The Fox of France No Chapter 507: Framing

Chapter 507: Framing

At this ti, the Aricans, especially those in the South, truly embodied martial virtues. Thus, when they proclaid the need to punish the nation's traitors, they genuinely ant it. However, the Arican style of dealing with traitors differs from that in certain Eastern countries. Aricans lack the spirit of profound bowing; they would never politely bow and say, "Mr. So-and-so, for the sake of Arica, please die." Instead, they might pull out a gun and shoot soone in the forehead or, with a touch of Eastern finesse, draw a sword for a slashing blow. Afterward, they would ticulously clean the blade with a white towel, full of ceremonial gravity, re-sheathe it, and bow deeply to the shocked family mbers, sincerely apologizing for dirtying their floor. Such civility and ritualistic behavior are almost... perverse!

Aricans lack this ticulous spirit. They simply fire away until their bullets are spent and then toss aside their guns, yelling to the approaching police, "I am ntally ill!"

Aricans understand their own kind; thus, individuals like Faffner and Greed decreased their public appearances, limiting themselves to attending classes and staying out of public view.

It would be even better if they could also keep quiet during this ti. However, they knew that by staying silent, their public personas would suffer significantly. For them, maintaining their image as devout and concerned patriots was crucial for higher status. If they were silent now, the Arican people would see them as cowards. And the typically valorous Aricans, even those from the North, despise cowards.

Therefore, they continued to make their voices heard, refusing to appear cowardly. In response to the reactions from the South, Professor Greed published an article titled "I Am Not Angry, Just Sad."

In his article, Professor Greed generously stated that he was not angry at the accusations and attacks from so of his Southern compatriots because he understood that these actions stemd from a simple patriotic sentint.

"However, patriotism is often exploited," wrote Professor Greed. "It has often been manipulated by those in high positions with ulterior motives. For example, even recently, when the British dispatched their troops to commit atrocities like the 'Three Alls,' weren’t their soldiers also motivated by 'patriotism'? The sa humans, who should unite as brothers as Jesus Christ said, are slaughtering each other under the supposedly noble banner of 'patriotism.' No doubt, they are patriots who love their countries and should be good people, yet they kill each other. So where is the problem?

The problem lies with 'patriotism.' If we are not vigilant about it, patriotism can beco a refuge for all imperialists!

I do not oppose true patriotism because it is a noble sentint. But first, we must clarify what country we love!

I believe patriotism has a prerequisite: the country we love must truly be ours. As our forefathers penned in the robust prose of the Declaration of Independence: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all n are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. To secure these rights, Governnts are instituted among n, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.' Clearly, only if a country genuinely upholds the natural rights of its people does it have a legitimate reason for existence and is worth our love.

So, before loving the country, let us ask ourselves: 'We love Arica, but does Arica love us?'

If a rogue nation—like Britain, a plunderous pirate nation—infringes upon our territory and slaughters our people, then naturally, we should unite under the Star-Spangled Banner and sacrifice ourselves to defend our holand. In such a scenario, all Arican citizens, regardless of North or South, young or old, have a duty to protect the nation and resist aggression.

However, if our country, out of piratical greed, perpetrates robbery and slaughter in other nations or tribes to seize their lands and wealth and asks us to die for it, then it is not just oppressing and plundering other peoples but also oppressing us. Such a country is not only the enemy of those it invades but also the enemy of its own people. Just like Britain.

My father, from his straightforward moral perspective, left

with these three teachings: 'Trust in God, pay taxes according to the law, and hate the British.' Here is my understanding of these teachings.

First, let's discuss hating the British. What does it an to hate the British? Fundantally, it should be to hate Britain's pirate gang culture, which has made it the world's largest band of pirates. We hate the British, and we must oppose them culturally and fundantally. Otherwise, how could we truly claim to hate the British?

Next, paying taxes according to the law is what patriotism is. So what is true patriotism? True patriotism is not unconditional support for whatever the country does, blindly cheering for it, but rather demanding our country abide by moral standards to truly beco a moral nation.

As for 'trusting in God,' we should live according to Jesus' teachings. What did Jesus teach us? Jesus taught us many things, but the most important lesson he imparted was love, just as the legislator Moses taught us about justice.

But Moses was just a prophet, and Jesus is far superior to Moses because love is greater than justice.

In our conflict with the British, trusting in God ans that while we harbor hatred for Britain as a pirate gang, we should feel sympathy for the British soldiers, who are also victims of the English pirate gang’s exploitation and lies. Just as Jesus Christ prayed for those who crucified him and as Saint Stephen, while being stoned by the Jews, still said, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them,' showing compassion and pity for their ignorance. This is the model for Christians. Therefore, when dealing with these British soldiers, if we kill them in battle, it is rely fate, but if they have surrendered or are about to surrender, shouldn't we follow Jesus' teaching to 'love your enemies' by showing rcy and saving them, rescuing them from the poison and lies of the English pirate gang, rather than slaughtering them?

Those who insist on slaughtering British prisoners of war are indeed transforming themselves into the very British pirates they despise."

Professor Greed's article and its related reactions were quickly broadcast back to the holand via radio.

Then... Lucien snapped several pencils in frustration.

"You fools! This Greed is so useful! Why on earth did the Ministry of Public Security have to develop him? That Faffner you've been promoting—how does he even compare? He's just trash, worthy of being thrown to Robespierre! Trash, it's infuriating! Every ti I think of that scoundrel Fouché going over to Napoleon to show off and having a hearty laugh with him, I get angry! Tell , how can we snatch the lilight back from the Ministry of Public Security?" ??ＡΝ????????

"Minister, about that Faffner..."

"What about Faffner?" Lucien asked.

"We were planning to have Faffner give a speech, but he refuses; he fears that soone from the South might shoot him in the crowd."

"Coward! Scoundrel! Why isn’t Greed afraid?" Lucien cursed and then suddenly rembered sothing. "Everyone else out, except for Victor and Villefort!"

Everyone else left, closing the door behind them.

"Sit down, both of you," Lucien said. "What do you think if we assassinated Faffner but publicly frad the Southern folks for it, while secretly pinning it on Fouché? What would happen then?"