Chapter 544: "Ah! Everything Will Be Fine, Fine, Fine!"
Shortly after, the high courts of multiple French provinces began publicly disclosing the trials of several prominent tax farming magnates. While most cases had not yet reached a verdict, the list of defendants alone was enough to shock the nation.
Names included leaders like Forl, head of the Tax Farmers' Guild; Barrot, a prominent Parisian banker; and Pellier, the second chairman of the Marseille Chamber of Commerce.
Other than Forl, many were not even known to be tax farmers. Now, the public finally understood who truly controlled the Tax Farmers' Guild.
The death sentence handed to Borrellet sparked a wave of euphoria across France. Eliminating the masterminds behind the oppressive system was far more satisfying to the populace than the executions of hundreds of low-level tax collectors.
In Paris and other regions, citizens took to the streets spontaneously to celebrate, highlighting the depth of resentment toward the tax farmers—resentment that had been simmering for years.
The government's tax bureau, now handling tax collection directly, offered a stark contrast to the prior tax farming offices. Tax officials were polite, never raised sticks while speaking, and refrained from harassing merchants or factory owners. They followed the tax code strictly and fairly.
Though the Jacobins, led by figures like Robespierre, were idealistic and occasionally overzealous, their commitment to building a society based on equality, liberty, and justice resonated with the people. Their approach stood in sharp contrast to previous corrupt officials who prioritized personal gain.
As a result, the tax bureau quickly gained widespread approval among the public, further boosting the already rising popularity of the Prince. This newfound admiration extended to the monarchy itself, bolstering its legitimacy.
Inside the Tuileries Palace, Second Floor
Tax Bureau Director Fourcot was delivering his report to Joseph:
"… So far, we've collected a total of 42 million livres. Full payments have been made by individuals like Baron Morel, Baron Pellier, and five others. The rest are still gathering funds."
Joseph nodded with satisfaction. By earlier estimates, the total fines from this operation would likely exceed 100 million livres. The tax farmers' coffers had been thoroughly overturned.
Though over half the fines were still outstanding, Joseph wasn't particularly worried. The sums involved were enormous. Even for those with fortunes exceeding ten million livres, it was difficult to liquidate assets quickly enough to pay fines of several million.
At least now, the government's funding for the first half of the year was secure, with a significant surplus to boot.
Joseph told Fourcot:
"I'll ensure the High Court expedites sentencing for Morel and others who've cooperated. That should motivate the rest to pay their fines more quickly."
For cooperative tax farmers like Morel, leniency in sentencing would set an example for others to follow.
Fourcot continued:
"Your Highness, as for the assets of Hope and Vankevitch, we haven't fully traced them yet. Hope's domestic funds seem to total less than four million livres, while Vankevitch's are around six million."
Suppressing his anger, Joseph said coldly:
"I've already had Archbishop Talleyrand send a diplomatic note to the Dutch. These two will pay their fines and face justice sooner or later."
A report the previous week revealed that Hope and Vankevitch, both Dutch financiers, had fled France—likely with the Dutch embassy's assistance.
According to intelligence, Hope had left behind a body double who remained inside the embassy.
Given that the Dutch Patriot Party, which represented the bourgeoisie, had recently taken power, it was unsurprising that they would shield financial oligarchs.
However, Joseph's irritation grew. During the Brabant uprising in the Southern Netherlands, the Patriot Party had opposed France, and now they had pulled this stunt. They would need to be "disciplined" in the future.
His thoughts turned bitter as he realized that Hope and Vankevitch had likely absconded with at least 10 million livres in fines—funds that should have been his.
As he brooded, Joseph was startled by the sound of music outside his window—lutes, bagpipes, and drums blending into a lively melody. Along with the music came the sound of singing, cheerful and spirited.
The melody was familiar, piquing his curiosity. He moved to the window and looked down.
On the street south of the Tuileries Palace, a small band led a procession of 600–700 people. Behind them were numerous straw effigies, carried high as the crowd sang and celebrated joyously.
As the procession drew closer, Joseph recognized the crude faces painted on the effigies—poorly drawn, yet unmistakably resembling Borrellet.
And then, he caught the lyrics:
Ah! Everything will be fine, fine, fine!
Today, we chant it once again,
Ah! Everything will be fine, fine, fine!
Even if the tax farmers are ruthless, justice will prevail!
The goal is to destroy the despicable tax farms,
We march forward, singing "Hallelujah!"
Ah! Everything will be fine, fine, fine!
The Prince foretold this, almost like a prophet,
Humming this sweet little tune,
Everyone gleefully says:
Ah! Everything will be fine, fine, fine!
Even if they've stolen all our money, we'll succeed!
The people's enthusiasm grew with every verse. Joseph soon recognized the melody—it was none other than "Ah! Ça Ira," a famous song from the French Revolution, also nicknamed "The Lamppost Song."
Historically, this tune had been sung when Louis XVI was intercepted during his attempted escape, as citizens marched him back to the Tuileries Palace. At that time, the lyrics condemned the King's betrayal.
Now, however, they had been rewritten to denounce the tax farmers.
Joseph chuckled to himself. He had assumed his father's failure to flee would erase this song from history, yet here it was, re-emerging with a new purpose.
Soon, the procession merged with another group, swelling to over a thousand participants as they moved toward the Place du Louvre.
With Fourcot's report concluded, Joseph decided to indulge his curiosity. Changing into a plain black coat, he boarded a carriage and followed the jubilant crowd.
(To be continued…)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen10