Chapter 7, Are You Going to Become a Supportive Sister?
Alfonso! Haha, you finally made it. Hmm, is the old man doing well?" The King of the Hills laughed heartily, his voice startling the birds that were already asleep in the nearby trees, causing them to take flight
It is clearly inappropriate to drop out of school immediately, as this would adversely affect Joseph's entire plan. Therefore, it is best to earn more money while still being able to maintain academic commitments.
Joseph turned his head and saw a young man with a few freckles on his face, who was looking at him with a concerned expression and asking questions
This cathedral was later confiscated by the revolutionary government after the outbreak of the Great Revolution and transformed into a burial site specifically for great figures. This is the famous "Panthéon." However, at this time, the Basilica of Saint Genevieve still remained an important church belonging to the Catholic Church. This was not Joseph's destination, but it was the destination of Brother Alfonso. He took Joseph into the church and asked him to wait for a while in the reception room while he went to deliver a letter to the bishop here. This was not Joseph's destination, but it was the destination of Brother Alfonso. He took Joseph into the church and asked him to wait for a while in the reception room while he went to deliver a letter to the bishop here
Then, one could hide behind one's "foolish brother" and elevate one's family to the position of the foremost family in Europe. Of course, one must also find a way to prevent this "foolish brother" from engaging in foolish and self-destructive behavior later in Spain, especially in Russia. To stop him, one must possess sufficient weight and cannot merely be the historical figure who was seen by Napoleon as a worthless individual who could only become the King of Spain by relying on him.
Time passed slowly according to Joseph's thoughts. Joseph performed well in school, successfully obtaining a full scholarship, and he also gained a good reputation among small circles of literature and natural science enthusiasts. Additionally, Joseph occasionally took on some translation work and other jobs, allowing him to earn some francs. Therefore, apart from covering his own expenses, he was even able to save some money. Everything seemed to be going very smoothly; however, at that moment, a letter was delivered to Joseph.
For Joseph, passing the entrance examination of Louis the Great School was not difficult, so he quickly received an invitation to enroll. Joseph planned to study at Louis the Great School for a few years, while also getting to know more people to prepare some connections for the future, and then leave Paris before the outbreak of the Great Revolution (at that time, Paris was indeed too chaotic. Life or death often depended on luck rather than anything else). He intended to go to the provinces and, during the time when the Girondins were in power, take advantage of his ability to 'foresee' certain events to engage in speculation and hoarding, thereby securing the first pot of gold for himself and his family. He planned to leave Paris (at that time, Paris was indeed too chaotic. Life or death often depended on luck rather than anything else), go to the provinces, and then, during the time when the Girondins were in power, take advantage of his ability to 'foresee' certain events to engage in speculation and hoarding, thereby securing the first pot of gold for himself and his family.
This will be the place where Joseph will live for the next few years
Really... I have told you repeatedly to eat more, to eat more. How can you have strength if you don't eat? Even a cabinet...
Ah, I know. Well, you all come in quickly. This damn door... Hey, you go move that cabinet over there, we will temporarily block the door with this for tonight...
"Joseph, your father must be very ill, right?" Armand walked over to the bench where Joseph was sitting and sat down beside him. The midday breeze rustled through the sycamore trees above them, creating a soft sound.
"The bishop asked me to tell you that gluttony is also one of the sins," Alfonso replied calmly
However, the door did not open immediately as he had said; instead, a cacophony of sounds came from within. At times, the people inside would pull at it forcefully, yet it still did not budge. Complaints could be heard from inside: "Damn it, what is going on? Why can't it be opened... Ah, please wait a moment..."
"Alas, how could I have forgotten the hereditary stomach cancer of the Bonaparte family?" Joseph thought
My foolish brother is a self-important, extremely proud, and arrogant individual, and it is not so easy to apply the brakes on him
Oh, it is Amang. I have nothing much going on, just received a letter stating that my father is ill. Well, this may affect my financial situation recently. Joseph said this while putting away the letter in his hand
On the evening of the tenth day, Alfonso and Joseph finally arrived in the capital of France, Paris
Alfonso, accompanied by Joseph, ascended the steps and gently knocked on the door. After a short while, he noticed a glimmer of light seeping through the crack of the door, just wide enough for a little finger to fit through. He then heard loud footsteps descending from the floor above, which continued thudding until they reached the front door. From the sound, it seemed that the approaching figure was not a single person, but rather a gray bear.
The old man... the voice of the King of the Hills grew quieter, and he seemed to be mumbling something in complaint, but Joseph could not hear it clearly
In the days that followed, the pattern was essentially as follows: first, purchase two tickets for the stagecoach, then allocate a day's time to arrive at a city or town that is slightly closer to Paris... After that, find a monastery (or, if none are available, a hotel) to rest for the night, and then go to buy another stagecoach ticket
The small church where Father Jacques is located is still a bit far from here. At this time, there are no public carriages available. The two of them walked along the road lit by whale oil lamps, making their way on foot. They walked for nearly an hour, until the moon had risen quite high, before arriving at a small church. At that moment, the moonlight was slanting down, illuminating the steps in front of the small church.
Joseph looked inside and saw a man who was about the same height as him, but whose waist was at least two or three times larger. In Joseph's view, this man could play the role of the King of the Hills in a future era without needing any makeup. Next to the fat man stood a person dressed as a nurse, holding a candlestick in one hand. The other hand was placed near the flame to prevent the wind from extinguishing the candle when the door was opened.
"Let Father Jacques, the bishop, be very well." Alfonso said, "In addition, the bishop has asked me to bring Joseph along this time, and he has also asked me to deliver a message to you."
"Father, I understand. However, it would be best if you could accompany me to that cabinet..."
Joseph waited for a short while in the reception room before seeing Brother Alfonso return again
... ...
What remains is to consider how to take on the heavy responsibilities of the family. However, what can be done to effectively increase income? Working a job is out of the question; it is impossible to work a job in this lifetime. Nowadays, Joseph can barely make ends meet by relying on scholarships. Additionally, he attends various salons and gatherings, which feel like home; the atmosphere there is even better than at home, and everyone present is talented and articulate. Therefore, Joseph can only seek out these salons to explore any potential opportunities for making money.
This is Joseph's classmate, Armand René de Lavoisier. He is a young man with a certain artistic flair, and he has an uncle whose name has left a mark in the annals of human history. Unlike his illustrious uncle, Armand possesses almost no talent in the natural sciences. However, he excels in the arts and is even one of the mainstays of the student theater troupe at the Louis XIV School
The courier vehicle only reaches here. As for continuing forward, it will depend on the passengers to spend more money to transfer to public carriages, or if the passengers do not have much money, they will have to rely on their own two legs.
Alright, I have already sent out the letter. Now I will take you to find Father Jacques
I know you have a full scholarship, and you live in the church, so you probably don't spend too much money. You really don't need any money from home. Therefore, the expression on your face should not be due to financial issues. " As Armand spoke, he took out a small bottle. He unscrewed the cap and carefully poured some liquid into the cap. Then he asked Joseph, "Would you like some too?" He unscrewed the cap and carefully poured some liquid into the cap. Then he asked Joseph, "Would you like some too?"
What did the old man say? the King of the Hills then asked
This letter brought Joseph very bad news: his father was ill, and the condition was quite serious. Consequently, the family's financial situation has become quite strained. Although Joseph is currently studying and not spending the family's money on living expenses, it is no longer sufficient for him to refrain from asking for help from home. The living expenses of Napoleon, as well as the living and educational expenses of several younger siblings, have become problematic. The letter from home indicates a hope that he can find a job as soon as possible to take on the burden of supporting his younger siblings.
The Bonaparte family has always been threatened by hereditary gastric cancer, especially among the males in the family. Among Joseph and his brothers, he is almost the only one who has not been afflicted by this ailment. Of course, Joseph is aware that cancer is akin to rolling dice; just because he did not develop gastric cancer in the original history does not mean that he will not contract it in the future. Therefore, he must indeed be more cautious moving forward. For instance, in the original history, his father was supposed to be diagnosed with gastric cancer a year later. However, in this timeline, this event has unexpectedly occurred earlier.
"Joseph, what are you looking at? I see that your complexion doesn't seem very good." A voice sounded.
Due to the considerable distance to the destination and the lack of safety in the area, Alfonso took Joseph onto another public carriage, spending approximately half an hour before arriving at the magnificent Saint Genevieve Cathedral
Please wait a moment, I will open the door... Damn it, how is this door latch stuck... Ah, please hold on a little longer, it will be ready soon..." A rough voice came from inside the door
The carriage passed through streets filled with dust and finally came to a stop on a street called Rue de la Neige. This street is located on the outskirts of Paris, with a gloomy, tomb-like convent of the Sisters of Eternal Respect on one side, and a chaotic array of dilapidated houses where various lower-class impoverished people reside on the other side
About ten minutes later, a sound of a click was heard from inside, and then the main door was suddenly pulled open, with a gust of wind blowing out from within
Alright. No more complaints. Um, let me introduce you, this is Joseph, the old man... the bishop's godson. He is preparing to attend the Louis XIV School... Alfonso said.