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After meeting with the directors of the Directory, Napoleon left the room and stepped out of the Tuileries Palace, his mind racing with thoughts. He couldn't help but admit that there was a hiccup in the plan. The fact that Moulin and Gohier didn't resign posed a challenge to their carefully laid-out scheme. However, he knew that in matters of coup and political upheaval, nothing ever went exactly as planned.
While Napoleon's military assets were being covertly positioned throughout Paris, discreetly executing their roles in the unfolding coup, officers kept a watchful eye on the Ministry of War. They aimed to prevent any interference from the suspected opposition, War Minister Dubois-Crancé.
Generals Lannes and Berruyer took up strategic positions outside the Tuileries and the Invalides, respectively, ready to secure vital locations and squash any military resistance. Murat and Sebastiani's cavalries diligently patrolled the area surrounding the Palais Bourbon and the Pont de la Concorde, ensuring tight control over critical points.
Meanwhile, Macdonald acted swiftly, rushing to Versailles to secure the area and thwart any potential countermeasures from the royalist factions. Sérurier efficiently led the Garde du Corps Legislatif to Saint-Cloud, guaranteeing their loyalty and support during the crucial hours ahead.
As Napoleon made his way through the palace grounds, he noticed Moreau approaching from a distance, high-tailing towards him on horseback. When Moreau arrived in front of Napoleon, he dismounted and performed a salute.
"General Moreau, just in time. Follow me."
Napoleon motioned for Moreau to follow him to a quieter spot away from prying eyes. They walked a few paces until they found a secluded alcove, shielded from the bustling activity of the city.
"What is it, General Bonaparte?" Moreau asked, his curiosity piqued.
"General Moreau, there is someone in the Directory who is being uncooperative. Their names are Gohier and Moulin," Napoleon revealed.
"The President of the Directory and a member of it? So you failed to make them resign huh?" Moreau remarked.
"Yes, that's why we have to keep them in check. I'm sure those two will probably spark something that could jeopardize this whole plan of ours," Napoleon said.
"What do you want me to do, General Bonaparte?" "I want you to arrest them," Napoleon declared. "Take them somewhere secluded. The Luxembourg Palace would be a perfect fit. Make it look like you are protecting them from the Jacobins."
Moreau nodded, understanding the gravity of the task. "Understood, General. I'll handle it discreetly. No one will suspect a thing."
With a sense of purpose, Moreau quickly departed to carry out Napoleon's orders. The success of the coup hinged on their ability to neutralize any potential opposition, and keeping Gohier and Moulin under close watch was imperative.
***
Thirty minutes later.
Inside the carriage where Moulin and Gohier are inside the carriage. As the carriage rumbled along the cobbled streets of Paris, Gohier's frustration vented out.
"I can't believe Ducos, Sieyes, and Barras were part of this coup. The security around the chamber where the deputies are being held is too strict for me to get close. I couldn't inform them about the unfolding coup."
Earlier, prior to the meeting with Talleyrand, they came to check what was happening in the deputies' chamber but the guard didn't let them get inside but informed them that they signed two decrees, making General Bonaparte the commander of the local armed forces in Paris responsible of protecting the deputies to their relocation to Saint-Cloud. The second decree is the deputies being relocated to Saint-Cloud.
After they met with the plotters, Gohier and Moulin tried to get inside the chamber but this time was met with fierce resistance from the guards.
"What should we do? It seems like it's playing on their hands now," Moulin said.
"No, I don't think so, Moulin. There is a reason why they want us to resign," Gohier pondered, his mind working through the possibilities. "If we step down now, it would only legitimize their coup in the eyes of the public and the other deputies. We can't play into their hands."
Moulin nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "You're right, Gohier. If we want to protect the Republic, we need to find another way to reach out to our colleagues in the Directory and the deputies. France is too weak for another revolution."
"Yeah…"
In the streets—
As the carriage continued its journey, Moreau's detachment closed in, expertly concealing themselves within the shadows of the surrounding buildings. Moreau himself positioned his horsemen strategically to ensure there was no chance of escape.
When the carriage finally approached a secluded stretch of road, Moreau signaled for his men to act. With a sudden surge of speed, the horsemen surrounded the carriage, cutting off any avenue of escape. Moreau rode up to the front of the carriage and called out in a commanding voice.
"President Gohier and Citizen Moulin, by the order of General Bonaparte, you are to come with us to a place of safety. We have received intelligence of a potential threat to your lives, and we are here to protect you from the Jacobins."
Gohier and Moulin exchanged alarmed glances.
"Shit…they have surrounded us!" Moulin said as he peered through the window.
"So when they failed to force us to resign, they resorted to this," Gohier said in resignation.
Moments later, the door of the carriage was opened by one of Moreau's men.
Moreau stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Gohier and Moulin.
"State your name, soldier!" Gohier demanded.
"I am General Moreau, President Gohier," Moreau replied. "You and Citizen Moulin will come with us to the Luxembourg Palace where we can protect you from the Jacobin plot…"
"Jacobin plot?" Gohier spat and scoffed. "As if there is such a thing? We know that there is no Jacobin plot, only a coup, with your General being one of the orchestrators. What do you think will happen to you when their coup fails? You will be caught in the jaws of your own making!"
"Well…in that case, I must prevent that from happening," Moreau said flippantly and flickered his gaze to the coachman of their carriage. "You! Follow us to the Luxembourg Palace."
"You will not do such a thing!" Gohier shouted at the coachman, jolting him in his seat. But almost an instant, Moreau drew his musket pistol out and aimed at Gohier, the men flanking the carriage soon followed with their musket rifles.
Gohier and Moulin gulped as they realized the gravity of the situation. Moreau had turned against them completely, and any hope they had of resolving the coup peacefully now seemed futile. They were trapped, surrounded by armed men loyal to Napoleon, and their lives hung precariously in the balance.
"You just need to come with us, President Gohier, Citizen Moulin. Do that, and I swear that no harm will come to you," Moreau said, his eyes gleaming coldly.
Gohier and Moulin settled back into their seats, defeated but determined not to show fear.
"What do you plan to achieve with this, General Moreau? Turning against your fellow patriots and embracing this coup will not bring any good to France," Gohier said, trying to reason with Moreau.
"It's not like the Directory had done good to France, President Gohier," Moreau interrupted bitterly. "The corruption and inefficiency in the Directory have weakened our nation. I believed that this coup would bring about a stronger and more stable government. I have seen how General Bonaparte governed the republic he established in northern Italy. He brought a lot of changes that made it prosperous. I also read news about his administration in Egypt. If General Bonaparte were to become our leader, I'm sure he can do all those things for France as well."