Chapter 9: Friends of the Youth Club
Shortly after this conversation, Armand handed over two scripts, Shakespeare's "Timon of Athens" and Milton's "Samson Agonistes," along with various poems and other materials to Joseph.
"These have been piling up in my place for the past two years, almost half a year... You know, I don't have that much ti to work on these. Anyway, it's been delayed, so take your ti. They're in no rush on that end." Armand told Joseph after giving him the materials. Joseph had just taken leave and was preparing to return to Corsica.
"Joseph, I hope your father is fine, and you can co back as soon as possible," another classmate nad Raphael said. "In our discussions, you always provide us with a lot of inspiration. Without you, our club etings have beco rather dull."
"Raphael is right; our club can't do without you," another student nad Oronore, who relied on scholarships just like Joseph, chid in. Emotionally, he was closer to Joseph due to their shared financial struggles.
The club that Raphael ntioned was called "Youth Companions." It was a small group of young people who had different lifestyles and attitudes but shared a common discontent with the present and a variety of idealistic aspirations for the future. In fact, such idealistic youth were quite nurous in various schools in contemporary France.
Joseph knew that many of these seemingly naive and idealistic youth would later beco prominent figures in the French Revolution. Their seemingly childish gatherings in the eyes of contemporary people would evolve into political parties. For example, the famous Jacobins had started as a club.
"Youth Companions" was, in fact, the precursor of such a political party. Its mbers were a diverse group, including those who lived comfortably like Armand, those with ager ans like Joseph, prosperous rchant's sons like Raphael, and impoverished families like Oronore. Although their personalities varied - Armand was outgoing and flamboyant, Raphael was mature and easygoing, and Oronore was reserved but resolute when it ca to action - they all shared a common view: that the current French system was unjust and needed reform. However, they had not yet fully agreed on how that reform should take place.
Armand's influence from Voltaire was evident. Like Voltaire, he enjoyed using sharp language to satirize the church, but he admired the British-style constitutional system and often brought up the Glorious Revolution and the Bill of Rights when discussing political matters.
Oronore, on the other hand, opposed any monarchy. One of his uncles had fought alongside General Lafayette in North Arica and had told him nurous stories about the United States. This made Oronore a staunch supporter of a republic. He believed that France should beco a republic and opposed any form of monarchy.
Raphael believed that, in theory, a republic was the best, as it aligned with the principles of equality for all. This, in fact, was consistent with the teachings of Christ. "Even the prophet Moses was against monarchy," Lucien said. However, Raphael also recognized that monarchy was a part of France's tradition, and the common people were accustod to being ruled by kings. Thus, he thought a constitutional monarchy was an acceptable compromise.
Joseph, on the other hand, appeared less concerned with the form of governnt and more focused on individual rights.
"I don't care who is ruling the country, whether it's a king or a president," he said. "What matters to
is that their power must be constrained, and they shouldn't arbitrarily interfere with my freedom and rights. In the Declaration of Independence of North Arica, there is a point I strongly agree with: the people have the right to overthrow tyranny. Only power recognized by the entire people is legitimate power. In this regard, I respect whatever choice the French people make."
This statent was quite smooth, especially the last part. However, the youth of this era, who hadn't been exposed to the diplomatic jargon of a certain future foreign ministry, found Joseph's words quite reasonable. They overlooked the crucial point: who represented the people.
Joseph, after all, had traveled through ti and had experience in discussing various forms of governnt on internet forums. He could present the strengths and weaknesses of different political systems logically and make others think he had a point.
In fact, compared to people in the future who were more experienced and knowledgeable, the young mbers of the "Youth Companions" club were much more naive and easier to influence. Therefore, Joseph successfully turned his viewpoint into the club's common ideology. He beca the spiritual leader of the club. Now, he had to leave Paris temporarily, and several classmates had taken leave to see him off.
"Joseph, don't worry too much about financial issues," Raphael reassured him. "Finding an opportunity to make money in Paris is easier than in the provinces. Co back as soon as family matters are settled. We will find a way together. If you're really short of money, I can ask my father for so funds. It won't be much, but a few hundred francs should be no problem, and it's interest-free."
"Raphael, didn't you say your father is quite stingy?" Oronore asked.
"That's true. But when it cos to spending money where it's really needed, he's generous," Raphael shook his head. "You see, he strictly controls every penny of mine, and I can't even have an extra glass of beer after a full al. According to that old man, drinking beer is less efficient than eating dark bread."
"But on the other hand, that old man said to
when he sent
to school: 'Raphael, you know Louis the Great School is one of the best schools. People who can study here fall into two categories: those who are wealthy and have high social status, and those who are very talented. Raphael, you know I'm frugal, and I believe frugality is a virtue. But do you really think I've beco rich because I'm more frugal than others? No, it's because I know where to spend money most effectively. I invest money and ti to send you to Louis the Great School for two reasons. First, you can learn many skills here that I can't teach you. Second, you can et many capable people there, make friends with them, and it will be more convenient for you in the future no matter what you do. So, I've never been stingy when it cos to such matters.'"
"Raphael," Armand exclaid, "Your father is truly an extraordinary man! Perhaps I should introduce my uncle to your father. They'll definitely beco friends."
"Oh, Armand, if you can arrange for my father to et Mr. Lavassee, he'll probably be willing to spend money to treat us all to champagne. But you should consider that my father will likely use this opportunity to make more money," Lucien replied. "Also, my father will definitely not beco friends with your uncle; his only friends are wealthy people."
"Raphael, are you sure your father would consider
a worthwhile investnt?" Joseph inquired.
"Of course, because I believe so, and my father thinks that first, my loyalty to him is unquestionable. Second, among the people he knows, there are very few who are both loyal and capable of identifying talent and potential. I'm certain to be one of them. Besides, my father has said: 'In business, you won't always make a profit, and you will certainly incur losses. Taking risks is a part of doing business.' I think that although it's not certain, Joseph, you may beco a figure of historical significance in the future."
"Ah, Raphael, I'll be rembered in history too. How about giving
so investnt?" Armand joked.
Lucien looked at Armand and burst into laughter. "Armand, I believe you might also be rembered in history one day. But my father has said: 'A poet, even one rembered in history, is not a good investnt, at least not while he's alive.'"
"Damn, that sounds just like what my uncle said," Armand feigned annoyance.
"Joseph, make sure to co back," Oronore said as he held Joseph's hand.
"If possible, I will return as soon as I can," Joseph replied.
With these words, he lifted his hat to the group and boarded the carriage.
...
Carlo's illness progressed rapidly. By the ti Joseph returned to Corsica, Carlo was already in a terminal state. For most of the day, he remained in a coma, with no more than two hours of wakefulness. At this point, the doctors were completely powerless.
In this era, European doctors had only one thod for dealing with severe illnesses, bloodletting. Even in the future, stomach cancer would be fatal if not detected early. In this era, there was no technology for early detection, let alone treatnt once the disease was found. So, at this point, the doctor simply told everyone, "Mr. Carlo now needs a priest, not a doctor."
Napoleon had also returned, arriving a day before Joseph. When Joseph ca back, the whole family was reunited. On this evening, when Carlo temporarily regained consciousness, the priest began the final prayers for him. Carlo's wife held his hand, and the children gathered around him. His gaze shifted from his wife to his children and finally settled on Joseph.
"Joseph..." Carlo spoke in a weak voice.
"Father, I'm here," Joseph replied.
"Take care of the family..." These were Carlo's last words to Joseph.
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