Mutiny (3)

Beurnonville was well aware of the importance of mid- to low-ranking officers in an army. However, his mission wasn't to command the troops, but to bring the traitor Dumouriez back to Paris to face trial by the people. If Dumouriez escaped, it would mean his mission had failed, no matter what. Although he wasn't wearing a strange watch or having any unseen warnings about the points deducted for failure, or even execution if he didn't have enough points, the consequences of failure might not be much different.

However, the short major standing before him now seemed less concerned with capturing Dumouriez, the traitor. From his words, he appeared more interested in the safety of the bound mid- and lower-ranking officers. Beurnonville knew that, from a global perspective, this short officer's considerations were more in line with France's interests. But even if the greater good was at stake, it should be Beurnonville who did it. A mere major trying to prioritize the greater good was disregarding his authority as the special envoy. So, although this short officer had recently rescued him with his soldiers, Beurnonville's initial gratitude vanished almost instantly. He even felt that the short man lacked commitment to the revolution. At the same time, he found a very flattering description for his actions. "Iron-fisted."

However, even if Beurnonville wanted to be "impartial," he didn't have the means to be. The soldiers around him were equally unwavering in their commitment to the revolution, and instead of standing with him, who represented Paris, they sided with that short man named Bonaparte.

The traitor's messenger went back, and the traitors discussed things for a while. Then the messenger returned.

"The general agrees with your suggestion," Hankerson said, "But he also has some requirements."

"Speak," Napoleon said.

"The general demands that all your ambush troops come out so we can confirm that you haven't laid an ambush ahead," Hankerson said. "Furthermore, the general disagrees with handing over Duke of Chartres as a hostage, but he proposes to be the hostage himself."

Napoleon considered for a moment and replied, "I can summon all the ambush troops, but Dumouriez must come to me first. After all, Dumouriez should know that we don't have a numerical advantage. Without the advantage of an ambush, if you charge straight at us, it will be very disadvantageous for us. Alright, you can pass on my words to Dumouriez; this is the final condition. If he agrees, let him come himself. If he doesn't agree, then let's settle this with cannons and bayonets."

Hankerson immediately turned back. He had to save time; the pursuers might be arriving soon.

Soon after, Hankerson and Dumouriez arrived. Once they were among Napoleon's soldiers, Napoleon summoned the soldiers who had been lying in ambush nearby and cleared the way after the enemy had released half of the hostages. The rebels quickly passed through the ambush and then stopped to prepare for the second phase of the hostage exchange.

"We can't let this traitor get away!" Beurnonville suddenly exclaimed. "We should send this traitor back to Paris and hang him on a lamppost!"

"Many people would die for me," Dumouriez said.

"They sacrificed themselves for the revolution, and the motherland will remember them," Beurnonville said.

"No," Napoleon said. "They are our brothers, and we must never abandon them."

He then glanced at Dumouriez and said, "The lives of ten thousand traitors are not worth as much as the life of one loyal revolutionary."

"Major Bonaparte, obey orders!" Beurnonville shouted.

"Sir, I cannot obey your orders until I have valid documents proving your identity," Napoleon said calmly, glancing at the envoy.

When Beurnonville and his companions were rescued, they did not have their identification documents on them, so Napoleon used this as an excuse to refuse them entry.

"Good, very good!" Beurnonville's face turned ashen.

"Ha ha ha ha!" Dumouriez burst into laughter, pointing at Napoleon and then at Beurnonville: "Bonaparte, have you ever thought that all your efforts would result in rescuing such a thing? Is this the kind of thing you're fighting for?"

Then, with a serious expression, he said, "Bonaparte, you are of noble birth and so talented. Why do you associate with such people? Come with us. With your talents, you brothers will surely become great men."

His words sounded rather sincere, as if he didn't blame the Bonaparte brothers for ruining his grand plan. Of course, Napoleon didn't believe his nonsense. He had seen plenty of guys like him who were all talk Napoleon no action the moment they turned their backs.

"We are all fighting for revolutionary ideals," Napoleon said. "Even if we have disagreements and different opinions, it is all for France. We will never betray our France homeland."

Nowadays, Napoleon's ability to lie through his teeth has improved considerably; at least he still speaks the words "France fatherland" very fluently.

"France, our homeland?" Dumouriez looked at Napoleon with a mocking gaze. "You, a Corsica, whose father was even a rebel, dare to tell me you love France?"

"Corsica is an inseparable part of France since ancient times, and every Corsica is a citizen of the French Republic and has a sacred duty to uphold the unity of the motherland." Napoleon uttered this statement without hesitation.

"Bonaparte, you will succeed!" Dumouriez concluded.

The subsequent hostage exchange went smoothly. Although Beurnonville desperately wanted to sabotage everything, he was almost universally ignored. This, of course, fueled his deep hatred for Napoleon, who had saved him, a hatred that even surpassed that for Dumouriez.

Having quelled the rebellion, Joseph and Napoleon at least temporarily gained control of the army. Several envoys who had failed to complete their mission, after verifying their identities (Dumouriez had left in haste without taking their letters of introduction), did not smoothly gain command. In fact, knowing almost nothing about military affairs, and after Joseph's threats that Dumouriez' defection had given the Austrian army knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses and that they would likely launch an attack soon, leading to a fierce battle, these envoys genuinely hoped to return to Paris before another defeat. Of course, they wouldn't say it like that. Their reasoning was. "We must quickly inform Paris of the dire situation here so they can prepare to support you immediately. Furthermore, due to that damned traitor's sabotage, you are facing severe shortages of various military supplies, and this situation must also be reported to the National Assembly immediately."

So the special envoy left quickly.

Of course, these special envoys weren't entirely without anything to take back. In their haste, the Duke of Chartres had forgotten an important letter in the camp: a letter from Philippe Ebenezer to his son. This letter was quickly discovered and became the envoys' most important achievement. Although they hadn't managed to capture the traitor Dumouriez, they had at least successfully discovered another traitor infiltrated into the revolutionary ranks—a commendable accomplishment nonetheless.

The Duke of Chartres, still shaken, fled into the Austria military camp and stayed there temporarily. General Coburg had many things to ask them. They stayed with General Coburg for three whole days before being allowed to leave the camp. The Duke of Chartres knew that the exiled Royalist Party probably hated him no less than they hated those "rebels." Therefore, he did not intend to stay in Austria, where Royalist Party were everywhere, but prepared to go to Britain. It was on this day that he realized he seemed to have left the letter his father had given him in the French Army military camp! Meanwhile, the special envoys had returned to Paris and reported Dumouriez's rebellion to the National Assembly, publicly presenting evidence that the Duke of Orleans had participated in the rebellion, attempting to overthrow the Republic and restore the monarchy.

After writing that letter to his son, the Duke of Orleans made some preparations for escape, intending to flee if things went wrong. However, because he had not received any prior warning, he was caught off guard and was arrested on the spot, even while the council was in session.

Dumouriez, originally a member of the Brissotins and once one of Brissotins leaders, betrayed them. Naturally, the Mountain launched a full-scale attack on the Brissotins. The Brissotins, in turn, retaliated by seizing upon the fact that the Duke of Orleans was on the Mountain's side, and that the Mountain had also produced a traitor. Thus, in parliament, members of both factions attacked each other, each accusing the other of being a traitor to the Republic.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Danton once again proposed the Revolutionary Tribunal and the Committee of Public Safety. This time, the Brissotins of parliamentarians dared not obstruct the motion, because at this point, opposing such a motion would be tantamount to confirming their opponents' accusations that they were traitors to the Republic. Thus, the most important institution in the France Revolution— the Committee of Public Safety— was established and quickly became the true power center of the French Republic.

Danton naturally joined the committee, and since national salvation inevitably involves military affairs, Carnot was also selected for the Committee of Public Safety, becoming a member specifically responsible for military matters.

The Revolutionary Tribunal was quickly put into operation, and the guillotine was erected once again, this time beheading Philippe the Equal.