Eagle’s Glory

With the arrival of spring, the bright sunshine fills every sea area of ​​the Mediterranean, including the small island of Monte Cristo.

On this day, Father Faria submitted an application to meet His Majesty the Emperor through Miss Chanel Noel, who took care of him.

His application was approved quickly.

"Father, what do you want to see me for?" When the priest came to his room, Aigron asked politely.

Father Faria has been on the island for nearly half a month. After escaping from the dungeon, after this period of recuperation, both his physical and mental state have improved greatly.

Although he was still partially paralyzed, for him, it was not enough to hinder his mental thinking.

He now seems to be full of boundless mobility.

"Your Majesty, can you tell me what you plan to do next?" Father Faria was not polite, but went straight to the point. "According to my observation, you have been recruiting people, and these people will definitely not be limited. Where are you going to use them on a small island?"

"I plan to establish a smuggling network to earn me a steady stream of profits, which requires a lot of manpower." Aigron answered.

"I saw this. You are indeed recruiting sailors, and you brought Edmond to the island for this purpose, but in my opinion, this is not all your intention." Father Faria did not give in, but He continued, "You are not only recruiting sailors, you are also recruiting troops, even beyond the carrying capacity of Monte Cristo Island... It is obvious that you are trying to form an army of some size, so this must lead to the following One question – where are you going to take this army?”

Aigron didn't answer immediately.

"If you want me to be your counselor, then you have to be honest with me and at least let me know what you want to do next so that I can play my role, right?" Father Faria continued, " You may think that I have just come out of prison and am not qualified for big things, but I think I am in a good state now. During this period, I have also been observing the current situation in Europe with great concentration... I think I can play a little role, so please Please trust me for once."

Aigron hesitated.

"You certainly won't take them to land in France and then march to Paris, right? This is completely irrational." The priest said with a smile, "You don't need to take another risk like your father. After all, he has prestige in the army, and you are currently not yet."

"Of course not." Aigron laughed at the joke.

If he took people to land in France now, he would probably be caught and sent to jail if he went less than thirty miles inland.

What to do next has always been a plan he thought about in his heart, and he didn't even say it to the people close to him.

However, it seems that now is the time to speak out.

It wouldn't hurt to at least discuss it with the priest.

When he thought of this, Aigron no longer hesitated and expressed his plan.

"As long as the troops and horses are gathered together and the combat effectiveness is somewhat formed, I will go to Greece. Then as a volunteer, I will assist the Greek rebels to resist the Turks and help them gain independence."

"Oh! It's a little surprising." The priest opened his eyes wide and was surprised, but he didn't show much objection.

"Raising an army not only requires money and people, but also territory. This small island of Monte Cristo will never allow me to build an army. So I have to find a way to get a bigger territory." Now that I have said it, Egg Takashi no longer concealed it, "Considering my status, if I grab territory elsewhere, there will undoubtedly be an extremely violent counterattack, but if I volunteer to fight to regain the Christian country in the name of saving Greece, Even though I am an Orthodox Christian, people in the Christian world will still cheer for me——"

"That's a good reason." Father Faria nodded.

Then, he thought for a while, "But the situation in Greece is not good right now. The Turks and Egyptians are besieging them-"

"That's just right,

This is my space to play! "Aiglon replied confidently, "The Turks seem to have the advantage now, but this is only because the Greeks themselves are too confused, not because they are so powerful. I think I have room to maneuver within it. "

The conversation between the two people also revealed the current situation.

Since being conquered by the Ottoman Turks, the Greek people have never stopped resisting, and starting in 1821, the Greek people's resistance ushered in an unprecedented climax.

After several years of guerrilla warfare, the Greek rebel army, led by Kroktronis and others, repeatedly defeated the Turkish army and once recovered almost the entire territory.

However, the local nobles and local tyrants in Greece looked down on the reckless leaders of the rebel army, and the pro-European faction and the native faction were also engaged in fierce struggles. Therefore, before independence was completed, fierce internal strife occurred within Greece.

In April 1824, Greece held its second National Assembly, and Koroktronis was dismissed from his post as commander-in-chief. Of course, the faction that supported him was dissatisfied, refused to recognize the government, and established a new central government. As a result, two governments coexisted in Greece.

After two fierce armed conflicts, the Greek civil strife finally ended with the arrest of Crocotronis himself. The internal war in Greece ended, and the Greek military suffered heavy losses.

At this time, Turkey was also eyeing Greece, desperately trying to extinguish the fire of the uprising. In July 1824, Turkey signed an agreement with Egypt, which was nominally ruled by it but actually controlled by Ali Pasha, to jointly suppress the Greek people's uprising.

In February 1825, 90,000 Egyptian army and navy troops landed in the southern Peloponnese Peninsula and marched on a large scale. Although the Greek army resisted bravely, it was still unable to stop the Egyptian attack. Under the pressure of public opinion, the Greek government released Koroktronis and others and re-appointed them as commander-in-chief. However, the war situation was difficult to reverse, and the Egyptian army occupied most of Greece.

After two years of fierce fighting, although the Greeks resisted bravely, all the Greek territory north of Corinth fell into the hands of the Turkish army again. Only part of the Peloponnese and the Aegean Sea were left in the territory belonging to the Greeks. several islands on.

The situation in Greece looks precarious.

However, this was just the darkness before dawn. After reaching a desperate situation, the Greeks finally began to resist desperately, and finally withstood the footsteps of the Turks, and the decaying Ottoman Empire began to be unable to support the consumption of the war.

In addition, as the Greek armed uprising continues, Europe's sympathy for Greece is also increasing year by year, and the attitudes of various countries are also changing. In the end, the European powers that were originally unwilling to support the uprising and hoped to maintain the old order changed their attitudes and took a tough stance. Put pressure on Turkey and then forced Turkey to withdraw from Greece.

According to original history, Greece finally gained formal independence in 1829.

Eggron knows that just like stock trading, the stock "Greece" is now at its lowest point. As long as he enters the market and works hard, he can reap huge benefits during the stock rebound.

The worse Greece is in now, the more room he has to "greed for heaven's merits".

Of course, he would not explain all this plan clearly to the priest, but Father Faria was also able to keenly observe the benefits.

"Aren't you afraid of taking risks? That is the Turkish army, a regular army." Father Faria asked.

"I hate taking risks, Father, at any time. But I know better that if you want the throne, you must take risks. Compared with the benefits I can get, the risks are not worth mentioning." Aigron said with emotion. Answer, "As soon as I have raised an army of volunteers, I will go about my business."

After a pause, he explained, "Besides, I am not without support. I have veterans and officers who are loyal to me, and tens of millions of francs in capital. I will definitely be able to subdue the Turks. I think Turkey is like A shaky old house, if you stand at the door and kick it hard, it will shake and collapse!"

"Then if you succeed, what do you plan to ask for? The Greek crown?" Father Faria asked again.

"I don't want it. No one can govern the Kingdom of Greece well. Didn't you see? They were fighting among themselves with swords and guns before they succeeded in independence! No one can manage this country, and it is not worth my waste of energy. I want it. It’s France, the richest European country.” Aigron shook his head, “I just need to gain a sphere of influence and use Greece as a bargaining chip to negotiate better terms with the European powers.”

Very good... Father Faria nodded slightly in his heart.

It can be seen that his Majesty has a quite mature plan - it can even be said that it exceeds his original expectations.

In this case, let’s give it a try!

I can also help your Majesty to add fuel to the fire.

"Your plan is quite good, and I have nothing to refute. But..." Father Faria smiled slyly, "However, I think I can do my best to make your plan smoother. , and get more solid protection.”

"What do you mean?" Aigron suddenly became interested and asked quickly.

"When those big powers abandoned Greece for their own despicable interests, your righteous act of single-handedly saving Greece will be recognized by all Christians. Even those who are most opposed to you will not be disappointed in this matter. There is a way to find out your faults...and I think the Roman Church will be one of the people who cheer you the most." The priest explained to him in a low voice.

Then, his eyes shone with excitement, "Your Majesty, think about it, what an honor it would be if the Pope personally issued an edict to praise your feats in the Christian world?"

Infected by his tone, Aigron couldn't help but feel relaxed and fascinated.

Of course he has no good impression of the Roman Church, but he knows that France is still a Catholic country, especially French farmers, who hate this set of religious rhetoric - if the Pope personally issues an edict to commend him, it will be How big of a stir was the vast French countryside?

At that time, he used picture albums and other means to launch a wave of propaganda bombings against those farmers...

Hey! What an exciting scene that would be!

When he thought of this, Aigron couldn't help but feel fascinated.

However, he quickly calmed down and looked at Father Faria suspiciously.

"My father has a very difficult relationship with the Roman Church. Would the Pope be willing to do this?"

What Aiglon said is indeed the truth.

During the French Revolution, the relationship between the government of the Republic and the Catholic Church was very bad. On the one hand, the Republic ideologically hated the so-called Catholicism that suppressed reason and encouraged ignorance; on the other hand, it coveted the assets of the church, so it extended its butcher knife to the Church at the beginning of the Revolution. To the clergy, the church in France was also severely weakened.

After Napoleon came to power, he began to rebuild French order. He picked up the Catholic Church as a tool, so he began to lift the ban on the church, and then deliberately established a good relationship with the church.

Thanks to his efforts, the church quickly repaired relations with Napoleon.

In 1804, when Napoleon ascended the throne, it was Pope Pius VII who crowned Napoleon.

However, although he used the church as a tool, Napoleon still had great disdain for the church in his heart. During the coronation ceremony, he snatched the crown from the pope and put it on himself, clearly telling the world that he had won the throne by himself, not by the pope - and the relationship between the two parties also took shape. .

After that, the relationship between Napoleon and the church took a turn for the worse.

The Pope originally thought that Napoleon's empire would become the pillar of the Catholic world like the Bourbons. However, Napoleon used the empire as a tool for his personal ambitions.

In 1809, Napoleon attacked Vienna and then annexed the states under the Papal States. Pius VII became furious and announced that Napoleon would be excommunicated. Napoleon arrested Pope Pius VII in the Vatican on July 6, 1809 and escorted him back to Savona for imprisonment.

Pope Pius VII spent five years in prison before being released after Napoleon abdicated in 1814.

Obviously, the final relationship between the two parties turned into a state of rupture.

His grandmother Letizia Bonaparte's brother, his great-uncle Joseph Fesch, was a cardinal of the church. He was also prominent in the church at that time and presided over his baptism ceremony; But he was a cardinal in France entirely because of Napoleon's relationship. After the relationship between Napoleon and the church broke down, his status in the church also declined greatly.

Finally, after Napoleon abdicated, he returned to Rome and was thrown into disuse. Now he can only live in retirement in Rome. It is impossible to expect him to exert influence in the church.

Therefore, Aigron, who is familiar with these anecdotes, does not expect the Roman Church's attitude towards the Bonaparte family at all.

"If Pius VII was still alive, I think it would be really difficult for them to change their minds, but the situation is different now. We have a new pope to deal with." Father Faria smiled again, "Your Majesty, this is also God's presence. Help you."

Indeed, Pope Pius VII, who had a deep hatred for Napoleon, passed away in 1823. He was succeeded by Pope Leo XII. As emperor and courtier, naturally there were a lot of personnel changes within the church. The hatred that once existed is now It seems like it doesn't matter - after all, King Philip IV of France kidnapped and imprisoned the Pope. Didn't subsequent kings continue to be filial sons of God?

"You do make sense." Aiglon nodded, "Then how do you think it should work?"

"You have found the right person!" A trace of pride flashed in the priest's eyes, but he covered it up skillfully. "You have forgotten that I am originally an Italian priest. I am a member of the church. I have many people in it. Old friend."

"Oh..." Aigron suddenly realized.

"I looked at the recent Vatican Annals, and then I discovered that one of my best friends has now been promoted to a cardinal... Oh, sixteen years!" The priest sighed, feeling sorry for himself wasting himself in the dungeon. He felt regretful about his time, but he soon cheered up again, "Your Majesty, I can contact my old friends and ask them to help me and open up the door to the church."

"How sure are you?" Aigron asked solemnly.

"If you have no money or are unwilling to spend money, you are honestly not sure. But as long as you are willing to spend money and have enough money, it is not difficult to get the church to admit that the devil is an angel. It is just a matter of finding the right way." Fr. He replied calmly, "If you think about it, people from the Medici and Borgia families could become popes. What else could not happen in Rome?"

"It makes sense..." Aigron nodded with deep understanding.

Unintentionally he found that he had opened another path.

Sure enough, Father Faria was indeed useful... He was once again grateful for his wise decision.

Yes, the church has been a corrupt and sophisticated organization since ancient times. What it is best at is turning corruption into magic, or turning magic into corruption. As long as you find the right way, bribe senior priests and the pope, and let them reward you again and again. What does it matter?

When he thought of this, Aigron suddenly became excited.

Then, he was thinking about how to bribe the Pope.

In the original work "The Count of Monte Cristo", Edmond Dantès, Count of Monte Cristo, bought the Pope's pardon at the cost of a huge piece of emerald, and saved the life of a bandit on the execution ground.

And this piece of jade is now in his treasure house, quietly waiting for him to take it at any time.

There is no doubt that what he wants to get is much more important and valuable, but he believes that as long as he pays a little more, he can still buy what he wants from the Pope - after all, he and now The Pope has no grudges.

"Your Majesty, if you think my suggestion is feasible, then you'd better make up your mind as soon as possible." While Aigron was thinking, Father Faria whispered, "The sooner you prepare, the faster you can master it." Take the initiative to understand the situation. Regardless of whether you think highly of the church in your heart, but since you want to show the glory of a hero in the Christian world, the praise of the church will be very helpful to you. No one can certify your great achievements more than the Pope. This All the price is nothing more than the loss of some dead things, nothing worth cherishing."

Yes, all the conditions are already met, so why are you still hesitating? Aiglon made up his mind.

If it fails, it will be nothing more than a loss of some property, but if it succeeds, it will be a huge political capital.

"Okay, then let's work hard for it." He clenched his fist in the air and shook it suddenly to express his determination, "You can find a way to contact your friends now and let them know that you are here Serve me.”

"I have already written the letter." Father Faria replied with a smile. "You can have it sent to Italy at any time and delivered to them."

"Then I will host it myself." Aigron replied.

"Huh?" Father Faria's eyes widened. "you……?"

"Yes, I had planned to go to Rome before." Aigron looked at him with a smile, "Now it seems that I have even more reasons to go."

"...You have to be careful about your own safety." Father Faria thought for a moment and did not stop him, but just warned him.

After all, Rome is now under the direct rule of the Papal State and is not within reach of Austria. As long as the church does not search for his master and the young man does not appear in public, there is indeed not much danger.

"Did you go to Rome to meet your family members?" Then he guessed Aigron's reason.

"Yes, I plan to meet my grandmother and other family members." Aigron's smile gradually disappeared, and then he looked calmly into the void, "They probably miss me very much too..."