I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 153

The Estates-General.

Unlike the Assembly of Notables, which consisted only of the First and Second Estates, the Estates-General, as its name suggests, allowed representatives from all three estates—the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate)—to participate.

They would gather to discuss and reach agreements on significant national issues.

It might seem like a type of assembly based on social classes, but the reality was different.

The Estates-General was merely a temporary body convened by the king’s command and held no real power.

It served only as an advisory body to the king, and thus, it had not been convened since the 17th century, when royal authority was strengthened.

Nevertheless, the Estates-General was indeed an organization that convened during times of great national crisis, and the agreements reached there were often implemented.

The Estates-General, being convened after 175 years, was like a ray of hope for the commoners, who had been accumulating grievances.

“His Majesty has promised to convene the Estates-General!”

“Finally, the time has come for our voices to be heard!”

Over the past two centuries, many intellectuals and bourgeois [middle class professionals] had emerged from the commoners.

These individuals, chosen as representatives of the commoners, were in no way inferior to the nobles in terms of wealth and intellect.

Naturally, these people increasingly felt the irrationality of the class system as time went on.

However, only a small minority advocated for an immediate and complete overhaul.

A reasonable level of adjustment.

That was enough for most commoners.

Objectively, it wasn’t an excessive demand, so the representatives of the commoners believed they could reach an agreement.

Even if the nobles and clergy were unwilling to concede even a sliver of their vested interests.

Spring of the fateful year, 1789, Palace of Versailles.

“There are an enormous number of people gathering since morning. It must be because of the meeting today, right?”

“There’s no other reason. There are so many citizens who want to know the results faster than anyone else, even if they can’t enter the palace.”

Joachim Murat, an officer of the cavalry dispatched to protect the opening ceremony of the Estates-General, was taken aback by the sight of the long line of people stretching far beyond the palace.

Jean-Baptiste Bessières, an officer standing next to him, wore a similar expression.

“It certainly seems like something is about to happen today. Are we perhaps witnessing a moment that will go down in history?”

Murat scoffed at Bessières’s admiration.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You and I know best how those nobles think of us commoners. If it weren’t for His Highness’s backing during our time at the military academy, we wouldn’t have graduated properly.”

“Come on, we’re nobles now. Have you forgotten that commoners can’t even enter the military academy and become officers like this?”

“Ah, that’s right. We’re nobles now… Honestly, isn’t that a bit funny? I’m the son of an innkeeper, and you’re the son of a barber, but now we’ve received noble titles…”

“That’s all thanks to Duke Orléans. I don’t know if we can ever repay his kindness, even if we’re loyal to him until we die.”

Joachim Murat and Jean-Baptiste Bessières.

Both were considered protégés of Orléans, handpicked by Christian.

Unlike their other peers who were assigned to the New World, these two were steadily building their careers in the cavalry of their home country.

As soon as they became officers, they were recognized as outstanding cavalry officers, unmatched by their peers and even those several classes above them.

Murat’s military insight might have been slightly lacking, but his unique impulsiveness and bravery were exceptional, while Bessières possessed the intellect to perform staff duties as well.

Moreover, with the protection of the Duke of Orléans, other nobles couldn’t treat them carelessly.

The fact that they were called to such an important event was proof of that.

“By the way, is His Highness the Duke coming this time? I should pay him my respects after a long time.”

“Of course. We commoners… well, anyway, we can just trust him and follow him.”

Even though they were nominally nobles, Murat and Bessières considered themselves to be of common origin.

It didn’t make sense for them to suddenly act like members of the privileged class when their parents, relatives, and friends were all commoners.

Therefore, they hoped that this Estates-General would be an opportunity to promote the rights of the commoners.

Of course, seeing it up close, they knew how narrow-minded the nobles were.

But they hoped that the Duke of Orléans would come up with a different solution.

Just as the two were about to start a new conversation.

“Oh, you two are here.”

“Brigadier General Lafayette!”

“We salute you, Brigadier General!”

Brigadier General Marquis de Lafayette, Gilbert du Motier.

A noble from a prestigious family who had made remarkable contributions during the American Revolutionary War approached them with a good-natured smile.

He was known as a unique figure who, despite being a noble from a prestigious family, was friendly to the commoners.

Perhaps that was why he was particularly favorable to Murat and Bessières, who had become nobles despite being commoners due to their recognized abilities.

However, Murat and Bessières widened their eyes instead of saluting Marquis Lafayette, who was their superior officer.

It was because of the person who revealed his face from behind the Marquis.

“Oh, Duke Orléans!”

“Your Highness! This is Jean-Baptiste Bessières! I will guard the place where Your Highness will be, so that not even an ant can approach!”

Marquis Lafayette, seeing the flustered duo, chuckled and turned his head towards Christian, who was following behind.

“Come to think of it, these two were also talents scouted by Your Highness. You have a truly remarkable eye. How did you manage to scout such individuals right from their youth?”

“It’s because I have an exceptional eye for talent. That’s why I’m trying to be close with you, isn’t it?”

“Hahaha! I’m truly honored. Since Your Highness says so, I cannot refuse to follow your will. I sincerely hope that you achieve all that you desire.”

Lafayette left those enigmatic words and entered the palace first.

With only the three of them left, Murat and Bessières stood stiffly, filled with tension.

Seeing their 모습 [appearance], Christian smiled and approached them.

“Don’t be so nervous. I just came to see your faces after a long time.”

“It’s, it’s an honor!”

“I keep hearing praises about you two through various channels. As expected of talents who will become the best cavalry commanders in France in the future. Continue to strive forward and remain my pride.”

Murat and Bessières’s eyes shook violently at the sincere encouragement without exaggeration.

Christian was the benefactor who had given them, who had been living as commoners’ sons, an opportunity that would never come again in their lives.

Moreover, he was someone with a noble status that they would normally find difficult to even make eye contact with.

How could they not be moved when such a person constantly encouraged them and tried to pull them along?

“We are the ones who are proud to be chosen by Your Highness!”

“Murat is right. We are infinitely honored just to be in this place.”

“This place meaning the Estates-General?”

“Yes! Come to think of it, were you discussing the Estates-General with Brigadier General Lafayette earlier?”

Bessières recalled Lafayette’s meaningful words from earlier.

Christian nodded casually and replied.

“Of course. What other stories would we have shared?”

“Today will be a day when new history is written. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Well… it might be. New history will be written. So, be prepared. Not everything in the world flows beautifully.”

Christian left those meaningful words and waved his hand as he disappeared.

Of course, the two who were left behind did not know the meaning of his words, but they had a feeling that things might not go as smoothly as they thought.

※※※

Who said that the most fierce and brutal fight in the world is the fight for power?

Seeing it right before my eyes, it was indeed a truth without a single lie.

The atmosphere of the opening ceremony of the Estates-General held at the Palace of Versailles could be summarized in one word: ‘fierce.’

The representatives of the First and Second Estates didn’t even try to make eye contact with the representatives of the Third Estate, who were the cause of being dragged out to this place, as if they were pathetic.

The representatives of the Third Estate also did not look favorably on the arrogant and self-righteous nobles.

In this atmosphere, it was my weak-hearted brother, Louis XVI, who was essentially shitting his pants [extremely nervous].

Thanks to that, I had no choice but to take charge of the actual proceedings of the meeting instead of the king.

“First, I would like to inform you of the precautions before the main session.”

The murmuring sounds subsided in an instant as I came forward.

The atmosphere felt even more eerie as a chilling silence filled the place where over a thousand people could fit.

But honestly, this is more tense and fun.

“First, as requested by the Third Estate in advance, the number of representatives from the Third Estate, which was previously 290, has been increased to 585. The representatives of the clergy will be 290, and the representatives of the nobility will be 270, for a total of 1145 representatives who will share their opinions in this place. As a large number of people have gathered, I would like to emphasize the rules for the smooth progress of the meeting once again.”

As I paused for a moment, the guards entered the meeting hall as if they had been waiting.

“First, those who intentionally try to obstruct the proceedings will be immediately taken into custody. This obstruction of proceedings includes acts such as excessive rambling. In addition, it is forbidden to interrupt others while they are presenting their opinions, and it is also not allowed to speak when you do not have the right to speak. I hope everyone will keep these basic facts in mind and attend the meeting.”

“Understood!”

“Also, keep in mind that this place has been opened to find common ground, not to criticize each other.”

Those who consider these words as a mere formality will see blood, but I have clearly warned them.

It’s no use regretting with tears later, the train has already left [the situation is irreversible].

“Your Majesty! First of all, I would like to express my endless gratitude for providing such a place.”

Robespierre, who was the first to be given the floor, rose from his seat, knelt on one knee towards the throne, and bowed his head.

One of the main culprits who brought the situation this far.

The eyes of the nobles and clergy who were looking at Robespierre’s face were twisted with anger.

Of course, he calmly continued to speak, not caring about the murderous gazes of those who were staring at him.

“First of all, we are very grateful that you have accepted our request to increase the number of representatives from the Third Estate by more than double. The reason why we made this request is because we thought that the voices of us, who make up more than 95% of the 25 million people in France, should receive more attention. However, even so, a significant problem has not yet been resolved. That is the decision-making method of this Estates-General.”

The method of deriving an agreement in the Estates-General is really simple.

Each of the First, Second, and Third Estates is given one vote, and a proposal that receives two or more votes is passed, and a proposal that does not is rejected.

So, when it comes to disputes that are disadvantageous or advantageous to a specific class like this, the answer is already determined.

This is because the First and Second Estates are the same privileged class, so their opinions are almost always the same on most issues.

No matter how much the Third Estate shouts, the First and Second Estates just say no and reject it.

The voice of the Third Estate has no choice but to be buried.

On the other hand, if the First and Second Estates try to pass a proposal to increase taxes only on the Third Estate, it is possible to push it through even if the Third Estate opposes it.

Robespierre is pointing out this point.

“Therefore, I would like to earnestly request once again! Please allow each representative to exercise one vote instead of granting voting rights to each estate! If you do not do so, it will be difficult for the citizens to accept any conclusion that comes out of the Estates-General.”

Of course, this is only the position of the Third Estate, and it is a request that the First and Second Estates can never allow.

No sooner had Robespierre sat down than Marquis de Bellilis requested the floor.

Since he was embalmed as a supporter of slavery, has he decided to take on the role of a villain altogether?

From a cold-hearted perspective, it’s quite a decent survival strategy.

“Your Majesty! The claims of the Third Estate are nothing more than nonsense that is not worth considering. It sounds plausible, but in the end, it’s just a tantrum to get the conclusion they want. The fact that they requested to double the number of representatives in advance is proof of that!”

Robespierre’s rebuttal immediately followed.

“If this claim is not accepted, the opinions of the First and Second Estates will be unilaterally adopted, and our opinions will be ignored. Then what is the Estates-General for? Are we just here to fill seats and raise our voices?”

“Then you should persuade us! Who would listen if you just ask to change it to a method where you can do whatever you want!”

Both sides had their own clear logic, so the same rebuttals and counter-rebuttals continued like a repeating loop.

In this case, the role of the moderator would be to organize the traffic [manage the discussion].

As I raised my hand to mean stop, Robespierre and Bellilis immediately sat down.

“First of all, everything both of you are saying makes sense. First, as Robespierre said, with only three votes, all conclusions will inevitably be made as the clergy and nobles want. You can’t call this a real meeting.”

The faces of the Third Estate representatives lit up all at once.

On the other hand, the representatives of the First and Second Estates twitched as if they were about to stand up and pour out their rebuttals.

“However, even if we accept the demands of the Third Estate, problems will arise. Currently, the number of representatives from the First Estate is 290, and the number of representatives from the Second Estate is 270, which is only 560 when combined. On the other hand, the number of representatives from the Third Estate is 585. In this case, as Marquis de Bellilis said, the Third Estate can decide everything as they please. This cannot be seen as a fair method either.”

This time, the representatives of the First and Second Estates nodded their heads as if it were obvious, and the faces of the Third Estate representatives darkened.

The speed of both sides’ 전환 [change of attitude] is unusual.

“So, let’s compromise on both sides’ opinions. First, as Robespierre requested, I will change the voting rights to a method where each representative exercises one vote. Instead, I will readjust the number of representatives from the Third Estate to be smaller than the combined number of representatives from the First and Second Estates. Since the number of representatives from the First and Second Estates is 560, 550 would be appropriate for the number of representatives from the Third Estate, right?”

The difference of 10 people means that you have to persuade or beg to make up for it.

In the first place, it’s not like everyone in the same class shares thoughts and feelings through neural cords like some alien race.

“I’ll give you 30 minutes to share your opinions. After that, we will resume the discussion.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the representatives of each estate rose from their seats and gathered among themselves.

Just by looking at them, most of the nobles were frowning as if they were suffering from a toothache.

I won’t lie like dentists that it won’t hurt at all.

Maybe… it will hurt a little.

End