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The Fox of France - Chapter 92
🕑 Added 2023-10-27 12:09:02 +0000 UTCBourlonville was well aware of the importance of junior officers in an army. However, his mission wasn't to command the troops; it was to bring the traitor Dumouriez back to Paris for the people's judgment. Allowing Dumouriez to escape would mean failure, and even though he didn't have a strange wristwatch on his arm or a voice reminding him of the consequences of failure, he knew that the outcome of failing the mission might not be much different.
But now, the short lieutenant colonel in front of him seemed more concerned about the safety of the bound junior officers than catching the traitor. Bourlonville understood that from a broader perspective, this lieutenant colonel's considerations aligned better with the interests of France. However, if anyone should be concerned about the bigger picture, it should be him, Bourlonville, as the special envoy. Despite the fact that this same lieutenant colonel had rescued him not long ago, any gratitude he had felt evaporated in an instant. He even felt that this short officer wasn't steadfast enough in the revolution. At the same time, he used a euphemism to describe his own behavior – "uncompromising."
However, even if Bourlonville wanted to be "uncompromising," he didn't have the luxury at the moment. The soldiers around him weren't firmly aligned with the revolution, and to his surprise, they had joined the side of the short lieutenant with the name Bonaparte.
After the envoy from the traitor returned and discussed with them, he came back once more.
"General agrees to your proposal," Hankson said. "But he has some conditions."
"Go on," Napoleon replied.
"The general requests that your hidden troops come out so we can ensure you haven't set an ambush ahead of us," Hankson continued. "Additionally, the general doesn't agree to handing Duke of Chartres as a hostage to you, but he proposes to be the hostage himself."
Napoleon pondered for a moment and responded, "I can bring out the main force of our troops, but Dumouriez must come to me first. He should know we don't have the advantage in numbers. Without the element of surprise from our hidden troops, you might attack us directly, and that would be detrimental to us. You can convey my terms to Dumouriez, and this is the final condition. If he agrees, he can come over himself. If not, we'll settle the matter with cannons and bayonets."
Hankson immediately went back. He needed to save time because the pursuers might be arriving soon.
In a short while, Hankson and Dumouriez arrived. When they reached Napoleon's soldiers, he ordered his hidden troops to reveal themselves and cleared a path after releasing half of the hostages. The rebels quickly passed the ambush and stopped, preparing for the second phase of the hostage exchange.
"We can't let this traitor go!" Bourlonville suddenly exclaimed. "We should send this traitor back to Paris and hang him on a lamppost!"
"There will be many who would die with me," Dumouriez replied.
"They'll have died for the revolution, and our homeland will remember them," Bourlonville said.
"No," Napoleon intervened. "They are our brothers, and we can never abandon them, no matter the circumstances."
Then he glanced at Dumouriez and added, "The life of ten thousand traitors doesn't compare to one loyal soldier for the revolution."
"Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte, obey orders!" Bourlonville shouted.
"Sir, I cannot obey your orders until I receive valid identification documents proving your authority," Napoleon said calmly, casting a glance at this special envoy.
When Bourlonville and others were rescued, they didn't have their identification documents on them, so Napoleon used this as an excuse to reject him.
"Very well," Bourlonville's face turned grim.
"Hahaha!" Dumouriez burst into laughter, pointing at Napoleon and then at Bourlonville. "Bonaparte, have you ever thought that after all your efforts, you saved something like this? Are you fighting for something like this?"
Then he spoke in a more serious tone, "Bonaparte, you're of noble birth, and with your talent, why would you mix with the likes of this? Come with us; with your talents, you can surely become someone of great importance."
His words seemed sincere, as if he didn't blame Bonaparte for ruining his cause. Of course, Napoleon didn't buy into his sweet talk. He had seen enough of people who spoke nicely but turned hostile behind one's back.
"We're all fighting for the ideals of the revolution," Napoleon said. "Even if we have disagreements and differing views, it's all for France. We can't betray our motherland."
Napoleon had become skilled at speaking convincingly, and when he mentioned "Motherland France," he did so fluently.
"Motherland France?" Dumouriez scoffed, looking at Napoleon mockingly. "You, a Corsican, whose father was once a rebel, dare to talk to me about loving France?"
"Corsica is an integral part of France since time immemorial, and every Corsican is a citizen of the French Republic. They all have a sacred duty to defend the unity of the homeland," Napoleon confidently stated.
"Bonaparte, you will succeed!" Dumouriez said in conclusion.
The rest of the hostage exchange proceeded smoothly. Although Bourlonville wanted to disrupt everything, he was practically ignored by everyone. This also deepened his hatred for Napoleon, even more than Dumouriez.
With the suppression of the mutiny, Joseph and Napoleon had at least temporarily gained control of this army. The special envoys who failed their mission, after confirming their identities, didn't get the command. They were eager to return to Paris before another round of failure, although they didn't admit it. Their official reason was, "We must quickly inform Paris about the dire situation here to prepare for your support. Additionally, due to the traitor's actions, your army is critically short on supplies, and this must be reported to the National Convention immediately."
So, the special envoys departed quickly.
However, they didn't leave empty-handed. Because they rushed to leave, the Duke of Chartres forgot an important letter in the camp. This letter was written by Philippe Égalité to his son. It was quickly discovered, becoming the most significant acquisition for these special envoys. They might not have captured the traitor Dumouriez, but they had successfully identified another traitor within the revolutionary ranks. It was considered an accomplishment, no matter what.
The Duke of Chartres, having narrowly escaped, sought refuge in the Austrian camp and stayed there temporarily. General Cobourg had many questions for him, and they spent a full three days in the camp before being allowed to leave. The Duke of Chartres knew that as an exiled royalist, his hatred for the Jacobins might be as fierce as his hatred for the "rebels." Thus, he decided not to stay in Austria, where royalists were widespread, and instead, he planned to head to England. However, on that day, he realized he had left his father's letter back in the French camp. By now, the special envoys had returned to Paris, reported Dumouriez's betrayal to the National Convention, and presented evidence of the Duke of Orléans' involvement in the rebellion, attempting to restore the monarchy.
After Dumouriez's desertion, the Montagnards had launched an attack on the Girondins, leading to accusations flying in the Convention, with each side labeling the other as traitors to the Republic. Seizing this opportunity, Danton once again proposed the Revolutionary Tribunal and the Committee of Public Safety. This time, the Girondin deputies dared not oppose the proposal, for to do so would be seen as confirming the Montagnards' accusation of their own treachery. Therefore, the most vital institution of the French Revolution—the Committee of Public Safety—was swiftly established, becoming the true center of power in the French Republic.
Danton naturally became a part of this committee, and given the importance of the military, Carnot was selected as a committee member responsible for military matters.
The Revolutionary Tribunal quickly swung into action, and the guillotine was erected once more. This time, it claimed the head of Philippe Égalité.
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