Chapter 6: Starting as a Minor Official
Early the next morning.
Paris Municipal Commissioner Le Verber's jowly face jiggled as he waved to Flesselles, the President of the Chamber of Commerce. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he remarked:
"By the way, what are your thoughts on the case the Crown Prince solved yesterday?"
Flesselles exclaimed, "The Crown Prince's intelligence truly astounds me. I genuinely look forward to the day he leads France."
"Couldn't agree more," Le Verber said with a smile. "After careful consideration, I believe His Highness is perfectly capable of serving as a Police Commissioner."
After Le Verber's persistent persuasion, Flesselles was ultimately convinced. The Crown Prince himself wanted a position in the Police Bureau, so it was a good opportunity to do him a favor.
Meanwhile, as Joseph entered the City Hall gates, he saw the stout Mayor approaching, his face wreathed in smiles:
"Your Highness, yesterday, the old Police Commissioner Similion of the Saint-Antoine District took an extended leave of absence due to illness. I wonder if you would be interested in serving as Police Commissioner?"
"Saint-Antoine District?" The Chamber President paused, startled, then leaned towards Le Verber and whispered, "Why didn't you say it was *there* earlier? That area is far too chaotic. What if His Highness..."
Flesselles wanted to say more, but the stout Mayor stepped in front of him. "Your Highness, Similion's remaining staff are all experienced. You can rest assured."
Joseph was a little surprised. 'How quickly these two changed their tune,' he thought, but he immediately agreed. "Very well, I accept this position."
He had learned yesterday that a Police Commissioner oversaw all police matters in a major district, with the Commissioner of Police being the rank above. It was unlikely the City Hall would appoint him as Commissioner of Police, given his age.
Le Verber immediately launched into another round of flattery, escorting the Crown Prince all the way to the Police Bureau and personally overseeing the issuance of the appointment documents. Only then did he depart, satisfied.
Joseph wasted no time. Under the personal escort of Commissioner of Police Guizot, he immediately drove to the Saint-Antoine District to assume his post.
After the carriage traveled for over an hour, it entered the Saint-Antoine District. The surrounding scenery instantly grew several shades more dilapidated.
The residents moving about wore vacant expressions. Makeshift shacks, on the verge of collapse, were visible everywhere. Foul-smelling homeless individuals slumped idly in corners. Half the shops were shuttered, and roadside vendors were few and far between. Only streetwalkers in cheap clothes languidly solicited customers, providing the sole signs of life in the area.
Not long after, Joseph witnessed several instances of protection money being collected. Later, he encountered two gangs brawling in the street, blood flowing everywhere. Bystanders, seeing this from afar, fled with bowed heads. Throughout it all, no police appeared.
Guizot, however, seemed accustomed to the scene. He merely chattered excitedly about balls and dances, even encouraging the Crown Prince to attend a masquerade ball next month.
Joseph mused inwardly, 'No wonder this place was one of the first to riot during the French Revolution. Anyone living in such conditions for a few years, accompanied by extreme poverty, would undoubtedly accumulate a belly full of resentment. Once it erupted, the destructive power would be astonishing.'
He let out a long sigh. It seemed his decision to come to the Saint-Antoine District was indeed the right one.
Another half hour later, the carriage stopped before a small courtyard enclosed by uneven wooden planks. Inside the courtyard stood a dilapidated building, devoid of any discernible signs.
Guizot gestured eagerly outside the carriage. "Your Highness, this is the Saint-Antoine District Police Bureau."
A police officer outside the courtyard saw that the person disembarking from the carriage was none other than the Commissioner of Police. He hastily ran inside to report. A moment later, several officials from the Police Bureau, leading a group of subordinates, quickly hurried out to greet them.
Guizot first bowed deeply to Joseph. Then, he looked at the crowd before him, cleared his throat, and declared loudly, "The esteemed Crown Prince has graced us with his presence! From now on, he will serve as the Police Commissioner here." His assistant immediately presented the appointment documents.
Everyone at the Saint-Antoine District Police Bureau froze in astonishment, unsure how to react. 'How did such a prominent figure end up in our humble little district?' they thought. 'But isn't the Crown Prince only thirteen? Good heavens, he's going to be the Police Commissioner? The Police Bureau will surely be thrown into chaos...'
After a long moment, a tall, lean man with deep-set eyes finally stepped forward. He bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, your arrival truly graces our humble district! Assistant Police Commissioner Bono sincerely welcomes you on behalf of everyone here."
He then turned to introduce the others beside him. "Your Highness, this is Public Security Inspector Marconi of the Second Squad. And this is the Public Security Inspector of the Third Squad..."
The several Public Security Inspectors hurried forward to salute. Joseph smiled and returned each salute. He had seen in the City Hall documents that the Assistant Police Commissioner was the second-in-command of the Police Bureau. Public Security Inspectors were responsible for dispatching and commanding police officers on patrol, typically having over a dozen subordinates, placing them in the middle management of the Police Bureau.
Bono and the others escorted Joseph into the Police Bureau. Marconi quickened his pace, approaching him, and said with a face full of admiration, "Your Highness, I heard from César that you solved a murder case in merely a little over ten minutes yesterday. It makes us police officers, who have been working for over a decade, feel utterly ashamed of ourselves!"
Joseph hadn't expected the news to reach the Saint-Antoine District so quickly. He hastily offered a few modest words.
Upon entering the dilapidated Police Bureau building, Joseph frowned at the throng of police officers trailing behind him. He instructed them not to follow him, but to go about their duties. He even dismissed Guizot.
The surroundings finally quieted down. Joseph, led by Bono, arrived at the Police Commissioner's office. He surveyed the room, then sat down at a wide oak desk.
Bono said, his face plastered with a solicitous smile, "Your Highness, would you like tea or hot cocoa? I will immediately arrange your dinner."
"Thank you, but there's no need," Joseph waved his hand, cutting him off. "Please bring me the documents regarding the district's situation, as well as those concerning cases and personnel."
Bono was somewhat astonished. 'He had thought the Crown Prince was merely coming to play around for a few days,' he mused. 'He didn't expect him to be serious!'
The documents were brought to him quickly. Joseph only flipped through a few pages before his brows furrowed. Last month alone, the Saint-Antoine District saw 28 murders, 63 robberies, and 220 thefts...
And this district only had a population of 80,000!
These figures only accounted for reported cases. Who knew how many went unreported? The situation was far worse than he had imagined.
Joseph then picked up the police personnel records. The entire Saint-Antoine District had 181 police officers. Of these, 120 had purchased their positions, while only 61 had joined the force through inheritance, recruitment, and other legitimate means.
Additionally, there were civilian-organized patrol teams, totaling over 200 people.
He had seen in documentaries that the most common activity for Paris police at the time was extortion! They extorted everyone, from merchants to criminals to victims. As for combating crime? They'd get to it when they had time, after all, they had to recoup the money they spent buying their positions, didn't they?
Therefore, maintaining public order largely depended on these civilian patrol teams. However, they were volunteers, had no enforcement authority, and their weapons were crude. They could only intimidate thugs and couldn't even make arrests.
Thus, the truly effective police force consisted of only those 60-plus recruited individuals.
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