I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 63: Directory Government - The Power of Money

The economy dominated the agenda of the newly convened National Assembly.

"At this rate, Francia's economy will collapse. The national debt must be addressed immediately."

This impassioned declaration, ironically, caused all eyes to turn to Christine.

The reason? A surprisingly large portion of the Francia Republic's debt was owed to the Aquitaine Company.

"Unfortunately, even the Aquitaine Company can no longer postpone repayment of the principal," Christine interjected sharply, snapping her fan shut with a clack.

The Republic's government had borrowed an immense sum from a mere merchant company and, using the war as an excuse, hadn't repaid a single penny of the principal. Only interest payments had been made, and even those were exceptionally low—a concession granted when the Aquitaine company joined the Republic's government.

"The Aquitaine Company currently manages trade with the Holy Theocracy and supplies goods to the Republic, but without available funds, even that will become difficult."

"Ahem. I understand Countess Aquitaine's position, but everyone is aware of the Aquitaine Company's enormous profits from its trade monopoly. Considering the Republic's situation, could you not grant us more time? The National Assembly needs to recover, and for Francia..."

"I procured magic amplification crystals from the Magic Kingdom for Francia's victory. Did I bill the Assembly? I believe I have personally done more than enough to serve the nation. If other representatives contributed a similar amount, I might consider further support."

The representative who had attempted to press the matter fell silent.Christine had indeed played a crucial role in the fight against the Storm Witch, one comparable to Eris. The magic amplification crystals Christine provided had allowed Eris to perfectly open the army's assault route.

But, putting that aside, should the Assembly be reduced to begging a single merchant company owner for loan extensions? What a complete and utter mess.

If Christine hadn't been a representative backed by me and the Central Party, the government might have tried to default on the loan.

Unable to do so, the representatives changed the subject, their faces burning with frustration.

"First, it is imperative to lift the trade blockade. Last year, the harvest was decent, but currently, aside from the neutral Magic Kingdom, no one is trading with Francia..."

The food shortage has been somewhat alleviated thanks to the shrinking front lines as the civil war nears its end and the efforts of the Aquitaine Company.

However, with no place to sell anything produced, the economic hardship shows no signs of abating, and we need many weapons to prepare for war with the Empire.

"What if the Saintess and Countess Aquitaine were to contact the Holy Theocracy? I understand Marquis Lafayette also maintains a decent relationship with the Theocracy..."

I exchanged a quick glance with Christine and shook my head.

"It's not impossible, but the Theocracy will be mindful of other countries. We are already trading with the Aquitaine Company, so is there really a need to pay those greedy people to lift the Theocracy's trade blockade now?"

"Hmm..."

In fact, because of the enormous profits generated by the Aquitaine Company's monopoly trade, Christine and I have no need to go out of our way to lift the trade blockade.

Besides, the Holy Theocracy will likely lift the trade blockade anyway, following Eris, the Saintess, when she ascends to the throne as Queen of Francia.

There's no need to reduce Christine's profits and pay a hefty price to beg the Theocracy now.

"In fact, if we had wanted to lift the trade blockade quickly, we should have kept King Louis alive."

Nicolas Brisseau of the Liberal Party said regretfully.

Duke Lorenne died of his own doing, so he was not a pretext. However, they are vehemently advocating for maintaining the trade blockade, and throwing a fit over the King's execution.

"We could not spare the one who caused the revolution and brought foreign powers to make Francia bleed."

But Maximilien Le Jidor of the Revolutionary Party immediately refuted him.

This is also a matter of public opinion, so it can't be helped.

As I was pondering, Christine spoke.

"Anyway, they will change their position with time. If it is difficult to trade with them immediately, it is also an option to try trading with countries of other races."

"Other races..."

"There is the Eastern Empire, ruled by the Elven Tsar[1], and the Kingdom of Alps, ruled by the Dwarven Mountain King."

"Hmm, but aren't they quite arrogant?"

"At the very least, they wouldn't refuse to even talk just because we killed a human king. Or, is there any other alternative?"

Christine asked, twisting the corner of her mouth, and no further objections were raised.

"The Central Party agrees with Countess Aquitaine's opinion."

"Rather than waiting indefinitely for them to lift the trade blockade, it would be better to at least try."

Two of the deputies, Count Anjou and Nicolas Brisseau, agreed.

"...Let's consider it."

Eventually, Maximilien Le Jidor also answered positively, and the agenda related to the trade blockade was concluded for the time being.

Next is the agenda I submitted.

Maximilien Le Jidor, wearing his glasses, scanned the document and spoke.

"Marquis Lafayette. You proposed a complete overhaul of the military education program in the Grandes Écoles plan."

The Grandes Écoles plan is a government-led educational reform plan because Francia's education system is quite outdated, having maintained feudalism for so long.

Even the existing schools focus primarily on theology, so it is essential for the Republic, which wants to exclude religion and nurture talent for the nation.

I want to overhaul the military education program within it.

"That's correct."

"The Revolutionary Party is of the opinion that the complete overhaul of the military education program you proposed should be put on hold."

"The revolution may have succeeded, but we are facing trade blockades and condemnation from almost every nation. They are unlikely to view the Republic favorably, so we must reform the system in advance and prepare to ensure our safety."

Maximilien Le Jidor replied again without any change in expression.

"I understand your intentions, Marquis, but further review and adjustments are needed."

Even from their perspective, my proposal of a professional officer training program regardless of origin and magic education for ordinary soldiers shouldn't be a bad idea?

Well, yes. Since we are on the opposite side of the Revolutionary Party, there may be a lot of opposition for the sake of opposition.

"The Liberal Party also believes that your proposal requires further review."

...But even the moderates?

In the end, I had no choice but to grimace.

What's the problem with these people?

Seeing the representatives whispering among themselves while glancing at me, I let out a small sigh and turned my gaze towards Christine.

Christine met my gaze, her fan snapping shut with a sharp clack. She spoke slowly, deliberately.

"...One year."

The noisy assembly fell silent at her words.

"I am willing to further postpone the principal repayment period, depending, of course, on the Assembly's cooperation."

This was precisely why I had cut it off so abruptly.

Amidst a rising tide of whispers, Nicolas Brisseau cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Ahem, ahem. The Liberal Party will need a moment to reconsider."

Murmurs rippled through the Revolutionary Party, and finally, Maximilien Le Jidor, adjusting his glasses with a grimace, spoke.

"...The Revolutionary Party will also consider it favorably."

Le Jidor, in that moment, looked a decade older than when I'd first met him. The uncompromising idealist, forced into the chairman's role to prevent the radicals' collapse, must have been deeply pained by these constant compromises with reality.

"Since the deputies agree on the necessity of the matter,"

Christine said, a slight twist at the corner of her mouth,

"I'm pleased that Aquitaine can contribute positively to the government."

I almost burst out laughing. Ah, the power of money.

Christine, a genius at fund management, had secured capital from an already prosperous merchant company.

Using my pre-regression knowledge, she hoarded raw materials and now even engaged in monopoly trade.

The bankrupt, debt-ridden government, blockaded by numerous countries, must be utterly desperate after this.

-

As a result of the discussion, the agenda I submitted passed swiftly.

Giving commoner soldiers the opportunity to learn magic, at first glance the Assembly was lukewarm about this educational program that perfectly matched the Republic's ideology. I later learned why.

The National Assembly worried that soldiers learning magic from me and the nobles would become my personal guard, heavily influenced by the Southern Army.

I hadn't even thought of that until Christine figured it out and told me. Commoners learning a bit of magic would negate the revolution and become the personal guard of nobles?

They would be influenced, yes, but if that alone makes them my personal guard, doesn't that mean the banner of the revolution is quite weak?

They worry too much.

After the agenda passed, I was facing Valliant at the Francia Military Headquarters in Lumiere.

"The military education program will be shared by officers from both the Northern and Southern Armies. The Southern Army will be in charge of magic and the basic curriculum, while the Northern Army will handle tactical doctrine and artillery operation."

"Haha, as expected of you, Marquis. Honestly, I didn't expect it to pass so quickly."

Raphael Valliant said that, but with a wry smile.

Ultimately, the National Assembly wanted to delay and extract maximum concessions from me, limiting the Southern Army-centered curriculum and expanding the influence of the Northern Army.

I conceded the tactical doctrine and artillery operation to the Northern Army, as it was undeniable that Valliant's Northern Army was superior to the noble-centered Southern Army.

Contrary to the National Assembly's intentions, by conceding and including the Northern Army, other agendas of the Central Party were passed in return.

"Do you still think I will have trouble because of the National Assembly's checks?"

I asked with a grin, and Valliant raised both hands.

"Ah, I admit it. In politics, a mere soldier like me can't beat Marquis Lafayette or Countess Aquitaine. Honestly, isn't it unfair? Who would have imagined that a noble would handle the Assembly like that?"

Yes, nobody in the National Assembly thought so when we first joined the revolutionary government.

"But you know this now, Commander. Whatever the National Assembly may be, I have no intention of unnecessarily checking the Northern Army."

Whatever ambition Raphael Valliant may harbor, as long as there is a threat from foreign powers, he is a necessary talent for this country.

I must protect this country for Christine and my people, and Raphael will use his abilities for this country for his own ambition.

That's enough.

Valliant grinned and replied.

"Haha. Thank you, Marquis. I will not forget that you included the Northern Army in matters that the Southern Army could have led."

While I was discussing the details with Valliant, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Louis Deze, now a general, entered, saluted me, and spoke.

"Excuse me, Commander Valliant, Marquis Lafayette. A messenger has arrived from the border guard in the southern mountains. I believe Marquis Lafayette, as the commander of the Southern Army, should hear it directly."

The southern mountains.

Ah, damn it. Is it about the kingdom those barbarians established?

"Sigh. I'm sorry, but let's discuss the rest later, Commander Valliant."

"Understood. The southern mountains are under the jurisdiction of the Southern Army, so I hope there are no major issues."

Valliant replied with a grin.

It seems like a big deal since he said it like that...

-

After Marquis Lafayette and Deze left.

Alone, Raphael Valliant put his foot on the empty table with a thud and leaned back on the sofa.

Valliant was quite fond of Marquis Lafayette.

Objectively, he is a good partner, and he is cooperative with Valliant, so there is no reason to dislike him.

From their first meeting, Valliant was quite fond of Marquis Lafayette, and the impression he is showing is more than he had expected from their first meeting.

However, Marquis Lafayette refused Valliant's proposal.

Valliant possessed both ability and ambition, and fortunately, he lived in an era where he could seize opportunities through his ability, not his origin.

If he hadn't known, it would have been fine, but once he tasted power, it gave him an unbearable thirst.

More, I want to stand higher.

But if the National Assembly is swayed by Marquis Lafayette instead of overseeing him, such a day will never come for him, a mere soldier.

Marquis Lafayette will use his political standing to go higher, and Valliant will have to be satisfied with a place beside or below him.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Valliant slowly rose from his seat.

"Come in."

The door opened, and an old man in a bishop's robe entered.

Valliant, seeing the opportunity that had come to him, grinned.

"It is an honor to meet such a distinguished person, Bishop Richelieu."

Author's Note:

The Eastern Empire is based on the ruling and ruled ethnic structure of the Qing Dynasty, but the ruling class, the Elves, are not based on the Manchus but on the Russian royalty. So, it would be something like the Chinese ruled by Russian royalty.