His Excellency the Count of Grandet

Although Charles didn't think it was a suitable choice to side with Count Artois from the beginning, he still wrote a letter to Guillaume regarding Michel's proposal.No matter how tempting this chip is, he has to do the things that have already signed the contract well, so he will not return to Paris soon, so of course he must inform Guillaume in advance so that his father can prepare for it.

Michelle seemed even less anxious.

He has a high-sounding reason for coming to Bordeaux this time, which is to inspect his own property as the new owner of Château Haute Brion.The letter that Charles saw was at the end of June, but now it is the beginning of September, and the transfer procedures are almost completed.

As a kind of reciprocity, within a few days, Michel invited all the famous wine merchants and wine brokers on the Bordeaux Square to taste wine at Haute Brion Chateau.While the good grapes are generally late ripening and their best new wines of the year are not yet ready to be appreciated, those that are aging in oak barrels are good enough for a very nice reception.

Charles was also invited.When he got the invitation, he readily agreed, on the one hand, to agree to Mrs. Le Maire's affairs (so that he could use this ready-made reason to tell Victor that he just met Michel's reception), and on the other hand On the one hand, I don’t want to let go of any opportunity to visit the first-class villages in the past.

Anyway, with so many people going, it would be a problem for him not to go!

that's the truth.

While Michel's biggest target is Shire, Shire isn't his only target.Establishing a good relationship with people like the president of the local wine association in Bordeaux and the president of the wine brokers' association will benefit his future development without harming him.There are also those foreign wine merchants who often stay in Bordeaux, and the directors of oak barrels in the neighboring areas...

Seeing Michelle's smooth handling in the crowd, Charles was amazed at this person's communication skills.

Even if she just put on a smiling face to greet people, Michelle is working hard to achieve this level!At this point, did Michelle throw Victor off N streets?

At this moment, Victor, who was writing at his desk, sneezed viciously, and a few dots were immediately stained on the letter paper in front of him.He frowned displeasedly, crumpled up the half-written letter, and drew a new one.

This posture makes it easy to guess that he is writing an important and urgent letter.But in fact, this seemingly eloquent letter has only one theme——

Charles, stay away from Michel's smiling face!

Because the writing was too fast, the corners of the letters seemed to become sharper, showing the mood of the person who wrote the letter.If he hadn't been able to get away recently, how could he have known that Michelle had also gone to Bordeaux?After a few days of ignoring him, Michelle's ability to block him is really increasing day by day!

Let's talk about Bordeaux.

The more people there are, the less likely it is to have private chat time, especially when Michelle is the host of the banquet.Coupled with the fact that Shire is also a famous figure, it is even more impossible for the two of them to talk about the previous things in full view.

So Charles thinks the reception is not bad.He tasted all kinds of wines with the team, and had to admit that the ones produced by his family were still a long way from this.He also paid attention to other people's comments, and he roughly got an impression of what kind of wine is more popular recently.

This is also a valuable experience, because usually, popular tastes change every three to four years; except for a few boutiques, most of them must keep up with the trend of the times, or even be at the forefront.Although it may be just a slight difference in the structure of the wine or the aroma of tannins, the winemaking process must adjust the details accordingly; it may seem like a fuss, but this little detail can make or break -

What is the measure of good wine?Regardless of the price, for individuals, the one you like is the best.Then, it is no longer important to grasp the changing taste of the public!

In this case, when Michelle asked Charles in a joking tone if he had a good time, Charles gave an affirmative answer from the bottom of his heart. "Excellent! This is all thanks to you!" These people were invited in Michelle's face, and he was well-groomed; this is more meaningful than some time-killing parties in Paris okay?

As shrewd as Michelle, he can naturally tell what is true and what is not, because he is good at it himself. "That would be great," he smiled, "I was worried that I would be too busy and make you feel left out! Is it just me who think too much?"

That's kind words, and the real meaning is clear—see, that's all I can do for you!Do you believe it now?

Charles really saw Michelle's wrist, and his mind became active.But not in the direction that Michele wanted him to think about, nor in the direction Victor wanted him to think about.Maybe, he can find another way on how to solve this matter?

After this reception, Michelle stayed in Bordeaux for a few more days before leaving for Paris.His time is precious, it is impossible to just take care of the winery, and of course he will leave after finishing his work.

As soon as Michelle left, Victor's letter arrived on the back.

At this time of the letter, Shire originally thought that there was something urgent, such as a bad money flow or something.But at a glance, he couldn't help but laugh——

Why does Victor's tone look like an old hen protecting its cubs?Michelle can't eat him again!

That's why Ciel's words of reply were quite flimsy.The general meaning is that he knows what he should do, Victor in Paris should worry about himself more!

Charles guessed that Victor must have had a bad expression after seeing his reply.But Victor is too busy to leave, it will be at least two months later, so it's not too early for him to worry about it!

Therefore, Charles told Mr. Miron the news he had inquired about, and the two closed the door to study the development strategy.Because Shire cannot stay in Bordeaux all year round, of course, when people are there, we must first determine the general direction, conduct on-site inspections, discuss and check each item, and the details can be adjusted later.

After the Shire had done one last thing - marking the boundaries of the regularly rotating fallow land - it was late October.Although the climate in Bordeaux is not too cold all year round, the morning fog rising from the river mouth is getting thicker and cooler.

Charles crossed the river in such a late autumn weather and headed for the Loire Valley, preparing to officially start his road of wine purchases this year.

From the whole of France, the weather in several important wine-producing regions is good this year, basically sunny.With sunshine, it means that the harvest will never be bad, and the quality of the wine will be the same.Compared with last year, it is recognized that it is even better.

As far as Shire itself is concerned, he has sufficient funds this time, even if it costs [-] barrels, and each barrel costs [-] francs, he can afford it.Of course, this is just an example, he would definitely not let himself do this - because adding the shipping cost, it would be almost equivalent to losing money, let alone making a profit!

Finally, there is the whole market.Most of the vineyard owners had a big or small stumble last year, but this year they have learned how to be good, and they will not wait until the end, and they will take action when it is time to do so.

Because of this, some of the employees from Shire's own trading company have already bought the extra wine; the vehicles and boats are all ready, and they are waiting for Shire to go to make the final decision.As for the [-] barrels of Bordeaux wine, they were already on their way to Paris, and they had already arrived at their destination.

So Charles had a clear goal all the way, and went straight to the place where there was already news.First Paiitiers, then Nantes, and then all the way east along the Loire.By the time he arrived at Saumur, the order for [-] barrels of wine had almost been completed, and the time had once again entered late November.

The thickness of annual rings and the rotation of seasons seem to be stagnant in the small town of Saumur.At least Charles felt that the impression of this city hadn’t changed at all from last year—it was still the gloomy stone houses, the noisy pier, and the almost deserted road that he had to pass before reaching his uncle’s house. Slope gravel road.

If there is any difference, it is that the vineyard owners of Saumur have probably sold their wine this year; because only local people can be seen in the market, and there are no foreign merchant ships at the ferry.

The servant who drove Charles was still Antoine.He had earned twice as much as his peers the previous year, and his master was still very gentle, and now he was completely devoted to Charles.

Such a good master, even if you break through the iron shoes, you can't find another one!

But even so, it still can't stop him from going to the same place and asking: "Master, do you still want to live in the same place this time?"How to make their young master live comfortably?

Through the car curtain, Charles could not help but smile when he heard the attendant's tone of hatred. "I guess this time it's only three days at most. What's the matter? You give me your carry-on luggage later, and the rest will be done as usual."

This means he is going to be driven to a hotel again... Antoine curled his lips in front of the car where Charles couldn't see, and waved a small whip.The carriage turned a corner and rattled up the last uphill.

It is rare for Saumur to have outsiders come a few times a year, so they are as eye-catching this time as last time.Although he did not see Charles himself, from the same traveling carriage, the same driving servants, and the same driving route, the Saumurs have been able to draw a reliable conclusion——

"Ouch, Papa Grandet's beautiful and rich nephew from Paris is here again!"

These words have different tastes in different people's mouths, ranging from envy and jealousy to cold eyes and xenophobia, etc., but Charles doesn't care about this.When he was outside the Grandet mansion, he got out of the car and knocked on the heavily rusted door knocker.

"Who is it?" The tall servant girl answered gruffly from the direction of the garden.

"It is I, Charles, Nanon." Charles raised his voice slightly so that he could be heard.

His answer was a clang of implements, as if Nanon had accidentally knocked down the flower-hoe. "Oh, my dear young master!" There was obvious surprise in her voice, "You are here! Please wait a moment..."

But before Nanon could finish speaking, another voice, more grim, interrupted her. "Pick up whatever you knock down, and go on with your work, Nanon. I will go down and open the door."

This is undoubtedly Grandet's father, his world famous good uncle.Charles froze for a moment, realizing that his uncle was rarely at home during the day.Anyway, it's impossible to expect him to come and wait for him at home, right?

Almost quite unconsciously, Charles glanced at the street-facing window of the living room.The latter was tightly closed, cutting off all prying eyes.

Heavy footsteps approached, and soon the iconic vulture-like face appeared in the oak door.Grandet looked at his nephew through a door, from the traveling cloak on Charles's body to the small suitcase in his hand, and then to the carriage that hadn't left behind Charles, the expression on his face was indescribable, and the tip of his nose trembled slightly. The sarcomas gave away a glimpse of his inner emotions.

This reaction doesn't seem very good, does it?Charles quickly recalled what he did to make his uncle look at the prisoner, and greeted him: "Hello, dear uncle. I came back from the Bordeaux area and happened to pass through Saumur, so I wanted to come Visit you once."

There was an eerie silence.Even the horses pulling the cart seemed to feel the atmosphere, scratching their legs uneasily.

Grandet didn't reply, only a pair of small eyes rolled, as if he was making the final decision on some important issue.From the slight frown on his brow, it could be seen that there must be two diametrically opposed thoughts fighting behind the forehead, and it was probably a world war.

Then he moved at last, and there was the dull turning of a latch behind the door. "Oh, my dear Charles," Grandet said dryly in a welcome speech with a completely wrong tone, "you have made the whole city hopeless!"

What a liar!

Charles had only this thought for a while.Looking at the situation just now, he thought he would be rejected by his uncle!What's going on with this sudden turnaround?To tease him?