The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 259

Chapter 259: Teacher Robespierre vs. Teacher Robespierre

The policeman, hearing that Robespierre's name contained "de," indicating his status as a minor noble, adjusted his tone to sound slightly more polite. "Excuse me, sir, do you have a permit to give a speech here?"

According to current regulations, holding public speeches in crowded places required prior approval.

Of course, no one usually paid attention to this rule, but if a policeman caught someone in the act, the rule would be strictly enforced.

"I..." Robespierre's face instantly turned awkward.

As the nobles he had been arguing with revealed smug and schadenfreude expressions, a young man in a blue-gray coat with disheveled hair strode quickly toward them. Turning to Robespierre, he exclaimed, "Ma-Maxi, I...I finally f-found you!"

He then turned to the policeman. "Sir, w-what seems to b-be the trouble?"

The policeman, noticing the silver scale pin on the young man's lapel—a symbol of the Bureau of Justice Investigations—felt a wave of nervousness. "Not much, really. This gentleman violated the ban on public speeches."

It wasn't that the officer had taken bribes, but the reputation of the Bureau of Justice Investigations had long spread throughout Paris. Even his superior had been summoned for questioning by them. No public servant in Paris could stay calm in their presence.

"Oh, you see, h-he's a classmate of mine, a v-visitor from out of town." The young man patted the policeman's arm with a smile. "Pl-please give him a c-chance. I guarantee he w-won't do it a-again."

The policeman hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but you'd better keep an eye on him."

The group of nobles, still itching to protest, watched as the young investigator dragged Robespierre quickly away from the square.

They hadn't gone far when a tall blond man blocked their path. Bowing courteously, he said, "Mr. Camille Desmoulins, and this gentleman, the speaker—the Crown Prince wishes to have a word with you."

Robespierre was startled and whispered to his old classmate, "Is Paris really so strict about public speeches? Why has the Crown Prince been alerted?"

"I d-don't think that's w-why..."

Desmoulins turned to the blond man and replied, "We'd b-be honored."

...

Moments later, aboard a light gray "gemstone" carriage, Joseph observed the future infamous "Incorruptible." Robespierre, in his twenties but not yet thirty, had a slightly plump face, large nostrils, and messy blond hair from the earlier scuffle—a look that would go unnoticed in any crowd.

Desmoulins noticed Joseph’s expression and hesitantly asked, "Your H-Highness, do you k-know Maxi?"

"Ah, no." Joseph withdrew his gaze and asked casually, "You’re classmates?"

"Y-yes. H-he's called Ma-Ma..." Desmoulins stammered.

Robespierre, unable to take it anymore, interrupted, "Your Highness, I am Maximilien François de Robespierre. It is an honor to speak with you. Desmoulins and I both study law at the University of Paris."

"I am honored as well." Joseph nodded with a smile, thinking to himself that the Jacobin team was now complete.

Noticing the bruises on Robespierre's face, Joseph asked, "Why were you in conflict with those gentlemen earlier?"

Robespierre immediately grew indignant. "They opposed my views and, unable to out-debate me, resorted to violence."

"What were you speaking about?"

Robespierre glanced toward the distant public trial site. "As you see, they are sentencing hundreds of citizens to death. I was advocating for the abolition of the death penalty!"

Joseph's thoughts darkened instantly. During the Reign of Terror, you presided over how many executions? Tens of thousands at least? And now you're preaching about abolishing the death penalty? History truly is ironic...

He steadied himself and cleared his throat. "Ahem, actually, most of them are serious criminals, many with histories of murder."

Robespierre straightened his posture and replied earnestly, "Your Highness, every human life deserves respect. Even if they have committed crimes, it does not justify others..."

Joseph suddenly recalled a quote from the legal scholar Zhang San, the so-called "Teacher Robespierre" of his previous world, and smiled. "Respect, hmm, you're right.

"But only beasts can kill without accountability. If we don't demand their lives in return, wouldn't that be treating them as beasts? To respect their humanity, we must uphold the death penalty."

"That's not..." Robespierre, struggling to follow the logic, quickly switched topics. "Your Highness, the death penalty is a barbaric punishment. Abolishing it represents the progress of civilization!"

Joseph thought to himself that Robespierre's rhetoric fell far short of the abolitionists he'd read in modern forums.

"No, it is precisely the mark of civilization. Have you considered what the victims’ families would desire? They would likely want the perpetrators nailed to crosses, whipped daily for hours, hearing their screams until they perished in agony.

"When judges sentence them to quick and painless deaths, it reflects the principles of civilization."

He gestured toward the sky. "Even God executes the guilty. Everyone knows that the Lord is the epitome of civilization."

"But..." Robespierre persisted. "The Lord also teaches us love and forgiveness. Shouldn’t we treat wrongdoers the same?"

Joseph shook his head. "But you are not the victim. How can you forgive the murderers on their behalf? Or, perhaps you could summon the dead and ask for their opinion?"

The abolitionist grew anxious. "Your Highness, if a person is executed and later proven innocent, the mistake can never be undone!"

Joseph chuckled. "The annual mortality rate for sailors on long voyages exceeds 20%. Should we then scuttle all ships? No, we should continually improve shipbuilding and navigation techniques. In fact, I am already working on police reforms across France to minimize judicial errors."

Robespierre opened his mouth but had no reply.

Sensing his embarrassment, Joseph changed the subject. "By the way, Mr. Robespierre, what brings you here this time?"

He was already considering how to recruit Robespierre into the Bureau of Justice Investigations, further assembling the Jacobin team.

Robespierre quickly replied, "Your Highness, I am here at the request of the Duke of Chartres to represent him in a legal case."

Desmoulins immediately interjected, "Is it t-the inheritance d-dispute?"

"Yes."

Joseph was momentarily surprised to hear them discussing the Duke of Orléans’ son's case so candidly in his presence. He quickly realized that the two likely had no knowledge of the political intrigues at Versailles.

The Duke of Orléans was skilled at crafting a favorable image for himself, particularly among the liberals, where he enjoyed considerable popularity. Later, during the French Revolution, he was even regarded as a leader by the liberal faction.

It was no wonder that Robespierre was willing to travel so far to assist his son in a legal battle.

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