On a small hill in the distance, Joseph's speech was still ongoing:
"The riots continue, wreaking immense havoc on the southern provinces. Yet our brave Marquis de Saint-Veran, with nearly twenty thousand troops at his command, has consistently refused to deploy them to quell the unrest, watching idly as those of status and education are plundered by the rioters."
He paused to allow the journalists to record his words before continuing loudly:
"Some even suspect that the Marquis de Saint-Veran is the hidden mastermind behind the riots. Of course, I do not believe that.
"Fortunately, His Majesty the King has never forgotten his subjects! His Majesty directed me to lead all available troops in Paris, including the police, to Montpellier to suppress the riots..."
As he spoke, he suddenly heard a smattering of gunfire in the distance, and his heart skipped a beat.
It had begun!
Two cavalrymen raced over, shouting from a distance: