French Empire: But Napoleon IV

Chapter 41, The Nation, Part 1: Eugene, Scammed by a Corrupt Government

"But now is not the time to assign blame."

After laying the groundwork, Eugène straightened up, looking firmly at everyone. His voice gradually rose, even cracking slightly.

At the same time, Eugene's hands began to wave, and his face began to bleed and turn red due to lack of oxygen.

His ferocious expression, exaggerated movements, and increased volume all contributed to the dramatic effect of his speech.

"The Prussian army has reached our doorstep! They are about to occupy our Alsace and Lorraine, and the Prussians will slaughter our compatriots and plunder our wealth! If this continues, in another month they will be at the gates of Paris!"

At that time, all of us, nobles and commoners, rich and poor, will become slaves of the Prussians. Whether it's the debated empire or republic, the concept of France will vanish into the annals of history.

"I know that many of you resent my father and the Bonaparte family. I also know that many people in Paris want to overthrow the Empire and establish a republic. I know all of this."

Only sincerity, a shared sense of crisis, and these are the only things that can quickly bring us closer together.

Under Eugène's highly infectious speech, the workers' expressions began to change; they were starting to empathize with his words.

"I want to ask everyone a question... In the face of Prussian guns, do these partisan struggles and power struggles still have any meaning?"

"If France perishes, it will be meaningless no matter what kind of government we establish... Therefore, I promise you all that all power struggles will cease until this war ends."

I will not use this war to seek any personal gain, nor will I allow anyone to use it to undermine national unity. All differences should be discussed calmly after we have driven the Prussians out of France. Right now, our only enemy is the Prussians!

The Empire is currently in power, and even though the country is in turmoil due to defeat, it does not change the fact that the Empire is in power.

Eugène's candid remarks about the system are essentially a form of concession, and concessions from the stronger party are always more persuasive.

Eugène directly embedded the concept that whoever instigates internal strife is a betrayal of the French people into the hearts of the people.

As for whether those Republicans in high positions would be intimidated and dare not stage a coup, Eugène was not worried about that at all. The core of this Republican group composed of bankers was profit-driven.

Given the chance, usurious capitalists who pursue short-term profits will swarm at them like flies finding a leaky egg.

These things, from the current perspective, that might happen in the future, have indeed frightened the French people.

The working class couldn't think as much as Eugène, but under his guidance, the possibilities of these specific future events were magnified infinitely in their minds.

A murmur arose from the crowd, and many people showed signs of wavering. Eugène's words, in a way, resonated with them.

The people were indeed dissatisfied with the government and wanted to change the status quo, but they did not want to become slaves of a conquered nation. The Commune movement was more of a grassroots movement against a traitorous government, demonstrating the strong sense of patriotism among the Parisian people.

"I know that many of you are unwilling to join the army."

Knowing that it was time to strike while the iron was hot and press the attack, Eugene continued to speak from the perspective of the people, addressing their concerns.

"I completely understand your concerns: you are afraid to go to the front lines to die, and you are afraid that your families will be left without anyone to take care of you after you die."

Just ten days ago, I myself was assassinated on the streets of Paris, and the scar on my neck has not yet healed. I am afraid of death, but I am even more afraid of the demise of France.

Nothing is more convincing than what one has experienced firsthand. Eugene reached out and unbuttoned his collar, revealing the white bandage wrapped around his neck.

"I didn't hide in the Tuileries Palace because I knew that this injury was nothing compared to the hail of bullets faced by the soldiers on the front lines."

If I, the fourteen-year-old crown prince, am willing to fight for France, then you, the men of France, are you willing to stand by and watch your homeland be trampled by the enemy?

The crowd was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. There were no shouts of "I don't want to!" as expected. The deeply moved French people simply stared in a daze at the impassioned Crown Prince.

Slightly taken aback and somewhat surprised, Euren knew he couldn't afford to leave the room silent, so he quickly picked up the conversation himself.

"I know that words are not enough. Everyone should know that, in addition to the basic military pay of 22.5 francs and the allowance of 2.5 francs per month issued by the government, I have personally been giving each soldier a royal allowance of 10 francs per month."

In other words, each soldier would receive 35 francs a month in pay, including food and lodging. After the war, I would propose to my father that the basic pay for all privates be permanently increased to 25 francs.

The news was indeed confirmed, and murmurs arose among the crowd. A monthly salary of thirty-five francs was quite a good income in Paris.

An ordinary worker, working hard for twelve hours a day, can only earn about sixty francs a month, and still has to take care of his own food and lodging.

The soldiers were provided with food and lodging, and could save 35 francs a month, which was better than the lives of many workers, but some people still raised questions.

The carpenter with the big beard, seemingly unwilling to see himself humiliated, pushed his way to the front and loudly questioned Eugène.

"Your Highness, what good is a high military salary? Going to the front lines is just sending them to their deaths. My brother died in the Battle of Voss, and the government only gave us 50 francs in compensation, not even enough to buy a coffin and a burial plot."

My sister-in-law has four children and now has to beg to survive. You rulers never care about our lives.

The carpenter's statement was inaccurate; in present-day France, the empire still uses the military pension law that has been in effect for 31 years.

There is no lump-sum compensation for soldiers killed in action, but their surviving family members can receive a survivor's annuity. Generally, the minimum is 100 francs per year, paid annually, provided the widow and soldier have been married for more than two years.

With four children, two years is more than enough time. His statement sounds like a buyout deal, implying the government won't continue providing funding, which is highly ambiguous.

However, Eugène did not refute this, because he discovered a blind spot: the carpenter said they had only received 50 francs.

Someone was embezzling the pension funds… Eugene realized this. At the same time Eugene realized this, the carpenter's words resonated with the people below.

"Yes, if you die in battle, you only get a few dozen francs. Who would want to go?"

"If my son dies, how will my wife and I live?"

"Those bureaucrats don't care whether we live or die."