Dibor sighed but did not argue with Luo. They were united in their opposition to the Supreme Judicial Court.
However, circumstances overpowered individuals.
He glanced towards the door, representatives of the Supreme Judicial Court were just in the opposite room, and shook his head, “But no one wants to end up like Count Vergniaud…”
Before he could finish, the pupils of several members of the panel constricted.
Just now, representatives from the Supreme Judicial Court had brought word that, following the strong demands of the Paris populace, His Majesty the King was considering a review of all major cases handled by the High Court in recent years.
The High Court was rife with systemic corruption; to be a judge there meant it was impossible to be untainted by corruption.
Their hands were just as dirty as those of Vergniaud!
Moreover, they were powerless to stop the review—with the current fervor in Paris, a single shout from the representatives of the Supreme Judicial Court could immediately assemble thousands to surround the courthouse, just as had happened to Vergniaud.
After a long while, Dibor, leading by example, raised his hand in defeat, pronouncing gravely, “Let’s register it.”
He had his own distinct stance compared to the other judges; the representatives of the Supreme Judicial Court had told him that once the legislation passed, they would fully support his appointment as President of the High Court.
Of course, this was also hinted at by Joseph. With an opponent who seemed to be at a dead end, it was essential to adhere to the tactic of pulling one faction while hitting another, to prevent a desperate last stand.
So for Dibor, although the High Court’s powers would be greatly curtailed in the future, his personal power could be compensated for from the position of the President, thus he could reluctantly accept.
Judge Vadier followed with a long sigh, raising his right hand, “I agree. Let’s end this soon…”
Glaite and Ollal had no choice but to raise their hands resignedly.
And so, holding their noses, the judges passed the bill that granted the Royal Supreme Court oversight of the High Court.
As for the final provision of the bill, which removed the High Court’s control over the press review agency, they barely took notice—who would care about a few hairs when the ox is already dead?
The most surprising thing was that this significant piece of legislation hardly made a ripple in the circles of the nobility.
From the perspective of the nobility, the High Court remained the High Court, the Assembly of Notables remained the Assembly of Notables, as if nothing had changed.
Oh, there’s a new Royal Supreme Court? Wasn’t that just the old Royal Court of Justice that had been around for hundreds of years…
In stark contrast to the indifference of the nobility, the common people of Paris were extremely excited. The long-standing grievances against the High Court found their release through Vergniaud.
For days on end, cries such as “Long live the King, long live the Royal Court of Justice!” could be heard sporadically in the streets.
“Execute the shameless judges!”
The victims of Vergniaud, in particular, went everywhere proclaiming the King’s mercy and wisdom, sending down the Royal Court of Justice to punish the scoundrels.
Soon, led by the Paris Commercial News, various newspapers in Paris began to feature articles with titles like “His Majesty the King’s Glorious Victory” or “The King’s Just Judgment.”
For the first time, public opinion of the Royal Family started to change for the better.
…
Palace of Versailles.
When Joseph heard about the passage of the Supreme Judicial Court’s bill, he was not surprised.
Under the current circumstances, the High Court had only one path—to accept the bill.
However, with the High Court’s interference gone, he felt much more relieved in his heart; at last, he could truly demonstrate his capabilities and deal with matters of greater importance.
When it came to important matters, he immediately thought of the imminent famine, which couldn’t help but give him a massive headache.
All of France had more than 20 million people, and if the food shortage was calculated at 30%, that was a terrifying number. Moreover, he remembered that the shortage of grain would continue until the beginning of 1790.
Joseph looked at the snowflakes falling outside the tall arched French windows; it was already mid-January.
There were six and a half months until the famine’s massive outbreak in July. Where could he find so much grain…
He had some ideas before, but the closer he got to the outbreak of the problem, the more he felt it wasn’t nearly enough.
For instance, purchasing from foreign countries would need a large amount of funds, which France currently couldn’t spare to buy so much grain, given its financial situation.
And to store such a quantity of grain, storage facilities would be necessary, not to mention prevention of grain looting during the toughest times.
From his recent understanding of the grain market, purchasing solely from foreign countries would not be nearly enough to fill France’s deficit.
This was assuming that the grain market remained stable. If unscrupulous merchants took advantage of the situation, the shortfall would be even greater.
As for preventing hail in advance… Historical records stated that this year’s hailstones were as big as an adult’s fist. Unless the crops were clad in steel armor, there was simply no stopping it.
Joseph’s thoughts on purchasing grain funds led him back to the financial situation of France.
Before he took over the financial affairs, it hadn’t seemed so pressing, but now those billions felt like a mountain crushing his chest, making him struggle to breathe just thinking about it.
All of his hard work with the Paris Angels, if sold off entirely, would at best be worth ten million livres. In other words, 200 Paris Angels would need to be created to plug this enormous hole!
He couldn’t help but take a deep breath to ease his chest.
Therefore, to solve the debt issue, it still had to rely on the Industrial Revolution.
On one hand, the massive industrial products generated by the Industrial Revolution could obtain huge economic benefits and directly fill the fiscal deficit.
On the other hand, the Industrial Revolution could also significantly enhance national strength, thereby gaining greater interests in wars and overseas colonies, which would then nourish the industry, creating a positive cycle.
In fact, England experienced a severe debt crisis at the beginning of the 19th century, no better off than current-day France, but they managed to break through the predicament while saddled with huge debts via the dividends of the Industrial Revolution.
Joseph picked up the warm teacup, took a sip, and thought that to achieve industrial success, control of the national industrial policy must first be obtained.
He shook his head; France did not even have a ministry of industry at present—the Minister of the Interior also oversaw industry. If Mono were to handle the Industrial Revolution well, that would be a miracle indeed.
However, luckily, he had recently acquired a few cards to play, which he could use to negotiate with Mono and persuade him to relinquish control over the industrial sector.
As night fell.
At the ever-present ball at the Palace of Versailles.
Joseph gritted his teeth, weaving through a flock of lighthearted ladies until he finally managed to squeeze to Mono’s side, hurriedly grabbing hold of him.
The young girls, who had originally thought that the Crown Prince was going to invite one of them to dance, saw him tightly grasping the arm of the Minister of the Interior, and strange expressions appeared on each of their faces…