At seven o'clock in the evening on November 9th, 1799, the palace of Saint-Cloaurpose, their task clear—to protect the palace and maintain order.
The majority of the soldiers aren't aware of the coup. They were simply called upon by the government to protect the deputies from the supposedly Jacobin plot. It has been two hours since all the deputies were relocated successfully to the palace, and the moment it did, they began their session.
Meanwhile, Napoleon and Murat were roaming around the palace grounds, exchanging pleasant conversations.
"Since when did you and my little sister get together?" Napoleon asked, glancing at Murat.
Murat grinned goofily as he recalled the memories between him and Caroline.
"Well, it was two days after we first met in Toulon. I asked her out to dinner, took her to the opera, and from there our relationship blossomed," he regaled. "You must thank her for persuading me to support this coup, Napoleon."
Napoleon tilted his head to the side. "Wait, so you wouldn't stand beside me if, for example, my little sister hadn't met you? I thought we were brothers?"
"Truth be told, Napoleon, I was initially hesitant about supporting another revolution, fearing that history would repeat itself. However, witnessing your governance over the states we conquered in northern Italy and Egypt has instilled confidence in me to support you. Caroline's words further reassured me that your reign would be different, and that was the deciding factor."
Napoleon's expression softened, understanding Murat's intentions. "I appreciate your loyalty, Joachim. It means a great deal to me."
Murat sighed. "Now that we have all the deputies in one place, what is your next plan?"
"The second part of the plan is going to be the most difficult one to pull off. It would be forcing the deputies to convince the two chambers to dissolve themselves," Napoleon revealed.
"And how are you planning on doing that?" Murat asked.
"You'll see, Murat," Napoleon said as he looked over to the facade of the palace of Saint-cloud.
Things are now looking good on their side. With Moreau's arresting the two directors, the Directory is virtually non-existent. Now, it is up to him to execute his part, a part where he would have to act on how Napoleon reacted during the time of the coup.
***
Early on 10 November (19 Brumaire), Napoleon entered the chamber at Saint-Cloud where the council of Ancients was gathered. He was accompanied by loyal grenadiers who stood at attention on either side. As he stepped into the room, the deputies, who were donned in their red robes, were seated on the opposite side erupted into a chaotic exchange of gibberish, waving their handkerchiefs in the air while arguing amongst themselves. The tense atmosphere hinted at the imminent eruption of chaos in the chamber.
However, the moment the deputies noticed Napoleon and his grenadiers, a sudden hush fell over the room. All eyes were fixed on the formidable figure before them, and the significance of his presence was not lost on anyone.
"General Bonaparte!" one of the deputies called out loudly, breaking the silence. "We've been waiting here for nearly 20 hours, and there hasn't been any sign of a Jacobin plot. Are you staging a coup?!"
As the deputies confronted Napoleon with their suspicions, he couldn't help but smile inwardly. Everything was playing out just as he had intended. It was time for him to act.
In response, Napoleon raised his hand, signaling for the room to calm down.
"Gentlemen," he began, projecting a composed and measured demeanor, "the situation we find ourselves in is akin to standing on a volcano. Our beloved Republic no longer has a functioning government; the Directory has dissolved into chaos, and factions are stirring unrest. Now, the moment has come for us to act decisively and make a choice.
You have called upon me and my fellow soldiers to seek counsel from your esteemed wisdom. I stand before you with utmost sincerity and humility, driven solely by the desire to ensure the safety and security of our great Republic. Therefore, I propose that we vote to create a new government, one that can lead us out of this turbulent time."
The grenadiers flanking Napoleon erupted into cheers, showing their support for his proposition. However, the Council of Ancients did not seem impressed, and murmurs of discontent rippled through the assembly.
"So our doubts are true! General Bonaparte is staging a coup!" one deputy accused, voicing the suspicions that had been circulating among some of the members.
"Swear your allegiance to the Constitution of Year III. That's the only way to protect the republic! Not by creating a new one," another deputy demanded, challenging Napoleon's stance.
"Swear your allegiance to the constitution everyone!"
One by one, the deputies of the Councils of the Ancients began reciting their allegiance to the Constitution.
"General Bonaparte!" The deputies who asked him earlier called him again. "You too as well have to swear your allegiance."
"Constitution?" he retorted. "You, yourselves, have torn it asunder. On 18 Fructidor, you violated it; on 22 Floréal, you violated it; and on 30 Prairial, you violated it again. It no longer commands respect from anyone! It needs to be replaced!"
After expressing his frustration with the current state of affairs, Napoleon and his grenadiers left the chamber and proceeded to the palace Orangery, where the Council of 500 had gathered.
The Council of 500 met Napoleon with a hostile reception as he entered the room. The sight of men in military uniform at a government gathering sparked immediate outrage among the deputies. Shouts filled the air, expressing their discontent with the presence of armed soldiers.
Despite the uproar, Napoleon pressed forward and made his way to the rostrum, determined to address the assembly.
"I want no more of this factionalism; this must finish," he declared loudly, hoping to bring some order to the chaotic scene.
However, the atmosphere quickly descended into chaos as enraged deputies surrounded Napoleon, their voices united in shouting "Down with the tyrant!", "Down with the dictator!", and "Outlaw him!" The anger and hostility were palpable, and it seemed like the situation was spiraling out of control.
Lucien, who had recently been appointed president of the Council, attempted to restore order, but it was an uphill battle. Some deputies had already risen from their seats and resorted to physical aggression, further fueling the turmoil.
The situation grew increasingly tense as they pushed, jostled, slapped, even brandishing daggers at Napoleon.
Napoleon could easily defend himself but he allowed him to be assaulted, as it was part of the plan.
The grenadiers, loyal to Napoleon, swiftly intervened, moving in to protect the general and maintain some semblance of order. They managed to shuffle Napoleon out of the chamber for his safety, as the chaos inside continued to escalate.
Once Napoleon had left, one of the deputies made a motion.
"Let's declare General Napoleon Bonaparte an outlaw!"
Lucien, seeing that the plan of the coup is failing, tried to leave the chamber, but was stopped by the deputies who blocked his way.
"In order to make this session lawful, President Bonaparte, you must remain here."
"To hell with you!" Lucien spat as he removed his president's sash and forcefully made his way out of the chamber.
Outside, he saw Napoleon with Ducos, Sieyes, and Talleyrand.
"The coup is compromised!" Sieyes said, his face turning pale. "We must get out of here before it's too late."
"Brother!" Lucien called Napoleon as he rushed towards him.
Lucien quickly checked his brother to see if there was any injury from the assaults earlier by the deputies. "Are you okay brother?"
"I'm fine Lucien…what's happening?"
"They are declaring you an outlaw, brother," Lucien informed.
"How about us?" Ducos and Sieyes intoned.
"Not yet, but soon you will be," Lucien said before shifting his gaze to Napoleon. "I don't have many supporters inside to make a motion. I'm sorry brother."
"So it's done huh?" Ducos said. "In that case, the most important thing for us to do is to find a safe place."
"You have nothing to fear, Ducos. We have an army under the command of my brother and Murat stationed outside the palace."
The word Napoleon has been waiting for has arrived, a smile forming subtly on his lips.
"You are right brother, it is not done. We have the army."
"What are you…oh…" Lucien realized what Napoleon meant. "It could work."
"What could work?" Sieyes asked.
"You'll see!"
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