American Fortune Life

Stepping into the castle is another world: the red and blue marble columns support the vaulted roof, the orderly arrangement of antique furniture, the giant oak staircase, and the double C logo on the floor subtly highlight the Earl of Carnarvon family strength and cultural heritage.

The statue of the second Earl of Carnarvon, similar to the statue of the fourth Earl of Carnarvon and his younger sister when he was young, portraits of family members are hung everywhere on the walls. Under the introduction of the Earl and his wife, Andy and his party I learned that these portraits are all written by masters, including the works of the famous Van Dyck.

In addition, there are precious photos of the Herbert family on the piano and on the table, turning around, like walking into a well-decorated museum. The family has a wealth of collections, and the wooden writing desk used by Napoleon in the music room is enough to make people wonder, not to mention the baroque ceiling that competes with it. The 37 clocks and clocks with historical value placed in different rooms have witnessed the immortal traces left by history and time in the castle.

"The castle has about 300 rooms, and there are 356 crystal chandeliers alone. In the heyday of the manor, 60 servants took care of our family's food and living in every possible way. Today, the castle employs 20 full-time employees to maintain it. It is functioning properly, and of course there is an orderly butler, Colin.”

Fiona, the Countess of Carnarvon, who was born as a commoner but full of aristocratic style, gracefully introduced the butler who had been standing behind the master wearing white gloves. Andy smiled and nodded at him.

A very interesting family, the countess is eloquent and full of aristocratic style, while George Herbert, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon, has a somewhat melancholy look and an awkward smile on his face from time to time. Feeling shy and shy.

In this regard, Andy has always kept a faint smile, and he doesn't care about the earl's sense of shame and the aristocratic style of the earl's second wife who was born as a commoner, although he often mentions a certain big family in Scotland or Austria in his speech , showing a special interest in whether Andy and his party are satisfied with the tea in front of them, talking about her horse, using tennis or golf clubs as examples, and other words are a bit ridiculous, but more people feel a sense of decline helplessness and unwillingness.

Andy came to buy the castle manor and do business, so there was no need to tear the other party's aristocratic veil, even if the veil was just the emperor's new clothes, he didn't need to make the other party feel humiliated.

Sitting on the red sofa, Andy looked at the library-like study room of the castle with great interest, the gilded roof, gilded bookshelves, rows of precious ancient books, ancient Greek Ionic columns, and the deep red sofa matched with dark The red carpet exudes a classical temperament.

"After more than 160 years, it is really rare to find such a well-preserved and functioning castle. If I remember correctly, only 50 of the 300 rooms are currently in normal use. Others, especially those abandoned in the castle tower The room needs to be repaired urgently, right?"

Andy was not interested in listening to the flamboyant Countess in front of him continue to brag. Although he didn't want to care about anything with a woman, but too much hypocrisy would make people feel disgusted. Andy even saw Ama who kept smiling gracefully All frowned slightly.

"Yes, Mr. Smith, this involves a financial expenditure of several million pounds, and we are also unable to do so. If it is a normal year, we may think of other ways, but in the face of the financial turmoil, perhaps, leave it to It is a more correct decision to pass on to a trustworthy person.

I have the responsibility to let it continue to pass on better, instead of watching it slowly fall into disrepair. Although this will shame the Carnarvon family, I need more courage to face the reality. "

Earl George Herbert, who had not spoken much all this time, had a sad expression on his face, and he caressed the armrest of the red sofa with reluctance in his eyes. His tone was full of helplessness, and he said sincerely.

The smile in Andy's eyes slowly subsided,

I have more respect for the frankness and sincerity of the Earl of Carnarvon in front of me. What's interesting is that upon hearing the earl's words, the countess, who had been acting exaggerated just now, smiled wryly, and then sighed softly, as if she had taken off her mask .

Before, Andy was still wondering why the eighth Earl of Carnarvon, the godson of an old British lady, would choose a superficial and pompous British woman as his wife. Now it seems that everything is a routine, maybe it is in Andy's eyes. The banter must have touched the earl's shame, but for whatever reason, this was a very interesting couple.

"I really like the traditional charm that has been maintained here. I think I will make this castle better integrated into today's era, and will continue to pass it on." Andy has a calm smile on his face, and his eyes are clear Looking at Earl George, he said lightly.

In the subsequent conversation, the atmosphere became much more relaxed and natural. The countess who took off the mask lost the annoying arrogance and exaggeration. However, perhaps it is the noble habit that has been persisted for a long time, and some things will be involved from time to time. The names of families, nobles, and royal families seem to be despised if they don't speak like this.

It was approaching noon, and Countess Fiona had prepared an aristocratic lunch for the arrival of Andy Smith. Perhaps because of British culture, banquet etiquette is far more important than what to eat. For a hundred years, even the meals at the noble family banquets are actually not very novel. The main menu of Highclere Castle has been in use for about 200 years, and there is no good food in Britain.

A male servant handed over the meal on a silver tray, and the butler Colin stood behind the host, watching closely the actions of every guest at the table. The two footmen stood by with the bartenders to ensure that the guests' glasses would not be empty.

This service method is the classic "Russian style". This is a serving method that requires the most number of waiters, and it also reveals its heritage invisibly and calmly.

Andy was not surprised by this either. After all, his butler George Jr. was also very familiar with and good at the etiquette of the British aristocrats. Lin's credit.

After a two-hour traditional aristocratic lunch, for Andy, the trip to the castle was almost a conclusion. Naturally, Andy would not participate in the negotiation of the price.

He and Earl George drank black tea, chatted and laughed, and waited for the negotiating team from both parties to negotiate a price that everyone could accept. Andy would never agree to a price of 50 million pounds, even if the area of ​​the castle estate reached One thousand acres, with four thousand acres of farmland on both sides of the manor and a pasture of more than a thousand cattle and sheep, is not enough for Andy to spend half a billion pounds to buy this manor.

What's more, once Andy takes over, a comprehensive repair work must be carried out. For this castle, Andy has detailed plans and plans. This time, Andy will not be perfunctory about the repair work just to deal with the British government. , but to actually carry out repairs, and repair and renovate all the remaining 250 rooms to prepare for the filming of the film and television drama "Downton Abbey".

Operate a game by myself, the impact and change of film and television stories on real life, and directly develop this place into a tourist attraction and a castle hotel that maintains the tradition of British aristocracy.