Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1484 - 1390: A New Era Begins
Chapter 1484: Chapter 1390: A New Era Begins
Subsequently, Minister of Civil Affairs Roland briefly introduced the progress of the French “Child Protection Law” drafting.
The sections completed so far mainly include:
1. Abandoning children will constitute a crime—primarily used to punish parents who send their children to orphanages.
2. Prohibition of child trafficking.
3. Parents must ensure a minimum standard of school attendance for children.
4. Children must not be incited to steal, beg, or participate in highly dangerous work…
Given the current situation across Europe where children are generally not treated as human beings, this law is undoubtedly another monumental advancement in human rights.
Once all ministers had completed their reports, everyone in the meeting hall was visibly excited and proud.
Indeed, after winning the recent war, France has completely emerged from the quagmire of more than a decade ago, and prosperity is evident in every aspect.
Joseph then stood up, bowing first to Queen Mary.
The latter’s eyes flickered with concern and tension, but she quickly smiled and nodded, “Please proceed with the announcement.”
Charles’s palms immediately began to sweat. Since his mother confirmed it personally, it must be about announcing his marriage, yet they didn’t even consult him beforehand!
He silently resolved that as long as the name picked by his brother was not Louise, he would refuse on the spot.
Joseph turned around and solemnly addressed the dozens present in a loud voice:
“Gentlemen, today marks the beginning of a new era.
“For the eternal prosperity and order of France, for the future of the nation, under the witness of Jesus, His Majesty the King has signed a decree, officially authorizing the establishment of the Senate and the House of Representatives. And, promulgating the corresponding code.
“May Jesus bless France!”
Everyone immediately stood up in unison and bowed, “May Jesus bless France! May Jesus bless our king!”
No one showed signs of surprise, as if what they heard was just an ordinary administrative order.
Because the matter of the Crown Prince establishing a Congress had been circulating for a long time, related preparations in various aspects had started long ago, and today it finally came to fruition.
The reason Joseph chose to announce all aspects of the nation today was to stabilize public sentiment with France’s strength, boost morale, and thereby reduce resistance to this major political reform.
In fact, with his current prestige and absolute control over the military, even if he announced an immediate national conversion to Protestantism, no one would dare oppose.
Of course, in this cradle of Enlightenment thought, even illiterate peasants could chat about “freedom and equality,” so except for a few of the Old Nobility, most French people were hoping for the establishment of a Congress.
Joseph was well aware that if he didn’t take the initiative to tame the times, he would eventually be swallowed by the wave of the era.
In the meeting hall, only Charles paused for a couple of seconds, then stood up with a face full of delight to join in the bow.
Well, his happiness was naturally because he temporarily didn’t have to marry Maria or Princess Augusta. As for how difficult it would be to be with Louise, young people never dwell on such things.
Joseph then handed a gold-trimmed parchment to Archbishop Brienne.
The latter accepted it respectfully, then turned it over to show everyone. It was the decree signed by Louis XVI concerning the establishment of the two houses.
Last week, His Majesty the King didn’t even finish reading the content of this decree before signing it—the moment his son said there was no issue, he had no concerns. At present, he was in the Engineering Design Institute, working with a group of technicians to increase the power of the forging machine.
Next, Archbishop Brienne began to loudly recite the content of the decree:
“My people, noble scholars, brave soldiers…
“In the name of Jesus, under the watchful eye of Jesus, I solemnly declare that France will operate under the norms of the ’Louis Code,’ enabling every French citizen to live with dignity, freedom, and security…
“The provisions of the ’Code’ authorize the establishment of a Senate, responsible for signing and publishing laws, managing the kingdom’s finances, diplomacy, and military affairs. It calls and dissolves the House of Representatives. Senate members are successively filled from the Elder Sequence, led by the Imperial Prime Minister appointed by the King.
“The provisions of the ’Code’ authorize the establishment of the House of Representatives, responsible for drafting laws, reviewing budgets, and determining tax rates…”
Indeed, Joseph didn’t simply copy the dual monarchy from history but made some improvements.
First, while it seemed the Senate only had 80 seats, a thing called the “Elder Sequence” was set up. In simple terms, it is the ranking of those qualified to enter the Senate.
Once there was a vacancy in the Senate, it could be filled in order of succession into the Senate.
This “sequence” could accommodate over 400 people, thus “settling” many of the Old Nobility in place.
Since, under Joseph’s operations, France skipped a bloody revolution, leaving a substantial class of Old Nobility, these persons were also the most stubborn conservative forces.
However, if positions could be retained for them in the new order, their obstruction could be minimized to the greatest extent, and eventually, they could be gradually assimilated.
Of course, who exactly could enter the Senate still required the King’s signature.
If one were completely incompetent, Joseph had ways to void their succession order.
Moreover, even if one entered the Senate, the levels of power and influence were vastly different. The real core of national power actually remained with the dozen or so people in the current Cabinet.
Secondly, Joseph did not stipulate that Senate members must be Nobles.
For commoners with outstanding political capability, they could also be exceptionally added to the Elder Sequence, and the King could shorten their succession.
Furthermore, Senate seats were not hereditary, thus avoiding the nurturing of a new class of “Old Nobility” forces.
As for the House of Representatives, not much changed—it mainly engaged in legislative and tax-related matters, but for a decree to take effect, it still required the King’s final signature.
Once Brienne finished reading, everyone in the meeting hall once again shouted in unison, “Long live His Majesty the King.”
Then Joseph cleared his throat lightly and picked up the list before him, saying: “The first Imperial Prime Minister is to be held by Archbishop Etienne de Brienne.
“Louis Charles de Breteuil, Baron, will serve as Assistant to the Prime Minister…
“Third in order, the Duke of Broglie…
“Fourth in order, Count Mirabeau…
“Fifth in order, Archbishop Beaumont…
“Sixth in order, Archbishop Talleyrand…
“Seventh in order, Count Saigul…”
He stopped after announcing the first 25 sequences for the Senate. The remaining seats were essentially for “making up the numbers” and could be announced anytime later, leaving some hope for the Nobility.
After putting away the list, Joseph signaled to Vice Minister of Justice Cambareres.
The latter immediately and respectfully presented a thick stack of manuscripts, with the title on the topmost page conspicuously reading—”The Louis Code.”
