Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Chapter 703: Chapter 612: Abolitionist Movement

At noon, the Cabinet meeting concluded.

The Navy Minister walked out through the golden doors of the meeting hall, smiling more brightly than on his wedding day.

However, just a short distance behind him, figures like Mirabeau from the rising nobility faction seemed rather solemn.

As they turned the corner of the corridor, Bailly glanced at Mirabeau’s expression and said, “You’ve noticed something as well, haven’t you?”

The latter solemnly nodded. “His Highness the Crown Prince has given the navy an additional 20 million francs, which is indeed quite unusual.”

This 20 million was in addition to the navy’s regular military budget. Adding the funds previously secured from England by Carolina, the navy had received an extra 40 million francs.

Before this, the navy had been cutting its budget for three consecutive years, even building ships with tonnage lower than those of Russia.

Bailly immediately continued, “Moreover, His Highness has also ordered me to procure large quantities of timber, grease, ropes, and even cotton, which clearly shows he is worried about trade disruptions.”

Venio added, “Including grain, and there are no signs of a shortage at the moment.”

These items were all instructed by His Highness just before the conclusion of the recent Cabinet meeting.

“So,” Bailly lowered his voice, “is a war about to break out?”

“It seems that England is making some moves.” Talleyrand struggled to keep pace with the three others, as he was quite familiar with England’s latest strategic directions, “His Highness is obviously preparing in advance.”

He paused suddenly and shook his head, “But what doesn’t make sense is that, at this time, His Highness wants me to go to the Ottoman Empire to negotiate a new trade agreement.”

Joseph’s task for him was to reach an agreement with the Ottoman Empire that would reduce tariffs mutually and increase the variety of goods allowed for import, clearly looking to boost trade between the two nations.

Mirabeau was also quite puzzled, “If we are to battle England, Mediterranean trade might be at risk of interruption.”

Venio immediately said, “That’s why His Highness allocated 20 million to the navy, presumably to fight for naval dominance.”

The others looked at him with odd expressions. Mirabeau said, “That amount of funds would hardly be enough.”

Bailly nodded, “Moreover, if there was confidence in defeating the British at sea, there would be no need to stockpile supplies.”

They discussed a bit more but still couldn’t figure it out. If Marquis Castelli were here, he would excitedly tell them that the navy’s new steam-powered ships have the capability to push the British fleet out of the Mediterranean. After the war began, the Ottoman’s east side of the Mediterranean would become a very important market for France.

In the end, Talleyrand sighed, “I think, we should trust His Highness’s judgment.”

The other three nodded in agreement. In their memory, the decisions of the Crown Prince had indeed never been wrong.

…

Months earlier.

In the southern part of North America, the Caribbean Sea.

In the central part of Santo Domingo, Port-au-Prince.

In a dimly lit basement, the leader of the Abolitionist Organization, Vincent Ore, brightened the candle in the center of the room, and the light immediately revealed the faces of the dozen people sitting around.

Most of these people were mixed race, with light brown skin. Additionally, there were four black individuals and one white individual. They were representatives of the Abolitionist Organization from various parts of French Saint-Domingue.

“Thank you all for arriving on time,” Ore stepped forward, looking at them with a very composed gaze, and said in a deep voice, “The Book movement has already occupied most of Tortuga, and currently, the Governor’s army is mostly assembled in the north. Our opportunity has come!”

The attendees immediately clenched their fists in excitement, letting out suppressed cheers.

Ore continued, “We will gather on the east side of Port-au-Prince in a week. I and Major Jonas will lead half the group to attack the Governor’s Palace.”

He looked toward a mixed-race middle-aged man dressed in French white military attire, “Major Aureol will lead a battalion to seize Congress. The rest will spread out to ensure the stability of Port-au-Prince.”

The two officers immediately stood up to signal, “At your command, Mr. Ore.”

Ore swung his fist powerfully, “We now possess equipment as excellent as the Governor’s Mansion Guard, and Major Jonas even has cannons.”

“We will swiftly take control of Port-au-Prince, then we’ll demand Congress to pass the Abolitionist Law. Everyone will obtain freedom and equality, and the dark times of Santo Domingo will come to an end!”

The room erupted into another round of low cheers.

After the crowd quieted down, an elderly black man in a grayish-black coarse linen coat slowly stood up and said, “Mr. Ore, how are we to handle the French military forces coming from Europe? They might already be crossing the Atlantic Ocean.”

Ore replied with determination, “Then we fight them until they accept the Abolitionist Law!”

The black elder shook his head and sighed, “Mr. Ore, our forces currently cannot possibly defeat the French Expeditionary Army, just like a few years ago…”

Ore raised his hand to interrupt him, “Mr. Troc, the supplies we received before are not just a single batch.”

“In fact, a certain country has promised to provide us with 30,000 British Pounds of supplies every month. We will eventually triumph!”

The supplies Ore mentioned were mainly flintlock guns, military uniforms, tents, and other military equipment, with some food and medicine as well.

Troc immediately showed a surprised look on his face, “Praise Jesus, for giving us hope.”

He had participated in two abolitionist uprisings, both suppressed due to a lack of arms and ammunition, but now the situation was finally different!

An hour later, after Ore had detailed the plans for the uprising, he left the basement and returned to his residence by carriage.

Before he even entered the door, his butler came up to greet him and whispered a few words in his ear.

“The French Government’s special envoy?” Ore frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then walked into the house.

In the living room sat a middle-aged man wearing a black long coat, with somewhat disheveled wig.

Ore took a deep breath, stepped forward, and exclaimed loudly, “Mr. Envoy, if you have come to persuade me to support the suppression of the Book movement in Congress, I am afraid you will be disappointed…”

The middle-aged man, hearing the noise, stood up and bowed to Ore.

As the latter saw his large nose, forehead wrinkles, and slightly sagging eyelids, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “You, you are Mr. Brissot?!”

Brissot smiled and nodded, “That is my name. You must be Mr. Ore, it’s an honor to meet you.”

Ore quickly bowed in return, “I heard your speech in Philadelphia. Oh, I still have your ‘Southern Black People Chronicles’ in my bookshelf, very authentically written!”

“I’m glad you liked the book.”

Ore suddenly thought of something, and somewhat excitedly said, “If the French King sent you as an envoy, is it possibly…”

Brissot nodded, “Yes, His Majesty has agreed to sign the decree abolishing slavery.”