Chapter 1192 "Traitor"
"I swear on my life that so long as France had not fallen, we would spare no effort to protect Poland!"
Though the French Prince had spoken only two short sentences, the sincerity in his still somewhat youthful face moved the King of Poland.
Stanisław II stepped forward two paces and solemnly bowed to the youth. "Neither Joseph nor I have ever doubted that France is Poland's most reliable friend. We both strongly support Your Highness's plan."
Regent Poniatowski added, "But the members of Parliament will be difficult to persuade. You know, making them agree to bow their heads to the Russian-Prussian-Austrian Invaders would be more painful than burning their souls."
Poland was now a constitutional state. The King could not make major decisions by bypassing Parliament.
Following his brother's instructions, Charles asked, "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Regent, are you willing to give up everything for Poland?"
Stanisław and his uncle exchanged a glance, then answered at the same time, "Of course."
"I can do anything for Poland."
Charles took out Joseph's handwritten letter and handed it to Stanisław II. "This is my brother's advice for you."
After reading the letter, the latter nodded silently with a gloomy expression, then passed it to his nephew.
Regent Poniatowski's eyes swept over the paper, but he frowned. "I am willing to give it a try, but the army will most likely refuse the order to withdraw."
Charles immediately produced another letter. "This is from my brother to Marshal Kościuszko."
Three days later.
A "earthquake" struck the Polish Great Sejm.
The cause was that the veteran member Kołłątaj had suddenly submitted a bill to the Great Sejm, demanding the emancipation of all Serfs in Poland except those in Masovia and Podlasie. Moreover, the bill was extremely radical. The