Marat Was About to Die

Jefferson was quite efficient. ⑥⑨ⓢⓗⓤⓧ.⃝ⓒⓞⓜ

The very next morning, he had already submitted a bill to the United States. Federal Parliament regarding a joint effort with France to eliminate the Barbary Pirates.

The purchase of two frigates was also mentioned at the end. However, it was only briefly mentioned in the document, as if the document did not intend to have it approved by the Parliament.

Two days later, at the French Embassy in the United States.

Ambassador Victor DuPont —the eldest son of the president of the French Chamber of Commerce —strode into an office on the second floor of the embassy and gestured with his hat to the special envoy who was sitting by the window reading a book.

"Archbishop Talleyrand, I just heard some news from the United States Congress..."

He took a couple of sips of water from the cup brought by Servant and continued, "Currently, most United States. lawmakers support funding the fight against piracy, but they want to reduce the amount to US Dollar 150,000. As for buying Warship, they seem to lack enthusiasm. The final vote will likely have to wait until next week."

"Thank you for informing me, Mr. DuPont."

Talleyrand closed the book dismissively, thinking to himself: Just as the Crown Prince predicted, getting these poor and stingy United States to spend money won't be so easy. Looks like I'll have to go find that "United States Nation-Building Faction" congressman—what was his name again?

He took out Notebook from his pocket, in which the Crown Prince's previous instructions were written in detail.

"Hamilton." He found the name, looked up at DuPont, and said, "Could you please arrange an appointment for me with Mr. Alexander Hamilton?"

"Of course, Archbishop Talleyrand."

That afternoon, at a private Villa in Philadelphia, Talleyrand met Hamilton, the "Nation-Building Faction leader" whom the Crown Prince had mentioned.

Yes, the United States gained independence in 1783, and five years have passed, yet the United States is still not officially established. The so-called Federal Parliament is merely a symbolic leader; specific matters are decided separately by the Parliament of the thirteen states, essentially leaving the country in a state of anarchy.

The legislators from the Thirteen Colonies are divided into two factions— the Nation-Building Faction and the Status Quo Faction. Although the United States drafted its Constitution last year, establishing the general direction of nation-building, the latter are still actively obstructing the process.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Talleyrand suddenly sighed and said seriously, "Mr. Hamilton, to be honest, I really feel sorry for United States."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"The people of the Thirteen Colonies paid a heavy price to finally win their great independence, but the United States remains a fragmented nation without a unified government."

Hamilton paused for a moment, then nodded in deep agreement. "You're absolutely right!"

"Those congressmen only think about their own immediate interests, yet they slander those who want to establish the United States as seeking 'authoritarianism' and 'dictatorship'! Look at the current Federal Parliament; it doesn't even have the power to collect a single tax."

Talleyrand chimed in, "The thirteen loose and weak states are utterly ineffective, so even the pirates of the Mediterranean Sea dare to bully you."

"If this continues, it won't be long before Native Americans, Canada, and Pirates of the Caribbean all come after you."

Hamilton clenched his fist tightly. "And those guys in the Federal Parliament are always talking about the 'dangers of authoritarianism'... I think they're just afraid of their power in the State Parliament being weakened."

"If it weren't for the Shays' Rebellion scaring them, the United States would still be Confederation System [Note 1]!"

"Look at this world, all powerful nations have a strong government. Ideally, they also have a strong leader, like..."

The words "His Majesty the King of France" were on the tip of his tongue, but he simply couldn't bring himself to utter such a clumsy lie. After a slight pause, he changed it to:

"Just like United Kingdom, France, and Austria. If United States had a King right now, it wouldn't be long before we were able to escape our current state of poverty and backwardness!"

Talleyrand shrugged. "Unfortunately, the United States. Federal Parliament needs to strengthen its appeal in order to bring about the formation of your government."

He looked at Hamilton, who was filled with resentment, and a smile flashed in his eyes; "Only when facing a powerful enemy can internal unity be achieved."

"To be honest, there's an opportunity right now to enhance the prestige of the Federal Parliament, but unfortunately, your members are completely oblivious to it."

"Oh? You mean?"

"Buy Warship and fight Barbary Pirates alongside the French Navy!"

Seeing Hamilton's puzzled expression, Talleyrand immediately added, "The Warship we bought belong to the Federal Parliament."

"Can you imagine whether, after the pirates are eradicated, the headlines in United States newspapers would read ' The France helped us fight the pirates,' or 'Our Warship head to the Mediterranean Sea to wipe out the pirates'? Which one would boost the United States people's confidence in the Federal Parliament more?"

Hamilton's eyes lit up immediately. That's right! A victory against a foreign power is definitely the best way to strengthen national cohesion, even if the opponent is just pirates.

Those foolish and short-sighted lawmakers actually tried to veto the bill to purchase Warship these past two days!

No! We must buy the Warship. This is a golden opportunity to force the formation of the United States government. It would be best to buy several so that United States Warship can sink a Pirate Ship.

Thinking about buying the ship, he suddenly felt discouraged. "Archbishop Talleyrand, to be honest, the Federal Parliament probably really can't afford to allocate tens of thousands of US Dollar for two frigates."

When merchant ships were hijacked by pirates, the states would pool their money to ransom the crew, but they were unwilling to pay an extra penny to the Federal Parliament in normal times.

"Well..." Talleyrand pretended to think for a moment, "Perhaps I can help you think of a solution."

"Oh? You mean you can provide loans?"

"No, that's not it." Talleyrand leaned back in his chair. "I can try to persuade the French Government to accept your trade of Cotton for Warship."

"However, as you know, if the issue of funding for combating piracy isn't handled properly, it won't be easy for me to speak up for you."

Upon hearing that Warship could be acquired without spending money, Hamilton immediately replied without hesitation, "Rest assured, I will contact all the Federalists to ensure the bill is passed as quickly as possible."

That would be best.

As he spoke, Talleyrand adopted a mysterious expression. "If I could help the United States negotiate lower Cotton import Tariff, I wonder if you would be interested?"

"Of course!" Hamilton nodded immediately. Cotton was an important export commodity for the United States, and expanding exports to France would bring substantial profits.

Talleyrand smiled. "But this isn't an easy matter. You see, I have to go to great lengths to smooth things over with a lot of people..."

"I can't put you in a difficult position. How much would you like to know?"

"Hmm, it'll probably cost around US Dollar 4,000." Talleyrand smiled broadly.

In reality, whether it was using Cotton to pay for the ships or increasing imports of United States Cotton, it was all part of Joseph's established policy—to promote the development of the Textile, the supply of raw materials had to be sufficient. But at this moment, it became a card in Talleyrand's hand.

Hamilton readily agreed, "As you have stated, Archbishop Talleyrand. I will immediately apply for a special grant."

With Hamilton and the active efforts of the Federalists, or what Joseph called the Nation-Building Faction, all the bills concerning the fight against piracy were passed three days later.

Even with the insistence of Hamilton and others, the Federal Parliament ultimately decided to exchange Cotton for three frigates.

After Talleyrand signed a series of agreements with Jefferson and received his US Dollar 4,000 kickback, he boarded a ship bound for Russia, completely satisfied.

The ship's hold also contained 15,000 Charleville 1763 Flintlock Gun.

The United States readily produced these guns. After all, they had laid off tens of thousands of militiamen after independence, leaving a large number of firearms idle in Warehouse. Using them to repay a favor to the France was not a big deal.

Lorraine, France.

City of Toul.

"Ha, so this is what they call exile?"

Marat looked at the endless Manor and the beige Villa that resembled small castles with disgust, and scoffed, "If only all the poor people in France could be exiled like this."

He disliked dealing with bureaucrats more than anything in his life, but for the sake of the France people, he resolutely stepped forward and rang the brass bell on the gate.

A short while later, in the off-white Villa, a Nobility in his fifties with very well-maintained skin smiled and gestured to Marat: "It's cold, please have some hot cocoa Cocoa warm up."

"Oh, I've been away from Paris for so long that I've never even heard of the Fair Investigation Department Service. Please forgive me."

"I wonder what brings you all this way to see me?"

Marat glanced at the cup in front of him but didn't touch it. He preferred the pure bitterness of Coffee, which could hit his brain, to the sticky Cocoa.

"Viscount Calonne, can you provide me with any leads regarding Mr. Necker. Jacques Necker's embezzlement?"

Calonne paused for a moment, then continued enjoying his hot Cocoa, saying calmly, "I don't quite understand what you mean, but Mr. Necker seems to be an upright man..."

"You don't need to hide anything." Marat pulled out a stack of papers and placed them next to the teacup tray. "These are copies of documents from when he was the steward."

"Many of these loans were suspicious. In particular, his first loan after taking office had an obviously excessively high interest rate, and the bank that handled it had a special relationship with him."

"And this and this..."

Calonne glanced at the documents and shook his head, saying, "I've been away from politics for too long; I can't really understand these things anymore."

"Since you think there's a problem here, then continue investigating. Why are you telling me?"

As he spoke, he looked at the Servant in the doorway, a man with strong facial features and some Germany characteristics. "Fred, is there something you need?"

"Oh, Mr. Marvin asked me to ask you what's for dinner?"

Calonne waved his hand. "Just do it the way you always do."

"Yes, sir."

After the Servant closed the door and left, Marat looked at Calonne again. "Although I suspect there are signs of embezzlement in these loans, it's difficult to find evidence, you know, after all, it's been more than a decade. Take this 5 Livre loan, for example, although the interest rate is high, he can find plenty of excuses to make it seem legitimate."

"If you know anything and tell me, I can send this corrupt official to prison immediately!"

"You?" Calonne looked him over again, then smiled slightly. "I remember now, you're that famous journalist, who seems to often criticize government policies."

"Yes, that's true."

"Then you should know Mr. Necker's character. And besides, I really know nothing."

Marat's assistant, Evans, grew impatient and shouted, "I know you and Necker don't get along, so why don't you help us bring him to justice?"

Calonne calmly shook his head. "You must have heard some rumors. In fact, Mr. Necker and I have a good relationship."

Half an hour later, having obtained no useful information, Marat grabbed his hat and prepared to get up and leave.

Calonne gestured towards the Cocoa on the table. "Gentlemen, this is top- Cocoa Beans; please don't waste it."

Marat picked up the cup and drank it down in a huff, only to find that it tasted very different from what she had imagined—rich, sweet, and obviously had a lot of sugar added.

He can't normally afford drinks with that much sugar.

"Thank you for your hospitality." He nodded and left the Villa in Calonne with his assistant.

On a country road, Evans looked back at the off-white building and said dejectedly, "Looks like we came for nothing."

Marat frowned and shook his head. "Valls ' information should be correct. But why didn't Calonne tell us?"

"These shameless bureaucrats are in cahoots. He must have taken bribes from Necker to protect him!"

"Valls said their conflict runs deep... Perhaps, it's just that Calonne doesn't trust us. We'll come again tomorrow."

dusk.

Beside the orchard at the Calonne family Manor, Fred, the Servant who looked Germany people, stood beside a Carriage loaded with coal and whispered, "That man also produced Mr. Necker's loan documents from back then, saying there's something wrong with them. Apparently, there was a loan of 5 million Livre, with a very high interest rate or something."

"Marat?" the coal carrier on the cart mused. "That name sounds familiar. Doesn't it sound like someone from the newly established Fair Investigation Department?"

The Lorraine region is rich in coal, and people use coal for heating. However, it is difficult to transport coal from the Coal Mine to various places, so the profession of coal transporter came into being, and they can be seen everywhere.

Fred nodded immediately. "Yes, Calonne mentioned this department too."

The coal carrier narrowed his eyes. "Have they traced it back to Mr. Necker? What did Calonne tell them?"

"I was sent away and didn't hear anything after that. But they talked for more than half an hour."

The coal hauler's eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light. "In other words, those two probably know something..."

Where are they now?

Ferrick followed them to the old Vence hotel.

The coal hauler waved his hand. "Alright, you can go back now."

"Yes, Mr. Erich."

When Erich drove the coal cart back to a dilapidated house in City of Toul, he said in a deep voice to the two burly men who were dozing on the bed, "Get up, there's work to be done."

The two men, who had been sleeping like logs, suddenly sprang to their feet, quickly put on their boots, and then rummaged through a gap beside the bed to find a short sword, Pistol, and other items, which they stuffed into their clothes in a few moments.

[Note 1] Confederation System and Federal Government System are different. Confederation is a formal union of Thirteen Colonies, each of which maintains its sovereignty and independence. Federal Government, on the other hand, shares the political power of the states, has a higher status than the states, and can allocate resources in a unified manner among the Thirteen Colonies.