The Fox of France - Chapter 354: Suppression

The day after the London Metropolitan Police issued a notice demanding reforms from the “Textile Workers Union,” the union submitted a protest letter to the police. In this protest, they claimed that the so-called “Trade Union Law” passed by the British government flagrantly trampled on natural rights and was a void and evil law against natural law. The union declared their refusal to yield to such a law and affirmed their intent to continue exercising their rights.

Sir Austin immediately became furious, proclaiming it a blatant disrespect for the laws of the United Kingdom and promptly ordered the arrest of representatives from the Textile Workers Union.

In response, the Textile Workers Union launched another large-scale strike. The London police, evidently prepared for this, promptly declared it as “rebellion” and issued orders to “quell the rebellion.”

Prepared well in advance, over five thousand British troops immediately moved into the worker districts under the guidance of the police to “quell” the unrest.

In front of the Textile Workers Union’s office, an old dilapidated building, workers who had hurried there upon hearing the news blocked the approaching army.

“I command you to disperse immediately, or else face charges of rebellion!” Captain Austin, holding his command blade, shouted at the crowd blocking their path.

The crowd remained unmoved.

“Cavalry, mount up and prepare! Other units, get ready for combat!” ordered Captain Austin.

A group of cavalry mounted their horses, appearing ready to charge. Of course, they did not employ lethal weapons like sabers; instead, they brandished large clubs. Yet, with the force of the warhorses, even these clubs could be deadly.

Meanwhile, the infantry raised their guns, their dark muzzles aimed at the workers.

“Now, you have one minute. If you don’t disperse, we will take forced measures!” Captain Austin continued his threats.

Facing the daunting cavalry, the crowd started to feel uneasy. No one dared to ascertain whether these individuals would truly resort to violence.

Suddenly, a commotion arose from the rear of the crowd. The door of the Textile Workers Union’s office opened, and several individuals emerged. The workers voluntarily made way for them.

Leading the group was Fekin. He stepped forward and addressed the workers, “Disperse now, do not make futile sacrifices. But the strike must continue until we achieve final victory.”

Then, turning to Austin, he said, “I am the President of the Textile Workers Union, Collier.”

Austin stared at Fekin for a moment, then sneered, “Seize him!”

Two policemen moved to apprehend Fekin. He calmly faced the approaching officers, showing no intent to resist. However, at that moment, a gunshot echoed.

With that shot, one of the policemen heading toward Fekin collapsed to the ground.

This turn of events completely surprised the crowd. However, Captain Austin, experienced in battles fought in Ireland, where his hands were stained with the blood of “untrained Irish rebels,” reacted swiftly:

“Fire! Return fire!”

The soldiers began shooting at the crowd.

The scene was instantly engulfed in smoke, screams, shouts, and cries resonated as one.

“Cavalry! Charge!” Austin ordered again.

The cavalry surged forward, the towering warhorses knocking workers to the ground, even trampling over them. The cavalry wielded large clubs, striking the workers brutally. Nearly every swing of the club sent a worker tumbling to the ground.

During the first round of firing, Fekin, who had been at the forefront, was hit by several bullets. Even with exceptional skill, facing so many guns at such close range, his prowess was futile. After all, this world wasn’t one of “your science versus my martial arts.” No matter how skilled one was, against a killing machine like an army, skills were of little use.

After the cavalry charge, the infantry followed suit, punishing the rebellious with bayonets and rifle butts mercilessly…

As for who fired that shot that sparked the incident, each party had its own narrative. According to British newspapers, it was the rioters who provoked first, and the valiant British forces retaliated, crushing the conspirators’ rebellion, upholding the United Kingdom’s order, and protecting the peaceful and united lives of the English people…

Of course, some tabloids attempted to publish irresponsible information, smearing the just actions taken by the British government to safeguard the country and its people. However, the English police were prepared; they swiftly revoked the operating licenses of these newspapers, silencing them.

There were, however, more troublesome issues, particularly concerning French-based newspapers. Directly shutting them down would cause significant trouble. Nonetheless, the English had their ways; they couldn’t directly regulate French newspapers, but couldn’t they control the printing presses printing news for the French? Those French newspapers didn’t have their own printing presses, so they pressured these printing presses not to print newspapers carrying reports related to the incident.

However, the French circumvented this hurdle. They simply black-bordered the entire front page of the newspaper, leaving only one word: Obituary.

Within France, the propaganda machine kicked into high gear, conducting comprehensive criticisms of Britain’s atrocities. According to the French media, the British claims that the workers fired first were sheer nonsense, insulting everyone’s intelligence. A group of unarmed workers, facing thousands of armed soldiers, dared to open fire voluntarily? Moreover, many witnessed the President of the Textile Workers Union, Mr. Collier, stepping forward, attempting to negotiate with the army. It would be foolish for the workers to shoot at that moment. We advise the British media that if their lying skills are inadequate, they should refrain from lying forcibly. We don’t mind the British lying—after all, it’s in their nature—but they shouldn’t insult our intelligence with such foolish lies!

However, these accusations could only be published in France; in England, the French newspapers were still confined. The English, seizing the opportunity, intensified the hunt for “rebels.” Soon, London’s prisons were overflowing because of the immense load. As the prisons couldn’t handle the excess, the police department issued new instructions. Consequently, there were numerous instances of “violent resistance to arrest,” resulting in individuals being “shot on the spot.”

According to the French, within just two weeks, over a thousand workers were killed in London alone, with over ten thousand incarcerated. The situation in London was even more terrifying than the September massacre.

Of course, the French reports were likely exaggerated, but the British claims, saying only a dozen or so died in this series of events, were certainly false.

Yet, the French media’s reports within France did indeed have an impact on Britain. The “Scientific Truth Gazette” referred to fabrics coming from Britain as “bloodstained fabrics,” followed by other newspapers, urging European citizens to refuse British goods.

Following this, French Foreign Minister Talleyrand summoned the British ambassador and lodged a complaint about the humanitarian crisis in Britain. Subsequently, the French Ministry announced they would hold a hearing on the appalling anti-human actions in Britain. It was rumored that the French Ministry was preparing legislation to authorize economic sanctions against Britain.

The British vehemently protested against French interference in their internal affairs. Nonetheless, on the other hand, the zeal of the police in pursuing “rebels” noticeably waned. The British proclaimed opposition to France’s economic threats and even asserted that if the French dared to impose sanctions, Britain would retaliate against France. However, before much response came from the French, the British stock market took a plunge.