He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 20

(19) Robespierre’s Time Is Coming

History can be changed.

“Yes!”

Eugene jumped around inside the Café Boarneh, shouting.

Originally, the future is an unknown realm for humans.

But for Eugene, who had experienced a past life, a future one at that, this era was already a determined past.

The joy that only someone who knows history can feel enveloped Eugene.

Of course, from Ippolito’s perspective, who was watching, it was something to make him tilt his head in confusion.

“What’s so good about it? We’ve bet on a count who’s lost his backing, haven’t we? Count Lafayette is just unemployed after all.”

“No, he’s not just unemployed. He’s an unemployed man who stopped a massacre of the people.”

“What does that mean? He’s not a commander anymore, not a noble, not even a member of the assembly, is he?”

Eugene spun the café chair around and sat down, staring intently at Ippolito.

“Far from it. Originally, General Lafayette was the head of the National Guard. Don’t you know what that means?”

Of course, Eugene shouted at Ippolito, who only blinked, not knowing what it meant.

“The person who would have ordered the shooting from that position is General Lafayette, Ippolito!”

It was the massacre that started in the original history, at the Champ de Mars [a large public space in Paris].

Originally, the one responsible for the security of Paris as the head of the National Guard was Lafayette.

Moreover, originally, the citizens of Paris had all seen Louis XVI being caught while fleeing.

It was a situation where he had to order indiscriminate firing in an extremely hostile environment.

All of this has changed.

Suddenly, Bank Boarneh’s vice president, Marceau, who had been listening, snapped his fingers.

“Indeed! Originally, it was a situation where General Lafayette would have completely collapsed!”

“That’s right, Marceau. But General Lafayette has survived.”

“Then did we hit the jackpot? Is General Lafayette going to take power now?”

Contrary to Marceau, who asked excitedly, Eugene hesitated.

“That’s not the case.”

“Why not? He saved the citizens from dying, didn’t he?”

“The situation is still fluid. First of all, France is facing a new parliamentary election. And most importantly, the economic problem has not been resolved.”

Why did the revolution start?

Was it because the citizens were tired of discrimination?

No.

The real cause is the famine and drought, coupled with food shortages due to forced grain exports.

However, this economic problem is temporarily resolved in 1790 due to a brief bumper crop.

But in the following year, 1791, this year, another bad harvest is coming.

In addition, the excessive issuance of Assignat banknotes [early paper money issued during the French Revolution] and the so-called salt tax, tobacco tax, and coffee tax to replenish finances await.

That’s not all.

The real problem that consumes enormous finances, materials, and even people.

The war is about to begin.

In many ways, it is a difficult time for the moderates to seize power.

Lafayette is a fairly decent talent, but he lacks something to become the supreme ruler.

To put it bluntly, his judgment of the situation is critically lacking.

In the original history, that’s why Lafayette eventually fired at the Champ de Mars.

So there is a limit to what is possible.

For example, having influence as a major figure in the constitutional monarchy faction?

In modern terms, it would be like being the leader of the opposition party.

Instead of explaining all of this, Eugene simply said.

“Even so, the possibility of making him a hero of the people has arisen.”

Marceau is also quite smart.

It’s not for nothing that he passed law school and emerged as a military hero in the original history.

He smiled, pondering Eugene’s words.

He roughly understood.

“You’re saying we can gather the constitutional monarchists within the assembly.”

“That’s right. It may seem like there are only Jacobins in the assembly now, but that’s not the case.”

“Well, for example, the bourgeois faction and the sans-culottes faction?”

The wealthy and middle-class bourgeoisie versus the commoner sans-culottes [literally “without breeches,” referring to commoners who wore trousers instead of the knee-breeches of the aristocracy].

This structure is becoming increasingly clear in Paris.

With the poor joining in, the confrontation is only intensifying.

However, the assembly is not yet so clear.

Eugene tilted his head, pondering the course of the original history.

“We should call them moderate Jacobins and radical Jacobins. The moderates are mainly from the Gironde, so we may have to call them the Girondin faction.”

The famous battle between the Girondins and the Jacobins.

But in fact, the name [Girondins], which is synonymous with the so-called moderates, has not yet been born.

The opposing Montagnards [literally “mountain dwellers,” referring to the radical faction in the National Assembly] named it after the fact that these faction leaders were mainly from the ‘Gironde’, that is, the area near the port of Bordeaux.

On the other hand, the constitutional monarchists, including Lafayette, are later called the Feuillants because they created the [Feuillant Club].

Of course, in the original history, it is a faction that is absolutely in the minority due to the Champ de Mars massacre.

But the situation has changed.

Eugene nodded, pondering the situation.

“The possibility of gathering the constitutional monarchists here is emerging. As the ruling power.”

Perhaps we can even prevent the war.

Because in the original history, the war starts in 1792.

Just looking at the names of the hardliners (Jacobins) and moderates (Girondins), it seems like the Jacobins would have committed it.

However, in reality, it was the Girondin members who declared war.

Why?

The king was caught while fleeing, and when he was imprisoned, foreign royal families protested, and the internal hardline Jacobins were clamoring for the king to be killed.

With the economy collapsing, the ruling Girondins at the time declared war.

To solve the problem.

However, after repeated defeats, the Girondins step down from power.

It is after that that the Montagnards, the ultra-hardline Jacobins, seize power.

In short, it may be possible to eliminate or change all of these processes.

If we don’t kill the king, that is.

But Marceau smacked his lips.

“But there’s something bothering me, Eugene.”

“What is it?”

Marceau, who had been watching the situation next to Eugene, frowned and pointed out one thing.

“The king.”

“Will King Louis really accept the constitutional monarchy willingly? After all, it was the king who decided to run away after Mirabeau died.”

Again, Eugene hesitated.

In fact, the [constitutional monarchy] idea was not only thought of by Eugene.

Mirabeau, who died, also thought about it, Lafayette also demanded it, and Barnave, who would later create the constitutional monarchy faction, also argued for it.

But in the end, Louis XVI abandoned all of this and was caught trying to escape to Austria.

In the original history, Louis XVI is dragged to the execution ground after enduring for a year.

Conversely, he was given another year, but he failed to overcome the situation.

In other words, his judgment of the situation is too lacking.

It’s not just something to say to Lafayette.

But Eugene shook his head.

Surely he wouldn’t run away in this situation, and it would be difficult to run away again.

Anyway, Lafayette will be closely monitoring him.

“If he really does that, King Louis is hopeless.”

“Give up?”

“What can we do? But he’s already failed once.”

Eugene shrugged with a smirk.

“Surely, he wouldn’t do such a thing, would he?”

Surely, he wouldn’t be such a fool.

Louis XVI.

***

The Montagnards gathered at the Jacobin Club in Paris.

“Lafayette has become a royalist leader, Robespierre!”

In fact, the origin of this faction called [Montagne], English for Mountain, the so-called Montagnards, is the parliament seat.

They were named this way because they sat together in high places in the parliament.

In short, Montagnard members are mostly people who like to step forward.

They like to be noticed, they don’t avoid speeches, and they take the lead in demonstrations.

In modern terms, they are close to being ‘attention seekers’.

The man who can be said to be the most attention-seeking of them all, Georges Danton, raised his voice.

“If we go on like this, we’re all going to die!”

Robespierre, who had been quietly watching Danton, replied calmly.

“Strictly speaking, it’s the constitutional monarchists, Danton.”

“That’s the same thing! Are we going to leave this alone? If we go on like this, the king will become the number one person in the country again. The nobles will return. The citizens will be trampled by them again!”

“I have no intention of leaving it alone either.”

Originally, the Jacobin Club is located in a building that used to be a monastery.

As the revolution began and the monks were expelled, the Jacobin Club of the National Assembly occupied this building.

Robespierre opened his mouth, tapping on the desk where the monks used to offer prayers.

Like praying, in a quiet yet powerful voice.

“A solution will come from outside.”

Danton frowned, thinking he looked like a monk, and asked back.

“What do you mean by that? Comes from outside?”

“Danton, haven’t you ever thought it strange? Why did the Duke of Orléans run away, and why did the king hesitate and fail?”

“Isn’t that just because the king is indecisive?”

In fact, Eugene was working behind the scenes.

Of course, neither Danton nor Robespierre knew that far.

However, it is clear that the king lacked the decisiveness to escape earlier.

But Robespierre shook his head, looking around at the Jacobin members.

“I think differently. The core of the problem is the Holy Roman Empire, Austria.”

Hardliners including Saint-Just, Desmoulins, and Hébert looked at Robespierre.

The only big name missing from this place is probably Marat.

Because Marat denounced everyone except the ultra-hardline Jacobins as [counter-revolutionaries].

So the constitutional monarchists, the Girondins, and even some of the Jacobins had accused Marat in court.

Of course, there were many Marat supporters, so if he was caught, he would be released again.

But for now, he is wanted, so he is fleeing through the infamous Paris sewers.

Therefore, those in this place are the key figures of the Jacobin hardliners, the Montagnards.

So if you persuade them, the Montagnards will move.

Robespierre put strength into his words, keeping that fact in mind.

“The king has no power in the country now, Danton.”

“Of course. But?”

“But, what should the king do if he wants to regain power? Just bow his head to the constitutional monarchists and beg? Will they return power to the king?”

Robespierre shook his head, examining each possibility.

“That can’t be. Then, there’s only one way. To bring in outside forces. By the way, the queen is the sister of the Holy Roman Emperor.”

In the end, that’s how it flows in the original history as well.

In fact, Austria, Prussia, and Russia did not want war either.

The only country that did not avoid war was England, which mistakenly thought that it would not have to fight directly.

However, France did not stop the revolution, and all monarchies were threatened.

War is inevitable.

Furthermore, the queen is from Austria.

That is why Austria was the first to invade.

But there is a problem with the logic.

Danton was about to point that out when his eyes widened.

“No, but the king hesitated. Ah!”

The king was reluctant to join hands with Austria.

That is the real reason why he could not escape.

Suddenly, Robespierre nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. Collusion with outside forces is the same as treason. The king wanted to avoid that!”

“Then, we can get evidence of that!”

“No, there’s no need.”

Robespierre said with a firm face.

“Soon the Holy Roman Emperor of Austria, an outside force, will step in.”

This is why Robespierre said that a solution would come from outside.

Austria will move.

Then the political situation, which at first glance seems favorable to the constitutional monarchists, changes.

This is because the invasion of foreign forces is feared.

But Danton and other members tilted their heads.

The king didn’t run away, and he’s not shouting from outside, so why would the Austrian emperor move?

“What does that mean? Why? The king couldn’t run away?”

“No, he has to move because he couldn’t run away. If King Louis had run away, he would have advanced with King Louis at the forefront. He would have put the French king ahead rather than moving directly. But he couldn’t. But do they, the royals, like our revolution?”

“I wouldn’t. Indeed.”

But all these conclusions point to one thing.

Danton, who had been nodding, widened his eyes.

The word that he couldn’t possibly say came to mind.

Danton asked, trembling.

“Surely, you don’t mean they’re going to invade?”

War.

There is no generation here that has experienced war.

But people dying have already been seen countless times since the revolution began.

Recalling the scene of the Bastille Day, when Paris was stained with blood, Robespierre said heavily.

“I hope not. But war may be inevitable. If so.”

Being a hardliner does not mean the same as being a pro-war faction.

Robespierre has no intention of starting a war first.

Rather, he wants to avoid it even more because war will kill citizens.

Nevertheless, if it is unavoidable, we must seize the flow.

Robespierre said firmly.

“At least we Jacobins must take the lead.”

That’s the real reason why he convened the Jacobins today.

***

It is difficult to foresee the revolution, but even in these times, [foresight] is valid.

March 1791.

A time when spring is just approaching.

A declaration was announced throughout Europe.

-〈The imprisonment of the French King is a matter of concern for all European monarchs. Unless the King is made completely free, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the King of Prussia, and all monarchs will take action, even by mobilizing force!〉

Eugene and Robespierre’s predictions were correct.

The Declaration of Pillnitz [a statement issued by Leopold II, the Holy Roman Emperor, and Frederick William II, King of Prussia, concerning the French Revolution].

In the original history, it is an event that occurs in August 1791.

It is the situation in which the monarchs of European powers, centered on Austria, gather and issue a declaration.

It is a matter requested by the Count of Artois, who had already left for exile, to the Austrian Emperor.

Conversely, when his brother’s escape failed, the Austrian Emperor eventually made such a strong declaration.

Of course, the declaration itself is just a declaration in the literal sense, so it is not a treaty with any coercive power.

However, because this declaration came out, the French National Assembly had no choice but to be agitated.

Mobilization of force.

Where will that military power be directed?

Anyone can know.

It is the National Assembly’s parliament building.

So it means that the members may be in immediate danger of death.

It is also a situation that broke out almost half a year earlier than in the original history.

We are not even prepared for war yet.

Holding the declaration in the parliament, Robespierre roared.

“Look! This is the reaction of the monarchs!”

The moderate Girondins, constitutional monarchists, and centrists were all shocked.

“How can this be? We didn’t kill the king, we just imprisoned him!”

“Use force? Austria dares!”

“It’s interference in internal affairs, clearly!”

Here, Saint-Just stepped forward.

“That’s not all. Now, look!”

Desmoulins, Saint-Just, and Montagnard members circulated a declaration to the parliament.

It is a declaration that was printed last night and the ink is still not dry.

Looking around at the members who were taking the declaration in a daze, Saint-Just announced.

“A declaration issued by the Count of Provence today has been obtained.”

An era without microphones yet.

I’m not holding a megaphone either.

A situation where you have to give a speech only with the human voice.

In it, Saint-Just shouted, taking the sound out of his stomach.

“Louis Stanislas Xavier, the king’s brother, declares. If you try to harm my brother, His Majesty the King, all you traitors will die and Paris will be reduced to ashes!”

It is literally a declaration of war.

People who had been classified as moderates stood up.

Among them was Brissot, who had demonstrated in the Champ de Mars.

“Crazy bastard! This is a challenge to the revolution!”

Then, Barnave, one of the constitutional monarchists, stood up and waved his hand urgently.

“Wait! It’s not time to judge hastily yet!”

“What do you want to say, Member Antoine Barnave? Perhaps, are you talking about the will of your master, General Lafayette?”

“The general is not my master! My master is the people!”

Barnave desperately put the words of Lafayette, who would not be in this place, into his mouth.

“If we react to this diplomatic declaration now, war may break out!”

He says he’s not his master, but everyone knows that Barnave is Lafayette’s man.

Conversely, this is what Lafayette said.

So all the members looked at each other and hesitated for a moment.

Do not respond harshly without permission.

This is the message that Lafayette is conveying now.

But Lafayette is currently a major figure who is praised as a hero who protected the people.

Moreover, he has the National Guard on his back, so he could not be ignored.

At that moment, Robespierre opened his mouth again.

“The revolution began with blood. It can only be defended with blood.”

The moment the members paid attention to Robespierre again, Robespierre began his speech.

“War is a vice. Many people die, and many citizens of other countries must be killed. But!”

Robespierre’s eyes flashed.

“To fight against the oppression of the monarchy, which is like evil, and to protect our freedom and equality! If it is a war to protect our citizens, it is inevitable!”

Robespierre’s speech on the platform began to continue.

This is like a gun mouth.

There are no shells or gunpowder, but it began to burn the hearts of the members like a flame.

Here, Jacobin members including Desmoulins joined in.

“That’s right!”

“Monsieur Robespierre is right! We must wage a war to defend!”

“There is no victory without struggle! Let’s fight!”

If you go against this trend, you will lose power.

Members belonging to the Girondin faction exchanged glances.

In an instant, Brissot, the representative of the members who would be collectively called Girondins, stood up.

“This Brissot proposes. Let’s declare war to protect the revolution! If the enemies try to invade our revolution, we will not hesitate to wage war!”

The parliament began to be filled with shouts.

“Wow!”

Even Robespierre had not thought of this.

However, in the original history, Brissot also leads the declaration of war.

The paradox of history in which the moderates become the pro-war faction in order not to be pushed back by the hardliners has occurred.

That’s when.

-Thump!

Huffing and puffing, Paris Mayor Bailly rushed in.

“Members, it’s urgent!”

Bailly announced to the members who were paying attention in a trembling voice.

“The king escaped from the Palais Royal and was caught while running away!”

At that moment, the royalists and constitutional monarchists were all shocked and opened their mouths wide.

Above all, Alexandre, who had been watching the situation from one side of the parliament, sat down.

Alexandre doesn’t know what his son is doing, but he thinks it’s better for the king not to die.

From Alexandre’s mouth, the sound that Eugene would say the same if he knew flowed.

“That idiot······!”

Conversely, Robespierre had a firm face and smiled for the first time.

“Now, the king has become an unnecessary existence in this country!”

Robespierre finally met his time.

The time to kill the king with blood.

Furthermore, it was time to seize the initiative of the revolution.

The time has come for Eugene’s historical revision and Robespierre’s historical leadership to clash.