The Fox of France

Chapter 209: Napoleon's Speech

Napoleon, with the flags of Britain and Prussia underfoot and surrounded by his guards, strode into the parliamentary building, his head held high, much like a proud rooster entering a henhouse. As he stepped into the grand chamber, all the members of parliament rose and applauded. Some whispered, "Doesn't it feel like Caesar entering the Senate?"

"Unfortunately, we lack a Brutus among us," someone muttered under their breath.

Regardless of some grumbling, the new Caesar had confidently approached the lectern. Unlike his historical counterpart, this new Caesar had already made up his mind that upon entering the National Assembly, not the Senate, he would bring a formidable army to quell any resistance from the assembly members.

Napoleon ascended the lectern, looked out over the audience, and then pulled out his prepared speech, scanning it briefly before beginning.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today I bring you news of victory. Our armies in Italy, Verdun, the Rhine, Hanover, and Berlin have struck heavy blows against those reactionary feudal rulers. The shameful banners of the aggressors are now abandoned on the steps of the National Assembly, a testament to our great triumph.

Our victory compels even those feudal aristocrats to admit that the freedom and independence of France are as solid as the Alps, unshakable by parasites and clowns. Faced with our formidable armies, those who once spewed threats against France, promised to return the so-called 'legitimate king' to rule us, oppress us, and even spoke of slaughtering our people and shedding blood in our glorious city, now find themselves in chains, holding the keys to their cities, humbly apologizing to France.

Gentlemen, we can cheer because the freedom and independence of France are secured, and the long-awaited era of peace for the French people is at hand!"

Whether they supported Napoleon or just pretended to, the members of parliament enthusiastically applauded. Notably, when they noticed that the Minister of Police, Joseph Fouch, was also attending the meeting and casting ominous glances at others, the applause intensified. However, a significant problem arose: when would the applause stop? Everyone was determined not to be the first to cease clapping.

The continuous applause even made Napoleon uncomfortable, and he had to make a gesture to halt the ovation. When the applause finally subsided, he continued:

"Ladies and gentlemen, quelling domestic rebellions and defeating foreign interventions does not mark the end of the French Revolution; it's only the beginning, the first step on the revolutionary path.

So, what's next for France, gentlemen? To answer this question, we must first ask another: Why did the French people revolt in the first place?

I know some friends will say it's for freedom, democracy, equality, and many other things, and they're correct. But the most fundamental reason is something else."

Napoleon paused, gazing at the assembly below, before answering:

"The most fundamental reason is that the people of France sought to attain a life of prosperity and happiness. They had the right to such a life, and they could no longer allow greedy feudal rulers to trample upon it.

In 1792, before Prussian General Brunswick issued that arrogant and disgraceful proclamation to 'bleed Paris,' a maid in my household, Aunt Sophie, once complained, 'Before the revolution, we had no bread. After the revolution, we still have no bread. Did the revolution serve any purpose?'

It was this Aunt Sophie who, when the invading Prussian army was closing in on Verdun, courageously sent her husband and two sons to join the volunteers. In Valmy, they, with undaunted courage and colossal strength, defeated the enemies of the revolution, saving France and the revolutionary cause. At the time, as a regular soldier, I fought alongside them amidst enemy artillery fire. It was the most glorious moment of my life.

Since 1789, when the French people stormed the Bastille, the symbol of feudal despotism, we have been besieged by internal and external reactionaries. The revolution has faced countless perils, as fragile as a candle in the wind. But it is those nameless heroes, who, having once had no bread, still had no bread but, with unyielding determination, their blood, and lives, repeatedly rescued France and the revolution in its most perilous hours.

Ladies and gentlemen, I firmly believe that though their names may be unknown, their legacy will be immortal!"

The parliamentarians once again broke into applause.

After the applause gradually subsided, Napoleon continued:

"Ladies and gentlemen, why did these nameless heroes, who 'had no bread before the revolution and still had no bread after the revolution,' willingly sacrifice their blood and lives to defend the revolution? It's because they understood that 'no bread before the revolution' and 'no bread after the revolution' are fundamentally different. The lack of bread before the revolution was because the bread that rightfully belonged to the people was plundered by those feudal rulers. The absence of bread during the revolution was due to the necessity of austerity to resist the counterattacks of domestic and foreign reactionaries. However, as long as we defeat them, our people, our descendants, will all enjoy bread.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us be grateful to our people! The people of France are the greatest and most reasonable people in the world. They can comprehend the difficulties that temporarily arise during the revolution and are willing to endure the hardships that most cannot bear. So, even if they couldn't have a full meal after the revolution, they were still willing to defend their country and the revolution with their blood and lives.

Ladies and gentlemen, the people of France are the real heroes of the French Revolution. I suggest we all stand and pay tribute to them, cheer for themLong live the people!"

The parliamentarians quickly rose and joined in the applause.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now that domestic and foreign reactionaries have been defeated, the prospects of the revolution have never been brighter. It is time to fulfill the promises we made to our people before the revolution.

We solemnly promised our people that they would have the right to a life free from want and fear, a life of happiness and prosperity. Now is the time to fulfill that promise.

If, on this day, after nine years have passed since the 1789 Revolution, when all the reactionary forces have been defeated, and when there is no immediate threat to France's security, we fail to fulfill our promises and allow our people to lament, 'Did the revolution serve any purpose?' Then we are not only answerable to the people of France, but also to the entire world. Our revolutionary government would be no different from a feudal one, and I, along with all of you, would be no different from Louis XVI!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have a feeling that our work will be inscribed in the annals of humanity because it points the way for people worldwide who love freedom.

Our revolutionary work is far from over, and the movement is still progressing. We must continue to strive. Those foreign feudal lords and our domestic reactionaries will not accept defeat willingly, and they will struggle when they see an opportunity. They will use every means to disrupt and subvert; they will attempt to restore feudal despotism in France daily and hourly. This is inevitable, without a doubt. We must not relax our vigilance.

Our democratic system is a powerful weapon to safeguard the achievements of the revolution and to counteract the machinations of internal and external enemies. We must firmly grasp this weapon. On the international stage, we must unite with all nations and people who cherish peace and freedom, ensuring that our struggle to protect the revolutionary achievements and resist the restoration conspiracies of domestic and foreign enemies does not remain isolated. As long as we uphold democracy and stand united with international friends, we will remain invincible.

Ladies and gentlemen, the restoration and development of the national economy lie before us. Yes, we face numerous challenges, but we are confident that the indomitable efforts of all the people of France will overcome every obstacle. The French people have an abundant wealth of experience in conquering difficulties. If we can endure extended periods of extreme hardship and defeat powerful domestic and foreign reactionaries, why can't we build a prosperous and thriving nation after victory? As long as we remain united and uphold democracy, liberated from the shackles of feudalism, we will swiftly achieve victory on the economic front.

Ladies and gentlemen, our defense will be strengthened, and foreign invaders will no longer threaten our homeland. Building upon the courageous and proven French army, we must preserve and expand our armed forces. We will not only have a mighty army but also a powerful navy.

Let the reactionaries tremble before us; let them criticize and doubt us. Let them say we cannot achieve this or that. The unwavering efforts of the people of France will steadily achieve their goals.

Long live the people of France!"

Amid thunderous applause, Napoleon presented his long-prepared political reform proposal to the parliament for deliberation. The "Journal of Scientific Truth" published the full text of Napoleon's speech, along with his political reform and welfare plans. In this plan, Napoleon promised to lead the French people in eradicating poverty and want, just as they had defeated their enemies on the battlefield.

"Long live General Bonaparte!" echoed once again throughout the streets and alleys of Paris.

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