Descending On France 1780
Chapter 336 - 329 Obsessed

Chapter 336: 329 Obsessed

This evening, Anning arrived alone at Robespierre’s home as agreed.

Because Robespierre was still unmarried, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Anning to bring Christina along, so he came by himself.

Christina insisted that Moura serve as Anning’s Guard, and Anning, unable to persuade her otherwise, brought him along.

In fact, if trouble really arose, it was uncertain who would protect whom; Anning might go all out to ensure that his future General wouldn’t fall here.

Originally, according to Anning’s idea, since Moura was also present, he thought Robespierre might as well invite Saint Just and make it a group of four, and after dinner, they could go straight into playing bridge.

However, Robespierre seriously declined this suggestion.

Robespierre moved his finger back and forth between himself and Anning, saying, "Just the two of us, I don’t want to overburden the landlady."

Anning always felt that Robespierre had something to say to him.

So, he turned his head and said to Moura, "It seems that Maximilien and I have some private matters to discuss."

Moura immediately nodded, "I’ll go outside and check on the horses."

"Thanks."

After Anning finished speaking, Robespierre also added, "Thank you for the trouble, uh..."

Anning: "Moura, my Guards officer."

When it came to the word ’Guards,’ Moura held his head high, seemingly particularly proud.

Robespierre genuinely sighed, "The military is really great, with its clear commands and united ranks. If our Parliament could also be like the military, that would be wonderful."

Anning laughed, "That won’t do, the military is absolutely autocratic, and if the commander is stubborn and unable to judge the situation accurately, the military will be defeated. Parliament, because it gathers a variety of opinions, greatly reduces the possibility of a complete loss due to one person’s mistake."

Robespierre: "But in terms of doing the right thing, Parliament falls short."

Anning shrugged: "Each has its own advantages."

At this time, the landlady appeared at the top of the staircase, glancing over in their direction. Robespierre immediately remembered something and said to Anning, "I was so busy talking that I forgot you came here to eat. Mrs. Claire, you may serve the food now."

The landlady immediately nodded her head and then disappeared at the top of the staircase.

Moura: "Then I’ll leave, I wish you two... um, enjoy your meal."

Anning wanted to laugh, but Robespierre looked so serious that he couldn’t.

Moura turned and left, and when he went downstairs, his conversation with Mrs. Claire could be heard:

"I’ve also prepared a stew for you."

"Really? Thank you. I’ll eat in the stable, as a Cavalryman I often eat there."

Robespierre also heard Moura’s words and remarked, "You really have found quite a number of outstanding officers, I thought all the officers had followed the Nobles."

Anning: "I’ve merely unearthed the talents that were hidden by the outdated officer system. Think about it, before, only those from four generations of Nobles could become officers; how many people couldn’t utilize their talents because they didn’t meet this condition."

Robespierre: "That is the malady of the old system! That’s why we have to bury it!"

Saying this, he pushed open the door to his study, walked directly to his desk, and pushed aside the documents on it.

Anning took a seat opposite the desk and joked, "So we’re dining at your desk this evening?"

"Sorry, I lack a table suitable for entertaining guests. We’ll have to make do with my desk."

Anning nodded, then took a look around. Just like the last time, Robespierre’s study exuded a sense of stark minimalism.

It was evident that this incorruptible figure truly hadn’t accepted even the slightest bribe.

At that moment, Robespierre suddenly remarked, "Doesn’t it look quite humble compared to Dan Dong’s new manor?"

Anning replied, "I find a study like yours more pleasing to the eye."

Robespierre curled his lips, then took a draft from the pile of documents he’d set aside and handed it to Anning, "Andy, this is the draft legislation I am currently working on."

Anning thought, as expected, it had come. Whatever old friends’ gathering, it was indeed for the sake of this bill that Robespierre had asked him to come.

"Let’s have a look," Anning said as he took the document and unfolded it, quickly beginning to read.

The content of the document was as follows:

Given the current situation, a large number of traitors and those intending to sabotage the revolution have already infiltrated Paris; it is necessary to adopt swift and decisive measures to purge them.

These individuals wield significant influence over public opinion, and normal judicial procedures might not suffice to bring them to justice.

At this critical juncture of survival, extraordinary measures should be implemented, establishing a special institution, endowed with the necessary powers to preserve the Republic.

This institution should have the authority to execute these hidden enemies without undergoing judicial procedures.

...

The more Anning read, the deeper his frown became.

The institution that Robespierre’s proposal intended to establish reminded Anning of many similar historical precedents, like something Gestapo...

After finishing the reading, Anning exclaimed, "This is Fascism!"

What he meant was, these actions were fascist.

Then he realized that in this era, such ideology didn’t yet exist; the term still referred to the fasces from Ancient Rome, a bundle of rods featuring an axe.

Robespierre, hearing this, immediately showed an impressed expression, "Ah, Fascism, the analogy is indeed vivid, that’s right, it is the tool with the fasces and an axe carried by the Governor’s Executioner!

"Andy, you truly understand Rome!

"I love this metaphor; please allow me to incorporate it into the legislative proposal."

As he said this, Robespierre tried to take back the document from Anning’s hand, but Anning firmly gripped the document, refusing to let it go.

The smile faded from Robespierre’s face.

Anning emphatically stated, "I oppose this proposal; we’ve only just overthrown a despotic monarch, the Republic has been established for just over a year, I cannot let it regress!"

Robespierre retorted, "The last country that used Fascism was also a Republic, the Roman Republic. This is a necessary measure to maintain the Republic, only by completely rooting out those hidden enemies can France be protected!"

Anning shouted, "Enough! Maximilien, with our army’s military victories, France is no longer as perilous as it once was!"

Robespierre countered, "No! Indeed, external threats have been neutralized by your military successes, and internal Rebel Armies have been suppressed by your group of excellent Generals. Meanwhile, Lazarcano continues to tirelessly organize the Republic’s forces; militarily, perhaps no one can defeat France anymore.

"But, the fortress is always breached from within! I see countless termites, gnawing away at France!

"The thorn in the side of France is right here in this Parliament, in this Paris!"

Anning challenged, "Fine, you say it’s in Paris, then point one out!"

Robespierre boomed emphatically, "For instance, Balas and Talleyrand!"