Chapter 3: Heading to Paris
Before Queen Mary could speak, the tall, thin man with chilling eyes suddenly cleared his throat, stepping half a pace forward.
"Your Majesty, it seems you mentioned that the Crown Prince would be participating in state affairs?"
Queen Mary tilted her head, her tone calm.
"Yes, Duke of Orleans. The Crown Prince and I agreed that once he completes his university studies, he may participate in national affairs."
The Duke of Orleans's eyes narrowed. 'The Crown Prince had always seemed unremarkable; why had he suddenly become so formidable? Had he been pretending all along? But why would he do that, and what was he plotting by suddenly revealing his abilities now?'
'Regardless, after years of his machinations, the royal family's prestige had significantly eroded, and their position was becoming increasingly precarious. If a "genius Crown Prince" suddenly emerged now, it would undoubtedly bolster the confidence of both the court and the common people in the monarchy.'
'This would be highly detrimental to his schemes. He had to find a way to suppress him!'
With that thought, he immediately declared, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is still young and lacks political experience. I believe it would be more appropriate to select a seasoned minister to tutor him in statecraft for a few years before he engages in governmental affairs."
Queen Mary's brow furrowed slightly. The Duke of Orleans had a point; while the Crown Prince's talent was remarkable, he was still only thirteen years old. If he were to blunder in national governance, it could severely damage his reputation.
Joseph glanced at the Duke of Orleans. As a transmigator, he was intimately familiar with the man's true nature—Philippe, Louis XVI's cousin. Everyone currently believed him loyal to the Crown and country, but in reality, his family had been plotting for generations to overthrow the royal line and seize the throne for themselves.
Historically, after the success of the French Revolution, when the Girondins voted on whether to execute the King, the Duke of Orleans unhesitatingly cast his vote in favor, ultimately condemning Louis XVI to death by a margin of 301 to 300 votes. It could be said that his pivotal vote sent Louis XVI to the Guillotine!
Joseph hadn't expected him to jump out so eagerly, and he met the challenge without yielding.
"Your Majesty, three hundred years ago, Joan of Arc was my age when she defeated the English army. She proved herself through her actions. Please believe in my capabilities and grant me the opportunity to prove myself!"
The Duke of Orleans spoke with sincere and earnest intent, "Your Highness, state affairs are of grave importance. It's not simply a matter of confidence that one can..."
Joseph wasn't about to humor him. He waved a dismissive hand. "Duke of Orleans, this is an agreement between myself and Her Majesty the Queen. Please do not interject."
He then turned to the Queen. "Mother, if I serve as Assistant to the Minister of Finance, wouldn't I also be learning alongside Archbishop Brienne?"
Several cabinet ministers exchanged startled glances. They hadn't expected the young Crown Prince to have the audacity to openly defy the Duke of Orleans. After all, even the Chief Minister typically had to consult with him.
The Duke of Orleans was even more taken aback that Joseph would so brazenly disrespect him. He stood stunned for a moment before recovering, then declared, flustered and exasperated,
"The national treasury is the lifeline of France! We absolutely cannot allow an inexperienced youth to meddle with it!"
Many ministers around them nodded in agreement. Queen Mary saw this, then looked at the steadfast Crown Prince, finally compromising.
"Joseph, you will begin your duties at the City Hall. If you perform well there, we can then reconsider your involvement in financial matters."
Joseph scanned the seven or eight cabinet ministers in the room. With them present, he knew it would be difficult for the Queen to give him special dispensation. It seemed he would have to start at the City Hall for a while and see how things developed. He nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The Duke of Orleans attempted to stir the pot further, stepping forward. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince should first receive more training..."
"It's decided," Queen Mary declared, raising a hand to cut him off. She turned to Archbishop Brienne. "Please continue with the tax reform discussion."
Joseph sat quietly, listening through the cabinet meeting. He gained a deeper understanding of France's dire financial situation—ninety percent of the discussion revolved around money, or, more accurately, the distinct lack thereof.
After the meeting concluded, the Queen insisted on rewarding him, pulling him along to sample a plethora of desserts. He tasted an array of exquisitely crafted cakes, puddings, and macarons, all of varying designs, until his throat ached from the sweetness. Only then was he finally released.
Joseph emerged from the tea room, his mind heavy with thought, when it suddenly occurred to him that he might be able to approach Louis XVI.
Upon reaching the King's private chambers, he was informed that Louis XVI was preoccupied with a "masterpiece" and had been eating and sleeping in the locksmith's workshop for three consecutive days, refusing to emerge.
Joseph suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. 'With a father like this, how could I *not* end up on the Guillotine?' he thought.
Never mind, 'Sixteen'—currently in the throes of his enthusiasm—would likely just send him back to the Queen anyway; a true boomerang effect. He shook his head with a wry smile, then turned to Eman. "Prepare the carriage. We're going straight to Paris City Hall."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Joseph exited the main gate of Versailles, he saw over a dozen carriages parked in the marble courtyard before him, with sixty or seventy people standing respectfully nearby.
He couldn't help but rub his forehead and shake his head. He recognized most of them: they were the Crown Prince's exclusive retinue, including beauticians, chefs, and tailors—all fully prepared, seemingly intending to follow him. No wonder so many carriages had been assembled.
Joseph quickly instructed Eman to send them back. Taking such a retinue to the City Hall would only cause chaos, wouldn't it?
Then, he glanced at the silver royal carriage parked before him. Its elegant cabin was covered in intricate carvings, with every curve and corner adorned with golden thread, making it incredibly luxurious.
He pondered for a moment, then turned and boarded a simpler carriage used by the attendants. 'Riding out in the royal carriage would guarantee no peace and quiet along the way,' he mused.
Soon, three dark gray carriages sped out of Versailles Square, galloping eastward.
Versailles was located in the western suburbs of Paris, still over three hours' carriage ride from the city center. Inside the carriage, Joseph yawned idly, his eyes catching sight of a stack of documents on the wooden table before him. He picked one up and began to flip through it, discovering it was detailed information about Paris City Hall.
He glanced at Eman, who sat opposite him. The butler immediately offered a polite, chest-hand salute, a slight smile on his face, clearly indicating he had prepared these materials.
To serve as the Crown Prince's butler required a keen perceptiveness far beyond that of an ordinary person. Joseph offered him a small, appreciative smile and a nod before diving into the documents. The content was remarkably thorough, detailing everything from the City Hall's organizational structure and functions to its daily operations.
As Joseph turned to the third page, he noticed that among the departments under the City Hall's jurisdiction, a police department was conspicuously listed.
He quickly scanned further down, confirming that the Paris Police were entirely under the City Hall's jurisdiction. His eyes lit up; he had discovered a good idea.
It appeared that his posting to the City Hall wouldn't be a waste of time after all. At the very least, he could thoroughly reform the Paris Police.
For the common people of France, chaotic public order was the second greatest nightmare, surpassed only by oppressive taxes. Being robbed or pickpocketed on the street was a minor inconvenience; home invasions, murders, and kidnappings were alarmingly common. And the gangs that constantly extorted and terrorized citizens were a festering blight upon Paris.
At present, modern police systems had yet to be established across Europe. Public order relied on citizens forming neighborhood watches for self-protection, and solving crimes was almost unthinkable. With rampant criminality, ordinary people lived in constant fear.
Therefore, reforming the police force held immense significance. Solving public safety issues would vastly improve social stability, and in turn, social stability would significantly curb the populace's impulse to overthrow the monarchy.
Joseph finished reviewing the City Hall documents, meticulously considering the finer points of police reform. By then, the carriage had entered the heart of Paris, and a suffocating stench of decay immediately wafted in through the window.
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