Revolutionary Period – Negotiation Table
I quickly looked around and fell into trouble.
You asked for a meeting with the moderate faction, but the leader of the radical faction accompanied you there?
They even hid it from us.
Could it be that the moderates are joining hands with the radicals to attack us here?
If so, can I get Christine out of this city safely?
She will definitely try to escape with Lewis, but even if I have my knights, is it possible to escape while protecting two people who have no fighting ability?
No, let’s calm down. That can’t be possible.
Let’s think about it from the perspective of a revolutionary government, especially the radicals.
The static Nicolas Brissoya can be used as a castaway to wipe us out, but it is not Similien Isidore.
There is also a knight here, so if you were planning to attack, there is no reason to take the risk of coming here.
So should I pretend not to know?
No, no.
As long as the radicals have noticed, secretly holding talks with the moderates is no different from a mistake.
I slowly walked towards Maximilien Isidore.
“Marquis Hu?”
Brissot’s bewildered voice came from behind me, and as I moved forward and it became clear where I was headed, the startled elements of the revolutionary government lowered their posture so that they could react at any time.
Maximilien Isidore was looking at me with a strange look in his eyes, so I bowed lightly to him.
“I didn’t know that I would meet the leader of the revolutionary government here. Nice to meet you, Representative Similien Isidore. “This is Pierre de Lafayette.”
Maximilien Isidor secretly raised one eyebrow, and that was the only bewildered reaction he gave to this unexpected situation.
He smiled politely and slowly raised his hand to adjust the glasses on his nose.
“Nice to meet you, Marquis Pierre de Lafayette. “I am Maximilien Isidor, member of the National Assembly of the Francia Republic.”
It feels really strange to be in a situation where I am exchanging greetings with someone who was urging me to sentence myself to death.
Nicola Brissot is fidgeting next to her, and Christine is looking at us both with her deep, murky black eyes, half of her face covered by a fan.
The combination of places and characters that seemed completely out of place felt a bit comical, and a smile came to my face.
“I was a little surprised that there was a big name in the informal meeting I requested from Rep. Nicola Brissot who had not been informed in advance, so I couldn’t hold back and made a show of it. “Was that rude?”
Isidor slightly bowed with a hard face.
“I didn’t know that the Marquis, a renowned knight and great lord of the South, would know my face as a commoner-turned-lawyer in the capital and a member of the people’s council. However, I cannot apologize for my rudeness. “As one of the lawmakers representing the Republic, I have not yet come to a conclusion as to whether this ‘meeting’ is an act of betrayal to the French people.”
Ah, I think I understand now.
Could it be that information about the secret meeting we invited to the moderates leaked to the radicals and that Nicolas Brissot and the moderates were accused of being in cahoots with the nobles?
From the looks of it, he wasn’t sent to the guillotine right away, but he seemed willing to do so depending on the outcome of this meeting.
That’s why the schedule was delayed by two days.
While they were discussing internally how to handle this matter, they decided to listen to the story first, and it seems that Isidor followed as the person in charge and watchdog.
When I secretly glanced at Nicola Brissot, he lowered his gaze and could not raise his head.
Tsk tsk, I knew the situation was difficult for the moderates, but I never thought you would be able to control your family properly.
Shouldn’t this be the case, rather than worrying about the strengthening of the influence of the moderates, and instead putting their lives on the line during this meeting?
I suppressed a sigh and made eye contact with Christine. She looked at me for a moment, realized my intention, and nodded slightly.
I wasn’t mentally prepared because it was a sudden incident, but since I brought her and my people here, I had no choice but to do something.
“It just worked out well. What do you think, since we ultimately also want to have talks with the Republic? “You have come a long way to participate in the meeting.”
–
The mayor, who was secretly concerned that a conflict might break out in his city, was immediately pleased and guided us to the meeting place, and we immediately began a meeting that was far from cordial.
“Rather than offering an alliance, you want to join the Republic?”
Brisso was pleased, but Isidor opened his mouth in a cold voice.
“I don’t expect you to know, but the republic abolished the feudal system and introduced universal suffrage. “Under the banner of our republic, none of the privileges of your noble second estate remain.”
Isidor paused for a moment, pushed up his glasses again with his hand, and added:
“If you are reaching out to the Republic with the intention of abandoning the collapsing kingdom and protecting the vested rights you enjoyed under the old system, I would like to tell you that you are mistaken. The banner of the Republic is Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. We are already free from the oppression of your Second Estate and are resisting your old system with equality and fraternity for one another, regardless of social status.”
“Liberty Equality Fraternity. “It sounds very good, but it doesn’t seem to be used at all by the nobles in your realm.”
“They oppressed our freedom, did not allow us to be equal, and did not respect us. “We have only now received a small portion of the compensation for hundreds of years of oppression.”
I questioned it lightly, but Isidor answered immediately without even the slightest wavering.
Indeed, fighting seems meaningless.
I smiled slightly bitterly and then opened my mouth.
“It seems like you misunderstood our intentions. We clearly said we would join the republic. So… I want to join you as a member of the Third Estate.”
There was silence for a moment in the conference room, and only then did Nicola Brissot, who had found some time to relax, open his mouth.
“Representative Isidor, the Marquis de Lafayette, the Count of Aquitaine, and the lords who share the same views as you, did not say that you had expressed your intention to incorporate the territory into the republic and follow the laws of the republic. “This seems like enough sincerity.”
Isidor slowly narrowed his eyebrows and opened his mouth.
“Are you really saying that you will join the republic as Representative Brisso said?”
“It is as you heard. We intend to incorporate our territory into the Republic and have it governed by the laws of the Republic. “I plan to incorporate our army into the Republic Army as is.”
The republican figures sitting at the conference hall began to stir among themselves.
This is the best condition for them.
Although it controls the capital Lumière, the legitimacy of the revolutionary government is extremely weak as it cannot clearly control anything other than northwest Francia.
In the meantime, areas larger than the current Republic’s control area are voluntarily incorporated under the Republic’s flag, along with elite soldiers who received regular training and fought in the civil war.
Could there be better conditions for a republic that could easily go to war not only with the king but also with foreign armies?
Isidor chatted with his associates for a moment, then narrowed his eyes behind his glasses and opened his mouth.
“Then what do you want in return?”
“We will guarantee equal third estate rights to nobles.”
The right to vote according to freedom, equality and fraternity, the right to be elected, the right to property, the right to be judged by equal laws, etc.
It’s so obvious, but it’s very important for nobles who are exempted from it just because they are the second estate.
“…Please give the nobles who will hand over the control of the territory to you the command of the Republic army instead. Simply in my case. “I want the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Republic Army.”
“What?!”
“Is there a problem? We are now the most well-trained military force in Franzia. I think a third estate who contributed so much to the republic by incorporating them under the banner of the revolutionary army and handing over the sovereignty of the territory that had been passed down for generations would be able to receive that level of position. “I don’t think there’s any need to prove my qualifications as a military commander.”
In handing over territorial sovereignty, shouldn’t we at least have military authority to preserve our lives?
Moreover, they don’t know, but the army of the southern powers is currently bloated compared to the income from the territory. In particular, Christine and I cannot afford it with the income from our fiefdom, so we have to cover our military expenses through profits from operating the upper management and personal assets.
If we hand over the belonging of the territory and the army to the Republic and our people take command of the Republic Army, we will make the Republic pay for the military expenses and we will eat up the Republic’s benefits and retain military power as is.
Anyway, the only capable commanders in the Republic are Raphael Balian and his subordinates, so even if you don’t want to, you’ll have to rely on us, right?
“Are you saying that we are now handing over the Third Estate and the army that will protect the Republic to the Second Estate from the Kingdom?”
After saying that, Isidor glared at me with cold eyes.
Of course, even from the Republic’s perspective, it is not easy to let go of the leash.
“As I said, we deny the privileges of a second estate. We wish to be placed on equal footing with the Third Estate under the laws of the Republic. “I understand that you, too, have guaranteed various privileges and positions to citizens who have contributed greatly to the republic, recognizing them as ‘passionate for the revolution.’
I asked, slowly twisting the corner of my mouth.
“Other than the fact that we were once a second estate, is there any disqualification that makes us an exception to the standards of freedom, equality, and fraternity that you guarantee to the people of the Republic?”
As soon as I finished speaking, the table in the conference room was instantly engulfed in all kinds of shouting.
From those who are outraged by my words, saying that nobility cannot be trusted, to those who shout that if they accept my proposal, they will immediately try to overthrow the revolutionary government through the military.
Maximilien Isidor remained silent, with his hands clasped together.
When the confusion subsided little by little, Isidor opened his mouth.
“Your offer is sweet poison. The proposal to place the lives of the citizens of the Republic in the hands of the nobility is unacceptable. “More than anything, the problem is the basic rights you desire as a third estate.”
After speaking, Isidor turned his attention to Christine.
“We guarantee universal suffrage, but only for males. Even if the Marquis de Lafayette has the right to vote and be elected, the Count of Aquitaine has no such rights. Aside from that, there is no way that the citizens of Lumiere would agree to entrust the army to a nobleman just by handing over the ownership of the territory-”
After hearing Isidor’s words, Christine folded the fan that was fluttering softly.
“You differentiated voting rights according to people’s wealth, right?”
“you’re right. But that’s based on adult males, and you can’t make exceptions like that…”
“I’ll give you half of the Republic’s quarterly budget.”
Silence fell in the conference room.
Christine added, smiling elegantly as if she was enjoying it while only the sound of dry swallowing flowed.
“Also, I understand that there is currently a severe food shortage occurring in Lumiere and throughout the Republic.”
Hearing those words, Isidor’s face became a hard frown.
During the long civil war, farmers in the northern region were conscripted into the military, and the fighting devastated farmland and brought about unprecedentedly cold weather.
Even the revolutionary army took the lead in attacking the branch of the Abyss Corporation, and neighboring countries view the Republic government as a threat, so even food imports are difficult.
It was a revolution to survive, but their revolution did not satisfy the people. It’s not the Republic government’s fault, but of course the public sentiment doesn’t understand that.
“The merchants of Aquitaine had purchased a considerable amount of food. As a member of the republic, I cannot turn a blind eye to the difficulties faced by the people, so I am willing to hand it over at a low price. “If only you would grant me the rights I deserve as a Third Estate and provide appropriate tax-exemption privileges for the upper reaches of Aquitaine.”
Nicola Brissot said with a smile on his face.
“If we accept the Count of Aquitaine’s proposal, the Republic can largely overcome the crisis it faces this year. “You’re not asking for unreasonable privileges, are you?”
However, Isidor opened his mouth with a completely stiff face.
“Are you planning to buy the republic with the wealth created by taking advantage of the people’s misfortune during the civil war and revolution?”
Christine let out a bored sigh and looked at me. When I nodded, she took the document from her subordinate and pushed it onto the table.
The pushed document slid across the table and was placed in front of Isidore. Looking at the document with his brows furrowed, Isidor widened his eyes and immediately began to tremble.
“The president of the republic government, which is supposed to serve the people, is enjoying a luxurious life through transactions that directly contradict the ideology of the republic.”
The excitement that started with Christine’s words quickly spread to the table.
“At least as far as I know, the Aquitaine upper class has never made a deal that would be shameful to the people of the republic. “Is it possible that the equality and fraternity of the Republic ignores the Republic’s corruption and imposes strict standards only on those who want to join the Republic?”
Isidore’s face turned pale before the words that came from Christine’s mouth.
What will happen to Isidor, who is called ‘the incorruptible one’?
Isidor shivered for a moment, but then put it down and let the other Republic members read it.
I gave him a passing grade for that alone. He may be our staunch enemy, but at least he admits what he has to admit.
It might be a good idea to lend a hand at this point.
“King Louis is treating the people of Francia who rose up as rebels.
“We have immediately requested the marriage alliances of the Germanian Empire and the Northern United Kingdom to participate in the war, and they will soon enter the war to take advantage of Francia’s misfortune.”
Now, no one at the conference is openly angry or criticizing.
“It is natural for you, who claim to be the government of the Third Estate, to be wary of us, the Second Estate, but we are also the enemies of that ruthless tyrant. “We are the people of Franzia who will stand against the invaders who will invade Franzia using the tyrant’s struggles as justification.”
Everyone’s eyes here are focused on me.
“There is still time. However, if we continue our antagonism like this while turning our eyes away from the possibility of coexistence, Franzia will be swept away by them, defenseless.”
I looked straight at Maximilien Isidor and said.
“Then there will be nothing left there. Neither we nor you, not even the national anthem of the Franzian people.”
That stupid tyrant wants to reclaim his rotting kingdom even if it means becoming slaves to foreign powers. Are we going to fight among ourselves and all be ruined?
“We came quite prepared. We came prepared to hand over our vested territory and strong military in southern Francia to the republic that claimed to be the legitimate government of Francia, occupying only the northwest of Francia. “I think we have at least proven that we are different from the vested interests of the old system that exploited the people.”
How long are you going to be bound by the vain cause of a commoners-only republic?
“But before we even mention all of our conditions, you are acting like this to even say that you will take over the command since we are joining the army to the Republic?
How on earth can we negotiate and compromise like this? We have offered you desperately needed territory, military funds, and even food. “We have prepared the largest force that can join your revolutionary cause without shedding blood.”
Still, if you don’t like it.
“Nevertheless, if they do not trust us and give up their hands, we will have no choice but to join the king or a foreign power. As citizens of Francia, it would be very sad for us if that were to happen, but wouldn’t we be worse than a group of people with whom we cannot communicate at all just because we are nobles?”
As I looked around the completely quiet conference room, Isidor, who had been silent for a long time, opened his mouth.
“…There is nothing I can confirm for sure right now. “Unlike you nobles, we must listen to the opinions of the National Assembly. However, it would be possible to negotiate an appropriate line with you and put it on the agenda of the Assembly.”
We’re already halfway there.
Only then was I able to smile leisurely.
“Good, now we can have a proper conversation.”
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