Chapter 530: Nobles and Commoners
The First National Prison of France, Second Floor
The captain of the guard, Cossade, opened the door to cell 211 for the Crown Prince.
A faint scent of incense wafted out immediately. Joseph glanced around the cell, noticing its clean white walls, a desk adorned with decorative carvings, and a flush toilet visible through the half-open door of the attached bathroom. His brows furrowed slightly.
The bad habits of French prisons were proving difficult to eliminate.
Previously, Joseph had instructed the prison administrator, Marquis de Launay, to ensure that the accommodations for nobles in custody were not overly luxurious. While the marquis had promptly downgraded their cells to single rooms, he had still retained private bathrooms, a dining area, and a large wardrobe. The furnishings, though reduced in number, were still expensive and high-quality.
All in all, these cells were far more comfortable and opulent than the homes of most Parisian citizens. Of course, compared to the nobles' previous lives of indulgence, the cells represented a starkly harsher environment. Staying here even for a single day was torment for them.
Joseph knew that changing such entrenched mindsets would take time. He decided to address it gradually, as there were more pressing matters to attend to today. He didn't want to waste time arguing with the marquis over furnishings.
Inside cell 211, the occupant turned toward the door at the sound of its opening. Upon seeing the Crown Prince, resplendent in a sharp blue-and-white cavalry uniform, he stepped back with his right foot, placed a hand over his chest, and bowed deeply. Nervously, he said:
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, it is an honor to have you here..."
Joseph sat down on the chair brought over by Aymond, his expression cold as he regarded the middle-aged man before him. The man wore a velvet jacket trimmed with lace and a pristine white wig, his demeanor a mix of arrogance and desperation.
This man was none other than Baron Pélier, a prominent figure in the Tax Farmers' General Association. A banker, moneylender, and major landowner, Pélier had long enjoyed a life of power and privilege.
Ten days ago, Pélier's trusted subordinate, Antonel, had been arrested for "inciting panic" and "spreading rumors." The police quickly uncovered several murder cases tied to Antonel, who controlled one of the largest gangs in Marseille. His crimes were widely known but had gone unpunished due to Pélier's protection and Marseille's corrupt bureaucracy.
However, this time was different. Police Chief Besançon had arrived in Marseille with orders personally signed by the Crown Prince. No one dared intervene to shield Antonel.
It didn't take much pressure for Antonel to confess, implicating his patron, Pélier. Besançon wasted no time. Armed with the Prince's authority, he raced back to Paris and arrested Pélier—a "big fish" in the Tax Farmers' General Association.
Initially defiant, Pélier's resolve crumbled when he learned that the French Trade Alliance had captured a quarter of the nation's shipping market in just two weeks. He realized that Fould's grand plan had failed, Marseille's crisis had been averted, and the government was now free to dismantle the tax farmers' network.
Abandoned by his allies and betrayed by his subordinate, Pélier decided to follow Antonel's example: save himself by selling out others.
Pélier adopted a sycophantic tone as he bent slightly at the waist, addressing Joseph with a fawning smile:
"Your Highness, I admit that I have made some very foolish and disgraceful decisions, for which I am sure you are rightly furious. However, I hope that what I am about to tell you may improve your mood.
"And, if I may be so bold, I humbly beg for a modicum of your mercy. If you grant me clemency, I will remain forever grateful for your magnanimity."
Noting Joseph's growing impatience, Pélier hastily got to the point:
"Your Highness, I know who orchestrated the attacks and threats against tax offices across the country."
Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Speak the name."
"It was Borrelé," Pélier revealed. "Jacques-Albert de Borrelé. I know your people captured many attackers, but the trail quickly went cold. That's because Borrelé sent his key operatives to Switzerland and Venice.
"Fortunately, I happen to have contacts in Switzerland who know their whereabouts."
Pélier used the word "happen" to suggest coincidence, but in truth, he had anticipated Borrelé's actions and prepared to exploit this information for leverage.
Joseph's interest was piqued. Capitalists were always ruthlessly efficient when protecting their interests.
"Where are they?" Joseph asked.
Pélier wrung his hands, smiling nervously. "Your Highness, I hope to offer this information in exchange for a fine of two million francs—enough to escape further punishment."
Joseph cut him off immediately. "I can only promise that your life will be spared."
Pélier froze, as if struck by lightning. Cold sweat dripped from his brow, tracing lines down his ashen face.
A week later, Borrelé was intercepted by intelligence agents while attempting to board a ship to England. In the prison interrogation room, he was confronted with his operatives, who had been captured in Switzerland.
Tuileries Palace, Second Floor
Joseph listened to the cheers and chatter from the streets outside. With a nod, he signaled Aymond to shut the window.
The noise came from Parisians heading to the Louvre Square, eager to witness the public executions of dozens of tax collectors' enforcers—men hated by commoners throughout the nation.
Virtually every citizen with time to spare, as well as farmers from nearby villages, had flocked to the square for this momentous occasion.
Standing before Joseph was the Minister of Justice, Baron Bretueil. Once the window muffled the outside clamor, Bretueil resumed speaking:
"Your Highness, among the prisoners being taken to the Louvre Square are several nobles—at least a dozen.
"Allowing them to be executed alongside those lowly criminals is an affront to noble status. I fear this may provoke strong protests from the aristocracy. Surely, this could have been avoided."
In France, as in much of Europe, nobles and commoners were even treated differently in death. Traditionally, nobles were beheaded, while commoners were hanged. Due to the "consolidated trials," however, even ordinary convicts were unexpectedly elevated to the "privilege" of the guillotine.
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 2, 2026.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen10