Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1485 - 1391: The Louis Code
Chapter 1485: Chapter 1391: The Louis Code
Joseph started having the Ministry of Justice draft this Code more than a year ago, and it wasn’t until a month ago that all the auditing and revisions were completed.
You must know that this is the world’s first genuinely modern legal system Code.
Previously, even the French Ministry of Justice couldn’t figure out how many decrees were in effect nationwide—the laws in Paris were completely different from those in other provinces, and many northern provinces still relied on customary rules as laws.
With the emergence of the Louis Code, this phenomenon will be completely eliminated, and all regions across the country will mandatorily use the same legal system.
In fact, if Joseph hadn’t directly copied the legal system framework from future generations, it would have been impossible for the Ministry of Justice to compile such a complete Code within a year.
Historically, the drafting to completion of the Napoleon Code took a full three years.
Moreover, the content of the Louis Code goes beyond the civil scope represented by the Napoleon Code, incorporating criminal and commercial law parts, making it more comprehensive and scientific.
Joseph gently patted the Code text and looked at everyone: “From now on, this will be the clear and unified cornerstone of the nation.”
Next to him, Cambareres immediately recited:
“General Provisions and Preamble.
“Uniformity of legal effect; non-retroactivity of laws; territorial relationship principle; judicial rules…
“I. Civil Code section.
“Civil rights law; financial law; property acquisition law; colonial rules…
“II. Criminal Code section.
“Punishments and effectiveness for minor and major crimes; penalties and responsibilities for minor and major crimes; definitions of various crimes and punishments; police violations and penalties…
“III. Commercial Code section.
“Commerce law; maritime trade law; commercial litigation procedures; bankruptcy law…”
He did not elaborate on the content of the Code, only gave a rough overview of the fields covered by the Code. Even so, many officials who studied law couldn’t help but nod.
The legislative angle of this Code is clear, the entire system is systematic and complete, no wonder His Highness the Crown Prince calls it a “cornerstone.”
This cabinet meeting, enough to influence all of Europe, ended at four in the afternoon. Still, the dozens of French officials attending seemed very calm, as if it was no different from the countless cabinet meetings before.
After the crowd ceremonially escorted Queen Mary and His Highness the Crown Prince out of the meeting hall, they immediately began to inquire about the Senate sequence with Archbishop Brienne.
Three days later.
Joseph again announced at the Tuileries Palace Square to everyone that France formally promulgated the Louis Code and simultaneously established two chambers.
This time, Louis XVI and Queen Mary were both present, standing behind him.
When Joseph spoke about “the nationwide first House of Representatives election starting July 5,” people were not as calm as the cabinet officials, but rather like water dropped into boiling oil, exploding instantly.
In fact, as early as three days ago, major newspapers began to publicize His Majesty the King’s authorization to establish the two chambers and even published the top 80 list for the Senate.
But when people actually heard about the House of Representatives election, they couldn’t contain their joy and excitement.
What they care about is not just that ordinary people can participate in national legislation and taxation, more importantly, the name of the House of Representatives.
It’s the “House of Representatives,” not the “Third Tier Council!”
This means that in the House of Representatives, there is no longer the division of priests, nobles, and commoners, but all Members of Parliament have the same rights.
In fact, under Joseph’s deliberate influence, France’s three levels had long begun to blur. People like Bailly, Jean Sone, and Venio, who are of commoner descent, were already placed in significant positions within his cabinet, while hereditary nobles in the cabinet included only Duke of Broglie and Baron Breti.
After the land reforms, the old nobility class began merging with the emerging nobility. The emerging nobility naturally did not care much about their noble identity, preferring to value capital more.
So there was no dissatisfaction from the old nobility about the Third Tier Council changing into the House of Representatives.
Indeed, the real high nobles were focused on the Senate, not caring about seats in the House of Representatives.
There was a moment of silence in Tuileries Palace Square before it erupted into thunderous cheers,
“Long live His Majesty the King!”
“Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!”
“Long live the Louis Code!”
“May Jesus bless our King…”
At the edge of the square, newsboys holding Louis Codes priced at 8 Sous each were snatched up by people in the blink of an eye. These were pre-printed by the Paris Commercial News agency, merely a summary of the Code’s content—barely anyone could understand the actual Code—but within half a day, 160,000 copies were sold!
Possibly only the Bible could surpass its sales.
After the announcement ceremony ended, the crowd in the square collectively saluted the King’s carriage, and music immediately sounded from all around as the silhouettes of the Court Guard gradually disappeared, and people started dancing on the square to vent their excitement.
Soon, countless speakers appeared on the streets and alleys of Paris.
Most of them hadn’t prepared; driven by excitement, they couldn’t suppress it and began impromptu speeches.
A young man in a white short jacket and felt hat stood on the base of a statue and loudly declared: “Citizens! Do you know what July means? It’s not just about longer days, and hotter weather! It means the House of Representatives, the altar where the Third Level can participate in France’s destiny!”
Not far away, a lawyer immediately jumped onto a carriage rooftop to refute, “You are mistaken! There are only Members of Parliament representing citizens there, no Third Level. Of course, there are no first and second levels either!”
The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause and cheers.
South of the Louvre, a middle-aged man dressed as a noble waved to the crowd and said: “The great His Majesty the King has bestowed upon us a solid and sacred code—it belongs not just to nobles, lawyers, and factory owners but to every French person…”
On the streets of Saint Antoine District, the speech of the young man doing clerical work was more direct: “His Highness the Crown Prince always leads us, from police to land, from taxation to school, and now, he brings us true equality and rights!”
Of course, there was also a group of people frowning at the Louis Code.
It’s not the summary version, but the actual original Code.
They were all lawyers.
This Code, thick enough to kill someone if dropped, must be learned quickly, with judicial assessments against the Code scheduled for August; they had only a little over three months to study…
Meanwhile, those with political aspirations had already started campaign speeches and canvassing, preparing to compete for the 380 seats in the House of Representatives.
