Descending On France 1780
Chapter 290 - 283 The Wave Catcher of Malmaison

Chapter 290: 283 The Wave Catcher of Malmaison

General Frost returned to Paris, and Paul Balas specifically spent money to hire extra help to ensure that the latest news from Paris would be delivered to his city late into the night.

This was not cheap; to accomplish this, he directly purchased ten of the best horses and hired three riders to work in shifts.

Horses were the most scarce resource in the Republic at the moment.

But Balas didn’t care; during the course of the great revolution, he had gained not only political influence but also a wealth of fortune.

This day, he still waited until late at night, until the latest intelligence from Paris was delivered into his hands.

Looking at the letter written by his accomplice in Paris, Paul Balas’s face lit up with joy, and he even stood up towards the end: "Fantastic, this is fantastic!"

Josephine Boarne pushed the door open and asked with puzzlement, "What’s the matter, dear?"

The socialite of Paris, now in nightgown, spoke while gently embracing Paul Balas from behind.

Balas: "Look at this! Today in Parliament, Robespierre proposed a bill to establish a regularized court by the Public Security Committee, an efficient way to deal with the enemies of the Republic, and then Frost, who was in attendance, actually raised an objection!

"Because of Frost’s opposition, the Corrosion-Proof One’s bill was rejected!

"Isn’t that fantastic? The Corrosion-Proof One, who used to be able to push through any bill in Parliament and turn the tide at will, has hit a wall now!

"This indicates that Frost does not approve of his methods, and cracks are appearing amongst the Jacobin triumvirate! This means our opportunity has come!"

Balas was so excited that he broke free from Josephine’s embrace and began pacing back and forth in the room. Madame Boarne could only sit down on the sofa, bored, watching him pace.

Balas: "We cannot return to Paris now; we must wait until they completely rupture. It can be confirmed that Frost disapproves of the Terror, and Dan Dong also shows a wavering attitude. As long as we figure out a way to send more innocents to the guillotine and stir up more revulsion, they are bound to break with Robespierre!"

Josephine spoke up: "How can we send more innocents to the guillotine?"

"Of course through denunciations. Those old nobles who sympathize with the Republic and are in good private terms with Dan Dong are perfect bait. Through denunciations, send them to the guillotine one by one!" Balas gesticulated, like a conductor leading the performance of an orchestra.

Josephine: "Wouldn’t it be more effective to send those closely associated with Frost to the guillotine?"

"No, no, you don’t understand, Josephine. In Paris right now, as long as one produces correspondence with Frost, the people’s jury will shout out innocence. Luckily, Frost doesn’t have the habit of writing letters."

—Because he comes from an era where stamps are almost unrecognizable to anyone, of course, Balas doesn’t know this.

Balas: "Even I do not possess a Death Exemption Token like Frost’s own handwriting, which is why I had to escape Paris under the guise of a Special Commissioner. Anyway, we need to find a way to widen the rift within the Jacobin faction, making the most powerful people in Paris fight each other!"

Josephine: "It seems I should also lend a hand in your plan?"

Balas: "During your time in Paris, did you often invite Miss Christina to attend salons?"

"Yes, but she’s always kept her distance from us and would leave once she discovers male guests at the salon. However, I am in good terms with Madame Dan Dong, and I complain to her about how bloody Paris is every day."

Balas: "Very good, that’s a good start. The more people who start to grow weary of the killings, the insistent Corrosion-Proof One will inevitably clash with Dan Dong, we need to exacerbate this conflict!"

Josephine wore a thoughtful expression: "Will Frost stay in Paris for a while?"

"It seems so. After all, the coalition within France has been cleared up now; there’s probably no need for Frost to personally suppress rebellions. He should stay in Paris for a longer time."

"Then maybe I can host some balls and invite the Frost couple—well, the soon-to-be couple—to attend." Josephine suddenly had a predatory look, "I am quite interested in this hero of France too."

Balas: "You could try that."

Josephine stood up: "It seems you’re not in the mood for fun tonight, I’ll go to sleep first. Tomorrow I’ll return to Paris and host a ball at my Maraisson Castle."

Balas suddenly grabbed Josephine’s hand: "Oh no, forgive me, I was too excited and didn’t notice your thoughts. We will have a lovely night tonight, let’s talk politics tomorrow."

Josephine revealed a smile of triumph.

**

After the Public Security Committee was vetoed, Anning disguised himself and traversed the streets and alleys of Paris to assess the current situation.

The situation was shocking.

Many who were originally small proprietors had risen abruptly to wealth by denouncing and exposing others in the chaos, and it had become common to see people manipulating the courts to kill others and seize their property.

Those who were once lawyers, clerks, and junior employees had now transformed into the new rich of Paris.

Most of the sans-culottes lacked the higher education to exploit this system for profit.

But there were a few sans-culottes who, with their outstanding oratory and social skills, thrived on feeding off the old era. After all, the "Jury" at this time need only be swayed by persuasive rhetoric to cry out "Death penalty."

Of course, more than half of those executed were not innocent. It should be said that the guillotine’s efficient operation had indeed played a role in deterring the enemies of the Republic.

After completing his investigation, Anning once again sought out Robespierre.

He was greeted by the same Mrs. Claire.

As Anning entered, his eyes involuntarily glanced towards the landlady’s chest, but unfortunately, her dress was tightly wrapped, leaving nothing to be seen.

Actually, this attire was the normal dress code for working women; Christina’s sort of dress, which proudly emphasized ample bosoms, had always been exclusive to the upper class.

With an inexplicable sadness, Anning had to acknowledge that he had already left the ranks of the sans-culottes.

Between himself and the real sans-culottes, there now stood a sorrowful, thick barrier.

With these thoughts in mind, Anning followed Mrs. Claire into Robespierre’s study.

Robespierre was still writing furiously. When he looked up and saw Anning, he was somewhat surprised: "Andy? What’s the matter?"

"I’ve been incognito in Paris for a week," Anning sat down directly in front of Robespierre, "We must stop this almost vigilante-style way of sentencing criminals."

Robespierre: "It’s easier said than done. To achieve this, we first need a new constitution. But a constitution alone is not enough; we need a code of law that details the penalties for different levels of crimes in each case.

"As a lawyer, I am well acquainted with the legal code of the Kingdom Era, but that is no longer applicable to the new era we are living in now. The drafting of the new code of law is still at the preparatory stage."

Robespierre stopped and looked earnestly at Anning: "In this extraordinary time, we need the Public Security Committee! At the very least, to take back the judicial power currently in the so-called Jury!"

Anning pursed his lips; he had only seen the potential for abuse of power by the Public Security Committee and failed to recognize its role in standardizing trials.

— After all, I am just an ordinary person. If the books on the French Revolution I had read before mentioned this, it would have been good, but unfortunately, they did not.

I still lack comprehensive understanding.

While critically self-reflecting, Anning said to Robespierre: "Then we can draft a new proposal, emphasizing the standardization of trials. The new committee’s name..."

Robespierre interjected: "Call it the Savior Committee! I am currently writing this proposal, intending to convince you tomorrow, but you came here on your own accord. Regarding the potential abuse of power you mentioned, I have thought about it too. I decided to take the chairmanship of the Savior Committee myself!"

Anning thought, well, the historical Savior Committee was actually the Jacobin leadership structure with six departments under it responsible for military, naval, taxation, foreign relations, internal affairs, and justice.

It was essentially the Jacobin government.

The Public Security Committee was somewhat like NKVD.

But in this timeline, the Savior Committee had replaced it!

Suppressing his inner criticism, Anning gazed at Robespierre: "Maximilien, promise me, use the power that falls into your hands with caution and restraint, and do not be controlled by it."

Robespierre: "Rest assured, I will always be the incorruptible that you know."