As Pauly politely expressed condolences to the three officers and promised rewards, the four people present also understood that the next time should be left to Lawrence and Pauly.
boom.
The wooden door of the study room was closed casually by Major Cui Farley, making a dull sound.
Paulie's expression gradually turned cold from the fake smile just now, and he kept looking up and down at Lawrence.
The light from the oil lamps in the room was not bright, and both of them could not see each other's expressions clearly, and could only see large shadows on their faces.
There are only two people here, and Pauli has no intention of pretending anymore. The two sides have almost broken up, and they just have to finally break up.
Despite this, the two still had a tacit understanding and did not break this last layer of film.
"Lawrence, I really want to know how you won the Battle of Bonifacio."
Paulie seemed to say casually, his tone was very calm, as if he was just chatting with a stranger about the weather tomorrow.
Lawrence was not in a hurry to reply. Based on his understanding of Paulie, this was just the calm before the storm.
"To be honest, I don't know either."
Lawrence shrugged helplessly, turned his head to one side and said:
"You know, the last time and first time I commanded an army was two years ago."
Paulie's eyes were fixed on Lawrence, as if he wanted to see through the shadow that shrouded his face, and then he said with a sneer:
"Lawrence, I don't know what means you have, but if you hit my bottom line, I will let you know what means I have."
This night was the same as that day in the auditorium, there was still the constant noisy sound of insects, but it could be regarded as filling the large gap of silence between the two of them.
After a long time, Lawrence suddenly sighed and said:
"There are some things I have wanted to say to you for a long time, but maybe I am not suitable for them."
After hearing this, Pauli couldn't help but be stunned, and even the sneer on his face couldn't help but disappear, and he asked, somewhat doubting that he was hallucinating:
"Not suitable for these? What are you talking about?"
Lawrence sighed again, waved his hand and said:
"The army, dealing with people, politics, fighting, these have made me very tired."
Paulie opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say.
This boy whom he regarded as the number one threat did not fall into the traps he designed several times, but instead wanted to actively withdraw from all these events?
"Lawrence, what exactly do you want to say?"
Paulie forced himself to calm down and asked Lawrence in a deep voice.
But in Paulie's tone, a bit of excitement and trembling can be clearly heard.
Lawrence glanced at Paulie calmly and continued to sigh:
"What I have witnessed on the battlefield these days has shocked me. I find that His Excellency Peter's invitation is what makes me more moved. After all, who doesn't want to live a leisurely life with a knighthood annuity? I've had enough of this."
"Have you decided to promise Mr. Peter?"
Paulie immediately moved his body closer. Although there was still a bit of distrust in his eyes, the hostility in his words suddenly diminished a lot.
Lawrence nodded solemnly and said:
"Please tell Lord Pitt that I have decided to return to London with him."
Paulie stood up and walked around the table in confusion, seeming to be thinking about something. From time to time he looked up at Lawrence in surprise.
In the end, Paulie nodded to himself and said in a deep voice to Lawrence:
"Very good, very good. I know that you are a young man who knows the general situation. Mr. Peter will not treat you badly. I will inform him tomorrow morning."
"Oh yes..."
Lawrence suddenly interrupted Paulie and said:
"I have one more request."
"Request? Just say it." Paulie frowned and motioned for Lawrence to continue.
"As you know, I'm from Florence, and I have many relatives there."
Lawrence's eyes dimmed a bit, and he looked worried and said:
"I hope to bring them all with me to London this time. Of course, Lord Pitt has given permission."
"Relatives? Well, this is necessary, but why are you telling me these things?" Paulie asked with some confusion.
Lawrence sighed again, shook his head in distress and said:
"I have to say that they are all a bunch of old stubborns. If they write a letter, they will definitely not agree to leave Florence. Therefore, I need to go back in person to persuade them."
"You're leaving Ajaccio?!"
Paulie was even more surprised and blurted out that he had just been thinking about how to transfer Lawrence away from Ajaccio again before the treaty was signed, but he did not expect that Lawrence would take the initiative to ask to leave.
For Pauly, as long as Lawrence himself is not around, there are too many opportunities to suppress Lawrence's group.
Although Lawrence had just returned with a big victory, Pauly could not go too far, but there was still enough time for Pauly to weaken Lawrence's influence.
In Pauly's eyes, Lawrence offered to leave Ajaccio for a period of time, which was a naked sign of weakness, and made Pauly completely believe what Lawrence had just said.
"Of course there is no problem. It is the freedom of citizens to enter and leave Corsica."
There was already a faint smile on the corner of Paulie's mouth. He had no idea that such a good thing would happen tonight.
The thorn in his side that he regarded as a major problem actually quit the fight. This incident alone could make Pauly happily drink three glasses of whiskey.
Not to mention that he also dominated Lawrence's spotlight in the afternoon, taking most of the glory of the triumph on himself.
When Lawrence left the Governor's Mansion, Pauli even personally accompanied Lawrence out of the study and walked to the door before waving to Lawrence and saying:
"Goodbye, young man, perhaps we will meet again in London."
"I hope so, Governor Pauley."
Lawrence smiled and waved to Paulie, then walked forward without looking back.
...
In Dongcheng District, Carlo was carefully reading a biographical novel in the living room of his home. Suddenly he heard a knock on the door and asked the housekeeper to open the door with some displeasure.
When the butler brought the visitor into the living room, Carlo was surprised to find that the visitor was his brother Lawrence, and couldn't help but say:
"Dear Lawrence, it's so late. Is there anything urgent?"
Lawrence, who had just left the Governor's Palace, went directly to Carlo's home. After seeing Carlo, he said straight to the point:
"Brother, I heard that you have a friend worth making, and I would like to make acquaintance with him."
Carlo closed the book with some confusion and asked:
"Friend? Who are you talking about?"
"Count Malbeuf of France."
"Malbov? He is indeed an outstanding talent." Carlo was stunned for a moment, frowned and said:
"Huh? How did you know that I knew him?"
Historically, after France occupied Corsica, Count Malbeuf became the governor of Corsica, and the Carlo family also received a lot of care because of their relationship with Malbeuf.
This is also the reason why Carlo was able to live a nourishing life in Corsica after he and Pauli failed to resist the French in history.
Lawrence also speculated about their friendship based on this history. When faced with Carlo's question, Lawrence just said casually:
"I heard people talk about it occasionally."
"So that's it."
Carlo nodded in sudden realization. Of course he had no doubts about his biological brother, so he stood up directly, found paper and pen, and said while writing:
"I will write a letter of recommendation for you. Are you going to see him soon?"
"Maybe, it's hard to say." Lawrence said, pretending to be vague.
"Well, I was thinking that you should bring an appropriate gift when you visit a count like him."
Carlo picked up the written recommendation letter, dried the ink, handed it to Lawrence, and said by the way:
"Maybe I should pick out a gift for you?"
Lawrence took the recommendation letter and gently folded it and put it in his purse, shook his head and said:
"Thank you for your kindness, brother, but no need, I have prepared the best gift for him."