Chapter 84: The Boomerang of Public Opinion
Joseph replied with some excitement:
"I've read many of your articles," he continued. "I always found it strange that as a freedom fighter, you never attacked the most sordid, corrupt, and darkest place in Paris. It wasn't until I read that article of yours that I realized I had misjudged you."
Marat blinked, a puzzled expression on his face:
"The most corrupt and darkest place you speak of is...?"
Joseph clenched his fist and declared:
"The High Court, of course! It's rife with money-power transactions, constantly creating miscarriages of justice. The judges there turn victims' suffering into a means of getting rich. That place is the source of all the hardships faced by the people of Paris!"
He wasn't slandering the High Court in the slightest; numerous historical records confirm that, at this time, the High Court was the most corrupt institution in France, without exception!
Because judgeships were gradually becoming hereditary, and the power of judges was increasing, the outcome of lawsuits had completely devolved into a contest of who could bribe the judges more effectively.
Consequently, many common people, when facing problems, would rather seek help from gangs than ever go to court.
Marat frowned. His intelligence network was extensive, and he was naturally aware of the sordid dealings within the High Court.
Compared to the High Court, the bureaucrats in other departments seemed as pure as an innocent young girl.
Joseph continued:
"Your article was truly excellent, fiercely condemning the High Court's shameless obstruction of the Tax Bill and exposing the dirty deals between them and the aristocracy!"
Hearing this, Marat couldn't help but feel a pang of shame. His article had only mentioned that the bill was beneficial to the national treasury and that the court had no sufficient reason to reject it, suggesting that the three consecutive rejections of registration must have had ulterior motives.
But it was still far from the "fierce condemnation" Mr. 'Xavier' described.
Joseph seemed to be delivering a monologue:
"Because the High Court holds the power of publication censorship, no newspaper has ever dared to expose their depravity. But I have decided to declare war on them!
"Even if my newspaper is shut down, even if I am thrown into prison, I will never regret it! At least, the esteemed Mr. Marat fought alongside me!"
Listening to his impassioned and stirring declaration, Marat suddenly felt like an utter coward.
Subconsciously aware that anything involving the High Court would struggle to pass publication censorship, he had unconsciously avoided that area. How much depravity and injustice had been buried beneath lies due to this cowardice?
'Young Mr. Xavier is the true fighter!'
Joseph watched Marat's expression, thinking to himself, 'Success or failure hinges on this moment.' He took a deep breath and said:
"Mr. Marat, I know all this is incredibly dangerous. Even if you choose to back down, I would completely understand. But I will continue to fight to the very end for the people of France!"
Marat felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head. He sprang to his feet, clenched his fists tightly, and declared earnestly:
"I will fight alongside you to expose the High Court's wickedness! We will restore judicial fairness and dignity to the people!"
...
The Police Intelligence Bureau headquarters, on the western outskirts of Paris.
Accompanied by Fouché and other senior officials from the Police Intelligence Bureau, Joseph swiftly passed rooms marked "Intelligence Team," "Operations Team," and "Resources Team" before entering the director's office at the end of the corridor.
The Police Intelligence Bureau had developed rapidly. Fouché had just given him a brief report. The Bureau now commanded over 400 "officers," and its informants were spread throughout Paris.
Important departments such as City Hall, the courts, and embassies had all established comprehensive intelligence networks, collecting and consolidating information punctually every day.
Currently, in terms of intelligence-gathering capability, even the Secret Police, with seven or eight times their numbers, wouldn't dare claim superiority over the Police Intelligence Bureau.
Joseph took a seat at the desk, first commending Fouché and his team for their excellent work, then proceeded to assign tasks:
"The Police Intelligence Bureau must thoroughly investigate the corruption and criminal activities of the High Court's chief justices and important officials within one month!"
He could have simply sent someone to instruct Fouché on these matters, but as it concerned his own political future, he decided to visit the Police Intelligence Bureau personally to emphasize its importance.
"And the Duke of Seville, Count Sérurier..." He glanced at the slip of paper in his hand, rattling off more than a dozen names—all grand aristocrats Soumial had mentioned in the cabinet meeting as supporters of Archbishop Brienne's dismissal.
"These individuals must also be thoroughly investigated. Whether it's seducing women, tax evasion, or even assaulting servants—everything discoverable should be looked into!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Joseph then recited a string of street names and house numbers, telling Fouché:
"This is Marat's address."
Fouché asked, puzzled:
"Jean-Paul Marat? The stubborn anti-royalist?"
Joseph nodded:
"For now, he's 'one of us.' You can have your subordinates voluntarily act as his informants, feeding him any compromising information found on the High Court."
He had successfully guided Marat, the "piranha," toward the High Court. The prey needed a few wounds for the "piranha" to tear at it more fiercely.
...
The High Court of Paris.
In the chief justice's lounge on the second floor, Chief Justice Vezinier hurled a crumpled newspaper forcefully at the face of the official before him, exclaiming angrily:
"What in the world are you doing?! How could you let this garbage pass censorship?!"
The official carefully picked up the newspaper, unfolded it, and saw it was a copy of the Paris Business Journal. The headline on the front page boldly declared: "The Dangers of Hereditary Judgeships in the High Court."
He frowned, then looked at the News and Pictures Gazette behind it. Its front page read: "A Discussion on the Scope of High Court Authority."
He hastily defended himself:
"Count Vezinier, these articles are not problematic. I reviewed them carefully yesterday. While they do contain some suggestive or misleading content..."
The hawk-nosed judge beside Vezinier frowned and interjected:
"Are you certain?"
The official responsible for news censorship stammered:
"Perhaps... I could ask them to change the headline."
Vezinier's face darkened:
"Your censorship standards could be stricter!"
The official immediately bowed his head and replied:
"Yes, my lord. I will ensure similar articles do not appear again."
Vezinier turned to the judge beside him:
"Have René take his men to this newspaper office and find some pretext to shut it down."
"You're right. I'll go give him the orders now."
Two hours later, over thirty Publication Police officers, armed with clubs and shields, surrounded the front and back entrances of the Paris Business Journal office.
Although the Publication Police bore the name "police," they were not managed by the Police Bureau; instead, like bailiffs, they operated under the High Court's jurisdiction.
René, the leader of the Publication Police, strode into the newspaper office with a few men. He grabbed a worker and demanded sharply:
"Who is in charge here?"
The worker nervously pointed to Denico's office. René pushed him aside and stormed into the office, pointing at Denico and snapping:
"Are you the one in charge here? Immediately gather everyone in the open space over there! I am conducting a full inspection!"
However, before Denico could reply, René heard a whistle blast from outside the newspaper office.
René turned to look and saw over a dozen blue-uniformed police officers running in formation, accompanied by the whistles.
He approached them, bewildered, and saluted the leading officer by tipping his hat:
"Excuse me, are you here to apprehend criminals?"
The officer glanced at him, then said coldly:
"What are you doing here?"
René produced the court document:
"This newspaper office may contain contraband. I am here by order to conduct a search!"
The leading officer, however, disregarded him and stated:
"Have your men leave the newspaper office immediately."
René blinked, then raised the court document again:
"I am carrying out orders, please, I must..."
The leading officer waved a hand, and the police behind him immediately formed two lines. The front row pointed their riot control forks at the Publication Police, while the back row cocked their muskets.
René stared at the gaping muzzles of the guns, his neck retracting in fear. Still, he yelled, putting on a fierce visage but revealing a soft core:
"What do you think you're doing?!"
The leading officer smiled:
"My mission is to prevent any outsiders from interfering with the newspaper office's operations. Please leave immediately!"
René tried to resist, but then he saw another squad of police arrive, encircling the Publication Police at the entrance.
René's Publication Police subordinates typically handled tasks like searching for banned books and shutting down newspaper offices. They wouldn't dare confront the Public Security Police head-on and obediently huddled together.
René quickly nodded:
"Alright, alright, we'll leave then."
With that, he led his dozens of subordinates in a crestfallen retreat from the newspaper office.
Joseph had anticipated that the High Court would resort to underhanded tactics against the newspaper office, so he had already spoken with Besançon.
The latter had promptly established a security post directly across from the newspaper office and doubled the number of patrol officers in the nearby blocks, instructing them to ensure the newspaper office's normal operation at all costs.
After René returned to report the situation and was thoroughly reprimanded by his superior, he had no choice but to bring even more Publication Police to the newspaper office, only to find police officers already blocking the way with raised firearms, making it impossible to even approach the main entrance.
The next day, as expected, several articles in the Paris Business Journal and the News and Pictures Gazette failed to pass censorship. They were forced to temporarily fill the blank spaces with innocuous articles.
That very afternoon, numerous pamphlets appeared, publishing the uncensored articles, accompanied by commentary titled "The High Court Tramples on Freedom of the Press."
The front-page headline of another pamphlet read: "Shocking! Publication Police Violent Intrusion! The Motive Was...!"
The main content of both pamphlets consisted of thrilling and satisfying stories, and with their very affordable price, tens of thousands of copies quickly sold out, circulating throughout the streets and alleys of Paris.
Two days later, as the content of the pamphlets fermented public opinion, journalists and individuals from the publishing industry began to gather in protest before the High Court, demanding that freedom of the press not be interfered with, and that the Paris Business Journal's articles, containing no forbidden content, should be approved for publication.
Other journalists began to give street speeches, denouncing the High Court for using violence and threatening a newspaper office that had committed no wrongdoing.
The people of Paris had long been deeply dissatisfied with the corrupt High Court. Many gathered around the speakers, eagerly agreeing and discussing, frequently erupting into loud cheers.
Although regulations prohibited unapproved speeches in Paris, the city's police had received orders to turn a blind eye to any speeches concerning the High Court and not interfere.
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