Descending On France 1780
Chapter 96 - 090 All Nobles’ Daughters’ Cavalry, Coming!

Chapter 96: 090 All Nobles’ Daughters’ Cavalry, Coming!

Anning hurried from the Royal Palace to the Palais des Tuileries without stopping.

Normally, it would be utterly fanciful for a commoner to see His Majesty without an appointment.

But now things have changed.

Since Louis XVI was brought to Paris by the populace last October, he seems to have developed a fear of the people, almost a PTSD.

In the Palais des Tuileries, he meets with representatives of the populace every few days and behaves very amiably.

As a result, because of this amiableness, Louis XVI’s reputation among the people rapidly turned around.

Anning learned this from chatting with his own artillerymen.

It seems that in another part of history, before Louis XVI’s escape, his reputation among the populace was slowly recovering.

Therefore, some critics say that Queen Mary’s urging for Louis XVI to escape was a bad move, if at that time the King had stayed honestly in Paris, he might have been brought back to the center of power by the big capitalists represented by Pei Yang with their regressive actions.

Back to the subject, it is still very easy for Anning to see Louis XVI now, after arriving at the Palais des Tuileries, he just needed to ask the guard to announce him.

Around eight o’clock, the royal butler of the Palais des Tuileries led Anning into Louis XVI’s study.

Upon seeing Anning enter, Louis XVI immediately stood up to greet him: "Mr. Frost, coming to the Palais des Tuileries so late, what brings you here?"

As he spoke, the King put a smile on his face, as if Anning was the one with the higher status.

Actually, when you think about it, you can understand why Louis XVI had such an attitude towards Anning; after all, Anning had repeatedly challenged the royal authority: in June last year he declared "No one can make us leave unless with bayonets", in July he conquered the Bastille, and in October when the enraged populace almost slaughtered the King, it was he who came to "rescue".

Looking back at the entire year of 1789, anyone else in Louis XVI’s place would have feared Anning somewhat.

So now Louis XVI accompanied his smile, acting as humble as Anning’s butler.

If the Queen were present and saw Louis XVI’s expression, she would probably have many scornful remarks about her husband.

Anning: "Nothing serious, just that you should know I am about to leave to lead the way for the troops suppressing Conte..."

Louis XVI: "I’ve heard, I wish you triumph in your campaign."

"Don’t rush, I am telling you. My troops have artillery, infantry, but no cavalry, in modern warfare, without cavalry, the troops are basically blind..."

Louis XVI uttered an "oh" and earnestly suggested, "Then let Lafayette provide you with cavalry!"

Anning: "Don’t rush, that’s what I was about to say. Even Lafayette doesn’t have cavalry, the entire National Guard lacks cavalry."

"Well... then there’s no use asking me." Louis XVI showed a troubled look, "Since last year’s recall of the Flanders regiments, all my troop movements must go through the National Assembly, without their approval, I can’t command anyone."

Anning thought you’re fooling who, you clearly still command General Bueye’s troops in the eastern part of France.

General Bueye, a staunch Royalist, had even sent out troops to intercept when Louis XVI was attempting to escape, ready to raise the standard of revolt as soon as the King arrived, inciting a full-scale civil war.

Anning: "Isn’t General Bueye showing extreme loyalty to the Royal Family? Your Majesty should be able to maneuver his troops, right?"

Louis XVI was shocked, nearly unable to stand, and had to support himself with a nearby chair: "What are you talking about, I dare not move troops without going through the Parliament, absolutely not! Don’t talk nonsense, it could destroy the mutual trust I have with the Parliament! Understand, mutual trust!"

Anning secretly clicked his tongue, thinking Louis XVI really is a coward; if he was a bit more firm, the French Revolution wouldn’t have progressed so smoothly.

Anning: "I’m not the one saying this, the entire Parliament knows General Bueye leans towards the monarchy, and some even say he’s close friends with Munier who recently fled the country."

Munier was originally one of the leaders of the parliamentary monarchists, but in October last year, he was frightened by the "enthusiasm" of the Paris populace, advocating a stop to the revolution immediately to restore the old order, and thus fell from power.

After losing power, he hid abroad and recently it’s said he’s been at the court of Louis XVI’s exiled brother.

Louis XVI seriously: "I am not aware of these rumors, they have nothing to do with me! You’re looking for cavalry, no use asking me! I do not have a single cavalry soldier!"

Anning: "No, Your Majesty, you do."

"Where?" Louis XVI looked surprised, as if he’s just learned something incredible, "I still have a cavalry unit?"

Anning: "The Queen’s Guard Knights, they are cavalry."

Louis XVI: "What? They! They are just ceremonial soldiers!"

"Riding to scout is almost the same. Your Majesty, after moving to the Palais des Tuileries, you don’t need so many ceremonial troops. These young ladies have nothing to do all day, it might be useful to give them something to do."

"You see, if the Royal Family sends their own Guards to join the rebel-suppressing troops, it will definitely become the hot topic of discussion all over Paris."

Anning continuously urged.

Louis XVI hesitated: "This..."

"Moreover, during the suppression, Parliament will bear the Military Salary of the girls, which can save a considerable amount of expenditure!"

Louis XVI raised his eyebrows: "Is that so? Will the Parliament really bear the Military Salary for suppression?"

"Of course."

Although it would be paid with certificates, it cannot be said that Parliament is not bearing any burden.

As for whether Anning would pay the borrowed Cavalry Military Salary with Crowns—that would certainly not happen. After all, these Cavalry are noble ladies, who should be quite indifferent about money.

The Crowns that Anning needs are meant to maintain the morale of the infantry troops.

Louis XVI hesitated for a few seconds, sighing, "I need to discuss this with the Queen, after all, they are the Queen’s Guards..."

Anning: "You are the King, you can’t always be so concerned about the Queen’s opinion."

Indeed, that foolish woman often has bad ideas, Your Majesty!

Of course, Anning didn’t say this directly.

Louis XVI shook his head: "No, I still need to ask the Queen’s opinion. You revolutionaries always say to respect the opinions of women, don’t you?"

Anning was momentarily unable to refute.

Louis XVI: "Anyway, I will ask the Queen today and give you an answer tomorrow."

Anning pouted: "Alright, Your Majesty. Then I will take my leave now, wishing you a good night."

Louis XVI’s mouth twitched as he muttered, "Can I even have good dreams after seeing you?"

—Wow, I’ve become the nightmare of the French King!

Anning pretended not to hear this comment, took two steps backward, bowed, and then turned and left the room.

Just after he left, Queen Mary opened the door leading to the bedroom and came in.

"This vampire! He kicked us out of Versailles Palace! Took away our palace, and now even wants to take our Guard Knights!"

Queen Mary said fiercely.

"I hope this time the Rebel Army defeats him and mutilates him a thousand times over!"

Louis XVI soothingly said, "Calm down, getting angry is the enemy of beauty. What do you think about this thing he mentioned? I feel... sending out the Guard troops for a good reputation could be a good deal..."

The Queen glared furiously at Louis XVI: "Are you insane! My Guards are precious daughters from good families! How could we let them fight a war?"

"This..."

Just then, Christina, who had been standing behind the Queen, spoke up: "Wait, Your Majesty, Your Highness! Let me say something! Even though we are ceremonial soldiers, we received a full set of Cavalry training in Briena. We trained there for five years! Five years!

"Over the years, serving as palace guards, we have never neglected practice in horse riding and Cavalry tactics. I believe we can undertake this responsibility!"

The Queen turned and stared at Christina: "You actually want to go to the battlefield?"

"I believe that at this time, our participation in suppressing the rebellion would be highly beneficial for the Royal stance," Christina replied, meeting the Queen’s gaze with her head held high and chest out.

Queen Mary pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly sneered: "You think I don’t know about you and that leatherworker’s son! He got his army honors medal by saving you!"

Christina: "I do have a personal relationship with Andy—Mr. Frost, but my statement right now is entirely for the sake of the Royal Family."

Queen Mary: "Don’t mention that person’s name! I feel nauseous whenever I hear his name! Call him ’that vermin’!"

Christina: "Sorry, I can’t refer to my friend that way."

Queen Mary pursed her lips, staring at Christina for a long while before Louis XVI came over and quietly reminded her: "This lady is the daughter of the Duke of Orleans... and we owe him a lot of money..."

"I know!" the Queen said irritably, then with a wave of her hand, "Fine! If you want to go, go! I hope the rebels kill you and that leatherworker’s son!"