Chapter 158: Winning over the Locksmith Crown Prince
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Lawrence, who was dozens of miles away from the Palace of Versailles, naturally had no idea that the old king in the palace was already very fond of him.
For Lawrence, how to further consolidate the relationship with Prince Louis is the most important thing for him at the moment. Although Lawrence has been a life-saving grace to Prince Louis, if he does not take the initiative to continue to have a good relationship with Prince Louis, this kindness will only be
It will be just a one-time favor.
Just after dawn, Lawrence was awakened by the chorus of chirping birds in the woods. Fortunately, after returning to the room last night, everyone thought Lawrence was seriously injured and did not come to bother him.
After all, the blood stains on Lawrence's body when he returned to the castle last night really shocked many nobles, but Lawrence had a peaceful sleep.
Of course, only Lawrence and Grosso knew that their injuries were not important at all. At best, they were just scratches and sprains on both arms caused when they fell to the ground.
Although Grosso was not a doctor, as the saying goes, a long illness makes a good doctor. For him who was used to fighting, it was completely easy to deal with these minor injuries on Lawrence's body.
However, in order to comply with this most widely circulated version of the story, Lawrence still ordered Grosso to treat himself as if he was seriously injured last night.
Grosso understood this very well, and gauze wrapped around Lawrence's abdomen and chest as if it were free. He also specially found a cane for Lawrence and fixed his arms with simple splints.
"This guy Grosso, he's so wrapped around my chest that I can't breathe."
Lawrence sat on the bedside and looked helplessly at his upper body, which was tightly wrapped in bandages, and said.
But at this moment, someone suddenly knocked on the door hurriedly. Before Lawrence could answer, the man outside the door pushed the door open and barged in, seemingly very eagerly.
This is the worried Crown Prince Louis.
Seeing that it was Crown Prince Louis who was coming, Lawrence was about to get up and greet him, but was stopped by Crown Prince Louis and said:
"Oh no no no, dear Lawrence, just sit down."
After that, Prince Louis looked at the bandages wrapped around Lawrence's body and couldn't help but take a deep breath. Then he personally moved a chair to sit in front of Lawrence and said:
"Is your injury okay? Oh my God, it was so dark last night that I didn't even notice it."
Yesterday, it was already dusk when Lawrence and his party encountered the wild wolf. In addition, before Prince Louis drew his sword to assist Lawrence, Lawrence had already been fighting with the she-wolf for a long time. This also made Prince Louis think that Lawrence's injury was
It was caused at that time.
In the view of Crown Prince Louis, Lawrence almost suffered the injury on his own behalf, because in the situation at that time, if Lawrence had not drawn the sword, then he would probably have been the one-faced wolf left behind.
Those duke heirs would not be so kind as to risk their lives to save themselves. After all, Crown Prince Louis had two younger brothers, and even if he died, his heirs would not be extinct.
Thinking of this, the kind-hearted Crown Prince Louis felt even more sad after seeing the injuries on Lawrence's body, and felt that his choice to visit Lawrence early in the morning was the right one.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Although I feel a little uncomfortable, it doesn't matter. I will just take some time to recover."
Lawrence ran his fingers across the bandages on his body, shook his head and said with a wry smile.
"Huh, that's good, that's good."
After hearing this, Prince Louis breathed a long sigh of relief.
If something happened to Lawrence in order to save the Crown Prince, given the character of Crown Prince Louis, even if the outside world thinks this is a matter of course, he himself will definitely feel sorry for it.
After a simple greeting, the conversation between the two paused briefly. Lawrence also took the opportunity to look at the crown prince, thinking about how to maintain his friendship with him. After all, this kindness alone is not enough.
So Lawrence glanced at Prince Louis, and after thinking that he was already interested in making locks at this time, he deliberately added:
"Well, it's just a pity that I can't pick up a ruler and compass for a while. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I am still a mechanical engineer."
"Huh?" Prince Louis blinked twice when he heard this, and he immediately became interested and asked:
"I really don't know this. What kind of machinery do you study?"
Lawrence tilted his head and thought for a while, then said as he liked:
"Generally speaking, it's fine machinery, such as pocket watches, firearms, etc. Oh, of course, I'm also very interested in locks."
Lawrence was not being shy when he said this. He was a hard-working mechanical engineer in his previous life. Although his hands-on ability was much poorer in this era, he could definitely attract Prince Louis just by relying on the theories and future designs in his mind.
After all, when it comes to making locks, Crown Prince Louis will not personally hold a hammer and do everything from the beginning of ironmaking. Most of the work he does is just assembly and design.
"Really? What a coincidence. In fact, I am also very interested in these things. It's a pity that no one in the aristocratic circle likes these things."
Crown Prince Louis' eyes lit up and he said excitedly:
"I have a workshop in the Palace of Versailles. You must come and have a look when your injury is healed. Maybe we can make some amazing works together."
Lawrence nodded, knowing that Louis XVI had indeed set up a hardware workshop in his palace during his period as crown prince, and hired many locksmiths to work in it. The most skilled locksmiths were even allowed to come and go at will.
The palace of Prince Louis.
Of course, Lawrence was also confident that he could take over the right to enter and leave the palace at will.
After discovering the common interest between the two, Crown Prince Louis became cheerful and outgoing, and kept telling Lawrence about his recent innovations in lock-making technology.
Lawrence also listened patiently, and from time to time used his knowledge to ask some questions about Prince Louis's designs, and also briefly described the designs of some later locks to Prince Louis.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! It was not until the birdsong in the forest outside the castle gradually died down that Prince Louis realized that the conversation between the two was a little too long, so he said without finishing:
"Oh my god, I dare say you are definitely a master locksmith, and the design of the tumbler lock you mentioned is so interesting. I can't wait to see the effect of this lock."
Lawrence smiled and nodded. After all, the marble lock was only invented in the mid-19th century. Of course it could attract the locksmith crown prince, so he said with pretense of regret:
"Actually, this lock is only on the design drawing, but I think I can work with you to make a sample."
"Really? That's great. I will write you an invitation letter when I get back, and you can just come to my bedroom. Oh, of course, after your injury is healed."
Prince Louis became even more excited after hearing this. After all, this meant that the exquisitely designed pinball lock would be born in his workshop, so he excitedly extended an invitation to Lawrence.
Lawrence nodded happily and accepted the invitation, and at the same time he breathed a sigh of relief. With this relationship, at least he could maintain his friendship with Prince Louis for a long time.
...
"Look, Prince Louis is here."
"Next to him is Governor Bonaparte, and oh—his injuries are really serious."
"Well, after all, he is facing a whole pack of evil wolves. He is lucky to be able to save his life, but he is really brave. I can't do this."
"Hmph, I think he came forward just to please Crown Prince Louis. Look at the close relationship between the Crown Prince and him."
"Come on, if you face a pack of vicious wolves, you probably won't be able to hold a sword."
When Prince Louis and Laurence came to the breakfast hall together, they immediately became the focus of all the nobles. Even some nobles who had finished the breakfast and were ready to continue hunting today immediately turned back when they saw these two people.
return.
The Duke of Choiseul in the center of the crowd also narrowed his eyes and looked at Lawrence, nodded to him meaningfully, and raised the white wine in his hand to greet Lawrence.
As for most of the young and unmarried ladies, they looked at Lawrence with fascination. In their eyes, this brave young foreign governor was enough to become their fantasy spouse in terms of status and character.
:
"I heard that he came from a run-down count family, but to be able to become the governor of Corsica is really not easy."
"But that's not all. It is said that he can also fight with soldiers. Oh my god, I really want to see him in military uniform. I must ask the best painter to paint that scene."
"Ah, I already want to write him a letter."
...
There are even some bold young ladies who have gone directly to find their fathers or brothers, hoping that they can come forward to express their desire for marriage to the handsome Governor of Corsica.
Prince Louis supported Lawrence with one hand and waved to everyone with the other.
When everyone praised Lawrence's bravery, they couldn't help but mention Prince Louis, which greatly satisfied the vanity of the sixteen-year-old Crown Prince.
After all, it is very rare for Crown Prince Louis to gain people's recognition not through his identity, but through his actions.
Bathed in everyone's comments, Lawrence and Prince Louis also looked at each other and smiled, supported each other, and didn't care about any etiquette rules. They just found a dining table and sat down directly, and began to eat happily.
In the middle of the breakfast banquet, many smart nobles who were aware of Lawrence's political value also came over to say hello to Lawrence and introduce themselves.
They all also understand that Lawrence is now a popular person around Prince Louis. For nobles like them who want to climb up, it is undoubtedly very important to fawn over a character like Lawrence.
Even some high-ranking nobles who were unable to come forward due to their status assigned their subordinates to send greetings to Lawrence and politely invited Lawrence to visit their manor houses in the future.
Lawrence patiently accepted these greetings or invitations with a smile. Who knows if he will be of use to these people in the future.
However, just as Lawrence and Prince Louis were accepting these kind greetings, a loud and arrogant voice suddenly came from the crowd:
"Your Royal Highness, it's great to see that you are okay. If something happens to you, your brother will be very sad."
As soon as these words came out, the nobles present were stunned. They didn't know who dared to say such rebellious words in front of Crown Prince Louis. After all, everyone knew that Crown Prince Louis had two other people who threatened his succession to the throne.
younger brother.
The little nobles in front of Lawrence subconsciously turned their heads to look at the speaker. However, after seeing the man's face clearly, they immediately put away their surprised expressions, and instead quickly moved away from Lawrence and gave way to the man.
Make way for a passage.
If it is this person, he does have the capital to be arrogant in front of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Lawrence frowned and looked up at the man, only to see that he was a young man about the same age as Prince Louis, probably about the same age as himself.
Although there was a smile on his face, it was a typical smile, and his body was still shaking slightly. His eyes were fixed on Prince Louis without any respect at all.
When Prince Louis saw this man, his brows suddenly knitted together and he looked at him with almost gritted teeth, but said nothing.
Seeing that Prince Louis ignored him, the man laughed contemptuously, then turned his eyes to Lawrence, and said even more disdainfully:
"And the Governor from Corsica, you rejected my grandfather's offer that day. I thought you had some lofty ambitions. It turns out that you want to be the Crown Prince's lackey. I'm really disappointed."
After that, the man snorted coldly and left the breakfast hall with his entourage without looking back.
When the man's back disappeared from the door, Prince Louis sighed, glanced at Lawrence, and said directly:
"I know what you want to ask. He is Count Falcone, a arrogant and arrogant playboy, and a hateful and hateful bastard. Every time I see him, I want to avenge Judas."
"Count Falcone? A count so arrogant?" Lawrence asked with a frown.
Prince Louis said helplessly:
"His grandfather is the Duke of Richelieu, and he is also the legitimate son of this generation of the family. If nothing else happens, he will be the fifth generation of Duke of Richelieu in the future."
"No wonder..."
Lawrence nodded slightly. No wonder he dared to be so arrogant in front of the Crown Prince. With the power of Duke Richelieu, even if Crown Prince Louis reported these matters to Louis XV, Louis XV would not be too concerned about the disputes between these young people.
Care.
After all, Count Falcone did not commit any illegal acts against Crown Prince Louis. Mere verbal disrespect was not enough for Louis XV to imprison the heir of the Richelieu family in a dungeon.
The reason why Count Falcone was so hostile to Lawrence was probably because Lawrence had previously rejected Duke Richelieu's reminder and solicitation and instead joined the side of Duke Choiseul.
However, in Lawrence's memory, the fifth Duke of Richelieu in history should have been only four years old at this time, and was obviously not the Count Falcone. It seems that there were still many changes in the process.
"Oh, it's really hateful."
Thinking of Count Falcone's face just now, Prince Louis couldn't help but sigh, but there was nothing he could do.
For this indecisive and cowardly crown prince, being able to draw his sword to help Lawrence last night was already his highlight moment. As for how to deal with Count Falcone, he was completely confused.
Lawrence looked at Crown Prince Louis with a little helplessness. It seemed that the political ability of this crown prince was indeed quite mediocre.
"However, this may be a good opportunity to further win over Crown Prince Louis."
Lawrence held his forehead thoughtfully and thought about it carefully.
As long as he can help Crown Prince Louis take revenge on Count Falcone, the relationship between the two will undoubtedly become closer. Although this will lead to a break with Duke Richelieu, Lawrence, who has decided to side with Duke Choiseul, does not care.
this.
On the contrary, as long as the relationship between Lawrence and Crown Prince Louis is better, Duke Choiseul will pay more attention to Lawrence. After all, his relationship with Crown Prince Louis relies on Lawrence as the middleman. In this way, Lawrence can use Choiseul
The power in the hands of Duke Er has gained more benefits.
"If you think about it...it's indeed an act worth trying."
After Lawrence silently made up his mind, he patted Prince Louis on the shoulder, leaned into his ear, and whispered seductively:
"Your Highness, do you want to make this bastard suffer a little?"
"Huh? Of course I have. How can I make him suffer?" Prince Louis became interested as soon as he heard this and asked repeatedly.