Chapter 118: The Collaboration of Two Josephs
The decision had been made, but its execution required more ti. Establishing an institution was no easy feat, and preparations involving personnel and resources took ti. Additionally, many matters in the Paris Institute needed to be organized. Therefore, it wasn't until mid-Rainmoon that Joseph was finally ready to depart for Toulon.
If we only considered the research aspect, having Lavoisier oversee the Paris Institute would have been the best choice. However, given Lavoisier's "prisoner" status and so of his quirks, it was unlikely that this idea would be accepted, not only by the "Committee of Public Safety" but even within Joseph's own circle.
Furthermore, Laplace also wanted to join the "Military Technical Research Institute." However, due to Laplace's close associations with certain individuals, Joseph had always maintained that Laplace was more suitable for theoretical research rather than practical technical research. Therefore, appointing him to lead the institute was out of the question.
So, to replace Joseph and temporarily manage the Paris Institute, Monge took the role.
In terms of academic standing, Monge was naturally not on par with the previous two individuals. However, Monge had a military background, was reliable, and had a good relationship with Joseph. Hence, Joseph readily recomnded him to Carnot.
Carnot was also satisfied with this choice. Monge had been his teacher, and he knew that Monge was a reliable individual. Although Monge's abilities might not match Joseph's, it also ant that his spending habits wouldn't be on par with Joseph's. These days, he chased Robespierre every day for funds, and then Joseph chased after him. Perhaps, they could temporarily relax a bit now.
Carnot breathed a sigh of relief. However, in the South, another person, or rather, a group of people, had a very different reaction. This group was none other than Joseph's unreliable siblings.
"Lucien, Lucien..." Napoleon shouted.
"Here, what's up?" Lucien, sweating, rushed in from outside.
"What were you doing?" Napoleon asked.
"Nothing much, just taking a walk with Pauline outside," Lucien hadn't realized that sothing seed amiss.
"Ah, Lucien," Napoleon suddenly smiled. "I have a surprise for you. Want to know what it is?"
At that mont, Pauline entered the room, holding a small ivory-handled umbrella, just in ti to hear Napoleon's words. She asked eagerly, "What's the surprise? Napoleon, tell us, what is it?"
Napoleon didn't continue but changed the subject, "Lucien, when you ca south, Joseph gave you a stack of exercises. How many have you completed?"
"I've done quite a few; don't worry. We'll finish them before returning to Paris. What's the fuss about..." Lucien said, still not realizing that sothing wasn't right.
Napoleon didn't say anything but just stared at Lucien with a smile.
Lucien, seeing the mischievous expression on Napoleon's face, began to sense that sothing was a bit off. He hesitated and asked, "What's going on? Napoleon, what do you an?"
"I have a surprise for you," Napoleon said. "Joseph is coming to Toulon very soon. Surprised, isn't it? Unexpected, right?"
"What?" Lucien was montarily stunned. "How is that possible? Joseph is supposed to be... busy."
"Surprised, aren't you? Unexpected, right?" Napoleon grinned mischievously. "The army is establishing a Naval Technical Research Institute in Toulon, and Joseph is coming here temporarily to oversee the work. But don't worry, your exercises are almost done, even though they're not complete yet. That should be enough, right?"
"Damn!" Lucien exclaid. "What kind of surprise is this? Napoleon, explain to , what kind of surprise is this?"
Napoleon replied, "When did Joseph arrive?"
"On Rainmoon 15th, so you have three more days," Napoleon answered.
"Great!" Lucien shouted. "What a relief! What a surprise, indeed!"
Successfully frightening Lucien, Napoleon felt quite pleased. During lunch, he even had an extra piece of bread. As for Lucien, he didn't co downstairs to eat at all. Letizia had to personally bring him so bread and milk in the study.
Lucien didn't co down for lunch, and he didn't co down for dinner either. Around ten in the evening, while Napoleon was sound asleep (there were no video gas like King of Glory or PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds in this era, not even electric lights), he suddenly felt soone lightly shaking his arm.
"Who is it?" Napoleon opened his eyes.
"Oh, it's , Lucien."
"Goodness, what ti is it? What are you doing?" Napoleon was quite annoyed.
"Napoleon, I have a few problems, and I don't know how to solve them. Can you help ?"
"Are you serious? Can't we do this tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, when it's light out, who knows where you'll be? You're not like Mom; she can always find people no matter the ti. Please help
now!"
"Fine, fine! I want to sleep! We'll look at it tomorrow during dinner," Napoleon said.
"Please, Napoleon, just help ," Lucien implored. "These problems are quite challenging. If Joseph asks, I might embarrass myself..."
"Nonsense! How could Joseph give you problems I can't solve?!" Napoleon said in his mouth, but he was thinking, "Joseph is quite nasty when he cos up with these questions. They can't be approached with ordinary thinking. I can't predict if he might leave Lucien with one or two genuinely challenging problems."
"Show them to ," Napoleon said.
"Okay, but let
light a candle first."
...
"This is so simple! Lucien, you're not... I can't believe that you're my and Joseph's brother. How can you be so clueless? Look, draw an auxiliary line here... then... and then... Well, you wait for
to think... There's no way. Lucien, let's try a different approach. Let's establish a coordinate system here... All right, do you understand?"
"Not at all," Lucien said, looking puzzled.
...
Three days later, Joseph arrived in Marseilles. He first went ho to visit his mother and other siblings. His mother was still in good health, though she had aged a bit, her health remained robust. His siblings were also doing well, especially his sisters who were becoming more and more beautiful. However, they seed to have developed so distance, perhaps due to growing up and Joseph's prolonged absence. Even Pauline, who used to stick to him or Napoleon, now appeared sowhat reserved. She seed to be avoiding him.
"Girls grow up this way," Joseph consoled himself. Then he told Napoleon, "I can't stay in Marseilles for too long. Tomorrow morning, I'll set out for Toulon. I've brought an order for Mr. Fouch. You should find soone to take
to visit him."
Joseph had been well-prepared for his visit, thanks to prior notice. He was pleased with this assignnt because it ant he wouldn't be recalled to Paris at the most critical mont. Although Joseph had been in the provinces, he closely monitored the situation in Paris, which he believed would be very dangerous in the coming month or two.
Once Joseph left, several people breathed sighs of relief.
"Lucien, why are you so nervous? Haven't you completed your assignnts?" Pauline asked.
"I have, but so of the questions were done by Napoleon, and he didn't explain them well. If Joseph asks
about them, I might embarrass myself..."
Joseph had been in Marseilles for a short ti, but they had used his limited ti to discuss various issues. By the ti they looked outside, it was already dark.
"Oh, it's this late?" Joseph said as he glanced at the sky. "I had intended to check Lucien's howork, but by now, he's probably asleep. I need to leave early tomorrow... Oh well, I'll check it later. Toulon isn't too far from Marseilles; I'll have plenty of chances..."
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