Chapter 352 Napoleon's France and the Russian Court

London, a restaurant near Oxford Street decorated mainly in York yellow tones.

Arthur sat at the dining table and handed several bottles of wine in his bag to the restaurant waiter as if opening a treasure box.

"Please help me open all these bottles of wine."

The waiter glanced at the label on the wine bottle and asked politely: "Sir, are you sure? If there are only two people, it would be a waste to open so many drinks."

Arthur just smiled and said: "Don't worry, if you drink too much, someone will be responsible for the aftermath."

The red devil on the side leaned over and looked at the label on the bottle and muttered: "Johnny Walker and Chivas Regal? There should be no better whiskey in Scotland than these two. Adding some black tea and green tea will taste better , but I personally still like to add lemon juice and ginger juice. It would be better if I could add some ice cubes. But, I don’t know if you humans are used to this taste.”

After saying this, Agares's eyes turned to the bottles of wine on the other side: "Oh! Arthur, you really spent a lot of money! Hennessy in 1818, and the V.S.O.P label, this is George IV Is it the royal exclusive wine that I placed an order with Hennessy Winery? Although Hennessy is not as good as Chateau Dijin, this special wine shouldn’t be cheap either?”

When Arthur saw the Red Devil, he was almost crying. He took advantage of the waiter leaving and said to him: "Agares, don't worry, Mr. Talleyrand and I can't drink that much. The rest is all your."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw an old cripple with silver hair walking towards this side with a cane.

Talleyrand looked at the wine bottle in the waiter's hand, smiled and sat across from Arthur: "Drinking these wines in such a mediocre small restaurant seems a bit wasteful, doesn't it?"

Arthur smiled and replied: "If a few bottles of wine can make you willing to condescend to dine in a street restaurant like this, I think these wines have achieved their value."

Talleyrand handed his cane to the attendant beside him, picked up the tablecloth and wiped his hands casually: "It seems that this time you went to Liverpool to investigate the case, and you also made a small fortune along the way!"

"You can't say that." Arthur pointed at the corner of his eye where the stitches were stitched and joked: "Look, won't I be punished soon? Regarding this point, I would like to ask you for advice. You can just open it up everywhere. "The question is, how can you still live to this age if you do this?"

Talleyrand was amused by Arthur and laughed. He replied: "It's very simple. I only take what is within my ability. Whether it is Napoleon or the Bourbons, they all hate me and can't live without me." Me. So, I’m alive now, and they’re all in the coffin.”

Arthur looked at the waiter who was pouring wine and asked: "Well... what you said seems to make sense, but how do you know what is within your ability?"

Talleyrand put down his meal and preached: "Young man, you really asked a pretty good question. It does take wisdom to know where the boundaries of your abilities are, and this is wisdom that most people don't have."

Having said this, Talleyrand suddenly looked around: "The boy from the Bonaparte family didn't come with you today, did he?"

Arthur shook his head: "No, I left him in Liverpool."

"Wise choice."

Talleyrand said: "In that case, let me use Napoleon as an example. Many people think that my opposition to Napoleon began when I conspired to support Murat in 1808. But in fact, whether it is me or Fouche, we Differences with him began as early as 1803.

At that time, he had just been so proud of having defeated the British on the Swiss issue. He announced in front of all the Swiss: ‘I tell you, I would rather sacrifice a hundred thousand people than let the British interfere in your internal affairs. If the British Cabinet say a word for you, it will be all over for you, and I will unite you with France. If the British Court gives the slightest hint that they are afraid that I will become your President of the Federation, then I will be your President of the Federation. ’”

When Arthur heard this, he just smiled: "He was still the first consul of France at that time, right? He hadn't become the emperor yet, so I can understand what he said. He wanted to show the French people that he was a powerful man. The leader. Only in this way can he have a chance to go further."

Talleyrand took a sip of wine: "Indeed, but it was not only the French people who cheered for Napoleon who felt the toughness, but also other countries in Europe, especially the British who were singled out by him. After Switzerland was solved, there was news that What's worse is that the Americans are passionately determined to resist France's seizure of Louisiana.

Napoleon was worried that if he firmly captured Louisiana, he would push the neutral Americans into the arms of Britain. Therefore, he directly sold Louisiana to the Americans at a price of 4 cents per acre. But it was really embarrassing for him to withdraw from America so lightly. Therefore, the setbacks encountered in America will naturally have to be recovered elsewhere.

The brilliance of Napoleon was that whenever he retreated on one front, he would always launch a brilliant diversionary battle on another front to act as a cover. Only in this way can he firmly capture the imagination of the French and control the turbulent Paris.

This time, he set his sights on the banks of the Nile. He ordered Sebastiani, who had just returned from Egypt, to publish an exaggerated report on the Mediterranean coast. The report claimed that whether it was the Muslims in Alexandria, the Christians in Damascus, or the Greeks on Rhodes, They all loved France very much, and they loudly condemned General Stewart for his betrayal, and how they longed for the just French government to conquer the eastern Mediterranean and blow the wind of freedom of the Revolution to the countries along the coast. "

When Arthur heard this, he couldn't help holding his forehead: "So, the Parisians believe it?"

"Not just Paris? London believed it too."

Talleyrand tasted the aftertaste of his drink with a complicated expression: "The reaction from Downing Street and the Palace of Westminster was particularly fierce. Whether it is your king, the cabinet, or the parliament, they all regard this declaration as a serious provocation by France against the United Kingdom. .

At that time, the British Addington cabinet was originally under attack from Grenville, Wyndham, Fox and others. This group of people firmly opposed the expansion of the army and even shouted that "the establishment of a huge standing army is a dangerous tool of power in the hands of the king." '.

As a result, as soon as Sebastiani's report released in Paris came out, the opposition to military expansion in the UK disappeared instantly. The military expansion bill was quickly passed by Parliament, and the number of military expansion increased from the initially discussed 50,000 to 100,000.

Your ambassador to France, Lord Whitworth, also came to me immediately and lodged a stern protest. I took great pains to explain to him that Sebastiani's visit to Egypt was purely commercial. But what I never expected was that Napoleon not only did not agree with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also said that France had to do this because Britain broke the Treaty of Amiens.

He said in front of Lord Whitworth: 'The British garrison in Alexandria, Egypt, not only failed to protect Egypt, but also provided France with an excuse to invade Egypt. However, as much as I wanted to get the colony, I would not do it. Because I think it is not worth risking the risk of war. In my opinion, the Ottoman Turkish Empire will fall apart sooner or later, and Egypt will definitely belong to France. ’”

When Arthur heard this, he couldn't help but raised his eyebrows: "I really heard a lot of secrets today. Now I finally know how General Nelson's famous battle at the mouth of the Nile was fought. In this regard , Napoleon was indeed overconfident, as you said, perhaps beyond the boundaries of his capabilities."

"But he didn't realize that."

Talleyrand spoke: "Infuriated by the British protests against Sebastiani's report, he told your ambassador that the only way for Britain to achieve peace was:

First, Britain must recognize France's right to arbitrate in the affairs of all neighboring countries, whether Switzerland or Piedmont.

Second, Britain was not allowed to seek compensation for its losses in the Mediterranean, and there was no room for negotiation on Malta.

Third, Britain must tolerate being formally declared to it: Britain cannot fight France alone. "

Arthur smiled and asked: "He doesn't think Britain will agree to these demands, does he?"

Talleyrand shrugged and said: "Young man, you have never gotten along with him, so naturally you don't know what kind of person he is. The fact is that the huge success has gone to his head. From the time he became the first consul, Until he stepped into the coffin, during that time he felt that he was omnipotent.

He believed that Britain would definitely retreat here, just as Britain retreated in Switzerland a few months ago. Therefore, when news of the British military expansion came from across the strait, Napoleon's first reaction was to summon the British ambassador Lord Whitworth and question him: 'So you are preparing for war? ’

And when Lord Whitworth denied this, he threatened: 'Why, then, this expansion of the army? Who are these warning measures aimed at? I don't have a single battleship in the French ports, but if you want to expand your army, I will expand it. If you want to fight, I will accompany you. You may destroy France, but you must not frighten France. ’”

"etc."

When Arthur heard this, he suddenly raised his hand and interrupted Talleyrand: "When I was in college, I once read some historical materials. If I remember correctly, France's military expansion should be ahead of Britain's. Even among the cabinet members Therefore, the discussion of military expansion was also due to the fact that our commissioner in France submitted a State of the Union address, which stated that France, under the leadership of Napoleon, had expanded its active army to 480,000 people.

If he really didn't want the war, he should have ordered Sebastiani and discussed the issue openly with our ambassador. But from what you said, it seems like he has no intention of reconciling at all. And this kind of behavior of questioning others about what you have done does sound very ungraceful. "

"Yes, but this is politics, this is diplomacy. I have been in this business for decades, and this business has never changed."

Talleyrand laughed loudly and said: "Young man, you may be very objective, want to solve problems, and have learned logic in an orderly manner, but you don't understand Napoleon, let alone France. Napoleon always behaves well at the public level He is very tough, but in private he will apologize to Lord Whitworth for his rudeness, but on a diplomatic level you are unlikely to hear a soft word from his mouth.

I had long been puzzled as to why this guy could gain such high support and enthusiasm in France. The French people seemed to not care at all that this little man who could fight would take everyone to hell. But after the end of the Hundred Days, I finally figured out this problem.

Napoleon understood the character of the French nation very well. He knew that the main driving force that could drive this nation was "honor and authority". His status, power and political destiny were based on satisfying the vanity of the French.

If he retreated at this time, it would damage the prestige of France and endanger his own position. Therefore, even though the British government often reminded him politely, and he also admitted that "His Majesty should retain part of his occupied territory as compensation for France's major territorial expansion on the continent."

However, this promise must be made in secret and in private. On the surface, any concession he made to Britain would be regarded as a great humiliation for France. If he accepted Britain's acquisition of Malta as compensation, then the next day he would become the object of ridicule throughout Paris, and his power would naturally disappear. ”

Arthur shook his glass and asked his own question: "Did he do it intentionally or unintentionally?"

"Of course he did it intentionally."

Talleyrand said: "Napoleon is very proud of his method. He once proudly confessed to others the secret of his power.

He said: 'When I satisfy the general public, I make the nobles tremble. I give the nobles power on the surface, so that they have to take refuge and seek asylum beside me. I let the people threaten the nobles so that they can't leave me. I will give them status and honor, but the premise is that they have to appreciate my kindness. My method has worked in France. Look at those priests, every day they can't help but become more and more loyal to my government, which they never expected. '"

Hearing this, Arthur raised his glass and clinked it with Talleyrand: "Such an arrogant person, if he were a historical figure, would indeed be liked. But if he was by my side, he would definitely be a complete nuisance, and I can't be friends with him. ”

"Really? "Talleyrand said with a smile: "I have read the "Napoleon Thought" serialized in "The Economist". The Bonaparte family kid next to you may not be much better than Napoleon." "You mean Louis?" Arthur took a sip of wine and looked at the ceiling and said: "If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have noticed it. From this point of view, he did glimpse some of his uncle's essence, but he is still too young now. More importantly, he doesn't have the power for the time being." Talleyrand said: "If you were born in France a few decades earlier, you would definitely stand on my side." Arthur joked: "Are you sure I won't be shot by Fouché?" "Of course not." Talleyrand also joked: "Because Fouché is also on our side, otherwise why do you think I know that Napoleon said these words?" Arthur asked: "The reason why he was dissatisfied with Napoleon was also because of Sebastiani's report?" Talleyrand nodded: "His reaction was more intense than mine. I just told Napoleon that if the First Consul had given his brother Joseph and his foreign minister greater authority, the crisis could have been resolved peacefully.

But Fouché warned Napoleon directly in the Senate: 'You yourself, like all of us, are a product of the revolution, and the war makes everything uncertain. People ask you to trust the revolutionary principles of other countries, which is flattering you. And the results of our revolution have almost wiped out these revolutionary principles! '

And Napoleon's brother, Joseph, who now lives in the Regent Crescent, said more directly: 'He has once again dragged Europe into the bloody sea of ​​​​war! This war could have been avoided, and if he had not sent his Sebastiani on that intolerable visit, the war would not have happened! '"

Hearing this, Arthur leaned forward slightly: "In fact, Napoleon's war behavior not only had a major impact on France, but he also sent the British Whig Party to the grave. At that time, the Whigs were promoting how magnanimous Napoleon was and that France would not pose a threat to Britain. However, once the wars in Egypt and the Mediterranean broke out, the Whigs were slapped in the face by Paris.

In the following thirty years, they never came to power again, and they finally recovered until last year. And Paris' anti-British propaganda was combined with Britain's war propaganda - this was Britain's attempt to subvert France's republican principles, which also made all British politicians of that generation branded with strong anti-French views. This influence has continued to this day, and the representative figure is Britain's current Foreign Secretary Viscount Palmerston. "

"Of course I know that."

Talleyrand took a sip of wine: "Many words in that era cannot be taken seriously, but what makes me laugh the most is that Napoleon accused Britain of conspiring to subvert the republican system the year before, and he proclaimed himself emperor the next year. Because of this, not only did the Whigs get slapped in the face, but even a group of artists who cheered for Napoleon all fell into the gutter. So, this is how the world is. Don’t take everything too seriously. Everything depends on your own needs.”

When Arthur heard this, he just smiled and replied: "You are right, but don't take it seriously because I have nothing to do with it. But since you are willing to take time out of your busy schedule to have a meal with me, you can't just You won’t tell me the news, right?”

Talleyrand tied his napkin and slowly cut the veal steak in front of him: "Young man, I've told you a lot. I'm not Napoleon, and I don't rely on approval ratings. I have no reason to do such a thing. Napoleon would. Paying off the Irish to assassinate the King of England, but I wouldn't do anything stupid like that."

Arthur asked: "Can you tell me more about Mr. Walewski? I have to tell you honestly that the investigation into the Liverpool shooting was not entirely led by Scotland Yard. Parliament There is also a special committee responsible for investigating this case. The clues left by the killers are too obvious, and they will eventually be traced to him. "

"Huh?" Talleyrand raised his head slightly, looked at Arthur and said with a smile: "He is indeed the most promising police officer of Scotland Yard. He has almost caught up with Vidocq's case handling speed. Walewski, how did you find That name? I remember that Prince Czartoryski should have sent someone to clean up Mr. Korvacik’s house!”

This was not the first time that Arthur had heard the name Prince Czartoryski. He was the interim president of the Polish uprising government, the leader of the Polish exiles in London, and at the same time, one of the co-founders of the Friends of Polish Literature in Britain.

When Arthur agreed to publish Polish literary works in The Englishman, the other party wrote a letter of thanks to the editorial office.

Arthur never thought that he would be related to the assassination.

Talleyrand saw Arthur's delay in speaking, and immediately added: "But don't worry, the assassin was not appointed by Prince Czartoryski. He asked people to clear the house to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. After all, Korvacs Grams once worked as Walewski's secretary during his lifetime. If his identity is discovered, it will not only be detrimental to Poland, but also further affect the relationship between Britain and France. "

"It seems that in addition to Scotland Yard and Parliament, Polish exiles and the French Embassy are also interested in this case? In that case, maybe you know the whereabouts of Mrs. Korvacik?"

"It's a pity. We only found a few of his children. As for his wife, we don't know where she went."

Talleyrand said: "Young man, you have to understand that today's France is no longer the France of Napoleon. Of course we want to maintain France's position on the European continent, but we will not be within the entire framework as before. Outside.

I expressed my opinion to Napoleon a long time ago, and this opinion has not changed to this day. France is already big enough. With every expansion in the future, no matter how brilliant the victory, there will always be more lost than gained. France's goal is to maintain existing borders and existing peace. The size of France is not determined by France's strength, nor by the ambitions of politicians, but by the reality of Europe.

Our current government is certainly interested in Poland, but it does so within the framework of the existing order across Europe. If France were really interested in land, we would not have allowed Prince Leopold, who has lived in England so long, to become King of Belgium last year.

Since France does not seek Belgium, how can it seek to control Poland? We just can't stand the Russians' behavior of wanting to take Poland as their own and thus disrupt the balance of Europe.

When Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808, Mr. Tolstoy, the Russian ambassador to Paris, exclaimed: "Napoleon seems to be destroying all the old monarchs and engulfing every piece of land he can. God knows, what else will he do after Spain is pacified?" What an unprincipled, greedy devil he is! ’

However, today, France has given up the expansionism of the Napoleonic period, but these Russians have picked it up again. Arthur, I won’t talk to you about empty words such as freedom and democracy. I just want to tell you that speaking up for Poland is in Britain’s interest.

Nicholas I was different from his brother Alexander I. In this regard, Prince Czartoryski, who had worked with both of them, had a strong say.

If you talk to His Excellency the Prince, you can hear from his mouth: 'In my opinion, Alexander I's heart is indeed full of grand ideals for the benefit of the public, generous and selfless thoughts and feelings, and for all this The willingness to sacrifice part of the royal power. However, these are just the fantasies of young people, not the determined will of adults. Your Majesty likes the freedom of superficial appearance as much as he likes watching a play. The mere sight of a semblance of free government in the empire was enough to gratify his vanity and make him happy. However, he does not expect these things to become a real reality. He would gladly allow everyone freedom, but only if everyone voluntarily did exactly what the emperor wanted. ’”

Hearing this, Arthur held his chin and asked: "If Alexander I is already so bad, what kind of person is Nicholas I?"

"Does that need to be said?" Talleyrand cut a piece of veal and put it in his mouth: "He doesn't even want to see superficial freedom."