Shadow of great britain

"Vendée Juans?"

When Louis heard this word, he did not show the joy that Arthur expected.

On the contrary, the young ambitious man looked very hesitant. He hesitated so much that he did not even ask Arthur why he made such a suggestion.

Although Arthur did not understand the reason for his hesitation, it did not matter. Since he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arthur's source of intelligence was not limited to his personal relationship with Louis.

As a senior intelligence officer stationed overseas by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arthur enjoyed a very high level of confidentiality.

So, he could easily obtain the intelligence about the Bonaparte family that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spies had tried their best to find out.

After Napoleon's son died of tuberculosis in Vienna, the position of the patriarch of the Bonaparte family naturally fell into the hands of Louis' uncle, the former Spanish King Joseph Bonaparte who lived in the Regent Crescent in London.

In order to take care of the interests of the Bonaparte family, Joseph invited family members to London to hold a family meeting last November.

The people who attended this family meeting usually included Napoleon's two younger brothers: Jerome Bonaparte, the former King of Westphalia, and Lucien Bonaparte, the former Grand Speaker of the French Republic, Minister of the Interior of the French Empire, and Prince of Musignano. And Napoleon's younger sister, Caroline Bonaparte, the former Queen of Naples, and others.

Louis' father, due to his poor health, appointed Louis as his agent to attend this family meeting.

But the young Louis obviously couldn't get a word in front of his uncle and aunt. What's worse, his experience of participating in the Carbonari uprising in Italy a few years ago also aroused the suspicion of the elders. They felt that this little nephew was too reckless, so they would exclude Louis from discussing many important issues.

Therefore, during this grand family meeting that was specially opened with an opening ceremony, Louis spent most of his time leading his cousin Achille Murat, who came from Italy, to tour the scenery of London.

The two young men attended many salons in London's upper class society, and even had time to go to Liverpool and visit the Golden Lion Hotel where Arthur was assassinated.

However, it was not only the Bonaparte family who came to attend this internal meeting of the Bonaparte family. The leaders of the French Republicans and the Polish and Italian Restorationists in exile in London were also invited to attend the meeting.

Of course, some spies bought by countries such as Britain, France, Russia, Prussia, and Austria were also included.

According to the intelligence reported by the spies, although the Republicans once hated Napoleon, at least at this point in time, the French Republicans and the Bonaparte family were at least on the same front, if not allies.

The opposite of the Republicans was the Royalists, who hated the Juans in the Vendée and Brittany even more than Louis Philippe.

If Louis privately connected with the Juans at this time, it would obviously conflict with the policy direction collectively set by the Bonaparte family.

Although Louis was furious about his uncle and aunts not letting him participate in family affairs, and did not approve of their passive policy of waiting for the right time to act, he even secretly sent people to Paris to contact the French Republican leader Marquis Lafayette.

However, Louis's behavior was not only discovered by the British intelligence department, but also discovered by his uncle Joseph on the spot.

In a letter from his uncle Joseph to Louis' father intercepted by the British General Post Office, the current patriarch of the Bonaparte family tactfully reprimanded the nephew and hoped that Louis' father would strictly discipline Louis to prevent this reckless boy from going astray.

——Louis' contact with Lafayette this time was without my consent. I had hoped that this little guy would have less contact with Paris and those young people who often troubled him, but he repeatedly violated my wishes. You and I both know that in the huge city of Paris, there are conspiracies everywhere, and it is not easy for him not to fall into traps at his age.

Louis was naturally not happy to be reprimanded by his uncle.

However, what made him most unhappy was the draft of the Basic Law for the future restoration of the country, which was drawn up by his uncles after consultation with the Republicans.

——The executive power of France will be handed over to an elected Directory with a term of 10 years or lifelong tenure, or to an emperor who can designate an heir, but this heir cannot be a member of the emperor's family, and no relative of the emperor can hold a high-level military command position.

As for why Arthur felt that Louis did not like this Basic Law, it was naturally because of Louis's debut work "Political Dreams" published in "The Englishman".

Mr. Louis Bonaparte expressed the idea that the executive power should be held in the hands of the emperor in that article quite straightforwardly - Napoleon's genius or the will of the National Assembly is a powerful means to defeat the tyranny of slavery with the tyranny of freedom.

Although Arthur could not see the difference between the tyranny of freedom and the tyranny of slavery except for the different adjectives, at least at this time, it was always right that Louis and his uncles did not get along well.

However, even though Louis was dissatisfied, it was unrealistic to expect him to jump out and break off relations with his uncles.

Due to the death of Napoleon's only son and the young age of the children of his other uncle, Jérôme Bonaparte, Louis had naturally occupied the first position among the younger generation of the Bonaparte family.

Louis himself knew quite well that if he lost the support of his family and the name Bonaparte, he would be nothing.

The fact that he accompanied Arthur to Paris this time was a political gamble in itself. Judging from the current situation, because Louis Philippe decided to send him to return Napoleon's coffin, the benefits of the gamble are beginning to appear.

Even though his uncles would definitely be outraged by his private meeting with Louis Philippe, as long as he could successfully complete the escort mission, the anger of his elders would not matter.

He will become a real Bonaparte, a Bonaparte recognized by all France. He will no longer need the approval of the elders of the Bonaparte family.

In order to complete this huge gamble, even after Arthur's persuasion, Louis made a lot of determination before finally deciding to take this step.

But now, Arthur has brought him another brand-new gambling project-to replace the Bourbon orthodox royal family and become the leader of the Juan party.

Compared with returning the coffin, this project is obviously not on the same level of difficulty as the level of incurring the wrath of the family.

If welcoming back the coffin can be covered up by the lame excuse of "bringing Napoleon back to his homeland," then accepting the Juanists would mean openly going against the overall line of the Bonaparte family and the republicans.

In this way, although Louis will become a Bonaparte, there is a high probability that he will only be a Bonaparte.

Such a plan reminded him of the famous saying of the Sun King Louis XIV - I am the country.

In other words, the route given to him by Arthur Hastings is - I am Bonaparte.

Arthur knew that Louis would definitely not be able to give a clear reply for a while, but he was not in a hurry, and he did not think that Louis' current strength would be able to cause any trouble in the huge France.

Although Louis Philippe's throne was unstable, his crown was not easily overturned.

Just as the Juanists complained, the eyes of all Europe are focused on Paris. In the past century, the direction of Paris has determined the direction of France as a whole.

At this time, Louis Philippe had firmly grasped the heart of Paris. Senior intellectuals were invited to the cabinet and parliament. Military leaders represented by Marshal Soult were loyal to him. Bankers and real estate developers were also loyal to him. The unbeatable iron ticket warehouse.

Although the leaders of the literary and artistic circles are slightly reticent, compared to the reactionary rule of Charles X, today's political climate has become much more relaxed, so they are still waiting and watching.

Whether European liberals admit it or not, at least judging from the Republican uprisings and Royalist uprisings that broke out in Paris and Vendée last June, as well as the earlier workers' uprising in Lyon, the actions of the July Monarchy government are still Strong and powerful.

The Republican uprising in Paris was put down within two days. The royalists led by the Duchess of Berry were defeated by the royal army in Vieillevinigne. Louis Philippe even took the time to dispatch the French Foreign Legion to complete the attack. Invasion of Algeria.

Arthur smiled and poured Louis a glass of wine: "Maybe I drank a little too much tonight. Louis, you have to know that in that situation, I saw a group of people who were so pitiful that they didn't even have shoes to wear, like mountains. It’s really hard not to feel sympathy for the peasants who are like wild people. I still remember that when I invited you to go to Paris with me, you were very hesitant.

You tell me: 'If we go to Paris and I see people being killed before my eyes, I can't help but side with the people. ’ Until tonight, I couldn’t understand the meaning of your words, but after meeting those Zhu’an Party members, I finally understood what you meant. As a leader, it is indeed necessary to take responsibility for the entire nation, whether it is workers, farmers, traders, or other poor people. "

At this point, Arthur talked about Louis' debut novel "Political Dreams": "You said that to solve this problem, we must combine the two peoples, namely Napoleon and the Republic. In order to avoid external aggression and internal In order to avoid disputes, it is necessary to organically combine the monarchy with the republic. A monarchy that combines the advantages of the republic while avoiding its shortcomings is the future of France.

Of course, in order to guarantee freedom, a comprehensive electoral system must also be implemented. All citizens of France have the right to decide who best represents them. Alexander always accuses you of saying that this is not a republican system, but in my opinion, this is indeed a republican system. If they end up with the wrong choice, they can only say that they asked for it. After all, everyone voted for it together. . "

Louis was still thinking about how to politely reject Arthur's proposal, but when he heard Arthur praise his debut novel, he couldn't help but smile and said: "That's just my immature, childish political view. ”

"Is that really what you think?" Arthur put a sugar cube into the black tea.

Louis shrugged: "At least that's what my uncles think."

Arthur leaned on the sofa and took a sip of tea slowly: "Okay, Louis, I must say frankly that what your uncles said is right."

Louis was still smiling happily, but his smile froze and he said, "Do you also think I should keep a low profile at this time? Leave everything to the elders like them?"

Arthur shook his head: "Of course not. How can the brains of old men be more flexible than those of young people? I just think that you put too much emphasis on uniting everyone in that book. You want to unite Bonapartists and Republicans , Orthodox or even Orleanist, you want each country to have institutions that suit its own national characteristics and its desires.

You feel that all peoples will be brothers, that in the face of deposed tyranny, in the comfort of the earth, all contented mankind will embrace one another. If all this is true, I think Britain should immediately appoint you as the new Minister of State for Irish Affairs, let alone all nationalities. Britain cannot even deal with the Irish.

Or, you can choose to go to Russia with me to take office and advise the Tsar on how to solve the Polish problem. Of course, the Tsar may not be so persuaded, so you can also consider talking to the Poles about joining forces with the Russians. But I'm worried that if you really put this issue in front of them, even a soft-tempered Mr. Chopin will give you a knife, let alone give you a vote. "

Louis was silent for a long time after hearing this: "Arthur, I feel that you underestimate me too much. Do you think I am a talker but actually do nothing?"

Arthur raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a smile: "Louis, I have never underestimated you. But you have to grasp the balance. If you act rashly before thinking clearly, you will only let yourself fall into a pit. Yours Your status is very special, so flies often surround you. There is no shortage of conspirators and agitators around you. Maybe I am one of them, but you have to distinguish between what is practical and what is unrealistic. , and then you can take action.”

"alright."

Louis stood up and hugged Arthur: "My good brother, I am very happy to see that your body is fine. But some things are not what you think. You are an expert in police activities, and I I am only assigned to you as a deputy. But in France, especially in politics, I have an idea in my mind. Arthur, just take a good rest. If you need anything, just send someone to talk to me. I will help you with whatever you can. You solved it."

After saying that, Louis opened the door and walked out of the room.

Arthur looked at the closed door and just shook his head slightly.

Agares leaned against the closet and tasted the red wine stolen from the banquet tonight. The red devil was so drunk that he laughed and said, "Oh, the story of the farmer and the snake. You worked so hard to point him out." But when he got out of the predicament, he kicked you into the corner. Arthur, who do you think you are? You are just a swineherd from the York countryside. What gives you the confidence to think that you are? May be ranked with the great Bonaparte."

Arthur didn't take the Red Devil's cynicism to heart.

Although he did not expect such a change in Louis, but as Louis' uncle Joseph said, it is really difficult for a young man of noble birth not to be fooled in the dangerous metropolis of Paris.

Since arriving in Paris, Arthur has discovered that there are more and more servants around Louis. Most of them are strangers and hold various titles.

Their titles and clothes were so gorgeous that Arthur couldn't remember them all clearly, but one word could characterize them - political speculators.

After becoming a real Bonaparte, some people have begun to bet on Louis Bonaparte, a young man who had not attracted much attention before.

Compared with them, the Second Secretary of the Legation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the Kingdom of Hanover is indeed a small person who does not deserve much attention.

Arthur stood by the window holding a black tea cup. The hazy moonlight shone on the dark street, illuminating Louis' luxurious carriage and the cavalry and guards following the carriage.

Arthur took a sip of hot tea and let out a long breath: "Louis, I once thought you were more worry-free than Alexander. Now it seems that I was wrong. A person's growth does need to hit a wall. "