Anning’s arrival caused a certain degree of congestion in the Parliament Hall, as many gentlemen who had already entered the hall all rushed out to greet Anning, leaving the hall looking quite empty.
Robespierre glanced at his pocket watch, then loudly informed the representatives, "Gentlemen! That’s enough! It’s time for the meeting, please enter the room!"
Gradually, people started entering the hall.
Many looked back three times with each step they took.
Anning spoke up: "Everyone, please follow the Chairman’s instructions."
Dan Dong touched his nose and said to Anning, "Then I’m going in as well."
"Uh-huh." Anning nodded with a complex expression and glanced at Robespierre.
Robespierre pretended not to notice Anning’s gaze.
The crowd gradually entered the hall.
Anning followed beside Robespierre, an action that drew many sidelong glances.
After entering the hall, Anning’s eyes followed Dan Dong, noticing him sitting in a spot far from the podium, chatting with a group of gentlemen Anning had no impression of.
Anning subconsciously asked Robespierre, "Who are those people around Dan Dong? Why don’t I recognize any of them?"
Robespierre replied irritably, "You don’t know? Dan Dong has new friends, and he is very close with these new friends."
Anning: "Maximilien, don’t be like that. Everyone has new encounters and new friends. Don’t you also have friends that I don’t recognize?"
Robespierre: "I do not."
Anning was taken aback.
If the Incorruptible says he has none, then it must be true.
It’s a pity Robespierre is a man, and Anning does not have such inclinations; otherwise, this statement could have been a cute point.
"Maximilien," Anning said, "I assure you, you will always be my best friend."
Robespierre’s tense face finally relaxed a bit, and he showed a slight smile: "I know, I know, Andy."
At that moment, Saint Just opened the small door beside the podium and made way.
Robespierre and Anning entered the podium one after the other and took their seats.
As soon as Anning sat down, Robespierre stood up, surveying the entire Parliament Hall.
Seeing this, the representatives who were still discussing fervently all quieted down, and the hall quickly fell silent.
Robespierre cleared his throat and began today’s opening remarks: "Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, before today’s official agenda, there is an extra item on the agenda! The hero of France, General Frost, will explain some points regarding the future direction of the war, and at the same time, seek Parliament’s permission for the next steps in the war!
"I know many think that Frost is, in fact, a military dictator. Today, Frost, with his actions, has retaliated against such remarks!
"Frost’s heart is with the Republic, he will absolutely not become a military dictator! All such remarks are disrespectful to our esteemed General Frost!
"Today, all rumors and gossip shall meet their end!
"Now, let us welcome General Frost!"
Anning stood up: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your tireless praise. I, Frost, only wish to be a guardian of the Republic. Some people have misunderstandings about me, which I believe will clear up over time.
"Robespierre is my close friend, and I have known him for eight years. He knows me well!"
Robespierre slightly lifted his head, as if Anning had spoken of something that made him feel tremendously honored.
At that moment, a figure entered Anning’s line of sight.
He saw Talleyrand silently appear in the gallery of Parliament, blending among the onlooking crowd.
After their eyes met, Talleyrand gave a slight nod.
Anning also nodded slightly, indicating that he would speak of Talleyrand’s matters later.
Robespierre had not noticed Talleyrand until he saw Frost nod, then following his gaze over, he too caught sight of Talleyrand.
Robespierre was startled.
At this time, Saint Just, who hadn’t noticed Frost’s expression, leaned close to Robespierre and whispered, "Talleyrand is here. Upon his return to Paris, the first person he visited was Frost."
Robespierre opened his mouth but said nothing.
Just then, Frost began to outline the future plans for the military campaign, including advancing towards the Rhein River, and yet Robespierre wasn’t listening at all.
As soon as Anning had finished speaking about his readiness to lead the main forces to attack the Rhein Region, someone stood up and questioned: "What about the Low Countries? You should know that the fiscal condition of the Parliament is very poor right now, and we need the tax revenue from the Low Countries to support Parliament!"
Anning shook his head: "We need taxes, so we go attack the Low Countries, what difference does that make us from those Kingdoms? No, we can’t do that, we did not establish the Republic to oppress others. Our freedom cannot be built on the exploitation of other nations!
"What we need to do is to liberate all of Europe, not exploit it!"
At that time, Dan Dong stood up: "But how can we solve our fiscal problems if we don’t plunder from outside?"
His words immediately garnered the agreement of the group of friends around him.
Anning looked at Dan Dong and said: "I have my own methods for this. The current financial problems are all due to shortsightedness. Parliament was too shortsighted with the issue of the Voucher, which turned this currency completely into waste paper.
"I am changing this situation through the bank I’ve established. Within one to two years, we will have a universally recognized, stable Paper Money, by which time I can provide a loan to Parliament and the Paris Commune with the newly printed Paper Money!"
As his voice fell, a buzz of debate instantly rose throughout the Parliament Hall.
Dan Dong spoke on behalf of everyone, "Why can’t Parliament print this kind of Paper Money? Why go through the step of a loan?"
Anning answered, "That’s because you have ruined your own credibility by issuing Vouchers recklessly, and now people worry about over-issuance whenever it’s Paper Money printed by Parliament.
"The Paper Money I issue, however, still has enough trust from everyone at present. I will use this trust cautiously and control the quantity of printing. The form of a loan is also to make it clear to everyone that this is not something printed by Parliament."
Dan Dong: "But what you’re giving to Parliament is just printed paper, yet a loan would grant you a claim to debt!"
Anning: "As long as everyone believes it is money, then it is money."
"You’re extorting Parliament!" Dan Dong hadn’t even sat down when someone else stood up and started pounding on the table and shouting.
Anning was resigned; although he did benefit from the transaction process, it indeed was the best way to solve Parliament’s current fiscal problems.
Anning, in fact, just wanted to be France’s Greenspan.
Because he couldn’t explain the intricacies to this group that lacked modern financial knowledge, Anning forcefully moved on from the topic: "In conclusion, I will focus the main direction of the attack on the Rhein River, targeting the German states to the north.
"As for the Low Countries, considering that they are a Republic just like us and that there are no irreconcilable conflicts between us, I propose that Bishop Talleyrand be sent to the Low Countries to mediate!"