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6. Shoemaker

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    It was not until the afternoon that Charles, with his doubts and shock, said goodbye to the mansion just bought by the Count of Monte Cristo, and returned to his residence in Paris from Auteuil on the outskirts of the city.  The Treville family was once very wealthy, but during the Great Revolution, all its wealth was confiscated by the government in accordance with the bill to punish fugitive nobles. The two brothers were already penniless when they ran to Germany, and in the end they had to sell out on their own.  As a labor force, he found a shoemaker's apprenticeship to barely make ends meet.  It was not until Napoleon launched a coup to establish his own independent government that the bloody revolution came to an end. As a small Corsican landowner, he still had enough fascination with the former aristocratic system, so after several years of preparation, he purged  After being dissident, he finally turned the republic into an empire and himself into an emperor.  Then, he issued several edicts to allow the exiled nobles to return and promised to return confiscated property.  After weighing for a long time, Charles's grandfather finally ran back and served the new monarch of France respectfully. The emperor was magnanimous and gave him part of the remaining property back to him, and also gave him some additional money.  Reward.  He was grateful to the emperor, so he joined the army of the empire, fought through life and death, made meritorious deeds in several battles, and finally became the marshal of the empire.  Through those years of hard work, he also accumulated enough wealth, and finally bought a mansion in the Saint-Germain district. The Treville family once again transformed and became one of the prominent families in the empire.  Ciel returned to the mansion in his carriage.  The decoration in the house is of course in the ostentatious imperial style, flamboyant and extremely luxurious. The spacious hall is brightly illuminated by the gilded lamps on the walls and the chandeliers on the ceiling. The walls are covered with famous paintings and embroidered with various designs.  A soft carpet with various patterns covers the entire hall, while in the corner are gilded clocks and enamel porcelain, which are full of brilliance.  Under the bright light, the young man's blond hair shone even more, and he was as graceful as in the morning. The only difference was that this time, there was a shiny thing on his chest.  His grandfather, Marshal Treville, was currently standing in the small flower garden next to the hall, concentrating on taking care of the flowers he had carefully cultivated. This was the fun he found for himself after being away from the battlefield.  With a solemn expression, Charles walked behind the old man.  Perhaps because he heard his grandson¡¯s footsteps, the old man slowly stopped his movements, put down the scissors in his hands, then turned his head and looked at his grandson.  Under the ravages of time, this old man has become gray-haired and his face is full of wrinkles, but his waist is still straight and his eyes are bright, showing endless ambition and enterprising spirit.  Even though he is already in his dying years, he is still full of fighting spirit. In his heart, he is still the brave cavalry facing the hail of bullets.  Looking at his elegant and handsome grandson, the old man¡¯s sharp eyes slowly softened, and finally settled on the shining diamond on his grandson¡¯s chest.  "Young man, let me guessdid you catch something?" After a moment of surprise, the old man regained his composure, then walked up to Charles, reached out and touched the diamond, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk,  This thing is really good. It costs about 40,000 to 50,000 yuan. I have only gotten such a good thing a few times in all my years of commanding the army How did you get it? " "It was given by someone else, and this is the first time.  Someone to meet." Charles replied calmly, still thoughtful.  "That's the person I went to see today." "It seems that the Count of Monte Cristo is really rich." The old man shrugged, "Then what does he want you to do? You won't just give it away like this casually.  "It's something valuable." "He is really a weird person." Charles sighed, and then told his grandfather exactly what he had said to the earl.  The Marquis of Treville listened quietly, and it was not until the end that he spoke.  "So, the Count is deliberately trying to get close to Mr. de Villefort? For such a trivial purpose, he is prepared to spend so much money to win you over?" "Yes, although it seems unlikely, it is indeed the case.  ¡ª¡ªSo I feel very confused, Grandpa." Charles nodded, "Does Mr. de Villefort have such value?" "Everyone's value will be different in the eyes of different people."  Marquis Reville replied calmly, "And love or hatred will magnify the value of a person." "Love or hatred" Charles murmured to himself, seeming to understand something, "But why me? I am willing to do it for someone.  He paid a lot of money to introduce him to Weir.There must be lucky people everywhere, but he only asked me to help himGrandpa, what reason do you think this has?  " "I'm not him, how do I know what he thinks?  The old man sneered, "Besides, it's not too important. What's important is what you do."  " "Then what do you think I should do?  "Charle asked. "Charle, you are not young anymore. I have trained you and taught you for so many years in order to enable you to make your own decisions and move forward unswervingly.  If you have to decide everything for you, it means you are just an executor and cannot achieve anything big.  The old man frowned slightly, seeming to be scolding his grandson, "This time it's your own business. I won't take over and ask questions. I will only give you enough support. No matter what you choose, it will be yours."  My help is available, that's all.  " "I understand, Grandpa.  "After being whipped, Charles' brows widened. "Then what I'm thinking now is, let's do what the earl wants first. After all, the earl is generous enough. Since I accepted his gift, I have to help.  He is doing business. Besides, His Majesty the Emperor has already given me an order to help him get familiar with Paris. It is what I should do As for Mr. de Villefort, I think there will be nothing wrong at least now, right?  " "Even if something happens, you don't have to worry about it.  "The old man shrugged his shoulders, "De-Villefort is considered a relative of ours, but we can't count such oblique relatives, so it doesn't necessarily mean that he is more valuable.  So Charles, no matter what happens to the De-Villefort family, you don't have to do anything for them, just watch and watch.  " "Yes I just need to complete my duties.  Charles nodded, and then looked at his grandfather with some curiosity, "Grandpa, actually I have been wanting to ask youwhy do you have such a bad impression of Mr. de Villefort?"  " Charles has always felt strange about this issue. After all, others don't know. He knows his grandfather too well. He knows that the old man is definitely not a person obsessed with political fanaticism. Even though the prosecutor general had some political stains back then, after so many years, even the emperor  Your Majesty has forgiven him, so why would he be confused? Therefore, there must be another reason for Grandpa to be so indifferent to the Villefort family. The old man did not answer, and then looked up at the darkening sky. "He had a heavy burden on his back.  There is too much darkness, Ciel, or in other words, our country is burdened with too much darkness.  "    "Um?  " Charles didn't understand. "The Republic destroyed Bourbon, Napoleon destroyed the Republic, and Napoleon himself was almost destroyed by Bourbon This round of repeated strife has shed too much blood, and I have seen too much  Death, even myself was nearly a victim.  "After the old man was silent for a long time, he sighed heavily, "In these years, there are two kinds of people who have replaced the work of the God of Death. One is the soldier and the other is the judge. They both spread death all over the earth. We soldiers  Fortunately, everyone is fighting with real swords and guns on the battlefield, and it is clear who wins and who loses, but the judges are different. They are executioners with gloves, and they can kill people easily and deftly with a pen  They can send innocent people to the guillotine or the gallows without even a hint from the above, and de Villefort is an overly active person. He has sent many people to death, whether it is for Louis X  Eight is still for Napoleon II.  " "So you think he has provoked a lot of enemies?  "Ciel seemed to understand something. "Yes, they are representatives of the God of Death, sending sacrifices to hell, but after all, there are still people who will live in the world and seek a terrible ending.  The old man suddenly lowered his voice, "Don't look at Villefort always pretending to be selfless and upright. In fact, these people do all kinds of dirty things in private. Judges and outsiders collude to seize other people's property.  But it's not something only in the provinces, and Villefort may not have done it before.  Although I have no real evidence, I have lived for so many years, and I can judge whether a person is pure in nature or a hypocrite.  " Then, he returned to his normal voice, "So, don't have too much to do with the Villefort family, lest you be angered by the devil of darkness, we must seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.  " "I understand what you mean" Charles let out a sigh of relief. Grandpa made it very clear. In the turbulent political environment for decades, Villefort, who has been enforcing the law all year round, must have killed many politicians.  Prisoners, and these political prisoners must still have relatives, friends or comrades alive. Maybe some of these comrades are unwilling to let it go and insist on letting Villefort also suffer. Therefore, in order to prevent himself from being involved, the old Marquis is willing to make peace.  Villefort drew a clear line and rarely interacted with him. It must be said that the old man was very considerate and profound.This Count of Monte Cristo, whose origin and identity is unknown, just proves the old man's foresight - Charles will not believe that the Count has spent so much effort not wanting to do something to Villefort.  "Okay, dinner time is coming soon. You go to the restaurant first, and I will water it and then go there." The old man waved his hand and signaled Charles to leave.  Charles saluted the old man and then walked towards the restaurant in silence.  Just as he came to the corridor, an old servant came to Charles' side.  "Master, your custom-made shoes have been delivered to the reception room." "" Charles's face suddenly turned pale, and then immediately turned livid.  "I know." Finally, he frowned, then changed his path and walked towards the reception room.  After opening the door, he found that there was indeed a person sitting there quietly.  The other party has a slender figure, wearing a simple gray linen skirt and a headscarf on her head. Her head is lowered and her appearance is invisible. She looks like a maid.  However, Ciel's expression was very serious, as if he had encountered someone dangerous.  "Why did you just run over here?" he asked in a low voice.  "Because I want to see you, young master, and I can give you some shoes by the way" The maid's voice was clear and melodious. Then, she took off her headscarf, and her long golden hair fell down like a waterfall. In an instant, she  The beautiful face fell into Ciel's eyes.  The fair face has clear features, the bridge of the nose is high and straight, and the lips are thin and red. Although there is a pleasant smile on her face, there is a hint of severity and arrogance hidden in her blue eyes, even though she is wearing extremely  It is simple, but the inner magnificence is fully revealed.  "Don't be ridiculous." The corner of the young man's mouth twitched, as if he was a little dissatisfied with the other party's non-serious attitude.  "Don't you know this is dangerous?" "Because you know it, you came here at this time. Don't worry, I've looked carefully and no one is watching you." The other party still looked at Charles with a smile, and then from  A box was taken out from the basket next to it, "Come on, try on these shoes. I made them myself. They should fit your feet very well" "Charlotte" Charles sighed and looked helplessly.  other side.  "What, don't you want to try it?" The blond girl raised her eyebrows.  "Okaythank you." Charles could only helplessly take the shoe box and take out the shoes from it.  I have to say that the workmanship is very good, but it is too feminine. There are flower-shaped gold buttons on the light yellow shoe, and there are complicated patterns on the shoe.  Charlotte said she did it herself, which seems to be true.  Yes, this unexpected visitor is his cousin Charlotte.  At that time, the two Treville brothers fled abroad and worked together as shoemaker's apprentices to make a living, and later opened their own shop.  Later, his younger brother returned to China and became prosperous, but the Duke stayed in Germany and continued to do his own business, refusing to bow to Napoleon.  Although he did not want to come back, the Duke could not let go of the education of his children and grandchildren, so when his grandchildren were young, they were secretly sent to China for education and stayed at the home of Marshal Treville¡ª¡ª  The imperial government actually knew about this, but pretended not to see it. After all, His Majesty the Emperor wanted to be lenient to these old noble families.  So they grew up together when they were young, so they were childhood sweethearts.  However, later on, they took different paths because of their positions.  When Charlotte grew up, not only did she not indulge in the life of a noble lady, but she declared that she would return to Germany to help her grandfather continue his business. However, Charles knew that things were not that simple Charlotte inherited more than just the craftsmanship of a shoemaker.  , and the royalist position.  He didn¡¯t understand why Charlotte would make such a ridiculous choice, but he knew that the two people were already on opposite sides.  He is the grandson of the Imperial Marshal. He is destined to inherit the political status of the Marshal, serve His Majesty the Emperor, and gain the Emperor's favor, rewards, and power. In fact, he is already the star of hope for the future of the Empire. However, Charlotte intends to destroy it.  Get rid of all this and let the old Bourbon royal family who stayed abroad return to rule France.  "You came back this time just to give me shoes, right?" After a moment of silence, Charles asked dully, "What kind of conspiracy are you doing again?" "Even if you are doing it, I won't tell you.  That's very embarrassing for you." Charlotte replied with a smile, "It's just that I want to ask you to do me a favor." "What favor?" Charles frowned and asked warily.    "Help us get a friend out." Charlotte said calmly, "Don't worry, he didn't commit anything. He was just caught because of a debt dispute. He is not a traitor.  Thief, we just need him for the time being - hey, it's not convenient for people like us to go anywhere, and there's no way to bail anyone out. " "This is the trouble you asked for, as long as you accept His Majesty.  With the pardon, everything will be easier." Charles looked at the other party angrily, "We, the Treville family, have no obligation to be loyal to Bourbon to the end." "They are traitors and usurpers. My grandfather and I are.  It is impossible to beg for mercy to the usurper and his son, and they are not qualified to pardon us." Charlotte shook her head slowly, and her slender neck also turned, "Besides, I don't deserve this surname, I am a shoemaker.  Sewell's granddaughter, Charlotte Sewell, sir. "She is also a fugitive. The younger brother relies on serving the emperor and rises to the top in a dignified way. However, in order to protect the family's reputation, the upright descendant is only willing to enter the palace under a pseudonym.  , it¡¯s really ironic to say, but it¡¯s also today¡¯s reality.  "Why are you unwilling to recognize the reality?" Charles became even more angry, and could even be said to be a little helpless, "Bourbon is over, it's over! They can't come back! There is no benefit to following them, it will only give you  Bringing danger, after all, what good do they have? A bunch of incompetent wastes, who have lost their country. Bah! They are just a bunch of bugs." Charlotte just smiled.  Listening quietly with a smile, as if there was just a breeze blowing on your face.  It wasn¡¯t until Charles finished speaking that she sighed softly.  "You are the one who should recognize the reality, young master." Then, she walked step by step in front of Charles and looked directly into his eyes, "Open your eyes and see what is going on in this empire.  ? ! Everything he flaunts is just false talk, freedom? It¡¯s not free at all, lest the people have any freedom; it¡¯s not glorious at all, it¡¯s taking risks again and again.  France and the whole of Europe fought, and the people shed their blood, but in the end they gained nothing; revolution? The word revolution has almost become a forbidden word for you! The empire was born because of revolution, but it is extremely afraid of revolution, because the rulers of the empire know it.  , I am just a monster lying on the heads of the people, knocking the bones and sucking the marrow! The existence of the empire is an insult to these words." As she spoke, her momentum gradually increased, and her smile slowly disappeared, "I have been to too many places in France.  , much more than you who live comfortably in Paris, I know better than you what is going on in this country. In the countryside, the farmers have very little property and have gone bankrupt due to natural and man-made disasters. The land originally allocated during the revolution has been lost.  It is quickly concentrated in the hands of a small group of people; in the city, the poor are hungry and cold, and they work hard every day but can only make ends meet; even in your army, the soldiers at the bottom are suffering the same, they have served in the army for more than ten years, but they are only  The upper class treats them as tools, their salaries are withheld, their weapons and equipment are resold, and no one cares about their life or death! To put it bluntly, your empire is just a prison of tyranny where a group of bastard warlords and bureaucrats gather together to have a carnival!  Aren't you here? The suffering people, the boiling fire, these things you used to laugh at us are preparing to devour you. Can you deny the reality, Master Treville? " Charles was speechless for a moment.  .  Because some of what Charlotte said is indeed true.  "Look, you have nothing to say, right?" Charlotte showed a victorious smile again, "You have completely ruined your reputation. There are complaints everywhere, and the people all miss me, Bourbon." "People.  "Don't you miss Bourbon?" Charles's eyes widened, as if he were looking at a madman, "You can't be serious, Charlotte?"  Charlotte smiled apologetically, "Maybe Bourbon is not that popular, but you are even more unpopular now, aren't you? The revolution once gave you a chance, but you were destined to be swallowed up by it. At that time, Iris  The flag of flowers will surely fly on this land again, and God will bless this place again. "It's impossible. Even if we are finished, it won't be Bourbon's turn. That era is really gone forever."  Ciel answered without hesitation, "Besides, based on my understanding of His Majesty the Emperor and some other important officials of the empire, they are capable of maintaining the situation. People in any era are poor and miserable, and full of complaints. Without it, the empire may not be able to survive.  "Then let's wait and see who is right and who is wrong." Charlotte took two steps back and saluted him, "How can we know the result if we don't try?""Why do you have to try?!" Charles almost roared. He didn't know why he was so angry. "Wouldn't it be better to stay here and enjoy your glory and wealth?" "A person, living in the world.  , In addition to glory and wealth, you should always believe in something and insist on something, right?" Charlotte raised her head and looked at the stern-faced young man opposite, with a little tear in the corner of her eyes.  , "Maybe I am carrying out a career that is destined to be fruitless, but at least I am believing and insisting on something. This is the life I want to live." "I will find a way to get him out." He hesitated.  After a moment, the young man sighed and gave up his futile attempt to persuade the other party.  "But you have to promise not to involve me and my grandfather in these things, no matter what." "Okay, thank you, Charles." Charlotte's smile contained a hint of relief.  "His name, address and other personal information are all in the shoebox. You can just find someone to bail him out without having to do anything yourself. In addition, I can promise you that I will never implicate you in our case without your knowledge."  In action, we are a family, and it is my principle not to harm my family." Charles believed her words. He knew that Charlotte was such a person. She strictly abides by her own rules, stubborn and determined, hell.  Stubborn.  "Then, I won't stay any longer. Goodbye." Charlotte was very happy. She hugged Charles, then let go of her hand and said goodbye to him. "I believe we will see each other again soon." Soft Drum  The feeling of the two lumps of flesh sticking to his body disappeared in a flash, and Ciel could only watch the other person leave helplessly.  "Goodbye." With an inexplicable heavy heart, Charles returned to the restaurant, and by this time his grandfather was already sitting there.  "Is she here?" the old man asked directly.  "Yes." Charles nodded slightly, "She said she would give me a pair of shoes and then ask me to do a favor." "It's really an unfair dealthis little clever guy." The old man couldn't help laughing.  He got excited and said, "Okay, if it's not a big help, then help, we need them. Ciel, we have to leave a way out for ourselves at any time. Although the empire's rule is stable now, things are uncertain. Who can tell what will happen in the future?"  ! Maybe we will need help from the Bourbon people at some point, so it is very important to maintain the relationship with my brother. " Of course, Charles understands the old Marquis's consideration of hedging his bets. Over the years, the old man has become more important.  He has been secretly communicating with his brother, even though he knew that the other party was from the opposite party to him, just to make his family invincible.  While playing the role of a loyal minister in front of His Majesty the Emperor and a comrade in front of the senators, he was having an affair with his brother who was a royalist. The old man didn't think there was anything wrong with this. He took it to his eldest grandson with one hand.  I also deeply agree with the old man's approach.  Charlotte believes that ideals and persistence are above all else, but the grandfather and grandson do not think so. They believe that the so-called ideals and persistence are just means used for power, status and wealth.  "Charlotte is a good child, an amazing child. You can be friends with her, Charles." After a long silence, the old man casually picked up the knife and fork and started eating, "But you have your future, your  I have planned a glorious future, you can see it, and she is just an exile after all, so she is just a friend. " "I understand."  voice answered.
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