Descending On France 1780
Chapter 138 - 131 Traitor Frost

Chapter 138: 131 Traitor Frost

Afterwards, Anning went to inspect three potential camping sites.

In the following days, Anning actively prepared for the possible war.

Although this was the case, the current situation might not necessarily lead to war, and there was still a chance for Anning to slip through.

After all, nominally, everything Anning did was in compliance with the Parliament’s decrees; the redemption policy was set by Parliament, and the vouchers were issued by Parliament. It could only be said that Parliament left a loophole, which Anning exploited.

It was also possible that later developments could involve Parliament issuing a decree to close the loophole, then sending a special commissioner here to demand Anning follow the new decree.

Such back and forth could drag on for a long time.

Now it was already July, and soon Louis XVI would be attempting escape, Anning might be able to step down from the focal point.

However, Anning dared not neglect war preparations.

Because he knew that at this time, Parliament wanted to go to war; in the real history of November 1791, Parliament had actively initiated the war against Prussia and Austria, aiming to spread the revolution to neighboring countries.

Yes, they wanted to transform Prussia and Austria into constitutional monarchies and spread the revolution.

So, the revolution was being besieged for a reason; initially, it was the revolution itself that actively wanted to spread its doctrine, especially after Louis XVI was executed, and the monarchs of Europe felt endangered and had to unite.

As for why Parliament wanted to go to war at this time, there were several reasons; one was that Parliament felt that the current domestic instability was all due to the interference of foreign nobles, who didn’t recognize that their own land policy was flawed.

The second was that going to war could shift the focus.

The third was that going to war could profit them.

In short, there were too many in Parliament at this time who might support a war, forcing Anning to be on guard.

Because of this, Anning, who had always wanted to slack off, suddenly started busying himself like a true worker.

**

While Anning was actively preparing for war, Parliament also held several consecutive days of discussions on how to deal with the Conte Region.

"I have received information that Mr. Frost has assembled an army composed of old nobles!" The speaker vigorously slapped the table, "Isn’t this evidence enough? He is conspiring with foreign opposition factions, plotting against the National Assembly! Against His Majesty the King!"

As soon as the words fell, Marat stood up: "I don’t think he would do that! Remember, Frost is the hero of Bastille! He has saved the revolution from danger many times!

"If there’s only one person in all of Paris loyal to the revolution, it would be Mr. Frost!"

Marat’s words provoked a wave of opposition, someone stood up and shouted, "Marat! Don’t think we don’t know, you’re in cahoots with him!"

Marat also became angry: "What about it? Mr. Frost has always cared for the people, a true Friend of the People! Look at how he uses his own money to buy land and distribute it to the people! How could such a man betray the revolution?"

"What do you mean his own money, he used vouchers!"

"Aren’t the vouchers issued by the Parliament? The Parliament also uses vouchers to pay civil servants and the military’s salaries! Since it can pay salaries, it can also be used to buy land!" Marat stood his ground.

This left many speechless.

But immediately, someone pounded the table and stood up: "Your Mr. Frost, he pays the army’s salaries using real gold and silver coin! This shows he doesn’t support the vouchers; he is a traitor!"

Marat: "That’s because he is in a remote area. As early as last year, when he deployed troops to quell rebellion, he said the remote areas do not recognize vouchers, only silver coins! Rather, the fact that he can use his own silver coin to pay the troops is evidence of his commitment to the revolution! What about you, Mr. Groot the banker? You also have plenty of silver coins, right! Come out and support the Parliament! Come and pay the Militia’s Military Salary!"

Groot mumbled a few words and as if grasping at straws, suddenly pounded the table, shouting, "Since it’s a remote area, since they don’t recognize vouchers, then land shouldn’t be bought with vouchers!"

"The ones who don’t accept vouchers are the peasants from remote areas! Frost buys land from patriots in the local Parliament! Patriots should rightly accept vouchers!" Marat also pounded the table in rebuttal.

Then several people pounded the table and stood up: "This is sophistry!"

"This is double standards!"

Marat: "Nonsense! My logic is consistent!"

Then, a large group of people stood up, interrupting Marat all at once.

At this moment, the rotating Chairman Brissot stood up: "Gentlemen! Continuing this debate is clearly pointless. I propose that we begin the voting now and let everyone express their opinions through their ballots!"

Marat’s expression changed upon hearing this.

Many of Anning’s friends, due to Robespierre’s proposal, are ineligible to run for this session of the Parliament. Although there are still many people from the Jacobin Club in the Parliament, many of these people are not very familiar with Frost.

Furthermore, the Girondists have always been urging immediate action in various situations, to strike a blow for both domestic and foreign enemies. Voting now would very likely result in Andy being recognized by the Parliament as a traitor.

But Marat was completely powerless to stop the vote.

After all, the vote was entirely in accordance with the Parliament’s procedures, and stopping it would require a sufficient number of people to oppose.

Marat simply could not gather that many people.

So, the voting process began.

Marat could only watch helplessly as Andy Frost was designated a traitor by the Parliament.

**

Lafayette was pacing back and forth in his office, anxiously awaiting the results of today’s Parliamentary debate.

Suddenly, Bertier entered: "The Parliament has passed a resolution, Andy Frost has been deemed the chief leader of the domestic counter-revolution, the mastermind behind the national turmoil, and the backstage boss of traitors."

Lafayette punched the desk hard: "Fantastic! Did the Parliament decide when they will go after him?"

"The members of Parliament are already outside your door. They have come to ask you for your opinion on suppressing the revolt."

Lafayette: "What are we waiting for then? I am going now!"

**

In the Palais des Tuileries, study room.

Queen Marie was persuading Louis XVI.

"Dear, these vile rebels are busy fighting among themselves right now; it’s the perfect opportunity to flee to Austria! Once we reach the border and join General Bouey’s troops, the scattered Royalists will rally to us! Prussia, Austria, Russia, and even the Sardinian Kingdom on the Italian Peninsula will support us!

"We can wipe out these detestable deputies and reclaim what belongs to us! Look at what life we are living now! This Palais des Tuileries is both cramped and hot!

"I am a princess from Austria, I married a King, not a commoner!"

Louis XVI looked troubled: "Escaping now might not be the best idea. The Parliament’s unpopular policies are causing my reputation outside of Paris to rise. Maybe in a little while..."

Queen Marie interrupted Louis XVI: "What are you waiting for! Haven’t you heard? Some of these deputies talk privately about establishing a Republic like the people in the New Continent!

"They have already taken you from Versailles to Paris, they can take away your crown too! Because they no longer respect the monarchy!

"We must leave Paris and join forces with the Patriots who support the monarchy! Emperor Leopold of Austria is my relative; he will not ignore me!" Marie took a step forward, urgently speaking.

Louis XVI pursed his lips, hesitating.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

Marie: "Come in!"

The door opened; it was the Queen’s Swede lover, Earl Axel Fersen, who entered. After a slight bow to Louis XVI, he reported, "The Parliament has just made a decision, declaring Contat Envoy Andy Frost a traitor. Lafayette has already rushed to the Parliament and might soon deploy troops."

Louis XVI brightened up: "What? Really? Excellent! I’ve tolerated that scoundrel for too long! Go Lafayette, crush him!"

Marie turned around, took three steps toward Louis XVI, and took his hand: "Your Majesty! When Lafayette deploys his troops, that will be our best chance to escape! We cannot miss this opportunity!"

Louis XVI pursed his lips and fell into hesitation again.

Queen Marie: "Your Majesty!"

Louis XVI sighed: "Very well! Once Lafayette leaves Paris, we’ll go!"