From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

boom!

The mahogany cue hit the cue ball hard with a loud bang, but the cue ball missed its target and hit the edge of the table. Because it was hit too hard, the cue ball almost bounced off the edge of the table. Got out.

"A very powerful shot, Your Majesty the Duke, but it's a pity that the accuracy is a little off."

The nobleman who was playing billiards with the Duke of Choiseul said regretfully, and then he coated his cue with lime powder and prepared to hit the ball.

"call"

Duke Choiseul took a deep breath and shook his head hard twice, as if he wanted to get rid of all the unhappiness in his heart, but such movements only made him more irritable.

"Sorry, I'm feeling a little unwell. Who can finish this round for me?"

Duke Choiseul sighed and said, then he directly handed the cue to a noble next to him, walked away from the table, and found Lawrence who was meditating on the bench in the corner of the billiard room.

The banquet in the Hall of Mirrors has ended for half an hour.

Both Lawrence and the Duke of Choiseul had to admit that they were manipulated by Justice Maupe, or in other words, by Justice Maupe and King Louis.

It was precisely for this reason that the Duke of Choiseul was extremely irritable, and even his beloved billiards could not calm him down.

As a headstrong minister, it was difficult for the Duke of Choiseul to accept this feeling of being manipulated by others.

Lawrence didn't have any special emotions about this. Political struggles were inherently mutually offensive and defensive just like real sword duels. If Duke Richelieu and his faction could only passively accept the pressure of Duke Choiseul, they would not become Choiseul. The worry of the Duke of Seer.

"Oh, I envy you for being so calm, Governor Bonaparte."

Duke Choiseul sighed and shook his head, sat directly next to Lawrence, crossed his legs and said:

"Damn Mopu, he actually did something like this. The most important thing is that the king also supports him, otherwise his little trick will not be enough."

"This Justice Mopu is indeed quite shrewd."

Lawrence recalled the banquet just now and analyzed it in detail:

"The two choices he presented to you are both pleasing to the king, and will naturally be supported by King Louis."

"Hmm? Two options? What good would it do the king to leave negotiations to Chancellor Maupe?"

Duke Choiseul was stunned for a moment. Perhaps because he was in a irritable mood, he did not realize the interests involved.

Lawrence then patiently explained:

"I'm afraid King Louis doesn't want me to get too close to you. He would rather I simply move closer to His Royal Highness and not be affected by your struggle with the Duke of Richelieu."

"That makes some sense."

Duke Choiseul frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded and admitted that Lawrence was right.

Since Louis XV has appointed Lawrence as the first attendant to the crown prince, he certainly hopes that Lawrence can serve the royal family wholeheartedly instead of getting involved in the party dispute between the two factions.

In this way, leaving the task of signing the treaty to Justice Maupe, a solid defender of royal power, would be very popular with King Louis.

"However, I think Governor Bonaparte's position is still very firm, right?" Duke Choiseul turned to look at Lawrence and asked.

Lawrence also nodded solemnly twice, indicating that he would still stand with Duke Choiseul.

Although Lawrence would gain further trust from King Louis if he took the initiative to escape from this storm of struggle, Lawrence still needs to use the authority of the Duke of Choiseul to benefit himself and Corsica.

Although improving relations with the royal family is an investment that is sure to make a profit, in that case, I am afraid that Lawrence will have to wait until Louis XVI succeeds to the throne to get real returns. Lawrence obviously cannot wait that long.

After receiving a positive reply from Lawrence, Duke Choiseul also nodded with satisfaction, sighed and said:

"The role of Justice Maupp is actually very similar to yours. Although he supports the Duke of Richelieu, he is also closely related to the royal family."

Lawrence then analyzed:

"So it seems that Justice Maupe is not completely siding with the Duke of Richelieu, right? He is really on the side of the royal family."

If Chancellor Maupe was merely an auxiliary or subordinate of Duke Richelieu, then Louis XV would not have been able to safely agree to transfer the treaty to him for completion.

Because this will only change Lawrence's preference for the Duke of Choiseul to the Duke of Richelieu.

Judging from today's results, Justice Maupp probably only maintained a loose cooperative relationship with Duke Richelieu, and he did not get too close to Duke Richelieu.

Duke Choiseul nodded and said:

"Although I don't know their specific situation, it is true from a theoretical point of view. The combined status and power of Justice Maupe is actually not inferior to that of the Duke of Richelieu. He will definitely not be willing to serve as a gun for Richelieu. What's more, there is a conflict of interest between them. Both of them covet my position. They should just cooperate to deal with me. "

"If that's the case, it might actually be an opportunity for us."

Lawrence tapped his head twice and said slowly.

After hearing this, Duke Choiseul's slightly decadent and irritable eyes immediately glowed with a glimmer of light. After looking up and thinking for a moment, he whispered:

"Yes, it is indeed a good opportunity. We will discuss this after we return to Paris. After all, there are so many people here."

After determining the united front between the two and the general direction of progress, Duke Choiseul finally recovered from the defeat in the previous confrontation.

Seeing this, Lawrence asked casually:

"By the way, when are you planning to leave for Dijon?"

Now the Duke of Choiseul is Lawrence's biggest and most direct political backer. If he leaves Paris, Lawrence is very self-aware and knows that with his political power as a new arrival, it will be difficult to resist the Duke of Richelieu. targeted.

Duke Choiseul saw Lawrence's worry, patted him on the shoulder and said:

"Don't worry, I have hundreds of reasons to delay this kind of thing for a year and a half. Even if I go, I won't stay there for long; I will deal with this matter after you return to Corsica." thing."

"I should probably stay in Paris for a while," Lawrence continued.

"Oh? Is there anything else that needs to be dealt with?" Duke Choiseul asked smoothly.

"Except for the negotiation of the treaty, it is basically the listing and operation of the Corsican National Silver Company on the Paris Stock Exchange."

Lawrence nodded, seeming to mention this matter intentionally or unintentionally.

Duke Choiseul also immediately understood what Lawrence meant. Assisting the National Silver Company to be listed on the Paris Stock Exchange was part of the contract between the two of them, so he said with a smile:

"Don't worry, I have invited people from the bank and stock exchange to have lunch. You can just pick a suitable time."

"It seems that your face is really good."

Lawrence smiled and shook his head, and after calculating the time silently, he said:

"My thought is the sooner the better."

"The sooner the better? Well, let's rest in Versailles for a day tomorrow and return to Paris tomorrow night."

Duke Choiseul shrugged and said, stood up and straightened his clothes, then said goodbye to the other people in the billiard room in a vigorous manner, and left the Palace of Versailles with Lawrence.

Early morning on June 8, 1770.

Yesterday evening, Lawrence returned to Paris with the Duke of Choiseul and his men.

Duke Choiseul left after sending Lawrence and his party to the mansion on the Champs Elysées, and said that he would send someone to invite Lawrence before today's lunch.

It was still only nine o'clock in the morning, and Lawrence and his men were enjoying their sumptuous breakfast in the dining room of the mansion.

Although Grosso and Yaan had been in Paris for a while, the fragrant cream stew on the table still made the two people who had been living on a meager diet for decades couldn't help but gobble it up.

During this time, Anna was studying French and aristocratic etiquette assiduously. Even during breakfast time, she had a private teacher accompany her to point out any problems in her dining etiquette at any time. It can be seen that this girl from a humble background is also working hard. Try your best to play for Lawrence.

Lawrence, on the other hand, didn't have much appetite. Anyway, there was a more sumptuous meal waiting for him at noon, so at the moment he was just drinking coffee while casually reading today's newspaper delivered by the old butler.

"I have to say that those newspapers are really well-informed."

After reading the morning newspaper roughly, Lawrence shook his head and sighed:

"I accepted the king's appointment just the day before yesterday, and the matter was reported today."

"Hehehe, isn't this a good thing?"

Grosso smiled from the bottom of his heart. He also knew that a rising tide lifts all boats. The more Lawrence's authority increases, the more rewards he will receive.

Having said that, Grosso couldn't help but look at Lawrence a few more times. Who would have thought that this rising star in Paris was just a down-and-out nobleman who had defected to his relatives when he first met him two years ago.

Anna also stared at Lawrence shyly and respectfully for a long time, not even noticing the slight redness on her cheeks.

Her private tutor, a prim middle-aged woman, stood behind her with a cold face and said seriously:

"Miss Celestia, please don't keep staring at others at the dinner table. It's not polite."

"Ah, I'm sorry, I'll pay attention." Anna quickly looked away, but her face turned even redder.

Just as everyone's breakfast was coming to an end, the old housekeeper of the mansion suddenly came to report:

"Your Excellency Bonaparte, two guests have come to visit. They claim to be academicians of the Royal Academy of Sciences. One is Mr. Lavoisier and the other is Mr. Getard."

"Lavoisier and Getart? It's a coincidence that they came. It saves me a trip later."

Lawrence stood up somewhat unexpectedly. It seemed that these two people were well informed and knew that he had returned to Paris last night, so he ordered:

"Invite them to the living room, I'll be there right away."

After a while, Lawrence once again saw Lavoisier and Getart, two famous scholars, in the drawing room.

Both wore gray and black dresses and wigs, obviously specially dressed for this visit.

Mr. Getta also held a brown paper bag tightly under his arm. The content inside should be the report about the Ajaccio silver mine that Lawrence wanted.

As soon as Lawrence entered the living room, the two of them stood up quickly and greeted respectfully in unison:

"Good morning, Monsignor Bonaparte."

"Good morning, gentlemen." Lawrence greeted them with a smile, then asked them to sit down quickly, and signaled the servants of the mansion to bring refreshments and hot tea.

As a mentor, Mr. Getta spoke first and said apologetically:

"I'm sorry to disturb you so early, Monsignor Bonaparte. Or should I call you Monsignor the Tax Collector now?"

"You are quite well informed, but that's not necessary. Just call me the same as before."

Lawrence smiled and shook his head. He also saw that Mr. Getta's attitude was much more respectful than last time after learning about Lawrence's new identity.

Although Lavoisier was not as snobbish as Getta, he looked at Lawrence with a bit more solemnity and said proactively:

"By the way, Your Excellency Bonaparte, regarding your joining the Royal Academy of Sciences, I have submitted an application for you, but the final committee vote is not something that I and Tutor Geta can influence."

"It doesn't matter, thank you very much for your contribution, Mr. Lavoisier. Accordingly, your request for the expansion of the tax concession area will be responded to soon."

Lawrence said with a very satisfied smile.

Lavoisier nodded with relief after hearing this. He knew that Lawrence could now help him achieve his request to expand the tax farming area without relying on the Duke of Choiseul.

After all, the Wang family's tax inspectors have the power to supervise tax officials in name. As long as Lawrence takes the time to go to the Paris Tax Agency to say hello, the tax officials will not even give him this face.

As a result, the deal between Lawrence and Lavoisier was temporarily concluded.

Although Lawrence had a strong desire to recruit this chemical wizard, the next focus was still on Mr. Getta, the famous mineralogist.

Seeing Lawrence turn his attention to himself, Mr. Getta quickly handed the paper bag to Lawrence and said with a bright smile:

"Hahaha, Your Excellency Bonaparte, fortunately, I have compiled the report on the Ajaccio silver mine that you requested."

Lawrence nodded lightly twice, took the paper bag and took out the report inside and flipped through it casually.

Although Lawrence only gave him ten days, Mr. Getta obviously put a lot of thought into this report. The paper alone was made of fine hard parchment, and the words on it were specially typeset. Printed.

Although Lawrence didn't know much about mineralogy, and he didn't know much about the various proper terms and calculations in the report, he believed that Mr. Getta had embellished the data of the silver mine several times in accordance with his own requirements. times.

So Lawrence turned the report directly to the end, where the page printed with the scholar's signature was printed. For non-professionals, the assessment of whether a report is authoritative depends entirely on whether its author is a well-known scholar.

I saw that there was not only the signature of Academician Getta, but nearly ten signatures attached to it. Although Lawrence did not recognize these names, judging from their signatures, there was no doubt that they were all academicians of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

"This is truly a surprising report."

Lawrence smiled slightly, carefully put the report back into the paper bag, looked at Mr. Getta and said:

"No one will question its authenticity, right?"

Mr. Getta shook his head confidently and said:

"As you can see, I asked some friends to sign this report. They are all top scholars in the field of geology, at least in France. If anyone questions this report, then he is equivalent to questioning half of them. A geological academic community, such consequences... haha."

"I trust the results of your work, Mr. Getta, and I am pleased with the report."

Lawrence looked at Mr. Getta and Lavoisier with a smile, and said slowly:

"By the way, you two, do you want to have lunch together later? There are a few special gentlemen who will also be attending."

"Oh? Mr. Special? Which ones are you talking about?"

Mr. Getta asked excitedly. Since he was having lunch with Lawrence, he would undoubtedly be in contact with powerful people. This was a great thing for a snob like Mr. Getta.

"let me see"

Lawrence rubbed his temples and said slowly:

"There is the Duke of Choiseul, the president of the Bank of Commerce of France, and the chief executive of the Paris Stock Exchange. I don't know the rest."

Before Lawrence could finish speaking, Mr. Getta nodded repeatedly and said incoherently with excitement:

"What?! Oh my God, I'm going to pass out. I mean I'm in for it, I'm totally into this lunch."

"Thank you for your invitation. I am also happy to participate." Although Lavoisier was not so interested in wealth and power, he was naturally unwilling to let go of such a rare opportunity.

"Very well, you two, please wait here for a while."

Lawrence raised the corner of his mouth, picked up Mr. Getta's report and read it again, and said slowly:

"We are going to send a big gift to the Paris financial community soon."