The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 246

Chapter 246: The Gathering Storm

The military nobles were acutely aware that failing to suppress the royal family during this rebellion meant inevitable repercussions.

Previously, they had sought to exploit the royal family’s lack of troops and significant reliance on them to bargain for their interests.

However, this time, the Crown Prince, Joseph, had led the army to annihilate Marquis Saint-Véran with thunderous force. The latter barely held out for an hour—though by the time the news reached them, the duration had been "compressed" to just over an hour.

The royal family now possessed a highly capable and elite army, significantly diminishing the value of the nobles in the eyes of the crown.

For days, they had been on edge. Only after learning from Marquis Luckner that the royal family’s punishment was not overly harsh did they breathe a sigh of relief.

Since that was the case, they decided not to wait for the Crown Prince to march to their doors with tens of thousands of troops to "discipline" them individually. Taking the initiative to admit their mistakes would show sincerity.

Joseph welcomed their voluntary capitulation. Although this forfeited an opportunity to demonstrate the might of the Royal Guard across the southern provinces, it saved him significant time for future plans.

After dealing with these individuals, Joseph decided to station himself in Lyon.

In the following days, all officers involved in the coup arrived one after another, seemingly worried that a delay might cause the royal family to change its mind.

Like Marquis Luckner, they received the same treatment.

With this, Joseph had effectively taken control of over a dozen major armies in the western and southern provinces—nominally 110,000 troops, though their actual numbers were just over 80,000.

Although these forces were far from being fully loyal, they were at least unlikely to outright defy orders anymore.

Adding the northern officers like Duke of Broye, who had "defected" early on, Joseph managed to resolve the long-standing issue of military aristocrats monopolizing the army.

More importantly, this achievement bought Joseph time and a more favorable environment for military reform.

Once the reforms were completed, France would possess a powerful, modernized army, rendering the existing feudal forces obsolete.

Joseph left the Royal Guard in Lyon to keep the newly absorbed troops in check. Until the military aristocrats formally arrived at Versailles to bow to the king, it was necessary to remain vigilant for any lingering schemes.

Joseph himself departed for Versailles in a carriage under the cover of night. Soon, Versailles would become his primary battlefield.

Before his departure, a series of confidential orders were issued to the Office of Intelligence and individuals like Count Mirabeau.

A few days later, agents of the Office of Intelligence stationed in the southern provinces received orders and began mobilizing.

Simultaneously, many newly rising nobles dispatched by Count Mirabeau took to the streets to cooperate with these operations.

A storm orchestrated by Joseph was about to sweep through France.

...

Versailles

North Wing, Hercules Hall.

Once Marquis Luckner bowed and left the hall, Joseph exchanged a few quiet words with Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette before stifling a yawn and slipping out through a side door.

After four consecutive days in a carriage, compounded by his previous campaigns with the troops, he was utterly exhausted. He avoided ceremonial occasions whenever possible.

Outside the hall, the nobles crowding to catch a glimpse of him now gazed at his retreating figure with newfound fear in their eyes.

People whispered:

"Did you hear? The Montcalm Regiment rebelled but was crushed by the Crown Prince and the Paris police!"

"Oh, your news is a bit off. His Highness’s main force was Berthier's regiment; the police only assisted."

"Ha, the police were the first to breach the rebel lines!"

"Alright, whatever the case, His Highness defeated the rebels in just half an hour and captured Marquis Saint-Véran."

"Speaking of which, why did Marquis Saint-Véran rebel so suddenly?"

"Not sure, but it seems connected to the southern uprisings. I heard he was backing the rebellion."

"God above!" someone exclaimed, crossing himself. "It’s terrifying that such a grand noble was involved in rebellion!"

To the majority in Paris and the northern provinces, the southern uprisings were still unresolved. However, the Crown Prince had already severed the hand behind them—Marquis Saint-Véran.

"Thud—"

The master of ceremonies struck the floor with the end of his staff and announced loudly: "General Morneau, your audience is granted."

A low trumpet sounded.

General Morneau adjusted his collar and followed the court officials between two rows of guards, passing through the towering double doors into Hercules Hall.

He quickly approached the center of the hall and noticed that only the King and Queen were present. The Crown Prince was absent, and a weight lifted from his chest.

Kneeling on one knee, he declared loudly, "Your Majesty, I offer my deepest apologies for my recklessness and rashness. I humbly beseech your infinite mercy to forgive my errors. I swear before God to remain forever loyal, serving as your most humble servant..."

He continued with his pledges of loyalty for some time before Queen Marie raised her hand to signal him to rise: "You retain the trust of His Majesty and myself, General."

"Thank you for your magnanimity..."

General Morneau expressed his gratitude passionately before bowing and withdrawing from the hall.

The master of ceremonies soon called the next officer. Outside the hall, seventy or eighty mid- to high-ranking officers awaited their turn to apologize and pledge loyalty to the King.

From the doorway, Queen Marie gazed at the officers outside, then turned to her husband and murmured, "I can hardly believe Joseph subdued these defiant generals with just a police force."

"He is the Son of God," Louis XVI replied, crossing himself with pride. "I’ve always known he would be a great king!"

The Queen frowned slightly. "Still, he’s been accompanying the troops on the battlefield a lot lately... isn’t it too dangerous?"

Louis XVI smiled. "No, the battlefield is the best stage for a young man."

Leaning closer to her ear, he added conspiratorially, "You know, the guns Joseph used to defeat the rebels? I helped him design them..."

The officers’ audience with the King lasted the entire day.

Before the court's nobles, the military leaders one by one bowed their heads in repentance. This process greatly bolstered the royal family's image and solidified the authority of the monarchy.

At the evening banquet, nearly every conversation revolved around the rebellion and the southern uprisings.

Count Mirabeau gravely said to several young nobles nearby, "We must deeply reflect on the causes of this unrest. What people—or what unjust systems—have driven the masses to the brink of despair?"

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