Descending On France 1780
Chapter 43 - 43 039 Accept this book 'Social Contract Theory' and we will be brothers from different fathers and mothers

43: 039 Accept this book ‘Social Contract Theory,’ and we will be brothers from different fathers and mothers.

43: 039 Accept this book ‘Social Contract Theory,’ and we will be brothers from different fathers and mothers.

Anning had a sudden inspiration and said in Italian, “So you are Corsican.

Would it be more convenient for us to communicate in Italian?”

As the words fell, Anning felt Vanni’s doubtful gaze upon her.

But even if Vanni was suspicious, it did not matter.

The system had updated Vanni’s affection towards her; the she trusted Anning completely and was an ally.

Moreover, French and Italian both belong to the Romance language family; it’s relatively simple to learn the second if you master one.

At most, it would just be a bit tiring for me, and I might as well add the title of language genius to my resume—this burden won’t crush me.

If it really comes down to it, I could find Talleyrand and have him declare this to be a divine gift from God Yahweh.

In these days, the Catholic Church still holds authority; a mere maid probably couldn’t question the power of the Church Court.

Of course, after the French Revolution things changed.

The priests split into the Oath Sworn and Non-Juror factions, fighting among themselves for many years, which objectively reduced the Church Court’s influence in France.

So much so that when Napoleon crowned himself, he made the unprecedented move of taking the crown from the Pope’s hands to place it on his own head.

France, the so-called ‘Eldest Daughter of the Church’, has not shied away from tricking the Church in its history.

France and Hungary are two extremes; one’s filial piety comes with quotation marks, while the other is the true filial son of the Catholic faith.

Anyway, Anning wasn’t concerned with all this.

She activated her “cheat” and said to Napoleon in Italian: “Hello, my friend.

My Italian isn’t very good, please correct me if I say anything wrong.”

The young Bonaparte’s eyes widened as he continued in his flawed French, “No, your Italian…

has a bit of a Genoese accent?”

Anning secretly took a shock; Genoa used to be Corsica’s sovereign state, and she might inadvertently have roused Napoleon’s displeasure.

But she didn’t know how to produce the local Corsican Italian accent.

In reality, she had no idea about the difference between the Genoese and the local Corsican accent.

At this point, Napoleon switched back to Italian: “You are the first person willing to speak Italian with me since I came to France.”

Anning: “Is that so?

I just don’t want to waste the opportunity to practice speaking with a native Italian speaker.”

“Ah, now your accent sounds more like a Corsican one,” Napoleon said with surprise.

“It feels as if you have been influenced by me.”

Anning was stunned; she was beginning to understand the mechanism of her linguistic “cheat”: it adapted to the authentic accent of the region she was engaging with?

That’s just too awesome; I’m locking down the title of language genius for myself.

Napoleon: “Have you been to Corsica?”

“No, as I said I have only learned Italian.

The fact that you think you hear a Corsican accent when I speak could be psychological; you must miss your homeland deeply…”

Napoleon nodded: “Yes, since coming to France, they tease me constantly, calling me ‘the little Corsican dwarf’ and ‘France’s defeated underling’.

Whenever they say that, it only makes me miss my homeland more.

Just wait and see, one day I will make Corsica an independent nation, the jewel of the Mediterranean!”

At this time, Napoleon was still the passionate Corsican youth, and this passion of his would only gradually fade after facing countless setbacks on his native Corsican soil.

Before that, Anning planned to play along with him.

Although this was the would-be Emperor at a later age, right now he was just ten years old; coaxing a child was both easy and enjoyable for Anning.

“I am in Paris,” Anning said, “where people say that Pauli’s attempts to establish a republic in Corsica was a pioneering endeavor for all under heaven.

Later, the Yankees of the New Continent established their own republic, also influenced by Pauli because the struggle of the Corsicans has shown that republicanism is the mainstream of the future!”

Napoleon looked at Anning skeptically: “Really?

Do the great people of Paris actually say that?”

No, they don’t.

The great people of Paris would only ask where the hell is Corsica?

But Anning unabashedly affirmed: “Yes!

Now the people in Paris who long for freedom set sail across the ocean to the New Continent to observe the establishment of their country.

“If the Corsican Republic existed, they wouldn’t need to cross the ocean; they would simply go to Marseilles, take a day’s voyage by ship, and see the republic built on the principle of the separation of powers!”

“In Corsica, they might witness the dreams of Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire become reality, without having to cross the ocean to faraway lands.”

Anning paused dramatically, leaving the young Corsican hearts bursting with excitement.

But Anning’s tone shifted, “It’s a pity, though, that Corsica’s attempt was suppressed by the reactionary and corrupt Bourbon Dynasty!

This is not only Corsica’s misfortune but also that of all of us who strive for freedom and equality.”

By saying this, Anning effectively affirmed his identity as a “comrade,” regardless of whether one was French or Corsican, for all shared the same aspirations.

This also laid the groundwork for the eventual split between Napoleon and Corsican independence hero Pauli: Pauli was actually an old noble, who resisted Genoa only to preserve the old noble traditions in Corsica, not for the sake of freedom.

As long as it was ensured that Napoleon was deeply influenced by Enlightenment thought, he would definitely break with Pauli in the future.

Then there would be no worry of Napoleon staying on the island of Corsica to be its lord.

Napoleon, having been completely taken in by Anning’s eloquent persuasion, had lost his initial haughtiness: “I…

have never considered the issue from this perspective.

So it is, we are comrades indeed.”

Anning: “Exactly, all followers of Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu are comrades.

We represent the world’s most progressive force; someday the world will change because of us.

You should not only focus on Corsica but aim to change the entire world.”

The young Napoleon murmured softly: “Change the world…”

Anning snapped his fingers and said to Vanni, who had been watching their conversation from behind: “Vanni, go buy a copy of Rousseau’s Social Contract.

I would like to gift it as a token of our first meeting to this young Corsican comrade.”

Vanni: “The name you just called, that’s probably my name, but I must tell you, I don’t understand Italian at all.

If you want me to do something, please repeat it in French.”

Anning was startled—caught up in the excitement of swaying Napoleon, he had forgotten to switch languages.

He repeated his previous words in French.

Napoleon suddenly snapped out of his reverie: “No, I have no reason to accept your gift; I’ve only just met you today.”

Anning: “But I feel that you will certainly become a follower of Mr.

Rousseau.

I have this impression, especially since you come from Corsica, where the Republic was briefly practiced.”

Anning was beginning to admire himself; only now discovering he could actually be quite skilled at bamboozling people – perhaps being a programmer in his past life was an underutilization of his talents.

Napoleon was still hesitant when Anning upped the ante: “In Paris, I do this for everyone who might become a comrade, presenting them with a copy of Mr.

Rousseau’s ‘Social Contract.’ This way, when we meet again, we can discuss our readings and findings, believe me, that is a truly delightful experience.”

As he was saying this, Vanni came out with the book.

So Anning snatched the book and thrust it into Napoleon’s arms: “I look forward to our next engaging conversation.

Now, I must familiarize myself with the route to school and pick up my military uniform, so I will take my leave.”

Napoleon: “Uh…

oh, all right.”

He paused, then added: “Thank you.”

Anning: “No need to thank me for the book, it’s just to satisfy my own desire to increase our number of comrades.

I should be thanking you for accepting the book from a stranger like me.”

“No,” Napoleon hesitated, “I’m thanking you for helping me out just now.”

“You’ve already thanked me, haven’t you?

It was just a simple gesture, nothing worth thanking over and over again.

So, farewell.” Anning tipped his hat slightly.

With that gesture, Anning walked away toward the military school without looking back, leaving a dashing impression on the young Napoleon.

At that moment, the system notification popped up: [You’ve made a profound impression on Napoleon Bonaparte, and his trust has reached a friendly level.]

Anning licked his lips.

Hmph, no matter how impressive he might be in the future, right now he’s just a kid.

Watch me play him like a fiddle!

When the First French Empire is established, I’ll run off to work with Zarale Kano on logistics, research new cannons and muskets, without ever going to the front line.

Steady!

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