Chapter 1373: Upper Germania and Africa
It's crucial to understand that if the Clergy Civil Organization Act hadn't severely undermined the grassroots structure of the French Church, social order during the Great Revolution wouldn't have collapsed so rapidly.
In front of the gates of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, after Archbishop Brienne's carriage disappeared at the end of the road, Archbishop Sance looked at Beaumont with a pained expression. "If we allow the peasants to redeem the land, the Church stands to lose a considerable amount of money..."
The redemption price set during France's land reform was remarkably low, and the funds would be paid over many years. All in all, the Church stood to incur significant losses.
Archbishop Beaumont sighed heavily. "You know, Father Grenier and his faction have begun to gain the Crown Prince's trust. We must seize the opportunity while His Highness is preoccupied with the wedding to quickly resolve these issues."
Indeed, the reformists were vying for twenty archbishop positions, which was far more unacceptable to them than merely losing some money.
"That's right," Archbishop Chartres nodded. "Monge, Talleyrand, Theresa, and others are all supporting Grenier, while we have only Archbishop Brienne to rely on in the cabinet. If we don't thoroughly defeat the reformists before he retires, we will undoubtedly be even more passive later on."
Finally, the archbishops fell silent.
Seeing this, Beaumont nodded and instructed, "Archbishop Chartres, you will accompany me to an audience with the Crown Prince the day after tomorrow. The rest of you, announce the decision to your respective dioceses..."
The day after Beaumont and the reformists clashed at Versailles, three Bernese parliament members donned their most formal attire and arrived outside the gates of Versailles with over a dozen servants. The servants were all tasked with carrying gifts, as the Swiss had sold off their last valuable possessions, managing to gather a present that was, at least, somewhat presentable.
The latter wiped the sweat from his palms and gritted his teeth. "This is our only chance; we have to try. In my experience as a lawyer, using someone's own words is the most likely way to persuade them."
Over ten minutes later, the three men, guided by Eman, entered the Crown Prince's reception room and immediately saw the handsome young man, dressed in a cavalry officer's uniform, exuding an extraordinary presence.
The Swiss hurried forward, adhering to the most standard court etiquette, bowing respectfully, introducing themselves, and presenting their gifts. The entire procedure was executed flawlessly—they had practiced it hundreds of times before coming here.
Count Erlach was recalling his 'lines' when he saw the French Crown Prince nod to them. "I heard that you gentlemen encountered a despicable crime in Paris, and I deeply regret it."
The Crown Prince then looked at a tall man behind him. "Viscount of Besançon."
"Yes, Your Highness."
France's Police Commissioner hurried forward two steps and bowed slightly to the Swiss. "Regarding the fraud you gentlemen experienced, we have largely uncovered the details of the case."
Count Erlach hadn't expected the Crown Prince to care about their being defrauded, and both men showed expressions of flattered surprise.
Besançon continued, "I've reviewed your incident report. First, at the ball in Karlsruhe, those who greeted the so-called 'Viscount Nobert' were all likely accomplices of the criminals. And as for your observation of the criminal constantly working alongside Count Mirabeau—according to what we learned from His Excellency the Count via signal tower—he was being interviewed by a reporter from the Paris News at the time. The criminal forged a press credential and then pretended to be bad at shorthand, bothering His Excellency the Count for over three hours, until he was certain you had seen him."
Count Erlach's eyes widened instantly, and he unconsciously asked, "So, when we were taken to the Minister of Trade's office..."
Besançon cleared his throat lightly. "Ahem, Vicomte de Freize certainly made an oversight in this matter. At the time, a shop claimed they could provide exquisitely crafted doors. As they were recommended by a merchant who frequently served the court, he agreed to let them install one in an empty room on the west side of the first floor to test it out. Yes, that was the fraudsters' shop."
"After that, those people began construction, and while the supervisor was at lunch, they hung up a pre-prepared sign that read 'Minister of Trade's Office'. The 'craftsmen' quickly shed their coats, revealing the uniforms they wore underneath. At that moment, you were conveniently brought to the front of that 'office'."
"If I'm not mistaken, as soon as you entered, the sign at the door was taken down, so no one else saw it. In reality, most of the rooms on the west side of the first floor are empty, and few people ever go there. All ministerial offices are on the second floor. If you had known this common fact, perhaps you wouldn't have..."
"You know what happened next. The criminals signed the bill of exchange in front of you, then, after you left, they went to the bank to withdraw it."
Count Erlach closed his eyes in despair and muttered quietly to himself, 'God, I was such a fool...'
Besançon glanced at Joseph and told the Swiss, "Please rest assured, His Highness the Crown Prince has devised a plan to apprehend the criminals, and those individuals should be arrested very soon."
Count Erlach took it as mere reassurance; after all, so much time had passed that the fraudsters could have fled anywhere by now. Nevertheless, he immediately bowed to the Crown Prince in thanks.
Joseph gestured to the sofa, inviting them to sit. "Is there something you gentlemen wish to discuss with me?"
Count Erlach quickly stood up again, took a deep breath, and declared loudly, in an almost operatic tone, "Respected Highness the Crown Prince, please allow Avench to return to the long-awaited embrace of great Rome!"
Joseph was taken aback and looked at Bailly beside him with a pleading gaze.
The latter reacted instantly and quickly leaned in to whisper, "It is an important city established by the Helvetii in the province of Upper Germania, Your Highness."
'The Helvetii? The province of Upper Germania?' Joseph was still confused when he heard Count Erlach continue in a fervent tone, "Look, the theater of Avench still stands firm against the winds, and the imperial hot springs still emanate steam to this day. The roads constructed by His Majesty Gallienus still connect the Empire's provinces on the other side of the Alps, carrying trade and civilization from east to west, and even today, they still bring prosperity to Bern..."
Joseph quickly searched his mind for information, finally recalling some Roman history he had read while in Tunisia. Gallienus seemed to be a Roman Emperor from the third century. 'So, Upper Germania refers to a Roman-era province? And the Swiss are talking about the history of the Bern canton?'
Count Erlach suddenly bowed to him. "Merciful Highness, since you have already allowed the province of Africa to return to the Empire, why would you refuse the plea of another group of Roman citizens?"
Joseph's eyelid twitched; he genuinely wanted to give these Swiss men a round of applause.
Africa was the Roman-era name for Tunisia, and the 'Roman compatriots' there had 'returned' to France precisely through his own machinations...
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