After Napoleon's assurance to the deputies, he made his way to another room where an important discussion was taking place. He approached the door and knocked in a predetermined pattern, signaling his presence. Moments later, Talleyrand's voice came from behind the door, giving Napoleon the signal to enter.
Opening the door, Napoleon found Ducos, Sieyes, Talleyrand, Cambacérès, Fouche, and Barras seated around the table. Taking his seat, he wasted no time in updating them on his speech to the Directory and his brother Lucien's success in swaying their votes for a crucial decree.
"Now, let's hear the progress on your end," Napoleon inquired, his gaze focused on Ducos and Sieyes.
Without delay, Ducos and Sieyes handed Napoleon a set of papers. As he glanced at them, he realized they were letters of resignation from Ducos and Sieyes as Directors of the Directory.
"Effective immediately, Director Ducos and Sieyes have stepped down from their positions," Talleyrand announced, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "We now only need three more directors to resign."
"Gohier, the President of the Directory, Barras, and Moulin are the remaining targets," Sieyes added. "They are proving to be resistant, but we won't back down."
"Leave Barras to me," Talleyrand volunteered confidently, ready to take on the challenge.
"How about you, Minister Fouche?" Napoleon's gaze flickered at Fouche, who had been silent during his arrival.
"One thing I can say about General Bonaparte is that nothing will stop this coup," Minister Fouche finally spoke up, breaking his silence. "I have effectively controlled the flow of information in Paris the day before this planned coup. My network of informants has been working tirelessly to ensure that all potential opposition remains in the dark about our intentions."
A satisfied smile crept across Napoleon's face, acknowledging Fouche's pivotal role in securing the element of surprise.
"Excellent work, Minister Fouche," he praised.
As they were having a discussion, there was a knock on the door. Napoleon and all the people inside glanced at it. The person behind the door knocked four times, indicating that it was someone they invited into the room.
"Come in," Talleyrand's voice called out in response to the coded knock.
The door opened slowly, and in stepped a tall, well-dressed man.
"Citizen Barras, please take a seat," Talleyrand gestured to one of the vacant chairs around the table.
"What is happening here? Why are the two directors, General Bonaparte, and the Minister of Police, Fouche, here?"
Barras's eyes darted suspiciously between the faces gathered around the table. He had indeed received a letter of invitation, along with cryptic instructions to attend this clandestine meeting. Despite knowing of the invitation, his instincts still told him that something was amiss. His once easygoing demeanor now betrayed a hint of apprehension as he took the proffered seat.
"Citizen Barras, you must have a lot of questions," Talleyrand began. "But unfortunately we won't have a lot of time to answer all of it. So, the reason why we invited you here was not mentioned in the letter, we want to tell you the reason personally."
"No…I think I know what is going on here," Barras said, glancing again at the faces of the people present around. "You all are into something. I heard that the deputies have voted for a decree which I didn't have the chance of asking as I was escorted by one of General Bonaparte's men."
"Yeah…we are into something, Citizen Barras," Talleyrand concurred. "And you will take part in it."
"Are you going to ask me to resign, again?" Barras arched his brow.
"That is correct, Citizen Barras. But I won't just ask you to resign, in fact, I will reward you. How does 100,000 francs sound to you?" Talleyrand replied with a sly grin.
Barras's eyes narrowed in suspicion, though the mention of such a substantial sum certainly piqued his interest.
"Reward me? For what, exactly?" he asked, trying to maintain a semblance of composure.
"For your cooperation in ensuring the smooth transition of power. Two of the current directors of the Directory have resigned, which is Ducos and Sieyes," Talleyrand said, extending his hand to the referred Directors.
Barras's gaze flickered at the two directors, who simply nodded at him.
"Oh, I see now," Barras remarked and continued. "If the members of the Directory step down, there will be a power vacuum, leaving the door open for your new government to take its place easily."
"That's precisely correct," Talleyrand confirmed. "Now, by resigning not only you will get 100,000 francs but also a safe passage out of Paris."
Barras found it painfully difficult to resist the tempting offer laid before him. He admitted to himself that he had been an ineffective politician, failing to bring stability to France during his tenure in the Directory. The promise of a substantial reward and a chance to leave Paris unscathed was a win-win situation for him.
"I will resign, under the pretext that I have performed poorly," Barras said, accepting the offer.
"Great, now sign the letter of resignation here," Talleyrand passed a parchment and a quill to Barras.
Barras didn't hesitate in signing the letter of resignation. His hand moved with purpose, knowing that it was the right decision.
As Barras finished signing, he handed the letter back to Talleyrand, who nodded approvingly.
"You've made a wise choice, Citizen Barras," Talleyrand said with a reassuring smile. "This will ensure a smoother transition of power, and your cooperation will not be forgotten. The funds have already been prepared and are waiting for you on the carriage outside."
Barras nodded as he rose to his feet, and made his way towards the door, leaving the room. When Barras left the room, Talleyrand sighed.
"Okay, three directors down, two to go," Talleyrand said. "Though I fear that despite us paying him, he might return."
"No need to worry about that, Talleyrand," Napoleon said. "The cavalry escorting his carriage would make sure that he would continue his way out of Paris."
***
Gohier and Moulin arrived at their room twenty minutes later, unaware of the momentous meeting that had just taken place. As they entered, their faces displayed a mix of weariness and concern.
"Citizen Gohier, Moulin, we must talk," Talleyrand greeted them, rising from his seat. "Please, have a seat."
Both Gohier and Moulin exchanged puzzled glances but complied, taking the vacant chairs around the table. The atmosphere in the room felt charged, and they couldn't shake off the feeling that something significant was about to transpire.
"Before we speak about why we are here, Talleyrand, do you mind explaining to us what just happened to the deputies who signed a decree of moving today's session in Saint-Cloud?"
"Three of the directors of the Directory have resigned," Talleyrand informed, ignoring Gohier's question.
"Resigned?" Gohier repeated, his eyes darting at the two directors that were seated around the table. "Why? Oh no…I think I know what this is all about."
"A coup," Moulin revealed. "A coup is happening right now and everyone present here is involved in it."
"You are all out of your mind. You will be beheaded for this!" Gohier bellowed.
"I wouldn't call it a coup, Citizen Gohier, this is simply replacing the current government with another," Napoleon corrected.
"I won't partake in any of this," Gohier said, rising up from his seat. Moulin followed.
After saying that, Gohier and Moulin left the room.
"We didn't even have the chance to convince them," Sieyes said, biting his lower lip.
"Well, it doesn't matter, three of the directors have already resigned," Talleyrand said. "What we only need from them now is to stay in one place and make sure that they won't be able to leave and interfere with us."
"Leave that to me," Napoleon said, rising to his feet.
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