The Fox of France

"I thought you were being pursued and seeking refuge here," Joseph chuckled, "but your timing is perfect. Let's have dinner together."

He ushered Armand inside and then called out to a maid busy in another room, "Sophie, please fetch a set of utensils for my friend."

Seated now, he looked at Armand and asked, "So, did you receive another high-profile invitation, or should I come and show my support?"

"I did indeed receive a special invitation—to perform at the Royal Palace," Armand proudly boasted.

"Well, now you're truly making a name for yourself," Joseph remarked.

Sophie brought the utensils just in time. Joseph cheerfully said, "Sophie, please fetch the bottle of brandy from my cabinet. We need to celebrate."

"Of course," Sophie replied and went to fetch the brandy.

"However, Armand, I might not be able to attend your performance this time," Joseph expressed with a tinge of regret. The outbreak of the Great Revolution was imminent, and Joseph knew that during the turbulent period leading up to his younger brother Napoleon's rise in politics, the French political landscape would be chaotic. Today, they might hang nobles and royalists on lampposts, and tomorrow, they might do the same to merchants and traitors, and the day after that, it could be the turn of commoners and rogues. In this tumultuous time, political changes were too rapid and perilous, so Joseph felt it best to keep a certain distance from political figures.

"No, no, Joseph, you've got it wrong," Armand replied. "I wasn't referring to the invitation for the performance. I know you're busy, and this isn't your debut, so I didn't prepare as many invitations for friends."

Joseph, with a sense of foreboding, asked, "Then what invitation are you talking about?"

"It's an invitation to a club," Armand said, handing him the letter.

Joseph took the letter, glanced at the envelope, and read, "Mr. Joseph Bonaparte, in person," signed with florid cursive, "Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre."

Joseph still hadn't quite figured out who that was when Sophie brought the brandy.

"Thank you, Sophie," Armand said, taking the bottle and pouring a glass for himself and a half-glass for Joseph.

"Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre... Robespierre!" Joseph finally understood. The surname at the end of that long string of names made him break into a cold sweat.

"Indeed, a representative of Robespierre, the Incorruptible," Armand sipped his drink while replying.

Joseph lowered his head and pulled the letter out of the envelope, using it to hide his shock.

"What's the matter, Joseph?" Armand somewhat noticed Joseph's unease and asked, "If you're too busy, you don't have to go. After all, it's just an invitation from a club, what's the harm?"

Joseph thought to himself, "Who wants to go if they can avoid it?" He knew that at this time, Robespierre probably wouldn't be too angry if he didn't attend due to being "busy with research." However, not making Robespierre angry now didn't guarantee he wouldn't be angry in the future.

Robespierre wasn't powerful enough to do anything to Joseph at the moment, but in the future, when he had wealthy cities at his feet and a powerful nation in his hands, when one word from him could send those who had offended him to the guillotine, would he still be as forgiving when he thought of this? Joseph had no way of knowing, because that was the infamous "Reign of Terror" Robespierre!

However, this invitation was to join the "Britannia Club," not the "Jacobin Club." (Joseph's historical education was given by a physical education teacher, so he had no idea that the "Britannia Club" was the precursor to the "Jacobin Club.") Joining it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Furthermore, not everyone who joined the Jacobin Club ended up on the guillotine. However, if you got on the bad side of the "Great Demon," the chances of avoiding the guillotine were slim.

"I can attend some of the meetings, at least," Joseph said. "Of course, I'm not like the representatives; I'm unlikely to attend every one of their gatherings."

"That's perfectly fine; it's not a problem at all," Armand said, not realizing the trouble he had caused Joseph by inviting him.

"Very well, I'm honored to receive this invitation," Joseph replied.

"Shall we have a drink then?" Armand never missed an opportunity to share a drink with someone.

"Alright," Joseph put on a smiling face and raised his glass.

After bidding farewell to Armand, Joseph couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Gosh!" This friend of his was certainly trouble-prone, and now he had even attracted the attention of the "Great Demon." This was...

However, cursing wouldn't solve the problem now. So, Joseph had to calm himself down first and then carefully consider how he should handle this.

...

Soon, it was time for the appointment specified in the invitation. Joseph changed into appropriate attire, hopped onto a lightweight carriage, left Paris, and arrived near the Royal Tennis Court of Versailles. This was where the Constituent Assembly met, and the "Club of Constitutional Friends" now used one of the halls here as their meeting place.

Joseph got out of the carriage at the entrance of the Royal Tennis Court, handed the invitation to the gatekeeper, and shortly afterward, he saw a well-dressed young man approaching him.

"Are you Mr. Bonaparte? I'm the representative of the Constituent Assembly, Robespierre," the young man extended his hand to Joseph.

"It's a pleasure to receive your invitation," Joseph replied.

Robespierre then led Joseph inside the Royal Tennis Court. As they walked, he pointed out various buildings in the vicinity.

When the two of them entered the hall of the "Club of Constitutional Friends," it was already filled with people. Robespierre occasionally chatted with others, introducing Joseph to his friends. He appeared friendly, and there was no hint of his "Great Demon" aura.

"Ah, Bonaparte, I didn't expect to see you here," as Joseph was conversing with Robespierre and his friends, a voice called out.

Joseph turned to see the Duke of Orleans striding over.

"Your Highness, I'm surprised to find you here as well," Joseph greeted, bowing.

"No need for such formality; we've known each other for a long time," the Duke of Orleans said warmly, patting Joseph on the shoulder. "What brings you here? Finding it strange to see me at the Club of Britannia? There's nothing odd about it. I, too, support constitutionalism and am a member of the Britannia Club."

Indeed, the Duke of Orleans and Marquis de Lafayette, figures of the nobility, were both members of the Britannia Club. In fact, for the historical record, the Britannia Club, later known as the Jacobin Club, didn't become a radical left-wing organization until the trial of Louis XVI. Due to differences in their attitude towards the king, the Jacobin Club split, with Robespierre, who advocated the king's execution, being elected as the chairman. Those who supported the king left the club under Lafayette's leadership. After that, the Jacobin Club became the radical left-wing organization. The Duke of Orleans continued to be a member of the Jacobin Club, hoping to leverage the Jacobins' power to dispose of Louis XVI and make himself the king of France. But, things didn't go as planned, and he found himself on the guillotine.

"Joseph, let me introduce you to a friend," the Duke of Orleans said. "He's been eager to meet you for some time."

Then, he looked around and whispered something to a servant accompanying him, instructing him to bring Gilbert over.

The servant walked over to the left, and Joseph followed him with his gaze, noticing a tall middle-aged man wearing a wig engaged in conversation. After the servant relayed the message, the man finished his conversation and looked over in Joseph's direction. He had clearly noticed Joseph and smiled in acknowledgment before striding over.

"Gilbert, let me introduce you to a friend," the Duke of Orleans said. "This is our brilliant scientist, Bonaparte—Joseph Bonaparte. You might know him as the one who accurately measured the speed of light."

Joseph, recognizing the name from his knowledge of the future, knew that Lafayette was a French general who had achieved victories in the war against the British during the American Revolutionary War. He had a high reputation in the military.

Joseph, showing respect, bowed and said, "It's an honor to meet you, Marquis."

Armand also made his greetings, and Lafayette responded with warmth.

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