"I ask you to provide more practical help to my country, which has always loved you like the French people and eagerly hopes to stand with you... After all, at this moment, no matter how insignificant you are, Help can also save many lives.”
The young musician Chopin made a request to the young king in the most sincere and humble manner.
However, this request was much heavier than he imagined.
Aigron didn't answer immediately and frowned slightly.
How should he reply? With a genius who has been studying music since childhood and immersed in his own world, explain a series of issues affecting the political situation in Europe and explain all aspects that he had to think about as an emperor?
This doesn't make any sense.
After a moment, he could only lightly shrug, trying to make the situation no longer awkward, "Sir, you are an excellent musician, not a politician. I am not inviting you here to discuss an international political issue. I want to share your talent. So, we’d better enjoy your performance now, right?”
In fact, this wording is not too polite anymore. Even the most unsophisticated person can still hear that there is a warning of "that's the end" hidden in His Majesty the Emperor's words.
If it were normal circumstances, young musicians would of course know how to stop talking about topics beyond the borders. But at this moment, the motherland is in crisis, and many people with lofty ideals are fighting bloody battles for national freedom. However, everyone outside Poland The country is turning a blind eye to this, as if these disasters are "natural and justified".
As an ardent patriot, he finally got an opportunity to meet the monarch of a powerful country, and the monarch obviously showed a favorable impression of Poland. This was a fleeting opportunity, and he wanted to take advantage of it no matter what. Fight for something more for your compatriots.
Even if it's just a little bit, it can save someone's life, which is considered as doing your best.
"Maybe for you this is just an international political issue, but for us it is a matter of life and death, Your Majesty." Faced with the sudden pressure, the young musician boldly continued to advise Aigron, "Now, I My compatriots are fighting bloody battles for freedom. I can only watch my motherland being ravaged. I can’t pretend that nothing happened. I am chatting and laughing with you while performing music for you. This is really cruel... "
Having said this, Chopin sighed sadly, "Your Majesty, I know that no matter what I do now, I can't change the general trend. My motherland will not be able to escape the fate and be swallowed up by the abyss of darkness... Maybe even in my lifetime. There is no chance to return to the motherland. But despite this, I still hope that I can do my little bit to help the motherland suffer less. Please forgive me for my presumption."
Chopin's words were so sincere and filled with the sincerity of a patriot that Aigron was moved for a moment and couldn't bear to blame him anymore. "I can understand your feelings. A patriot will be respected everywhere, even by his enemies. However, I also want to tell you honestly, just as you love Poland, I also love my country and myself. I must be responsible for the future of the country and the well-being of the people, so I cannot take risks and plunge the country into an unprovoked dispute. The disasters the French people have endured in the past are no less than your nation. , it will also be tired, and it also needs to rest... I will express solidarity with Poland out of righteous indignation and will do some help within my ability, but other than that, I can't go on any longer. I think you should be able to too. Do you understand me?"
Eggron's reply was gentle but decisive, and the young musician suddenly fell into a sad despair.
This is Europe's verdict against Poland - to sit on the sidelines.
Even the monarch who was most sympathetic to the Polish people could only do so much.
The world is not fair, but a place where the weak prey on the strong. He deeply understands this.
For a moment, the loss and grief made him so depressed that he could hardly speak.
On the contrary, Teresa couldn't bear to see the musician in such pain, so she couldn't help but speak up to smooth things over.
"Mr. Chopin, we have all fully felt your patriotic enthusiasm, and I personally express my sincere admiration for it. When Poland was facing its fall, my great-grandmother Queen Theresa felt sincere sympathy, and she also hoped that , the Polish nation can recover from the disaster as soon as possible. At present, although this disaster seems inevitable, but out of the charity that Christians should have, I am willing to donate some food and medicine in my own name to the suffering people. The Polish people have also called on the domestic Catholic religious orders and philanthropic people to make donations. Maybe this cannot alleviate the carnage and hardship caused by the war, but at least it can save some lives. It can be regarded as a little effort, what do you think?"
The young queen's gentle words of comfort cheered up the depressed and painful musician a little.
Although Theresa did not say how much money she wanted to donate, it is conceivable that as Queen of France, the donation cannot be too shabby, and she publicly launched a fund-raising campaign to help Polish refugees in the society, which was bound to be too. It will create a social trend and raise more donations.
Although this is unlikely to change Poland's upcoming fate, it is indeed "interesting enough".
And this also means that Chopin was not doing "useless work" by boldly advising the two majesties.
Well, at least my contribution to the Polish people exceeds that of any exile... With a little bitterness and luck, the young musician thought to himself.
At this time, he was also full of gratitude and goodwill towards the two Majesties. No matter what the purpose was, they had helped the Poles more than anyone else in the world.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to sincerely thank you on behalf of myself and all my fellow countrymen who are suffering." He bowed again, and then paid tribute to the couple with the greatest enthusiasm, "We will always remember No matter what happens to the good intentions of the two of you, Poland will never perish, nor will our respect and friendship for the French royal family! The two peoples will always be friends, and I, personally, am the product of this friendship."
Others said this like a cliche, but Chopin said it as a fact - because he himself was the product of "national friendship". His father was originally a Frenchman, and later immigrated to Poland as a tutor. Therefore, Chopin received the most basic music education as a child.
Paternal lineage does not affect national identity. Since he was born and raised in Poland, there is no problem for him to consider himself Polish, and Poland will also regard him as a national pride.
After finishing speaking, he shifted the topic to himself, "I'm sorry that due to my personal selfishness, I have delayed your Majesty's time. I will do my best to let you feel the beauty of music."
"Then it's all your fault." Aigron nodded calmly.
However, although it seemed calm on the surface, Aigron was a little excited inside.
To be honest, because of Chopin's great reputation in the "Future", Aigron did not doubt his level at all. He had long been mentally prepared to "feast his ears".
Because Chopin died young, although the music he composed has been passed down to the world, his personal performance has not left any records. It can only be known from the memoirs of people at the time and the accounts and performances of his students. It is indeed a pity that no one can experience it personally even though they can catch a glimpse of it.
But now, Aigron can "reproduce" this kind of audio-visual feast. He uses his power to easily recruit such a talented musician and performer to perform for him - I have to say that it is really fun to be an emperor.
Since there was no longer an argument, they naturally stopped chatting and walked to Teresa's piano room together.
As a queen, Teresa's piano room naturally has the highest standard of equipment, including several expensive pianos. Normally Teresa would play the piano for her own entertainment, but today, she naturally played the role of a listener.
Under the watchful eyes of the couple, Chopin walked around the piano room, looked at several pianos, and tried out the sounds. Finally, he selected one of the pianos and sat down in front of it.
As soon as he sat on his seat and touched the keys with his hands, the depression and nervousness on the young musician's face completely disappeared. Instead, he showed an expression of being immersed in his own world and as if no one else was around - also a kind of genius. arrogant.
Although he is an exile now and has no place in the world, he is the king on the keyboard and is not inferior to anyone else.
As soon as they saw the musician's confident and unobtrusive expression, the couple subconsciously glanced at each other. Then Teresa quietly took her husband's hand and whispered in his ear, "Your Highness." , just with this look, it seems that he must be extraordinary..."
Teresa loved art, especially music. She often attended performances when she was in Vienna, and even sponsored great masters such as Beethoven. Her "eyesight" for artists was naturally better than ordinary people, so even when watching Chopin At this moment, she could feel the aura of genius.
"I think so too." Aigron just smiled.
While the couple was whispering, the young musician had already adjusted himself. Then, his hands began to beat slowly on the keys, and then, sections of smooth music began to pour out from the belly of the piano. , and instantly filled the ears of two listeners.
The sound of the piano was soft and slow at first, like a soft murmur, and then gradually became intense, rapid and high-pitched, seeming to reveal the uneasy and reluctant mood of the performer at the moment. The performer's fingers danced on the keys, as if a passion was poured into it. And this passion gradually infected the audience in the music, allowing them to feel the spiritual resonance with the performer in the movement of the notes, rising and falling at times, lingering in the soothing and rapid music.
It wasn't until the music gradually stopped that the Agrons returned to reality from this exquisite performance.
Although they only listened to this piece for a few minutes, they easily felt the unparalleled talent from it.
"Bah bang bang." The couple applauded softly in unison. Although the applause was very light, it also represented their approval and respect for the young musician.
This is a personal concert with only two audiences, but the "weight" of these two audiences is greater than that of tens of millions of viewers.
"Mr. Chopin, it seems that Count Walewski is right, you are indeed a genius!" This time, Teresa, who loves art, couldn't help but speak first, "But... I have a doubt. What piece of music did you just play? I don’t think I’ve heard it before. I’m ignorant..."
"Your Majesty, it's not that you are ignorant, but this piece is an etude in E major that I composed in 1827. It's normal that you haven't heard of it. I haven't even thought of a name for it -" Chopin He tried to explain to Teresa as calmly as possible, but there was unconcealable pride in his eyes.
Of course a genius will be happy when he is praised by a "knowledgeable" person, not to mention that she is a queen?
"You don't use famous songs to open the show, but use your own songs to perform to us. How confident is this!" Teresa couldn't help but look at Agron and sighed to her husband, "Wait a minute, 1827... you weren't Are you only 17 years old? To be able to have such talent at the age of 17 is amazing!"
Teresa couldn't help but sigh with emotion. She finally saw the meaning of "genius", and even though Aigron was prepared in his heart, he couldn't help being secretly shocked.
Of course, he has not forgotten that he and his wife were less than 17 years old when they started their own business. It can be seen that if you want to do great things, you must start from a young age.
"Mr. Chopin, this is a rare art treasure, whether it is a piece of music or your personal performance." He sincerely complimented Chopin, "At this moment, I am very happy to have the opportunity to experience your performance in person, and I am also grateful. Count Valewski, I have not missed a genius like you... I dare say that you will become a great master, because your talent is unparalleled, and all of this has been verified by my eyes and ears. You can’t go wrong!”
Faced with the sincere compliments of the two majesties, Chopin's face turned slightly red. He stood up again and bowed to express his gratitude to the couple.
He knew that with just a few words from the young couple, he, who was originally unknown, had already established himself in France and even Europe, becoming a "corner".
Since ancient times, artists have needed support from nobles. Raphael was appreciated by Pope Julius II, Leonardo da Vinci was favored by King Francois I of France, and many artists were promoted by the Habsburg Emperor... …the examples go on.
And today, he also has his own supporters.
I would like to ask how many nobles with a higher rank than them are there in Europe today?
He believes that he will easily become famous and leave a mark in the history of music.
This is what my talents deserve, but I also have to thank these two majesties.
After greeting each other, Chopin sat back in his seat, and then he started playing again with passion.
And in the melodious sound of the piano, this wandering exile and unknown musician opened a new chapter in his life.
(End of chapter)
