Chapter 14: Chapter 15: Political Capital
Chapter 15: Political Capital
Joseph felt a chill run down his spine as he considered the dangers ahead. Whether from bureaucratic forces, the nobility, the church, capitalists, or foreign powers, his efforts to reform France were likely to provoke fierce backlash whenever he threatened their interests. He realized that situations like Guizot's underhanded schemes would likely become more frequent, and it would be nearly impossible to guard against every potential threat.
How could he avoid being caught off guard?
Looking out the window, his fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest as he thought deeply. The best way to avoid being blindsided was to detect potential threats before they materialized and to uncover plots against him early. Ideally, he needed a team of professionals who could neutralize these threats before they grew.
To accomplish this, he would need a vast network of informants to gather intelligence on his behalf, a command center to analyze and compile information, and to formulate countermeasures. This team could then act on his orders to handle any emerging issues.
As these thoughts formed in his mind, he envisioned creating something akin to the CIA, KGB, or MI6. With a specialized intelligence agency under his control, he wouldn't be left in the dark when facing the covert actions of various powerful factions. Such an agency would ensure that his efforts to reform France remained uninterrupted.
Technically, France already had a spy organization, the secret police. However, Joseph knew they were far from reliable—mostly engaged in petty activities like reading mail, eavesdropping, and conducting aimless surveillance. They were so incompetent that they often got caught, earning the secret police a terrible reputation.
Therefore, it was clear to Joseph that he would need to personally establish a new intelligence team. Not only could he guide and train them with modern principles, but their loyalty would also be assured.
But there was a problem. The secret police were already despised across France. Creating another organization like that would make him a target of widespread animosity.
Joseph frowned as he pondered how to accomplish this discreetly. Where would he find the necessary manpower?
At the root of the issue was his own lack of political clout and resources, making it difficult to advance his plans...
Long hours of thinking brought on a headache, accompanied by a bout of coughing. He smiled wryly; his frail body had been suffering from chronic pneumonia, and the poor living conditions in Saint-Antoine had caused a relapse. It seemed that improving his health needed to become a priority too.
The carriage began to slow down, prompting Joseph to ask, "Are we there yet?"
"Not quite, Your Highness," Emon replied, leaning out of the window to call to the front, "What's going on?"
One of the guards quickly approached from the front carriage, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, the Minister of the Interior, Count Monot, happened to be passing by and wishes to greet you personally."
"Happened to be passing by?" Joseph looked to Emon with a questioning gaze.
Emon leaned in closer and whispered, "Your Highness, it might be related to Guizot."
Joseph's thoughts quickened. He had been considering how to build influence within the cabinet, and here was an opportunity potentially presenting itself. This could be the political capital he needed.
He nodded to the guard, "Invite Count Monot to join me in my carriage."
"Yes, Your Highness."
A moment later, a man in his fifties, with long wavy hair, narrow brown eyes, and a powdered face, approached the carriage. Handing his cane to a servant, he bowed deeply. "What a fortunate surprise to encounter the Prince here."
Joseph returned the bow politely and invited him into the carriage, offering the pastries on the small table. "These are from Her Majesty, the Queen. Please have some."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Monot looked delighted as he took a piece, praising it extravagantly before signaling his servant to bring a wooden box forward. With a smile, he said, "I recently acquired a beautiful sword that I thought would complement your heroic spirit, Your Highness. I hope you will accept it."
"Oh? Thank you very much, Count Monot."
As Joseph accepted the box, Monot casually remarked, "Your Highness, Paris has certainly seen a lot of activity recently."
"Indeed it has."
"Some officials' actions have been truly regrettable." Despite his high rank, Monot adopted a humble tone and sighed, "Guizot used to be an upstanding man. Who could have foreseen...?"
Joseph opened the wooden box, smiling as he interrupted, "Feel free to speak openly."
"Very well, Your Highness." Monot's expression grew earnest. "I recommended Guizot in the past because of his abilities. I had no knowledge of his recent activities; had I known, I would have done everything in my power to stop him.
"But thankfully, Your Highness was wise and saw through his evil schemes, preventing a disaster."
Guizot had once been Monot's student, and it was Monot who had promoted him to Chief of Police. This scandal could easily implicate Monot himself.
Despite his high position, Monot was unsure of the specifics since Guizot was in the hands of the secret police. Not daring to ask the Queen directly, Monot had decided to intercept the young Prince on his way back to Versailles to probe for information.
"Your Highness, may I ask what charges Guizot is facing?"
Joseph appeared engrossed in examining the jewel-encrusted scimitar and casually replied, "Hmm, I heard something about inciting a riot."
Monot froze. A riot was a grave charge, implying an attempt to overthrow the government. If this were proven, Monot himself could not escape unscathed!
He forced a laugh, "Surely he wouldn't have the audacity..."
"Really?" Joseph set the scimitar down and handed Monot a copy of the confession. "This was delivered by the Royal Police this morning. It shows that Guizot ordered criminals to attack the police station in Saint-Antoine. Oh, by the way, I was in the station at the time."
Monot glanced at the document, and cold sweat immediately began to pour down his face. Though he doubted that Guizot had any motive to incite a riot, the evidence seemed to support that interpretation.
He cursed Guizot inwardly before looking at Joseph with a pained expression, "Your Highness, is there any way to resolve this?"
Joseph blinked innocently. "Some say Guizot incited a riot, but I'm not so sure. After all, I was there and know the situation best."
"Yes, yes!" Monot nodded eagerly. "Please make sure to explain everything to Her Majesty."
"Oh, I'll get to it in a few days," Joseph said, picking up the scimitar again and playfully swinging it. "Right now, I'm focused on proving to my mother that I'm ready to be the Assistant Minister of Finance."
The abrupt change of topic left Monot momentarily confused, but then he remembered that the Prince had previously asked to be made Assistant Minister of Finance at a cabinet meeting. He quickly responded,
"No one is better suited for that position than you, Your Highness! The day after tomorrow, the cabinet meets again, and I will propose that you be appointed Assistant Minister of Finance!
"I can also speak with Archbishop Brienne to gain his support as well!"
Brienne was the current Minister of Finance and also the Prime Minister, the highest-ranking official after the King.
(End of Chapter)
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