From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

Chapter 148 Jean Du Barry’s reminder

"Ace of Spades, Ace of Spades! I guessed it right."

In the Du Barry Casino, Grosso shouted without restraint at the card table. His shouting could almost cover up the conversations of all other guests, causing embarrassment for the three gamblers at the same table with him.

Lawrence himself was not very interested in gambling, and the casino Lund brought them to was actually more social in nature. The only way to play was cards. Lawrence also knew nothing about the card games of this era, so he Didn't get involved either.

He and Lund ordered two cups of coffee at the cafe on the other side of the casino and then sat down to chat. Lawrence also wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about Duke Choiseul and Paris from Lund. things.

"Mr. Lund, you have served the Duke of Choiseul for a long time."

Lawrence glanced helplessly at Grosso who was yelling, took a sip of coffee, and asked Lund casually.

A trace of shame appeared on Lund's face, he shook his head and said:

"Actually not really. Although I worked under the Duke before, I only became his attendant for three years. And the Duke would not bring me to attend many important occasions."

Lawrence frowned slightly. It seemed that Mr. Lund didn't know the Duke of Choiseul too well, so he comforted him casually:

"I believe that your talents will one day be appreciated by the Duke of Choiseul."

"I hope so." Lund sighed softly and said with a wry smile.

The conversation between the two was suspended for a moment, and Lawrence gave up trying to find out the information about Duke Choiseul from Lund after learning that Lund didn’t know much about Duke Choiseul.

What worries Lawrence now is the reaction of the casino manager when he was exchanging chips just now.

"His expression at that time seemed to recognize me from Lunde's identity, but how could he, a casino manager, pay attention to these things, and what did he want to do when he recognized me?"

Lawrence recalled that after Lunde announced his identity, the manager looked at his expression of realization and thought incomprehensibly.

It stands to reason that a casino manager himself should not pay too much attention to those political rumors, which means that he is probably ordered by his superiors to pay attention to these things.

However, after thinking for a while, Lawrence still had no conclusion. After all, he currently had too little information about the court in Paris and Versailles.

After thinking about it, Lawrence decided to get some information about the Du Barry Casino from Lund.

"By the way, Mr. Lund, I have to say that the casino you chose has a really good environment."

Lawrence turned around and looked at the classical-style decorations around him, and asked Lund:

"The owner of this casino is called Du Barry, right? Do you know him well?"

"Monsieur Du Barry."

Lund held his forehead and recalled, and then said apologetically:

"Sorry, I only know that his industry has expanded rapidly, especially in the past two years. There are rumors that he has found some backer, but I can't figure it out. I know nothing about him."

"Is this your first time here too?" Lawrence asked.

"Yes." Lund touched the back of his head and said:

"I don't often go to casinos, and this is the first time I've entered a casino under Du Barry's name."

After hearing this, Lawrence glanced at Lunde helplessly. It seemed that Mr. Lunde was not a particularly reliable person. Knowing that it was his first time here, he directly exposed his identity.

But what Lund said was correct. They were now Duke Choiseul's people, so no one really had ill intentions toward them. It was just that Lawrence was worried about unnecessary trouble.

After learning that Lund knew very little about the two issues he was concerned about, Lawrence had no choice but to chat with him about some gossip about Paris to pass the time.

Time passed quickly, and the hands on the clock quickly pointed to twelve noon.

Grosso, who had been playing hard at the card table all morning, finally became exhausted and stopped shouting as loudly as he did at the beginning. But judging from the red glow on his face, he probably gained a lot at the card table.

While Lawrence was chatting with Lunde, he was also listening to the conversations of the guests around him. He heard a lot of exaggerated and bizarre gossips and unrealistic palace rumors from them.

"Then it's time to leave."

Lawrence looked up at the clock on the wall and said, then stood up and prepared to ask Grosso to leave.

However, just as Lawrence stood up, a waiter who had been waiting beside him quickly came over and said sincerely:

"Your Excellency Bonaparte, are you leaving?"

Lawrence glanced at the waiter and sighed to himself that they indeed knew his identity, but they just didn't know what they were planning to do by calling him out.

"Yes, is there any problem?" Lawrence asked in a cold tone.

The waiter lowered his posture and said:

"There is a gentleman who wants to see you. He has been waiting at the door for a long time."

"Sir? Which sir?" Lawrence asked with a frown.

The waiter hesitated for a moment and then said:

"Jean Du Barry, the owner of this casino."

"Jean Du Barry?"

Lawrence couldn't help but smacked his lips. Judging from the waiter's tone, it seemed that Mr. Du Barry had gotten the news from the manager, and then made a special trip to the casino to see him.

In this case, Lawrence had to sell some face to others.

However, what makes Lawrence a little confused is that this Jean Du Barry runs a large number of industries in Paris, and is rumored to have a very solid political backing. He can compete with the small bourgeoisie who wanted to see him in the morning. Classes are different.

Even if we don't discuss the legal status, but just talk about the actual status in Paris, Jean Du Barry should be even better than himself.

Why such a person came all the way to meet Lawrence was really puzzling to Lawrence.

But Lawrence decided to meet Mr. Du Barry anyway.

Lawrence walked out of the casino under the leadership of the waiter. He saw a completely black carriage parked at the entrance of the casino. There were no patterns on the carriage. It was very simple and gave off an elegant charm.

The coachman, wearing white gloves, was standing guard by the carriage. When he saw Lawrence walking out of the casino, he immediately came up to him and said:

"Monsieur Bonaparte, M. Du Barry has been waiting for you in the car for a long time."

After that, the coachman walked to the carriage and opened the door for Lawrence politely.

There was only a thin man in the carriage. He was leaning against the carriage wall with his eyes closed and concentrating. He was covered with a pure black wool windbreaker.

After noticing the movement outside, the man opened his eyes. There was a strong shrewdness in his eyes. Anyone who saw such eyes would subconsciously think that he was an excellent businessman, and he was indeed so.

"Ah, Monsignor Bonaparte."

Jean Du Barry put his windbreaker aside with a smile, and reached out to pull Lawrence into the car.

After getting into the carriage and sitting firmly, Lawrence looked at Du Barry for a few times, and then asked without politeness:

"I heard you want to see me? Monsieur Du Barry."

"Yes, that's right."

Jean Du Barry continued to look at Lawrence with squinted eyes, as curious as observing a rare treasure, and then greeted politely:

"I really didn't expect that the Governor of Corsica would come to my casino. It really makes me feel extremely honored. How did you enjoy your time there?"

"Everything is fine."

Lawrence dealt with it casually and asked bluntly:

"You shouldn't be waiting here just to do a customer satisfaction survey, right?"

"Ha, you really know how to joke."

Jean Dubarry smiled and shook his head, moved his muscles a little and said:

"Actually, I'm here to convey a kind reminder to you."

"A friendly reminder? With all due respect, I may not accept a reminder from a stranger."

Lawrence looked at the mysterious Jean Du Barry and couldn't help frowning.

"It's normal that you don't know me, but we have known Governor Bonaparte for a long time."

Jean Dubarry said with an undiminished smile:

"Our eyes have been on you all the way to Paris."

Lawrence looked at Du Barry silently. From his wording, he could guess that he was meeting with him on behalf of a certain group.

In addition, Lawrence knew very well that Jean Du Barry said he was paying attention to his whereabouts, but their focus must be on the more important Duke of Choiseul who was traveling with him.

Thinking about it this way, Jean Dubarly's so-called kind reminder is undoubtedly related to the Duke of Choiseul.

"Your reminder must be related to the Duke of Choiseul."

Lawrence didn't want to give in and asked coldly.

"Huh? You are really... witty."

Jean Du Barry was stunned for a moment, and the smile on his face gradually faded. He stared at Lawrence seriously for a while, and then said in a deep voice:

"Monsieur Bonaparte, please stay away from the Duke of Choiseul."

As soon as the words were spoken, there was a half-minute-long silence, and the atmosphere in the carriage suddenly dropped to freezing point.

Lawrence stared closely at Jean Du Barry in front of him, without making any reaction to his words.

It was not until a while later that Lawrence raised his head, looked at Jean Du Barry, and said slowly:

"Mr. Du Barry, is this a reminder, a request, or a threat?"

Jean Du Barry kept a faint smile and said humbly:

"As I said before, this is just a friendly reminder."

Lawrence looked at Jean Du Barry up and down, and remembered what Lund said that Du Barry might have found a reliable political backer in recent years, so he tried to say:

"Then this reminder...is it your own intention or the intention of someone behind you."

Jean Dubarry couldn't help being stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Lawrence to react so quickly. In a few words, he guessed that he was also acting under orders, so he chuckled and said:

"You are really smart. That's right. How can a commoner like me be qualified to remind Governor Bonaparte? I'm just giving you a message."

However, Lawrence never took his eyes away from Jean Du Barry. After a period of silent thinking, Lawrence suddenly said:

"The person behind you must be a woman."

"What?! You!"

Jean Dubarry's pupils shrank, and the chuckle on his face suddenly disappeared. His originally relaxed posture immediately became tense, and he continued to say incoherently:

"You, how do you know?"

Lawrence looked at the panicked look of Jean Du Barry calmly, and thought to himself:

"It is indeed that woman"

Lawrence is now certain that Jean Du Barry's backer, or rather his support, is Louis XV's official mistress, Countess Du Barry, Jeanne Bequé.

Jeanne was just a beautiful flower shop worker at first, and then she was noticed by Jean Du Barry and took her as his mistress.

The Jean Du Barry in front of him also quickly noticed Jeanne's charm and believed that she had the potential to develop into the upper class society, so he ordered Jeanna to marry his brother, Count Du Barry, and arranged for Jeanne to marry him. Forged noble birth.

Jeanne, who had acquired the status of Countess Du Barry, with the help of Jean Du Barry, soon became famous in the upper class circles of Paris for her charm and attracted the attention of the Duke of Richelieu.

After Jeanne became the mistress of Duke Richelieu, she entered the court of Versailles with the help of Duke Richelieu, and finally captured the heart of Louis XV.

At this time, Jeanne had become Louis XV's most beloved mistress after Madame de Pompadour; the aristocratic circle centered on her had considerable influence in the court of Versailles.

Even in history, the Countess Du Barry and her aristocratic circle contributed to the downfall of the Duke of Choiseul.

After clarifying these relationships, Lawrence also understood that the Duke of Choiseul and the Countess of Du Barry had always been at odds with each other, and they did not reach reconciliation even after Louis XV's personal persuasion.

From this point of view, the reminder that Jean Du Barry brought to him is most likely the intention of the Duke of Richelieu. After all, Madame Du Barry herself is not interested in political struggles, and her power in the court is basically It was run by the Duke of Richelieu.

The Duke of Richelieu, like Madame Du Barry, had a great hatred for the Duke of Choiseul.

Thinking of this, Lawrence couldn't help but let out a long sigh. In the eyes of ordinary people, he was falling in love with the Duke of Choiseul, but Lawrence himself knew very well that he was involved in the center of a political struggle. .

And judging from the current situation, Duke Choiseul is undoubtedly at a disadvantage, because Louis XV is increasingly intolerable to his arbitrary behavior. If this situation is allowed to develop, Duke Choiseul will soon be in conflict with history. The previous one was demoted and overthrown in 1770.

However, for Lawrence, he now has three choices: one is to stay away from the Duke of Choiseul in order to protect himself according to what Jean Du Barry said; the other is to turn to the Duke of Choiseul's faction to help him To save the situation; the third is to join Madame Du Barry's side and push the Duke of Choiseul down.

"call"

After sorting out his memories, Lawrence rubbed his dizzy head, and then returned his attention to Jean Du Barry in front of him.

Mr. Du Barry had just recovered from the shock, his frown had not yet relaxed, and he looked at Lawrence with fear in his eyes, not knowing how he learned these secrets.

"By the way, Monsieur Du Barry."

Lawrence suddenly thought of something and spoke first:

"If I guess correctly, this sentence should have been brought to me by Duke Richelieu, right?"

"Could it be that you have a spy next to the Duke of Richelieu?" Jean Du Barry glared again and nodded in disbelief.

"And since you came to me in such a short period of time, does it mean that you just stayed with the Duke of Richelieu?" Although Lawrence was speculating, his tone seemed to be telling the truth.

"right"

Jean Du Barry nodded feebly and said, already beginning to wonder if Lawrence had a magic mirror in his hand that could peer into the world.

Lawrence chuckled and shook his head, relaxed directly on the seat, reached out and knocked on the car, and said slowly:

"I want to see the Duke Richelieu."

Thanks to the "Soda Bird" book friend for your support!