The Fox of France

Chapter 313: The Meeting of Christian Underclass

After bidding farewell to the British naval visitors on the first day, the "Free Trade" vessel opened its doors to French expatriates the following day. However, as the day drew to a close, the "London Businessman" suddenly reported groundbreaking news.

"According to information from the French Ministry of Foreign Trade, the steam patrol vessel 'Free Trade' might become a shelf item at the next Paris trade fair. This visit actually carries a promotional intent. Moreover, following the visit to England, the 'Free Trade' will continue its visits to other countries..."

The purpose of this French action had been speculated upon by the British beforehand. Most assumed it was a display of defiance toward Britain. Many questioned if the French had intentions of stirring trouble in Ireland or elsewhere. Now, it seemed the French had an entirely different agenda.

"Are the French utterly fixated on money?" the butcher scoffed. "They'd sell you the rope to hang themselves if you paid them enough."

"You're not wrong, Butcher," declared Fekin, just returned from Ireland to Petticoat Lane. "However, your perspective is somewhat limited. The French love money, but they also have grander ambitions. It's not just about selling a few ships. Their aim is still to make a statement."

"Why the display?" Barkley asked. "Are France and England gearing up for war again?"

"The French don't wish for it. That's why they're showing the British government the potential losses in case of war. Think about who benefits from peace, and you'll know who truly desires it."

"What a pity," Barkley sighed.

"Barkley, don't place hope solely in these matters. The liberation of the British people ultimately rests on themselves. Primarily, it's crucial to make people realize their own strength."

"Yes, the strength of the people. That's the most important lesson I've learned from my travels in France and Ireland. Even though many in the French government love money, which isn't entirely condemnable given it's a common trait, they dare not evict farmers from their lands like the English, pushing them into factories for three or four years of deferred death sentences.

French soil is far more fertile and warm than England's, naturally producing more crops. In France, I've seen the government allocate funds specifically to construct canals and install electric pumps for farmers. This even caused a significant rise in copper prices across Europe. The agricultural taxes in France are the lowest in Europe. The French farmers, cultivating fertile lands free from aristocratic rent, barely pay any national taxes — taxes that may not even cover the cost of these irrigation systems. Why does the French government treat them so well, even aim to please them?"

"Why?" Barkley inquired.

"Because they've shown their strength," Fekin continued. "In the Revolutionary Wars, most soldiers hailed from rural areas, from among the farmers. They formed a collective in the military, maintaining close ties even after demobilization. These veterans organized the French farmers. So, if the French government attempts anything against their interests, these veterans, who have fought and rebelled, are capable of anything. The French government not only refrains from oppressing them but also strives to appease them.

Moreover, during my extended stay in Ireland, I witnessed the same pattern."

"Fekin, enlighten us about Ireland," the butcher requested.

"Well, since France and England reached peace, the British government and the Irish insurgents agreed to a temporary ceasefire. This stopped large-scale conflicts, but it didn't mean peace had truly arrived. Small-scale skirmishes were incessant.

In the 'Non-Pacified Zones,' which are essentially the headquarters of the United Irishmen, preparations for war hardly ceased. Initially, the weaponry of the Irish Independence Army partly came from French aid, partly from seizing arms in battles against the British. However, now, the Irish Independence Army had another source — their own production.

The United Irishmen realized that the current peace was unreliable. Any chance the British get, they'll return. After signing the ceasefire, the aid from France gradually decreased, understandably, as aid requires funds, and currently, there's no immediate danger, leading to a natural reduction in support.

"'Revolution and independence ultimately lie in our hands; we can't rely on the French for everything. The French are our friends, our friendship deeper than the mountains and seas. But we can't rely on friends entirely. If someone relies on friends for everything but does nothing themselves, what should we call such a person? Shouldn't we call them useless? Our comrades in the union can't become such wastrels.' That's what Russell, the chairman of the union, said to his fighters. Therefore, during this period, they've insisted on self-reliance, even establishing their own armaments factory," Fekin explained.

"Their own armaments factory? A group of farmers set up an armaments factory?" Ironjaw exclaimed. "What can they produce?"

"Some simple yet effective weapons, like landmines. However, more importantly, during this time, they've stockpiled a vast amount of supplies and continually strengthened their organization. Strengthening the organization is the fundamental key.

Butcher, Barkley, Ironjaw, do you know what I've learned in France and Ireland? That organization is paramount. To consolidate strength, we need a broad organization to fight for our people's interests. I've decided; we need to reorganize our group, expand it, and first bring in nearby workers."

"And then?" the butcher inquired.

"Then our union, represented by the workers, will present our demands to those establishing factories for their interests. Naturally, there'll be struggle, both overt non-violent and covert, perhaps more familiar to us. Initially, we won't aim too high; we'll start from small but significant points where workers can feel the impact..."

"Well, you're the leader; your word is law," Barkley said. "What shall we name this new association?"

"We indeed need a new name," Fekin pondered. "Hmm, we spread the true gospel of God, about salvation, about liberation. Let's call it 'The Meeting of Christian Underclass.' In these days, I've also discussed doctrinal issues with some clergy in France. I feel I've come closer to understanding God's will."

"Tell us about it, boss," the butcher requested.

"Alright, in Toulon, I met a priest named Torres, who had participated in the Revolution. He spoke to me, mentioning his experiences during the Revolution. I asked him: 'What's your perspective on the French Revolution?' He replied: 'The Revolution is God's will, a correction by God for the church that had strayed from the path of redemption.' So he recounted a story to me.

A forty-year-old woman, appearing as aged as seventy, approached him sorrowfully after Mass and said, 'Father, I didn't confess before taking the Eucharist.'

'How did you get here, my child?' he asked her.

'Father,' she replied, 'I arrived late. For three days, besides water, I had nothing to eat; I was starving. When I saw you distributing the Eucharist, handing out those tiny bits of bread, I approached just to have a morsel of bread.'

His eyes welled up, recalling Jesus' words: 'My flesh, it's true

sustenance... those who eat me will live because of me.'

That night, during prayer, he received a fresh revelation. He said:

'Man is created in the image and likeness of God. The voice of the poor crying out for life is God's voice. God isn't a God of death but a God of life, listening to the cries of His people. The judgment of history is the final judgment, what's done to the poor and humble is done to Jesus, the Savior worshipped by Christians, who manifests in these distorted faces due to poverty. Christians cannot remain indifferent in such history. The tranquil contemplation of heavenly mysteries in academia must perish; theology must be grounded, bearing the cross of history, fighting for the lives and liberation of the poor. This is the Messiah's salvation. Salvation is liberation.'

To him, the church had made numerous mistakes, veering further from Jesus' path. Thus, God used the Revolution, blood, and fire to correct it.

He told me, 'Such history cannot be missed; missing it means missing God's revelation, missing the opportunity to become true Christians.'

I find such thoughts and interpretations of the Bible extremely profound and practical. Father Torres gave me a notebook of his Bible readings, filled with his reflections. Henceforth, we must rouse and organize workers with these theological thoughts."