Just as Aiglon and his close followers occupied the Palace of Fontainebleau and began to scheming with each other for their next position in the palace, Paris was still immersed in bloody turmoil.
However, even in the center of the most violent storm, there will be calm and safe areas, and the place where Prince Talleyrand secretly hid is one of them.
Since the first day of the showdown between the King and Parliament, Prince Talleyrand, who has a keen sense of smell, has taken his cronies and hid in his secret hiding place. This shelter transformed from a cellar has been around for several years. It had protected his life ten years ago, and now it was once again fulfilling its mission faithfully.
In the past few days, despite the bloody storm outside, Talleyrand, who was hiding in the shelter, was in a good mood. Not only did he drink happily from time to time, he was always giving advice and talking loudly.
He was already experienced in the turmoil in Paris (or in other words, no one in the world was more experienced than him), and he didn't care about this little scene at all.
Although he was hiding in the shelter, he had been paying attention to the news outside and trying to catch up with the latest trends in the situation so that he could gain insight into the situation and decide the next action.
He knew that the situation in France had now reached a fever pitch, and every minute and every second was crucial to him, and could even determine the rest of his political life.
Just two hours after the king ordered to cease resistance and surrender to the militiamen who attacked the palace, Talleyrand received the news.
Talleyrand took out his pocket watch, and then said coldly in a heavy tone like a mourner.
"Ah, history will remember this day as the House of Bourbon once again lost its power."
"You sound regretful?" Marshal Soult, who was sitting next to him, sneered slightly. "I never saw that you were actually a royalist."
"I regret every government I abandoned. They should have been wiser." Prince Talleyrand shrugged. "However, for us French people who are used to liking the new and hating the old, the fifteen-year dynasty It has been long enough that the soul of King Louis XVIII should be satisfied."
The sarcasm in Talleyrand's tone made Soult feel a little emotional.
Yes, fifteen years, historically speaking, should be such a short time, not even enough for a newborn to grow to adulthood. However, for France from 1789 to the present, it seems to be an insurmountable length of time.
The Great Revolution was like a great flood that swept away everything, destroying the old dynasty and people's respect for blood, religion, order, and all authority.
They took sides because of their respective positions in the bloody storm, and then they hated each other and fought with each other. The estrangement between them was so deep that it could not be bottomed out. Therefore, any regime will find that it has countless opponents, almost every day. They are all in a precarious state and may collapse at any time.
This is not an exaggerated description, but a fact.
Needless to say, during the Great Revolution, the Feuillants, Girondins, Jacobins and Directory were replaced in a revolving door. Generally, they would only be in power for one or two years before being overthrown. The longest-lasting Directory only lasted 4 years. That’s it; in 1799, Napoleon came to power in the Brumaire Coup, served as the first consul, and proclaimed himself emperor in 1804. He was forced to abdicate in 1814. Even if the subsequent Hundred Days Dynasty is included, it only lasted fifteen years.
Now, the Bourbon dynasty, restored twice in 1814 and 1815, collapsed fifteen years later.
What's next? How long can those who seize power, whether it is the Orleans family or the Bonaparte family, hold on in a country accustomed to rebellion and disobedience? Can it last more than fifteen years?
Anyone would probably raise a question mark.
"It's really terrible. Other countries can think about what to do with the next generation, but we can only be happy that the dynasty has survived for fifteen years!" Marshal Soult frowned, seeming to be in a very bad mood, "Is this a state of affairs? Can it be tolerated? If all order and authority are destined to end in a short time, if
All achievements will be wiped out in a dozen years. Then who can lead the country to prosperity? "
Talleyrand spread his hands, "There is no way, we always lack wise leaders. They are either too radical, or conservative, or incompetent, or they are simply blinded by victory. I think they all bring their own consequences. God is always fair in this regard."
"However, it is intolerable for the same thing to happen three times, let alone five or six times!" Marshal Soult said, "We should re-consolidate authority and order, and we must not let this country I have an epilepsy attack every ten years!"
Then, he looked at Talleyrand again, his eyes burning, "Talleyrand, we are all old, and we don't care about reputation, so once we are in power, we can do this - the era of chaos and lawlessness has continued. It's been too long, there have been enough victims, it's time to end this."
"Then what are you going to do?" Prince Talleyrand asked.
"I want to reorganize the army, purge all those with impure thoughts, and make it a credible force. What happened today is a wake-up call for us. When the regime is in danger, the army actually looks on with cold eyes! This Absolutely intolerable." Perhaps out of a bit of sadness, Marshal Soult was still very excited, "I want discipline and loyalty to return to the hearts of the soldiers, so that they can unswervingly maintain order in any turmoil. In short, in As long as I live, I will never want to be the unlucky guy who is overthrown! I would rather bloodbath Paris than be captured without mercy!"
Prince Talleyrand was not surprised by the marshal's declaration. He knew that the marshal was a straightforward soldier. Personally speaking, he also disliked this kind of turmoil - even if the turmoil was beneficial to him now.
He also believed that Marshal Soult had such an iron fist, and once he was given power, he would really dare to do so.
"Then I wish you all the best in your future cleaning..."
Just as Talleyrand was about to drink another drink, his entourage ran over and said a few words to him.
"Let them in." Prince Talleyrand immediately ordered.
Then the Marquis de Treville was brought in.
This is not the first time that Marquis Treville has come here, but despite his tall stature, he still feels that this underground shelter is a bit cramped.
The sights of the two senators opposite, Talleyrand and Soult, made him feel even more like a thorn in his back.
"I'm glad to see you safe and well at this time, Victor." Upon seeing him, Prince Talleyrand was not in a hurry to ask him why he was here, but greeted him with a smile. "At this turbulent moment, I sincerely I hope every one of my old friends can survive the crisis safely."
"I'm afraid your wish has come true, Your Highness." The Marquis of Treville said as he found a seat and sat down. "Just now, our poor King chose to cease fire and surrender, and became a prisoner of the Duke of Orleans. ...The days waiting for him in the future will definitely not be easy."
"First, your information is out of date, I just knew it; second, he is not my friend, he is just an incompetent person. I knew fifty years ago that he was destined to achieve nothing." Lielang sneered and picked up the wine glass, then raised his head and drank it in one gulp. "Having said that, I am a little surprised that he can persist until now before surrendering... This is not his style. So, it seems that your Brother is really working hard."
Facing the prince's inquiring gaze, the Marquis of Treville was very calm, "Yes, in times of crisis, my brother recommended himself to the king to be responsible for guarding the palace. Then, he tried every means to boost morale, distribute supplies, and deploy troops to defend the palace. , until now.
Although he has failed now, his failure this time is the most glorious I have ever seen. I originally only expected him to hold on for a week, but then he held on for ten days! He has never been on the battlefield for a day, but he is an amazing hero... I have admired him since I was a child, and I admire him even more now. "
When talking about his own brother, the Marquis, who had always been taciturn and indifferent to emotions and anger, was now very happy. Obviously, in his heart he respected his brother far more than he respected anyone else.
Respect.
"It's indeed amazing. If I were the king, I would give him the highest medal of honor - even though it may be meaningless." Marshal Soult, who had been silent for a long time, interjected, "How is he now?"
"He is still recuperating in the palace. The excessive fatigue has exhausted his energy and he needs a good rest. I think the Duke of Orleans will not make it too difficult for him, because he has just fulfilled his obligations." Marquis Reville replied.
That's what he said, but he didn't know for sure. At this time, the Duke of Treville, like the king's family, was in the hands of the Duke of Orleans as a prisoner. If the Duke became angry and thought that the Duke had spoiled his important affairs, he would take advantage of the Duke to vent his anger. If so, he would have no way to save him.
Therefore, at this moment, he could only pray that the king could save his brother, and at the same time pray that the duke would finally have some dignity.
However, even though he was extremely worried, the Marquis de Treville still had a confident look on his face. After all, if you want to achieve great things, you cannot show your timidity, especially in front of someone like Talleyrand, otherwise you will be taken advantage of. .
"We will all pray for your brother. He is really a rare talent. It is a pity that he was buried by the ignorant king. I think after being exiled, His Majesty the King will have a lot of time to regret." Lieland comforted the Marquis with a seemingly considerate look, and then he changed the subject, "So, Victor, did you come to us today just to talk about your brother's current situation? Or is there another purpose?"
"I came here today to deliver my brother's gift to you—" Marquis Treville replied calmly.
"A gift?" Talleyrand was surprised, then a little amused.
Who cares about gifts now?
But he also knew that the Treville brothers were both figures, not just idiots, so his curiosity was quickly aroused again, "So, what is the gift?"
"Please take a look." Marquis Treville took out an envelope from his arms.
Talleyrand became more and more curious. He waved his hand, and the confidant next to him walked to the Marquis, took the letter, and then handed it to Talleyrand.
After Talleyrand received the letter, the expression on his face instantly changed from relaxed to serious. Even his hands shook slightly, as if he couldn't bear the weight of the letter.
"What was written in the letter?" Seeing Prince Talleyrand's performance, Marshal Soult's curiosity was also aroused.
Talleyrand did not answer, but after thinking for a moment, he handed the letter in his hand to Marshal Soult.
After the marshal took it, he himself was stunned.
"Abdication edict? Is this true?" he exclaimed.
Then, without waiting for anyone else to answer, he examined it carefully himself.
The letter paper is a paper used exclusively for official documents in the palace. It has the emblem of the fleur-de-lis on it, and at the end of the edict, there is the seal of King Charles X, which looks like it must be genuine.
Since he has not yet been officially deposed from the throne, this edict naturally has full legal effect.
Like Prince Talleyrand, he suddenly felt the weight of the paper, and his hands shook unconsciously.
Then, he suddenly raised his head and stared at the Marquis of Treville, "How did it fall into your hands?"
"My brother sent someone to secretly give it to me just before the palace surrendered." The Marquis of Treville replied calmly, "Moreover, His Majesty the King named it to be delivered to Prince Talleyrand."
The king naturally didn't know the whereabouts of Prince Talleyrand, but at this time Duke Treville promised him that he could send it through his network, so after the king wrote the edict, he handed it to Treville. The Duke then asked his cronies to swim across the Seine River, and finally handed the abdication edict to his younger brother.
And then the Marquis brought it to see Talleyrand.
"I'm really honored. After being ignored by him for so many years, he thought of me at the last moment..." Talleyrand suddenly sneered.
The king's intention at this moment can be understood by the three people present. He just wants to disrupt the situation and let his enemies fight each other. The greater the loss, the better.
However, even if they understood the king's intention, it didn't matter to them, because this edict undoubtedly gave them great help.
"Great..." A trace of pride flashed across Prince Talleyrand's face. It was obvious that he was extremely happy at the moment. "With this thing, I don't have to worry about it anymore."
"I also wish you all the best." Marquis Treville stood up and said goodbye, "I have delivered the edict to you as instructed. It is your business to use it next, but I remind you, Your Highness, you cannot bring it to yourself. An enemy who is half a century younger has plenty of time to spend with you."
Then, he turned around and left.
"Whether you believe it or not, I love this country as much as you do. It was me who worked so hard in Vienna to preserve the last bit of blood in this country!" Just as he was leaving, Talleyrand's weak and erratic voice came from behind, " I dare say that none of the ten thousand people who revile me have done more for France than I have!”
