African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 161: Chapter 150: Restoring Contact

Ernst is generally satisfied with the work of the Marseille Heixinggen Consortium branch, at least he could give it eight points.

But rewards and punishments are necessary, after praising and rewarding some excellent employees, he made adjustments to some deficiencies here.

Besides the company’s business situation, there is nothing in Marseille that Ernst particularly wants to see.

After a brief tour of some unique sights of Marseille city the next day, Ernst and his party left.

Traveling north along the railway, Ernst first arrived at France’s textile city Lyon, and then from here he turned towards Paris.

October 18, 1868.

Paris, France.

In this era, finding a city in Europe that compares with Paris in scale and quality is completely impossible, but this is just Ernst’s personal opinion.

Contemporary London in the UK, with its black chimneys and rivers flowing with black water, is suffocating.

Though Vienna and Berlin have decent environments, they do not stand out in scale.

Saint Petersburg displays an aura of depression and oppression everywhere.

Napoleon III carried out large-scale renovation and reconstruction of Paris’s old city districts, making the city vibrant while showcasing artistic value.

Of course, the citizens of Paris at this time are not keen on this new city, the French criticized the new city, essentially saying it destroyed the unique flavor of old Paris.

Ernst appreciates Paris from a contemporary perspective, and naturally cannot understand the mentality of these people.

Of course, this doesn’t prevent the era’s Paris citizens from disliking this new city, with many critics among the elites, including literary and artistic figures.

Finally, due to public pressure, Napoleon III’s designer, Haussmann, resigned to calm the incident, but Paris’s renovation continued.

Later, Paris also built the Eiffel Tower, which citizens at the time hated and criticized.

Napoleon III’s government transformation of Paris essentially laid the foundation for the subsequent city patterns, with more greenery along new streets and parks everywhere.

Ernst’s convoy moves slowly on the streets of Paris, passing through crowds, heading towards areas where rich and noble people live.

...

A manor in Paris.

Led by the attendants, Ernst arrives at a reception room.

”Oh, I didn’t expect that little Constantine’s son has grown so much!” An elderly French man with white hair says as he sits on a sofa looking at the visitors.

This person is Ernst’s grandfather’s former comrade, Count Jacob Medina of France (fictional).

”Jaime Medina, come and meet, this is the grandson of my old friend. Truly unexpected, after all these years, that little rascal Constantine still has such a young son, he’s probably in his sixties-seventies by now!” Jacob Medina says to his son.

Jacob Medina’s son is estimated to be in his sixties-seventies too, being of the same generation as Prince Constantine.

”Hello, I am Jaime Medina, welcome to Paris as our guest,” Jaime Medina politely says to Ernst.

”Jaime Medina, pleasure to meet you, and I wish the old Count good health,” Ernst says to the father and son duo.

”Today, the little ones at home aren’t here, or I’d have introduced them to you,” Jacob Medina says.

The little ones refer to Jacob Medina’s three grandsons.

Jacob Medina’s family is evidently more prosperous than the Heixinggen royal family, having several brothers himself, two sons, and three grandsons.

”A pity the commander settled in Bavaria and never returned, otherwise, us remnants of the old era might have gathered, now only I remain,” Jacob Medina sighs.

The commander mentioned by Jacob Medina is Ernst’s maternal grandfather, Eugène de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s stepson and adjutant, but after Napoleon’s restoration, Eugène de Beauharnais didn’t return to France to support him but stayed in Bavaria following his father-in-law, then King of Bavaria’s advice.

”Back then, your grandfather and I served under the commander’s banner, though later we each swore allegiance elsewhere, our friendship remains unforgettable, during those times of flashing swords...” The elderly Jacob Medina reminisces and recounts the past in a slow, deep voice.

Ernst and Jaime Medina listened quietly to Jacob Medina describing his youthful experiences.

”What’s the main purpose of your visit to Paris this time, little Ernst?” After recalling the past, Jacob Medina inquires into Ernst’s visit purpose.

Ernst respectfully replies: ”Count sir, I am here as per my father’s instruction to visit my father’s and grandfather’s old friends, nothing more.”

Jacob Medina nods: ”Rare indeed! Someone still remembers us old timers, be sure to send my regards to your father when you return.”

”Happy to oblige,” Ernst responds.

”We old folks are short on time, so, you young people should move around more, more friends mean more paths, especially among noble exchanges...” Jacob Medina advises the young ones.

...

Ernst stayed in Paris for three days, visiting all the old partners of the Heixinggen royal family, given their age, many people are no longer present.

But the Heixinggen royal family re-established their network in France, as long as both sides maintain communications in the future, they can at least provide each other support in terms of public opinion.

Aside from this, Ernst also visited other great nobles in Paris, including various factions, leaving no stone unturned with even the Bonaparte family.

As for the past between the Heixinggen royal family and the Bonaparte family, it’s insignificant in the history of Europe; for the sake of interests, enemies could become friends,

And the Heixinggen royal family and the Bonaparte family are clearly not at enmity, it’s just that these years Constantine has aged and rarely traveled abroad, thus reducing contact with these forces.

Like neighboring Sigmaringen and the Prussian royal family, they still communicate frequently, for example, Carol I could serve as Romanian emperor, thanks to Napoleon III’s maneuvers.

However, history proves this investment failed, Carol I ultimately leaned towards his own family and sided with Prussia.

With collaborations, there are stabbings, like the current dispute between both sides regarding Leopold and the Spanish throne.

Thus in the noble world, one shouldn’t be pleased by gains or sorrowful by losses, all is based on actual interests.

And Ernst’s visit to Paris doesn’t necessarily aim to gain support from these people, primarily it’s about reconstructing the network, intelligence being vital trade chips among noble exchanges, as local titans, their information aids in better letting the Heixinggen royal family evade risks.