Chapter 487: A Rift in the Jacobin Faction
De Borel looked at the calm expression on the Prince's face and seemed to understand something. Nodding hesitantly, he said, "Y-yes, Your Highness. I have to preside over Baron Astuno's corruption case at 3 o'clock... I should... head back to the High Court now."
"Please escort Chief Justice De Borel," Joseph instructed Éman while smiling at De Borel. "Oh, and please don't forget what I mentioned before—consider leniency for the likes of the Earl of Norfolk, as they have cooperated by making confessions."
De Borel froze for a moment. He had initially thought that the Prince was merely extending the usual leniency afforded to high-ranking nobles. But now it seemed the Prince had anticipated that the corrupt officials would start implicating others in their defense.
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. It dawned on him that he might have stumbled upon something far more significant than he realized.
"Y-yes, Your Highness. I will ensure justice is served," he said, his thoughts racing. Then, as if realizing something crucial, he quickly added, "Also... after the trial, I only had a quick lunch and haven't been anywhere else."
Joseph nodded in satisfaction. De Borel's comment indicated that he would not mention his visit to the Prince, implying that he would not connect the Prince to the confessions of the corrupt officials. He understood the rules of political survival quite well.
That afternoon, the trials at the High Court resumed, but De Borel and the other judges presiding over the corruption cases were no longer as panicked as they had been in the morning.
When faced with officials who continuously implicated others, the judges merely instructed the clerks to meticulously record everything and then postponed the trials.
Across the street from the High Court, in a nearby café, Marat watched the agitated citizens outside, tapping a newspaper on the table thoughtfully. "I don't know how the Prince discovered all those officials were corrupt, but it's clear that he was right," he said.
Looking at his friend Desmoulins across the table, Marat shook his head with a wry smile. "The number of corrupt officials he exposed in one fell swoop is more than our entire department uncovers in a year. At this rate, he could rid France of corruption within a few years. I have to admit, when it comes to fighting corruption, he truly is the guardian of the French people."
Desmoulins was shocked to hear such praise from Marat, who had always been hostile to the monarchy. He quickly nodded in agreement.
In truth, Desmoulins had been deeply impressed with the Prince since joining the Bureau of Public Integrity, but he had never expressed it out of respect for Marat's disdain for the royal family.
"The Prince is indeed different from those bloodsuckers," he said excitedly. "I heard that it was him, working behind the scenes, who pushed for the abolition of noble privileges and allowed peasants to buy land. And now, he's tackling corruption in the bureaucracy. Perhaps we should fully support him!
"At least from what I've seen, he's made France more just, more prosperous, and the people better off than before…"
Marat exhaled deeply, interrupting him. "We cannot betray our beliefs! Yes, he has done some good things, but he could easily become a tyrant, just like Louis XIV. In the later years of Louis XIV's reign, all his earlier achievements only ended up turning into great suffering for the people.
"Only a government authorized by the people can guarantee perpetual justice and fairness. We need a constitution, human rights, and freedom—not the charity of a king or his son!"
Desmoulins stood up in agitation and argued, "But why should we break something that's working well just for the sake of some abstract theories?! The British have a constitution and a parliament, yet their officials are still corrupt, and ordinary people are still oppressed by the lords. They're not even allowed to roam freely—the police would throw them in jail without a second thought!
"I dare say, if the British Parliament ran France, they wouldn't do better than the royal family. At least here, our peasants own more land than the farmers in Britain!"
Marat stared at his old friend in shock, feeling that Desmoulins had abandoned the teachings of Rousseau and been swayed by the monarchy. This was a troubling sign.
He suddenly noticed something else and said in surprise, "It seems your stammer has improved!"
"Is… is that so?" Desmoulins stammered, quickly losing the self-assurance he had displayed earlier. "I… I just wanted to discuss France's future with you…"
"Time will tell," Marat replied, unexpectedly unwilling to continue the conversation. He pointed out the window, changing the subject. "It looks like we're going to be very busy soon. Another hundred corrupt officials have been implicated."
Desmoulins silently nodded. In that moment, an imperceptible rift had formed between the two leading figures of the Jacobin faction.
…
At Versailles, in the reception room of the Prince's residence, stood over a dozen pale-faced officials, each looking as though they wished they could disappear. They were so nervous that they barely dared to breathe.
Joseph sat calmly, holding a teacup. He glanced over the group and said, "You've all seen it, haven't you? The citizens outside have been protesting for two days, demanding that all those involved in corruption be hanged."
The officials trembled even more violently.
These were the officials who had been implicated by Norfolk and others during the trials. They had pleaded with the Minister of Justice and then with Briand, but both had told them that the situation was grave and likely beyond remedy.
Finally, Briand had hinted that their only hope lay with the Prince, so they had come here. But instead of solace, they were met with talk of "hanging."
"Your Highness," an elderly official stammered, "w-we have always been loyal to His Majesty. For the love of God, please plead for mercy on our behalf…"
Joseph checked the time and, sensing that he had frightened them enough, spoke slowly. "It's also possible that the Earl of Norfolk, facing severe punishment, has falsely accused you to save himself."
The officials quickly nodded, like chickens pecking at grain. "Yes, yes! That must be it!"
"Your Highness is indeed 'the Son of Providence,' seeing through their lies at a glance!"
"We've been falsely accused, Your Highness! Please help clear our names."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your justice, as righteous as that of the Almighty!"
Joseph looked at them again and said, "I will have a fair investigation conducted to clear your names. However, this will take some time.
"In the meantime, I think it would be best for you to temporarily step down from your positions to show His Majesty and the public where you stand."
(End of Chapter)
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