Chapter 30 Chapter Thirty

Our minds drift like a drifting boat, Rotating incessantly in the whirlpool of the current. "Old Drama" If the night that Louis spent was full of anxiety and restlessness, then the night that the Duke of Burgundy spent was even more tossing and turning, making it difficult to sleep. According to the custom of the time, his two most favored chief counsellors, Dan Bogou and De Gongming, also slept in his bedroom, and the sleeping couch was set up next to the duke's bed.Their evening's company was more necessary than ever, for grief, anger, desire for vengeance, and a sense of honor were intertwined in him (which compelled him not to lay hands on Louie for now).The duke was very contradictory, like an erupting volcano, spewing out burning lava mixed with various components.He would not undress for bed, but passed the whole night in a violent outburst of emotion.In his outbursts he babbled so fast and incoherently to his two attendants that they really feared he was going out of their minds.What he said was nothing more than the virtues of the slain Bishop of Liege, especially his goodness.He recalled all the past events full of mutual trust and love between them, and the more he thought about it, the more sad he became, and finally he was so sad that he couldn't cry and fell on the bed.Then he jumped out of bed again, venting another, more violent emotion.He paced the room hurriedly, uttering incoherent strings of threats, and even more incoherent vows of vengeance.Stamping his feet, he invoked St. George's, as he was accustomed to do.Andrew, and all the undead who are regarded as holy testify: he will retaliate against Delamac and the citizens of Liege, and this person who is the general backstage. The object of the latter oath is more vague than the first two, obviously aimed It was the king himself.Once the Duke expressed his determination to send here the brother of King Louis and the Duke of Normandy, who had the worst relationship with him, and force the imprisoned king to surrender the throne or give up the most precious part of the royal power and some of the dependents. privilege.

The next day, too, he passed the whole day and night in a storm of agitated thoughts, or rapid alternations of feelings.He couldn't sleep well, he couldn't eat well, in short, he behaved like a man who was about to go mad with anger.In the end he calmed down gradually, and sometimes consulted with his two ministers.However, there are always too many proposals, and nothing can be decided.Commin tells us that on one occasion the messenger had mounted his horse and was about to set off to invite the Duke of Normandy.Had it come to pass, the imprisoned king of France would have gone to his own grave early, as is often the case in similar circumstances.

At other times Charles seemed to have vented all his rage, and sat stern and rigid, as if contemplating some decisive action of which he had not yet been able to make up his mind.No doubt the slightest hint of insidiousness from any of the counselors who accompanied the duke might have prompted him to take the risk.However, in view of the divine authority of being king and sovereign, of the collective credibility and of the duke himself (who was bound by credibility since Louis placed his personal safety at his disposal), Burgundy's The nobles were almost unanimous in favor of a moderate approach.Dan Bogu and De Gongming used the evening time to put forward some opinions tactfully and boldly from time to time, and in the next morning, when people were calmer, Krewig and some other ministers also came to sell some ideas. Same insight.Their intercession so ardently for King Louis was not, perhaps, entirely selfless motives.Many, as we have already mentioned, were already in favor of the king, while others had lands and interests in France, which brought them more or less under his influence.And the jewels carried by the king on four mules when he came to Peron must have been much lighter after these diplomatic activities.

Compo on the third day.Count Basso, with his Italian brains, came to offer advice to Charles.Fortunately for King Louis, he was not present at the first moment of the duke's outburst.On his arrival, the duke declared a privy council open to consider what should be done at this particular critical moment. At this meeting, Kang Bo.Basso used the fables of the traveler, the snake and the fox to illustrate his point of view.He reminded the duke that if a sworn enemy happened to take its fate into his hands, he should be trampled to death.The duke's violent character had repeatedly prompted him to have similar thoughts.Hearing what he said, naturally his eyes sparkled with joy.Seeing this situation, De Gongming hastily stated that Louis may not have actually been directly involved in Thornwald's bloody tragedy, and maybe he can produce evidence to clarify the charges against him.Perhaps he could make some other compensation for the confusion he had caused by his schemes in the domain of the duke and his allies.However, if violence is taken against the king, it will definitely bring a series of extremely unfortunate consequences to France and Burgundy. Among them, it is worth worrying that the British will take advantage of the inevitable chaos and disputes to reoccupy Normandy and Kyrgyzstan. Yeni, and continued the dreadful war which had been brought to an end with so much difficulty by the alliance of France and Burgundy, the only ones to rely on, against a common enemy.In the end, he frankly stated that he did not want Louis to be released unconditionally.He thought, however, that the duke should take advantage of his present position to conclude a just treaty between the two countries, requiring him to give guarantees that would make it difficult for him hereafter to break his promise and disturb the internal peace of Burgundy.Dan Bogu, Krewig and some other ministers also expressed their disapproval of Kang Bo.Basso's violent solution.They all believed that the way of signing treaties would bring more lasting benefits and be more honorable to Burgundy than violence that would damage Burgundy's credibility and principles of hospitality.

The duke listened to these arguments with furrowed brows, a puckered forehead, and dull eyes fixed on the ground.However, when Craig went on to say that he did not believe that Louis knew of the atrocities committed in Thornwald or was complicit in them, Charles suddenly raised his head, gave the counselor a hard look, and exclaimed: Do you hear the French ducats clinking in your ears too, Greg?I think it's probably like St.The bells of the church of Denis so sweet to my counselors Who can say that these vendettas of Flanders were not instigated by Louis? My wise lord, said Krevig, I am a man whose hands are more accustomed to work with steel than with gold.As for Louis, I not only hold him guilty of instigating the riots in Flanders, but I recently accused him of treachery before his court, and challenged him in your name.However, although his intrigue was undoubtedly at the root of these disturbances, I do not believe that he ordered the bishop's murder.I even have reason to believe that one of his envoys publicly protested against it.If Your Highness wishes to see him, I can call this man.

I should like to see him, said the duke, and don't you believe, my lord, that it is my constant desire to do justice?Even in the midst of my outbursts, people know that I am an upright and fair referee.I would go to the King of France in person, and I would go and complain to him of the damage we have done, and demand from him the compensation we demand.If it were found that he had nothing to do with the murder, it would be much easier to atone for other crimes.If he is proved guilty, who can say that he is not given a self-inflicted and extremely lenient punishment by making him live a penitent life in some remote monastery?Who, he added vehemently, would dare to accuse me, even if I had given him a more direct and quicker vengeance?Well, you will accompany me to meet him.I'll be at the castle at eleven o'clock in the morning, and I'll work out some terms in detail for him to agree to sign, or watch out for his head!Other clauses depend on the evidence found.I now declare the meeting adjourned.I must change my clothes, for it would be inappropriate to wear them to the audience of the wisest and wisest prince.

The Duke uttered the words "the wisest and wisest monarch" heavily with an extremely resentful and bitter expression, stood up, and strode out of the meeting hall. Louis' safety, and even Burgundy's honor, depended on it.Dan Bogu said to Krewiger and Degongming, Degongming, you can go to the castle quickly, you can speak better than Krevig and me.You tell Louis that the storm is coming and he will know how to deal with it.Let's hope that what the guard says doesn't aggravate the situation.The ghost knows what kind of secret mission was given to him. The young man looked very brave, said Krevig, and he had shrewdness and prudence far beyond his years, and from what he told me he was as reluctant to touch the king's character as Satanic qualities served by kings.I imagine he will do the same in front of the duke.I must go to him and the Countess Croier.

Countess!Didn't you tell us you left her in St Bridget's convent? good.But, said the Count, I have hastened to escort her to Peron, by order of the Duke.She couldn't walk or ride a horse, so she had to sit in a sedan chair.She is currently suffering from the disappearance of her aunt, Ms. Hamelin, and the shadow of her own fate.In truth, she was guilty of disobedience, because she wanted to break free from the protection of the king, and the Duke of Charles is the most serious monarch in the world who takes his monarchy. The news that the young countess had fallen into Charles' hands added a new stimulus to Louis's thoughts.He realized that if she explained the series of behind-the-scenes activities that brought her and Ms. Hamelin to Perón, she might tell him that he had killed Zamet al-Mad.Some of the evidence that Mao Grabin had already destroyed.He also knew full well that if it proved that he had indeed interfered with the interests of the Duke of Burgundy, Charles would have the motive and the excuse to make the most of his present predicament.

Louis was very anxious to talk about these issues with De Gongmin, because this man's political astuteness was more suitable to his taste than Krevig's rough military temperament and Danbo's ancient feudal aristocratic arrogance. Good friend Gong Ming, he said to the future historian, those big bosses who lead soldiers can't enter my secret room, but can only stand in the front room with spears in hand to guard.They do have a pair of hands at my disposal.But if any king uses these big, rough heads not to ward off the swords and hammers of his enemies, but to deliberate on important matters, he is no better than a fool who wears a leash instead of a collar for his wife.It is only with a man like you, Philip, that kings can discuss their affairs and tell their secrets with confidence, for you are born with a keen mind that sees beyond the surface of things.

Since De Gongming has a sharp mind, he naturally understands the praise of the smartest monarch in Europe, and cannot hide his inner joy.Louis also realized that he had already made some good impressions on the other party. If only I had such a servant as you, he went on, or rather, if only I deserved such a servant as you!If so, my situation would not be so unfortunate.However, if I could manage to get the help of an experienced statesman like you, I wouldn't necessarily regret the situation. De Gongming said that although his talents are limited, he is willing to do his best to serve the most Christian king.Of course, he has great respect for his monarch Burgundy.Charles' loyalty is unquestionable.

How could I induce you to betray your king?Louis said emotionally, oops!Was not I myself in danger by trusting too much in the fidelity of my subjects?To me, maintaining the loyalty of my subjects to the king is the most sacred thing, because my current safety depends entirely on the sense of loyalty to the king.Philip.De Commin, you will remain faithful to Charles of Burgundy.The best way you can serve him is to broker a happy compromise between Burgundy and King Louis of France.In doing so, you will be loyal to both our kings, and at least one of them will be indebted to you.I've heard you're no better at court than a falcon minister.Thus the wisest counselors in Europe are reduced to the level of a lowly man who breeds and heals eagles, and even worse than them!France has a vast territory, and the king has gold.This injustice, my friend, is disgraceful.Please allow me to try to correct it.The means of correction are at hand. Allow me to give it to you. The king produced a heavy bag of coins.However, De Gongming, a man with more delicate emotions than most courtiers at the time, declined the reward.He said that he was very pleased with the generosity of his sovereign, and assured Louis that his willingness to serve him would not differ by accepting his rewards or not. You are such a unique person!The king said loudly, let me embrace you, the only courtier who is both capable and free from bribes!Wisdom is more to be envied than gold.Believe me, Philip, I trust your goodness more than I trust aid in the bribes of many who have received my gifts at this critical moment.I don't think you would advise your master to abuse this opportunity, which my own folly, frankly, afforded him. My master will never abuse it, replied the historian, but certainly will use it. How to use it and to what extent?Louie asked, I'm not stupid enough to expect to get away without paying a ransom but I hope it's a reasonable ransom I'm open to reasonable demands in Paris, in Plessy, in Peron . But forgive me, Your Majesty, replied De Commin, in Paris or Plessy, reason speaks in a soft voice, and therefore is not always heard by His Majesty. In Peron, she speaks with a forced microphone, Her voice is commanding. You are too metaphorical, said Louis with irrepressible sullenness, Mr. Commin, I am a dull man.I beg you, don't use metaphors, just cut to the chase!What exactly is your duke asking for? Your Majesty, I am not authorized to bring you any conditions, said De Gongming, and the Duke will soon explain his intentions.However, there are certain things that will be put forward as conditions in my opinion, and His Majesty should be mentally prepared.For example, these cities on the Somme were finally ceded. I had expected this.Louis said. Also, you must communicate with the citizens of Liege and William.Delamach severed ties. Very willing, like I would renounce hell and satan. It is also necessary to make sufficient guarantees through arrangements such as mortgaging hostages and giving up important military sites, that is, France will no longer provoke rebellion among the Flemish people in the future. It was a novelty, replied the king, that a vassal should demand a pledge from his sovereign.However, that doesn't count. You shall give the duke's ally, your own eminent brother, a proper independent domain of Normandy or Champagne.Your Majesty, you know that the Duke loves your family. Very well, replied Louie, my God!He intends to make them all kings.Is it all you want to imply? Not yet finished, replied the counselor, and will certainly beseech you not to bother the Duke of Brittany, as you have lately done, and to object to him and other princes, by the grace of God, to exploit and exploit The right to be called king. In a word, I want to turn all my vassals into kings.Mr Philip, do you want to make me a brother-killer?Do you remember my brother Charles, who died as soon as he was duke of Guieny? Besides, after ceding these richest provinces, there is nothing but to be anointed at Reims, and to eat under a high canopy. What is left of me, the descendant and representative of Charlemagne? Please rest assured that we will provide a companion for His Majesty who is lonely and high, Philip.De Commin said that although the Duke of Burgundy has not yet asked for an independent king, he would like to get rid of the requirement of showing obedience and obedience to the French king in the future. His intention is to add an emperor's arc to his duke's crown. , and put another earth on it to show that he has an independent territory. The duke of Burgundy, a sworn vassal of France, said Louis, standing up, expressing his passion, how dared, how dared to make such a condition to his sovereign?You know, by any kind of European law, that would disqualify him from his fiefs! It would be difficult to execute the judgment of dispossession against him, De Gongming replied calmly, and His Majesty knew that strict enforcement of feudal laws was outdated even within the empire.Sovereign and vassals alike were using their power and possible opportunity to alter their mutual positions.His Majesty's influence and agitation on the duke's subjects in Flanders justified the duke's conduct on the assumption that he insisted on extending his independence so that France would have no excuse for further intervention in the future. Gongming, Gongming!Louis stood up again as he spoke, and paced up and down the room in a pensive manner, seemingly lost in thought. A terrible lesson in the words of Lenus when he decided the price of making peace with the Romans.)!You can't say that the Duke will insist on all these harsh conditions? At least I hope His Majesty will discuss all these conditions. But temperance, De Gongming, I think it is necessary for the victor to exercise restraint if he is to gain the ultimate advantage.You know this better than anyone else. Your Majesty, forgive me for my presumptuousness, It seems to me that the loser is always most fond of extolling the virtue of restraint, while the victor prefers that prudence which enables him to take advantage of it. Well, let me think about it, replied the king, but at least you have covered the duke's exacting demands?Is it impossible to have any more?If there is anything, as your frown suggests, then what is it but my crown?Besides, if all the previous demands are granted, my crown will lose all its luster! Your Majesty, said De Commin, there is one more thing to be mentioned, which is to some extent, even to a great extent, at the Duke's discretion.But he would like to invite His Majesty to participate in it, because to be honest, it has a close relationship with His Majesty. God!The king shouted impatiently, what is it?Tell me, Mr. Philip, will I give my daughter to him as a concubine, or will I suffer some other insult? Your Majesty, it is not an insult, but your Majesty's nephew, the famous Duke of Orleans snort!cried the king.But De Gongming ignored his interruption and continued: He has proposed to Countess Isabelle of the Croyer family, and the Duke hopes that His Majesty will agree to their marriage like him, and will give this noble couple a fief together with him.Added together with the countess's own fief, the heir of the French royal family can have a decent fief. can't do it!can't do it!The king said angrily that the emotions he had been trying to suppress for the past few days finally burst out.He paced up and down frantically and rapidly, in stark contrast to his usual calm.can't do it!can't do it!Let them bring the scissors and cut my hair like a parish-raised idiot!Anyway, I am almost the same as a fool.Let them make the monastery or the tomb open its mouth wide open to me!Let them burn my eyes with a hot iron, hack me with an axe, and use aconitine (Note: the name of the plant. The root of the tuber contains aconitine, which can be used as medicine, but it is highly toxic. Excessive amounts can paralyze the central nervous system, cause a drop in body temperature, and cause death from heart paralysis.) Poison me, but I must not let Orleans break his engagement to my daughter.As long as my daughter is still alive, he must never be allowed to marry another woman! Your Majesty, continued De Gongming, don't object to this condition first.You'd better think first that you are powerless to stop this.No wise man sees that a rock is going to fall, and does not try in vain to prevent its fall. But the brave at least would like to find their own grave beneath it.De Gongming, think of what such a marriage would bring about such a great loss and utter destruction to my kingdom.You think I have only one weak boy, and this Orleans is my second heir. You think, the church has approved their union, because it can perfectly combine the interests of our two branches of the family. .Think about it all, and think about how this marriage was the best project of my life. I planned it, I fought it, I worried about it, I prayed about it and I sinned about it.Philip.De Gongming, I will never let it go!Think about it, man!Please sympathize with me when I am in a desperate situation.Your quick mind can quickly devise for me an alternative to this sacrifice.You know, this plan is as precious to me as the only son of the patriarch.Maybe find a scapegoat for it to offer!Philip, you must pity me!You should at least understand that to the wise and far-sighted the sight of the destruction of their long-planned plans is incomparably deeper than the momentary sorrow of ordinary people who seek only temporary gratification.You sympathize with the deeper, purer pains of miscalculated prudence and miscalculated wisdom, don't you sympathize with me? My lord the king!De Gongming replied, I naturally sympathize with your pain, as long as I do my duty to my master Forget about him!Louis said, at least on the surface, from an irresistible violent impulse that made him lose his usual vigilance with his words, Burgundy.Charles doesn't deserve your deep affection.He may insult and beat his counselors, and to the wisest and most faithful of them he may add the derogatory term of boot-beaten-on-the-head Smart Philip.De Gongming has a strong personal self-esteem.Naturally, he was very shocked by the impolite words that King Louis seemed to say in a moment of anger.So he had no choice but to answer the king over and over again: "Curse the head that my boots have knocked on!"impossible!I have been at the duke's side since he first learned to ride a pony.My master could not have called him that for such a servant!Let alone in front of a foreign king?No, it's impossible! Louis saw at once the impression his words made.He avoids consoling, lest the other party feel humiliated, and sympathetic, lest the other party feel that he is hypocritical.He said simply and gravely: My personal misfortune has made me forget all manners, otherwise I would not have said something that would surely displease you.But when you answered me, you blamed me for inventing the impossible.This is a matter of my honor.If I don't tell you what happened, I'll have to accept your reproach.I don't want to repeat this ugly derogatory term to stimulate your ears.The Duke once explained to you the origin of this pejorative term with a laugh.Here's the thing: You Philip.Monsieur de Commin has hunted with your master, the Duke of Burgundy.When he jumps off his horse after hunting, he asks you to help him take off his boots.He sees your resentment at this humiliating treatment, orders you to sit down, and takes off your boots in return.You believed it, and you did what he told you.In a fit of rage he took off one of your boots and beat you on the head with it until the blood flowed, and said it was the arrogance of a mere minister to ask the king to take his boots off for him.Since then he and his special jester Le Glorier have often called you by the absurd epithet of boot-buttoned head, which has become one of his favorite jokes. (Original Note: In the memoirs written by the French at that time, this story was told more bluntly, but it was not very credible. The memoirs all affirmed the fact that Gongmin had violated his excellent insight and delusionally let Burgundy. Charles took off his boots for him; and Charles had not treated him casually before. He had no reason, therefore, to be so indiscreet. My attempt was to make the story reflect as much as possible the knowledge and prudence of the great man of letters.) As he said this, Louie felt a double joy: one was the pleasure of stinging others that he was born to enjoy even in the present situation, which he could not justify in pure revenge; the other was seeing him finally The joy of finding a gap in Dagonmin.This gap, he felt, could gradually shift it away from Burgundian interests in favor of French interests.However, while the deep resentment which the offended courtier harbored against his master would lead him to forsake his allegiance to Charles for Louis at some future time, for the present he only wanted to hint a little of his friendliness towards France. emotion.He knew very well that the king would know how to read these hints.It would be unjust to say that this fine minister now deserted his master, and thus tarnished his posthumous reputation.However, compared to when he first entered the house, his current feelings must be more inclined to Louis. Restraining himself, he pretended to be amused by the anecdote Louis had just told, and then added: I didn't expect such a little joke to leave such a lasting impression on the duke's mind that it was worth mentioning. .Your Majesty knows that the Duke is fond of rough jokes.There had been a boot-off or something before, but in his recollection it was exaggerated.Just let this go! Well, let it go!Said the king, it is very tedious to spend our time on this.I think it is time, Monsieur Philippe, for you to be a little French and give me some advice on how to get out of this situation.I know very well that as long as you are willing to provide it, you hold the clue to get out of the maze. As long as I don't violate my loyalty to my master, De Gongming replied, His Majesty can always use me to give you ideas and find ways. Although these words are basically the same as what he said earlier, the tone of his re-saying is quite different.Louis had heard from his earlier words that his loyalty to Burgundy was the first consideration, but now it was evident that the emphasis had been reversed.The speaker now places more emphasis on agreeing to give him advice than on appearances and the need to keep a hand.Louis sat down, and forced De Commin to sit beside him, so as to listen to the statesman's high opinion, as if he heard the prophecy of the prophet.Degonmin used a deep, forceful voice that showed his sincerity and discretion; at the same time he spoke with unusual slowness, as if he wanted the king to weigh the specific and definite meaning of each word.Those conditions which I have stated before for your Majesty's consideration, said he, though harsh as you may sound, are only a better alternative, because at the council presided over by the duke, more hostile to the king were proposed. Strong suggestion.I need not remind your majesty that my master, who prefers the quick and the dangerous to the safe and round, is too apt to accept proposals that are straightforward and too radical. I remember, said the King, that I had seen him swim across the river at the risk of drowning, though he could have ridden over the bridge two hundred yards more. Your Majesty, what you say is true.But a man who is willing to sacrifice his life to gratify a momentary impulse, will, according to the same impulse, prefer to have his own will done, regardless of whether their real power is thereby increased. You are quite right, replied the King, that fools always grasp the appearance of power and not its substance.Burgundy as I know it.Charles is that kind of person.But what conclusions can you draw from these propositions, my friend Degongming? My lord, I want to say this, replied the Burgundian, that you have seen a good fisherman catch a fish that is very large and heavy, and bring it to shore with only one line.If the fisherman pulls tight on the line and doesn't give it plenty of room to wriggle around, the tackle will snap even if it's ten times stronger.By the same token, if your majesty can satisfy the duke on specific points which he regards as a matter of honor and vengeance, you may avoid many other unacceptable conditions which I have hinted at.These conditions, I must say frankly to you, include certain demands which, in particular, weaken France will be slowly forgotten and neglected.And because it is referred to a later meeting for discussion, it may be completely ignored. My good Mr Philip, I understand what you mean.Let's talk about the thing itself!Which of these unlucky conditions, said the king, was the most important to the duke, and would make him lose his head and become troublesome if he objected to it? Your Majesty may presume that this includes any, or all, conditions with which you have happened to contradict him.So this kind of bragging is exactly what His Majesty should avoid.Let’s go back to my earlier analogy.You must always be on the lookout, whenever the Duke is in a fit of rage, to let go of the fishing line and give him plenty of room to jump.It's almost enough to let him vent his anger, as long as he doesn't resist him, it will naturally disappear.You'll find him friendlier and more docile. However, said the King thoughtfully, there were certain specific requests which must have taken considerable place in my cousin's mind.If only I knew the requirements, Mr. Phillips Your Majesty only needs to object to his least important demands to make them the most important, said De Gongming, but I can say this clearly, Your Majesty: If you don't agree with William.If Delamach and the citizens of Liege are severed, then there is no possibility of any compromise. I have said that I will disown them, said the King, and I will punish them as they deserved.These scoundrels launched a rebellion at this time, and almost cost me my old life. Whoever lit the fuse, replied the minister, had to be ready for the mine to explode at any time.However, the Duke of Charles will ask His Majesty more than to sever ties with their affairs.Mind you, he'll also ask you to help quell the rebellion, and ask you to watch him punish these rebels for yourself. De Gongming, it would be bad for my honor to do so.said the king. If you refuse, it will be very detrimental to His Majesty's safety.De Commin replied that Charles had resolved to show the Flemishes that neither hopes nor promises of aid from France could save their rebellion from the wrath of Burgundy. I want to say frankly, Monsieur Philippe, replied the king, if we can procrastinate, will these scoundrels of Liege themselves be able to stop the attack of the Duke Charles?These guys are numerous and determined. Could it be that they can't keep their city in the face of his attack? With the aid of the thousand French archers promised by His Majesty, perhaps they could do something.but I promised them a thousand shooters!said the king, alas!My dear Mr. Philip, you do me a great wrong in saying that. It may be inconvenient for His Majesty to provide this thousand people at the moment, De Gongming ignored his interruption and continued, but without these thousand people, how can these small citizens expect to keep their city?You know, the gap that Charles left in their walls after the Battle of Saint-Tron has not yet been repaired.The spearmen of Hainault, Brabant, and Burgundy can drive straight through the gap in a row of twenty! These careless fools!Then said the king, since they were so neglectful of their safety, they were not worthy of my protection.Go ahead and I don't want to trouble myself for their sake. I am worried that the following matter will further touch His Majesty's immediate interests.De Gongming said. well!The king replied, You mean the bloody marriage!I will never agree to break the marriage contract between my daughter Jeanne and my nephew Orléans, which would mean depriving me and my descendants of the throne of France, for my Dauphin is a withered flower that will not bear fruit. to wither away.My thoughts during the day and my dreams at night were all about this marriage between Jeanne and Orléans.I tell you the truth, Mr Philip, I cannot give up this marriage!Besides, it is too inhuman to ask me to personally destroy the plan I have made with my own painstaking efforts, and also destroy the happiness of a couple we have promised since we were young. Is their relationship that good?De Gongming said. At least one party cherishes the relationship, said the king, and it is the one I should care about most.Mr. Philip, you laughed. You don't believe in the power of love. Absolutely not, De Gongming said, Your Majesty may believe it, I have no doubts about the power of love.So I want to ask, if I tell you plainly, Chloe.Miss Isabel has fallen in love with another person. She and the Duke of Orleans may never be married. Can you reluctantly agree to the marriage that the Duke intends to arrange for them? King Louis sighed.Why!他說道，我親愛的好朋友，你是從哪個墓穴裡掘出這麼一句安慰死人的話呢？她鍾情於另一個算得了什麼！老實說，要不是我碰到這個倒楣的意外處境，儘管奧爾良討厭我女兒，他還是得娶她。這姑娘現在正是處在同樣的被迫的地位，何況奧爾良又是法國的皇位繼承人。你可以想像，她拒絕的可能性多麼微小。唉，菲利普！別指望她會堅決拒絕這樣一個男人的求婚吧！ Ｖａｒｉｕｍｅｔｍｕｔａｂｉｌｅ（註：），菲利普。 （註：）拉丁文：見異思遷，感情多變之意。 在這一點上陛下可能低估了這位年輕仕女的頑強勇氣。她出身於一個獨立精神很強的家族。我從克雷維格口中打聽到，她對一位年輕的扈從產生了一種羅曼蒂克的感情。不過，說實在的，這位扈從在旅途中的確也給她幫了許多忙。 Ah!國王說道，原來是我衛隊的一名射手，名叫昆丁．達威爾特的？ 我想就是他，德貢明說道，當時他和伯爵小姐幾乎是形影不離，所以一起當了俘虜。 現在可真應當對耶穌、聖母、聖馬丁、聖朱利安一個一個地讚美一番了！國王說道，而且也應當誇獎誇獎博學的伽利奧提。他通過天上的星宿看出這年輕人與我的命運相聯！假如這姑娘果真十分鍾情於他，使她敢於違抗勃艮第的意志，那麼這個昆丁對我可真太有用了。 陛下，德貢明說道，根據克雷維格的介紹，我想她會表現得很頑強。再說，儘管陛下曾暗示過某種猜測，我想高貴的奧爾良公爵也不會願意拋棄和他早有婚約的堂妹。 snort!國王對答道，你從沒見過我女兒。她可像頭貓頭鷹！一頭使我感到羞愧的、不折不扣的貓頭鷹！不過只要他放聰明些，娶她做妻子，即使他和法國最漂亮的女人愛得發狂，我也答應。菲利普，你把你主人心裡的全部意圖都對我講了嗎？ 陛下，我已經把他目前最有可能堅持的條件都向您介紹了。不過，您知道得很清楚，公爵的性格就像一股洶湧的洪流，只有在波浪遇不到阻擋時，才會安穩地向前流去。至於會出現什麼情況又刺激他大怒一場，那是誰也料不到的。如果突然出現說明列日市民和威廉．德拉馬克受到陛下操縱（恕我用詞不當，因為我也沒有時間仔細斟酌）的更明顯的證據，那麼，很可能會產生可怕的後果。列日又傳來了一個奇怪的新聞：人們說德拉馬克己娶了克羅伊埃．哈梅琳做妻子。 那個老傻瓜總是那麼熱衷於結婚，我看嫁給撒旦她也會願意。國王說道，不過，德拉馬克這人儘管獸性很強，卻討她做妻子，這倒出乎我的意外。 還有個傳聞，德貢明繼續講道，說是德拉馬克派遣的特使或紋章官正在來佩隆的途中。這像是故意要叫公爵氣得發狂我想他不至於帶有陛下親筆信之類的東西吧？ 寫給野豬的親筆信！國王說道，沒有，沒有，菲利普先生。我還不至於傻到把珍珠撒給野豬。我和這頭野豬有過一點連繫都是通過傳口訊的方式，而且都是利用一些出身卑賤的奴才和流浪漢。他們的證詞即使在審理偷雞案時也不會得到承認。 那麼我就只能再次勸告，德貢明起身告辭時說，希望陛下仍然注意事態的發展，以便看風使舵，隨機應變。特別是要注意別對公爵使用僅適合您的尊嚴而不適合您目前處境的任何言詞和論點。 假如我的尊嚴感給我帶來麻煩只要有更長遠的利益需要考慮，這種情況是很少發生的我現在倒有一種特效藥來治療這種性質的頭腦鼓脹。菲利普先生，我只消看看某個年久失修的密室，想想單純的查爾斯的慘死，就會像冷水浴醫療發高燒那樣對我管用。我的朋友和導師，你現在得走了嗎？好吧，菲利普先生。總有一天你會對教導這個勃艮第公牛掌握國策感到厭倦的，因為他連最簡單的道理也領會不了。假如那時瓦盧瓦．路易還活著，你要記住，你在法國宮廷裡有個朋友。告訴你吧，我的菲利普，要是我能夠得到你，這對我的王國將是一種幸運，因為你對國家大事具有深刻的見解。同時你也具有善於感覺和判斷是非的良知。耶穌、聖母、聖馬丁在上，奧利弗和巴盧這兩個人可真是鐵石心腸。正是他們促使我犯的一些罪過使我的生命充滿了倒楣的悔恨。菲利普先生，你集古今智慧於一身，定能教給我如何既保持自己的操守，又能成為偉大的君王。 這可是少有人達到過的困難目標，這位當代史臣說道，不過只要君王們朝此努力，也並非高不可攀。不過，陛下，您得作好準備，公爵不久就會過來和您談判。 菲利普走出臥室以後，路易還久久地望著他離去的背影，最後迸發出一聲帶有諷刺意味的大笑。他還說什麼釣魚這下我可真把他像條被呵得癢舒舒的鱔魚打發回家了！他自以為有操守，不受賄，卻樂意得到阿諛奉承、封官許願和報仇雪恥給自尊心帶來的喜悅。哼，他拒不收錢，也只能是少賺一筆絲毫不見得更老實。不過，我得使他成為我的人。在他們當中他頭腦最精明。好吧，我現在得玩一個更高貴的遊戲了！我得對付查爾斯這條大鯨魚。牠會馬上乘風破浪地游到我這兒來。我得像一個戰戰兢兢的水手那樣從船上扔一個大桶來逗他高興。不過，總有一天我會找到一個機會把一支獵鯨槍射進他的心臟！