I am the Crown Prince of France

Chapter 67: The Newspaper Guild

Joseph picked up The Citizen's Daily and unfolded it. The main article on the front page argued that the new tax bill had not undergone rigorous analysis and was simply a whimsical idea of the former Finance Minister, Calonne. If implemented, it would have unpredictable consequences for France.

The other newspapers he checked had similar content. They all danced around the issue, using absurd reasons to attack the tax bill without directly addressing the core issue.

Joseph couldn't help but think of the unscrupulous media in later generations—when you reason with them, they bring up history; when you talk history, they appeal to emotions. In short, they twist logic and avoid directly discussing the matter at hand.

After skimming through several newspapers, he found that only The Paris New Messages was still publishing analytical articles on the tax bill.

He turned to the author's section and saw that the article was signed by "Jean-Paul Marat."

Joseph found this quite amusing. If this Marat was indeed the same figure who would become one of the core leaders of the Jacobins during the French Revolution, it would be a truly ironic twist.

The only voice supporting the royal tax bill was that of someone who, in the future, would become one of the most ruthless and uncompromising opponents of the monarchy.

After going through all the newspapers on the table, Joseph's face darkened.

Overnight, the articles explaining the tax bill had disappeared, and the entire press had unified its message, launching a frenzied attack on the tax bill.

Someone was clearly orchestrating this.

Someone was openly opposing the Crown.

The audacity, the sheer brazenness!

Joseph glared at the newspapers, clenching his fists. These were just some newspapers, after all. If they dared to challenge the monarchy, he would make sure they felt the full force of royal power!

His focus was so intent on the tax bill that he completely missed the small article tucked away in the corner of The Citizen's Daily—which, while appearing to describe the lives of Versailles nobles, subtly hinted that a "Duke Schwarz of Prussia" might be Queen Marie's lover.

The larger-circulation newspapers Joseph had reviewed were relatively restrained. But in some smaller publications, numerous articles had already been published, hinting at or outright alleging affairs between Queen Marie, Princess Thérèse, and their "Prussian lovers."

Even more explicit pamphlets had flooded the streets of Paris.

These so-called "pamphlets" were a unique form of publication, usually circulated privately to avoid censorship. The printing quality was poor, and they were sold at low prices. Their content was typically scandalous, which made them immensely popular and gave them far greater circulation than newspapers.

Joseph had intended to discuss punishing the rogue newspapers with Robert, but by the time he returned to Versailles, it was already past nine in the evening. He had no choice but to suppress his anger and wait until the next day.

...

At the office of The Paris New Messages, a middle-aged man with disheveled hair and deep lines on his face burst into the editor's office, holding a freshly printed proof. "Mr. Darmanin, why wasn't my article analyzing the tax bill's impact on the people published?"

The editor, who wore silver-rimmed glasses, looked up with an apologetic smile. "Mr. Marat, that was a decision from the Newspaper Guild. They said that publishing too much about the bill's details might unduly influence the courts."

Marat raised his voice, "But this tax is something the people of France will have to pay. They have a right to know the details!"

The editor spread his hands. "I'm sorry, but I'm powerless here. I must comply with the Newspaper Guild's regulations."

Marat argued his case for a while longer, but seeing the editor's firm stance, he stormed out in anger. "Goodbye, Mr. Darmanin. There will be a paper that's willing to publish my article!"

The editor watched him leave with a resigned shake of his head. "That's highly unlikely..."

The next day.

After a simple breakfast, Joseph set off for the office of the Chief of Secret Police.

As he approached the door, he heard an angry young woman's voice from inside. "Those despicable, disgusting, vile people! How can they fabricate such shameless lies?!"

The guards at the door, recognizing the Prince, quickly bowed and opened the door for him.

Joseph entered the office to find a young girl, a little older than himself, standing with her hands on her hips, her face red with anger as she glared at Count Robert.

The girl was short, dressed in a white, wide-skirted dress. Her face was slightly round with a hint of baby fat, her skin was as fair and delicate as porcelain, and her bright blue eyes shone with purity and clarity.

Joseph's mind immediately supplied her name—Marie Thérèse, Louis XVI's eldest daughter, Princess of France, and his older sister.

Joseph recalled that she had been staying at the Château de Meudon to recover from a long illness. What had brought her back to Versailles so suddenly?

Thérèse turned at the sound of footsteps. Seeing Joseph, she quickly curtseyed before smiling warmly. "Joseph, my dear brother, it's so good to see you. It's been three months, hasn't it?"

Joseph bowed slightly in return. "It has been a while, dear sister. What brings you back? Are you feeling better?"

"How could I not return?" Thérèse's expression turned stern again. "It's those vile rumors that have tormented me day and night!"

"Rumors?" Joseph looked questioningly at Robert.

"It's those small papers like The Paris Post and The Observer. And the pamphlets," Robert explained.

Seeing Joseph's puzzled expression, Robert pulled two newspapers from the table, opened them to certain pages, and, after a cautious glance at Thérèse, handed them to Joseph.

Joseph quickly skimmed the articles, his brow furrowing.

The articles hinted or outright suggested that certain Prussian nobles had come to Paris and were involved in illicit affairs with the Queen and Princess. One article even suggested that he, the Prince, was involved with a dark-skinned slave girl.

Thérèse fumed, "Since the afternoon before yesterday, these disgraceful things have been appearing in the papers! I had to return immediately."

She turned to Robert again. "Count Robert, you heard the Queen's orders—those who spread these lies must be severely punished!"

It seemed she had already reported the matter to Queen Marie.

Robert quickly nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. In fact, I took action on this yesterday."

"Oh? Did you shut down those papers?"

Robert hurriedly replied, "No, Your Highness, that's impossible.

"However, we did confiscate the printing plates from The Paris Post and a few other papers, imposed heavy fines, and arrested the editor of The Merry Man for questioning."

Thérèse was not satisfied. "They insulted the royal family, and all they got was such a light punishment?"

The head of the secret police looked rather helpless. "Your Highness, in fact, there was no direct insult to the royal family in their articles.

"I know those articles were filled with insinuations and could easily be misunderstood, but the court will not find the newspapers at fault for that."

(End of chapter)

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