I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 166

Became the Genius of the French Royal Family 166 The End of the Old Regime (166/355)

“It would certainly be nice to avoid responsibility and just be respected. But if that happens, you can’t avoid a reduction in authority.”

Louis XVI wasn’t someone with inherently low intelligence.

In fact, most people who talked with him for a long time were surprised by his hidden erudition.

I’ve been feeling that a lot lately too.

When I talk, he understands perfectly, and sometimes he even guesses my hidden intentions.

However, strictly speaking, this wasn’t a compliment.

A country’s king should naturally display the dignity, charisma, and intelligence befitting a king.

If you keep seeing it, words like ‘smart’ are just synonymous with criticism that he’s not trustworthy as a king.

“It will decrease to some extent, but in reality, that might not apply to you, brother. If we were to compare, you would continue to have a level of power similar to that of the King of England.”

Even if we aim for a constitutional monarchy, the royal family doesn’t become like human cultural assets in modern countries.

The constitutional monarchy of the transition period is only restricted to the extent that the king cannot freely manipulate the law without the consent of the parliament.

The English Bill of Rights, which prevents the king from freely levying taxes, conscripting soldiers, and abolishing laws, is a good example.

If we add a clear guarantee of natural rights to this, the framework of a modern constitutional monarchy is established.

“You haven’t suppressed the nobles with strong royal power like the previous kings did. Could you tell me why you did that?”

“Well… the nobles have their own logic and thoughts, and it’s not good to do things too much my way. I also want to avoid unnecessary conflicts.”

“Then, from your perspective, it would be better to take a form that somewhat lowers the royal authority. You’ll still be running the country in much the same way as you are now, but that’s not how it will look from the outside.”

The object of listening to opinions will simply change from the nobles to the parliament.

And this distribution of responsibility and authority will be more comfortable for a coward like Louis XVI.

“What you’re talking about is the constitutional monarchy that many intellectuals have been talking about recently, right? The nobles say it’s a disrespectful idea not even worth considering…”

“Most of the nobles who say that have rebelled and are now about to have their heads cut off at the guillotine.”

“…Still, I’m honestly a little worried. If the king’s authority collapses uncontrollably… we might be kicked out, saying that the existence of a king is unnecessary, right?”

“It’s the opposite. Do you know George Washington, who was the first president of the United States and then stepped down?”

Louis XVI slowly nodded.

“I know. Honestly, I still don’t quite understand what a president is. It’s like the consuls of ancient Rome, but only one is chosen, and it’s like a dictator, but he doesn’t have that much power…”

“George Washington was a man who could have become the king of the new United States if he wanted to. But by humbling himself, he gained far greater honor and respect than becoming king. He said this: True power comes from abandoning that power.”

“That’s difficult. Honestly, I doubt I can do that.”

“You can’t become like that right away from the start. It’s only like that on the outside, and your actual power won’t decrease at all. I’m the one doing it, so would I let that happen?”

In the end, the constitutional monarchy is all just a formality, and in reality, it won’t change much.

Louis XVI, almost 넘어간 [ 넘어간 is Korean which means ‘fell for’] by my fantastic tongue-wagging, smiled in relief as he touched the steaming coffee cup.

“Well, you’re not one to do that recklessly without any countermeasures.”

“Yes. Rather, our decisions will have even more authority than they do now. That’s because our decisions will symbolize the law, the parliament, and the will of the citizens.”

“If we create a parliament, will you be the head of the parliament?”

“We’ll elect it like in England. In other words, until I want to quit, I’ll be the head of the parliament.”

This isn’t arrogance or 음험한 [음험한 is Korean which means ‘insidious’], but the truth as it is.

Currently, France is not in a situation like the early United States, where various intellectuals are forming factions.

Most of the great nobles who had that potential are going to disappear into the dew of the guillotine.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we’re going to go to a one-party dictatorship.

Using such a blatant method is not very sophisticated, and it will inevitably affect later evaluations.

Who knows?

Some English historian might say, ‘The transition to a constitutional monarchy in France was a show for the 음험한 [음험한 is Korean which means ‘insidious’] schemer Christian to control the country as he pleased.’

Well, I won’t deny that I have that in mind to some extent, but this is an inevitable choice for the development of France.

암암, 그렇고 말고 [암암, 그렇고 말고 is Korean which means ‘of course, of course’].

“First of all, we can’t treat the nobles completely the same as the commoners, so we’ll adopt a bicameral system like in England, with an upper house and a lower house. Of course, I’ve already secured all the people who will speak for me in the lower house.”

Robespierre and Danton, and many intellectuals who are popular with the citizens, will enter the lower house.

This was also a reward for them, who had been speaking out for me.

In fact, when I hinted at this, Robespierre almost shed tears of emotion.

The fact that France was finally breaking away from the old regime and moving into a new era was a huge inspiration to intellectuals.

“If it’s not going to be much different from now, I’m in favor. Now I’ll have time to tinker with locks and clocks to my heart’s content.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll proceed step by step.”

Now that the king’s approval has been given, there are no more elements that can stop it.

Still, to announce such an important matter, it should be done in a place that has its own meaning.

It just so happens that a perfect stage for that is about to open.

※※※

“Wowwwww!”

“Death! Death! Death!”

“Kill all the trashy British spies!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Yeah. This is the atmosphere.

On the day of the public trial, the square was already packed with people.

Even before the judges and prisoners appeared, the square was already in a state of madness, with the public chanting for the death penalty.

Of course, I expected it to be like this.

To be 냉정하게 [냉정하게 is Korean which means ‘coldly’], no one here is curious about the outcome of this trial.

This trial was a stage for proclaiming the fact that the forces of justice following me had defeated the 악하기 짝이 없는 [악하기 짝이 없는 is Korean which means ‘unparalleled evil’] forces of evil.

Frankly speaking, what punishment awaits the humans who openly rebelled and were suppressed?

Even in modern countries, people who launch a coup and fail find it difficult to avoid the death penalty.

Not to mention in a monarchy.

As evidence, people were busily moving around the square where the trial was being held, setting up the guillotine.

The nobles who were dragged into the square and witnessed the scene instantly had expressions that were impossible to express in human words.

The only person among those involved in the rebellion who didn’t stand in court was Marquis Lonnay.

In exchange for spilling all the information he knew, he was only stripped of his noble status and had all his property confiscated.

The rest were 줄줄이 엮여서 [줄줄이 엮여서 is Korean which means ‘tied up in a row’] like dried fish, waiting for the stern judgment of the law.

However, the person who became the 욕받이 [욕받이 is Korean which means ‘scapegoat’] at the very front was not Duke Chartres, the main culprit of the rebellion, but Marquis Bellile, who had fled to England and was caught 추하게 [추하게 is Korean which means ‘shabbily’].

In particular, his disgrace of being forcibly repatriated after spilling French secrets was exposed, and the aggro튀었다 [aggro튀었다 is Korean which means ‘aggro popped’] several times over.

“Hey, you 새끼들아 [새끼들아 is Korean which means ‘bastards’] without a conscience!”

“You’re trying to stick with England after rebelling? Are you even human?”

“Execute him! Execution!”

The trial, which began with a barrage of all sorts of curses that were hard to express, was swift.

From the judges’ point of view, this trial is virtually 부담이 없다 [부담이 없다 is Korean which means ‘no burden’].

The verdict to be handed down from the beginning is already decided, and the king and citizens all want it.

“The defendants’ crimes are clear. Despite being nobles, they disturbed the country and drew their swords against the nation they were supposed to protect. This is an unforgivable crime and cannot be mitigated by any factor.”

The judge, wanting to get some attention, devoted all his energy to 까는데 [까는데 is Korean which means ‘criticizing’] the nobles 신랄하게 [신랄하게 is Korean which means ‘bitterly’] rather than the trial.

“It is especially bad that they rebelled to satisfy their own selfish desires at a time when France is enjoying unprecedented peace and stability thanks to His Majesty’s grace. Their charges do not end here. In addition to this, the nobles who committed treason…”

Every time the judge said a charge, the crowd shouted for the death penalty and 내질렀다 [내질렀다 is Korean which means ‘shouted’] a cry of joy.

Of course, the nobles, who couldn’t even bring a lawyer, couldn’t even defend themselves properly.

Even if they were given a chance, what would they say?

Duke Chartres calmly stated that he would accept the death penalty, and Marquis Bellile said nothing.

Marshal François, the symbol of the nobles’ hope, passed away without even being able to come to court due to his deteriorating health.

In addition, the number of nobles involved easily exceeds hundreds.

Of course, many of them begged for their lives until the end.

“Your Majesty! We are 冤枉합니다 [冤枉합니다 is Korean which means ‘falsely accused’]! We were deceived! Please listen to us!”

“This is all Duke Chartres and Marquis Bellile’s 농간 [농간 is Korean which means ‘trickery’]! We were just used!”

“Duke Chartres spread false rumors that British spies had taken control of His Majesty’s side! We just wanted to protect France! Our patriotism was just used! Please understand!”

There were even those who shed tears sincerely, even acting 메소드 [메소드 is Korean which means ‘method’], but of course, it was 씨알도 먹히지 않는 소리 [씨알도 먹히지 않는 소리 is Korean which means ‘nonsense’].

No one now didn’t know that the person protecting Louis XVI’s side was Duke Orléans.

So, the British spies are 현혹하고 [현혹하고 is Korean which means ‘deceiving’] the king?

This is the same as saying that I am a British spy.

Of course, the crowd, who were 잔뜩 성이 난 [잔뜩 성이 난 is Korean which means ‘very angry’], 내뱉으며 욕지거리를 [내뱉으며 욕지거리를 is Korean which means ‘spitting out swear words’] threw the things they held.

“These 미친놈들 [미친놈들 is Korean which means ‘madmen’] are just 개소리 [개소리 is Korean which means ‘dog sounds’ which means nonsense] until the end!”

“The guillotine is too good for them! Let’s kill them on the spot!”

Some people even 난입해서 [난입해서 is Korean which means ‘rushed into’] the courtroom and tried to 몽둥이질 [몽둥이질 is Korean which means ‘beat with a club’] the nobles.

“Silence! Silence! We are in the middle of a trial!”

Is this what it means to 알아서 번다는 매 [알아서 번다는 매 is Korean which means ‘to ask for trouble’]?

If the soldiers hadn’t intervened, the heads of dozens of nobles would have been 깨질뻔 [깨질뻔 is Korean which means ‘almost broken’] before the verdict was even handed down.

I judged that if I dragged this on any longer, the public might really become 통제 불능 [통제 불능 is Korean which means ‘out of control’], so I sent a signal to end it quickly.

The judge nodded with a slightly 겁에 질린 [겁에 질린 is Korean which means ‘frightened’] expression and skipped all the procedures and immediately read the verdict.

“…The crimes of the traitors have already been 드러났다 [드러났다 is Korean which means ‘revealed’] before God, His Majesty the King, and all citizens. Even the attitude of not repenting of their sins and trying to 전가 [전가 is Korean which means ‘shift’] them to others is even worse. Therefore, this court, in the name of the great Louis XVI, sentences all the criminals to death.”

“Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo!”

“Serves you right, you 새끼들 [새끼들 is Korean which means ‘bastards’]!”

“Kill them!”

As soon as the sentence was handed down, a tremendous shout that was so loud that the ears would fall off 울려 퍼졌다 [울려 퍼졌다 is Korean which means ‘echoed’].

Even the sound of 화포 [화포 is Korean which means ‘artillery’] was a notch below the citizens who were enjoying the 승리감 [승리감 is Korean which means ‘sense of victory’] close to madness.

Without exaggeration, the vibration of the 땅이 쿵쿵거리는 [땅이 쿵쿵거리는 is Korean which means ‘ground rumbling’] was 그대로 몸에 전해졌다 [그대로 몸에 전해졌다 is Korean which means ‘directly transmitted to the body’].

Now that enough preheating has been done, shall we slowly step out?

As I 여유로우면서도 느릿느릿한 걸음으로 올라서자 단상 위에 [여유로우면서도 느릿느릿한 걸음으로 올라서자 단상 위에 is Korean which means ‘stepped onto the platform with a relaxed and slow pace’], the eyes of the citizens who were 날뛰고 [날뛰고 is Korean which means ‘raging’] like crazy were 단숨에 쏠렸다 [단숨에 쏠렸다 is Korean which means ‘focused at once’] this way.

In fact, the trial so far was just a preparation process to set the atmosphere.

The main event is from now on.

As I 취하자 [취하자 is Korean which means ‘took’] a gesture to say something, the citizens, who had 조용해진 [조용해진 is Korean which means ‘become quiet’] in an instant, 만류했다 [만류했다 is Korean which means ‘stopped’] their colleagues who were 날뛰는 [날뛰는 is Korean which means ‘raging’] around.

“Hey! Be quiet!”

“You 미친놈들아 [미친놈들아 is Korean which means ‘madmen’]! His Excellency the Duke has something to say!”

“Hey! Shut up! His Excellency the Duke is speaking, so why are you 내고 a 돼지 멱따는 소릴 [내고 a 돼지 멱따는 소릴 is Korean which means ‘making a pig squealing sound’]!”

Before long, the citizens, who had 잔잔해진 [잔잔해진 is Korean which means ‘calmed down’] as if the madness from before was a lie, 올려다보았다 [올려다보았다 is Korean which means ‘looked up at’] me with eyes that were 범벅이 된 [범벅이 된 is Korean which means ‘mixed’] with respect, expectation, excitement, and gratitude.

음음 [음음 is Korean which means ‘eum eum’]. This is how it tastes to announce.

만끽한 [만끽한 is Korean which means ‘enjoyed’] the 달아오른 [달아오른 is Korean which means ‘heated’] atmosphere of the square to the fullest, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Dear citizens. Today is a monumental day in many ways. The group of traitors who disturbed the country will receive a verdict that befits the crimes they committed. I was personally 참으로 슬펐습니다 [참으로 슬펐습니다 is Korean which means ‘truly sad’] while 진압하며 [진압하며 is Korean which means ‘suppressing’] this rebellion. If you are a noble, you should 마땅히 힘을 보태야 [마땅히 힘을 보태야 is Korean which means ‘should definitely lend strength’] for this country and the citizens, but it is difficult to understand why they prioritized their own selfish desires. Perhaps my efforts to communicate were insufficient. I deeply reflect on this point.”

“It’s not His Excellency the Duke’s fault!”

“So, I would like to take this opportunity to explain to the nobles and citizens the direction we will take in the future. So that this tragedy does not 덮치지 [덮치지 is Korean which means ‘befall’] France again. So that the conflict of status does not 나타나지 [나타나지 is Korean which means ‘appear’] in the form of taking each other’s lives. We will guarantee opportunities for all statuses to participate in politics and share their opinions.”

In other words, it means giving the third estate, the commoners, the right to vote.

“······.”

A moment of silence.

And slowly, the people who understood the meaning of what they heard began to 들썩이기 [들썩이기 is Korean which means ‘stir’] their bodies.

“Woo-hoo-hoo!”

“Long live His Excellency the Duke!”

“Long live His Majesty the King! Long live France!”

It is the moment when the 울분 [울분 is Korean which means ‘resentment’] and 응어리가 [응어리가 is Korean which means ‘knot’] that had been suppressed until now are 바뀌는 [바뀌는 is Korean which means ‘changing’] into joy and hope.

Winter of 1789 in Paris,

The heads of the nobles symbolizing the old regime 날아가고 [날아가고 is Korean which means ‘flying away’], and the seeds of transformation symbolizing the new regime 싹을 틔웠다 [싹을 틔웠다 is Korean which means ‘sprouted’].

It was the beginning of a new France, completely different from what it had been until now.

End