I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 229 Acting chivalrously

When Joseph saw the end of the report that read "British Consul Hollis committed suicide due to personal reasons" at the end of the report, he couldn't help but smile and shook his head.

It is indeed an old tradition to lead Ying, and he is absolutely cruel to his own people.

Although France had a large number of Tunisian Guards prisoners who could testify, the British government insisted that this was a false accusation, and Hollis, the only person involved, died again without any evidence.

Joseph didn't care about this. Anyway, it was impossible for France to go to war with Britain at the moment. He had made a lot of money in Tunisia, so let him let this episode go.

He continued to flip through the documents, which covered things ranging from the promotion of scientific composting methods to the construction progress of the Saint-Etienne Industrial Development Zone. From the laying of new miles of wooden track to progress in the development of high-pressure steam engines. From the Royal Ordnance Factory's trial production of percussion-fired cannons to the entry of cheap Russian linen and American cotton into France, Lyon's textile industry began to make profits...

There were all kinds of things that he had not yet finished dealing with until sunset.

But in general, France's industry, agriculture, science and technology, military and other aspects are on the right track and have begun to enter a period of development. This made Joseph feel exhausted after a busy day, but he felt quite happy.

He glanced at the last few documents, planning to read them all before going to dinner.

Next, this one is an application submitted by the Paris Police Academy.

Due to the good treatment of police academy students and the attractive development prospects after graduation, a large number of civilians have been attracted to apply, and some even came to Paris from distant places such as Gascony, Lyon, and Brittany.

Even though Friant had set the review standards extremely high, he still recruited more than 800 people one after another. Now the total number of trainees in the two classes of the police academy is almost 5,000.

This has far exceeded the capacity of the police academy designed at that time, so that many trainees had to squeeze two people into one bed.

Therefore, Friant applied to choose a new school site for expansion or to open a branch campus.

Joseph smiled slightly, immediately wrote an address at the end of the application, and asked Friant to continue enrolling students. Then he threw the document aside and waited for the staff to send it back to the police academy tomorrow.

It was the address of a manor house that was a birthday gift from Louis XVI and Queen Marie to Joseph.

Joseph's birthday was at the end of October. He was in Tunisia at the time, so he didn't celebrate his birthday much, but his parents still gave him a gift.

This manor was of little use to him. It was located on the outskirts of Paris and was just allocated to the police academy.

The buildings in the manor are all built, and the land has been leveled long ago. Students can go in and tidy up a little before starting classes.

When the current 5,000 students graduate, plus the Guards Corps, Joseph will have 8,000 elite soldiers in his hands. If you include the Mulan Corps, the number directly reaches 12,000.

At present, the total number of troops in France is only about 110,000 to 120,000, and the quality of the soldiers is far lower than that of Joseph's direct descendants. It can be said that by that time, as long as the entire French army does not rebel together, Joseph will be confident to ensure the absolute safety of the royal family.

At about 7 o'clock in the evening, Joseph yawned and picked up the last document on the table.

Somewhat unexpectedly, this was submitted by Denico, the manager of the "Paris Business" newspaper.

He read it roughly, and the content was complaining about the recent review standards of the Press and Publication Bureau.

More than half a month ago, the newspaper's news about the "Arson Case at Viscount Amber's House" failed to pass the review ten times in a row, resulting in the case never being published in the newspaper. After Denic inquired with other newspapers, he found that their news on this matter had also been "killed".

De Nico believed that this case did not involve the royal family and had no adverse effects, and that it had already been heard in the High Court. The Press and Publication Bureau should not ban it, so he took advantage of the relationship between "Paris News" and the Crown Prince to complain directly to Joseph.

Joseph couldn't help but frowned. Mono was in charge of the Press and Publication Bureau now. From the looks of it, this guy probably took bribes again to help those involved in the case silence the media.

"This habitual criminal of corruption..." Joseph shook his head and wrote a letter to Mono, reprimanding him and asking him to restrain himself, otherwise the Impartial Investigation Department would find him sooner or later.

He rubbed his sore shoulders, got up and walked towards the restaurant, but as soon as he left the office, he heard Eman's voice coming from the stairs: "Miss Frazier, if you want to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, please submit an appointment first. Apply. If approved, I will send someone to notify you..."

Frazee? The image of the middle school girl appeared in Joseph's mind. Isn't this her last name? What is she doing here?

He leaned towards the bottom of the stairs with some curiosity: "Eman, please let her come up."

"Oh, yes, Your Highness."

Sorel was still wearing the dark blue-based long dress. She walked up the stairs quickly with her long legs. She lifted her skirt and saluted Joseph with a somewhat anxious expression: "Salute to you, Your Highness. Thank you for agreeing to the opinion." I."

Joseph bowed slightly in return and let her into the office: "You seem to be in a hurry?"

"Yes, Your Highness." Sorel seemed a little embarrassed. After all, she had not been able to make amends for causing the crown prince to "lose 5,000 livres" last time, but she wanted to ask him for help this time.

But she immediately encouraged herself secretly in her heart: This is for fairness and justice, and His Highness will definitely understand!

So she took a deep breath and looked at Joseph: "Your Highness, please save those two heroes. I know I am a little abrupt, but besides you, I really don't know who to ask for help."

"Hero? Who are you talking about?" Monk Joseph Zhanger was confused.

"It's the Mallet brothers."

Joseph: "?"

Sorel's big eyes flashed a few times: "Have you not heard the news about the arson incident at Viscount Amber's house? Oh, by the way, the news was blocked in the newspapers. Those hateful bureaucrats..."

She suddenly realized that the "hateful bureaucrat" was appointed by the royal family, and quickly changed the subject: "That's right, Your Highness, there is a poor girl named Celine, who has been entangled by the shameless Viscount Amber for a long time.

"Her father was just a coppersmith and didn't dare to resist. So I helped her secretly several times.

"Who would have thought that the shameless noble kidnapped her into his villa last month! I was planning to sneak into the mansion at night to look for her, but suddenly I saw the Maletdu brothers appearing.

"They bravely set fires everywhere in Viscount Amber's house, and while the people in the villa were busy putting out the fire, they rescued Celine. Sure enough, she was reunited with her family the next day."

Joseph was a little surprised: "Set fire to save people?"

"Yes, Your Highness. There are only two of them. If you want to save people, that is a good way."

Sorel nodded matter-of-factly, and then said anxiously: "However, they were arrested two days later, and the High Court soon sentenced them to death.

"Your Highness, they are warriors who help poor people. They should not die like this. Please help them!"

Joseph immediately remembered the press and publication bureau's blocking of news about the arson case at Viscount Amber's house. He couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly, thinking that this guy Monod was doing something good this time. In order to prevent the Mallet brothers from becoming the focus of the news, Didn't the media report this?

Maybe the letter rebuking him doesn't need to be sent.

He asked the middle school girl: "How many people were killed or injured in the arson attack?"

"Viscount Amber and three of his minions are dead, and more than ten people are injured. But they all deserve their punishment!"

Sorel said, taking two more steps forward and kneeling on one knee: "Your Highness, the Mallet brothers are imprisoned in the Bastille and are said to be executed next week. Please try to pardon them!"

Joseph dragged her up and frowned: "This was a case last month, why is the execution so soon?"

According to the current legal process, even if the evidence is conclusive, it usually takes at least three to five months from sentencing to execution. The case only happened about half a month ago.

Sorel said anxiously: "I don't know this either. I tried to rescue them twice, but failed..."

Joseph's eyes twitched: "Rescue? You mean, go to the Bastille to rob the prison?"

"Yes, Your Highness." Sorel didn't seem to think there was anything wrong. "I saw them both times, but the lock of the cell couldn't be picked at all."

Joseph nodded: "That's not surprising, because those locks were made by my father himself."

Since Jeanne, the main criminal in the "Diamond Necklace Case" escaped from the Bastille the year before last, the enthusiastic Louis XVI helped the Bastille make a batch of new locks, using the double-row tooth technology he invented, which has excellent anti-pry properties. Excellent.

He signaled to Sorel again: "Please go back first, I will take care of this matter."

"Thank you so much! Your Highness."

After sending away the middle school girl, Joseph had a simple dinner and then sent someone to the Palace of Versailles overnight to inquire about the arson case from the Minister of Justice.

The next day, Baron Breteuil came to Joseph's office in person and reported the relevant cases to him.

"Your Highness, the two brothers are from minor aristocrat families, and I have never heard of them having a reputation for being chivalrous and righteous." The Minister of Justice said, "After they were arrested this time, they quickly confessed to the arson.

"I guess maybe the High Court thought their behavior was bad and Viscount Amber was quite influential, so they decided to execute them in advance."

Joseph frowned and shook his head, always feeling that something was wrong here.

He remembered that he had to go to the Paris Police Academy today, so he got into the carriage with the Minister of Justice and took a turn to the High Court of Justice on the way.

In the office of the President of the High Court, DuBoer lowered his head nervously and said carefully: "This is indeed not in compliance with the procedures, Your Highness. However, the two arsonists have strong evidence and will be guillotined sooner or later... I will carefully review the case, and then A formal report is submitted to you.”

Joseph looked at him sideways and smiled: "I need to know the inside story of this case, Mr. Dean."

DiBoer smiled dryly: "This... what can be the inside story about this?"

"Okay, then I will leave this case to Dandong. Or let the Royal High Court intervene."

Debord was suddenly covered in cold sweat, and he hurriedly signaled to the official at the door: "Let Judge Croet come here."

Croët was the judge directly responsible for the arson case. When he saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arriving in person and learned that the case might be brought to the Supreme Court, he immediately told the truth.

After a moment, Joseph frowned and looked at Croët: "Are you saying that it was Mono who asked you to quickly sentence and execute the two brothers immediately?"

"I swear, Your Highness, I took 30,000 livres from Count Monod, but he was a cabinet minister and he forced me to do this. I really dare not offend him!"

Joseph became more and more surprised. Mono used his press censorship power to block news of the arson case, while bribing the judge to execute the murderer as soon as possible.

What does this guy want to do?

He left a message to DuBoer: "Immediately imprison Judge Croët for review, and this matter must not be made public." Then he left the High Court.

Later, Joseph summoned Fouche and asked him to investigate the arson case as soon as possible, focusing on Monod.

The police intelligence department was extremely efficient. After only three days, Fouche placed the results of the investigation on the Dauphin's desk.

"Your suspicion is absolutely correct, Your Highness." The intelligence chief reported, "The woman named Celine and her family said seven days ago that they were going to Tunisia to reclaim land. In fact, they were killed as soon as they left Paris. Nearby. A farmer reported the case."

"Mono did it?"

"Although there is no direct evidence, it should be the person he sent." Fouche nodded, "In fact, we found out that the illegitimate son of Count Monod, the boy named Anthony who obtained the inheritance rights half a year ago, has been Fighting with Viscount Amber for that woman, oh, that's Celine.

"This matter is easy to find out. Many people in the aristocratic circle know about it, and both of them have fallen in love with that woman. It is said that Anthony raped her several times before."

Joseph's expression turned cold: "Just tell us the conclusion."

"Okay, Your Highness. The Maletdu brothers have a close relationship with Count Monod's son. This time, Viscount Amber and Anthony should have kidnapped her after failing to fight for the woman.

"Anthony was so angry that he sent his men to 'punish' Viscount Amber, but those two idiots chose to set fire to him for some reason. Oh, maybe they couldn't find any other way to deal with Amber."

"So, after the Maletdu brothers were arrested, Mono was worried that reporters would find out the truth, so he blocked the relevant news. Then he bribed the judges and asked them to threaten the two brothers not to reveal their sons, and to get the results as quickly as possible Killed two people. Then it will become dead without evidence."

"This bastard!" Joseph slapped the table hard and said in a deep voice, "First send someone to keep an eye on Mono's house to prevent that dude from escaping, but don't make any other moves for the time being."

"Yes, Your Highness." Fouche bowed and retreated.

Joseph looked at the investigation report in front of him and couldn't help but frown and fell into thought. Morneau's case must be severely punished, but after all, this guy is the Home Secretary and the third-in-command of the cabinet. Dealing with him directly would have too much impact. What should be done to avoid causing a serious political earthquake?

However, the development of things was beyond his expectation.

The very next day, the headlines of major newspapers were almost all the news: "The son of the Home Secretary is suspected of being involved in the arson case at Viscount Amber's house and has been summoned."

All Paris was shaken.