Chapter 255: The Duke of Orleans' Contribution
The Petit Trianon.
Queen Mary sighed, a worried frown on her face:
"This is simply a disaster. Even someone of the Duke of Orleans' esteemed status was murdered by those commoners..."
Joseph nudged a strawberry cake toward her:
"He actually committed treason."
The Queen gestured to the musicians seated by the door:
"Mozart's new 'Sonata in A Minor', please."
She shook her head, looking at the cake:
"Even so, he should have been judged by the proper authorities, not met such an ignominious end."
A mournful melody from the piano made him wince. He turned and shot a look at Clémentine, who was shamelessly devouring cake beside him.
The young girl quickly wiped the cake crumbs from her mouth and linked arms with the Queen:
"Dear Aunt, please don't be too sad. God will surely punish those cruel rioters... Oh, by the way, would you like some pudding? Just add a double serving of sugar, and pudding always makes all worries disappear."
Joseph pressed a hand to his forehead, glancing repeatedly toward the piano.
Clémentine finally uttered a surprised 'Oh,' then slipped over to the musicians and whispered a few words.
The piano music paused, then transitioned into Handel's cheerful "Water Music."
The music was finally fitting. Joseph turned to Queen Mary and said:
"Mother, this precisely illustrates why using the army for public order is unsuitable.
"You see, army deployments are inherently slow, and they're typically stationed in barracks. When something happens in the city, it takes a long time for them to arrive.
"Furthermore, their powerful firepower is useless for maintaining order and could even accidentally injure innocent people.
"This time, there were also civilian demonstrations in Paris, but no unrest occurred, precisely because Paris underwent Police Reform, and the police patrolling the streets quickly brought the situation under control."
Queen Mary looked at her son: "So, you believe Police Reform should be implemented elsewhere as well?"
"Yes, I am quite certain that promoting the new police system can swiftly quell riots."
Implementing Police Reform nationwide required enormous funding, with tens of millions of Livres needed in the first year alone. Previously, the Queen had been cautious, but this latest unrest had shaken her resolve.
"But, that requires a lot of money..."
Joseph smiled:
"I've discussed it with Archbishop Brienne, and the financial pressure isn't significant. For example, we can use banks for investment loans or issue special bonds..."
Of course, this was merely a pretense to persuade his mother. In reality, he had his sights set on the tens of millions of Livres worth of assets belonging to the Duke of Orleans.
He knew that many nobles, including the Queen, believed the Duke of Chartres should inherit this wealth.
However, with the High Court under his control, and the Duke of Orleans being guilty of treason, if he couldn't confiscate his assets even now, he might as well just give up.
Once he had this massive sum, not only would there be enough for Police Reform, but even for local Tariff Reform.
Truth be told, this was probably the only contribution the Duke of Orleans had ever made to France in his lifetime.
Queen Mary hesitated for a long time, then finally nodded:
"Then let it be as you say. Implement Police Reform nationwide."
She also knew that Police Reform was her son's initiative, and if it could truly control unrest, it would significantly boost the Crown Prince's prestige.
Joseph's heart swelled with joy. He immediately spooned a double-sugared strawberry pudding into his mother's mouth, then pulled out the pre-prepared decree for her signature, and dashed out of the Petit Trianon.
"Cousin..."
Clémentine had intended to bid Joseph farewell, but when she turned, he was nowhere to be seen. She immediately pouted in disappointment and turned to the Queen instead:
"Dear Aunt, you know that His Majesty, my uncle, is not in good health. Father wants me to return to Vienna with him to visit His Majesty, so I will be leaving Paris in a few days."
The uncle she spoke of was the current Archduke of Austria, Emperor Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire.
Queen Mary's expression shifted slightly. Joseph II had no direct heir, which meant calling back his younger brother, Clémentine's father, Leopold II, to succeed to the throne. This was the posture of succession.
Though she knew her brother had long suffered from chronic illness, she hadn't realized it was so severe. She quickly asked:
"How is your uncle?"
"Father said His Majesty only handles half an hour of state affairs each day..."
Queen Mary's head drooped sadly. So many distressing things had happened recently, making her feel as if she had aged several years overnight.
Soon, the "Sonata in A Minor" resonated through the room once more.
...
Joseph secured the decree for nationwide Police Reform, feeling a considerable weight lift from his mind.
Though he was confident he could persuade his mother and had even dispatched personnel to implement the reforms in advance, many matters would lack proper authority without a formal decree.
He knew that popular unrest was a ferocious beast.
He had unleashed this beast to consume the rotting flesh of France, but if it couldn't be made to disappear quickly, it would continue to devour France's very life force.
Therefore, this "small revolution" he had instigated, targeting the feudal privileged class, was only halfway through.
It was only because he now fundamentally controlled the country's domestic affairs, public opinion, judiciary, finance, military, and other departments that he dared to risk such potent medicine. Yet, even so, a slight misstep could lead to a massive crisis.
Before long, he boarded a carriage bound for Paris, to personally oversee the High Court's registration of the Police Reform decree.
He gazed out the window at Versailles Palace and suddenly shook his head with a wry smile. Ever since he had arrived in this world, he had been desperately trying to avoid the Great Revolution, only to end up orchestrating a small revolution himself.
...
Southern France.
Nice.
In front of the Police Bureau, an officer newly arrived from Paris observed the hundred-plus unkempt civilian patrol team members before him. Recalling how the Crown Prince had addressed him back then, he tried to emulate his demeanor:
"Gentlemen, good morning! I don't like to waste words; there are only three points...
"First, from now on, all civilian patrol teams in Nice will be incorporated into the Police Department and become official police officers!
"Second..."
In a daze, he was transported back to the Saint Antoine District, to that life-changing morning.
He suddenly declared in a loud voice:
"Believe me, this will be an opportunity to change your destiny!"
This particular line had not been spoken by the Crown Prince back then.
After only a day of training in the use of riot control forks, these newly appointed police officers received crisp uniforms and, accompanied by two officers, took to the streets of Nice.
Of course, the original old police force also followed closely behind them.
The officers from Paris had said that if they performed well enough, they wouldn't have to join the "routine duties squad."
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