Joseph looked up, looked at Armand, then at Robespierre, and said, "Armand, Monsieur Robespierre, you know that I am friends with Lafayette......

"Joseph, we are all friends with Lafayette. But, Joseph, Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas. (Latin Aristotle quote: I love my teacher, but I love the truth)" said Armand.

Robespierre smiled and watched.

"All right, Armand." Joseph frowned, "Although I cherish my friendship with General Lafayette, I cannot betray my own ideas. However, I wonder if there is a different way to elect the club? ”

"What do you mean by the way of replacement?" Robespierre asked.

"The way the club votes now is still a show of hands, right?" Joseph said, "Can we change it to a secret ballot?" You think, Lafayette has been president for so long, and he is so influential, if he votes directly by a show of hands, I am afraid that some people will be forced by these parties to vote against their will. We list the names of candidates on a ballot paper, and voters only need to tick it off, and then put the ballot paper in an empty box, and wait until the voting is over, open the box in front of the public to count, so that we can avoid the trouble above and ensure fairness at the same time. ”

As soon as Joseph's words fell, Armand spoke very dissatisfied: "Joseph, isn't it a fair and honest thing to say what to support and what to oppose? Why is it so sneaky? ”

Joseph frowned, and was about to refute, but Robespierre spoke first.

"Armand, what Joseph said I think makes a lot of sense. That's a good idea. Robespierre said slowly.

"But shouldn't the people, as representatives of the people, be more open? Why hide your point of view? This is not a gentleman's doing. Armand didn't seem convinced.

"Armand," Robespierre frowned, "the club is not Congress, and the members of the club are not representatives of the people. Also, don't those who are morally not morally good enough to be called saints have an inherent right? Moreover, morality has always been used to demand oneself, not to others. For example, I don't think it's the right way to live every night drinking with a bunch of women, but I also think that you, and the deceased Monsieur Mirabeau, are good friends of mine. ”

"You're right, Maximilien." Armand bowed his head.

Robespierre's words surprised Joseph. Such a reasonable remark was actually said by Robespierre, the "Murderer King"? In addition to being surprised, Joseph also deeply felt that Robespierre was too dangerous, because he was very good at making reasonable excuses for his political interests.

Having said that, everyone's hearts have counted. If Robespierre could win a secret ballot, Joseph would have supported him. At least, in the opinion of Robespierre and Armand, that's how it is. So everyone talked nonsense for a while, and Robespierre took his leave with Armand.

With Robespierre's visit, Joseph really didn't dare to be absent from the meeting two days later. That evening, after dinner, Joseph got into a light carriage and went to the Jacobin Club.

Joseph walked into the club and greeted one after another people he knew and was familiar with, or knew but not familiar with him, and a familiar figure suddenly appeared in his eyes.

"Hey, Bonaparte, long time no see!" The man smiled at him.

"His Royal Highness? You're back? Joseph was taken aback, for the man was none other than the Duke of Orleans, who had been sent some time ago to be ambassador to England.

"yes, I'm back." The Duke of Orleans said with a smile, his posture was a bit of a gray wolf.

Although the Duke of Orleans had gone to England, he was still quite well informed, and as soon as he found that the image of his political rival Lafayette had been damaged, he immediately ran back.

"Now, with Lafayette's reputation, even if he makes public the conspiracy of the Duke of Orleans, hehe, I'm afraid no one will believe it. However, after being away from the country for such a long time, I don't know how much influence this duke can have. Joseph thought silently.

After a few small talks, the Duke of Orleans went back to talk to someone else—he had just returned home and was anxious to regain his influence.

After waiting for a while, when the people were almost ready, Lafayette called the meeting to order.

Lafayette was the first to speak as president, and he first defended himself, saying that everything he did was for France; Then he began to accuse "extremist ideas" of destroying the country and traditions. After saying this, he said that he knew that there was also such an 'extremist idea' spreading in the club, and he hoped that everyone would understand him, support him and resist this dangerous idea that was destined to lead France into the abyss.

After Lafayette had spoken, Robespierre stood up and said to everyone: "I have some ideas that I would like to say, would you like to hear them?" ”

"Yes!" Someone shouted from below.

So Robespierre walked towards the pulpit, and he passed by Lafayette, who had a straight face and a face full of disdain; Robespierre's face was full of a humble smile.

Robespierre stepped onto the podium and began his speech. First of all, he expressed his respect for French traditions, saying that the current attempts by some radicals to make France a republic are unpopular and will surely fail. He even went so far as to say, "Phew! Republic? What's that! ”

But then he went on to say that King Louis XVI's hostility to the Revolution and his opposition to the Constitution was very obvious. Even if he now declares to society that he supports the Constitution, that would not be credible. Allowing such a man to remain king will only bring damage to France, and everyone must admit the facts and no longer deceive themselves.

"The truth never hurts us, the only thing that can hurt us is our attitude towards the truth. If we turn a blind eye to everything, stick our heads in the sand like ostriches, and say to ourselves: 'None of this exists. That's what really hurts us. Obviously, the current king is no longer credible! I was against a republic, but I was also against Louis XVI continuing to be king. ”

After saying this, Robespierre raised his eyes and glanced at the Duke of Orleans, who immediately took the lead in applauding.

If Louis XVI abdicated, then the first heir to the throne would be his son Louis XVII. Louis XVII was still an adult, and according to French tradition, a member of the royal family was required to act as regent and act as the king. Today, there are only three people in the royal family who are qualified to be regents: Louis XVI's younger brother, the Count of Provence (historically Louis XVIII), Louis XVI's other brother, the Count of Artois, and the Duke of Orleans.

The first two were royal party members who openly opposed the revolution. Therefore, the only possible regent can only be the Duke of Orleans. So now that Robespierre said this, the Duke of Orleans naturally agreed very much.

Robespierre then went on to say that although he was opposed to extreme republican ideas, he believed that ideas were free and that one should not be condemned for his thoughts.

"Against one thought, one can only use another, not the sword."

This is clearly a point. However, Joseph felt that the words spoken by Robespierre seemed to have a kind of black humor.

Finally, Robespierre said that in order to prevent the members of the club from being interfered with by power in the upcoming elections, he proposed that the vote be done by secret ballot.

This proposal exceeded Lafayette's expectations, and he knew that the vote plan would be very bad for him, but if he stood up directly against it, it would be almost a confirmation of the accusation of "using power to interfere with voting". So he just had a blue face, but he didn't say a word.

The next step is to vote. Although it was anonymous, Joseph voted for Robespierre. No way, steady people are like that.

Then it's time for the votes to be counted. One person sings the ticket, and several people supervise it on the side. The votes of the two candidates were very close, with Lafayette leading at one moment and Robespierre leading at the other. In the end, the results of the vote finally came in, and Robespierre won over Lafayette by two votes to become president of the Jacobin Club.

Lafayette's face was ugly, and he was probably wondering who it was that betrayed him. But Robespierre's face was not particularly good, because although he was victorious, according to his statistics, he should still have one vote.

"We've got a traitor out of it." Robespierre couldn't help but think so.

Lafayette stepped up to the podium. Everybody thought he was going to give some speech as the previous president or something. But Lafayette put it this way:

"Regrettably, I find that in today's 'Club of Friends of Constitutionalism', extremist ideas have prevailed. The philosophy of this club is completely different from when we created it. ”

At this point, he looked around at everyone and then continued: "Since the political philosophy is completely different, I announce that I am withdrawing from the 'Club of Friends of Constitutionality'. Like me, those who oppose this political philosophy, please stand by me. Let's leave together. ”

Joseph was completely stunned. Lafayette's hand was completely unexpected. Making his secret ballot a joke, and now it's time to take that side is a new question.

By this time, one of them had already taken the lead over to Lafayette's side. As soon as he walked over, Robespierre's smiling face suddenly stiffened.

"Fuche, I didn't think it was you!" Robespierre thought through gritted teeth.