Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 359 The Anti-French Minority!

For the next two days, Curie, Poincaré, and Tesla practically stayed at Lionel's place.

They had a lively discussion about where Lionel's envisioned "electromechanical laboratory" should first make breakthroughs.

Only after the direction is determined can the corresponding experimental equipment be purchased.

Although the laboratory's funding came from a donation by "a generous banker's wife," it couldn't be wasted aimlessly.

Lionel still hopes that these investments will yield corresponding returns as soon as possible.

Because all three are scientists with strong opinions and personalities, their discussions sometimes become so intense that Sophie and the others almost think they are arguing.

However, under Lionel's patient guidance, the direction was eventually clarified.

The immediate goal of the "Mechatronics Laboratory" was to improve transformers and create safer alternating current motors, with Nikola Tesla as its principal investigator.

Nikola Tesla stated that he would bring in several engineers from Budapest who were already quite knowledgeable about this topic to conduct experiments together.

The medium-term goal of the "Mechatronics Laboratory" was to attempt to develop "wireless telegraphy" based on James Maxwell's research, and the person in charge was Henry Poincaré.

He was already in charge of improving the telemetry signaling system at the Northern Railway; in addition, he would help Tesla solve mathematical problems in the development of AC motors.

Nikola Tesla was also interested in "radio"—to be precise, he was interested in all new technologies involving "electricity"—so he got involved.

The long-term goal of the "Mechatronics Laboratory" was to invent a more efficient and durable light bulb filament, and Pierre Curie was the main person in charge.

Under Lionel's guidance, the group unanimously agreed that tungsten was the most suitable material, but it was too hard and current engineering technology could not draw it into wires.

However, Lionel said he is not in a hurry to commercialize it. If he can make a sample in the laboratory and apply for a patent, it would be good even if it is costly.

Pierre Curie said he would bring his brother Jacques Curie into the laboratory; Henri Poincaré would also help solve the mathematical problems in the process.

Lionel himself found it hard to believe that the three men—especially Poincaré and Tesla—had such a perfect match in terms of their areas of expertise and complementarity.

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In May, the popularity of "Thunderstorm" remained unabated, and a hot wind from the southern Mediterranean coast added fuel to the fire of sweltering Paris.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! French troops have entered Tunis! Baye has signed the Treaty of Bardo!"

"Without firing a single shot, the pearl of North Africa has been brought under protection!"

The newsboy's shrill cries pierced through the café's glass windows, mingling with the excited chatter inside.

Lionel was discussing the details of the script for "The Café" with Maupassant in a corner when the sudden noise interrupted his train of thought.

He put down his coffee cup, looked out the window at the surging crowds and pedestrians waving newspapers, and frowned slightly.

Maupassant was clearly also drawn in; he beckoned to buy a copy of the extra edition and quickly browsed through it.

He then handed it to Lionel with a grin: "Hey, Lionel, look at this. Our generals have planted another little flag on the map of Africa."

Tunisia is supposedly a nice place, at least it gets more sunshine than Paris.

Lionel took the newspaper, his eyes scanning the words brimming with the joy of victory, as if he could see the flags changing atop the walls of Tunisia.

Lionel gently placed the newspaper back on the table: "Yes, 'effortlessly,' conquest always seems so easy."

This is especially true when one side possesses muskets and cannons, while the other side has only scimitars and courage!

Maupassant, of course, knew Lionel's position and laughed heartily: "What, aren't you happy for the 'glory' of our country?"
This is a great victory; the gentlemen in Parliament must be ecstatic.

Lionel shook his head and remained silent.

He recalled his essay, "The Glorious and the Castrated," and the "good news" before him seemed to be mocking his critique of colonialism.

The inertia of history is so immense that it cannot be easily reversed by a few articles or debates.

Maupassant shrugged, never one for politics: "Well, philosopher. But for now, all of Paris is celebrating this good news."

I bet tonight's champagne consumption at the Tuileries Garden party will break records!

Just as Maupassant had predicted, the good news spread like wildfire through the salons and clubs of Paris.

The bourgeois gentlemen raised their glasses in celebration of the French Empire’s further expansion and the potential markets and sources of raw materials.

In parliament, support for Ferry was at an all-time high. On May 19, the Treaty of Bardo was submitted to parliament for ratification, a process that went almost tediously smoothly.

On May 23, the committee recommended the adoption.

The public outcry reached its peak.

Jules Ferry seized this opportunity and delivered a speech at a rally after the treaty was passed, which his supporters hailed as "laying the cornerstone of French colonial theory."

As Prime Minister, Jules Ferry's voice will soon be heard throughout France through the newspapers:
"Gentlemen! Citizens! Some question our motives for setting foot on unfamiliar land and view the great mission we bear with narrow eyes!"

I want to tell these people, and all French people—it is the right of the superior race to rule over inferior races, because we bear the responsibility!

We bear the responsibility of educating and reforming inferior races!

The audience burst into thunderous applause.

Ferry slightly raised his chin and waved his arms:

"The superior race conquers the inferior race not for pleasure or to exploit them, but to educate them and raise their level of civilization!"

This is our right, and even more so, our inescapable obligation! To forbid the Republic from adopting colonial policies would be abhorrent and anti-French!

When we do this great thing within the wise and prudent boundaries we set for ourselves, we are doing it for the benefit of future generations!

We are creating space for France's future; we are bringing the light of reason and civilization to the corners of the world still shrouded in ignorance!

The speech was an unprecedented success.

Even some centrist newspapers that had previously held reservations about colonial policies turned to praise Ferry’s “vision” and “responsibility as a republic.”

The term "civilizational mission" became the most fashionable word in Parisian social circles overnight.

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On May 25, a small celebratory parade was held in Paris.

Thousands of citizens took to the streets, chanting "Long live France," and marched through the Arc de Triomphe all the way to the Palace of Versailles.

The procession also passed 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain, and the noise woke Lionel.

He walked to the window, watching the surging crowds on the street below, and a sense of loneliness enveloped him.

In Paris in 1881, he was in the minority, a "dissident".

Alice placed a freshly brewed cup of coffee on his table: "It's noisy outside. Lately, a lot of people have been talking about Tunisia and what Prime Minister Ferry said."

Lionel didn't turn around: "Let them talk. If everyone speaks with one voice, that would be a real disaster!"

Petty also walked up to Lionel: "Young Master, why is everyone so happy? Is occupying someone else's city a good thing?"

"A 'protectorate,' like when the ballet school nanny bought me but claimed she saved me, isn't that right?"

She uses her own experiences to understand the world in a simple way.

Lionel turned around and patted her head: "Patty, you're right, there's really no difference between the two."

Just then, Sophie returned, bringing a copy of Le Figaro, which she placed on Lionel's table.

She pointed to a short article next to the arts and literature section: "Look at this, someone is making veiled accusations."

The article doesn't directly name Lionel, but the phrase "a young writer who has gained fame through imagination and sentimental stories" clearly refers to someone.

The article criticizes Lionel for "lacking understanding of realpolitik and tarnishing the nation's glory with nihilistic moralism."

Lionel frowned. He wasn't afraid of open debate, but he loathed this kind of sordid wordplay.

Sophie asked him, "Is there anything I can do? I have experience in North Africa and can find some information about the actual situation in Tunisia."

Lionel shook his head and smiled: "Not for now. Everyone is too enthusiastic right now. They'll only come to their senses after they've learned their lesson."

We have more important things to do. Have someone draw a few more identical copies of this diagram…

As he spoke, he handed Sophie a piece of paper.

(End of this chapter)