Descending On France 1780
Chapter 224 - 217 Paris also shows its fickleness

Chapter 224: 217 Paris also shows its fickleness

Anning was chatting with Christina when there was a sudden knock on the door.

Without waiting for a response, the door opened. In the headquarters, the only ones who would enter like this were Napoleon and Lasalle.

Just as Anning was thinking this, the two clowns came in together.

Lasalle was startled when he saw Christina: "What? Who?"

Anning: "It’s Christina, for heaven’s sake you’re in charge of the Cavalry."

Lasalle: "Ah, it really is Christina. You’ve applied makeup; I couldn’t even recognize you."

Christina: "Is there such a big difference..."

At this moment, Vanni, who followed the two men in, stared at Christina’s expression for a few seconds, then turned to stare at Anning for a few seconds before saying to Christina: "Congratulations, Miss."

Lasalle: "Why congratulations again? What’s going on? Hm?"

He looked back and forth between Anning and Christina, then suddenly had an epiphany: "Oh! I see what this is about!"

Napoleon nodded: "Stop shaking your head, pay up! A bet’s a bet, understand!"

Lasalle grudgingly took out a Gold Kroner and threw it to Napoleon: "I must clarify, it’s not that I’m not supportive of your joyous occasion, it’s just that I thought... uh, never mind, just consider me as a fart and let me go."

Anning had thought that Lasalle was going to talk about his theory that women over thirty shouldn’t marry. He had prepared himself to seriously rebuke him, but Lasalle chickened out.

Then there was another knock on the door; Anning said "Come in," and the door opened. Lana came in looking gloomy: "Your Excellency, you should really take control of what’s happening on the streets. There are lynchings everywhere, and whenever our troops appear, they scatter all at once.

"Moreover, some are taking advantage of the chaos to rob and even... to misreat the traitors’ wives and daughters... We must take decisive action to fully restore Paris’ order, Your Excellency!"

Indeed, just like the real Lana in history, he was a kind-hearted person.

Anning nodded: "We should indeed take decisive action, but our military strength isn’t sufficient to defend all the streets of Paris City. We can only ensure stability on the main streets."

Lana nodded, knowing that Anning’s forces were currently insufficient. Paris, after all, is a large city, and the primary duty of the French Army is to prepare for the battle with the coalition. The majority of the troops must be trained and can’t be fully committed to maintaining order.

Seeing Lana with a troubled face, Napoleon spoke up: "Cheer up, today is a day of great joy."

"What day of great joy?" Lana asked with some surprise. Then, seeing Christina’s gown, he suddenly understood, "Oh, I see. Congratulations, General!"

Anning nodded.

Christina smiled and slightly lowered her head.

Lasalle: "So when are we going to nail down this matter? I mean, when are you going to ask for her hand? When is the engagement party? Christina must be looking forward to wearing the engagement ring, after all her hand is so pretty..."

Lasalle hesitated. Christina’s hand was that of an old Cavalry, all calloused from holding reins.

Anning: "Let’s not rush for now. Parliament is debating whether or not to execute Louis XVII. If I go now to propose to Monsieur Égalité, it might make many gentlemen in Parliament change their minds."

Napoleon: "Indeed, who would dare vote for the execution of your little brother-in-law? It would definitely affect the outcome of the vote."

Lasalle: "Wait a minute! So, aren’t you going to pull some strings? I thought when you went to rescue the French King the other night, you were planning to give him a hand."

"I had that idea, but His Majesty the French King didn’t play along," Anning shrugged, "He even wanted to take me hostage, keeping such an ungrateful person around would cause me a lot of trouble, especially after he becomes my brother-in-law."

Napoleon: "Especially since the Royalist schemers still wield great influence over him. Regardless, his death serves our interests. The only issue is..."

As he spoke, Napoleon turned to look at Christina.

Christina: "I... have no objections, my relationship with this brother has never been that close anyway."

Napoleon: "Then there’s no problem."

Christina: "I was thinking, I should still go and accompany my father. He’s quite fond of this little brother."

As she spoke, Christina stood up: "So I’ll just..."

Anning: "I’ll take you back. Now, with the situation in Paris being so chaotic, and you, a young lady dressed so much like a Noble, it might be unsafe."

He also stood up. Napoleon immediately said, "I’ll arrange a Guard..."

"Come on, your Artillery guards what, dragging Cannons to follow the carriage?" Lasalle interrupted Napoleon, "I’ll do it. The Cavalry lads are perfect for guard duty, especially since our uniforms are so dashing and bright."

Anning: "Then I’ll entrust you with this task. Vanni, let us know once the carriage is ready."

Vanni: "The carriage is ready and waiting at the headquarters’ entrance."

Anning: "Then let’s get going."

Saying this, he stepped forward and extended his crooked arm to Christina.

Christina smiled and composedly took Anning’s arm, and the two walked out intimately.

Lasalle whistled, only to be sharply kicked in the knee by Vanni.

**

That evening, Anning arrived at the Jacobin Club.

The monastery where the club was located is now under the protection of the French Army, so despite the outside world turning into a frenzied one, the club still maintained a peaceful atmosphere.

When Anning entered the club, he felt everyone quiet down, looking at him with inexplicable gazes.

This surprised Anning, and walking to his good friends—the three Jacobin Club leaders, Robespierre, Marat, and Dan Dong—he asked in puzzlement.

Anning: "What’s the matter? Why is everyone looking at me so solemnly?"

Marat jokingly said: "You’re the head of the Jacobin quartet. It just shows how highly respected you are."

Anning always felt that Marat’s words had another meaning. He thought for a moment and felt it shouldn’t be the case; he hadn’t done anything that would significantly affect the Paris situation.

Nevermind, Anning thought, better to ask about the important matters.

Anning: "So about the meeting this afternoon, was a decision made on how to deal with Louis XVII?"

Robespierre: "A decision was made, with an absolute majority of votes, to forego any trial."

Anning: "Really? Does that mean a direct execution? Doesn’t this seem a bit against the idea of justice?"

"No, no," Robespierre shook his head repeatedly, "not to stand trial, nor to be convicted, and certainly no execution."

Anning was stunned: "Why? He’s the chief evil of the Royalist camp! Every ruler is guilty, all Monarchs are usurpers and traitors to the country!"

Dan Dong: "Oh, these words have reached your ears, haven’t they? Yes, Saint Just did say that. But here comes the problem. A report came in today at noon, saying you personally escorted Miss Christina—the sister of Louis XVII—back to her father at the Royal Palace. Many people saw her holding your arm, and everyone thinks you went to propose marriage."

No, I was just taking her home; after all, Paris is so chaotic right now...

Robespierre: "The news has already spread all over Paris, and so this afternoon, the situation changed. A lot of people, they do not dare to vote for the execution of your brother-in-law."

Anning’s mouth formed an O: What the hell, I haven’t even proposed yet, and just by holding her hand as I escorted her home, it’s influenced the political situation in Paris?

Marat indignantly said: "I’ve been calling out at the top of my lungs that Frost will definitely support the execution of the King, but nobody believes me! Moreover, they say, your act of taking Louis XVII out of the palace that night was a premeditated action, well-planned!"

—I didn’t, I didn’t!