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    While the Count of Monte Cristo was chatting and laughing with the famous banker at the house of Baron Tanglar, Charles was also meeting with an important person in another place.  Like the Count of Monte Cristo, he is now in a splendid place - the Grand Hotel Vieri, located not far from the French Senate. This is one of the most famous and romantic restaurants in Paris, the Senate and the Empire.  High-ranking government officials often come and go, and there are many secret transactions going on here.  And he was in a private room in the hotel, watching the waiters deliver dishes and drinks to the table.  But unlike the Count of Monte Cristo, he was invited here temporarily by this person, and he didn¡¯t know what the two of them would talk about today.  The seat opposite him has been empty, and the person who invited him has not come over yet, so he can only look around the window in boredom.  Just when he was getting impatient and started looking at his pocket watch, the door finally opened again, and a young man with an impressive appearance strode in.  He was wearing a very formal black suit, with a hurried and serious expression, just like that of a young and powerful government dignitary.  He is none other than Mr. Lucien Debray, the confidant and secretary of Prince J¨¦r?me, the Imperial Minister of the Interior.  Although he was not of noble origin, he was a young man who was very good at maneuvering, so he rose to prominence early and was valued by his superiors. He also received favor from His Highness the Prince and was promoted to his current status.  Being able to be valued by so many big shots is of course not just about flattering others, but his ability is also very remarkable.  When he was studying, his grades were very good. After entering the government, his work performance has been praised by onlookers, and his work enthusiasm is impeccable, so he is considered the most promising person in the imperial government.  one of the young people.  "Char, I'm really sorry. There are too many things to do today, so I was delayed a little." As soon as he saw Charles, he smiled and nodded to Charles, and then sat directly in front of Charles.  This busy atmosphere leaves no doubt that he does have a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.  "Hey, it's been such a troubled time recently. The opposition in the Senate has been chattering against the government. To be honest, it's a bit troublesome for us to deal with it" "I can understand, Lucien." Charles also gave the other party a smile.  , "So, how can I help you?" Although he smiled on the surface, Charles was still full of confusion in his heart.  Lucien Debray asked him to come out to meet. This was his first experience, so he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. But in the end, Lucien Debray had a very good relationship with him at the moment, so he shouldn't do anything bad to him today.  The news - or in other words, if something really happened to him, Lucien Debray would avoid him in a hurry before it was too late to clear up the relationship, and he would not come to him.  "At this point, I don't ask you to do anything for me. Don't add any unnecessary workload to us. Thank God" Lucien Debray let out a long sigh. "In the end, we have to deal with it."  The Senate is already in a difficult situation. It would be ridiculous to bear the burden for some personal matters. " "Absurd?" Of course, Charles could hear the subtext of the other party's words. He was accusing himself of giving them trouble for no reason.  brought trouble.  It turns out that Lucien called him here to investigate?  But he was very surprised. Why did he suddenly offend Lucien when he obviously didn't do anything?  "Have I caused any trouble to you?" After pondering for a moment, Charles still couldn't figure it out, so he had to ask the other party directly, "I'm sorry. I don't remember what I did. If I did it unintentionally,  If so, I apologize to you. " "It's just an unintentional thing for you, but it's a source of trouble for us." Seeing Charles's good attitude, Lucien's serious attitude also softened.  "Charles, why do you want Kong Ze to go over the old accounts of our department?" "To go over the old accounts?" Charles was even more confused, "What do you mean?" "Have you forgotten?" Lucien was stunned for a moment.  , and then sneered, "Didn't you ask Kong Ze to investigate the internal problems of our department thirty years ago?" "Problems from thirty years ago?" Charles frowned, and then suddenly remembered.  Yes, not long ago, Konze, who returned from Marseille and Chateau d'If prison, reported to him many situations he investigated, including the matter about a dead prisoner, Edmond Dant¨¨s.  This young man was sent to the Chateau d'If during the Restoration of the Bourbons for supporting the emperor, butAfter the restoration of the empire, he was not released and was still imprisoned there.  The Chateau d'If prison once made an inquiry to Paris, hoping to release the prisoner, but a stern reply came from Paris at that time, requiring the prison to continue to guard the prisoner without releasing him, so the poor young man had to live in the dark.  He continued to serve his sentence in prison until his death.  At that time, Charles felt something fishy as soon as he heard about this situation, so he immediately ordered Kong Ze to continue to pursue this clue.  However, now Lucien Debray came to him and asked him sternly not to do this.  "Lucien, I understand. Could it be that the order not to release the young prisoner came from the Ministry of the Interior?" Charles finally understood the situation.  Lucien's face began to look ugly. He glanced aside subconsciously. After making sure there was no one here, he nodded.  "Of course, all prisons in France, including prisons for political prisoners, are run by the Ministry of the Interior. If our ministry orders the prison to continue to hold that mortal, how dare they not listen?" "Then, who gave the order?  ?" Charles asked.  Lucien¡¯s face became even more ugly.  "Char, don't you know why I called you here today? I won't tell you. This is my responsibility. In fact, I have already reprimanded Kong Ze. His  The investigation can only go so far." Then, he sighed again, "Char, don't blame me. In my position, I can only do this, and you would do the same if you were in my position.  The old debts are not easy to settle, and no one can bear such a huge price. "This is indeed true.  It is a common rule for leaders of all government departments to help their predecessors cover up shady things. After all, no one¡¯s hands will be completely clean when they are in office. If he does not fill in the holes for his predecessor, then he will no longer be there.  Who will fill the hole for him?  At that time, the only person who will suffer is yourself.  So when encountering this situation, Lucien's first reaction was to immediately order Kong Ze to stop the investigation immediately, and then find Charles to state his interests to him and ask him to give up investigating the privacy of this department.  What's more, this is still a critical department, and the privacy inside is even more bloody. If he really wants to open up old scores, God knows what will happen, and he can only choose to suppress it.  As for the injustice of the young man Edmond Dant¨¨s, that is not an issue that Lucien Debray needs to consider.  ¡°He¡¯s dead anyway, isn¡¯t he?  "Lucien, my friend, don't get excited." Seeing the other party's anxious look, Charles comforted the other party warmly, "Don't worry, my purpose has never been to settle old scores, and I have never taken advantage of you.  "I don't know what your purpose is, but your behavior is already very dangerous." Lucien Debray shook his head and disagreed with Charles.  If you want to investigate the Count of Monte Cristo, I will never stop you, but you cannot investigate the internal problems of our department. This is a red line and no one can cross it. At least I cannot bear this responsibility. I have already said to Kong Ze.  "Yes, he already knows his mistake. He promised me that he will never touch the privacy of the department again, otherwise he will know the consequences." "Then tell me what I need to do if I insist on knowing the inside story.  What?" Charles still insisted on his request.  "I can promise not to tell anyone, but I need to know." His stubbornness made Lucien frown.  "Charles don't be so unkind" If it weren't for the fact that Charles is the grandson and heir of Marshal Treville, I'm afraid that being so unyielding would have made Lucien furious. Unfortunately, he was,  So Lucien had no choice but to helplessly persuade him to stop being troublesome.  "Lucien, I know that my young age may make you feel distrustful, but we have been together for a long time. You should know that I am not a chatty person. When I need to keep secrets, I  You can keep the confidentiality strictly, I just want to know who issued that damn order." Charles moved closer to make himself more oppressive, "Lucien, answer me, who gave the order thirty years ago.  "Is this matter really important? It's been thirty years, who cares?" Lucien waved his hand impatiently, "Well, there is indeed a poor man who died unjustly."  Yes, but this kind of thing happened everywhere in ancient times, and it still happens everywhere now. Does anyone care? If you want to clean up the wrongs of such people, then I tell you, you can¡¯t clean it up. Every dynasty is a dynasty.  Wealth built on bonesGrand palaces, no one can clean them.  " "I am not trying to clear up the grievances of the dynasty. I don't have such high ambitions.  I just need to find out what happened in 1815. This is very important and affects what I and our family can achieve next.  Charles still looked at the other party calmly, "Although there is no clear evidence now, I have reason to believe that the Count of Monte Cristo must have a lot to do with the unfortunate events in 1815."  " Lucien Debray stopped talking. His eyes were focused on Charles, looking left and right, as if he wanted to see the sincerity of this promise in him. Charles did not make any expression, just picked up the tableware.  Come and start eating, using this silence to show his sincerity, his eyes are always moving, obviously thinking about it in his heart - if the other party really has no intention of bargaining, he will definitely not do it.  If he made any concessions on this matter, there was no need for him to deliberately invite himself into the secret room, and there was no need to talk to him for so long. With this determination, Charles ate his meal calmly.  To replenish energy for his hungry body, just as he took a sip of dry red Bordeaux to soothe his throat, Lucien spoke carefully, "Then you can guarantee that everything you know will be used only for Christ.  Will there never be any rumors about Earl of the Mountain, and will it definitely not cause other troubles?  " "Of course, my friend.  "Char put down his wine glass, then raised his head and looked at the other party with bright eyes, "I can assure you that I will never do this.  After all, why do I do this?  I have no interest in asking for trouble.  " "Okay Since you said so, let me believe you for a moment. Who said we are friends" Lucien Debray's eyes were a little dodgey, as if the person who scolded Charles just now was another person.  Like people, "Well, Charles, actually I only figured it out privately because the time in 1815 was so sensitive.  " "Why are you so sensitive?  " Charles asked knowingly, recalling what the other party said below. "Isn't the matter obvious?  At that time we changed dynasties twice.  The Bourbon people came back and purged those who supported Emperor Napoleon in the Ministry of Interior. When Emperor Napoleon came back, the people sent by Bourbon were purged again. Many people died in the process.  , including some innocent people.  "Although he said such cruel things, there was not much sadness in Lucien's expression. He cut the steak in front of him very naturally with a knife and fork. "The old man in the department still has lingering fears when he mentions it. At that time, he cleaned up a lot.  The remnants of Bourbon and the remnants of Fouche ended up missing a lot of people in the office, and there were problems with the normal operation of the department" Charles knew that Lucien Debray was definitely not a person who liked to talk nonsense, so  There must be a hidden meaning in his words. ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was in an abnormal state at that time?  "Ciel asked tentatively. "To be precise, it was in a state of being supervised or managed, and it did not resume normal operation until a long time later.  Lucien Debray replied in a low voice, "During this period of time, the few people specially assigned by His Majesty to the Ministry of Interior are in charge of the entire department. If they want to do anything, no one can interfere, let alone  changed.  " "So, the decision to continue to imprison Edmond Dant¨¨s that the prison received from Paris was made by these special personnel?  "Char immediately figured it out. "Who are these special agents?  "Lucien Debray just smiled and did not answer. "Well, my friend, I am sensible.  Charles understood what the other party meant, so he just shrugged, "What do you want?"  " "Don't ask me that, Ciel, this is not a transaction.  "Lucien Debray shook his head suddenly. For a moment, Charles even wanted to pick up the dinner plate on the table and slam it into the other party's serious face. "You are still doing this at this time? This is not a deal.  Then why did you call me here? To pass the time by chatting? However, Charles knew that he couldn't get angry, so he could only suppress his anger and look at the other party calmly. "Okay, what do you want to tell me?"  " Lucien did not answer directly, but changed the topic, "Charles, you were there that night. You saw what poor Albert was treated by Baron Danglars" "Yes.  , poor Albert.  "Ciel shrugged, but actually he didn't feel sorry for the other party. "People always have bad luck, and it's time for him who has always had smooth sailing to suffer.  ¡±  "Then do you know why Baron Danglars suddenly became so crazy?" Lucien showed a mysterious smile.  "I don't know, so don't be so pretentious and just tell me." Charles shook his head directly.  To be honest, as one of the witnesses at the time, Charles really wanted to understand why Baron Danglars suddenly turned his back and announced in public that his family had no engagement with Albert. After all, Marshal Morcerf was not someone to be trifled with.  It was really unwise for him to fall out like this.  "Hey, after all, this is also the trouble caused by my master" Lucien sighed again.  "Your master?" Charles was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses, "Prince J¨¦r?me? What does this matter have to do with him?" "You know, Baron Danglars has a very close relationship with His Highness the Prince.  Well, it¡¯s been an old friendship for decades. Over the years, he has been taking care of His Highness, and his career has gone very smoothly" Lucien explained to Charles unhurriedly, but what he actually meant was that he was Tangela.  The backer behind Baron Er said, "If possible, the Baron would like to continue all of this, but God doesn't have what he wants It seems that all of this can't continue, so he is driven crazy." "What the hell is it?  What do you mean?" Charles was still confused.  "His Royal Highness plans to submit his resignation in front of His Majesty soon and retire home to take care of himself." After a moment of silence, Lucien told Charles an explosive news.  "So he is now busy dealing with the aftermath - all aspects of the aftermath." "Sothat's it." After Lucien's explanation, Charles finally understood.  It is obvious that Baron Tanglar relied on the help of His Highness the Prince to achieve great success and obtain his current family business - so he must have also helped His Highness the Prince to do a lot of shady business secretly.  But now, the situation is different. His Royal Highness is preparing to retire, his backing is shaky, and His Highness is definitely preparing to deal with the aftermath - that is to say, business dealings with him will decrease in the future, and he will no longer take responsibility for him.  You can imagine what a big blow this was to Baron Tanglar.  "If that's the case, it's understandable that Baron Danglars went crazy" Charles nodded, "But, in this situation, shouldn't he find a backer? Why do he still have a falling out with Marshal Morcerf?  " "That's because he has found a bigger backer for himself" Lucien raised the corner of his mouth slightly, seeming to be a little more mocking, "He can hide it from others, but he can't hide it from me. Not long ago, he invited just  Prince Louis Bonaparte returned to his home; and Prince J¨¦r?me was also very interested in bringing the two of them together" "Baron Danglars wants to marry his daughter to Prince Louis?" Charles asked, and then  He nodded heavily, "No wonder! It's not surprising!" This can explain all this.  "Then what did His Highness say? Did he agree?" Charles asked quickly.  "According to the information I received, His Highness did not agree, but he did not refuse either." Lucien replied.  "He wants to observe and see if there is any better candidate, or in other words, see what higher offer his uncle can offer." "In other words, Baron Tanglar wants to find a prince.  Son-in-law, you are still regarded as an alternative?" Charles concluded, "Hait's true that one thing brings another thing! People like Baron Danglars are also encountering difficulties now."  After a pause, Charles thought of something again.  He suddenly turned his head and looked at Lucien, "In other words you are also in trouble now?" Yes, Lucien should be in trouble now too.  As we all know, he is the confidant of His Royal Highness Prince J¨¦r?me. He relies on His Highness the Prince's support to get where he is today. But if His Highness the Prince retires, there will be no way to support him - so, like Tanglar, he has to find a backer.  .  "Yes, Charles, I am indeed in a dilemma." Lucien's face suddenly darkened, "His Royal Highness the Prince said he was going to retire. There was no warning beforehand. When I came to my senses, I was already in this embarrassing situation.  "Then how should I help you?" Charles asked directly without wasting any time.  "Ask your grandfather to recommend me to His Royal Highness Prince Louis and help me stay in office." Lucien finally stopped evading this time and directly stated his request, "According to internal news, His Majesty plans to let Prince Louis succeed him soon."  The position of His Royal Highness Prince J¨¦r?me, even if he is not a minister, will become one of the actual leaders of the Ministry of the Interior, so I hope I can stay when the time comes. " "Oh" Charles said meaningfully.? responded.  Charles did not expect that His Majesty would be entrusted with important responsibilities so soon after he recalled Louis Bonaparte to the country. ?????????????????????????????? It¡¯s great to be born into a royal family.  "Then why didn't you let His Highness Prince Jerome recommend it? His recommendation would be more justified, right?" Charles thought of something else.  "He refused." Lucien shook his head, "Besides, the words of the predecessor and the successor are inappropriate" "I understand" Charles laughed again.  Yes, Prince Jerome can retire. He is old and has enjoyed everything, but how can Lucien be willing?  He has already enjoyed the beauty of power, how could he be willing to retire with Prince Jerome? He must be looking for another backer.  "Charle, do you remember the last time we met? You told me that you were willing to help me. Now is the time. You can help me find His Royal Highness Prince Louis and let me become friends with him. Then I can do whatever you want.  Help, you want to know the history of the department, no problem, I can tell you! If you want to do something shady, no problem, I can help you deal with the aftermath!" Lucien's breathing became a little rapid, obviously.  Emotionally, "As long as you can help me keep everything I have, then I can do anything for you." Charles looked at the other party coldly. Now Lucien Debray no longer had the composure he had just now, worrying about gains and losses.  The appearance is really ugly.  "I know, Charles, I look a little ugly now, and I don't look like a free and easy gentleman at all, but I was not a noble gentleman in the first place." Lucien smiled bitterly, "What I have achieved after more than ten years of hard work  You can easily get everything without any effort, so you can be free and easy. For you, even if you lose something, you will always have the opportunity to get it again in the future, but I am different If I lose something, then  There is no chance to get it again, so I have to hold on tightly, just like a drowning person holds on to a life-saving straw. There is absolutely no way to let go. No matter how ugly it looks, I have to hold on tight, even if I am laughed at.  , that¡¯s better than falling into a puddle and being forgotten. So, Charles, tell me, are you willing to extend your hand of friendship to me and get everything in return?¡± ¡°Okay, don¡¯t worry, Lu.  Xi'an" Seeing that the other party had already talked about this, Charles couldn't keep silent anymore. He nodded, "I understand your mood, okay, I will let my grandfather do this, don't worry.  Come on!" "Charthank you!" Lucien laughed from the bottom of his heart at the joy of surviving the disaster.  He couldn't help but stood up directly and held Ciel's hand.  "Believe me, as long as you give me a way out, I can help you do anything!" "Then first tell me who did those things?" Charles was not moved, and he asked himself directly  issue concerned.  "It's the Marquis of Noirtier." Lucien stopped evading and answered Charles simply, "It's the guy who is now paralyzed by a stroke. Back then, he helped the exiled Emperor take charge of Paris affairs. When His Majesty the Emperor  After returning, he came to the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a special agent, and took over the work of the entire police department with several colleagues." Before Charles could ask further questions, he took out a briefcase from the briefcase he had brought with him.  He handed a paper bag to Charles, "I have prepared the relevant files, you can just check them." Hey!  So you were ready?  What about the departmental principles you just mentioned?  Where are you now?  With such complaints, Charles took the paper bag silently.  Of course he would not break it up now. The two of them had a tacit understanding and continued to chat over the meal as if nothing had happened. However, by this time their conversation had become much more relaxed.  "Baron Danglars is very anxious now. He is afraid that His Highness Prince Louis Bonaparte will not agree to the marriage, so he keeps courting him. I think he is really anxious and crazy." Lucien talked about his mistress again.  husband.  ¡°It¡¯s the dream of many people to have their daughter become a prince¡¯s wife, and it¡¯s not his fault.¡± Charles replied casually.  "If this thing is done, then no one will have anything to say. If it is not done, then the Baron will be in trouble After all, there is already a lot of gossip about him in the social world." Lucien Debray's  There was a hint of mystery in his smile, "And for me, this is great news." From his smile, Charles felt something extremely surprising.  "What? Do you also want to marry his daughter?" He blurted out.  "Yes, actually I really want to marry her. After all, she is so beautiful and so talented.money.  Lucien replied in a very normal tone, "After all, I am worthy of his daughter, right?"  After all, I have a bright future, right?  " "But you are her mother's lover.  "Ciel asked back. "This is indeed a problem, but I think if we think of some ways, these obstacles can be bypassed.  Lucien shook his head, obviously disapproving, "If his daughter cannot become the prince's wife, Baron Danglars should have to pursue a more realistic goal, right?"  I should have a chance then. As long as I work harder then, maybe I can" Charles narrowed his eyes slightly and stared coldly at the high-spirited Lucien Debray. "This is a hungry wolf.  . Hungry wolves will never know what boundaries are. They will only devour and devour everything in front of them. They have no rules in their minds. They can betray anyone and they will never be satisfied.  You can't step on everything. You can only use this kind of person, and you can never trust him. It is already obvious that the Marquis of Noirtier intends to hide the man from Marseille.  The prisoner Edmond Dant¨¨s' information and the continued detention of him could only be for one reason - to cover up his son. The prisoner was in Marseille, and Prosecutor General Villefort was also in Marseille.  , this cannot be an accidental coincidence. It is conceivable that this prisoner must have been sent in by Villefort, and for the sake of his son, the Marquis of Noirtier violated his principles and forced a supporter of the emperor to be in the emperor's prison.  He was imprisoned until death and never saw the light of day. The father helped his son achieve this, but how did the son repay his father? He isolated his paralyzed father as a person who could be manipulated at will, and he also wanted to deprive his father of his property.  . Hehe, now the world is really ruthless.  "
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