Descending On France 1780
Chapter 288 - 281 The flow has changed... hasn’t it?

Chapter 288: 281 The flow has changed... hasn’t it?

The next day.

The proposal for the establishment of the Public Security Committee ultimately failed to pass by a narrow margin of 6 votes.

Anning was shocked.

Because he had previously tried to change the course of history. Then history would resist with a huge, stubborn inertia, and return to its original trajectory.

Anning felt like Don Quixote, who challenged the giants of the windmills.

He had fully expected that the proposal would pass today, despite his opposition, and then history would rush towards the end where the Jacobins would annihilate each other.

However, he won.

Even though it was a narrow victory.

The establishment of the Public Security Committee was stopped!

Could history really be changing?

He looked at Robespierre with surprise, seeing the uncorruptible tearing up his own speech in annoyance.

Then their gazes met.

Anning looked at Robespierre with the expression of a friend who had won a bet, while the latter shrugged his shoulders and said, "After you left yesterday, I stayed up all night working on the speech while drunk, until this morning. If I still can’t win against you, then I am convinced."

Anning: "Alright, the loser has to treat to a drink."

Anning was very happy at this time. After all, history had been altered, hadn’t it?

Dan Dong came over at this time: "This is unbelievable, to see Frost oppose the Public Security Committee bill."

Anning: "The establishment of such an authoritative institution can lead to unpredictable consequences. Especially when they have the power to send people to the guillotine. I could accept it if they had the right to imprison people, but the guillotine would require higher-level deliberation."

Anning only said this out loud; his true aim was to reverse the historical trend.

Following the original history, after the establishment of the Public Security Committee, the killings would become more and more intense. Eventually, the Jacobin faction would completely fall apart in their mutual destruction, and the ideals of the Jacobins would be utterly destroyed by opportunists and nouveau riche forming the Thermidorians.

As for not giving the Public Security Committee the power to execute, this idea actually came from Thomas Sankara. The People’s Court established by this Guevara of Africa did not have the power of capital punishment.

Robespierre: "If the Public Security Committee does not have the power to execute, then what’s the point of establishing it? You have not been in Paris for a long time, you do not know what the situation was like when those traitors were locked up in prison.

"When the coalition decisively defeated the French Army, they were celebrating, and outside Royalists could unimpededly enter the prisons and revel with the Royalists inside. No, no, Frost, you don’t understand, prisons are useless. We need to execute every one we capture to efficiently maintain the Republic!"

Dan Dong: "Actually, they’ve already killed quite a few. There are a total of fifteen courts in Paris, and I personally think maybe it would be a good thing to have a Public Security Committee managing these courts uniformly. Frost, you don’t understand the situation fighting outside. Maximilien, I think we should take Frost to see how these courts operate."

Anning raised an eyebrow: "That’s fine by me. Since there’s no longer a military threat, I can stay a bit longer in Paris."

At this time, because the time for suspending the session was approaching, legislators began returning to the chamber.

Robespierre: "After discussing how to handle the prisoners of war, let’s go take a look. Today we can adjourn early, which hasn’t happened in a long time."

Dan Dong: "It’s a deal."

Then he turned and went back to his seat.

Anning also returned to his VIP seat.

Under the chairmanship of Robespierre, Parliament reconvened to discuss how to deal with the prisoners of war.

In the end, the Parliament passed, with a high majority, the resolution to continue detaining Grand Duke Carl in the Sedan Fortress and to seek an exchange of the Grand Duke for Louis XVI and his womenfolk.

Anning didn’t really care that much; he knew that the Austrians wouldn’t exchange two people just for Grand Duke Carl.

Bringing Louis XVI back home would probably still require deploying troops under the walls of Vienna.

After the resolution was passed, Anning had the errand boy of the Parliament deliver a verbal message to Lazarcano, asking Cano to provide Grand Duke Carl with a full set of works by Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu.

Let the Grand Duke study well during his house arrest, for he has boundless opportunities upon his return—oh, the things he could do!

After this bill was deliberated, Robespierre was ready to announce the adjournment of the meeting.

Suddenly, someone stood up, "Gentlemen! I have a proposal. Everyone, please take a look at General Frost! Don’t you think there is something inappropriate?"

Anning raised his eyebrows and looked down at his own attire: the regular uniform of a Lieutenant General, with medals from the Seven Years’ War on his right chest.

Inappropriate? That definitely couldn’t be the case. This was adjusted by my soon-to-be fiancée this morning, absolutely presentable and proper.

After garnering sufficient attention, the Member of Parliament began to speak leisurely, "Don’t you think it is very unreasonable for General Frost to still hold the rank of Lieutenant General after securing such a significant victory?"

Anning’s mouth formed an ’O’ shape. Is this blatant flattery?

In comparison, FouchE’s gesture of giving a golden Eagle Flag seemed much more sophisticated!

The Member of Parliament continued, "I believe we should promote the rank of the General. Otherwise, if we go around saying that France’s most formidable strategist is just a Lieutenant General, wouldn’t it be a laughing stock to foreigners?"

Anning thought about it; indeed, he should get a promotion. If he remained just a Lieutenant General, the people under him wouldn’t have room for advancement, at most to the rank of Brigadier General.

That isn’t a big deal, but Davout and Massena have done well in Italy; it would be inappropriate to keep them at Brigadier General after returning.

Time to say goodbye to the rank of Lieutenant General. I feel somewhat reluctant.

The Member of Parliament went on to say, "I think, as the de facto highest Commander of the French Army, we should go all the way and grant the General the rank of Grand Marshal of the French Republic!"

Anning was startled. What the heck, have I time traveled to 1912?

The Parliament erupted into an uproar.

Robespierre glanced at Anning and, noticing his resigned expression, shrugged his shoulders and spoke, "You don’t understand Frost; he’s a man of integrity who doesn’t covet such empty titles. However, considering his subordinates will soon be commended and promoted based on their achievements, it’s indeed necessary to elevate his rank to ensure a smooth chain of command.

"After all, there have been instances where the Parliament arbitrarily altered military ranks, resulting in command disarray. In my view, promoting Frost to the rank of Vice Admiral is more appropriate.

"As for the rewards for his brilliant victory, I think we could establish a medal belonging to the Republic."

Anning quietly nodded in agreement, a promotion to Vice Admiral coupled with a medal, indeed not bad.

He had only one medal to his name so far, which was a bit too few.

Anning was not obsessed with medals, but with his current popularity, the number of medals should at least match his fame, right?

No need for too many, having half of Brezhnev’s would be good enough.

As Anning was lost in thought, the resolution for his promotion passed unanimously.

Yes, unanimously, without even any abstentions.

Then Robespierre announced the adjournment for the day.

Next, Robespierre and Dan Dong were preparing to take Anning to see the current People’s Court in Paris.