Chapter 75: The Coup of 18 Brumaire (Part 2)

Today, a public meeting will be held to amend the constitution and appoint three provisional consuls. After that, both houses will temporarily adjourn. Every step is reasonable and legal! Napoleon reassured himself.

However, the deputies were not buying it. They strongly protested. Because the hall needed time to be set up, the meeting didn't officially start until one o'clock in the afternoon, giving the deputies plenty of time to build up their anger.

In the Palace of Versailles, the Sun Hall upstairs served as the Senate, while the Orange Hall downstairs hosted the meeting of the Council of Five Hundred. As for the onlookers, they were all co-conspirators of Napoleon, gathered together in the Council of Five Hundred's meeting hall.

At this moment, Napoleon's brother Lucien took the stage and said loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have gathered you here today to inform you that all five Directors of the Directory have resigned. But as the saying goes, a country cannot go a day without a leader. Such a large nation cannot function without a governing body. So, for France and for the people of France, I propose that we listen to the voice of the people."

With that, Lucien waved his hand, and the soldiers outside the hall shouted in unison, "Support Napoleon!"

"Long live Napoleon!"

The soldiers outside shouted, their voices shaking the earth. Inside the hall, the deputies' faces turned grim as they listened to the soldiers' cries. They realized that Napoleon was openly seizing power. Immediately, accusations, objections, and curses filled the hall, with some even shouting, "Down with the dictatorship!" The voices of opposition grew louder and louder, and they loudly condemned the troops outside the hall.

Some even shouted, "We do not want a dictatorship! Napoleon will be the Cromwell of France. He will take away our freedom."

As soon as this was said, it immediately gained the deputies' agreement, and all the deputies began to echo these sentiments.

The situation became increasingly dire, gradually getting out of control. But if Napoleon were to fail here today, all his previous efforts would be in vain. Today was crucial, so Napoleon decided to step in personally.

Napoleon walked directly into the Council of Five Hundred. Clearing his throat in front of everyone, he began to speak, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am also a Frenchman. I have always been dedicated to making my homeland strong. But since I returned to France, various factions have done everything they can to smear my reputation. ... Please, Senate, grant me justice. I have no personal motives, as you all know. Have you not seen my unwavering loyalty to France?"

Hearing Napoleon's words, the deputies below began to stir, whispering to each other. Seeing this, Napoleon continued, "Every Frenchman is well aware of my experiences. These political parties only seek to profit from the country's difficulties; they all want to use me. None of them truly consider the nation's interests. But I have come to the two houses. Don't you understand? If we delay any longer, freedom will become an empty promise, and you must take responsibility for your actions!"

Napoleon spoke passionately, confident that despite the obstacles he faced, he would ultimately succeed. His contributions to France were evident to all. He would govern this republic and end ten years of turmoil. However, the deputies in the hall were blinded by their own interests, prioritizing them far above those of the nation. In the academy, Napoleon could quietly discuss with scholars, but he was unfamiliar with the legislative assembly. He thought he was sure to win.

Instead, he was met with Jacobins shouting, "Down with the tyrant! Drive out the dictator! He is illegal! Down with the tyrant Napoleon."

Some of the stronger deputies even rushed forward, ready to attack Napoleon. Seeing this, the guards quickly surrounded the commander, using their bodies to shield him from the angry blows. The two sides clashed, a chaotic brawl breaking out. Shouts and curses filled the air. In the melee, Napoleon was struck squarely in the face and was forced to retreat in disarray.

Feeling shaken and emotionally unstable, Napoleon left the hall.

Inside, chaos reigned. Brienne hurried over, grabbed Napoleon's arm, and whispered, "General, are you a bit flustered?" Meanwhile, his co-conspirators quickly stood up to speak in defense. As Napoleon stepped outside, he felt a bit more clear-headed. What had just happened? Why had he become incoherent? On the battlefield, facing smoke and fire, he had never flinched. How could he have lost his composure at such a critical moment today?

Napoleon thought of his experiences during the Italian campaigns, where he had led soldiers forward under fire; in Lodi and Arcola, he had faced life-and-death situations without fear. Yet today, for the first time, he found himself in such a situation without being able to use firearms. He had always insisted on the principle of not using force in this coup.

But now reality forced him to change his principles. The blows that rained down on him also shattered his principles.

Napoleon's anger was uncontrollable—this was an insult to him! His face twisted with rage. 

"Yes, someone in the assembly wants to murder him! He will tell the soldiers how those despicable people treated the Commander of the Paris Military District. It was they who used force first!" Napoleon thought to himself, finally finding an excuse to use force.

Meanwhile, Lucien continued to fight in the Council of Five Hundred to defend his brother. The deputies were shouting, "Expel him! He is not protected by the law!" Lucien rang the bell forcefully, demanding silence. Someone proposed voting to declare Napoleon unprotected by law. Seeing the situation getting out of control, Lucien angrily took off his president's robe and stormed out of the hall. Outside, he saw his brother with the troops.

"Lucien, how are things inside?" Napoleon anxiously asked as soon as his brother emerged.

"It's not good. The deputies are about to vote to declare you unprotected by law," Lucien replied grimly. If the vote passed, Napoleon's hopes would be completely dashed.

Upon hearing this, Napoleon's face changed dramatically. He immediately shouted to the soldiers, "Grab your guns! Follow me!" and then mounted his horse. The actions of the Council of Five Hundred had pushed him to his limit, and he had no choice but to take the final step.

Night had fallen, and everyone was watching to see what would happen. Napoleon and Lucien rode their horses across the square. Outside the fence, Sieyès and Ducos sat in a carriage, prepared either to flee or to become rulers, depending on how events unfolded.

The scene was chaotic, with no order to be found. Napoleon rode to the front of the soldiers and shouted, "Brave men, as the Commander of the Paris Guard, I must tell you: inside the hall, some people have been deceived by a handful of Jacobins. They are all British lapdogs, trying to declare your commander banished. Remember, the commander was appointed by both houses. These people are malicious and even intend to assassinate the commander. This is absolutely intolerable. Soldiers, let us rise up and fight back. Use your bayonets to stop the enemy's attack; this will be the greatest contribution to France. Quickly, drive out everyone except those who support us! Do not hesitate any longer. For those rebels, show no mercy—kill them all!"

"Long live Napoleon!" At this moment, Napoleon's miraculous personal charisma worked once again. With just a few words, he convinced all the soldiers to follow him willingly.

As the troops forcefully entered the Council of Five Hundred, the previously arrogant deputies fell silent. The deputies might not fear Napoleon himself, but they feared his army. The hall fell quiet. At Napoleon's signal, more soldiers flooded into the hall, standing sternly before each deputy. Those deputies, who were used to a life of comfort, had never faced such a scene and immediately held their tongues, acquiescing to Napoleon's plans.