Descending On France 1780
Chapter 312 - 305 Don’t compare me with you.

Chapter 312: 305 Don’t compare me with you.

Paul Balas, after visiting Robespierre and Dan Dong, chose to come to the Royal Palace to meet the last of the trio.

Anning initially wanted to refuse, since he had already intercepted Madame Boarne’s letter, which essentially meant a fallout.

But upon reconsidering, he decided to hear what Balas had to say.

Balas was led into Anning’s study by Vanni, who then bowed and left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Balas, unable to contain his eagerness, began: "Respected General Frost, I believe there might be some misunderstanding between us."

Anning: "It seems you’ve heard about my interception of Madame Boarne’s letter."

Balas nodded: "Yes, it’s the talk of all Paris, stating that you took my incriminating evidence to the Savior Committee to denounce me. I am here to clarify what this so-called evidence is."

Anning leaned back in his chair, which actually wasn’t very comfortable due to its old-fashioned design. Used to ergonomic chairs, Anning found the hard backrest unbearable.

However, leaning back on the chair highlighted his supremacy, and Anning used this gesture to posture over Balas.

Balas ignored Anning’s actions and adopted a sincere attitude: "Josephine said that Dan Dong and Robespierre would split, a very common belief that all of Paris holds, or rather, eagerly anticipates. Can you execute all of Paris?"

Anning: "Of course not. I am also aware of the rumors circulating in Paris, but isn’t it improper to include such possibly baseless rumors in a specially sealed waxed letter, delivered by a confidant?"

Balas: "Indeed, I also don’t know why Josephine placed such importance on this letter; perhaps she was worried that its content could be exploited by those with ulterior motives?"

Anning: "So, you mean to say, I am someone with ulterior motives?"

Balas: "My meaning is that you might have been misled by these people with ulterior motives. I don’t know why you suddenly acted against me; there must be some misunderstanding or someone instigating trouble."

Anning wanted to laugh, it was clear he was trying to create discord between Dan Dong and Robespierre, and now he claims I’ve been instigated?

Anning: "Then, who do you think is causing the discord? Let’s hear it! You must elaborate!"

Balas shrugged, "I don’t know, I have many enemies in Paris."

Anning was exasperated, not surprising from someone who historically became the Governor, observe the perfect circular logic: definitely someone is causing discord because I have too many enemies; then who is causing the discord? I don’t know because I have too many enemies.

But Anning, a corporate drone in his past life, never benefited from office politics, always manipulated by others, yet never let anyone take advantage online.

So Anning exclaimed, "What! You are a Special Commissioner of France, opposing you means opposing France!

"Mr. Balas, list those who slander you, and I will denounce them to the Savior Committee right away. We cannot let any enemy of France go unpunished!"

Balas, not expecting such a counterattack, stuttered in response, "This... doesn’t necessarily have to go to the guillotine..."

Anning: "Whether it reaches that stage or not, you do not decide; the Savior Committee will determine that, the right to sentence lies in their hands."

The Savior Committee was much better than the previous street courts, which only had two penalties: release without charges or execution by guillotine, no middle ground.

Now with the Savior Committee, at least there was the option to imprison someone. However, the Savior Committee never sentenced anyone to mere imprisonment, the usual course was still release or guillotine.

That’s how it goes, whether to sentence or not is one thing, whether it’s in the law is another.

Balas: "You clearly know, now the Savior Committee, apart from releasing, just executes by guillotine, all other sentences are just for show.

Anning: "Do you think the Savior Committee is just for show?"

"No, I did not! I meant those specific penalties! The penalties are for show!"

Anning: "Questioning the work of the Savior Committee, you can take it to the Parliament. You could even instigate an impeachment against the Savior Committee, and if the resolution passes, you could even abolish the Savior Committee altogether."

"I didn’t mean that, I was discussing my personal matters with you! I didn’t intend to target Dan Dong and Robespierre, and I still hope their friendship can last forever!"

Anning frowned at Balas, thinking if he wasn’t well-versed in history, he would have been deceived.

For a moment, Anning thought about calling Moura to deal with this Balas once and for all.

But if he did so, he feared that both Dan Dong and Robespierre would harbor resentment against him.

Most importantly, Anning did not want to become a tyrant.

Although he now possessed the objective conditions to initiate a "crushing downfall" (coup), he still did not want to employ it.

Vanni’s words kept echoing in Anning’s ears: "Then you would become a tyrant, are you sure that is okay?"

Honestly, it was really hard to restrain the impulse after gaining the capability to make decisive actions.

Anning’s hand had even moved near the bell on the table, just a press of the button would make the bell ring, and Moura would come in, ending everything.

But in the end, Anning did not act.

He did not want to become a tyrant, did not want to become a true petty dictator.

Furthermore, Anning had an emotional bias towards the Republic, the word "Republic" gave him a familiar feeling.

After all, he was also from a Republic, where he was accustomed to the calls of boatmen and the sight of white sails on ships.

Eventually, Anning quietly moved his hand away from the bell.

He continued to spar verbally with Balas.

"So, did you come here just to say these things?"

Balas: "Yes, just these... No! I also want to congratulate you, I heard you’re preparing to marry Miss Christina."

Anning: "News does travel fast. Yes, that’s true."

Balas: "Then you’re going to be King Louis XVII’s brother-in-law, that’s wonderful!"

"It’s a romantic marriage, unrelated to her identity or her family."

Balas: "So when’s the wedding? I’ll make sure to prepare a sufficient gift."

Anning raised an eyebrow: "Mr. Balas is indeed wealthy, could you maybe share a trick or two for making money?"

Balas smiled and countered: "What you’ve done in Italy might be more formidable than me."

This punctured Anning’s sore spot, leaving him completely unable to retort.

Balas might be good at making money, but compared to what he himself gathered in Northern Italy, it was just a drop in the bucket.

Damn it, suddenly he had no ground to criticize Balas.

But he still had to defend himself.

Anning: "I did that to gather strength for a new industrial revolution. Science and technology have reached a threshold and are about to experience explosive growth, which will bring about an industrial revolution that will change everything.

"Whoever completes the industrial revolution first will dominate the next century.

"I did it for France, don’t equate me with someone like you who only fills his own pockets!"