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The Fox of France - Chapter 546
🕑 Added 2024-05-08 00:20:58 +0000 UTCChapter 546: Grand Finale (Part 2)
The First Consul's term lasts six years, and now, Napoleon is only six months away from the end of his term. French law does not stipulate any limits on the number of times the First Consul can be reelected, meaning if Napoleon wishes and the French people support him, he could potentially serve until his death.
In fact, if Napoleon indicates his desire to seek reelection, campaigning might not even be necessary, much like the last time he was reelected, when it was impossible to find someone to run against him. Eventually, Barras, who had been preparing to retire, was forcibly pulled into the race. What happened then? Barras went out to speak, rallying those who came for the spectacle, shouting, "Long live Napoleon, we choose no one but Napoleon!" During an interview with "The Scientific Truth Gazette," he once again urged everyone to vote for Napoleon:
"What? Who will I vote for? Of course, it's none other than His Excellency Napoleon Bonaparte. Why even ask? And why am I running if that's the case? Ha ha ha, young man, think about it. In the future history books, when they mention the first national election of the French Republic, they'll mention my name alongside Napoleon Bonaparte. Isn't that a wonderful thing? You see, you are all too young, too naive...ha ha ha."
Now, as Napoleon leads France from one victory to another, the whole world cheers for him. If he chooses to run for office again now, there would be no competition. Any other candidate's performance would be no different from Barras'.
However, just this morning, a significant piece of news broke. The First Consul has proposed a new bill to the State Council, which has been rejected!
Since Napoleon became the First Consul, the State Council and other chambers have never rejected any of his proposals. While the British often mock Napoleon's version of democracy as a joke, even fabricating jokes like "How dare you be the first to stop clapping, or you're a dead man," the French people firmly believe that this is because Napoleon's proposals are always well-considered and in the best interests of the French people.
This is all flattery, as Napoleon is indeed consistently correct. Whenever there are disagreements with his proposals, the first reaction is that it must be due to one's own lack of understanding. Thus, most people have formed the habit of "implement Napoleon's decisions, comprehend them in practice if they are understood, and even if not understood, still implement them and seek to understand them in the process."
But this time, the State Council didn't "seek to understand in the process" but outright rejected it. Could it be that they want to rebel?
The people of Paris are enraged, ready to grab their rifles and teach those arrogant fools at the State Council a lesson. But soon, they decide to surround the Consulate instead of the State Council.
Because the bill proposed by Napoleon is to prohibit anyone from serving as the First Consul for more than two terms!
"How can this be! How can this be! How could the First Consul propose such a ludicrous bill!" someone angrily exclaimed.
"Did we do something wrong that made the First Consul unhappy, so he doesn't want us anymore?" someone else sobbed bitterly.
"I suspect some villains are coercing the First Consul. We must go to the Consulate, we must protect the First Consul!" another cried out loudly.
"Together, together!" more people responded.
And so, they went together, armed with cleavers, steel whips, bombs, Western cannons, tridents, sickle spears, dressed in white helmets and armor, heading to the Consulate—ah, sorry, got carried away. Well, they all went together. Considering the possibility that the First Consul might have been held hostage by villains, some grandmothers even brought French baguettes.
By noon, the area outside the Consulate was packed with Parisians, forcing Napoleon to step out and address the crowd, clarifying that his proposal was not influenced by ill-intentioned villains nor was it an abandonment of the French people. Instead, it was to ensure the democracy of France would last forever.
"I will not leave the French people, for I am one of them. A drop of water dries up when it leaves the ocean; how can a person leave his brothers and sisters? I will always be with the French people, forever," Napoleon said as he climbed onto a stone stump and shouted to the crowd.
"Then stay, continue to lead us!"
"Stay, France cannot be without your leadership!" the crowd shouted.
"Quiet down, let me speak, listen to me!" Napoleon called out.
"Everyone quiet, quiet, listen to the First Consul," said someone close to Napoleon, and the crowd gradually quieted down, looking up at Napoleon standing on the stone stump.
Nap
oleon looked down and said to the person closest to him, "Your name is Morand, we fought side by side at Valmy."
"Yes, yes," Morand exclaimed joyfully, "Yes, First Consul, I was with the infantry then, and we spoke."
The people around looked at him with envy, making him feel as if his bones were much lighter.
"How have these years been for you?" Napoleon asked affectionately.
"Reporting, sir, life has been good, much better than before the Revolution. I got married and now have three children. They're all growing up well."
"Good job!" Napoleon patted his shoulder.
"Sir, it's all thanks to your leadership. You lead us in battle, and we win every fight; you lead us in life, and our lives keep getting better!" Morand quickly puffed out his chest and said.
"Morand, I remember back then, you were just a little kid, and now you're a father of three... hmm, you've got some gray hair now, aged quite a bit," Napoleon added.
"That was back in '93, over twenty years ago, how could I not have aged? But seeing the children grow up and go to school makes me really happy," Morand replied.
"Being a parent is like that," Napoleon said, "Actually, it's been over twenty years, not just you, I've aged a lot too. Back in Valmy, I could easily jump onto such a high stone stump, now I need someone to help me up."
After saying this, Napoleon sighed, then raised his head and addressed everyone: "But just now, Brother Morand said something I think makes a lot of sense. He said although he's aged, seeing his children healthy and growing brings him great joy. I too am a father, as you know, I have a daughter, and my wife is pregnant again, soon God will bless me with another child, I completely understand Brother Morand's happiness."
"May God bless you and your children!" someone in the crowd shouted, followed by a chorus of blessings.
As the crowd gradually quieted down, Napoleon continued with a happy smile, "Actually, besides these two children, I have another beloved child..."
The crowd's curiosity immediately flared, but what else, do the French care about these things? Isn't it quite normal?
"This child is called the Republic." Napoleon went on, "He was born in the great year of '93, and right from birth, he was attacked by evil enemies, just as the great Hercules was bitten by two snakes at birth. To ensure his healthy growth, I, Brother Morand, and many other heroes, known and unknown, have not hesitated to sacrifice their lives to protect him. The Republic is the child of all of us.
Now, this child is over twenty years old, a grown man. He needs to learn to live independently in society. We fathers should let go and allow him to freely develop his talents. Of course, we won't really leave him alone; just like when a child learns to walk, we let go, but we follow behind, ready to pick him up from the ground.
You see, my body is clearly not what it was twenty years ago, ah, don't flatter me, we all know this. My thinking ability hasn't declined too noticeably, but my energy is no longer what it was twenty years ago. Meanwhile, the Republic has become too dependent on my support. I think, if I don't take the opportunity now, while I can still follow him and pick him up when he falls, should I really wait until I'm old, white-haired, toothless, and unable to stand, then let him walk on his own, watching him fall, even into a pit, with no one to help him?
That's why I plan to relinquish the position of First Consul. It's not that I don't love you, or our France, but because I know that loving a child means making long-term plans for them. For the child's long-term benefit, it's time for us to let go a bit."
"But..." the crowd seemed to want to say more.
"Moreover, you know me, I am loyal to democracy, but what about the future? One day I will also leave this world, and among those who will serve as the First Consul of the French Republic, could there be hypocrites, conspirators? Could they talk about 'freedom and democracy' but use the convenience of a long tenure as First Consul to exclude dissent, install cronies, and eventually turn our Republic into a kingdom? No, we must not leave such a risk to the Republic, just as a father would never allow a hole in his house that might let a snake slip in.
Therefore, I have proposed to the State Council, hoping they will agree to my resignation as First Consul, and pass a bill stipulating that no one can serve in this position for more than two terms. I hope you can understand my reasons and support me as you have before."
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