Vol 1 Chapter 5 (1/2)
Volume 1 Chapter 5: Do you know what is cramming? Cramming is a king’s romance. (lol)
TL: Filler paragraphs, filler paragraphs everywhere… So much set up though, the later chapters better be worth it…
France, Paris, Palais des Tuileries
“This topic is now settled, onto the next item on our agenda…”
Seated around the oval table were about 20-odd people. There were people of all ages, some exhibited the fearlessness of youth while others held the glimmer of wisdom.
Their attire was mostly plain, nor did they wear wigs for the youth who sat at the head of the table wore a plain military uniform without any accessories or decorations whatsoever. If their leader did not dress himself up, how could they?
A few high level officers from the military, including the young king, were there to represent the king in listening on the legislative discussion. They too wore their military uniforms without their gold aiguilette or medals.
The youth was now wearing a face of calm as he surveyed the members of the Const.i.tutional Convention, that the newly appointed Prime Minister Tu had gathered together, as they decided how the country would function henceforth.
Name, birth, looks or factions were unimportant in deciding their appointment. Whether the role they took on was more or less critical, all of them were talented and capable individuals. All were treated equally and given opportunities to prove themselves whether they were “original inhabitants” of the world or players.
— Each and every one of them were selected based on their abilities alone and were then officially appointed by the king.
— After a few months of chaos and teething pains, a bourgeoisie regime was forming under the king…
The Convention members, thus, had different origins and specialties. Some were players who had an uncanny knowledge of the law while others were famous original inhabitants, or NPCs.
“I object to this clause!”
“Oh? Share with us your thoughts.”
“I think that…”
As the highest ranking official in the government in name, and the commander-in-chief of the French army, the youth did not actually speak all that much. Most of his contributions were also regarding military affairs.
During the meeting, Tu kept wondering why he was needed to oversee the meeting when these people were so effective. It was lucky that his military reforms had pa.s.sed smoothly which was also why he didn’t bother to stop the endless debates amongst the Convention members.
The old royal French army was currently undergoing a drastic transformation, partially thanks to the experience it had with the Prussian army. Apart from careful selection and promotion of talents within the officer corps, the French army’s artillery was undergoing a rapid upgrading.
National education that focused on loyalty to the country was infused, the rebellion incident was used as a springboard to shake up the military leaders.h.i.+p, the rank structure underwent reforms and the bulk of the military budget went into the land forces of which the focus was on building a formidable artillery…
Only after he had finished planning and executing all these changes did Tu realised how much he was doing himself. And now, he turned his attention to administrative reform. Though he hadn’t gotten much sleep these days, Tu’s excitement and fervor had not diminished in the least.
They were currently meeting in the glorious Palais des Tuileries which the previous king had ruled the government from. Now, the new king was ruling with the government there.
The silk drapes and red golden l.u.s.ter from the carpet that was a reminder of the former decadence, was a stark contrast from the austere garb that everyone there was wearing.
Ever since Paris was attacked by Prussia, France was engulfed in chaos and civil war as regions outside of Paris disobeyed central commands while Paris itself became a giant military encampment with factional disputes and conflicts between revolutionary and royalist forces. Inflation was rampant and goods were scarce.
The France now was like a woman who had grown tired of unending romantic misadventures and was now returning to the arms of the one who could keep her in control and maintain stability.
Though this might not be an appropriate a.n.a.logy for the one that France needs, who is currently stifling a yawn, is admittedly not experienced in the matters of love– For he has never had a lover before.
— The sparks that danced about Paris were currently aflame but whether they would continue burning strongly would depend entirely on the youth.
“Alright, let us begin the next item!”
Austro-Hungarian Empire, in the woods in Vienna
“Know… Your… Place! Waa!”
A dull cras.h.i.+ng sound rang out as a razor sharp sabre fell heavily onto the gra.s.s. It belonged to the young man wearing a military uniform who currently lying motionless in pain on the gra.s.s.
“I’ve said it before. As a knight of the empire, I will not accept a foolish man… You think too highly of yourself.”
The golden haired young girl’s face was devoid of emotions, not even disgust. Her waist-length honey coloured hair seemed to emit golden rays of light as she stood under the setting sun.