Since the Declaration of Human Rights was passed, the focus of the National Assembly had turned toward the discussion of specific clauses of the Constitution.
Anning had been very quiet during this period because he was worried that once he spoke, he might shock everyone with some groundbreaking ideas that transcended the times.
He certainly did not wish to later be honored with a sardonic nickname.
Anning’s silence puzzled his friends; Dan Dong joked that he saved the Assembly just to have a place to nap.
During this time, Anning’s attention was all on his own small troop.
It’s not that he had a particular fancy for military training; it was mainly that the dim-witted soldiers would blow all kinds of rainbow farts his way, which he found extremely satisfying.
For the entire month of September, Anning would supervise the training of his small troop in the morning on his estate, and in the afternoon, he would go to the National Assembly in Versailles to clock in. After clocking in, he would find a sunlit spot to comfortably take a nap.
After doing this a few times, he earned a new nickname: the Supreme Sleeper of the National Assembly.
The members of the National Assembly even made bets on whose speech could awaken Anning.
So far, no one’s speech had managed to do so.
On this day, while the Assembly was in session, suddenly a representative rushed in from the outside and loudly said, "Disaster! Terrible disaster!"
Munier stood up and slapped the table: "Calm down. What happened?"
"Come out and see! In the camp previously vacated by the Swiss regiments in July, another army has arrived!"
The representatives exchanged looks and whispered among themselves.
Dan Dong desperately patted Anning’s shoulder: "Get up quick, something has happened!"
Anning, yawning, got up groggily with sleepy eyes: "What happened?"
"The King has deployed another army here!"
Anning: "Deployed another one?"
At this moment, another representative ran in from outside: "I asked the officer who is currently marching into the camp, and they are the Flanders regiment originally stationed in the Flanders region, 60,000 strong!"
The representatives gasped: "60,000 men!"
"That’s 40,000 more than the Swiss mercenaries!"
"That’s already more than the total number of the National Guard in Paris!"
"What is the King trying to do?"
Dan Dong turned to Anning and said, "Quick, Andy, it’s your time to shine. Don’t you have a small troop? Do something!"
Anning: "My small troop only has 200 men; what can they do against an army of 60,000? You should go find Lafayette."
The National Guard had 43,000 men, indeed enough to face off against the 60,000-strong Flanders regiment.
At that moment, Lafayette stood up: "Silence! In such a time, I think we should send representatives to ask His Majesty what he intends to do."
Immediately, several representatives agreed: "Exactly! Go and ask!"
Lafayette: "I propose that Chairman Munier, Representative Mirabeau, and I go to see His Majesty, while the rest wait here for news."
Suddenly, a representative shouted, "Take Mr. Frost with you; he has confronted the King several times, and the King fears him!"
Anning was startled; how did they cue me into this? I’ve been slacking off in the Assembly for most of the past month; logically, you should have forgotten about me by now, right?
Immediately, another representative agreed: "That’s right! Frost is always napping; it’s time for him to step forward!"
"He is the King’s nemesis!"
No, I am not! Your Majesty, listen to me, I am just a fence-sitter who goes with the flow!
More and more members started shouting: "Mr. Frost, it’s your turn to come forward!"
"It’s time to save the Assembly again!"
Lafayette stood on the podium, his complexion not so good, he probably didn’t want Anning to meddle in this matter, but he couldn’t stand the enthusiasm of everyone.
So he looked at Anning: "Mr. Frost, what’s your opinion?"
Anning stood up: "I am just an Artillery Officer, a Captain, I’m not in a position to comment on this matter..."
A representative interrupted Anning: "Your troops are the closest to Versailles! Clearly, you’re prepared to mobilize at any time for a coup!"
Anning was shocked; my troops are indeed stationed in the wilderness between Paris and Versailles, but that’s because the Duke of Orleans’s mansion given to me is there.
If he had given me a mansion on the other side of Paris, my troops would have been stationed there.
The location of the barracks is not up to me; it’s up to the Duke of Orleans.
Anning: "That’s just an Artillery regiment of two hundred men, not even as large as the usual number of Guards at Versailles Palace. I’m not planning a coup..."
"Just go with them!" The representatives interrupted Anning again.
Anning raised an eyebrow, no helping it: "Alright then, I’ll go with Lafayette, Munier, and Mr. Mirabeau."
By the way, Munier and Mirabeau have been especially active in Parliament over the past month and have become leaders of the Assembly, with Munier also serving as the Chairman.
As for Lafayette, as the person in Parliament who controls the military power, he naturally held a lofty position.
Lafayette: "Then there’s no time to lose, let us go to meet His Majesty immediately."
Louis XVI looked very spirited today.
Upon seeing the representatives of the Assembly, he greeted them effusively: "Gentlemen, good morning!"
"Good morning, Your Majesty." Lafayette bowed, then got straight to the point, "Today we noticed that the Flanders regiment is settling into a camp near Versailles, may I ask what this is about..."
Louis XVI laughed: "Gentlemen, what are you worried about? I have simply moved the regiment from a remote location to be near Paris, to let them enjoy life a bit. I am prepared to host a grand banquet for the officers of the regiment at Versailles, and the representatives are also welcome to attend."
Lafayette, Mirabeau, and Munier exchanged glances, with Mirabeau also looking at Anning.
Munier: "Your Majesty, moving troops near Paris at such a time may lead to misunderstandings..."
"What misunderstanding?" Louis XVI retorted, "Explain to me what misunderstanding. Don’t I have the right to mobilize troops loyal to me?"
In the midst of speaking, Queen Mary entered the study.
The Queen said nothing, just silently stood behind the King.
Louis XVI glanced at his wife and then turned serious, addressing the visiting group, "I have reviewed the Declaration of Human Rights and the August Decree you passed, don’t you find these two decrees rather farcical? The Declaration of Human Rights in particular, according to it, royal authority would cease to exist! The Declaration of Human Rights must be amended to include respect for royal authority!"
Everyone looked at each other, Anning stepped forward: "What if we don’t do this? Will you have the Flanders regiment disarm the National Guard?"
Anning was mainly probing to see how determined Louis XVI was.
However, Louis XVI clearly hesitated.
"Then... well, you must add the content about respecting royal authority!" Louis XVI emphasized again, "Even in the UK, which you admire for its constitutional monarchy, they don’t trample on royal authority !"
Munier wanted to speak, but the King issued an eviction order: "Enough, tonight I have to host the officers of the Flanders regiment, I need to prepare for the banquet. Please leave!"