Chapter 33: Revolution Era - Negotiation Table
I quickly surveyed my surroundings, lost in thought.
I had requested a meeting with the moderates, but why was the leader of the
radicals accompanying them?
And even more, they had hidden this from us.
Could it be that the moderates have joined forces with the radicals to ambush
us here?
If that’s the case, could I ensure Christine’s safety and escape from this
city?
She would definitely try to take Louis with her, but even with my knights, is
it possible to protect two people with no combat ability and escape?
No, calm down. That can’t be it.
Let’s think from the perspective of the revolutionary government, especially
the radicals.
While Nicolas Briso can be used as a throwaway to wipe us out, it is not the
same with Maximilian Zidor.
If they intended to attack us while having knights on our side, there would be
no reason for him to risk coming here in person.
So, should I pretend not to know?
No, that’s not it.
Once the radicals have noticed, it’s almost certain that any secret talks with
the moderates are off the table.
I slowly walked towards Maximilian Zidor.
“Ah, Duke?”
Briso’s confused voice came from behind me, and as I moved, it became clear to
the astonished officials of the revolutionary government where I was headed,
readying themselves to respond at any moment.
Maximilian Zidor, with a spark in his eyes, watched me, so I gave him a slight
nod of the head.
“I didn’t expect to meet a leader of the revolutionary government here. A
pleasure to meet you, Representative Maximilian Zidor. I am Pierre de
Lafayette.”
Maximilian Zidor slightly raised one eyebrow, and his bewildered reaction to
this unexpected situation was all that was shown.
He maintained a polite smile and slowly lifted his hand to adjust the glasses
perched on his nose.
“Pleased to meet you, Duke Pierre de Lafayette. I am Maximilian Zidor, a
member of the National Assembly of the Francia Republic.”
Exchanging greetings with someone who had vehemently argued for my execution,
what an odd feeling this is.
Beside me, Nicolas Briso was restless, and Christine, half-covering her
face with a fan, watched us both with her deep, dark eyes.
The combination of characters and setting, so utterly mismatched, felt almost
comical, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I apologize if I’ve been indiscreet in my surprise upon seeing an unexpected
influential figure at this unofficial meeting requested by Representative
Nicolas Briso. Did I overstep?”
Zidor, with a rigid face, gave a slight nod.
“I didn’t expect that you, a renowned knight and grand lord of the South,
would recognize a simple lawyer and people’s representative from the capital.
However, I cannot apologize for my rudeness. As one of the representatives of
the Republic, I’m still undecided whether this ‘meeting’ constitutes an act of
betrayal against the people of Francia.”
Ah, now I begin to understand.
The information about our secret meeting requested by the moderates must have
leaked to the radicals, and Nicolas Briso and the moderates are suspected
of colluding with the nobility.
It seems they weren’t sent directly to the guillotine, but the outcome of this
meeting might very well determine their fate.
That explains the delay of two days.
Internally, they must have debated how to handle this matter, eventually
deciding to hear us out, with Zidor accompanying as the responsible party and
observer.
Glancing subtly at Nicolas Briso, he couldn’t lift his head, his gaze
fixed downwards.
Tsk, tsk.
I knew the moderates were in a tough spot, but to think they couldn’t even
manage their own affairs.
At this rate, instead of worrying about strengthening the moderates’
influence, aren’t we in a position where we must save their necks in this
meeting?
Suppressing a sigh, I met Christine’s eyes, and after a moment of looking at
me, she seemed to grasp the intention and nodded slightly.
Though we were unprepared for this sudden development, having brought
Christine and my people this far, we had no choice but to proceed.
“This works out well. We ultimately desired a meeting with the Republic. How
about it? Since you’ve come a long way, why not join the meeting?”
***
The mayor, inwardly worried about conflicts erupting in his city, brightened
up and led us to the meeting place, where we began a discussion that was
anything but warm and friendly.
“So, it’s not just a proposal for an alliance, but you actually want to join
the Republic?”
Briso seemed pleased, but Zidor spoke in a cold voice.
“I don't expect you to know, but the Republic has abolished the feudal system
and introduced universal suffrage. Under the flag of our Republic, none of
your nobility’s, or the second estate’s, privileges remain.”
Zidor paused momentarily, adjusting his glasses, before adding,
“If you’re reaching out to the Republic with the intention of preserving the
privileges you enjoyed under the old regime, I must say you are gravely
mistaken. The banner of our Republic stands for liberty, equality, and
philanthropy. We have freed ourselves from the oppression of your second
estate, and regardless of status, we are united in our resistance against your
old order.”
“Liberty, equality, philanthropy. They sound splendid, but it seems these
principles were not extended to the nobles in your territory.”
“They oppressed our freedom, denied us equality, and lacked respect. The
tyranny they perpetuated for centuries has only now begun to be repaid, and
that too, just a fraction of it.”
Though I lightly challenged the point, Zidor responded without a hint of
hesitation.
Indeed, it seems pointless to engage in a battle of wits.
With a wry smile, I spoke up.
“It appears you’ve misunderstood our intentions. We clearly stated that we
wish to join the Republic. Meaning... we want to be part of the third estate,
to stand with you.”
Silence fell over the meeting room for a moment, then Nicolas Briso,
finding some composure, spoke up.
“Representative Zidor, Duke Lafayette, Countess Aquitaine, and the other lords
who share their sentiments have expressed their willingness to incorporate
their domains into the Republic and abide by its laws. That seems sincere
enough to me.”
Zidor, narrowing his brows slightly, spoke.
“Are you, as Representative Briso says, truly intending to join forces with
the Republic?”
“Exactly as you heard. We plan to integrate our domains into the Republic and
govern them according to its laws. We also intend to merge our armies into the
Republican forces.”
The Republic’s representatives in the meeting room started murmuring among
themselves.
This is an ideal situation for them.
Though they control the capital Lumière, the revolutionary government’s
legitimacy is incredibly weak, having failed to securely control anything
beyond the northwest of Francia.
In the midst of this, a region larger than the current territory of the
Republic was voluntarily offering to join under the Republic’s flag, along
with a well-trained, battle-hardened elite force. Could the Republic, already
in a potential conflict not only with the king but also foreign armies, ask
for better terms?
Zidor, after a brief consultation with his aides, narrowed his eyes behind his
glasses and spoke.
“Then, what do you want in return for this?”
“Equal rights of the third estate for the nobles.”
Rights based on their principles of liberty, equality, and philanthropy, like
the right to vote, be elected, property rights, and the right to be judged
under equal laws. It might seem obvious, but for the nobility, who are
typically exempt in their circles due to their second-estate status, this is
crucial.
“...In return for handing over the governance of our lands, let’s grant us
command in the Republican army. Take my case, for instance. I want the
position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Republican forces.”
“What, what did you say?”
“Is there a problem? Currently, we possess the most well-trained military
force in Francia. Integrating them under the flag of the revolutionaries and
handing over centuries-old domains, a third estate contributor like me should
rightfully assume such a position. And my qualifications as a military
commander need no proving.”
Handing over the governance of our domains, we must at least retain military
command to preserve our lives, right?
Moreover, they might not realize, but the military forces of the southern
region are disproportionately large compared to their domain incomes.
Especially for Christine and me, our military expenses are so significant that
they can’t be covered by our domain income alone and require personal assets
and trade profits.
By offloading the domains and the army to the Republic while our people take
command of the Republican army, the military expenses become the Republic’s
burden, while we draw salaries from the Republic and retain military
authority.
After all, capable commanders in the Republic are limited to Raphael Ballian
and his subordinates, so they’ll have to rely on us, whether they like it or
not.
“You’re suggesting handing over the army that protects the third estate and
the Republic to a second-estate figure from the kingdom?”
Zidor, saying this, shot a cold glance at me.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy for the Republic to hand over the reins.
“As I said, we renounce our second-estate privileges. We seek to be placed on
an equal footing with you, the third estate, under Republican law. I
understand that the Republic recognizes and grants various privileges and
statuses to its citizens who contribute significantly and are ‘enthusiastic
about the revolution.‘”
I slightly twisted the corner of my mouth and asked.
“Apart from our former status as the second estate, is there any reason that
disqualifies us from the liberty, equality, and philanthropy you guarantee to
the citizens of the Republic?”
As soon as I finished speaking, the conference room table was instantly buried
in an uproar.
In response to my words, reactions ranged from those infuriated, declaring
that nobles can never be trusted, to others who shouted out accusations that
my proposal was a ploy to use the army to overthrow the revolutionary
government.
Amidst this, Maximilian Zidor, with his hands clasped, remained silent.
As the commotion gradually subsided, Zidor finally spoke.
“Your offer is a sweet poison. We cannot accept a proposal that entrusts the
lives of the citizens of the Republic to the hands of the nobility. Above all,
the fundamental rights of the third estate you seek are problematic.”
After finishing, Zidor turned his gaze towards Christine.
“We guarantee universal suffrage, but only to adult males. Even if Duke
Lafayette has voting rights and the right to be elected, Countess Aquitaine
has none of these rights. Besides, the citizens of Lumière wouldn’t agree to
entrust the military to the nobility just for the transfer of land ownership—”
Christine, who had been gently fanning herself, abruptly snapped her fan
closed.
“You have different voting rights based on the citizens’ wealth, right?”
“That’s correct. However, that is solely based on adult males, and we can’t
make exceptions in such a way...”
“We’ll offer half of the Republic’s quarterly budget.”
The conference room fell into silence.
Amid the audible swallowing, Christine, wearing an elegant smile as if
enjoying the moment, added,
“Also, I understand there’s a severe food shortage in Lumière and throughout
the Republic.”
Hearing this, Zidor’s face hardened.
During the long civil war, northern farmers had been conscripted, leaving the
farmland devastated, compounded by an unprecedented harsh winter.
Furthermore, the revolutionary army had led an attack on the Abyss
Corporation’s branches, and with neighboring countries considering the
Republic a threat, the food importation routes were bleak.
The revolution was meant to survive, but it failed to feed the people. It
wasn’t the Republic government’s fault, but the public sentiment doesn’t
consider such nuances.
“Coincidentally, the Aquitaine Trading Company has acquired a significant
amount of food. As we’re on our way to becoming part of the Republic, we can’t
ignore the difficulties of its people and are willing to offer it at a fair
price. Grant me the rights of the third estate and provide suitable tax
privileges to the Aquitaine Trading Company.”
Nicolas Briso, with a brightened face, said,
“If we accept Countess Aquitaine’s offer, the Republic could significantly
overcome the immediate crisis this year. It’s not as if they are asking for
unreasonable privileges.”
However, Zidor, with a face now set in stone, spoke.
“Do you intend to buy the Republic with wealth amassed by exploiting the
misfortunes of the people during the civil war and revolution?”
Christine, with a sigh of boredom, looked towards me. As I nodded in
agreement, she took a document from her aide and slid it across the table.
The slid document came to rest in front of Zidor, who, furrowing his brow,
looked over the papers. His eyes widened, and soon his body began to tremble.
“The governor of the Republic, who claims to act for the people, is enjoying a
luxurious life through deals that directly contradict the ideals of the
Republic.”
The murmurs that started with Christine’s words quickly spread across the
table.
“As far as I am aware, the Aquitaine Trading Company has never engaged in
transactions that would bring shame to the citizens of the Republic. Could it
be that the Republic’s principles of equality and philanthropy only apply
strictly to those who wish to join the Republic, ignoring its own flaws?”
In front of Christine’s continuing words, Zidor’s face turned pale.
Indeed, what would Zidor, hailed as ‘the incorruptible,’ do now?
Zidor trembled for a moment but then set the document down, leaving it for the
other Republican representatives to read.
I gave him credit for that alone. Though he is a firm enemy of ours, at least
he acknowledges what needs to be acknowledged.
It seemed a good time for me to contribute.
“King Louis regards the people of Francia who have risen up as rebels.
He has already requested intervention from the Germanian Empire and the
Northern Union Kingdom, with whom he has matrimonial alliances. They will soon
join the fray, seeking to profit from Francia's misfortune.”
Now, no one in the conference room openly expressed anger or indulged in
blame.
“While it’s natural for you, who represent a government of the third estate,
to be wary of us, the second estate, we too are enemies of that ruthless
tyrant. We are citizens of Francia, ready to stand against the invaders who
seek to exploit the tyrant’s desperation to invade our land.”
All eyes in the room were now focused on me.
“There is still time. However, if we turn away from the possibility of
coexistence and continue this animosity, Francia will be swept away,
defenseless, by those invaders.”
I looked directly at Maximilian Zidor and said,
“If it comes to that, there will be nothing left. Not us, not you, not even
the state of the people of Francia.”
Is that dim-witted tyrant so desperate to reclaim his decaying kingdom that
he’d become a slave to foreign powers, leading us all to ruin in our internal
squabbles?
“We’ve come prepared with quite a lot. We’re ready to hand over our
privileges, the domains of southern Francia, and our formidable army to the
Republic, which claims to be the legitimate government of Francia, currently
holding just the northwest. This should at least prove that we’re different
from the old regime that exploited the people.”
Why stay tied to the empty notion of a republic only for the commoners?
“And before we could even lay out all our conditions, you react so vehemently
to our mere suggestion of assuming command over the army we’re integrating
into the Republic?
How are we to negotiate or compromise under these circumstances? We’ve offered
you essential territory, military forces, funds, and even food, without
bloodshed. We’ve prepared the greatest force that could join your
revolutionary cause.”
But if that’s still not acceptable,
“If you can’t trust us and refuse our offer, we’ll have no choice but to align
with the king or foreign powers. It would be a sad turn for us as citizens of
Francia, but would you rather we align with a group that refuses to
communicate with us simply because we are nobles?”
As the conference room fell into complete silence, I looked around. After a
long pause, Zidor finally spoke.
“...There’s nothing I can confirm right now in this meeting. Unlike you
nobles, we must listen to the opinions of the national assembly. However,
negotiating a reasonable line with you and bringing it to the assembly as a
proposal is possible.”
We’ve come halfway there.
Finally, I could smile with some ease.
“Good, now we can have a proper conversation.”
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