Facing the count's expectant eyes, Pushkin felt a little overwhelmed by this sudden turn of events.
Just a moment ago, the count was still trying his best to dig out clues of "foreign-related conspiracy" from himself, but in the blink of an eye, he turned around and flatteringly invited himself to work on "Franco-Russian friendship". This kind of
He changed his face so quickly and skillfully that he was worthy of an experienced diplomat.
Although he felt a little disgusted with the count's pretentiousness, Pushkin felt great attraction to the count's proposal.
As a poet, he is not keen on money and power, but he takes reputation very seriously.
Previously, he had already become famous in the Russian literary world and became recognized as the best poet in the country; but now, he has won the favor of the emperor and his wife, and has actually achieved a huge reputation in France.
Under such circumstances, if he secretly worked to bring France-Russia relations back to normal and reconcile the Bonaparte family with the Russians, wouldn't he gain even greater fame?
And in his opinion, this matter will be of great benefit to the people of both countries. Isn't it perfect for two war-torn countries to put aside their past grudges and turn enemies into friends?
Because of this, he was moved.
Of course, he still remembered that just now he said, "He and I never discuss politics," and he didn't want to go back on his word so soon.
"Sir, I am very happy that you are actually willing to work on the reconciliation of the two countries, and I am happy to contribute to this... However, you must have seen that after all, I am not a diplomat and cannot get involved in foreign affairs.
"
To the earl, this response was tantamount to consent.
So he suddenly felt happy.
"You don't need to feel any mystery or awe about our profession. Sir, with your eloquence and intelligence, I think you can easily do the job of a diplomat." He smiled and replied to the other party, "Besides, in reality,
I don’t need you to do anything complicated. You just need to be a middleman and an unofficial communication channel between Russia and His Majesty the Emperor... Some words are often said through cold official documents.
It's better to say it through friends, isn't it?"
Perhaps he was afraid that Pushkin would not understand, so he continued to explain, "Kings and prime ministers often need people around them as channels to transmit information, and do things that they cannot do in a big way. If you are dealing with him,
Intentionally or unintentionally revealing some news that is beneficial to the friendship between France and Russia may change his attitude towards Russia. On the other hand, if he really wants to restore relations between the two countries, he will definitely do so as soon as possible.
Test through the people around you... aren't you a suitable candidate?"
Although the count's words were still somewhat obscure, Pushkin almost understood it now.
For kings, or for a government, the most important thing is face (to put it nicely, prestige), so before they do something in a big way, they will want to test and contact them through hidden and unofficial channels.
, use this to get a feel for it and figure out the other party’s attitude.
Only when the two parties contact each other privately and hit it off immediately, will the matter be officially transferred to official channels - this way you can avoid the embarrassing situation of making a big deal and getting nothing.
In the context of the current "quasi-severance of diplomatic relations" between France and Russia, if His Majesty the French Emperor really intends to bring France and Russia closer together, then it makes perfect sense logically for him to test the Russian officialdom through his Russian friends first -
It can even be said that this is only reasonable.
So, in other words, as a well-known Russian nobleman and poet, he seems to be such a suitable candidate - if the private temptation succeeds through himself, then diplomatic relations and goodwill and friendship will be restored with great fanfare; if it fails, then
This matter never existed. It was all his own busy work. He could completely shirk the responsibility.
So, when he received me so warmly, he didn't regard me as a potential pawn from the beginning, right? After thinking about all this, Pushkin suddenly felt like this again deep in his heart.
idea.
What's even sadder is that he seems unable to completely deny this conjecture.
He had always regarded the King of Rome as an equal friend, and had always believed that the friendship between the two people was so pure and without any impurities - but the reality would not be like this after all.
He is not a poet, but an emperor. Poetry is just his hobby. His first priority every day is definitely not poetry, but how to maintain his rule and how to make his family on an equal footing with the royal families of other countries.
So he cannot be pure.
But so what? Even if he does have other intentions for himself, the friendship between the two is not false, and his enthusiasm for his wife is not false either. He has indeed given him a huge help
——It can even be said that it gave them a reputation that they could not even imagine.
As a friend, this is enough, what more can you ask for?
For an emperor to face him with 100% pure friendship, this extravagant hope is bound to be a delusion.
At this moment, Pushkin suddenly recalled the young man he met in Greece four years ago. He was romantic yet deep, affectionate yet indifferent, personable yet distant... Until now, he has no idea at all.
Unchanged.
"Mr. Pushkin, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing that Pushkin suddenly fell into a daze, Count Garmanin became a little impatient, so he urged him.
At this time, Pushkin seemed to have woken up, and he smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, I just thought of something else..."
Then, as if he had made up his mind, he raised his head and looked at the count, and then continued speaking word by word. "Mr. count, His Majesty the Emperor regards me as a friend and has helped me a lot, so I don't
Will betray him. If you want to get any secret information from me in the future and let me act as the Russian embassy's informant around the emperor, then you'd better give up as soon as possible. I will never do such a degrading thing.
The scandal——"
At this point, he changed the topic again, "However, if I need to say a few nice words for the Russian motherland and let me work on promoting the friendship between the two countries, then I will be very happy to do it, and I have long been looking forward to it!
If there is a similar need in Petersburg, I can also convey it to you - we may not be friends, but I believe that we are completely consistent in defending the interests of the Russian motherland, and I can try my best to help you.
"
Pushkin's statement made Count Garmanin slightly stunned.
At this moment, he was impressed by Pushkin's aboveboard statement.
In just a few sentences, the other party has clearly defined what can and cannot be done, leaving no room for provocation or ambiguity.
Maybe he is not a patriot loyal enough to the Tsar, but he is indeed a man worthy of admiration. Count Garmanin thought to himself.
Now that this is the point, there is really no need to continue.
So, the count stood up and extended his hand to Pushkin in a friendly manner, "I understand what you mean. Well, we will act within this limit in the future... I hope both of our expectations can come true."
Pushkin also stood up and shook hands with the count.
Then, in a polite but cold manner, he said goodbye to the count and sent him out of his apartment.
After returning, Pushkin still looked worried. He walked to his wife's room, and at this time, his wife Natalia was dressing up in front of the mirror.
"What did you talk about with the people at the embassy? Why do you look so worried, my dear?" Natalia asked her husband casually while tracing her eyebrows in the mirror.
"Nothing, we just had some boring conversation." Pushkin replied casually, and then walked to his wife's side, "Natalia, what do you think of His Majesty the Emperor and his wife?"
"Does that need to be said?! They are simply the best people in the world!" Natalia replied happily, "The two of them are so good to us!"
Pushkin's answer to his wife was already expected, so he continued to ask, "So, do you think, if there is a chance, should we help them too?"
"Do you even need to ask? Of course you should!" Natalia replied with some confusion, "Can we neglect such a friend?"
Faced with his wife's questions, Pushkin just smiled.
Natalia's idea is very simple. As an ordinary lady, her whole world is the dressing table, the ballroom (and the future nursery). For her, since the emperor and his wife take such good care of their home, then it is
There is no doubt that she is a good person, and she does not think about all kinds of activities on and off the stage.
But sometimes, it might be a good thing to think simpler.
He is my friend, and he is kind to me now. If he wants to use me, then let him use me. Anyway, this is a good thing. I am happy to act as a diplomatic medium - I will not lose anything anyway.
.
Isn't it as simple as that?
When it comes to conspiracy, my husband and I are definitely not the ones to do it, and there is no need for the two of them to get involved in any dangerous diplomatic conspiracy and get themselves into trouble for no reason. However, there is nothing wrong with being a middleman.
After thinking about all this, he hugged his young and beautiful wife from behind.
"Are you happy during this time?"
"Of course, I'm very happy! I never thought I would be so happy before." Natalia giggled, "Honey, we are in the right place..."
"I think so too——"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The day after Count Garmanin met with Pushkin, news about the meeting was sent to Aigron by Count Monte Cristo.
This is not surprising. Aiglon did not specifically send someone to monitor Pushkin. However, as the count is the counselor of the Russian Embassy in Paris, and the number one diplomat of Russia in France, he is naturally the subject of surveillance by the French government, and someone is responsible for every move.
He was being followed, so his visit to Pushkin was naturally recorded.
Aigron didn't seem very surprised by this news, but rather it was a bit expected.
Instead, he asked about the count first.
"Edmund, are you okay now? Is your working status okay?"
At the moment, the count has obviously not gotten over his grief. His face is still a little haggard and he is more taciturn than usual, but he has at least returned to work.
In other words, he would rather return to work with enthusiasm and enthusiasm to forget the pain of losing a loved one again.
Today was his routine time to enter the palace and report public opinion to Aiglon. He also reported the meeting between the count and Pushkin.
"I'm fine, Your Majesty... Although I'm still a little sad now, it won't hinder my work." The Count replied calmly.
"Okay, what did they talk about?" Aigron got to the point.
"Your Majesty, the two of them met in private, and the conversation was between them alone, so we don't know the specific content yet-" the count replied.
"Then what do you think it will be?" Aigron asked.
"I personally think that you may be involved." The Earl replied honestly. "After all, this time is very sensitive, and it is known that you are quite fond of him and helped him become famous in Paris..."
The count's answer was extremely neutral and objective, without adding any extraneousness, but it already contained a certain danger.
"So do you think they will talk about something bad for me?" Aigron asked again.
"This possibility cannot be ruled out, Your Majesty." The Earl replied calmly, "Judging from the duration of their exchange, they must have been chatting for a long time, and it was definitely not a polite greeting. So this may involve you, maybe
They are exchanging information about you...even if Mr. Pushkin may not be doing so unintentionally."
"Your suspicion is indeed justified." Aigron nodded, agreeing with the count's analysis.
Then he quickly changed the subject, "But I don't think Mr. Pushkin would do that... He is a romantic man who cannot tolerate sand in his eyes, and he will not allow himself to become a snitch. Maybe he will
He may be foolish and do wrong things, but he will not do things that are detrimental to his friends.”
Edmund was a little surprised to see that His Majesty believed in the Russian poet so much. He couldn't figure out what was trustworthy about that young man.
But since this is His Majesty's conclusion, he can only accept it.
"So what do you think should be done?"
"Why should we deal with it? Just pretend that we don't know anything... nothing bad will happen anyway." Aigron shrugged, and then smiled slightly, "Looking at it from another perspective, isn't this good?
?The poor Polish round is about to end, and now we have to prepare for a new round. I have made enough gestures before, and now it is time to find a way to implement it... Let us continue to warmly welcome the couple, Petersburg will