As soon as Paul Barras returned to the Chateau Malmaison, Josephine came forward and asked: "How is it?"
Barras: "Long live the First Consul."
Josephine: "First Consul? What's going on?"
Barras recounted everything that had just happened in the parliament.
After hearing this, Josephine exclaimed: "So Robespierre is not dead? This is not possible. The first consul still regards him as a good friend. He may come back in the future. If he comes back and takes power again, we will be finished."
Barras: "No, it shouldn't happen. The First Consul has decided to stop the policy of terror. What I should consider now is how to find a position in the cabinet for myself. Damn Fouche and Talleyrand, they
Both of them will probably have a share..."
Josephine shook her head and said: "No, you invested five hundred ounces of gold in the bank of the First Consul. Even if you did not get the position, you are still regarded as an important figure in the First Consul's camp. There are many people who want to curry favor with us."
.
"The key now is Robespierre. Robespierre must die."
Barras curled his lips: "Don't worry, there are plenty of opportunities. Now it is estimated that he will be strictly protected by the First Consul, but when he gets to Elba Island, there will be plenty of opportunities to take action."
Josephine then breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. When he gets to Elba Island, this hidden danger will be eliminated immediately and forever."
**
Saint Just's execution was scheduled for the first day after Anning's cabinet took office.
On this day, the Revolution Square was crowded with people. The guillotine, which had been out of operation since An Ning became the First Consul, was re-oiled and maintained as if it were new.
There is only one person to be executed today, and all the onlookers are waiting for this person.
Members of the new cabinet have already taken their seats on the viewing platform.
The First Consul has not arrived yet, so the middle seat of the viewing platform is empty. Similarly, the other high platform opposite to the viewing platform is also empty, which is where the generals are.
Then there was a whistle, and the First Consul's cavalry appeared.
Andy Frost, the First Consul of France, rode a pure white horse and walked at the front of the entire queue. Behind him were three flag bearers, holding high the French tricolor flag, the French National Guard flag and a pure
Gold eagle-headed scepter.
There is a small red flag hanging on the scepter without any logo on it.
Behind the flag bearer were officers loyal to the First Consul, all wearing military uniforms and looking in high spirits.
Then there are the original Royal Guards. Now they wear the tricolor emblem on their black military uniforms, and they have transformed into the direct guard of the First Consul of France.
Behind is the military band, and the musicians are playing Roman odes.
The citizens immediately followed the melody of the military band and began to sing Roman odes.
The horse under the First Consul's crotch, stepping to the rhythm of the Roman Ode, stopped in front of the auditorium just as the last line was sung.
The crowd began to shout: "Long live the First Consul! Long live France!"
The First Consul dismounted and waved to the crowd, and even more enthusiastic cheers rang out.
The First Consul walked up to the auditorium amidst the cheers of the crowd and stood in the seat reserved for him.
His generals went to the viewing platform opposite.
Mr. Philippe Equality, Minister of the Interior and father-in-law of the First Consul, who had just arrived from Marseille, took the position of master of ceremonies and announced loudly: "The ceremony officially begins, and everyone will sing the national anthem together."
At the first meeting of the cabinet yesterday, it was decided that the Ode to Rome should be the national anthem of the First French Republic. The news spread throughout Paris that night.
As soon as the band started playing, the whole audience started singing together, and their voices were louder than when the First Consul just came on stage.
After the chorus ended, Mr. Philip Equality stepped forward again: "Take the prisoner!"
A prison van had been waiting at the edge of the square for a long time. As soon as he heard the words of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the driver of the prison van waved his whip, making a crisp sound in the air.
The horses neighed and stepped forward, walking along the road that had long been marked out by the National Guard towards the guillotine in the center of the square.
The crowd became excited, and many people shouted and cursed at Saint Just in the prison car and threw objects in their hands.
Saint Just held his head high, proudly defying the angry crowd.
The prison car arrived in front of the guillotine, and he was escorted out of the car until he was escorted to the front of the terrifying execution machine.
Executioner Hawthorne laughed and said: "I never imagined that one day I would be able to execute the Archangel of Terror."
Saint Just sneered.
At this time, the master of ceremonies, Mr. Ping Ping, asked: "Prisoner Saint Just, do you have any last words?"
Saint Just exclaimed: "I despise the dust of which I am composed!"
The corners of the First Consul's mouth twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything more.
Mr. Ping Ping looked back at the First Consul, and then ordered: "Execution!"
The band beat continuous drums, and Saint-Just was quickly tied to the guillotine and executed quickly and mechanically.
**
An Ning: "Remember, Murat, you must earnestly fulfill your responsibilities along the way."
Murat nodded: "I understand that all those who want to put Robespierre to death must pass my test."
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An Ning took a deep breath.
At this time, Robespierre was being escorted out of prison and happened to hear these words.
He sneered and said: "I will not be grateful to you just because of this. You should let me die instead of sending me to an island to spend the rest of my life."
An Ning: "I hope you can get out of the situation. Then you will find that I am right. I hope that you can continue to serve France and the Republic."
Robespierre: "Then you should not execute Saint-Just. If Saint-Just dies, we will never have the possibility of reconciliation. No, it should be said that when I determined to assassinate you, we would not have any chance of reconciliation."
Reconciliation is possible."
An Ning did not speak, but looked at Robespierre with sad eyes.
Robespierre said impatiently: "Put away your compassion! I am a soldier, and I do not need mercy from my opponents! I feel from the bottom of my heart that not getting rid of you is the tragedy of the republic."
An Ning: "I will prove you wrong with actions, and I will lead the Republic to a better ending."
"Huh, who knows! Don't say any more, let me get on my way." Robespierre said, and stepped onto the escorting carriage.
An Ning sighed and nodded to Murat: "Let's go."
So Murat got on his horse, took a small group of cavalry escorts, and escorted the carriage into the Paris night.
At the same time, another carriage left Paris via another road, carrying the assassins hired by Paul Barras and others with a large sum of money.