I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 254 Aftermath

At present, the big bosses in the dignitary meeting are all anxious and bloodshot. They are desperately urging the military to quell the local riots as soon as possible. How can they care about the "Abolition of Privileges Bill".

Without these big nobles taking the lead, other nobles who wanted to preserve their privileges would not be able to fight against the abolitionist faction, which was joined by a large number of nobles in robes.

During this time, even on the streets of Paris there were citizen rallies supporting the abolition of privileges. Of course, this was also arranged by Joseph.

Queen Mary glanced at the document at hand, frowned and sighed: "The riots are becoming more and more serious. Count Dimonceau and others were even killed by thugs. I am not in the mood to discuss these bills now."

"Your Majesty, there is no conflict between quelling the riots and these bills." Talleyrand bowed and said, "Moreover, the contents of these bills can appease the poorest people and will be very helpful in stopping the riots."

His expression was full of reverence: "Your Majesty, canceling the privileges of the nobility will greatly reduce the burden of the farmers and improve their lives. This will make tens of millions of farmers in France grateful for your kindness and always remember your gifts. .”

His words moved Queen Mary slightly.

Some people had maliciously tarnished her reputation before, spreading rumors that she was "spending money" and "eating cake when she couldn't afford bread", which caused her reputation to fall into the abyss.

At present, this bill has the support of most nobles. If I can be its signatory, my image among the people will be greatly improved.

And it would really help to quell the riots.

She nodded immediately: "Okay, let's discuss this matter at the cabinet meeting tomorrow."

…

The detention room on the second basement floor of the Police Information Division.

Joseph, who was wearing a red hunting suit, pushed the black tea with three tablespoons of sugar in front of Mono, sighed softly and said: "Brothers Mallet have admitted that it was the Duke of Orleans who instigated them to frame your son."

Mono's pupils suddenly shrank and he almost knocked over the hot tea cup.

He was caught in Brittany. In fact, if he hadn't been reluctant to part with his little money and wanted to take advantage of the riot to quietly send a large money order to the Bank of England, he would not have been caught by the Police Intelligence Department.

Nowadays, major banks basically have supervisors dispatched by the Reserve Bank of France, who will confirm the legality of large-value transactions. Monod, who was at the top of the supervision list, was taken away by the Police Intelligence Service the day after he proposed a money order of hundreds of thousands of livres.

"My...Your Highness..." The former Home Secretary only said two words for a long time.

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him and said calmly: "Your biggest mistake is to believe in the Duke of Orleans."

"Your Highness..."

Joseph nodded: "You once stood by me when I needed help the most, but you stood against me for some benefits.

"But I am a nostalgic person, and I have never forgotten your goodness.

"You must have noticed that there has never been any news in the newspapers that you maliciously diverted grain reserves, causing food shortages. I asked them to suppress the news."

The light of hope appeared in Mono's eyes, and he choked with sobs: "Your Highness, it's all my fault! Your great kindness is really..."

Joseph interrupted him again: “But you did bring great disaster to the country.

"Now I give you one last chance. Either I will sentence you to exile in Nice or Dauphine."

Mono's face suddenly turned pale, his eyes widened, and he shook his head repeatedly: "No, please don't do this..."

He was responsible for the food disaster. If he were exiled to the most affected place in the south, if the news leaked, he would be killed by the angry citizens immediately.

Joseph continued: "Or, as a bewitched person, you can prove that the Duke of Orleans is the culprit of all this. You can exile Nancy. However, you must have conclusive evidence."

"No..." Mono's face looked almost like a dead person. Testifying against the most powerful duke in the royal family is not much different from letting him die.

Joseph smiled and said: "Don't worry, we will discuss this matter after the Duke of Orleans passes away."

Mono was so shocked that he jumped up from his chair and lost his voice: "No, no... you mean, he, he is dead?"

This was also the purpose for which Joseph had kept him.

As long as the Duke of Orleans is alive, with his huge influence in France and his incomparable financial resources, even if the evidence is conclusive, the most he can do is fine him a large sum of money and reprimand him, and even exile is impossible.

But if he dies and is charged with serious crimes such as causing famine and inciting riots, no one will dare or be willing to stand up and speak for him.

The Marquis de Saint-Villan did not know much about the food crisis, but Monod knew all about it.

The former interior minister looked at the smiling and silent young man in front of him and shuddered unconsciously. After a long time, he lowered his head and muttered: "Yes, yes, Your Highness. I have his letter, and I will listen to you. Testify, Yes, testify against him..."

At the cabinet meeting the next day, Queen Mary signed the decree "Abolition of Noble Privileges" with the unanimous approval of all ministers.

At this point, the privileges of feudal lords that seriously hindered the development of French industry and capital have officially become history, and there is a glimmer of light on the road to the French Industrial Revolution.

At the same time, the Minister of Justice, Baron Breteuil, dropped a bomb that shocked the whole of France - the Minister of the Interior, Monod, who had "disappeared" for a long time, surrendered to the High Court and revealed that the man behind the food crisis in the south was the Duke of Orleans. !

For a time, no one even paid attention to the "Abolition of Privileges Decree". From the Palace of Versailles to the streets of Paris, everyone was discussing the matter enthusiastically.

But just as Joseph expected, a large number of nobles gathered at the Little Trianon Palace that afternoon to plead with Queen Mary for the Duke of Orleans.

It was not until three days later that news came back from Armor that the Duke of Orleans had been shot to death by rioting citizens with a stolen cannon.

The Palace of Versailles was shaken again.

But this time people only strongly demanded that the riot be suppressed and the murderers severely punished, but no one mentioned the pardon of the Duke of Orleans.

Joseph looked at the nobles who were filled with indignation and asked the military to put down the chaos as soon as possible from the window. He just smiled and shook his head.

Forty-eight of the nobles on his playing cards have been hammered by angry people.

The remaining four people were unable to charge down because the manor's defenses were too good and the number of local residents was small. There are also cases where police intelligence agents make mistakes and have to interrupt their plans.

According to the plans made in advance, the southern provinces should have entered the aftermath stage at this time. If nothing else goes wrong, the rioters will soon return home and order will be restored in the provinces.

As early as half a month ago, the Paris Police Department dispatched a large number of officials to riot provinces to "guide" the work of local police.

This is just the first step in the aftermath.