His Excellency the Count of Grandet

Looking at the few simple words on the letter, Charles showed no expression on his face, but his heart moved slightly.

The Charles who wrote the letter, his full name is Charles Maurice Terin-Périgord, or to put it simply, he can be called the Prince of Benevento.This gentleman was the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Napoleon government and the transitional government of Louis XVIII. He also served as the chairman of the Council of Ministers (equivalent to the prime minister) for several months.

His Excellency the Prince's name is almost familiar to everyone, because he succeeded in avoiding greater losses for the country at the Vienna Conference.He has a famous saying about this, that is, "A diplomat's greatest assistant is his chef"!

It remains to be seen whether the gastronomic strategy has real effect, but the irrefutable fact is that during the negotiation period, he did use up a lot of vintage wine, many of which came from Haute Brion Chateau——

The reason is very simple. It was His Excellency the Prince who bought Haut-Brien from the De Fumei family more than ten years ago.And now, it's been handed over to Michelle.

Now, you can get a rough idea of ​​what Mr. Banker's offer is worth.

Now that Château Haut-Brion has appeared in the international conference, it is undoubtedly a free advertisement, or a worldwide one.So, if you intend to develop abroad—this is basically inevitable, because the country’s high-end wine market is so small—Chateau Haut-Brion has an incomparable early advantage among other chateaux of the same level.

Think about it, when we promoted it, we said that we are selling special wine for the banquet of the United Nations world summit, isn't it immediately tall?

A simple summary of this matter is that Chateau Haut-Brion not only produces high-quality wines, but also has intangible and huge brand value.

To achieve a similar level, the former requires time to accumulate, while the latter requires rare opportunities.And money can't buy time, and it's hard to create the right opportunities.

That's why Michelle has confidence, because those two factors add up to be invaluable.People who know the goods will naturally understand, such as Shire.If it plays well, it can be said that it will be a lot of money.

Charles had to say that he was not moved.But before answering, he looked again at the date of the last byline.This year, the letter was issued on the 10th of the month (the current Republican calendar), which would be the end of June in the Gregorian calendar, a few days after his birthday.At that time, he was still working on factory affairs in Eperna, took Victor with Guillaume to monitor the progress, and went to Nancy with Victor in a few days...

By the way, Victor!

Victor arrived in Eperna on his birthday, and it should be mid-to-late June when he left Paris.Then at the end of June, Michel received an unofficial written consent from the Prince of Benevento.

This timing is really a bit delicate... In other words, it is possible that Michelle noticed him earlier than he thought before?Maybe Michelle was just doing it as a good investment, but the development of the next two or three months made him change his mind?

These thoughts flashed quickly the moment Charles got the letter, and it took only a few seconds before and after. "You hid it really well," he said with a smile, and rolled up the letter again. "We haven't heard of such a big event until now, even if it's just a gossip."

"It's just luck." Michelle watched Charles' movements with a consistent gentle smile on his face, "Actually, because of limited energy, His Excellency the Prince had long intended to transfer the winery. However, the interested seller Being Dutch, he doesn't particularly appreciate that."

Charles nodded.He had a vague recollection of a certain First Growth being accused of treason when it was sold to foreigners; such sentiments were understandably normal. "Although that's what you said, you must have offered a considerable price," he continued, "otherwise, His Excellency the Prince would not be able to choose you—he is not picky, but he is not easy to accept, is he? ?”

Michelle just smiled.

So you see my sincerity?

Charles translated this sentence from the other party's behavior. "I have to congratulate you in advance." He didn't want to show his intention too early, because it would be easy for others to take advantage of it, especially when the other party did have plans. "Because we all know that Chateau Haut-Brion can be said to have a bright future."

Michelle wasn't too surprised by Charles' reaction.Because he threw out the price, but didn't say what he wanted Shire to do.If Charles is very interested at this time, it is undoubtedly an expression of impatience; if that is the case, he will have to think again!

"Then I will accept your good words first," he said politely, without any trace of changing the subject, "but I think I need someone who knows more about business to do this. In fact, in many things, I think so."

This is what Hong Guoguo said, come on, come to my bowl!Compared to what Victor can give you, what I take out is more valuable!As long as you join me, I will give you more!

Having said that, it would be too much to pretend not to understand. "You sound like you're desperate for talent," said Charles. "Maybe I can recommend some people you might be able to use?"

Both of them could tell that this was just a scene.So Michelle quickly continued: "Or yourself?" His tone and expression were [-]% joking, but the look in his eyes was not the case.

Charles smiled wider, but still reserved. "Although that's probably what you said, you can't take a joke seriously; but anyway, I have to thank you for your appreciation."

Michelle waved her hand slightly, with a look of indifference. "I heard about your father earlier. Others say he is a good man, but I have to say that he is a careful man. After that commercial arbitration, his asset-liability ratio fell all the way to the lowest level in the Paris chamber of commerce. But at the same time, it has not affected his annual income. At such times, caution is not a defect, but a virtue."

Charles heard the meaning behind the words.

The Paris Chamber of Commerce regularly makes quarterly summaries and annual reports every year. The asset-liability ratio and income are one of the data in it, and anyone who cares can see it.Except for the wine orders (due to the many purchasing channels and fluctuating prices, only the owner knows the specific income), most of the money he spent has not been returned, and he is not as noticeable as Guillaume in the overall ranking.

Although the example given by Michelle is his father, it can almost be replaced by him.In other words, what Michel actually meant was that he knew why he didn’t agree immediately—because the Grandets were always careful and needed time to think about it; and he, Michel, could understand this mentality very well and appreciated it. , of course have patience.

The simple description is: I know you are careful, but I can wait!

Rejection at this time will inevitably seem a little ignorant. "Then I will accept such a high evaluation for my father for the time being." Charles nodded slightly, "I believe that he will be very happy when he finds out." No wonder!

This was heard in Michelle's ears, that is: Thank you for your kindness, I think I will have to discuss it with my father before I can give you an answer.

And that's exactly what Michelle intended for today.He felt that whether it was Charles' care of the one hundred hectares of vineyards or Charles's pause for a few seconds when he just read the letter, it all showed that his chip was attractive enough.All he needed in this matter was a little time, a little time for Charles to get used to it.

As if picking the right time, Mrs. Lemaire, who had said to urge the kitchen, came back. "Gentlemen, I'm sorry to keep you waiting," she said with a smile on her face. "Let's go to the dining room—everything is ready!"

What can be discussed at the dinner table is not business.Neither Charles nor Michel showed the slightest sign of what they had just been talking about.Madame Lemaire didn't ask, as if she felt nothing had happened.

But after dinner, when Charles was sent to the gate of the manor, Madame Le Maire found her chance. "Although I know it's not very kind," she said to Charles in a low voice, a little nervous, "but please don't tell Mr. Lafitte what happened today, will you?"

Charles raised his eyebrows slightly.

He thought about the matter again, realizing that Mr. van Leburg, while actually working closely with Victor, did not appear to belong to either faction on the surface.That is to say, if Michel asked Mr. Van Leburg for help, such as creating an opportunity to meet, Mr. Van Leburg could not refuse such a small effort.And it would be even more so if Michel had mentioned it directly to Mrs. Le Maire.

Seeing that Charles was silent, Madame Lemaire became even more anxious. "I didn't expect Mr. Michel to come," she said quickly, "and I really don't have time to contact Paris. I know it's not a good thing, but I can't do anything else. Whether Mr. Michel Whatever I said to you, please pretend it didn’t happen, okay? Just treat it as a small favor for me?”

Sure enough, Michelle played first... Charles thought about this, and replied: "Maybe you should tell Mr. Michelle," he blinked, "but I doubt that you will tell him the same thing." Got the same answer as I did - you don't have to worry, nothing really happened."

This is undoubtedly a promise in disguise. "Thank you so much!" Madame Lemaire bowed deeply to Charles, feeling that this matter was easier than she expected. "You generously sympathized with a weak woman's difficulties, and willing to keep her secret; you literally saved her future life! It may not be called an honorable act, but it is certainly to me. In this way, I solemnly promise that you have all my friendship!"

Charles quickly helped her up. "That's a matter of a few words. You are very kind," he said.

He agreed before, but he just felt that it was really nothing important, at best it was a change of time and place where he met Michelle.It's not a problem at all!But Mrs. Lemaire thanked her so solemnly, which made him feel that something was wrong... But he couldn't think of a definite reason, and in the end he could only think that Mrs. Lemaire might make a big deal out of a molehill, or that Victor's impression on her was too... not to be offended up?

Mrs. Lemaire is so nervous, it seems that Mr. Van Leburg's position is indeed completely biased towards Victor!

But Charles was only half right.Mrs. Le Maire is so anxious because she is fully aware of the serious consequences that this matter may bring.She had seen some things she shouldn't have seen, and the recent trend has become more and more obvious that she didn't think too much.

Victor has taken a fancy to Shire, not only at the level of investors and agents at work; moreover, it is likely to be serious-you know, Victor has never paid so much attention to one person!

So, warmly introduce the object of Victor's fancy to his deadly enemy?It's not that she thinks there are too few troubles and life is too comfortable!

Mrs. Lemaire couldn't refuse the strength hidden under Michel's smile, so she could only hope to make amends from Charles.And Charles agreed to her almost without hesitation, and she was really grateful.Thinking about it now, what a wise choice it was not to publicize what she had seen before!

At this time, Charles didn't know that his momentary kindness saved him from possible and endless troubles in the future.