Descending On France 1780
Chapter 81 - 075 His Majesty with His Head Hung in Dejection

Chapter 81: 075 His Majesty with His Head Hung in Dejection

Having just arrived at the Versailles Palace, the palace steward immediately informed Lafayette and Anning that His Majesty the King was waiting for them in one of the first floor’s side halls.

As soon as Anning entered the side hall, he suddenly felt the military rank insignia he was wearing heat up—with numerous Generals present, each sporting their own insignia, his Lieutenant’s badge suddenly felt as insignificant as a bug.

Marshal Broglie opened the conversation, "This... wouldn’t happen to be the very son of a Leatherworker who personally stormed the Bastille, would it?"

Anning nodded, "Yes, that’s me."

"Did I hear you kicked down the fortress gates with a kick?" the Marshal inquired.

Anning thought to himself, dammit, who spread this rumor? If I find out who’s been talking nonsense, they’re going to pay.

Anning replied, "No, I used a Cannon to bombard and breach the fortress gates from a close distance."

Another General spoke up, "You also personally led the charge into the fortress courtyard? Very brave indeed. With warriors like you, the National Guard would surely perform ten times better than expected. I guess they appointed you as the deputy commander of the Self-Defense Army?"

Anning heard the sarcasm in the General’s voice.

They probably thought of the National Guard as a bunch of street ruffians and looked down on them somewhat.

Lafayette intervened, "No, the Self-Defense Army recruited him as an Artillery Officer; he is a mathematics teacher at the Paris Military Academy, which should make him quite suitable for the position."

At this point, Louis XVI coughed, drawing everyone’s attention to himself.

Louis XVI was dressed in white ceremonial attire, draped with a blue cloak so large it hindered walking, adorned with white fleur-de-lis.

Queen Mary stood beside him, equally resplendent, and then sporting an extravagant wig on her head.

Anning couldn’t help but take a few extra glimpses at the Queen’s wig, to be honest, his impression of such a hairstyle mostly came from black women, he never thought that French ladies of this era would be fond of wearing wigs of such styles.

Louis XVI cleared his throat, then looked at Lafayette and said, "Well, the public order in Paris has been very bad lately..."

Lafayette interrupted Louis XVI, "The National Guard will take responsibility for maintaining the security throughout Paris. We will collaborate closely with Paris’s elected officials."

Louis XVI frowned slightly, "Good, good, it’s great that you’re working together. As for the Bastille..."

Lafayette’s voice rang out, "The people storming the Bastille was to show support for the Parliament. If Your Majesty consents to withdraw the Swiss mercenaries stationed in Versailles and ensures the safety of the National Assembly representatives, I believe the people won’t take any further actions."

Louis XVI looked extremely disheartened, he glanced at Queen Mary beside him, then sighed, "Alright, fine. I will order the Swiss troops to return to their original garrisons, will that suffice?"

As the words fell, Marshal Broglie nodded and praised, "His Majesty’s decision is very astute."

Anning observed Louis XVI closely; he appeared like a plucked rooster, straining to preserve the last of his dignity.

The Queen beside the King rolled her eyes overtly, her hostility towards Anning undisguised as she glared vehemently.

Anning thought to himself, Queen, don’t hate me. I was really just dragged into this; I definitely didn’t want to take the lead here!

Louis XVI sighed again, then said, "Now, I must go to meet the representatives of the National Assembly convening in Versailles, and I hope both of you will accompany me."

Lafayette nodded, "Of course, we will accompany you, as we are also representatives of the National Assembly."

Louis XVI looked slightly shocked, "You are as well?"

Then he noticed Anning and sneered, "Oh right, of course you are. You’re the one who said that representatives could not be forced out unless at bayonet point!"

Anning thought to herself, "So you just thought of that now."

Louis XVI complained, "I haven’t even used bayonets against you yet, and you’ve already taken up your bayonets to threaten me!"

Anning wanted to say that wasn’t her intention, that she was coerced, but then she thought that even if she said so, no one would believe her, so she let it be.

Queen Mary glared at Anning fiercely throughout, as if she wanted to tear her apart alive.

**

Afterward, Louis XVI went to the Imperial Conference Hall, where the National Assembly was convened, and announced to the deputies the news of the Swiss troops’ withdrawal, then he ordered them to quickly devise effective measures to restore order in Paris.

Upon finishing his announcement, Louis XVI left as if fleeing the scene.

No sooner had the King left than thunderous applause erupted in the room.

Dan Dong was the first to stand up, looking at Anning, clapping furiously.

Mirabeau shouted, "Well done, Mr. Frost! Your armed coercion has saved the entire Parliament!"

Anning could only smile, realizing that it was now impossible to say that she was only coerced into participating in the Storming of the Bastille.

Anning was quickly surrounded by deputies, each of whom wanted to shake hands with her, and each praised Anning’s decisive action and bravery as they did so.

By the time she had nearly finished shaking hands, Anning had become the "savior of the National Assembly."

Lafayette, the newly appointed National Guard Commander, was left standing aside, ignored by the deputies except for a few Second Class representatives who were already acquainted with him.

Finally finishing shaking hands, Anning said to everyone, "I’ve done just a little insignificant thing. It was really the presence of General Lafayette’s National Guard that forced the King to compromise.

"It was because of the National Guard that the King abandoned the idea of dissolving the Assembly with the Swiss troops."

Only then did people turn their attention to Lafayette.

Lafayette said with a smile, "Without Mr. Frost’s decisive capture of the Bastille, His Majesty would not have been so deeply shocked, and he might not have withdrawn the troops so promptly. In short, Mr. Frost’s merit is immense."

Anning frowned, feeling that Lafayette’s words didn’t come from the heart.

—Damn it, I hope I haven’t offended Lafayette by stealing the spotlight.

In fact, in the history of the Great Revolution that Anning knew, after the Storming of the Bastille, Lafayette was the one who benefited the most, not only becoming the General of the Paris National Guard but also becoming a favorite in the King’s eyes.

In a few days, when the King goes to Paris City Hall, it will be Lafayette who personally places the revolutionary tricolor badge on the King.

Damn it, with my meddling, could it be that the benefits Lafayette was supposed to receive will be largely taken by me?

I might end up being resented by Lafayette...

Anning glanced at Lafayette again, but the National Guard Commander had steered the conversation in another direction: "Gentlemen! The threat to the Parliament from the Swiss mercenaries has been lifted. Next, we must address the public security issues in Paris! I believe we should pass legislation to pacify the citizens as soon as possible."

Mirabeau immediately said, "We should adopt a resolution that acknowledges the sovereignty of the people and the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity! This will pacify the populace!"

Anning thought to herself, it’s all nonsense, what really pacifies the masses is bread, right now the people of Paris take to the streets to riot, mainly for bread, you know?

But she didn’t speak up.

She had already drawn enough attention for one day.

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