January 12, 7pm. In the main restaurant of the Tuileries Palace, His Majesty the King was enjoying his luxurious private dinner amid melodious orchestral music.
There were not many people dining with him. Apart from his mistress, Madame Du Barry, there were only a few attendants and secretaries who were standing by and ready to meet all Louis XV's needs.
"To be honest, Paris is not a bad place. Maybe it's because I stayed in Versailles for too long." Louis XV said with relish as he forked a piece of tender steak and immersed himself in the performance of the royal band.
It can be seen that the king is in a good mood these days. Although the Palace of Versailles brings together the delicacies and treasures of France, it is still too solemn and solemn after all. Paris, a metropolis with a population of 600,000, will undoubtedly bring more fun and enjoyment to Louis XV, who has lived in the palace for a long time. .
In terms of theater viewing alone, the several old theaters in Paris with hundreds of years of history are much better than the Royal Opera House in Versailles.
This also made Louis XV decide to live in the Tuileries Palace for a while after watching Lawrence and Madame Du Barry's gambling game.
"Dear Jeanne, what should we do tomorrow?" Louis XV looked at Madame Du Barry beside him with a smile: "How about going on a boat trip on the Seine? I have never been on a boat in winter." Madame Du Barry raised her head slightly, her eyes were as charming as silk, she nodded with a smile and said: "Excellent, Your Majesty, it's really exciting."
"Very good, you can also invite some old friends to come with you." Louis XV took a silver fork and pulled the matsutake sauce on the plate, and planned seriously: "Oh, by the way, Lawrence has to be invited too. After all, he is Auguste's first attendant, if anything else..." At this time, Madame Du Barry suddenly interrupted, her tone was very calm, not at all like her usual overbearing and aggressive tone, as if she was commenting A person who has nothing to do with him is the same: "Your Majesty, there is no need to invite Mr. Bonaparte. He is very busy these days."
"Huh? What's wrong with him recently?" Louis XV frowned in confusion and turned to look at his press secretary.
Upon seeing this, the press secretary hurriedly stepped forward, leaned over and responded: "His Excellency Laurence Bonaparte recently announced that he will hold a charity auction to raise subsidies for the poor in Paris. If nothing else, this auction will The show has now started at the Comédie-France."
"Charity auction? Hmm..." Louis XV didn't seem to be interested in the news. After all, as a king, he didn't care much about the affairs of these low-level untouchables: "That's not bad, Lawrence He is indeed doing a good deed. But since he is busy with something, there is no need to send him an invitation tomorrow." After that, Louis XV raised the crystal glass and took a sip of white wine, while waving to indicate that the press secretary could leave. , he felt that there was no need to know more about this ordinary charity auction.
But Madame Du Barry obviously didn't think so. After all, there was one of her favorite treasures at that auction, and also because she had received instructions from the Duke of Aiguillon, asking her to write something about Lawrence about this incident.
Madame Du Barry secretly gave the press secretary a wink, hinting that he should not retreat yet, and then interjected: "Your Majesty, did you just say that Mr. Bonaparte was doing good deeds?"
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?" Louis XV wiped his mouth with silk, a little puzzled: "It's a charity auction. Donate a sum of money to my people who need help. Is there anything wrong with that? , I think Laurence is really a noble person." A smile of success flashed in the corner of Madame Du Barry's eyes. She put on a worried face without any flaws, and said hesitantly: "Noble? You The use of this word to describe Mr. Bonaparte really puzzles me. Your Majesty, in my eyes, this auction is nothing more than a means for Mr. Bonaparte to gain fame and reputation."
"For fame and reputation?" Madame Du Barry nodded seriously and said in a sincere tone: "Yes, Your Majesty, think about it, M. Bonaparte holds a whole mountain of silver in his hands, and his account of the Corsica National Silver Company He has who knows how much wealth, why doesn’t he donate directly to the poor, and why does he specially hold a huge auction?”
"This..." Louis XV nodded hesitantly, and felt that what Madame Du Barry said made sense.
If Lawrence really wanted to help the poor in Paris, there was really no need to organize an auction, and it would be held in a highly anticipated place like the Paris Comedy.
"Okay Jeanne, everyone is greedy for fame and fortune." Louis XV shook his head. Although he now felt that Lawrence was seeking fame, it was a good deed after all, so the king did not intend to The matter was pursued further: "But after all, Lawrence has done a good deed. It is normal for him to want to gain some fame. Just let him go." However, Madame Du Barry did not obey the king's orders. Changing the subject, the secret smile on her lips grew wider, and she suddenly said: "Your Majesty, what Mr. Bonaparte has done may be a good thing for the people at the bottom, and it may also be a good thing for himself, but... ..It’s not a good thing for you.” Louis XV became even more puzzled after hearing this, so he put down his knife and fork with a smile and looked at Madame Du Barry, wondering what she was going to say.
"I heard that the citizens of Paris were very excited and happy about this auction, and they also praised M. Bonaparte." Madame Du Barry deliberately slowed down her tone and said with regret: "But... it's quite... Correspondingly, I also heard some bad voices. Many people said that the French ministers were simply useless. In the end, it was a Corsican foreigner who cared most about the French people. What's more, he even pointed the finger at Members of the royal family...including you." Louis XV was stunned for a brief moment in front of the dining table, his face suddenly became ugly, and even his strong and powerful hands clenched tightly unconsciously. Became a fist.
The king turned to look at his press secretary again and asked in a deep voice: "Is this happening?" The press secretary seemed very embarrassed, but as a loyal press officer directly subordinate to His Majesty the King, he still bravely reported the truth. : "There are indeed such comments from some citizens... saying..."
"What did you say?" Louis XV's tone was a little irritable.
"It is said that the royal family has been beating their bones and sucking their marrow for thousands of years, but they never stood up or even said a word of justice when they needed it. Instead, it was a Corsican who had just arrived and began to spread his enthusiasm and kindness to the land of France. ." At this time, Louis XV completely understood what Madame Du Barry meant.
Originally, the government and the royal family had no plans to issue winter subsidies this year. Anyway, as long as this winter passes, the untouchables who protest and shout will gradually stop.
Even if the people are dissatisfied, it doesn't matter. The government and the royal family only need to pretend to be deaf and ignore the subsidy. After the spring begins, the matter will be over. After all, the small citizens are a very forgetful class.
Except for those innocent souls who died in the wind and frost, no one will remember the winter subsidy of 1771 for a long time.
However, at this time, Laurence Bonaparte actually held a charity auction.
This almost makes it clear that he, a Corsican, is the one who really cares about the people of Paris. Under such a backdrop and contrast, the deaf-mute city hall and the royal family appear so incompetent and indifferent, as if they have no regard for the poor who account for more than half of the population in Paris.
Although they are indeed not paying attention, no government in any country wants their disregard for the people at the bottom to be brought to the table.
In the eyes of Louis XV, after being reminded by Madame Du Barry, Lawrence's behavior this time can be summed up in one word - great achievements that shocked the master.
Lawrence held an auction to win over a large number of people, but correspondingly, Louis XV's status in the hearts of the people also dropped a lot: the king of France didn't care about his hungry and cold people, but a Corsican took the initiative to stand up Come out, this is really embarrassing.
Seeing the embarrassed look of Louis XV, Madame Du Barry became even more proud, but her expression was still worried, and she continued to add fuel to the fire: "In my opinion, if Mr. Bonaparte is really For your Majesty's sake, the wealth should be transferred to your Majesty and distributed to the people of Paris in your name. I think, with Mr. Bonaparte's intelligence, it is impossible that he did not think of doing this, right?" Hearing this, Louis XV also showed a hint of anger on his face: "This Lawrence...why did he do things so carelessly this time? It's really not his style."
"Your Majesty, philosophers all say that human nature is gradually exposed. You have known M. Bonaparte for less than a year." Madame Du Barry slandered.
"Anyway, I have to give him a beating." Louis XV ordered with a stern expression: "Schedule Secretary! I have canceled the cruise arrangements for tomorrow. I want to invite Laurence Bonaparte to the Tuileries Palace. !" After hearing Louis XV's arrangements, Madame Du Barry puffed up her chest proudly, like a general returning from a victory.
"Stupid Corsican country bumpkin, the Duke of Aiguillon should have arrived at the Paris Comedy. I really want to see with my own eyes how desolate that boy will be after he fails to please both the royal family and the people." Madame Du Barry secretly thought. Thinking about it, I drank the white wine in the glass triumphantly and energetically.
...Almost at the same time, the Comédie-Paris. This is a theater where paintings, marble and gold ornaments complement each other. Ancient Greek and Roman colonnades are perfectly integrated with Baroque and Rococo architectural styles. Both the interior decoration and the exterior architecture are extremely gorgeous.
Since the day it was built, it has been a place for the upper class to appreciate top-notch opera art.
But today, the packed house of guests was naturally not here for the art of opera. They were basically wealthy financiers or property owners from around Paris who were invited to attend this much-anticipated charity auction.
Since it was an invitation from His Excellency Bonaparte, the bourgeoisie who received the invitation had almost no reason to refuse. After all, this was also a good opportunity for them to be arty. I heard that many of the items in the auction were From the Choiseul family and royal collections.
Moreover, if you can deliberately buy a collection provided by a big noble at a high price, you might also have the opportunity to be appreciated by the other party.
There are not a few bourgeois who want to squeeze into the aristocratic circle like Mr. Montmartre. This is why they are all looking forward to this auction and have already prepared their wallets and checks.
...At this moment, outside the theater door.
"Invitation? Do I, Emmanuelle Armand de Venero du Plessis de Richelieu, need that kind of thing?" I saw the Duke of Aiguillon looking down at a trembling person. The doorman scolded him in a cold voice: "I can't even step into the gate of the Palace of Versailles without anyone stopping me. How dare you stop me outside the door of a theater?" He bit the bullet and repeated over and over again: "I'm very sorry, Your Majesty the Duke, there is a charity auction to be held in the theater. If you don't have an invitation to the auction..."
"That's enough, get out of here." Duke Aiguillon didn't want to waste any more words, and directly ordered his personal bodyguard to throw this short-sighted guard aside.
At this time, a calm and indifferent voice came from the door: "Your Excellency, you don't have to be so rude." Lawrence, dressed in a black tuxedo, slowly walked out of the door, seemingly expecting the Duke of Aiguillon to come. , have been waiting here for a long time.
The Duke of Aiguillon looked at Lawrence's tuxedo and mocked mockingly: "Why, Monsieur Bonaparte seems to be preparing to take the stage in person? I don't know what it is like for the Prime Minister of a kingdom to stand on the stage as the host. "Lawrence smiled lightly and retorted mercilessly: "I heard that one of His Majesty's great interests is to hold masquerade balls. Do you also want to tell me how unbecoming it is for a king to be an actor?"
"Huh, glib." Duke Aiguillon snorted disdainfully, raised his chin and pointed at the Paris Comedy Theater behind Lawrence: "But since you are holding a charity auction, if I want to express my kindness, , you should be able to attend, right?" Lawrence narrowed his eyes and stared at Duke Aiguillon, smiled and said nothing.
"What do you mean?" the Duke of Aiguillon said loudly and displeasedly, loudly enough for the people around the theater to hear: "Your Excellency, don't you want to shower kindness on the poor poor people? Is it because you and I have different political opinions? Are you going to deprive me of the opportunity to show my kindness? If you really wholeheartedly serve others, why do you want to prevent me from participating in the auction to donate to the citizens?" The people around me also immediately cast concerned eyes, many of which were deliberately The poor people who come to watch the auction.
For these people, they didn't know who Duke Aiguillon was. They only knew that he was a rich lord.
Therefore, not only did they not exclude Duke Aiguillon from joining the auction, but they welcomed and looked forward to it. After all, the higher the auction turnover, the higher the subsidies the poor could receive.
However, in the face of this naked moral kidnapping, Lawrence nodded without changing his expression, followed the Duke of Aiguillon and stepped aside, smiled and extended his hand to welcome you: "No, Your Excellency, I very much welcome your arrival. I am very happy to have you." I also want to show my kindness, so please come with me, the auction will start soon." Duke Aiguillon was slightly stunned and looked at Lawrence suspiciously.
However, he came here just to disturb the auction, so naturally he would not miss this opportunity.
The Duke of Aiguillon only allowed himself to participate in the auction if Lawrence had succumbed to the pressure of the crowd, so he followed Lawrence into the theater with his head held high, feeling complacent about his successful little trick.
