Chapter 96: Finding a Father for You
After the judges of the Royal Plenary Court delivered their verdict, a court official stepped forward and displayed the edict issued by His Majesty the King—an order for the Royal Plenary Court to preside over all cases involving Vezinier.
The crowd immediately erupted in cheers once more:
"Trial authority! The Royal Plenary Court now has the power to judge!"
"Long live His Majesty the King!"
"Long live France!"
"God save the people of France!"
"Punish the shameless judges severely!"
The High Court judges witnessed it all from the building behind. In the past, such an edict encroaching on their judicial power would have certainly been met with strong protest, but at this moment, they had no choice but to begrudgingly accept it.
The crowd outside was in a frenzy. Anyone who dared to challenge the Royal Plenary Court's right to rule would instantly be torn apart by the enraged citizens.
The Royal Plenary Court operated with exceptional efficiency. In just one day, six old cases presided over by Vezinier had been overturned. The victims cried out, shouting "Thank God!" and "Long live the King!", many of them so overwhelmed that they fainted on the spot.
No one cared about Vezinier's crimes anymore; they were already too numerous to count.
The following day, the Royal Plenary Court concluded the retrial of all eleven cases involving Vezinier.
Initially, more cases were slated for retrial, but some had minor details or lost files. The judges of the Royal Plenary Court, strictly adhering to Crown Prince Joseph's demand for a swift conclusion, temporarily overlooked these cases.
Eleven major cases were more than enough for a severe sentence.
Particularly, in one of the cases, Vezinier was implicated in conspiring with the defendant to murder a witness in prison. This murder charge was entirely attributed to Vezinier.
The latter's lawyer had not raised any objections from start to finish.
At 4 PM that day, the eldest judge picked up the verdict, first reading a lengthy list of Vezinier's various crimes, then declared loudly: "Sentenced to—Beheading!"
The emotions of the surrounding citizens instantly erupted like a volcano! Cheers and shouts of approval continued for more than ten minutes without pause. Many began spontaneously running through the streets and alleys of Paris, spreading the good news as quickly as possible.
Sitting on the windowsill of a distant shop, Marat pushed off with his right hand, leaping down. He brushed off his trousers and snorted coldly, "Beheading? Hmph! That kind of man deserves nothing but hanging!"
At the moment, the Guillotine, as a less painful method of execution, was still reserved for nobles. Those of lower status could only be sentenced to hanging.
At the Paris Business Journal Office, as soon as Denico received the news of Vezinier's beheading sentence, he immediately, following Joseph's prior instructions, took out the pre-prepared drafts and began summoning the workers to print.
The front-page headline of the Paris Business Journal read: "Is the High Court's Power Excessive? Who Should Oversee It?"
Meanwhile, the News and Pictures Gazette's front page declared: "High Court's Interference in Administrative Affairs Poses Immense Danger!"
Concurrently, Marat, Desmoulins, and others were rapidly drafting news articles, covering details of Vezinier's case, discussing why the High Court had become utterly corrupt, and highlighting the positive role of the Royal Plenary Court.
These articles were then sent to various newspapers—with the High Court in disarray, its subordinate press censorship body had stalled, leaving newspapers practically unregulated, allowing any news to be published.
Thus, under a relentless barrage of public opinion, nearly everyone in Paris was discussing the High Court.
The crowd protesting outside the court had significantly dwindled, yet nearly a hundred people still gathered there, demanding a thorough investigation into judges other than Vezinier.
Soon, even Versailles was swept up in fervent discussions about the High Court and the Vezinier case.
Once the public opinion had sufficiently ripened, Joseph went with Brienne to see Queen Marie, preparing to hammer the final nail into the High Court's coffin.
In the tea room, the Queen first lavished praise on Brienne: "Archbishop Brienne, your distinguished and fruitful work has brought hope to the national treasury. I must express my gratitude for your efforts concerning the Tax Bill."
She had seen Brienne three times recently, and each time she found new ways to praise him. It was truly because she had been so stifled by the matter of the bill before.
Brienne quickly bowed and replied, "I am honored to do what I can for the great France. In truth, the passage of this bill is mostly thanks to Crown Prince Joseph."
Queen Marie smiled and nodded, assuming he was merely flattering the Crown Prince.
She believed her son must have played a significant role in this affair, but he was still just a youth, so the true strategizing and planning must have been done by the veteran minister, Brienne.
Joseph subtly winked at Brienne, who promptly handed the Queen the bill. "Your Majesty," he said, "this is a new bill drafted by your humble servant and Crown Prince Joseph. Please review it."
Queen Marie took the pages, opened them, and asked curiously, "What is this about?"
Brienne quickly replied, "Recent public opinion highly approves of the Royal Plenary Court's role in the Vezinier case. I believe the Royal Plenary Court can provide excellent oversight of the High Court, preventing similar cases from recurring."
Queen Marie flipped through the bill in her hands, noting that its main content was to grant the Royal Plenary Court oversight powers over the High Court, specifically including a series of actions such as searches, audits, prosecutions, and judgments.
It also proposed rebranding the Royal Plenary Court as the Royal Supreme Court, to clearly designate it as the superior authority to the High Court.
Furthermore, the bill stated that due to the High Court's excessive interference in administrative affairs, its management of press censorship would be abolished, allowing the court to focus solely on judicial matters.
A smile tugged at Queen Marie's lips as she read—the High Court had "oppressed" her for so long, and assigning a superior body to oversee it was simply perfect!
However, she immediately voiced her concern: "Archbishop Brienne, this bill of yours also needs to be registered with the High Court. How could they possibly agree to such an arrangement?"
Joseph smiled faintly and said, "As long as you sign the bill, I guarantee the High Court will approve it."
The Queen looked at her son in surprise, then at Brienne. Seeing both of them full of confidence, she promptly took up a pen and signed her name, then instructed her secretary to take it to Louis XVI for his signature and seal.
...
The High Court of Paris.
In the third-floor conference room, five High-Ranking Councilors glared at the bill before them, most with somber expressions.
This bill was tantamount to putting a noose around the High Court's neck. The end of the rope was held by the Royal Plenary Court—or rather, the Royal Supreme Court, as it was now called. If they tugged, the High Court would surely choke!
Chief Justice Ruault, with his aquiline nose, slammed his hand on the table, gritting his teeth. "This bill must not be registered!"
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