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This French historical figure was a master of diplomacy, serving at the highest levels across multiple regimes, from royal rule through revolutionary governments to Napoleon and his successors. Despite the distrust he often inspired, he proved indispensable to his leaders, becoming a byword for crafty, cynical statecraft. His strategic acumen led to peace treaties that consolidated French gains, though he sometimes opposed his emperor's aggressive campaigns. At pivotal moments, such as the Congress of Vienna, he played a crucial role in negotiating favorable terms and securing stability for France. Scholarly opinion remains divided, with some hailing him as one of history's most influential diplomats and others viewing him as a traitor who successively abandoned various political powers.