Descending On France 1780 -
Chapter 328 - 321 Extreme
Chapter 328: 321 Extreme
At this moment, the church was filled with the entire Parisian upper class, including many who had previously fled to avoid the guillotine, such as Talleyrand and Fouché, all of whom had now returned.
Of course, Paul Balas was among them; with those 500 ounces of gold bars, he was seen as a member of the Frost faction, receiving a level of regard starkly different from before.
Balas wasted no opportunity to use this advantage, actively conversing with various individuals in Paris, surrounded by a throng of people.
This was in stark contrast to Robespierre, the incorruptible, who seemed to have a force field around him, keeping everyone at a distance.
Only Saint Just stood within this force field.
In fact, those present weren’t afraid that Robespierre would mark them for the guillotine; they didn’t gather around him mainly because the incorruptible had nothing to gain from such interactions.
Everyone was discussing this situation.
"Look, the incorruptible is nearly isolated."
"Without Frost’s military support, he would’ve been overthrown long ago."
"He’s always been so alone outside of Parliament, even Dan Dong doesn’t approach him anymore."
Hearing this, Saint Just, indignant, said to Robespierre, "They simply cannot understand the radiant ideals you embody..."
Robespierre shook his head gently, stopping Saint Just from continuing: "We needn’t concern ourselves with the opinions of these mediocrities; we must merely keep moving towards our goal. Besides, I bet Frost will come over to talk to us, we’re not alone!"
As Robespierre spoke, he glanced at Dan Dong who was fervently talking with a few gentlemen in the distance, his lips twitching slightly.
Just then, Anning entered the room and began greeting the guests, followed by Napoleon who was also getting married today.
Immediately, conversations halted, and eyes turned to Anning and Napoleon. The most eager among them stepped forward boldly, loudly congratulating Anning.
Anning, politely responding to these people, made her way towards Robespierre.
Saint Just noticed that the incorruptible seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
General Frost approached Robespierre and embraced him, "I was worried you’d be too immersed in your duties to come."
Robespierre smiled, "How could I not? There’s nothing more important in this world than your wedding."
Anning laughed, gently patting Robespierre’s shoulder: "You are my most important friend."
As these words were spoken, many gentlemen in the room exchanged glances.
Then Anning, pulling on Robespierre, turned to look at Dan Dong: "Dan Dong, my friend, why aren’t you by Robespierre’s side?"
Dan Dong’s expression stiffened, then he said, "Uh, I..."
"We are the three giants of the Jacobin faction. It’s rare for us to gather, yet we’re not standing together—Marat would be saddened," said Anning.
Dan Dong took a deep breath, then, with an embarrassed face, left the group he was with and joined Robespierre’s side.
Robespierre held his proud head high, making no attempt to conceal his attitude towards Dan Dong.
Anning spoke up: "Maximilien, think about the past, didn’t we often disagree? But we have always been good friends who respect each other. Not to mention, haven’t you and Dan Dong argued until you were both red in the face several times?"
Robespierre took a deep breath and then dropped his raised chin, assuming a more modest posture.
Anning took Robespierre with one hand and Dan Dong with the other, proclaiming loudly as if to announce to everyone around: "We have always been good friends, in the past, now, and will be in the future."
Dan Dong softened his expression as he looked at Anning: "Of course."
Robespierre also nodded: "Yes, we will always be friends."
At that moment, Saint Just started to applaud from the heart. Seeing this, Napoleon immediately clapped even harder, and moments later, applause filled the room.
After the thunderous applause subsided, Robespierre said to Anning: "Also, congratulations on your marriage."
"Same to you," Anning replied instinctively in the manner customary to Chinese people, but fortunately, the translation system perfectly handled the situation, turning it into a phrase suitable for this French scene.
Then Anning looked at Robespierre with a half-smile and asked: "So when can we attend your wedding?"
Robespierre: "Why this question again... Alright, after all the traitors and betrayers in the country are dead, I will consider getting married. I will, I promise."
Dan Dong smirked: "Maximilien, you’ve already killed enough, and many innocent people have also died in the process. It’s about time to stop."
Robespierre glared at Dan Dong and retorted angrily: "I can’t believe these words are coming from the very person who used to shout ’Bravery, more bravery, even more bravery!’ You were one of the radicalists!"
Dan Dong immediately retorted: "I also can’t believe that you, who once advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, would do such things! You used to say, ’The death penalty is extremely unjust, it’s more likely to increase crime incidents than to prevent them!’"
Robespierre: "At that time, I did not realize the huge deterrent effect of terror. Nor did I realize how low people could stoop!
"Look at the four years since the revolution. How many setbacks have there been, how many sacrifices have the people made in vain? There are always those who want to hinder the progress of the revolution, those who want to welcome back the Bourbon Dynasty!
"Therefore, we must resort to the most extreme measures, to thoroughly weed them out!"
Dan Dong: "You always have a rationale! But the implementation is not like this, ask Andy what he thinks if you don’t believe me!"
Anning’s eyebrows knotted, but it was clear that he was prepared for the ball being kicked to him.
He said: "Terror is not wrong; indeed, we need to deter those hidden evildoers, but it is also necessary to minimize wrongful, false, and mistaken cases as much as possible. Isn’t that what we formed the Savior Committee for, to take the power of judgment up from the hands of the jury?"
Robespierre immediately showed a smug smile: "Yes, we have greatly reduced the possibility of wrongful, false, and mistaken cases! This is something I personally oversaw!"
Dan Dong: "How can you guarantee that you won’t produce wrongful cases?"
"I am incorruptible!" Robespierre said decisively, "If there’s only one person in the world who will remain just, it would be me!"
At these words, which sounded like a declaration, murmurs rose around them immediately.
Anning frowned, looking at Robespierre, hesitant to speak.
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