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boom!
The mahogany cue hit the cue ball hard with a loud bang, but the cue ball missed its target and hit the edge of the table. Because it was hit too hard, the cue ball almost bounced off the edge of the table.
Got out.
"A very powerful shot, Your Majesty the Duke, but it's a pity that the accuracy is a little off."
The nobleman who was playing billiards with the Duke of Choiseul said regretfully, and then he coated his cue with lime powder and prepared to start hitting the ball.
"call..."
Duke Choiseul took a deep breath and shook his head twice, as if he wanted to get rid of all the unhappiness in his heart, but such actions only made him more irritable.
"Sorry, I'm feeling a little unwell. Who can finish this round for me?"
Duke Choiseul sighed and said, then he directly handed the cue to a noble next to him, walked away from the table, and found Lawrence who was meditating on the bench in the corner of the billiard room.
The banquet in the Hall of Mirrors has ended for half an hour.
Both Lawrence and the Duke of Choiseul had to admit that they were manipulated by Justice Maupe, or in other words, by Justice Maupe and King Louis.
It was precisely for this reason that the Duke of Choiseul was extremely irritable, and even his beloved billiards could not calm him down.
As a headstrong minister, it was difficult for the Duke of Choiseul to accept this feeling of being manipulated by others.
Lawrence didn't have any special emotions about this. Political struggles were inherently mutually offensive and defensive just like real sword duels. If Duke Richelieu and his faction could only passively accept the suppression of Duke Choiseul, they would not become Choiseul.
The worry of the Duke of Searle.
"Oh, I really envy you for being so calm, Governor Bonaparte."
Duke Choiseul sighed and shook his head, sat directly next to Lawrence, crossed his legs and said:
"Damn Mopu, he actually did something like this. The most important thing is that the king also supports him, otherwise his little trick will not be enough."
"This Justice Mopu is indeed quite shrewd."
Lawrence recalled the banquet just now and analyzed it carefully:
"The two choices he presented to you are both pleasing to the king, and will naturally be supported by King Louis."
"Hmm...? Two options? How would it benefit the King to leave negotiations to Chancellor Maupe?"
Duke Choiseul was stunned for a moment. Perhaps because he was in a irritable mood, he did not realize the interests involved.
Lawrence then patiently explained:
"I'm afraid King Louis doesn't want me to get too close to you. He would rather I simply move closer to His Royal Highness and not be affected by your struggle with the Duke of Richelieu."
"This... makes some sense."
Duke Choiseul frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded and admitted that Lawrence was right.
Since Louis XV has appointed Lawrence as the first attendant to the crown prince, he certainly hopes that Lawrence can serve the royal family wholeheartedly instead of getting involved in the party disputes between the two factions.
In this way, leaving the task of signing the treaty to Chancellor Maupe, a solid defender of royal power, would be very popular with King Louis.
"However, I think Governor Bonaparte's position is still very firm, right?" Duke Choiseul turned to look at Lawrence and asked.
Lawrence also nodded solemnly twice, indicating that he would still stand with Duke Choiseul.
Although Lawrence would gain further trust from King Louis if he took the initiative to escape from this storm of struggle, at the moment Lawrence still needs to use the authority of the Duke of Choiseul to benefit himself and Corsica.
Although improving relations with the royal family is an investment that is sure to make a profit, in that case, I am afraid that Lawrence will have to wait until Louis XVI succeeds to the throne to get real returns. Lawrence obviously cannot wait that long.
After receiving a positive reply from Lawrence, Duke Choiseul also nodded with satisfaction, sighed and said:
"The role of Justice Maupp is actually very similar to yours. Although he supports the Duke of Richelieu, he is also closely related to the royal family."
Lawrence then analyzed:
"So it seems that Justice Maupe is not completely siding with the Duke of Richelieu, right? He is really on the side of the royal family."
If Chancellor Maupe was merely an auxiliary or subordinate of Duke Richelieu, then Louis XV would not have been able to safely agree to transfer the treaty to him for completion.
Because this will only change Lawrence's preference for the Duke of Choiseul to his preference for the Duke of Richelieu.
Judging from today's results, Justice Maupp probably only maintained a loose cooperative relationship with Duke Richelieu, and he did not get too close to Duke Richelieu.
Duke Choiseul nodded and said:
"Although I don't know their specific situation, it is true from a theoretical point of view. The combined status and power of Justice Maupe is actually not inferior to that of Duke Richelieu. He will definitely not be willing to serve as Richelieu's gun."
What's more, there is a conflict of interest between them. Both of them covet my position. They should just cooperate to deal with me."
"If that's the case... maybe it's our chance."
Lawrence tapped his head twice and said slowly.
After hearing this, Duke Choiseul's slightly decadent and irritable eyes immediately burst into light. He looked up and pondered for a moment and whispered:
"Yes, it is indeed a good opportunity. We will discuss this after we return to Paris. After all, there are many people here and there are many ears."
After determining the united front between the two and the general direction of progress, Duke Choiseul finally recovered from the defeat in the previous confrontation.
Lawrence saw this and asked casually:
"By the way, when are you planning to leave for Dijon?"
Duke Choiseul is now Lawrence's biggest and most direct political backer. If he leaves Paris, Lawrence is very self-aware and knows that with his political power as a new arrival, it will be difficult to resist Duke Richelieu's faction.
targeted.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Duke Choiseul saw Lawrence's worry, patted him on the shoulder and said:
"Don't worry, I have hundreds of reasons to delay this matter for a year and a half. Even if I go, I won't stay there for long; I will deal with this matter after you return to Corsica."
thing."
"I should probably stay in Paris for a while," Lawrence continued.
"Oh? Is there anything else that needs to be dealt with?" Duke Choiseul asked smoothly.
"Except for the negotiation of the treaty, it is basically the listing and operation of Corsica National Silver Company on the Paris Stock Exchange."
Lawrence nodded, seeming to mention this matter intentionally or unintentionally.
Duke Choiseul also immediately understood what Lawrence meant. Assisting the National Silver Company to be listed on the Paris Stock Exchange was part of the contract between the two, so he smiled and said:
"Don't worry, I have invited people from the bank and stock exchange to have lunch. You can just pick a suitable time."
"It seems that your face is really good."
Lawrence smiled and shook his head, and after silently calculating the time, he said:
"My thought is the sooner the better."
"The sooner the better? Well, let's rest in Versailles for a day tomorrow and return to Paris tomorrow night."
Duke Choiseul shrugged and said, stood up and straightened his clothes, then said goodbye to the other people in the billiard room vigorously, and left the Palace of Versailles with Lawrence.
...
Early morning on June 8, 1770.
Yesterday evening, Lawrence returned to Paris with the Duke of Choiseul and his men.
Duke Choiseul left after sending Lawrence and his party to the mansion on the Champs Elysées, and said that he would send someone to invite Lawrence before today's lunch.
It was still only nine o'clock in the morning, and Lawrence and his men were enjoying their sumptuous breakfast in the dining room of the mansion.
Although Grosso and Yaan had been in Paris for a while, the fragrant cream stew on the table still made the two people who had been living on a rough diet for decades couldn't help but gobble it up.
During this time, Anna was studying French and aristocratic etiquette assiduously. Even during breakfast time, she had a private teacher accompany her to point out any problems in her dining etiquette at any time. It can be seen that this girl from a humble background is also working hard.
Do your best to serve Lawrence.
Lawrence, on the other hand, didn't have much appetite. Anyway, there was a more sumptuous meal waiting for him at noon, so at the moment he was just drinking coffee while casually reading today's newspaper delivered by the old butler.
"I have to say that those newspapers are really well-informed."
After reading the morning newspaper roughly, Lawrence shook his head and sighed:
"I accepted the king's appointment just the day before yesterday, and the matter was reported today."
"Hehehe, isn't this a good thing?"
To be continued...