Anning’s eyebrows twisted into knots as he thought to himself how the situation was not proceeding as he had imagined. Today, he had intended to remove Robespierre and relegate him to drafting the civil code, but everything unraveled like a wild horse, completely out of control.
The members of the Parliament didn’t care about what Anning thought, and even his own soldiers ignored his wishes, as everyone was shouting: "First Governor!"
Napoleon was even more excited, like a little child, shouting "Caesar!"
FouchE seemed very pleased with the situation, and once the noise had slightly abated, he loudly declared: "I heard that the General has been widely using the Eagle Flag at the front lines, so let’s just make that an official rule and set it down together!"
Everyone started shouting: "Eagle Flag!"
Anning watched this noisy group as if he was an outsider, merely an onlooker.
Suddenly, he felt as if some immense being was mocking him.
He tried to resist by saying, "First, let’s decide how to deal with the former Chairman Robespierre..."
Dan Dong interrupted Anning, "How to deal with Robespierre is no longer important, it will be the same either way. Just go along with everyone’s wishes. Look, whether it’s the members of Parliament, the Parisian citizens who came to spectate, or your soldiers, everyone is anticipating this."
"It’s better we decide on this matter first."
Hesitating for a moment, Anning finally sighed, "Alright, let’s vote on whether to appoint Andy Frost as the First Governor of France."
As soon as he finished speaking, the room erupted with uneven shouts of "Agree!"
Not only the members of Parliament but also the soldiers and common citizens without voting rights were shouting, "Agree!"
Theoretically, there should have been a series of vote-counting procedures, but FouchE seemed to have become the host of the entire meeting, he waved his hand grandly: "The result is beyond doubt. Clerk, please record that the French National Assembly, with two abstentions and 713 votes in agreement, has passed the motion to elect Andy Frost as the First Governor!"
Lasalle, somehow obtaining a military uniform, rushed to Anning’s side to drape it over him.
FouchE loudly stopped him: "Military uniform does not highlight the dignity of the First Governor, I propose using this!"
Then, he and Talleyrand together took down the huge tricolour flag hanging in front of the Chairman’s seat and used it as a cloak on Anning’s shoulders.
At this moment, Anning suddenly understood the feelings of a certain General Zhao.
Anning knew that he fully possessed the conditions to establish a military dictatorship in France; if he wished, France would be his.
But he didn’t want that.
He had always admired General John Khan from the videos about Allende. This general refused the threats and temptations of the CIA and, in the final moments of his life, was fighting against the CIA-supported traitorous forces, with his last words being "defend the constitution."
He wanted to be that kind of general.
Anning had watched "Fifth Republic" many times and frequently used the phrases from there, but if he had to choose, he didn’t want to merely play the role of a young general.
He wanted to protect the French Republic and lead France on a better historical path.
But now, everyone was jubilant for the birth of the First Governor.
The tricolour flag of France had become Anning’s cloak.
The development, having completely spiraled out of control, left Anning stunned.
Finally, he regained his composure.
After a quiet sigh, he decided not to consider why things had turned out this way but what he could do now that they had.
Thinking positively, if he wanted to initiate any reforms in France now, no one could stop him.
But before that, he had to decide on one thing.
Anning raised his hand and made a downward pressing gesture.
The noisy Parliament Hall quietened down immediately.
Anning spoke, "So, as the First Governor, the first thing I intend to do is decide how to deal with the assassin who tried to kill me and the mastermind behind him!"
Someone shouted, "Death penalty!"
Then everyone screamed, "Death penalty!"
Anning didn’t hesitate, and in a resolute, unmistakable voice said, "No! I will use the power of the First Governor to pardon Robespierre!"
The whole Parliament Hall gasped in shock.
Balas questioned, "If a murderer can be pardoned, where lies the dignity of the law?"
Anning coldly responded, "The laws of the Republic haven’t even been drafted yet, what we have now is the constitution from the previous dynasty."
Fouché said, "But Robespierre executed many in the name of law, their families and friends won’t agree."
Anning replied, "They can come to me for redress."
Yes, Anning had already decided not to let Robespierre die.
If it hadn’t been for Fouché’s maneuver, Anning wouldn’t have become First Governor; he might have gone along with the public’s wishes.
But now that he was the First Governor of France, he decided to be capricious for once.
Fouché and Talleyrand exchanged glances, then Talleyrand said: "But pardoning both isn’t ideal? At least the direct perpetrators should die, otherwise your generals wouldn’t agree."
Anning nodded: "Saint Just is guilty of attempted murder; I think he should go to the guillotine."
Balas still protested: "And what about Robespierre? He regards you as an enemy of France, keeping him... might lead to future troubles!"
Anning suggested, "I propose, to exile Robespierre to Elba Island."
Anning suggested this mainly because the islands that immediately came to mind were Elba Island and Saint Helena Island, but only Elba Island was currently controlled by France.
The hall erupted in debate again.
Fouché, clearly satisfied with this outcome, then loudly said, "So, for the proposal from the First Governor, I think we can start voting now, or shall we discuss further?"
Talleyrand directly said, "No need for further discussion, let’s vote. The mercy of the First Governor is moving, and given time, this will surely become a fine tale!"
Thus, the voting started again, and Anning stood on the podium, watching them operate.
At that moment, Napoleon whispered in his ear, "Too much hassle, just get it done in one step, skip the process. Monarchy has its merits when the monarch is enlightened..."
Anning interrupted Napoleon’s words, "I’d rather have the worst democracy than the best dictatorship."
Napoleon pursed his lips, then sighed, "That’s why you are a person of nobility I cannot reach."
Anning’s words were also heard by the surrounding officers; both Bernadotte and Moro showed expressions of admiration.
Meanwhile, Anning’s official biographer, the painter David, immediately noted down this statement with his pen.