Chapter 531: Execution
It was precisely because of this that today, the nobles who had participated in violent attacks on tax officials would head to hell alongside the common criminals they so often looked down upon.
For the nobles, this was nothing short of an insult.
It might sound absurd, but in this era, to the nobility, this was indeed a grave matter—a matter of identity!
Joseph looked at Baron Breteuil and sighed. "Thank you for your suggestion," he said. "Perhaps the nobles should start getting accustomed to 'integrating' with ordinary people."
The nobility's sense of superiority and disdain for commoners wasn't just reflected in their wealth and privileges—it was deeply ingrained in every detail of their behavior, speech, and even their thoughts.
From their accents, mannerisms, and diets to their living arrangements, work, prison conditions, and even the way they were executed, nobles and commoners lived in completely separate worlds.
This separation was so pervasive that it had become second nature to the nobility—a subconscious assumption that this divide was both natural and justified. But this mindset was also the root of social division.
Joseph knew this was a profound problem, but he also understood it was one of the most difficult to solve.
Historically, it had taken the bloodshed of the French Revolution—tens of thousands of lives lost—to forcibly address this issue. And even then, it had taken years of turmoil, and the problem had persisted in different forms.
Baron Breteuil cautiously proposed, "Your Highness, we could arrange for these noble prisoners to be executed in private. It wouldn't require much effort..."
"That won't be necessary," Joseph replied, waving his hand as he glanced out at the crowd heading toward the execution site. "I've already made arrangements.
"Today, there will be no distinction between noble and common prisoners. They will all share the same identity. I believe the nobility will find no issue with a unified execution."
In truth, this execution was part of Joseph's broader experiment—an attempt to gradually dissolve the rigid class divisions in society.
If people accepted the sight of nobles and commoners being executed side by side, it could set a precedent. Over time, this could extend to shared prison conditions, and eventually to a convergence of certain lifestyle norms.
It was a slow process, akin to slicing salami—incremental and deliberate. While this approach might not be the most efficient, it was the best way to minimize social unrest.
Joseph wasn't certain that his method would succeed, but he felt it was better than doing nothing.
Baron Breteuil was about to argue further when Joseph preempted him:
"In fact, it's not just the criminals from this consolidated trial. Everyone on that list you handed me earlier will be executed in the same manner."
The justice minister froze in shock. The list he had given the Crown Prince for approval included prominent figures like Borrelé and Antonel—major nobles and tax farmers.
Breteuil had assumed the Crown Prince would make a token gesture but ultimately seek Queen Marie's pardon for these individuals. After all, while the Crown Prince had taken on most judicial responsibilities, the power of royal pardon still lay with the queen.
He had never imagined that the Crown Prince intended to execute Borrelé himself. Historically, nobles of such stature had often been able to substitute fines for even the gravest of crimes. This was an established tradition—a precedent.
Joseph detested such outdated traditions, which, in his view, belonged in the dustbin of history.
He glanced at the corner clock and stood up, motioning for Aymond to fetch his coat. He then clapped a reassuring hand on Breteuil's shoulder.
"It's about time. Would you like to join me at the Louvre Square?"
"Ah?" Breteuil was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded. "Of course, Your Highness."
Half an Hour Later
A massive police presence, assisted by the Crown Prince's personal guard, barely managed to carve out a path through the throngs of onlookers, allowing Joseph's carriage to reach the center of the square.
It wasn't negligence on the part of the police. The sheer number of spectators far exceeded their expectations.
The vast Louvre Square was packed with over 13,000 people, rendering it almost claustrophobic.
Despite the carriage's closed windows, the deafening cheers and shouts still reverberated within:
"These damned scoundrels are finally going to hell!""Thank you, Crown Prince! He's the one who brought these wicked tax farmers to justice!""Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the High Court!""See? The Crown Prince will not let them escape justice!""They deserve this day! Haha!"
Although Joseph had mentally prepared himself, he was still taken aback by the sheer intensity of public hatred for the tax farmers. Even during his triumphant return from the Southern Netherlands with the Royal Guard, the crowds had not been this fervent.
Soon, he ascended a three-meter-high platform on the square's north side, flanked by Cossade, the president of the High Court, the overseeing execution judge, and other officials. From this vantage point, he was finally above the sea of heads.
Taking a seat in the center, Joseph looked across the square. At its center stood a taller rectangular wooden platform with a device resembling a long-bladed guillotine—distinct from the iconic guillotines of revolutionary documentaries.
Perhaps it was for the best that the infamous guillotine had not yet been introduced.
Joseph nodded inwardly at the thought and signaled the High Court president, Dippold.
"Let's begin."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Dippold issued instructions, and soon the heavy beat of drums filled the air. The gathered crowd fell silent.
Next, an orchestra joined in, performing a solemn piece for over ten minutes before stopping abruptly. Dippold addressed the crowd in a loud voice:
"Today, we are honored by the presence of His Highness, the Crown Prince. Let us all pay him our respects."
Over 13,000 people bowed deeply toward the platform. Unlike previous gestures of obligatory formality, this act was heartfelt. The people genuinely revered the Crown Prince for his role in spearheading the tax reforms and bringing these notorious criminals to justice.
Joseph acknowledged their gesture with a smile and a nod. He stepped forward, gave a brief opening speech, and announced the commencement of the execution.
A drumroll ensued as the first condemned man, hands bound behind his back, was escorted onto the platform by two burly executioners.
But instead of a court official reading out the charges, a man dressed as a farmer followed the prisoner onto the stage.
The farmer seemed nervous at first, but upon seeing the condemned tax collector, he clenched his fists. His body trembled with emotion as he abandoned his rehearsed speech and shouted hoarsely:
"This bastard, Adrien Bernier! He accused me of hiding my harvest and demanded a fine of 50 livres! My sister became his mistress to pay off that fine, but two years ago, she died in childbirth because of him...!"
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