Napoleon's Speech
Napoleon, his feet treading on the Britain and Prussia flags, strode into the Reichstag building like a proud rooster, escorted by his guards. As he entered the parliamentary chamber, all the members rose to their feet and applauded. Of course, some clapped while muttering, "Isn't this just like Caesar entering the Senate?"
"Unfortunately, none of us Brutus," someone else said in a low voice.
But no matter how some people vented their anger or how much they hated it in their hearts, the new Caesar had already strode onto the podium. Unlike the Caesar of history, the new Caesar had already made up his mind that as long as he entered the Senate, no, it should be said that as long as he entered the National Assembly, he would bring an army strong enough to suppress the resistance of all the members of the National Assembly.
Napoleon stepped onto the podium, looked down at the audience, then took out his prepared speech, glanced at it twice, and began to speak:
"Gentlemen, today I bring you news of victory. Our army, in Italy, in Verdun, in the Rhine, in Hanover, and in Berlin, has repeatedly dealt heavy blows to those reactionary feudal rulers. The shameful banners of those invaders are now being cast aside by our brave warriors on the steps of the Senate—ah, it should be the National Assembly. This is proof of our great victory."
Our victory forced even those feudal princes to admit that France freedom and independence are more secure than the Alps, and absolutely unshakeable by these parasites and clowns! Before our mighty army, those who once swore wildly against France, who threatened to send back their so-called 'legitimate king' with bayonets to continue ruling and exploiting us, who even said they would slaughter our people and bloodily cleanse the glorious city of Paris —but what about now? With chains around their necks and the keys to their cities in their hands, they bowed their heads to France in confession.
Members of Parliament, gentlemen, we can rejoice, for the freedom and independence of France have been guaranteed, and the peaceful life that the France people have long awaited is about to arrive!
Whether they supported Napoleon or only outwardly did Napoleon, the members of parliament applauded enthusiastically. The applause intensified, especially when someone noticed that the Minister of Police Fouché, was also present, clapping while casting a gloomy glance at the others. However, a serious problem immediately arose: when would the applause stop? Everyone clapped while looking around, determined not to be the first to stop.
The sustained applause even made Napoleon a little uncomfortable, and he had to gesture to stop them from clapping.
After the applause finally subsided, Napoleon continued:
"Gentlemen, the suppression of the domestic rebellion and the defeat of the foreign interventionist forces are not the end of France France Revolution, but only the beginning, or even just France first step."
So, gentlemen, what is France's next step?
To answer this question, we must first ask: why did the France people have a revolution back then?
I know some friends will say that it's because we want freedom, democracy, equality, and many other things. These are all correct, but I want to say that these are not the most fundamental things. So what are the most fundamental things?
Napoleon paused, looked down at the councilors below, and after a moment answered:
"The most fundamental thing is that the France people want to win a rich and happy life! Their right to a good and prosperous life can no longer be trampled on by those greedy feudal rulers."
In 1792, just before Marshal Brunswick of Prussia issued that arrogant and shameful declaration to "slaughter Paris," my maid, Aunt Sophie, complained to us, "Before the revolution, we had no bread to eat; after the revolution, we still have no bread to eat—wasn't the revolution in vain?"
It was Aunt Sophie, who raised this very question, who, when the invading army from Brunswick approached Verdun, resolutely sent her husband and two sons to join the Volunteer Army. It was they who, in Valmy, with dauntless courage and overwhelming force, defeated the revolutionary enemies, saved France, and saved the revolution. At that time, as an ordinary soldier, I also fought alongside them under enemy fire, which was the most glorious moment of my life.
Since the France people destroyed the Bastille, a symbol of feudal autocracy, in 1789, we have been besieged by reactionaries both at home and abroad. The revolutionary situation was precarious, like a candle flickering in the wind, countless times. But it was those nameless warriors, who had no bread in the past and still have no bread now, who, through their indomitable struggle, with their blood and lives, time and again, saved France and the revolution at the most critical moments!
Gentlemen, I firmly believe that although their names may be unknown, their deeds will live on forever!
The councilors then applauded again.
As the applause subsided, Napoleon continued:
"Gentlemen, why were these nameless heroes willing to defend the revolution with their blood and lives when there was no bread to eat before the revolution and still no bread to eat after the revolution? It's because they knew that there was a fundamental difference between not having bread to eat before and not having bread to eat after the revolution. Before the revolution, there was no bread because the bread that should have belonged to the people had been plundered by the feudal rulers. During the revolution, there was no bread because we had to save every penny to resist the counterattacks of the reactionaries at home and abroad. As long as we defeated them, our people and our descendants would all be able to eat bread."
Gentlemen, let us thank our people! The people of France are the greatest and most reasonable people in the world. They understand these things, they understand the temporary difficulties that arise during the revolution, and they are willing to endure suffering that most people cannot bear. Therefore, although they are temporarily unable to eat their fill after the revolution, they are still willing to defend their country and the revolution with their blood and lives.
Gentlemen, the France people are the greatest heroes of the France Revolution. I propose that we all rise, pay tribute to them, and cheer for them—Long live the people!
The lawmakers quickly stood up and joined in the cheering.
"Gentlemen, now that the reactionaries at home and abroad have been overthrown, the revolutionary situation is brighter than ever before. Now is the time for us to fulfill the promises we made to our people before the revolution."
We once solemnly promised our people that they would be free from want and fear, and that they would have a happy and prosperous life. Now is the time for us to fulfill that promise.
If today, nine years after the 1789 Revolution, when all the reactionaries have been defeated and are no longer a direct threat to France's security, and we still cannot fulfill our promises, and if our people complain, "Wasn't that revolution in vain?" then we will not only be unable to answer to the France people, but also to the people of the world. Our revolutionary government will be a feudal government, and I and all of you here will be Louis XVI!
Gentlemen, I have a feeling that our work will be recorded in the annals of human history, because it has pointed the way for freedom-loving people all over the world.
Our revolutionary work is not yet finished, the revolutionary movement is still moving forward, and we must continue our efforts. Those foreign feudal princes and our domestic reactionaries will never accept their defeat, and they will certainly make a final struggle whenever they feel they have a chance. They will also engage in sabotage and disruption in various ways, and they will attempt to restore feudal autocracy in France every day and every hour. This is inevitable and beyond doubt, and we must not let our guard down.
Our democratic system is a powerful weapon for safeguarding the fruits of the revolution and opposing the restoration plots of internal and external enemies; we must firmly grasp this weapon. Internationally, we must unite with all peace-loving and freedom-loving countries and peoples to ensure that our struggle to safeguard the fruits of the people's revolution and oppose the restoration plots of internal and external enemies is not isolated. As long as we uphold democracy and unite with our international friends, we will always be invincible.
Gentlemen, the task of restoring and developing the national economy is now before us. We face many difficulties, but we are confident that all difficulties will be overcome by the heroic struggle of the entire France people. The France people have extremely rich experience in overcoming difficulties. If we can survive the long and extremely difficult years and defeat the powerful internal and external reactionaries, why can't we build a prosperous and strong country after the victory? As long as we are united, as long as we uphold democracy, we, who have broken free from the shackles of feudalism, can quickly achieve victory on the economic front.
Gentlemen, our national defense will be strengthened, and foreign invaders will no longer be allowed to invade our land. Our armed forces must be preserved and developed on the basis of the valiant and battle-tested France army. We will not only have a powerful army, but also a powerful navy.
Let those reactionaries, both inside and outside, tremble before us; let them say we can't do this or that. The indomitable efforts of the France people will surely lead them steadily to their goal.
Long live the France people!
Amid thunderous applause, Napoleon then presented his long-prepared political reform plan and submitted it to Parliament for discussion and deliberation. The newspaper * Science Truth Daily * published in full Napoleon's speech, along with his plans for political reform and people's livelihood. In this plan, Napoleon promised France entire France people that he would lead them to eradicate poverty and scarcity as easily as he would an enemy army.
Shouts of "Long live General Bonaparte!" once again echoed through the streets and alleys of Paris.