Ambassador von Genz, with a very humble and kind attitude, faced this "Mr. Count" who he knew clearly was not a hereditary noble.
He knew that since he could be sent by Duke Lechstadt to carry out such an important task, then this guy must be the Duke's confidant, which means that he might continue to deal with him in the future, so it is necessary to form a good relationship.
Lift.
Edmond Dantès was still very calm, without showing any signs of being flattered or panicked, but he also gave the other party enough respect.
"Mr. Ambassador, I think your subordinate Mr. von Mayrhofen has already told you my purpose of coming. There is no need for me to repeat it again." He looked at the other party calmly, and then calmly continued, "I
I’d like to know what your personal opinion is on this?”
"I personally have no objection to His Highness's idea." The ambassador did not titillate, but gave the other party a kind answer, "I personally think that if the Ioannina region breaks away from the control of the Ottoman Empire like Greece, it will
Peace in Europe is not a bad thing..."
Hearing this positive statement, Edmond Dantès couldn't help but his eyes lit up.
"Then can you do us this favor? You know, I can't go out to negotiate with the Sultan and his courtiers..."
"No problem, of course." Before he could finish speaking, the ambassador smiled and nodded. "Since Duke Lechstadt has helped us, in return, I should help him. Don't worry.
Well, I will come forward and find a way to buy the orphan girl in our name."
Edmond Dantes was immediately overjoyed, but out of the reserve necessary for a representative of His Majesty, he only smiled lightly on the surface.
"On behalf of His Majesty, I would like to thank you for your help... He will never forget your favor this time in the future."
The ambassador just smiled calmly.
After so many years in the diplomatic community, he has seen too many ungrateful things, and he has done many of them himself. What is the price of so-called "favor"?
Now the two parties just have overlapping interests, so they are temporarily cooperating and helping each other out is the right thing to do. As for whether His Highness will be "grateful", he knows it well.
That young man was a child taught by Prime Minister Metternich...
But no matter what, it’s not a bad idea to fulfill the young man’s wish this time.
"Considering that this is a temporary request we submitted, His Majesty does not want to cause you or the Austrian government to spend additional money. He will bear the amount himself." Edmond Dantès continued, "I will bring this with you this time.
We have requested a sum of funds, and we will pay you back as soon as you have negotiated the deal."
"Pay immediately...?" the ambassador muttered, and then subconsciously glanced at the Count of Monte Cristo.
He didn't look like he had a lot of money with him.
Edmond Dantès seemed to sense the other party's doubts, so he laughed calmly.
"I'm honest with you"
After saying this, he immediately took out a small box from his pocket and opened it in front of the ambassador.
In an instant, the ambassador discovered that there was a large piece of jade in the box. Its color was so good and its size was almost unprecedented in his life.
Seeing the flashing luster in the box, the ambassador immediately understood.
"Yes, it seems that everything is enough. I think the Sultan will be satisfied."
[Don’t worry about why the traded item is emerald. In the original book, Haidee was bought by the Count of Monte Cristo for emerald from the Sudan...]
Seeing that the embassy did not have to bear the expenses, the ambassador felt a lot more relaxed.
But after a moment, he immediately became suspicious of such an expensive jewelry. Where did the young man get it?
There is no doubt that this kind of jewelry is too valuable and can only be collected by the most famous and powerful families. Duke Leichstadt just ran away from Vienna a year ago. Where can he get it?
Maybe he got it from his uncles and uncles in the Bonaparte family, but this is unlikely. He knew Napoleon's brothers too well, and they would not be willing to spend money on their nephew; so it is more likely that it was Archduke Karl and
Princess Teresa gave it to him as a dowry.
…So in the final analysis, it’s the Austrians who pay for it?!
Thinking of this, the ambassador couldn't help but feel secretly angry, and angrily criticized Archduke Karl and Princess Theresa for having no sense of family and country.
Of course, Edmond Dantès didn't know these thoughts that the ambassador had in his mind for a moment. He took out another diamond from the box and handed it to the ambassador.
"Mr. Ambassador, this is the service fee given to you by His Majesty. Please accept it."
The ambassador was stunned for a moment and looked at the other party suspiciously.
"Please don't worry, this is by no means a bribe, and His Majesty will never force you to do anything that is detrimental to the interests of the Austrian Empire." Edmond Dantes met the other party's eyes and explained calmly, "Your Majesty has never
He doesn't want others to work for him for no reason. He hopes that everyone's efforts will be worthwhile... so he ordered me to bring his reward to you. I implore you to accept it, otherwise it will mean that I have
It's an insult to my mission."
Under the sincere gaze of Edmond Dantès, the suspicion in the ambassador's eyes slowly disappeared, replaced by a smile that said, "This kid is quite good."
"Since His Highness is so sincere, I will be disrespectful." So he accepted the valuable diamond and put it in his pocket.
In this era, it is common for senior diplomats to accept gifts (bribes) from other countries, and it is even one of their main ways to generate income. There is nothing surprising. Moreover, the envoy has made it clear that he is not required to betray national interests, so he is even more
There is no psychological burden anymore.
After accepting the gift, the ambassador looked more and more pleased with Edmond Dantès.
Even if he is just a gangster, he is still a cute gangster.
"Mr. Earl, it's getting late. Let's go have lunch together. I believe I will complete your mission for you soon."
"It is my pleasure," Edmond Dantès replied gently.
This was the Count of Monte Cristo's first appearance on the European stage. Edmond Dantès found that it was not as difficult as he thought. He only needed to show the indifference and calmness honed on the killing fields.
, you can handle it.
He neither groveled nor acted arrogant, he just carried out his tasks calmly, and that was enough.
Of course, this is just his first time, and he knows that he still has a lot to learn in the future, but he believes that as long as he works hard, he can also perform on this stage.
At the invitation of the ambassador, the Count of Monte Cristo had a sumptuous lunch with him, and they had a pleasant conversation. However, they both deliberately avoided the issue of cooperation between the two parties, and instead talked about Edmond Dantès.
experience in this war.
Edmond Dantès deliberately downplayed his merits, but after hearing about the heroic deeds of the Count of Monte Cristo, the ambassador was still dumbfounded and praised the count's bravery.
At this time, he no longer cared whether the opponent's title of earl was true or false, because a hero deserved such a title.
In this way, the name Count of Monte Cristo entered the eyes of Europe's upper class for the first time.
In the next few days, the ambassador began to work hard to fulfill the young man's wish.
However, his busyness was not obvious. He just kept in touch with the Sultan and the Grand Vizier, and encouraged them and gave them ideas from time to time.
The Sudanese monarchs and ministers, who were already distressed by the Russian Empire's advance, were also extremely eager to get help from the great powers at this time, so they naturally treated this "nice gentleman" who seemed to be pro-Turkish with great courtesy.
And in the midst of the exchanges, the ambassador inadvertently revealed to the grand vizier that a wealthy businessman friend of his had an ulterior interest in purchasing a young slave girl from the sultan's harem.
"The friend you are talking about is not you, right...?" No one asked this question. After all, no one cared about the real answer, only the pros and cons.
The Sultan and his ministers, who were eager to make good friends with Austria, quickly agreed to the ambassador's conditions.
However, when the ambassador revealed that he wanted to buy the granddaughter of the former Ioannina Pasha, Sultan Mahmud II suddenly hesitated.
At this time, the ambassador calmly revealed the "price tag of a wealthy businessman."
After seeing such a large piece of jade being presented to him, the Sultan's hesitation disappeared.
Even in this moment when the empire is in danger, the love for jewelry is still human instinct.
And in the final analysis, she is just the granddaughter of a sinner, and she is still young and has not been favored by him. He has not even met her a few times, so he doesn't care.
So, after several days of negotiations, the ambassador completed the deal, and the young girl was dressed up and sent to the Austrian Embassy.
In the past few days, Edmond Dantès was also anxiously waiting for the news.
Although he was anxious, he still remained calm and did not let anyone in the embassy look down upon him.
To him, as long as there is no bad news from the ambassador, it is good news.
The long wait finally came to an end. Just after lunch one day, the diplomat von Mayrhofen he knew came over to inform him that his wish had been fulfilled.
The moment of excitement made Edmond Dantès almost forget his words, but he quickly calmed down.
Then, under the leadership of von Mayrhofen, he came to a room in the embassy.
And here, there is already a little girl sitting on the seat.
As soon as she saw someone coming in, the little girl immediately raised her head and looked towards the door, like a frightened rabbit, and Edmond Dantès also took advantage of this to see her clearly.
Just as His Majesty said, this is a girl of about ten years old, who looks quite thin, has brown hair, black eyes, wears a simple linen top, and has wide cuffs with slits, revealing two delicate white skin
arm.
Although this little girl doesn't really stand out at the moment, it can still be seen that she is a beauty.
And the way she looked at him timidly made people feel pity.
Edmond Dantès knew what this child had gone through. When she was four years old, her grandfather, father, and uncle were all killed, and their heads were sent to the Sultan. She herself was also taken to the Sultan with her mother.
He worked as a slave here, and his mother died soon after, leaving her living as a sinner in the Topkapi Palace.
In fact, Edmond Dantès was a little confused as to why she could survive such a harsh living environment.
But no matter what, she is still alive, and she is enough to become the props His Majesty needs.
Yes... this little girl was bought by him with His Majesty's money and is His Majesty's property.
With a little pity, he walked up to the little girl and subconsciously touched her cheek.
"Poor child," he said in Greek, "can you understand what I say?"
The little girl raised her head and looked at him with doubts and panic in her eyes, but she didn't dare to resist and could only nodded lightly.
"Little girl, it is this Mr. Count of Monte Cristo." Von Mayrhofen deliberately made a joke and pointed at Edmond Dantès and said to Haidee in Greek, "he bought you with money.
"
Perhaps feeling the warmth in Edmund's expression and eyes, the little girl recovered from her initial fright.
She stood up, and then saluted Edmond Dantès ingratiatingly.
"Your Majesty the Earl..."
"Yes, I spent the money to buy you, but there was someone else who really bought you." Edmond Dantès laughed, trying to sound gentle, "Miss Haidee, I know
What are you afraid of, but I promise you, from now on you are out of the sea of suffering, and you will live a safe and comfortable life...I promise you."
Edmond Dantès did not think he was lying. He promised "safety and comfort", but did not promise "freedom". After all, from now on, she will be His Majesty's tool to indirectly rule Ioannina. However, for
For a child like Haidee who has become accustomed to being a slave, she may not even know what freedom is.
At least she will no longer face the fear of hunger and death, and can grow up normally and receive formal education. In comparison, isn't this happiness?
Haidee was a little at a loss. She looked at Edmond Dantès in confusion, not understanding what was going on.
It seems that this kind man is not his own master.
"Then... who is my master?"
"Your master is a great man of our time." Edmond Dantès replied without hesitation, "I have been ordered to take you to see him."
Haidee opened her eyes wide and didn't know how to answer at all.
"At your current age, maybe you still don't understand what happened, but that doesn't matter." Edmond Dantès stroked her hair with compassion again, "From now on, you will have your own dreams.
You have won everything, even more than you originally deserved, and the price of all this is just to obey your master's orders... This is very simple for you, because he is a very kind man."