I Am Louis XIV

Viscount Turenne returned to Paris with mixed feelings. It would be pure nonsense to say that he had no desire to return to France. No one, especially an old man, would be willing to die in a strange place, although he was in Amsterdam. At that time, the Dutch people surrounding him had a good impression of this old man who was also a French governor and a descendant of Orange. Otherwise, North Holland would not have been peaceful for so many years.

But as Louis XIV, he would never let Vicomte Turenne die in his post in Amsterdam. He always had a gentle and close feeling for this marshal, especially those around him. When people began to say goodbye to him one by one, His Majesty the King became particularly sentimental.

He was originally going to Versailles, but when he heard that Viscount Turenne had already left, he decided to wait in Paris. When Viscount Turenne arrived, he invited him to take the latest means of transportation-the steam locomotive to Versailles with him. go.

Although Viscount Turenne is old, he is still in good health both mentally and physically. His eyes are bright and his voice is loud. When he saw the steam locomotive, he couldn't help but open his eyes wide with joy: "How many soldiers can it carry?" he said: "It Fast?"

Louis was amused and pleased to find that this time Viscount Turenne returned to him, and he was actually more indulgent and lively than when he was young. Age is sometimes a constraint, and sometimes it is also a relief. "It can carry a lot of things." But the most pleasant thing is that it does not need to rest!" His Majesty the King also said loudly: "It can run day and night, forever."

"What does it eat?"

"coal."

The king said, taking the lead in stepping on the pedal in front of the carriage door, and then stretched out his hand to the viscount. Viscount Turenne held the king's hand and stepped on the soft and thick bright red carpet. At this time, the locomotive carriage and a There is almost no difference a hundred years later. In the final analysis, the wheel rods driven by steam engines are operated to achieve various purposes - the earliest steam engines were used to pull mine carts, and those mine carts also had tracks, so... What people in later generations didn't expect was that the biggest obstacle to steam locomotives was not the priests, nor the financial investment, nor the lack of materials or technology. People in the court did not accept steam locomotives at first because they were originally used to transport dirty goods. For minerals and livestock...

"They insisted that I ride in a carriage." Louis complained to Viscount Turenne. "Oh my god, even if the cement road is smooth enough now, how can a carriage that is so narrow that I can't even stretch my feet compete with this kind of 'carriage' How does it compare?"

"You are right," Viscount Turenne said, looking around curiously. The locomotive has not started yet. When it is on the rails, it is as calm as a room with a solid foundation - it is a room, and each carriage They are all in the same room. When Louis XIV was on his expedition, Bontang would bring him a bathtub. Now the load and capacity of the steam locomotive allowed him to use it to his fullest - so the Viscount even felt a little familiar. These are all He often saw it in the king's apartment.

"Your room is just behind the children." Louis said, "Maybe you will find it a little noisy...in that case...you..."

"I just need some noise," Viscount Turenne said: "Your Majesty, I don't like children, but when I think that they are your continuation, the descendants of Bourbon, I am so happy that I am willing to go to hell immediately. .”

"Don't spoil them." Louis said: "The main thing is that I have told them a lot about you. They worship you, maybe second only to God and me."

"I am just your general," Viscount Turenne said: "You know, astronomers say that the moon is just a stone ball. It does not emit its own light. The sun illuminates it so that people can see it at night. You It’s the sun and I’m the moon.”

The king stopped and stared at Viscount Turenne with an incredulous look. After a long time, he said: "I know you have been in the army, but even in the army, Mr. Viscount, you have such an exquisite silver tongue, How can you be alone until now?" He couldn't help but said: "Tell me, if you have an illegitimate child, I can also guarantee to get you a complete set of marriage certificates, birth certificates and baptismal certificates."

"Your Majesty," it was Viscount Turenne's turn to be helpless this time: "That really doesn't happen. I think this is God's arrangement. You can regard Villar as my heir." He followed, "In addition, you and What's going on with the Roman Church? Do you still disagree with their independence from the Vatican?"

"This is a very important bargaining chip," Louis said. "I won't give up until I cut the church." On the surface, the church is allied with France, but in private it does a lot of "good things."

"Don't say it in front of your children," said Vicomte Turenne.

The person responsible for building these twelve carriages was Colbert, one of the king's most trusted ministers. However, because he was old, the main person in charge of this matter was his son, the Marquis of Senele. Although the Marquis of Niray should be considered a member of the military, he took over this important task because he had been in the shipyard in Nantes and was responsible for the construction of artillery, muskets and ironclads. He was very familiar with steam machinery.

According to the maximum horsepower of the existing steam unit, it is best to arrange the carriages into six carriages, but the problem is that the king alone needs three carriages - this is Mr. Bontang's unchangeable criterion and decree, and the queen also needs a bedroom and One living room, one for each of the king's three sons. At most, the king's children are allowed to share the reception room and bathroom. Then... a simple calculation, seven carriages are gone, and the remaining five - -The Duchess of Montpensier, the Duke of Vendôme, and the Prince of Conti, who all have the surname of Bourbon, must each occupy one section. The only two remaining sections - His Majesty clearly pointed out that the Marquis of Seignore and Colbert There should be one section between father and son, and another section... If Madame Montespan were still alive, she would definitely have one section, but didn't she go to the "convent"? Of course, this carriage was stared at with bright eyes by everyone.

It is no exaggeration to say that if His Majesty the King still lacks military spending or something else, even if he sells this carriage for 100,000 livres, someone will still buy it...

Now this carriage belongs to Viscount Turenne. Twelve carriages will inevitably lead to insufficient power, plus the previous three cargo boxes - because the area closer to the front of the carriage will be filled with smoke and gas (emitted when coal is burned) (smell), so these three carriages can only be used to load luggage, so - its speed may be about the same as that of a galloping horse.

But as His Majesty the King said, tirelessness is the greatest advantage of this vehicle.

"We will arrive at the Place de la Victoire in Versailles at dusk." said the Marquis de Senelay, a seemingly likable young man who looked more mature than when the king first took his children to Nantes. He became calmer and darker, and more like a soldier. After listening to his words, Viscount Turenne looked outside. Outside was an endless sea of ​​flowers. "It's so beautiful," he said while holding hot chocolate and lying comfortably on the couch. Even though he was riding a horse or riding a carriage, he said You can enjoy the beautiful scenery, but the former requires you to control the horses yourself and cannot be distracted. The latter is just like Louis XIV complained - narrow, small, and wobbly.

Steam locomotives also shake, but the shaking is much smaller than that of horse-drawn carriages, and there is no discomfort when lying on a couch or bed.

Colbert ran to the front of the steam locomotive to see the workers lighting the fire. He was interested in this unexpected event. The Marquis of Senele served the king and the viscount on his father's behalf. Although the viscount of Turenne is still a viscount - he is a marquis, as long as he knows the inside story People will not feel humiliated at all - it is said that the king wanted to return the title and territory (part) of the Duke of Sedan (the father of Viscount Turenne, the viscount is the second son) to Viscount Turenne, but the viscount refused .

But in the king's heart, the status of the viscount may be higher than that of the duke.

Amidst the roaring and crackling sounds, Viscount Turenne chatted happily with His Majesty the King for about an hour before retreating to his room: "If you can't stay for a while, take a good look. What's going on at night?" How am I going to brag to those people at the banquet?" he said, making the king laugh.

Then he walked along the narrow corridor and returned to his carriage. This carriage was also a room, equipped with a small bathroom. Viscount Turenne was curious for a while how the hot water in the bathroom came from , and later guessed that they should be introduced from the water pipe on the top of the carriage - the middle part between the ceiling and the top floor. The room contained a huge bed, comfortable armchairs, desks and high-backed chairs, as well as clothes racks and wardrobes. It was even comparable to a hotel room in Paris or Versailles, except that it was a little too long and narrow.

At this time, the sun's brilliance was no longer as bright as when they boarded the carriage. Viscount Turenne took out his pocket watch. Sure enough, there was not much time left for him, but he did not change into loose pajamas, as he said to the king. He should take a good rest like that - after all, His Majesty the King said that his children might come to disturb him...

Sure enough, after a while, someone knocked on the door.

"It is you, Monsieur the Duke," said the Vicomte de Turenne.

"Please call me Baptiste," said Baptiste, Duke of Hallebour. He hesitated for a while: "Can I come in?"

"Come in," said the Vicomte. "I believe your father has given you permission."

It may be surprising to say that this may be the first time for Viscount Turenne and Duke of Hallebour to meet. After all, their identities are too sensitive. One is a descendant of Orange, and the other is a general of the King of France. He was the illegitimate son of the King of France, Harlebourg, who could also be said to be the master of Brussels. If they had frequent contacts, it would definitely lead to a lot of rumors. Madame de La Valliere simply refused to let them meet at all. Later, Baptiste entered Viscount Turenne deliberately avoided the king's army. Baptiste also met General Villar several times, but Viscount Turenne only saw the portrait.

Baptiste entered the room: "I have always wanted to see you, sir." He said sincerely: "You are not only an excellent general, but also an impeccable manager."

"Yes, management is more difficult than conquest." Viscount Turenne waved his hand with such force that it could stir up the wind: "But I have His Majesty the King." He said proudly.

"Yes," Baptiste smiled: "You know, I am going to America. This is His Majesty's latest decision. I was a little hesitant before, but when I saw you, I suddenly felt at ease. "

"America is vaster than Brussels or North Holland, and is more suitable for you," Viscount Turenne said, "and you have the whole of France behind you. You will do better than me."

"Aren't you going back to North Holland?"

"I will not go back to the Netherlands." Viscount Turenne corrected: "Are you coming to talk to me because of something - about the Netherlands?" Because in Versailles, there are many more eyes and ears. .

"There is something I don't know whether I should tell His Majesty," said Baptiste, "because I also know it from my tribe." He glanced at the Viscount Turenne, who was one of the few who knew about Lavalliere. An outsider of the madam's true identity: "But you also know that my people are actually...not very good at conspiracy and deception. I'm not sure if someone deliberately let them know and then used me to influence His Majesty's decision-making."

"No matter what it is," Viscount Turenne said, "please tell me first. I think I understand the Dutch quite well after living in the Netherlands for so many years."

"This has nothing to do with the Dutch." Baptiste said: "You know, the last heir of the Orange family, William III, his mother is the eldest princess of England."

Viscount Turenne raised his eyebrows: "Yes."

"You also know that Charles II massacred most of London after getting our help."

"Know."

"Now it seems that the heads hanging on the spire of Westminster Abbey cannot make those with ulterior motives submit - or in other words, they seem to submit, but they never give up usurping from Charles II. Power, just like those who still have their heads hanging on the top of the church... They hate the king and hate the royal power, especially when Charles II, even though he sold the palace and royal lands, still failed to gain an advantage in the war against us when……"

"Do they want another major rebellion?"

"No, they are afraid of their father," said Baptiste, referring to Louis XIV as his father for the first time: "They are worried that if a person without Stuart blood is put on the throne, it will be like the previous Lord Protector. Cromwell, the French king would use this to launch a total war against England, so... they were neither going to allow Charles II to continue as king, nor were they going to hand over the scepter to the Duke of York - they sent an invitation to William III, I want him to become the king of England as the son of the eldest princess.”