - if you want to go back in the future, I will help you apply to the local government."
"Thank you for your kindness, but as long as there is a soldier of the Russian Empire standing on the soil of my motherland, then it is impossible for me to go back." Chopin replied without giving up, "The motherland I love is a free country.
Poland, not Tsarist Poland."
Pushkin suddenly fell into silence.
It wasn't that he was so ashamed that he was speechless at the moment, but that he didn't want to dampen the young man's proud national enthusiasm too much.
As a passionate Russian nationalist, he was certainly able to respect the patriotic fervor of other nations.
Unfortunately, these two "national passions" are currently in conflict with each other.
"I respect all your political opinions. Of course you have the right to like or hate a ruler." After a moment of silence, Pushkin spoke again, "It's just that I have to point out to you the fact that Poland is ruled by His Majesty the Tsar.
After the Congress of Vienna, and recognized by all countries, he and his successors are the legitimate rulers of Poland. He may be able to give up this right to rule, but this should not be forced by an armed riot. Since
If such an armed rebellion occurs, it is also his legitimate rights and interests for His Majesty the Tsar to mobilize soldiers to quell the rebellion. This may be a tragedy, but it is also something that has to happen..."
"How high-sounding your words are!" Pushkin's answer immediately evoked Chopin's grief for the country's subjugation. He couldn't help but interrupt the poet, "Recognized, legal, rights... What wonderful words are these?
This is an invention of the civilized world, but it has been cleverly used by people to package their own evil intentions!
You keep saying that this is an arrangement recognized by all countries, so I have to ask you, when the Vienna Conference decided the fate of all our compatriots, were there any representatives from our country present? Did any gentleman come to ask for our opinion? What if?
None, so how is it legal to so brutally destroy an ancient nation and an ancient country and trample it under the iron heel? How can this be said to be fair?!"
Chopin's question made Pushkin feel embarrassed again.
However, his embarrassment was not because of Russia, but because the matter involved his good friend Aiglon.
Russia's current dominance over Poland actually comes from the "division of the spoils among the nations" after its victory over Napoleon.
Previously, the three countries of Russia, Prussia and Austria divided Poland, but after defeating the three countries, Emperor Napoleon rebuilt a small Grand Duchy of Warsaw on the basis of Prussia's divided territory. After the fall of Emperor Napoleon, the Czar served as the leader of the anti-French alliance.
The "mainstay" strongly demanded more compensation, so in order to satisfy his appetite, the Grand Duchy of Warsaw became the possession of the Tsar - that is to say, most of the entire Poland fell to the Tsarist family.
in hand.
In this sense, the greatest legitimacy of this round of expansion by the Czar was "defeating Napoleon."
He was talking a lot about the arrangements for the Congress of Vienna here, but he was actually exposing the scars of his friend, which made him a little embarrassed.
As a good friend of Aigron, and as an enthusiastic promoter of the current friendship between France and Russia, it is best not to mention this historically taboo topic if possible. Only by pretending to be confused can we get things over and maintain the status quo.
“The Congress of Vienna was not perfect. I admit this. It excluded many small and weak peoples from participating and arbitrarily divided the land of Europe, hindering the freedom of many peoples... But even so, it is still indispensable.
"." After a moment of silence, Pushkin patiently explained to the other party, "European countries must have a plan of mutual compromise and mutual tolerance. If only freedom is emphasized and each country acts arbitrarily, it will only lead to permanent consequences.
Endless fighting, and we have all witnessed the tragic consequences of millions of people dying! Since after the tragic fighting, countries have tolerated the status quo, then what we should do is to maintain this status quo...
…Otherwise, the consequences will only be more disastrous!”
Pushkin did not love the autocratic rule of the Tsar, but as a nationalist, he hoped to maintain the integrity of the empire, so when faced with Chopin's aggressive questioning, he could only defend himself by "maintaining the status quo".
Caught between nation and freedom, the only balance point he can find is the "legal status quo", and he hopes that things can change in the future.
The reality has also destined that these Westernized intellectuals will continue to be in mental pain. They are often clearly aware that all their liberal and enlightenment fantasies are destined to be just soap bubbles on Russian soil.
, if they want the empire to exist, the future will not be what they want anyway; however, in order to stick to their ideals, they have to keep paralyzing themselves with "the future will be better". This kind of mental
The self-torture will become the eternal cultural background of these people.
Pushkin was only a first-generation cultural person, so he could still have more illusions and comfort himself with a vague future. The later he got, the less he would be able to comfort himself and the more painful he would be.
But no matter what, at least at this moment, he can still use the legal arrangements of the Congress of Vienna to defend the empire.
For hundreds of years, all countries have been predators of the jungle and tried their best to expand. The Russian Empire's annexation of Poland is just part of this "law of the jungle" story. His sympathy for the victims does not mean that he will oppose the empire.
expansion.
However, these words of Pushkin were completely unable to convince Chopin.
As a victim, the so-called Polish nationalist who strongly dislikes the tsarist rule will definitely not accept the narrative of "complex historical warps". He does not accept the fantasy of "free tsarist subjects". He only wants a motherland without a tsarist.
Poland.
This is doomed that there can be no room for compromise between the two people.
"Mr. Pushkin, I understand what you mean. You are tantamount to admitting that big countries can ignore the opinions of small countries, and weak nations should be 'legally' embezzled and enslaved, right? You keep saying it is legal, but in fact
It's just the law of the jungle, it's just a few powerful countries using swords and guns to decide the fate of a nation... just like the Russians are doing now. No matter how many sweet words you find to cover it up, this is what you are saying..."
Chopin stared at the person in front of him with wide eyes, just like staring at an abstract Russian Empire, "Well...if one day, the empire you defended also becomes weak, then please don't defend it.
I feel sad and cry out for injustice! Because according to your words, this is legal and natural! I will spend the rest of my life waiting for this day."