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The Fox of France - Chapter 507
🕑 Added 2024-04-28 02:29:38 +0000 UTCChapter 507: Framing
At this time, the Americans, especially those in the South, truly embodied martial virtues. Thus, when they proclaimed the need to punish the nation's traitors, they genuinely meant it. However, the American style of dealing with traitors differs from that in certain Eastern countries. Americans lack the spirit of profound bowing; they would never politely bow and say, "Mr. So-and-so, for the sake of America, please die." Instead, they might pull out a gun and shoot someone in the forehead or, with a touch of Eastern finesse, draw a sword for a slashing blow. Afterward, they would meticulously clean the blade with a white towel, full of ceremonial gravity, re-sheathe it, and bow deeply to the shocked family members, sincerely apologizing for dirtying their floor. Such civility and ritualistic behavior are almost... perverse!
Americans lack this meticulous spirit. They simply fire away until their bullets are spent and then toss aside their guns, yelling to the approaching police, "I am mentally ill!"
Americans understand their own kind; thus, individuals like Faffner and Greed decreased their public appearances, limiting themselves to attending classes and staying out of public view.
It would be even better if they could also keep quiet during this time. However, they knew that by staying silent, their public personas would suffer significantly. For them, maintaining their image as devout and concerned patriots was crucial for higher status. If they were silent now, the American people would see them as cowards. And the typically valorous Americans, even those from the North, despise cowards.
Therefore, they continued to make their voices heard, refusing to appear cowardly. In response to the reactions from the South, Professor Greed published an article titled "I Am Not Angry, Just Sad."
In his article, Professor Greed generously stated that he was not angry at the accusations and attacks from some of his Southern compatriots because he understood that these actions stemmed from a simple patriotic sentiment.
"However, patriotism is often exploited," wrote Professor Greed. "It has often been manipulated by those in high positions with ulterior motives. For example, even recently, when the British dispatched their troops to commit atrocities like the 'Three Alls,' weren’t their soldiers also motivated by 'patriotism'? The same humans, who should unite as brothers as Jesus Christ said, are slaughtering each other under the supposedly noble banner of 'patriotism.' No doubt, they are patriots who love their countries and should be good people, yet they kill each other. So where is the problem?
The problem lies with 'patriotism.' If we are not vigilant about it, patriotism can become a refuge for all imperialists!
I do not oppose true patriotism because it is a noble sentiment. But first, we must clarify what country we love!
I believe patriotism has a prerequisite: the country we love must truly be ours. As our forefathers penned in the robust prose of the Declaration of Independence: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.' Clearly, only if a country genuinely upholds the natural rights of its people does it have a legitimate reason for existence and is worth our love.
So, before loving the country, let us ask ourselves: 'We love America, but does America love us?'
If a rogue nation—like Britain, a plunderous pirate nation—infringes upon our territory and slaughters our people, then naturally, we should unite under the Star-Spangled Banner and sacrifice ourselves to defend our homeland. In such a scenario, all American citizens, regardless of North or South, young or old, have a duty to protect the nation and resist aggression.
However, if our country, out of piratical greed, perpetrates robbery and slaughter in other nations or tribes to seize their lands and wealth and asks us to die for it, then it is not just oppressing and plundering other peoples but also oppressing us. Such a country is not only the enemy of those it invades but also the enemy of its own people. Just like Britain.
My father, from his straightforward moral perspective, left me with these three teachings: 'Trust in God, pay taxes according to the law, and hate the British.' Here is my understanding of these teachings.
First, let's discuss hating the British. What does it mean to hate the British? Fundamentally, it should be to hate Britain's pirate gang culture, which has made it the world's largest band of pirates. We hate the British, and we must oppose them culturally and fundamentally. Otherwise, how could we truly claim to hate the British?
Next, paying taxes according to the law is what patriotism is. So what is true patriotism? True patriotism is not unconditional support for whatever the country does, blindly cheering for it, but rather demanding our country abide by moral standards to truly become a moral nation.
As for 'trusting in God,' we should live according to Jesus' teachings. What did Jesus teach us? Jesus taught us many things, but the most important lesson he imparted was love, just as the legislator Moses taught us about justice.
But Moses was just a prophet, and Jesus is far superior to Moses because love is greater than justice.
In our conflict with the British, trusting in God means that while we harbor hatred for Britain as a pirate gang, we should feel sympathy for the British soldiers, who are also victims of the English pirate gang’s exploitation and lies. Just as Jesus Christ prayed for those who crucified him and as Saint Stephen, while being stoned by the Jews, still said, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them,' showing compassion and pity for their ignorance. This is the model for Christians. Therefore, when dealing with these British soldiers, if we kill them in battle, it is merely fate, but if they have surrendered or are about to surrender, shouldn't we follow Jesus' teaching to 'love your enemies' by showing mercy and saving them, rescuing them from the poison and lies of the English pirate gang, rather than slaughtering them?
Those who insist on slaughtering British prisoners of war are indeed transforming themselves into the very British pirates they despise."
Professor Greed's article and its related reactions were quickly broadcast back to the homeland via radio.
Then... Lucien snapped several pencils in frustration.
"You fools! This Greed is so useful! Why on earth did the Ministry of Public Security have to develop him? That Faffner you've been promoting—how does he even compare? He's just trash, worthy of being thrown to Robespierre! Trash, it's infuriating! Every time I think of that scoundrel Fouché going over to Napoleon to show off and having a hearty laugh with him, I get angry! Tell me, how can we snatch the limelight back from the Ministry of Public Security?"
"Minister, about that Faffner..."
"What about Faffner?" Lucien asked.
"We were planning to have Faffner give a speech, but he refuses; he fears that someone from the South might shoot him in the crowd."
"Coward! Scoundrel! Why isn’t Greed afraid?" Lucien cursed and then suddenly remembered something. "Everyone else out, except for Victor and Villefort!"
Everyone else left, closing the door behind them.
"Sit down, both of you," Lucien said. "What do you think if we assassinated Faffner but publicly framed the Southern folks for it, while secretly pinning it on Fouché? What would happen then?"
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