Descending On France 1780
Chapter 115 - 109, is it you, kid, spouting nonsense?

Chapter 115: 109, is it you, kid, spouting nonsense?

Anning followed the Captain onto the viewing platform.

The expression on Lafayette’s face was indeed foul.

It was understandable, this was what they call "merits that outshine the master".

Though Anning was not one of Lafayette’s subordinates.

Lafayette: "Quite the performance, I should have known from that opera, it was your doing."

Anning: ??

Lafayette: "Stop pretending, the recently performed opera ’Storming of the Bastille’, you instigated its creation, didn’t you?"

Anning: "I don’t know, is there such an opera?"

Lafayette snorted but did not continue on the subject and changed the topic: "Come, let’s raise the tricolor flag of freedom together. According to the National Assembly’s resolution, starting today, this is our national flag."

Anning let out an "Oh", and then followed behind Lafayette.

When they reached the flagpole, Lafayette took the flag-raising rope and then handed the end to Anning, and like that, they both pulled on the rope, hoisting the tricolor flag to the peak.

The ceremonial officer exclaimed: "Salute to the tricolor flag of liberty, equality, and fraternity!"

The crowd erupted in cheers once again.

Lafayette took back the rope from Anning’s hand, secured it to the flagpole, then strode to the front of the viewing platform to begin his speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, today, a year ago, we ushered in a brand new era..."

Someone from below shouted: "Was it you who ushered it in? Why aren’t you in that opera then?"

Lafayette immediately pursed his lips, frowning.

Anning, on the other hand, grew more curious. He had been back in Paris for a week and had not heard of this opera. Could it be because the people visiting the manor all assumed by default that he was behind the opera, so they kept quiet out of mutual understanding?

They couldn’t think he was some schemer trying to expand his influence, could they?

That’s not me! From the past, to the present, and the foreseeable future, my only thought is to "survive unobtrusively in troubled times without seeking fame among the lords."

I want to slack off!

The more Anning thought about it, the more he felt that he should find the person who concocted this opera, to see who was meddling about and if someone was trying to harm him.

Meanwhile, Lafayette, pretending not to hear the cries from the crowd, continued speaking: "Although some unexpected situations arose and blood was spilled during the Storming of the Bastille, this does not overshadow that it was a magnificent feat. From then on, France entered a completely new era.

"After that, a series of dizzying changes took place, and now France is an entirely new country! A constitutional monarchy, where all are equal, filled with liberty, equality, and fraternity!

"From now onwards, France shall become the benchmark for the nations of Europe, leading them towards a brand new era!"

Anning thought, yes, precisely because France took the lead, later all the monarchies of Europe united to suppress France.

They are not making their move now only because Austria, Prussia, and Russia are all eyeing Poland.

Soon, this world would become one without Poland.

Once Poland is consumed, I guess the countries will come round and deal with the free France.

Finally, Lafayette finished his speech.

Following protocol, it was now King Louis XVI’s turn to conduct the ceremony and wish France a brighter tomorrow.

No sooner had Lafayette stepped down than the crowd in the square began to chant: "A speech from Mr. Frost!"

"The lion of the Bastille, let the lion speak!"

Lafayette stopped, turned his head to look at Anning, his face seeming to hold a thousand words.

"The masses request you to speak, say a few words," he said.

Anning nodded, then passed by Lafayette and stepped up to the highest point of the viewing platform, looking down at the crowd.

In an era without loudspeakers, Anning had to shout with all his might: "Ladies and gentlemen! A year ago, I led you in defeating the defenses of the Bastille!"

——Actually, I was carried in there!

Anning cut off the second half of the story.

"At that time, I felt that something had to be done, otherwise there would be no change in the whole of France! We are the cradle of Enlightenment thought. The reforms of Queen Theresa of Austria and Frederick the Great of Prussia were inspired by us. You could even say that we are the origin of those reforms!

"Our country still clings to a system that is a hundred and fifty years old. Is that reasonable? Our current system is still the masterpiece of Cardinal Richelieu!

"Clearly, this is wrong. The birthplace of the Enlightenment is the most conservative and backward country in Europe. There must be a problem! Therefore, on that day, I led the patriots who sought change to storm the Bastille and declared war on the old regime!"

The crowd below cheered.

Anning raised his hands to quiet the cheers and continued, "But my task ends here. As you all know, I am merely the son of a leatherworker and have only read a little in the military academy of Briena, far from being as intelligent and knowledgeable as the gentlemen of the Parliament!"

In fact, Anning had also attended the Military College in Paris and even taught there, but that’s not important, don’t mind these details. Now, the key is not to let too much undue reputation fall upon oneself.

The era of the Great Revolution is very dangerous; one never knows when heads will fall.

Anning: "As you all know, I seldom speak in Parliament, because I feel I lack the outstanding insight to make profound statements!"

**

Robespierre, sitting below, frowned deeply upon hearing Anning’s words: "What is he talking about? He is full of insightful thoughts, and I’ve learned a lot from him!"

Dan Dong: "Don’t you know him yet? He is a bit too humble!"

Robespierre: "This won’t do; humility can actually be a flaw. France needs talents like him!"

Marat: "Exactly, those with talent should fully showcase it. In tomorrow’s ’Friend of the People’, I shall strongly refute this unnecessary display of modesty!"

**

Anning had no idea what his close friends were saying.

He continued, "Fortunately, the rough work that needed people like us is now done. The Bastille has been stormed, the Conti rebellion has been suppressed, and from now on it should be an era of peace. It’s time to leave it to the knowledgeable gentlemen to govern the country!

"As a military man, I will go and secure those places that still harbor instability!"

**

The Duke of Orleans frowned, "What nonsense... Just a few days ago, he said things would become more chaotic."

Talleyrand, standing beside the Duke, suddenly laughed, "Ha-ha-ha, well played, he is strategically retreating! First, he says to leave the governance to the capable gentlemen, and when chaos ensues later, he will be called back to the fray. Brilliant, indeed. Your future son-in-law is very politically astute!"

**

Finally, Anning finished speaking, and at the end of his speech, he said, "As the beginning of a new era, I propose that now we all sing ’It’ll Be Alright’ together to express our hope for a better future!"

With that, he led the first line himself.

Then the entire hall burst into a chorus of staggered voices, gradually growing louder and eventually becoming a grand chorus with everyone joining in.

Anning acted like a conductor on stage, wildly waving his hands to keep time.

After the song finished, he turned to bow to King Louis XVI, "Your Majesty, I have finished speaking. It’s your turn now."

Louis XVI smirked, "Hmm, very good, excellent."

He stood up, patted Anning’s shoulder, and then stepped forward.

Anning quickly made his exit.

Just as he was getting off the stage, he was stopped by a young man.

"Mr. Frost!" the young man’s expression was that of a fan who had finally met their idol, "Hello! Mr. Frost! I wrote the opera ’Storming of the Bastille’... no, I mean, I am the composer for that opera! I came from Cologne just to meet you!"

Anning thought to himself, great, so you’re the rascal who’s been wildly exaggerating me, huh? I’ll have a thorough talk with you!

Anning: "You are?"

"Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ludwig von Beethoven!"

Damn it, Anning was nearly scared to death.