I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1390 A New Era
However, Minister of Civil Affairs Roland then briefly introduced the progress of the drafting of the French Child Protection Law.

The parts that have been completed so far mainly include:
1. Abandoning children will constitute a crime – this is mainly used to punish parents who send their children to orphanages.

2. The buying and selling of children is prohibited.

3. Parents must ensure that their children meet the minimum enrollment requirements.

4. It is forbidden to instigate children to steal, beg, or participate in highly dangerous work...

Given the current widespread mistreatment of children in Europe, this law is undoubtedly another significant step forward in human rights.

After all the ministers had finished their reports, everyone in the meeting room wore expressions of excitement and pride.

Indeed, after winning this war, France has completely emerged from the quagmire of more than a decade ago, and all aspects are showing signs of prosperity.

Joseph then rose and bowed to Queen Mary.

A flicker of worry and tension crossed the latter's eyes, but he quickly smiled and nodded: "Please begin the announcement."

Charles's palms immediately became sweaty. His mother had confirmed it herself; this was definitely an announcement of his marriage, yet she hadn't even asked for his opinion beforehand!
He secretly decided that as long as the name his brother called out wasn't Louise, he would refuse on the spot, even if he was scolded.

Joseph turned around and solemnly addressed the dozens of people present, saying in a loud voice:

"Gentlemen, today, a new era is about to begin."

"For the eternal prosperity and order of France, and for the future of the nation, His Majesty the King has signed a decree, formally authorizing the establishment of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, and the promulgation of corresponding legal codes, in the presence of God."

May God protect France!

Everyone immediately stood up in unison and bowed in unison: "God bless France! God bless our King!"

No one showed any surprise; it was as if they had just heard a routine administrative order.

The news of His Highness the Crown Prince's plan to form a parliament has been circulating for a long time, and preparations for all related matters have been underway for some time. Today, the matter has finally come to fruition.

Joseph's reason for announcing the state of the country today was to use France's strength to stabilize public sentiment, boost morale, and thus reduce resistance to this major political reform.

In fact, given his current prestige and absolute control over the army, even if he announced that the entire country would immediately convert to Protestantism, no one would dare to object.

Of course, in France, the birthplace of the Enlightenment, even illiterate peasants could talk about "freedom and equality," so apart from a few old nobles, most French people hoped to form a parliament.

Joseph knew very well that if he could not take the initiative to tame the times, he would eventually be swallowed up by the tide of the times.

In the conference hall, only Charles paused for two seconds before standing up with a look of surprise and bowing to the others.

Well, the reason he was happy was naturally that he didn't have to marry Princess Maria or Princess Augusta for the time being. As for how difficult it would be to be with Louise, young people never thought about such things.

Joseph then handed a parchment scroll with gold trim to Archbishop Brian.

The latter respectfully accepted it, then turned it over to show everyone. It was a decree signed by Louis XVI concerning the establishment of the two houses of parliament.

Last week, His Majesty the King signed the edict without even reading its contents—he had no reservations as long as his son said it was alright. Meanwhile, he was at the engineering institute leading a group of technicians, working to increase the power of the forging machine.

Immediately afterwards, Archbishop Briand began to read aloud the contents of the edict:
"My people, nobles and wise men, valiant soldiers..."

"In the name of the King of France, and under the watchful eye of God, I solemnly declare: France will operate under the provisions of the Code of Louis, so that every French citizen may live with dignity, freedom, and security… "By the provisions of the Code, I authorize the formation of a Senate, responsible for signing and promulgating laws, managing the Kingdom's finances, foreign affairs, and military affairs. It will convene and dissolve the Chamber of Deputies. Members of the Senate will be appointed sequentially from the senator order, and will be led by the Imperial Chancellor appointed by the King."

"By the provisions of the Code, the House of Representatives is authorized to be formed to be responsible for drafting laws, reviewing budgets, and determining tax rates..."

Yes, Joseph did not directly copy the historical dual monarchy, but made some improvements.

First, although the Senate appears to have only 80 seats, it has a "Sequence of Elders" system, which, simply put, is a ranking of those who are qualified to enter the Senate.

Once a vacancy becomes available in the Senate, individuals can be appointed to fill it according to their order of seniority.

This "sequence" could have had more than 400 people, thus "settling" a large number of the old nobles.

Because France, under Joseph's leadership, skipped the bloody revolution, a sizable old aristocratic class remained, who were also the most stubborn conservative forces.

However, if we can reserve a place for them in the new order, we can minimize their constraints and eventually assimilate them.

Of course, the king's signature is required for who can enter the Senate.

If someone is utterly useless, Joseph has plenty of ways to invalidate their ranking.

Moreover, even within the Senate, the difference in power and influence is vast. The true core of national power still lies with the dozen or so people currently in the cabinet.

Secondly, Joseph did not stipulate that members of the Senate must be nobles.

For commoners with outstanding political abilities, they could also be exceptionally admitted into the ranks of elders, and the king had the right to shorten their rank.

Furthermore, the seats in the Senate are not hereditary, thus preventing the emergence of a new group of "old nobles".

As for the House of Representatives, there are few changes. It mainly participates in legislative and tax matters, but the law still needs the king's final signature to take effect.

After Brian finished reading, everyone in the meeting hall shouted in unison again, "Long live His Majesty the King!"

Then, Joseph coughed lightly, picked up the register in front of him, and said: "The first Prime Minister of the Empire is Archbishop Etienne de Briand."

Baron Louis Charles de Bretel served as assistant to the Prime Minister...

"Third in line, Duke Broy..."

"Fourth in line, Count Mirabeau..."

"Fifth in line, Archbishop Beaumont..."

"Sixth in line, Archbishop Talleyrand..."

"Seventh in line, Count Segur..."

He stopped after announcing the top 25 in the Senate. The remaining seats were essentially just for show, to be announced later, which also gave the nobles something to look forward to.

After putting away the roster, Joseph gestured to Deputy Justice Minister Combasieres.

The latter immediately and respectfully handed over a thick stack of manuscripts, the title of which was prominently displayed on the top page: "The Louis Code".

(End of this chapter)