Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Only three chapters from Chapter 212 were selected? That's not enough! Four chapters should be included!

Aside from Lionel, the most distressed person these days is Count Louis-Philippe de Rohan, the French Deputy Minister of Public Education and Arts and Chairman of the Editorial Committee of the French Reader.

He certainly didn't think that nominating Lionel's work for the committee's discussion violated any principles. Although Lionel was a bit young, he had risen to prominence in the past year and was indeed qualified to be nominated.

But the three articles are different.

At the first meeting of the editorial committee of the French Reader, the authors and works that "must be included" were roughly determined.

Besides biographies of historical figures such as Clovis's Baptism, Joan of Arc's Resistance Against the English, and Louis XI's Justice, as well as various moral stories of diligence, thrift, and law-abiding behavior—

For lower grades, essential reading includes fables by Jean de La Fontaine, such as "The Crow and the Fox" and "The Ant and the Cicada."

There are also Charles Nodier's poems and short fairy tales, such as "The Shamrock".

In middle and upper grades, the reading materials become much more abundant, and the names of many modern and contemporary writers begin to appear on the list.

Racine, Molière, Corneille, Voltaire, Rousseau... basically encompassing all the important writers in the history of French literature.

Among the living or recently deceased writers, only Victor Hugo is confirmed to be included. His works are diverse in type, most of them are lengthy, and will appear in the form of excerpts in the reader.

The rest are all pending.

Just like Gustave Flaubert, he was very good, but Madame Bovary certainly cannot be considered primary school reading material; only the "Legend of Saint Julian" from the Three Stories can be considered.

George Sand is also good; she has over 200 works, but the quality varies greatly, and the style is inconsistent. Perhaps only "Pastoral Tales" and "Little Fadette" are suitable for children to read.

Chateaubriand was certainly a great poet, but look at the titles of his collections—"The True Meaning of Christianity" and "Martyrs"—that's just too "un-republican"!

Émile Zola wrote some good novels, such as the recent Battle of the Mill… but the bloody scenes and ambiguous portrayals of “patriots” failed to ignite a child’s passion for France!

Among contemporary writers, Alphonse Daudet is undoubtedly a good fit; his *Letters from the Mill* and *Little Things* are both excellent, and *The Last Lesson* from *Monday Tales* is particularly moving…

Even so, no one dared to nominate more than one of Daudet's works for inclusion in the French Reader.

After all, the history of French literature is too glorious, while the scope of "A French Reader" is too limited...

And Lionel Sorel, a 22-year-old college student, wrote three articles—don't say he was just friendly with the Republican government, even if his last name was "Ferry".

But the more outlandish the rumor, the more people like to spread it.

Since the Gaul published that questioning article, he has been constantly besieged by reporters, both at the Ministry of Education and in his own backyard.

Even when attending dances and salons, I'm often teased by old friends—

What's even more infuriating is that Count Rohan himself doesn't know who's behind it all.

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The winter mornings in Paris are still shrouded in a layer of gray fog, and the smell of coal smoke is never absent.

The office of Mr. Artuel Meyer, editor of Le Gaul, was already brightly lit.

He had a habit of giving the newspaper a final proofreading before it went to print, especially for articles that might cause a sensation.

As the assistant editor carefully placed a letter signed "A Parisian with a strong sense of justice" on his large desk, Mr. Meyer was already furious over a few minor errors in the typesetting.

He picked up the letter impatiently; the paper was rough, and the handwriting was somewhat messy, seemingly untouched. However, after reading a few lines, his furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, his mouth stretched almost to his ears, and his eyes were filled with ecstatic joy.

He forgot to drink his coffee and muttered to himself, "God... this is even more amazing than I expected!"

The contents of this letter solemnly declare:

According to "absolutely reliable inside information," not only will three of Lionel Sorel's articles be included in the French Reader, but even another of his short stories, "Old Man Milon"—a bleak tale of peasants taking revenge on the Prussian occupying forces—is on the list!

The contributor wrote in an indignant and impassioned tone:

This is a desecration of the French literary tradition, a trampling of the sanctity of education, and a blatant political transaction. Count Louis-Philippe de Rohan and Lionel Sorel are sinners against France!

Editor-in-Chief Mayer could almost imagine the earthquake that would ensue after the letter was published tomorrow.

He immediately wielded his quill pen and scribbled a fiery "Editor's Note" in the blank space of the proof:
This newspaper has always upheld fairness and conscience, and is committed to exposing all misconduct that undermines the spirit of France and the values ​​of the Republic.

Today, with heavy hearts and deep indignation, we publish this letter from an upright citizen.

If the contents of the letter are true—and we tend to believe in the sincerity of the writer and the source of the information—then this is no longer a simple matter of literary preference, but a complete scandal!

The French Reader is a sacred text that enlightens the next generation and shapes the soul of the nation. How can it be reduced to a tool for some people to repay personal favors?
We urge the editorial committee, the Ministry of Education, and the Count of Rohan himself to immediately clarify this matter!
France's future must not be built on such absurd foundations!

Mr. Meyer banged on the brass bell on the table and called his assistant: "Quick! Immediately replace that piece of nonsense about wine tariffs in the second edition and put this one in!"

Increase the font size! Add a border! I want everyone in Paris, no, in all of France, to see this first thing tomorrow morning!

The assistant editor took the manuscript and hurriedly ran out, bowing and scraping.

In the printing workshop, the printing press, which was about to be completed, was forced to stop, and the workers hurriedly began to adjust the lead plates.

Mr. Meyer walked to the window, looked at the gradually awakening Paris outside, and a confident smile appeared on his face.

He knew that this time, Le Gaul would once again lead the trend and become the focus of public opinion.

Whether the young man named Sorel would be ruined as a result was not within his consideration.

News should be explosive!

The next day, just as editor-in-chief Meyer had hoped, Le Gaul detonated a truckload of explosives in a pond, instantly creating a massive upheaval.

"Absurd! Shameless! Horrifying!"

At breakfast time, similar exclamations and rebukes echoed around countless cafes, clubs, and family tables.

"Four articles! Four of that brat's articles are going to be included in the anthology? How many articles do Molière and La Fontaine have combined?"

"Old Man Milon? Let our children read that kind of bloody revenge story? God, is He trying to turn our children into murderers?"

"Has Count Rohan gone mad? Or has he truly been completely bewitched by that republican brat?"

"This is the Republicans' counterattack against us! They not only want to seize control of education, but also poison our next generation!"

Doubt, anger, jealousy, panic... all sorts of emotions intertwined and converged into a powerful wave of sound, instantly drawing Lionel Sorel and Count Rohan into the very center of the storm.

(End of this chapter)