Eagle's Glory

This morning, he took Chanel together, wandering in the shade of the botanical garden.

At this time, it was the beginning of July, and when midsummer came, even the morning was a little hot, but because they were in the green grassy botanical garden, they felt pretty good.

This palace was expanded and completed by the heir of the Habsburg family, Maria Theresa, in order to spend her whole life with her sweetheart, the world's first son-in-law Franz, Duke of Lorraine.Teresa, who inherited the family business after her father died, made up her mind to build a palace for herself, her husband, and future children, so she let all her rose-colored imaginations fly here.

She collected exotic flowers and plants from all over the world, decorated them in the botanical garden, and built a zoo to feed all kinds of rare birds and animals for her own enjoyment. This palace was built for 40 years, until the year of her death. Declare finished.

When people in later generations mention the word "Germany", they always easily think of images such as "iron blood" and "hardness". However, the most orthodox German monarch, Habs who has occupied the throne of the Holy Roman Empire for a long time The palace where the Fort family lived has nothing to do with these images, but is full of beauty and elegant pomp, which has something in common with France.

Perhaps it is precisely because of envy that they deliberately imitate the extravagance of the French.

"Chanel, do you know..." Eggron, who was in high spirits, suddenly spoke.

"Your Highness?" Chanel was taken aback.

"He went to Vienna twice, once in 1805 and once in 1809, and he stayed here both times." Aigron casually pointed to the grand palace behind the two of them, "If it hadn't been broken like this , Habsburg will never dedicate his own princess to him, and I will no longer exist. Come to think of it... he also passed here like this with us, right?"

"Of course." There was a hint of sarcasm and joy on Chanel's face. "After all, he's sure to want to appreciate it, too."

"It's the same, but it's different. He was the conqueror at that time, and the whole palace was the spoils under his feet, but I was trapped in it, and this is my cage." Eggron looked up at the sky, if there was Su Si, "In all fairness, the treatment I have received is not bad, but I am afraid that in the eyes of the Austrian emperor, I am a living proof of the shame of him and his empire... He hopes that that period of history and that period of scars will disappear forever , don’t be remembered anymore.”

Different from his usual indifferent appearance, Aegron's tone was full of sarcasm and bitterness at this time.

Although in this palace for many years, he has practiced the ability to hide emotions, but after all, he is still a person with normal communication needs, so after he has trusted people around him, he can speak freely. What I want to say in my heart is to vent the resentment that has been suppressed for many years.

Yes, there is no practical effect of talking, but it is a kind of psychological stress relief.After getting along for a few days, Aigron felt a lot more comfortable.

After talking and laughing for a while, Chanel took out the folded newspaper from his pocket, and unfolded it.

The newspaper is the "Vienna Zeitung", founded in 1703, is one of the oldest newspapers in the world and the official media for the Austrian government to issue official announcements.

Naturally, the official newspapers inevitably have many high-sounding, meaningless and even contradictory clichés, but they also truthfully record news that the officials think can be published, so they have become Aigron's channel to learn about outside information.

In the past, because he was young and had to be educated by a group of private teachers, his guardian, Earl Dietrich Stein, did not allow him to touch newspapers. He stopped. To pass the time, he asked the earl to subscribe to the official newspaper. After a little consideration, the earl agreed to his request—perhaps in his opinion, His Royal Highness the Duke has gradually grown up, and it is true that he cannot always communicate with the outside world. Information is isolated.

So he took Chanel out for a walk every day, and at the same time reading the newspaper by the way became his new living habit.

However, although he has won this hard-won right, there are not many things in the newspaper that can interest him.

It is only 1826, another mediocre year after the end of the Napoleonic era, the entire continent has fallen into silence, and new storms are still brewing.

Things that make people feel that the world is still changing, but happened in the Americas—at the beginning of this year, the remnants of the Spanish army stationed in Callao Port surrendered to the liberator Bolivar, and the Latin American War of Independence won the final victory.

European domination of America fell apart with the collapse of the Spanish Empire, and a new American order dominated by that big country in North America seemed to be slowly approaching people again.

It's just that no one cares about that nascent country on the edge of civilization, and Aigron has no interest in paying attention to things thousands of miles away.

Just as he put away the newspaper and was about to continue his walk, he noticed a group of people walking towards him.

He glanced around vigilantly, handed the newspaper to Chanel, and then looked at the people approaching him.

As the distance between the two sides gradually narrowed, he saw clearly the leader of the group—it was Mr. Alfred von Genz, Prime Minister Metternich's trusted assistant.

He was also looking at himself, while talking frequently with another person beside him.

Aigron doesn't know the people around him, but judging from Mr. Genz's attitude, it seems that they are definitely not small people.

So you're a diplomat?Agron thought.

But if they were diplomats, what reason would they come to find themselves?He still doesn't quite understand.

While he was thinking, Mr. Genz walked in front of him with the people around him.

"Your Highness, I heard that you are out for a walk, so we came to see you and hope not to disturb you, Your Highness." Then, Mr. Gentz ​​bowed to him with his usual politeness and indifference.

"It's okay, it's just...do you have anything to do?" Aigron asked suspiciously, "No one informed me who I'm going to meet with today."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but our guest insisted on requesting to visit you, so I had to apply temporarily, and it's too late to notify you in advance, please forgive me." Mr. Genz replied quickly.

"Forget it this time, please don't have a next time." Eggron replied coldly.

Although he was not very polite on the surface, he was not angry, because what happened now surprised him a little.

Obviously, it is absolutely unusual for a person to be able to accommodate the prime minister's close aides so much.

Just now Mr. Genz described him as a "guest", so he should not be Austrian-so is it a diplomatic envoy?

With doubts, he looked at the other party carefully.

This is a middle-aged man in his 50s or [-]s. He is tall, with a ruddy complexion, a broad forehead and deep eye sockets. Although his dark brown hair is slightly thinner, it can still be seen that he used to grow well when he was young.While the boy was looking at him, he was also looking at Aigron at the same time, his eyes were smart and sharp, and he could see that he was sophisticated and thoughtful.

"My name is Phoenix Gordon. I'm not a diplomat. I'm just a commoner, Your Highness." Before Eggron could ask, he respectfully saluted the young man, "I'm here for a trip to Vienna. I left, but on a whim, I wanted to come and visit you so that the trip would be worthwhile, so I asked Mr. Genz to accommodate... I hope you will not be angry."

"I don't believe that any passer-by can accommodate Mr. Gentz." Aigron continued to look at the other party, "If you are not a diplomatic staff, then you may be a terrible person, or a dangerous desperado."

Being choked by him like this, the two opposite people couldn't help but smile at each other.

"You're going a little too far," replied Mr. Gordon calmly, after the laugh had ended, "but perhaps not without reason."

"Well, even the outlaws are more interesting than the mediocre." Aigron spread his hands, "Then what can you do to visit me?"

"There is no other reason, just a little curiosity - what does Napoleon's son look like?" Mr. Gordon replied indifferently, "Although I have heard the descriptions of Mr. Metternich and Mr. Genz before, but I am very strong. My curiosity still drives me to see it with my own eyes.”

Aegron froze.

Not just because of the words he spoke, but also because of the language he spoke - this time he had switched to French.

There is no doubt that the aristocratic class in continental Europe can speak French these days, and veterans like Mr. Genz who have been in the diplomatic arena can speak French even more, but it is definitely meaningful to speak French in front of him.

Aigron glanced at Genz, and found that he was still expressionless and had no intention of stopping, so he became even more curious.

A little excitement and uneasiness made him a little disoriented, but he quickly recovered and looked at the other party calmly.

"Then you've seen it now," he replied, also in French. "What advice do you have?"

Mr. Gordon didn't answer right away, he just continued to look at the boy, thoughtful from time to time, and seemed to have a lot of emotion.

"I really didn't expect that there are only a few ashes left in the past 20 years." Suddenly, he let out a small sigh. "Poor France, it's all in vain!"

Aegron frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Actually, Mr. Gordon is an important assistant to His Excellency the Duke of Orleans." Mr. Genz added impatiently. "He probably remembered something from the past."

"Duke of Orleans..." Aigron stopped immediately.

"You see, everyone can't escape the label on their head." Phoenix Gordon smiled bitterly, "Your Highness, he is right, but this time I am visiting you on my own whim, not the duke Your Excellency's order... Could you please honor me for a moment? I want to chat with you again."　　

14. Settlement and Conditions

"Could you please show me some more?"

Mr. Gordon's question made Aigron a little confused.

He looked at Mr. Gentz ​​and found that the other party was also surprised.

Genz hesitated for a while, but finally nodded, acquiescing to Mr. Gordon's request.

Now that he is like this, of course Aigron has nothing to hesitate, so he also nodded in response. "Well, if you insist..."

After speaking, the two walked forward for a while in the botanical garden, and finally stopped beside a statue of Greek mythology.

"Now you can tell me, what do you want to say?" Aigron asked.

Mr. Gordon frowned slightly, looked up at the distant sky, seemed to be organizing his words, thinking about how to speak.

"I have seen your father with my own eyes, and I once firmly believed that he could save France and pull us out of the hell of blood and fire." After a while, he finally said, "Although in the end he failed to do it, and even let us Hundreds of thousands more people died in our country, but I still admire him very much."

"Thank you." Aigron didn't know what he meant, so he thanked him calmly.

"No matter how many people curse him and curse him now, it won't be long before people will miss him. He is destined to be recorded in the annals of our nation as the greatest figure." Mr. Gordon continued to say in a tone full of emotion , "If such a great person just turned into loess on a desert island thousands of miles away, what a terrible tragedy it would be. It will always be a scar of the nation, and I think we should heal this scar."

"What do you mean...?" Aigron was a little surprised.

"Mr. Genz has introduced me just now. I am a subordinate of His Excellency the Duke of Orleans." Mr. Gordon raised his head slightly, showing a little pride, "Although there may be suspicion of boasting, I think I still have a good reputation with him." You must have the right to speak...Your Highness, we have different opinions on many things than the current French government."

Duke of Orleans... Egron probably understood what was going on.

The Orleans family is actually a branch of the Bourbon royal family, whose ancestor was Philip, the younger brother of King Louis XIV.Prince Philip is a dissolute man with a penchant for masculinity, and is no threat to the king's brother, but his descendants are different.

Starting from his successor, Philip II, Duke of Orleans, the Orleans family has been stubbornly seeking the highest power in France.

In 1715, Louis XIV died, and King Louis XV, who was only 5 years old, succeeded to the throne.Philip II took the opportunity to collude with the Paris High Court to cancel the will of Louis XIV, appointed himself as regent, and monopolized the power of France.

In 1717, he appointed the Scottish banker John Law to reform the French finances by issuing banknotes. As a result, he created the famous financial bubble in French history. Louis XV came of age in February 1720, he ended his regency as prime minister, but died of illness four months later.

In 1789, the arrival of the Great Revolution finally gave the then Duke of Orleans Louis Philippe Joseph an opportunity. He dressed himself up as the most radical revolutionary. He participated in the three-level meeting as a representative of the nobility and supported the third level. , and opened its residence Palais Royal in Paris to the revolutionary masses, which once became the most active place for discussion.

In January 1793, as a representative of the National Assembly, he voted for the execution of King Louis XVI.

However, the flames of the revolution finally swallowed him. On April 1793, 4, his son, the Duke of Chartres, defected to Austria together with the French commander Dumouriez. was guillotined.

After his death, Louis-Philippe, Duke of Chartres, inherited the dukedom of Orléans, and likewise his ambitions.With the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty in 1815, he also returned to France, inherited the property that originally belonged to the Duke of Orleans, and became a wealthy family in France, and then used these properties to display his ambitions again. He wanted to overthrow the King of Bourbon, Let the long-cherished wish of several generations finally come true and ascend the French throne.

On the original historical line, in 1830 he took advantage of the July Revolution to finally drive away the Bourbon royal family, became king, created the July Dynasty, and ruled France for 7 years until he was overthrown in 1848.

And now, the Orleans family in 1826 must be working tirelessly to achieve this result... I just don't know what kind of result they will get on this wrong path in history?

"So the Duke of Orleans sent you to Vienna for a conspiracy?" Eggron looked at Phoenix Gordon with guard and doubt.

"It's not even a conspiracy. The Orleans family has always wanted to replace the Bourbon family. There is nothing to hide. Almost everyone knows it." Mr. Gordon shrugged with a smile. "Of course I won't tell you the specifics, but I can tell you responsibly that the Orleans family will definitely ascend the French throne in the future, and I have no doubts about it."

His self-confidence can easily be regarded as inflated arrogance, but because he knows the situation of the historical line, Aigron is vigilant instead.

In addition to vigilance, there is resentment and anger.

The Orléans family is so full of ambition, attacking the monarch at full speed, but they and the Bonaparte family are still lying flat, how can people bear this situation!

"So you came to show off to me?" He suppressed the resentment in his heart and asked the other party coldly.

"No, I didn't come here to show off to you. I'm not such a lowly person. Please don't get me wrong, Your Highness." Mr. Gordon shook his head. "On the contrary, I specifically want to propose a settlement with you."

"Reconciliation?" Aegron asked back. "What settlement?"

"The reconciliation between Orleans and Bonaparte, furthermore, is the great reconciliation of the French nation. It's time for us to consider ending that period of scars and nightmares together." Mr. Gordon's tone became a little trembling, obviously a little excited, " I respect His Majesty Napoleon very much, so I am more and more reluctant to see your current situation, so before going back, I thought about it carefully and came up with a way that has the best of both worlds, which can allow France to heal its wounds, and also allow you to find the best of both worlds. Respond to the bright future..."

"It sounds interesting, what exactly is it?" Aigron asked back.

"It's very simple. In the near future, after the Orleans family came to France, you signed a statement, renounced all claims to the French monarchy, and promised not to engage in any actions to subvert the legal regime of France; as a natural compensation , you can get asylum from the French government, and we will write to the Austrians to improve your situation—perhaps even get them to release you and set you free."

Mr. Gordon suppressed the excitement in his heart, and proposed to the young man with enthusiasm, "In addition, the French government will compensate you in terms of money. When your father signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1814 and abdicated, the Bourbon family promised An annuity of 200 million francs, although it was canceled in 1815 because of his restoration, but the Orleans family can restore this annuity in order to compensate you, and can also re-register some confiscated properties and securities in your name... I estimated in my mind on the way to Schönbrunn Palace, if all goes well, the new French government can probably give you an annuity of 600 million francs..."

After finishing speaking, he bowed deeply towards the young man, "I admit that this proposal is quite abrupt, but I implore you to consider this proposal carefully for the sake of national reconciliation in France. Get out of the current situation... Please think about it carefully."

Mr. Gordon's expression and eyes are full of sincerity, obviously this proposal comes from his heart.

This is not fantasy, but there are tangible signs to follow.

Historically, after the Orleans family came to power in 1830, because they were usurpers, they were naturally mortal enemies with the supporters of the Bourbon family, so they really hoped to win over the supporters of the Bonaparte family and advocated national reconciliation.

In 1840, through diplomatic negotiations with the United Kingdom, Louis-Philippe welcomed Napoleon's remains from the island of St. Helena, where he was exiled.

It seems that this Mr. Gordon is the counselor of the Duke of Orleans and the main promoter of the reconciliation party.

After he came to Vienna, he had a whim and came up with this idea. If he could succeed, on the one hand, he would be famous in history for promoting the so-called national reconciliation; With the support of the family, and making great contributions to the Duke's great cause, it is no problem to receive the Duke's praise.

However, the so-called reconciliation... Who is the main reconciliation?

There was no fluctuation in Aigron's heart, he just looked at the middle-aged man quietly.

"Your Highness?" Surprised by Aigron's reaction, the middle-aged man raised his waist again and looked at the boy suspiciously. "You... what's your opinion?"

"Can you answer a few questions for me, sir?" the boy asked coldly.

"Excuse me." Mr. Gordon nodded.

"If I say yes and I am free later, will I be able to return to France?" Aigron asked.

"This...I'm afraid this won't work." Mr. Gordon thought for a while, then shook his head in embarrassment. "The Orleans family must have their concerns. You can go anywhere except France."

"That is to say, even if I have freedom, I will not have the freedom to come to France?" Aigron laughed mockingly.

"There has never been any freedom in the world that is not subject to any restrictions." Phoenix-Gordon shook his head, "Besides, you see, there is still an income of 600 million."

"Yeah, 600 million, how exciting." Aigron smiled.

This is the era of gold standard currency. The gold content of 1 franc is 0.29 grams, so 600 million francs is 1.7 tons.

As long as you do it yourself and sign a document, the Orleans family, who will usurp the throne in the future, will be able to repay yourself and the equivalent of 1.7 tons of gold every year.

It is indeed a huge amount of wealth. No matter in any era, this income can allow a person to live a rich and luxurious life.

But if you compare it with a country, especially a country as rich and rich as France, it is nothing.

I don't have any capital or prestige now, the only thing I can have is that name and halo, if I call myself a subject, if I declare that I give up the throne and covet rights, then it is tantamount to putting on shackles and surrounding myself. All halos are gone.

At that time, who else would take himself seriously, and who would be loyal to himself?

So what's the point of having the money at that time?