From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

On a stage covered with rose petals, an actor whose face was painted with lead powder and dressed in exaggerated and elegant costumes faced the packed theater audience and recited passionately:

"Juliet, this is our new house. Your beauty turns a cave into a palace full of light. Oh, my love! My wife! Although death has taken away your life, it has not yet taken away your Beauty, you are my most beautiful bride."

The audience in the audience all stared at Romeo on the stage attentively, as if they had broken the fourth wall and entered the world of the play. Some sentimental ladies could not help but take out their handkerchiefs and start wiping the tears from the corners of their eyes.

This is the Paris Comedy, the earliest national theater in France. It was funded and built by the Sun King Louis XIV in 1680. It is definitely the theater with the highest artistic level in Paris.

Those who can sit in such a theater are all members of Paris's upper class. After all, the average ticket price of fifty livres can already keep ordinary people away.

Even though it's hard to get a ticket here most of the time, businessmen who still have some money are still willing to spend five times the price to buy tickets for a play in an attempt to get in touch with a certain big shot at the show. .

Of course, the gap between people is unimaginable. For some powerful people, a few days before each play starts, someone from the theater will respectfully deliver a stack of tickets to their house. Although They may never go to the theater.

The Duke of Richelieu undoubtedly belongs to this category, and is at the top of this category. He had a private box on the upper floor of the theater, with a commanding view of the entire stage.

"Oh young love, so tragic and beautiful. It's a shame Du Barry didn't see this."

The seventy-four-year-old Duke of Richelieu calmly held up the gold theater mirror and watched the performance of "Romeo and Juliet" on the stage with all his attention. He couldn't help but sigh with regret.

For the Duke of Richelieu, who once had a romantic life, this poignant love story naturally brought back many memories for him, even though it was the work of a British guy.

Taking advantage of the gap between the end of the scene on the stage, the entourage in the box dared to step forward. For fear of disturbing the Duke's interest in watching the show, he said carefully:

"Your Majesty, Mr. Du Barry has returned, but..."

"But what? Why does it take him so long to deliver a message?" Duke Richelieu asked with some dissatisfaction as he moved his sore wrists a little.

Although Jean Du Barry is a wealthy industrial owner who owns more than a dozen casinos and brothels in the hearts of Parisian citizens, in front of the Duke of Richelieu, he can only rely on his little relationship with Madame Du Barry. Only a few words can be said.

Even today it was a rare opportunity for Jean Dubarry to watch a play in the same box as Duke Richelieu, but Duke Richelieu impatiently kicked him out to give Lawrence a message.

The attendant quickly explained:

"Because the Governor of Corsica also volunteered to go back to the theater with him."

"oh?"

After hearing this, Duke Richelieu had a look of surprise on his brows. He had thought that Lawrence would choose to stay away from this political storm without hesitation after receiving the reminder, but he did not expect that Lawrence would choose a rather radical approach instead.

After all, the outside world currently generally believes that Lawrence is from the Duke of Choiseul's faction. He chose to meet with the Duke of Richelieu at this time. After the news spreads, it will undoubtedly cause a discussion in the political circle.

Seeing that Duke Richelieu was deep in thought, the attendant cautiously suggested:

"Maybe he came to seek refuge with you. Anyway, they have been waiting outside for a while. Do you want to meet them?"

"Come to me"

Duke Richelieu muttered to himself slowly, then shook his head and said:

"I don't think that's the case. Forget it, let's bring in the young Governor of Corsica."

Having said that, Duke Richelieu glanced at the only two chairs in the box and added:

"As for Mr. Du Barry, please come back. I don't think he is interested in today's performance."

In the rest area outside the theater, Jean Dubarry was sitting on a bench with Lawrence very depressed, waiting for the entourage to inform the Duke of Richelieu. He thought he could take this opportunity to get closer to the Duke of Richelieu, but he didn't expect Before they could chat for a few words, they were told something else and were kicked out.

"Your Excellency Bonaparte, don't blame me for not reminding you."

Jean Du Barry looked at Lawrence aside and said unhappily:

"The Duke of Richelieu is not available to everyone. Although you are the Governor of Corsica, in fact you are just... Do you understand what I mean?"

Lawrence smiled nonchalantly and stuffed a piece of smoked salmon sandwich brought by the waiter into his mouth. He had a clear understanding of his actual status.

If it were normal times, Duke Richelieu would definitely look down on himself as the Governor of Corsica. After all, in the eyes of people like Duke Richelieu, Governor Lawrence was actually no different from a great chief in Africa.

But at this moment, Louis XV had just learned that Corsica had surrendered not long ago, and was feeling quite happy and satisfied. Lawrence's status had also been magnified.

After all, if Duke Richelieu and his faction want to completely defeat Duke Choiseul politically, they still have to let Louis XV deal the final blow to Duke Choiseul, and this is exactly what they did in history. .

In the incident of Corsica's surrender, Duke Choiseul also played an indelible role. In the view of Duke Richelieu, Louis XV was very likely to restore the Duke of Choiseul because of the Corsica incident. trust or alleviate dissatisfaction.

In this way, Duke Richelieu will have to work harder to overthrow Duke Choiseul. Even Duke Richelieu, who is over seventy years old, may not be able to see Shuiseul when he closes his eyes. Downfall of the Duke of Vasseur.

"In other words, I am now the key to the Duke of Choiseul's favor from Louis XV. Madame Du Barry and her party naturally know this."

Lawrence silently analyzed in his heart, which was why the Duke of Richelieu showed extraordinary importance to him. After learning that he appeared in the casino, he immediately sent Jean Du Barry to deliver the message.

"Well, don't blame me if you can't see Duke Richelieu for a while."

The businessman Jean Du Barry naturally didn't know where Lawrence got his confidence, so he just thought he was talking nonsense, so he muttered dissatisfiedly.

The two waited outside for a while, and then saw Duke Richelieu's entourage tiptoeing out of the theater.

The attendant first bowed slightly to Jean Du Barry and said tactfully:

"Mr. Du Barry, Your Majesty the Duke said that you are also very tired from managing the property, so you don't need to spend time with him to watch the show. You can leave first."

"What?! Lord Duke, what's wrong with him!"

Jean Du Barry said in disbelief, almost shouting out loud. He had spent a lot of effort and money to get this opportunity to be alone with the Duke of Richelieu, and he didn't expect to be kicked out like this.

The entourage ignored Jean Du Barry, who was stunned on the spot, and then bowed deeper to Lawrence and said respectfully:

"Your Excellency Bonaparte, the Duke of Richelieu wants to see you, please come with me."

Lawrence nodded, wiped the crumbs off his hands, shrugged at Mr. Du Barry, who was still in a daze next to him, then stood up, straightened his clothes a little, and followed the entourage into the theater.

When Lawrence pushed open the door and walked into the box, what appeared in front of him was an old man with white temples and gorgeous clothes. He was holding up a glittering theater mirror, looking at the stage with interest, and murmuring in a low voice from time to time. Author:

"Oh, fair Juliet, how brave you are."

Lawrence stood at the door and silently observed the old man without interrupting him. At the same time, he searched for memories of Duke Richelieu in his mind.

The old man in front of him was known in history as Duke Richelieu III. He was an outstanding diplomat and soldier. He also participated in major wars such as the War of Austrian Succession, the War of Polish Succession, and the Seven Years' War. Relying on his merits and family power, he was promoted to Marshal of France in 1748.

Of course, a large part of his status comes from his great-uncle, the first Duke of Richelieu, Cardinal Richelieu. As the French Prime Minister during the Louis XIII period, Cardinal Richelieu served as the prime minister of France throughout French history. Xanadu is famous.

Including during World War II, the largest battleship in French naval history, the Richelieu-class battleship, was named after him.

Therefore, under the blessing of his great-uncle, the Duke of Richelieu in front of him enjoyed a very high status in the court since he was born. The Sun King Louis XIV was his godfather, and the current King Louis XV was the closest friend to him in his early years. Good friend.

Although he was alienated by Louis XV and dismissed from his post by the High Court because of his disagreement with Louis XV's mistress, Madame de Pompadour; but after Madame Pompadour's death, he was not only reinstated by the High Court, but also reconciled with Louis XV. Louis XV's new mistress, Madame du Barry, had a rather close relationship.

With the blessing of these statuses and relationships, the old man in front of Lawrence could definitely be said to be one of those people who stood at the top of the court of Versailles and even France as a whole.

As long as he overthrows the Duke of Choiseul, he will have a chance to stand out among that group of people, and may even reach the status of his great-uncle, the first Duke of Richelieu.

For such an old man whose status was not inferior to that of the Duke of Choiseul, Lawrence also showed due etiquette. He waited for a break in the performance on the stage before bowing and saying:

"Your Excellency, it is an honor to meet you, my name is Laurence Bonaparte."

Duke Richelieu slowly put the theater glass back into his pocket, turned to look at Lawrence with interest, then patted the empty seat next to him to signal Lawrence to sit down, and waved to his entourage to let them go out first.

After Lawrence sat firmly, Duke Richelieu turned his head and looked behind him again, making sure that they were the only two people in the box before speaking casually:

"I heard that you wanted to see me, Governor Bonaparte."

"Yes."

Lawrence nodded and said, lying very relaxed on the soft sofa chair, squinting at the drama that had reached the end on the stage, and continued:

"You sent someone to bring me a very confusing reminder. Of course I have to ask you for details."

"Oh? It's very confusing, isn't it?"

Duke Richelieu's eyes almost narrowed to a slit, and he looked at Lawrence with a faint smile. He did not believe that a young man from a minor noble family who could become the head of a country at the age of twenty would not understand such a hint. , so he crossed his legs and asked:

"Then what exactly don't you understand?"

"You asked me to stay away from the Duke of Choiseul, but he is the special envoy responsible for signing the treaty with me. If I do as you say, won't the treaty that I have worked hard to negotiate with him for a long time be invalidated? Find someone else. Negotiation is very troublesome.”

Lawrence pretended to be very distressed and asked a seemingly low-level question.

However, after Duke Richelieu heard this, the corners of his mouth turned up even more. As a diplomat, he had long been familiar with the tricks of hiding words in these words, and he understood what Lawrence meant when he heard it:

This young man was testing himself. If he really did what he said, then the exchange of interests between him and the Duke of Choiseul could be compensated or recognized.

After understanding this meaning, Duke Richelieu looked at Lawrence with a chuckle, as if the climax of the performance on the stage no longer attracted him, and said like a kind elder:

"You don't have to worry about that. Even if the special envoy to negotiate with you is changed, the treaty regarding the Kingdom of Corsica will not change. Of course, if there are special clauses, that will be a different matter."

After hearing this, Lawrence frowned slightly and looked at Duke Richelieu. To be honest, in Lawrence's opinion, his answer was definitely not sincere.

Because the treaty about the Kingdom of Corsica has been basically completed, and whoever negotiates it will have the same result. What really matters to Lawrence are the two things Duke Choiseul promised to him personally:

One is to help the Corsican National Silver Company be listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, and the other is to help Lawrence deal with negotiations with the British.

These two things are undoubtedly the special terms mentioned by Duke Richelieu, and judging from his meaning, it seems that he does not want to recognize and compensate for the private agreement reached by Lawrence and Duke Choiseul.

"You were also an excellent diplomat and participated in the signing of many treaties."

Although Lawrence was already a little dissatisfied, he still said calmly:

"So you should also understand that those special clauses are the most complicated part of the treaty. If these cannot be guaranteed, I think."

"You are right, Governor Bonaparte."

A cold light flashed in Duke Richelieu's eyes, and he lowered his voice and said:

"But for Corsica, the most important thing is to obtain the protection of France, right? Otherwise you would not be sitting here but staying in the dungeon of the Kingdom of Sardinia. As for those special terms, you shouldn't mind too much ”

"If this is the case, it will be much more convenient to continue completing this treaty with the Duke of Choiseul. I think King Louis will also be happy to see the treaty completed as soon as possible."

Lawrence also looked at Duke Richelieu without flinching and said, and directly moved Louis XV out.

Duke Richelieu was silent for a moment. Louis XV's name did require him to treat it with caution, but from the bottom of his heart, he still completely looked down on the little Governor of Corsica in front of him.

In the view of Duke Richelieu, as long as Louis XV has passed this period of excitement, Lawrence's status will not even be comparable to that of a powerful count.

It's just not worth paying the extra price for such a little guy.

"I must tell you, Governor Bonaparte."

Duke Richelieu's tone was already a bit rude and he said directly:

"I need you to stay away from the Duke of Choiseul for a certain purpose, but that doesn't mean I can only rely on your assistance to achieve that purpose."

Lawrence looked at Duke Richelieu silently and admitted that he was right. Duke Richelieu did not want Duke Choiseul to restore Louis XV's trust through the Corsica incident. He naturally had quite a few means, but It’s easiest to start with yourself.

After these words were spoken, the negotiation between the two completely broke down.

Lawrence originally wanted to test the attitude of Duke Richelieu. If the conditions they offered were suitable, driven by interests, Lawrence was completely willing to stand on the opposite side of Duke Choiseul.

But judging from Duke Richelieu's attitude, he obviously didn't want to give Lawrence this chance.

"Well, I'll think carefully about what you mean."

Lawrence said to the Duke of Richelieu, while glancing at the actors on the stage who were taking their curtain calls, and said casually:

"It just so happens that this drama is over, please allow me to leave."

Duke Richelieu did not stop Lawrence from leaving. It was not until he reached the door that he suddenly said:

"Young man, maybe next time I'll invite you to a full play."

Lawrence stopped at the door, turned his head and said slowly:

"Actually, I would rather be on the stage than watching the show, and I believe we are already there."

Duke Richelieu also turned to look at Lawrence, and both of them read the same meaning in each other's eyes:

Ever since the Duke of Choiseul and Laurence returned to Paris, all the actors in the drama of the Versailles court struggle have been on the stage; and soon, its curtain will be lifted by Louis XV himself.