Descending On France 1780
Chapter 72 - 72 066 Did we win

72: 066 Did we win…?

72: 066 Did we win…?

The ceremonial officer of the Royal Family saw that the King had slipped away and hastily turned tail to escape as well.

The representatives again fully occupied the Imperial Conference Hall.

Anning quickly sat down, relieved that history was not in danger of going off course.

During the rest of the meeting, he kept thinking about one problem: Damn it, I’ve already replaced Mirabeau for the first two appearances, will I end up following Mirabeau’s script in the future?

Mirabeau died of illness during the revolutionary process, which is why he received the posthumous honor of having his remains transferred; if he had remained healthy and not died of illness, he would probably have been sent to the guillotine, especially once his connections with the Royal Family were exposed.

Taking on his script would not be a good thing!

I’d better keep my distance from Mirabeau in the future.

And Anning vaguely suspected that he might have some special ability to attract fortune; whenever he was around, the roles meant for others always ended up being played by him…

He was initially just there to slack off, but suddenly he became an opinion leader and even confronted the King, shouting the fierce words, “Use bayonets against us.”

If Louis XVI suddenly lost his cool and really ordered the bayonets to disperse the representatives, wouldn’t I bear the brunt?

Am I destined to be taken to the Bastille to be enlightened?

Thankfully, as Anning knew, the Locksmith King was as weak as expected and didn’t get tough.

If the King got tough…

Anning waved away these thoughts.

Since everything was over and he hadn’t been arrested, there was no need to dwell on it any longer.

At that moment, Anning suddenly saw Christina at the side door of the hall, frantically gesturing at Anning.

Anning stood up, puzzled.

Sais thought he wanted to speak and paused to ask, “Mr.

Frost, do you have something to say?”

Anning awkwardly found an excuse, “I… need to take a leak.”

The room erupted in laughter.

Sais struggled to maintain a straight face: “Well…

hurry back then.”

Anning immediately slipped away, exiting through the side door.

Christina was already waiting outside for him.

As soon as she saw him, the young woman immediately rushed over and grabbed his hand: “What are you still sitting in the room for!

Run!

The Queen was extremely angry just now, she asked the King to get tough and throw you, the ringleader, into the Bastille!”

Anning was shocked: “Really?”

“Yes, really, I heard everything clearly while standing by!

Then I immediately found an excuse to run and inform you!”

Anning asked, “What did the King say?

Did he agree?”

“No, the King said that any arrests must go through the Supreme Court, and the Nobles wouldn’t agree to him arresting a representative.

But then the Queen immediately said she could work with the Conservative Nobles…”

Anning breathed a sigh of relief and patted Christina’s shoulder: “Alright, don’t worry then.

Even the Conservative Nobles are thinking about creating a constitution to limit the King’s power; limiting the monarchy is a consensus across all ranks.

The King won’t find any collaborators.”

Christina still looked worried, and Anning urged, “You can’t stay away from your post for too long, right?

Better go back.”

The girl—no, she wasn’t “young” anymore, she should be called a young woman—the young woman stared at Andy’s face for a few seconds before saying solemnly, “If I suddenly send you a message to run, you must flee immediately.”

Anning nodded: “I will.”

But Christina looked unconvinced: “I hope you’re actually listening.”

No, seriously…

what do you mean by listening for real?

Christina sighed, “Oh well, I can’t really blame you, after all, you’re so looking forward to Parliament and change…”

No, no, no, you’ve got it wrong, I’m looking forward to a grand scene unfolding, why are you making it sound like I’m some active member of a workers’ movement?

Christina continued: “After all, you carry the whole of France in your heart…”

Miss, you’re getting more and more outrageous!

Why are you making it sound like I’m some French patriot worried about the country and its people?

I’m not, I’m Chinese, a history enthusiast, a fan of Paradox Interactive games, that’s all!

Christina shook her head, “Let’s just leave it at that.”

Leave what?

Make it clear!

You’ve got a huge misunderstanding here!

Just as Anning was about to do something to correct Christina’s misconceptions, she turned around and left.

Anning watched as her silhouette disappeared into the distance.

He scratched his head, turned back to the hall, found a chair on the edge of the meeting area to sit down, and watched as the representatives passionately discussed the bill.

In the following days, the meetings at the Versailles Palace temporarily calmed down.

Two days after the public defiance of the King, sixty nobles joined the assembly.

Another day passed, and more nobles and priests joined the Parliament.

Finally, at the end of June, King Louis yielded, ordering all remaining representatives to join the National Assembly.

This made the National Assembly an official legislative body with representatives from all three estates.

From that day on, the Parliament began discussing the fundamental principles of the constitution.

Many seemed to think that this was the end of it, that France would now embark on the road of constitutional monarchy.

That evening, Anning returned from the Versailles Palace and saw Vanni disinfecting her arm with alcohol.

Anning was alarmed: “What happened to you?”

“It’s nothing, I got caught up in a riot while out shopping.

I saw you cleaning a wound with alcohol and it seemed to work well, so I mimicked that.”

Anning quickly went to examine Vanni’s wound, and after confirming it was only a minor cut, he exhaled a sigh of relief and casually asked, “Is the situation on the streets really bad?”

“It’s very bad.

Today, there was a robbery at a bakery, and the police are arresting people all over the streets.

Anyone caught is whipped with a lash.”

Vanni looked up at Anning: “Mr.

Frost, after the constitution is drafted, will all of this stop?”

Anning shook his head: “Don’t be silly, a constitution can’t replace bread.”

“So when will all of this end?”

Anning: “In autumn, when the grain harvest is abundant.”

Indeed, the crisis that had begun in 1788 historically improved after the great grain harvest of 1789.

But due to timely coincidence, it created the false impression that drafting the constitution lowered the price of bread.

Vanni looked at Anning, surprised: “So it relies on the grain harvest to ease the situation?

Then what you all are doing is useless…”

How could it be useless?

This will transform all of France, the beginning of a great leap forward for all of humanity.

But these words couldn’t be said to Vanni, as they were an assessment made from a future perspective.

Anning: “The streets will be somewhat chaotic recently, try not to go out if possible.”

Vanni shook her head: “That won’t do, how can I provide for the household necessities and take care of you if I don’t go out?”

Anning: “For food, we can get it from the Duke’s estate, as for other expenses, there’s no need to replenish them right now.

It’s better to be safe during this time.”

Seeing she couldn’t persuade Anning, Vanni nodded in agreement.

Anning breathed a sigh of relief, turned, and glanced through the window, as night gradually descended over the Royal Palace and the surrounding district.

That night, in the bedroom of Louis XVI at the Versailles Palace.

A distressed Louis XVI, unable to withstand the relentless entreaties of Marie, sighed deeply.

“I will sign the order to allow the Royal Swiss Guards to garrison in Versailles.”

Queen Mary burst with joy: “You have finally agreed!

Yes, if they want bayonets, then give them bayonets!”

Louis XVI pursed his lips: “I need to think it over a bit more…

Perhaps seeing the troops in Versailles will make them back down.”

Marie pleaded: “You can’t hesitate anymore, you must use force!”

Louis XVI was silent.

Marie continued pleading: “My dear!

You are the King of this country!

Yet they dare to speak to you like that!

If it goes on like this, the Royal Family will have no authority!

“You have conceded again and again, but they only crave for more!

“You can’t give in anymore!

You see what concessions have led to!

“It’s time to let them know that you are still their King!”

Finally, Louis XVI sighed and then shook off the fatigue on his face, assuming a serious and stern expression: “Perhaps you’re right, it’s time to take a hard line.”