Chapter 10, Arrangement

After spending a few days to basically arrange matters at home, Joseph set off again to return to Paris. During these days, and along the way, whenever he had a moment of free time, even if it was just about ten minutes, Joseph seized the opportunity to translate the materials in his hands. Upon arriving in Paris the next morning, Joseph first went to school to report his absence, and then he found Armand and handed him a roll of manuscript.

Napoleon was taken aback and after a moment, he reluctantly said: "Joseph, you are not a good person"

Of course, if your language skills were a bit better, Napoleon, perhaps you could join in and contribute in some capacity, which would also help the family a little, and I could have a bit more ease. However, with your current performance, I cannot entrust such matters to you.

Napoleon, you are attending a military academy, and upon graduation, you will naturally serve in the army. Studying at a military academy does not require much expenditure. However, it seems that your allowance will likely be discontinued.

Mathematics, geography, and history are all useful in warfare. Language ... ... '' Napoleon was somewhat unconvinced

On the third day after the funeral, most of the remaining matters had been settled. That evening, Joseph gathered his mother, uncle, and several younger siblings together.

"My foolish brother. What is there to hesitate about in such matters? Are you doubting your brother's ability to support the family with your insignificant wisdom? You just need to go to the Paris Military Academy, and leave the current matters to me." Joseph replied

Joseph, the quality of your manuscript is quite good. If you can maintain this level of quality and speed, you could earn six hundred francs each year. Along with your scholarship, by the way, how many younger brothers do you have

"Joseph, where have I been foolish? I merely..." Napoleon rarely protested against Joseph's use of the term "foolish" to describe himself.

Clearly, in the long run, dropping out now is not the best choice for either myself or my family. However, we cannot ignore our current living situation. Therefore, I have devised a contingency plan. I have a classmate named Armand, who is the nephew of Mr. Lavoisier. Napoleon, I mentioned this fellow in my letter to you. He has quite a few translation scripts and poetry projects that he can assign to me. This way, while I continue my studies, I can also earn some income. Additionally, my classmate Lucien can lend me some money, and if my family can be a bit frugal, it should not be a problem to sustain ourselves for a year.

Everyone listened quietly to Joseph's speech

Ah, this means there are only two younger brothers for you to spend money on..." Ah Mang calculated in his heart and said, "Oh dear, this amount of money is completely insufficient. With this little money, Joseph, you can no longer drink beer in the future, and as for foie gras, you must bid farewell to it. Even the bread you eat cannot be spread with butter; you can only have one lamb chop a month, and you must make that lamb chop last for three days. On the first day, you eat the meat from the lamb chop, on the second day, you consume the fat, and on the third day, you gnaw on the bone. While you are working, you cannot smoke to stay alert, nor can you use black tea for that purpose; you can only have the lowest grade of coffee, and the quantity must also be limited... Oh my, can't you have one less younger brother?

"My foolish brother, language is also a tool of battle!" Joseph glanced at Napoleon and said, "What did Octavian rely on to defeat Brutus back in the day? Do you not know? The ability to wield language has always been indispensable for a good general since ancient times"

"There is no problem with this," Napoleon said

The Bonaparte family is a very traditional Corsican family. This also means that in their household, women are not very involved in decision-making. Letizia is a good wife and a good mother; even in the most difficult times, she is always able to endure silently. However, she is also a very traditional Corsican woman, and when it comes to making decisions, she does not speak up.

Lucien, although you are still young, you must understand that you are also the man of the house, and you need to work hard in your studies. Although our family holds a noble title, we are not like those French nobles who do nothing and live off their wealth. The men in our family must possess skills. Lucien, do you know where the abilities of those outstanding individuals come from? They come from learning and overcoming difficulties. You have now reached the age where you should receive some education. I will do my best to ensure that your education is not affected by financial difficulties, but you must also put in the effort yourself

Louis, you are the same. By next year, when I graduate and find a good job, if possible, I will take both you and Lucien to Paris for your education. After all, the educational environment in Paris is much better than that in Corsica

Oh? Joseph immediately said, "Napoleon, your geometry is the most outstanding among all subjects. Do you need me to give you a problem to help you recognize yourself correctly?"

... ...

Therefore, after Carlo's death, almost all decisions in the household had to be made by Joseph. Whenever the younger siblings had something to ask their mother, she would always say, "Go ask your brother and see what he says." Just as she used to tell the children, "Go ask your father," when Carlo was still around.

Four of them, three of whom have reached school age. However, the oldest one is attending a military academy, just like me, and does not need to spend any money

Joseph, I will graduate at the end of the year. However, I now have an opportunity to be selected to the Paris Military Academy, from which I can obtain a higher position and better development after graduation. I do not know..." Napoleon began to speak

Mother, Uncle, and siblings. The funeral of my father, along with related matters, has basically come to a close today Joseph began, After losing our father, the situation in our family has changed significantly. Our previous way of life will certainly undergo great changes as well. We must adapt to these changes and prepare in advance. Now, I will share with everyone the possible changes that may occur in our family.

This is the translated manuscript of "Timon of Athens"; take a look and see if there are any areas that need revision, and I will make the changes. Joseph said to Armand

Joseph replied: "In our Corsica, there is a saying: 'When it comes time to deal with the fox, one realizes that there are too few hunting dogs; when it comes time to confront the enemy, one realizes that there are too few brothers.' Therefore, we Corsicans never complain about having too many brothers, nor do we complain about having too many friends

This sentence is quite interesting, said Armand, but it is too verbose; it could actually be more concise. Ah, perhaps the flavor changed after you translated it from the Corsican dialect into French. I feel that your translation is like this; although it is very precise, there are many places where it is a bit wordy. If it were me, I would translate this sentence like this. We Corsicans have a saying: 'A dog is only regretted when it is needed.' I feel that your translation is like this; although it is very precise, there are many places where it is a bit wordy. If it were me, I would translate this sentence like this. We Corsicans have a saying: 'A dog is only regretted when it is needed.'

Upon hearing Joseph use Emperor Octavian as an example, Napoleon ceased to refute.

Thus, Joseph immediately became busy, first arranging his father's funeral, and then dealing with the inheritance and debts. Fortunately, his uncle was there to assist with these matters, and the presence of Bishop Miniai also made many who wished to take advantage of the absence of an adult male in the family think twice. Therefore, these matters proceeded quite smoothly

Joseph, I appreciate your words. However, I know myself well enough to admit that my slowness is not due to meticulousness, but rather my own laziness and unwillingness to engage in tasks, much like the lazy kings of history (the series of Frankish monarchs in the 7th century who neglected state affairs). As for you, you are a diligent person. Moreover, literary translations are best completed in one go. This way, the emotions and momentum can remain coherent. Well, I will take a look when I have the time. Regarding the fees, I will settle that with you in a few days

You know, I have one year left until graduation. However, we are currently facing difficulties. If I drop out now, I could find some work, but of course, the income would be much lower than my father's. If we can hold on for another year until I graduate and then find a job, the income could roughly double, although it would still not match what my father earned when he was alive. Nevertheless, this amount could barely support the family's living expenses.

After my father's passing, his salary naturally ceased. As you all know, our family's land is very limited, and the yield is also quite restricted. Without my father's salary from the governor's office, relying solely on the output from our remaining land, our family's income would be reduced to one-third of what it was before. This means that our income would only be sufficient for basic sustenance. Brothers and sisters, your pocket money and even educational expenses will face difficulties. This means that our income would only be sufficient for basic sustenance. Brothers and sisters, your pocket money and even educational expenses will face difficulties

"Joseph, you actually managed to produce this so quickly?" Armand exclaimed in surprise, "For me, it would be impossible to do so in less than six months."

However, Joseph was unwilling to let Napoleon off the hook. He continued to stare at Napoleon and said, "For instance, our family is currently facing difficulties. In order to earn more money to support the education of our other brothers, we need someone to step up and take over for our father.

Your slowness is due to the meticulousness of your work. I work quickly, but my results are much coarser, Joseph said

I have looked into your achievements over the past few years," Joseph continued, "Your scores in mathematics, geography, and history are quite good. However, I am very disappointed with your language results

Amang has always been procrastinating in his work. He said he would pay the fees in a few days, so Joseph prepared himself to wait for half a month. However, unexpectedly, only three days passed, and Amang handed over the commission for translating the work—a total of fifty francs—into Joseph's hands

Joseph then turned to his other brothers

I understand, and I will strive in this regard in the future. Napoleon lowered his head