Descending On France 1780
Chapter 335 - 328 Believing in You

Chapter 335: 328 Believing in You

During the latter part of Anning’s speech, Robespierre did not absorb a word.

Complex emotions swirled within him.

Talleyrand had long been categorized by him as a speculator, an ambitious figure attempting to snatch the fruits of the revolution, a villain, someone who should be purged.

When Frost accepted Gold Bars from Paul Balas, Robespierre believed Frost’s explanation: it was to stabilize financial order using the blood sucked from speculators.

Back then, Robespierre even joked that Frost, describing his plan, looked like a Jew.

The Incorruptible fondly believed that his closest comrades could never betray him.

But now, Talleyrand’s appearance made his believing heart waver.

Robespierre, watching Frost’s nonstop profile, suddenly felt this familiar figure become as strange as Dan Dong.

Changed, everything has changed.

Only I, the Incorruptible, am still holding on to those initial visions.

Robespierre felt a heartfelt sorrow, realizing that being unstained, rising above mud, is too difficult for humans.

Of his old colleagues, now only he is still advancing alone.

Robespierre wavered for a moment, thinking it might be better this way; if he too were corroded by those things, those people, perhaps he could return to how it was initially with Dan Dong and Frost.

But he immediately reaffirmed his beliefs.

He told himself: Buck up, Incorruptible, even if it’s just you alone, you must persist in the path you initially chose until the end!

Because all his energy was devoted to ideological struggle, Robespierre had completely missed Frost’s speech, not even realizing when it had concluded.

Anning patiently waited a few seconds, then called out again to his dear friend, the Incorruptible Robespierre: "Maximilien! Mr. Chairman! I’ve finished speaking, it’s time to vote!"

Robespierre then suddenly realized, "Ah? Oh, I see, it’s time to vote! Sorry, your speech was so ambitious, I couldn’t help but revel in the possibilities of its further development."

Anning couldn’t help frowning.

Others might say so, and Anning wouldn’t be suspicious, but this was Robespierre, who normally never jokes; how could he suddenly speak like this?

That Robespierre would revel in the future because of an ambitious speech? Is he daydreaming during such an important meeting?

No, just the idea of daydreaming is impossible.

The Incorruptible would never daydream when he’s serious.

For instance, while playing bridge, he’s always very serious, always calculating his points.

No, he wouldn’t be daydreaming.

Convinced of this, Anning interrupted Robespierre: "Don’t be like this, daydreaming isn’t like you, what’s really going on, my friend?"

Robespierre hesitated for a moment, then with a determined expression, he questioned: "Why Talleyrand?"

Anning: "Because of his diplomatic skills."

Anning was speaking the absolute truth; he had chosen Talleyrand for his diplomatic prowess historically demonstrated, to be in charge of negotiating in the Low Countries.

Anning wasn’t really insightful enough to discern extraordinary talent; he was just an ordinary person. If someone unknown was brought before him, he’d be at a loss, he couldn’t possibly have the eye for talent like the historical Zhuge Liang, who could accurately read people at a glance.

Thus, he could only use his knowledge of history to find talented individuals.

He not only intended to use Talleyrand as a diplomat but also planned to recruit FouchE to take charge of internal affairs and establish a police system.

From Anning’s perspective, these were practical and astute choices.

But in Robespierre’s view, it probably wasn’t the same.

After all, with Talleyrand and FouchE’s reputations as opportunists, Anning knew that employing them might irritate Robespierre.

He hesitated for a moment about whether to use them.

The final decision was affirmative; knowing they were capable, he naturally wanted to employ them, and as for Robespierre, he could use his own reputation to persuade him.

Thus, Anning adopted his sincerest demeanor and looked straight into Robespierre’s eyes: "Maximilien, I know you may have reservations about Talleyrand, but his abilities are indisputable.

"Moreover, think back to the very beginning of the revolution, how difficult it was then. Without Talleyrand’s suggestion for the National Assembly to seize Church property, the National Assembly and Paris Commune would have starved from lack of funds."

Robespierre: "You’re right, Talleyrand indeed made significant contributions to the Republic, but the Republic’s current difficulties are also due to such opportunists filling their pockets! Think about Paul Balas’s five hundred ounces of Gold Bars!

"How do you know these pests don’t all have five hundred ounces of Gold Bars in their pockets?

"Without eradicating them completely, the Republic has no chance of surviving!"

Anning calmly responded: "Maximilien, if you’re talking about the economic problem, trust me, I can solve it, just like how I handle military issues.

"Maximilien, please trust me as I trust you!"

Damn, what am I doing, why did I suddenly blurt out a line from ’Heavenly Breakthrough’? Is this really the time for memes?

But, saying this string in French does sound quite amusing.

It sounds a bit like a comedic line that would appear in ’Escape from the Tiger’s Mouth’.

Anning’s words, although involving a meme unbeknownst to those present, seemed to have struck a chord with Robespierre.

His lips quivered slightly, pausing a few seconds before retorting: "Of course I can trust you, but the question is, do you truly trust me?"

Anning nodded without hesitation: "Of course, I trust you unconditionally."

Robespierre, trembling, nodded back and then took a deep breath: "Alright, I trust you too. Then, let’s proceed to vote on the next steps for military actions, and appointing Bishop Talleyrand as the plenipotentiary envoy to the Low Countries!"

Robespierre seemed to regain his composure, returning to the familiar incorruptible figure.

He effortlessly conducted the voting session.

As expected, the result was nearly unanimous approval.

Anning didn’t foresee any issues in this part; no one would challenge the authority of Jacobin’s leading figure among the Triumvirate.

Essentially, the vote was just a formality.

Once the results were announced, Robespierre loudly declared Talleyrand’s appointment and authorized Anning’s next military orders.

At this point, Anning was ready to leave, just when there was a break session.

But just as he was about to go, Robespierre called out to him: "Andy, are you free for dinner tonight?"

Anning looked at Robespierre, quite surprised.

This was Robespierre, the Incorruptible, who for over a year had even avoided appearing at the Jacobin Club, seemingly isolating himself from the entire Parisian social scene.

So, Anning cheerfully agreed: "Sure, shall we dine at your place? I’d love to try your landlady’s cooking!"

Robespierre smiled, and at that moment, his smile seemed genuinely unburdened: "I’ll ask her to prepare some of her specialties."

"I look forward to it!"