In a harmonious atmosphere, Charles and Bismarck greeted each other and claimed that they were a faction in their own diplomatic circles that were kind to each other's countries.

There is no doubt that they did this mainly to raise their own value in the other country, not a heartfelt confession, but if they say they are unsincere, it may not be the case.

Bismarck, in particular, did not say so just to fool Charles.

Unlike the famous iron-blooded speech, Bismarck did not have iron-blooded in his mind. In fact, he was much smarter and more flexible than ordinary Junker officers. Although he did not reject war, he also relied on three dynasty wars to unify Germany under the command of Prussia, he was not a thorough militarist, nor a commander who was keen on wars - he only fought when needed, or in other words, he truly understood the saying that "war is a continuation of politics."

After the establishment of the German Empire, his foreign policy actually had to be much more restrained.

Overall, he is a person who knows what he wants and is willing to continue to implement it unswervingly.

In his current view, Prussia's current national goal is to further establish its advantages within Germany and transform this advantage into a German state alliance dominated by Prussia. Therefore, this situation determines that his biggest enemy is Austria, and France has correspondingly become the object of appeasement or win over, and to some extent, it must remain friendly and friendly.

Of course, when the situation develops to the point where it is necessary to be an enemy of France, he will become an anti-French faction without hesitation.

When he walked out of Charles' office, Bismarck stood up with a serious expression and a little unruly. In the warm conversation just now, he had already weighed Charles de Treville.

This is an ambitious and very opinionated person who believes in his own opinion more because of his success. He does not believe in people's kindness or malice, and measures everyone with an almost absolute neutral attitude. He acts according to his own judgment.

It's like he is himself.

Therefore, you must be very careful when threatening, intimidating or seducing such people for profit. You must be cautious when dealing with them.

"However, even so, I can beat you down." He thought to himself.

………………………………………

A few days later, the funeral of the Duke of Treville was held as scheduled.

Because he had made corresponding preparations before, his descendants held the funeral quite smoothly. The obituary was printed in several newspapers the next day after the Duke's death. On this day, most of the people who received the obituary also attended as scheduled.

The church was filled with a crowd of nobles, wealthy businessmen and foreign envoys, and everyone looked solemn.

Such a funeral is worthy of this famous family, but how much significance does it have to Duke Treville lying in the coffin under the altar?

“…Death took away our relatives and friends, Duke Philip de Treville, and made us deeply saddened. But we should not despair because Christ, our Lord, has changed the nature of death.

For the Lord’s people, death is not the end or destruction of life. On the contrary, it is the threshold of eternal life…”

The priest read the eulogy in a slow tone, while his descendants and relatives surrounded the coffin and listened quietly.

Charlotte was wearing a black mourning dress, looking tired and sad, but her innate arrogance allowed her to maintain her superficial dignity without shedding tears. Charlotte stood beside her, holding her hand, and also used this method to convey her own strength to her.

Be polite. No one speaks in the seat, and the whole funeral continues in this controlled sorrow and silence, and comes to the end.

"May God forgive our sins and give all the dead abode of light and peace. We sincerely believe that Christ has been raised from the dead. May all of us live happily with him forever. My brothers and sisters present, may the Almighty Father, Son and Spirit bring blessings to you!"

"Amen!"

Everyone answered at the same time.

……………………

It was already the last time to say goodbye. The elderly Marshal Treville reached out and placed his hand tremblingly on the outer wall of the coffin. He stroked the carved texture, as if he was stroking the last face of his brother.

Until then, his tears finally burst out and dripped onto the coffin.

"No one will miss you as much as I do again." He murmured to himself, then picked up the velvet blanket next to him and covered his brother's coffin.

Everyone came over to express their condolences and left one after another. After the funeral, the coffin would be transported by a carriage to the duke's manor outside the city and buried in the family's cemetery.

In the carriage, Charlotte kept saying nothing. Looking at the scenery outside the window, this unscrupulous appearance made her husband feel a little sad.

"Charlotte, don't be too sad." Charles hugged her waist. "Everyone will have such a day, he's just one step ahead of us..."

"I know, Charlotte..." Charlotte replied in a low voice, "It's just that I feel a little uncomfortable now... You'll just let me relax for two days, and I can still accept reality."

"That's good." Charles breathed a sigh of relief.

"Even for our children, I should cheer up." Charlotte raised his head and looked out the window, "Grandpa left these for us, and we have to leave more for our children. This is not considered a humiliation of our ancestors, right?"

"I can't be more right!" Shire nodded, "Which is your father and brother? They... they didn't make any more trouble, right?"

"They have been honest recently and have not made any more trouble. It seems that they have agreed to the conditions we have proposed." Charlotte bit his lip and then suddenly sneered, "Our conditions have been raised so generously. If they are still not satisfied, they have to fight to the end!"

"As my own people, what do you say to fight or not..." Charles smiled.

"Just because they are my own family, they have to make everything clear," Charlotte replied angrily, "Stop them from having any luck, and in the end they will make a fuss, everyone will be extremely ugly!"

Unlike Charles, her brother and father's performance that night really made her feel a little sad. She was still indignant and could not forgive their actions.

Of course, she did not intend to reduce her treatment for her father and brother because of this, but her attitude would be more tough and harsh in the future.

"By the way, I have something to tell you." Suddenly, her expression became even more serious.

"What's the matter?" From his wife's expression, Charles saw some unusual places.

"Just two days ago..." Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then subconsciously looked around, "The envoy of the Wang family came to our house secretly."

"The envoy of the Wang family?!" Charles was startled, and then a little displeased. "Why don't you tell me? Also, what did they talk about?"

It’s not a big blame for his attitude. Today, when the Bonaparte family is in power, it is a very politically incorrect behavior to have private contact with the Bourbon family, let alone people with his position. If Charlotte makes any trouble with them now, it would be really embarrassing...

"Nothing has been discussed, don't worry, I've really withdrawn and will never participate in their activities again, and they forgive me." As if guessing what my husband was thinking, Charlotte gave him a blank look, "They came over, first mourned grandpa's death with us, and then... and then asked Dad to transfer part of the cash away..."

"Ah?" Charles was shocked again. "Your dad... won't agree, right?"

Her father, the new Duke Philip, is not that easy to talk to.

Previously, during negotiations with Duke Treville Jr., Charles threw the "Borbon Deposit" as a bargaining chip to his father-in-law. He must have planned to keep the money in his hands like his father to make money. How could he be willing to repay the money now?

"Yes, Dad refused. He told them that grandpa has just died and we are still in the stage of inventorying the inheritance. Maybe we can't afford to pay in the near future..."

"What did they say? Agree?"

"They said they understood the difficulties of our family, so they were willing to wait for a while." Charlotte's expression was very serious, even serious. "But, at most a few months later, they asked for a big return, and said that things are urgent now and there is no more grace..."

"Are you so tough?" Charles was a little suspicious, "Why did they suddenly make such a request as soon as your grandfather died?"

"His Royal Highness the Princess is also critically ill..." Charlotte replied in a sad tone, "so Bourbon needs to be adjusted."

His Highness, the only princess in Louis XVI's family who escaped the flames of revolution, is now the oldest person in the Bourbon royal family.

"So that's what it is..." Charles suddenly realized.

"They started arguing the day before yesterday, and both sides were very tough." Charlotte was still full of sadness. "I really don't want to see the scene of Treville breaking with Bourbon! That would be a collapse of the sky and the earth for me!"

"I'll solve this matter, and I'll let them know what it means to agree." Charles frowned, "I should let the Bourbons know who is in France now. Louis Philippe fell because he was not cruel enough to his opponents. Bonaparte and I will not repeat the same mistakes. They have no room for disagreement on my terms. If they refuse, I will hang these messengers and disciples one by one, and then stuff all the gold coins owed to them into their coffins, and no less than a single child..."

"Shar, this is not allowed!" (To be continued.)

...
Chapter completed!