I am the Crown Prince of France

Chapter 132: The New Colonel Berthier

Berthier took a deep breath as he walked through the guards into the Prince's bedroom. He immediately bowed deeply to Joseph.

"Your Highness, how are you feeling?" Berthier asked, his voice filled with concern.

Joseph, sitting up in his bed, smiled and nodded. "I'm feeling much better, Colonel. I'm glad you came to see me."

Joseph then gestured for Aymon to ask the other nobles in the room to leave, citing his need to rest.

"Colonel?" Berthier was momentarily confused, thinking the Prince had made a mistake. He quietly corrected him, "Your Highness, I'm only a Major..."

Joseph, as if not hearing him, motioned to a chair beside his bed. "Please, have a seat. By the way, do you remember the military reform I mentioned to you before?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Berthier replied. Although the Prince had only briefly mentioned it during an exercise at the police academy, Berthier had since learned more from Dubois, who had explained the Prince's plans for military reform in greater detail.

"I was particularly impressed by the sections on 'Military Service Regulations,' 'Promotion System,' and the 'Establishment of a General Staff,'" Berthier continued.

"Oh? It seems you've gained a solid understanding of my military reform plans," Joseph said, nodding in approval. "So, what do you think of them?"

Relieved that the Prince hadn't brought up the recent troubles with the French Guards, Berthier spoke openly about what he and Dubois had discussed. "Your Highness, although France has a military that appears strong on the surface, it's actually like a rotting tree. The defeat in the Seven Years' War is proof of that.

"Our generals have made some changes, but I believe it's far from enough. I served in the war between Britain and America. Even against the British Army, our troops had no real advantage.

"Your reform plan addresses nearly all the shortcomings in our military and introduces many new ideas. This is exactly what France needs right now!"

Joseph quickly followed up. "Do you think it's possible to implement these reforms now?"

Berthier frowned and after a moment shook his head. "It would be very difficult. Even just altering the promotion system would meet fierce opposition from nearly every officer."

Currently, the military officer ranks in France were tightly controlled by the nobility. It was extremely difficult for commoners to even enter military academies, and even those who managed to enroll were typically restricted to engineering or technical specialties, with little chance to enter command roles.

After graduation, no matter how talented they were, commoners couldn't rise above the rank of lieutenant. In fact, even minor nobility couldn't become majors, due to the entrenched resistance from hereditary military nobles. Moreover, the cost of promotion was something only the wealthiest could afford.

Yes, in France at that time, officers had to pay large sums for promotions. The higher the rank, the higher the cost. Even some high-ranking nobles with limited means found themselves stuck at the rank of colonel for years simply because they couldn't afford the promotion.

Furthermore, just like in the bureaucracy, military ranks could be bought directly, and officers who purchased their commissions held the same command authority as those who had risen through the ranks.

Such "paid officers" made up a full third of the French military. This meant that in the event of a major war, at least one-third of the French soldiers would be led into battle by completely unqualified commanders, with predictable results.

Joseph's proposed military reforms included a significant change: promotions would be based solely on ability and merit, regardless of background. Furthermore, promotions would no longer require payment, and the sale of military ranks would be strictly prohibited.

This would undoubtedly bring more talent into the higher ranks of the French military, but it would also break the military nobles' monopoly on officer positions, which they would fiercely resist.

"Yes, you're right," Joseph said gravely. "And it's not just the promotion system. Changes to arms procurement, recruitment, and the system for recognizing military merit will all face opposition from these people."

Berthier's expression darkened. Although he was of minor noble birth, he had been a victim of the current military system—he had nearly gone into debt to secure his rank of major. And to join the French Guards, he had spent his entire fortune, which still wasn't enough. If not for the Prince's generous assistance, he would have been forced to return to Soissons in disgrace.

He spoke softly, "Yes, Your Highness. So, military reform will be a very long process..."

"Not necessarily," Joseph suddenly smiled. "In fact, there is an opportunity right now to take the first step in implementing my reforms."

He looked at Berthier. "Of course, I will need your help."

Berthier immediately stood up and bowed. "Your Highness, I am at your service."

"Thank you, Major Berthier. Oh, first of all, you'll be promoted to Colonel."

"What?"

...

"So, Baron Breteuil says you have a way to calm things down?" War Minister Saint-Priest looked skeptically at the middle-aged man before him. If he hadn't been so desperate, he wouldn't have believed that a middle-ranking officer could solve the current crisis.

He never expected the investigation into the French Guards to spiral out of control like this. The officers responsible for the farmhouse artillery incident had already been handed over to the military court, but that hadn't diminished public anger toward the French Guards. Especially after news of the Prince's attack spread, the citizens of Paris were furious.

The Prince's leadership in police reform had improved public safety in Paris, earning him high esteem among the citizens. This led to an increasing number of protesters gathering outside the French Guards' camp. The people of the Saint-Antoine district, in particular, threw mud and shouted curses, nearly storming the camp.

The minister's office was also besieged by noblewomen demanding a thorough investigation into the officers responsible for the Prince's injury. It had been a long time since he dared show his face in his office.

Meanwhile, military officials kept pressing him to protect the French Guards' officers...

Just when he was at his wit's end, the Justice Minister told him that this mid-ranking officer named Berthier might be able to resolve the situation. Desperate, he decided to meet the man.

Berthier, seated across from him, looked a bit nervous. "General, do you know why there have been so many reports against the French Guards' officers, even digging up the Axel farmhouse incident?"

"Oh? Do you know something?" Saint-Priest asked, curious.

Berthier, following Joseph's script, replied, "Yes, General. As I understand it, the Queen is very angry about the Prince's injury, so she wants to take out her anger on the French Guards' officers."

(End of Chapter)

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