Descending On France 1780
Chapter 39 - 39 035 Recovery

39: 035 Recovery 39: 035 Recovery In the following days, Anning’s recovery was much faster than expected.

Three days passed, and his shoulder had stopped bleeding much, with no signs of pus formation; it seemed that it would be fully healed in a week or two.

During Anning’s recovery, Marat came over once, emphatically suggesting Anning apply some lime to the wound, believing it was a bad sign that the wound wasn’t festering and should be encouraged to do so.

Anning unhesitatingly rejected the future “Friend of the People”‘s suggestion.

Because of this, Marat seemed somewhat displeased.

Anning couldn’t help but worry; after the great revolution broke out, he hoped he wouldn’t be sent to the guillotine by Marat for this reason.

He would have to be more careful around Marat in the future and not let him bear a grudge.

Two weeks later, Anning’s shoulder wound had completely healed, and that day he invited all his friends from the Brittany Club to his home for a small celebration.

For this little gathering, Anning spent a considerable amount of money on fruits and desserts.

Robespierre also attended the party—dressed in his ever-unchanging green coat.

He told Anning at the party that he was preparing to return to Alas, possibly to work as a lawyer or judge.

Knowing the future history, Anning understood that the next time he’d see Robespierre in Paris would likely be when the Third Estate convened.

During this time, Robespierre would become a very respected lawyer in his hometown, laying the foundation for his subsequent election as a Third Class representative to the Third Estate by a high vote.

So this little party naturally turned into a farewell for Robespierre.

In the midst of the farewell, the Duke and Christina also arrived, and Robespierre joked, “I never thought a Duke would come to bid farewell to me, a commoner.” The Duke responded with Rousseau’s words, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

Those who think themselves the masters of others are indeed greater slaves than they.

I do not wish for the title of Duke to become my shackles, just like…”

Anning continued, “Just like Marquis Li Xia’er.”

The Duke laughed, “Yes, just like Marquis Li Xia’er, restricted by his title and becoming short-sighted.

I won’t be like that; I am willing to be friends with a talented commoner like you, Maximilien.”

Robespierre nodded, “You truly are the most enlightened noble I’ve met.

If all nobles were like you…”

Anning teased, “Then we’d have a lot of Her Majesty the Queen’s dirty jokes to read.”

The Duke broke into a hearty laugh.

The Duke of Orleans funded the publication of pamphlets that slandered the Queen, and this was an open secret.

Christina complained, “Andy, I’m still here.

How am I supposed to follow that topic?”

Anning, “Sorry…”

The Duke waved his hand, then said to his daughter, “My dear daughter, remember this: when men get together, apart from politics and military matters, most of what’s left are various dirty jokes.

You’d better get used to it.”

Christina rolled her eyes.

At that moment, Robespierre asked the Duke, “Speaking of which, I heard some frontline news today.

Did Prussia win another battle?”

The Duke nodded, “Yes, this Frederick is truly formidable, personally leading his troops to successive victories over us, Austria, and Russia.

Now it is said that UK’s troops have landed in Hanover, securing Frederick’s rear.

The outcome of the war now depends on whether the coalition forces of France and Austria can defeat the British forces.”

Anning thought for a moment, vaguely remembering that in the Seven Years’ War, the French Army often lost more than it won against the British.

However, he did not remember the Franco-Austrian coalition forces ever facing off against the British on the European Continent, which could very well be a unique historical process in this timeline.

Dan Dong, mildly intrigued, asked Anning, “How does our war hero view the upcoming confrontation with the British forces?”

A few days ago, Anning had just received an honor from Louis XVI alongside Christina in the Versailles Palace.

Anning recalled that the Honorary Legion Medal was supposed to be established in the Napoleon Era, but in this timeline, it had already existed for quite some time.

It was said to be Louis XV’s response to the establishment of the Theresia Order by Empress Theresia – feeling that they should also have a medal to reward their soldiers, he created one.

Now, Dan Dong calling Anning, who had received the medal, a “war hero” was clearly satirical; everyone from the Brittany Club knew about Anning’s retreat from the battlefield and understood that his medal was undeserved.

However, as a political enthusiast and military buff, Anning naturally would not pass up the opportunity to critically appraise the war.

He seriously answered Dan Dong’s question, “I think the UK will win.

Because the British forces are a…”

Anning almost said “a bourgeois army.”

But at this time, the concept of the bourgeoisie—or rather, the concept of class itself—had not yet emerged.

Therefore, Anning could only say, “The British Army is made up of citizens, not the cannon fodder driven to battle by the Lords.

The Redcoats can have high morale mainly because after the Glorious Revolution, the British established a new social order where people had a stronger sense of belonging to their nation.

“So the British forces will have a greater desire to fight, and higher morale.

“It’s very difficult for an army of a feudal dynasty to defeat such a force.”

Mirabeau, listening on the side, immediately raised an objection, “But we’ve also won quite a few battles against the British, the most recent being five years ago on the North American Continent, where we utterly defeated the British forces and helped the Thirteen Colonies gain independence from British rule.”

Anning replied, “I’m not saying that an army of a feudal monarchy cannot defeat a citizen army, just that it’s difficult.

In fact, on German soil, I’ve seen firsthand how generals like Frederick led his enlightened subjects to defeat our forces.

“I’m afraid that the morale of the British forces will be even higher than that of the Prussian troops, and I do not believe that General Carnegie can defeat the British.”

Dan Dong responded, “So, from what you’re saying, you think we’re lagging behind in social reform?

Even Prussia’s soldiers are called enlightened subjects by you, while our soldiers are mere subjects.”

Anning retorted, “Isn’t it so?

From the era of the Sun King to now, have we carried out any significant social reforms?

Despite being the birthplace of various Enlightenment ideas, we have not implemented any reforms.

Our nobles still look down on the commoners from above, our government is heavily in debt, and our queen continues her lavish and reckless spending.”

The gentlemen present looked at each other, unable to refute Anning.

Indeed, although France was the birthplace of Enlightenment thought, producing great thinkers like Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu, the French kings were much less enthusiastic about reform compared to other European monarchs.

Maria Theresia, the contemporary queen of Austria to Louis XV, and Frederick, the King of Prussia, had both carried out a series of reforms to relieve domestic conflicts.

Even Catherine of Russia had pretended to embrace Enlightenment thought and implemented some reforms.

Only France, the cradle of Enlightenment ideas, remained completely stagnant.

Anning’s words left the French people in attendance silent.

Mirabeau sighed, “Alas, the former finance minister Necker did introduce some reforms, but they only helped the Royal Family cling to life.

What can we do?

We can only continue to urge for reforms through various newspapers.”

In his mind, Anning thought that revolution was also an option…

But a revolution, a product of the right time, place, and human factors working together, shouldn’t be rushed.

Duke, taking the lead to change the subject, said, “Speaking of military matters, I’ve already arranged for someone to take care of your admission procedures to the Briena Military Academy.

You can set off with Christina.”

Christina smiled and said, “That would be wonderful, we can ride together in one carriage.”

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