Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 70 The same good job, but different upper-class status

Lionel never had a candid encounter with Gu Hongming, who was then known as Tomson Ku, in "Chabanai," as he simply couldn't trust the disinfection measures in brothels and the health checkups for prostitutes in that era.

It is important to know that syphilis was so prevalent in 18th and 19th century Europe that the entire cultural system had to accept it as part of daily life and even creative inspiration.

Nietzsche, Van Gogh, Beethoven, Schubert, Mahler, Maupassant... the list could go on and on.

Flaubert once defined it in his Dictionary of Common Views as a disease that was almost as common as the common cold: "Everyone has been infected with it to some extent... half of the syphilis patients transmit the disease to people aged fourteen to twenty;

Among the middle class, one in ten contract syphilis while still in school… College students start visiting brothels as soon as they enter university. On holidays and Thursdays, brothels are packed with students.

Flaubert contracted syphilis while visiting prostitutes in Egypt when he was young, and it tormented him for 30 years until his death.

Lionel wouldn't mistake syphilis for a cold, and he wouldn't patronize even the most upscale brothels—he didn't want to die with his skull riddled with holes like a honeycomb; or to live by applying mercuric iodide to the pustules on his genitals every day, turning his buttocks and thighs bluish-gray.

So, amidst Albert's disappointed gaze, the two agreed to have dinner together at Le Café Anglais, a restaurant located at the corner of Rue Marivo from 13 Avenue Italia.

This restaurant, which opened in 1802, gradually became one of the most sought-after upscale restaurants in France and even Europe after being helmed by the famous French chef Adolphe Dugré in 1866.

The most famous banquet in the history of the "English Café" took place in 1867, during the Sixth World's Fair in Paris. On the evening of June 7, the café hosted Tsar Alexander II of Russia and his crown prince, King William I of Prussia, and Prussian Prime Minister Bismarck.

Because three emperors, either currently in power or about to ascend the throne, attended the banquet, it was later known as the "Three Emperors Banquet".

Gu Hongming displayed his generous style, directly requesting the same menu as the "Three Emperors Banquet"—but since there were only two of them, it was simplified to some extent.

Even so, this meal included more than a dozen dishes, such as fresh pea puree and sourdough beef appetizer soup, truffle chicken pastry, Venetian sauce flounder fillet, Brittany sauce fava bean puree with roasted lamb chops, Portuguese roasted stuffed chicken, Parisian lobster cold appetizer, Rouen blood duck, roasted bunting, and creamy asparagus and potato stew.

In addition, there are dome-shaped ice cream, fruit, and other desserts.

The wines served with the meal are wines from different vintages, including champagne, sherry, and various red wines. The waiter will come over and change the wine almost every two courses.

The cost for a single person exceeds 150 francs, and a single meal consumes a month's income for a middle-class family in Paris.

This was the first time Lionel had ever eaten such a sumptuous meal. The table was laden with a dazzling array of dishes, exquisite porcelain bowls and plates, and pure silver or gold-plated cutlery, all of which were an eye-opener.

The waiters in the restaurant did not show any discrimination because of Gu Hongming's Chinese appearance, but provided him with the same service as all other customers.

“Look, the restaurants in Paris are more polite than the professors and students at the Sorbonne—I’m not talking about you, Lionel, of course,” Gu Hongming said indignantly, taking a big gulp of his drink.

By this time, their meal was drawing to a close, and the gas streetlights outside the "English Café" had come on. Every now and then, poor children begging nearby would press their faces against the windowpane, gazing enviously at the palatial, opulent decorations.

Usually, waiters would quickly come to chase them away, but they would soon gather again. They would stretch out their dirty little hands to every wealthy person leaving the restaurant, hoping to get a few sous, or even a franc if they were lucky.

Lionel had only eaten half of the food in front of him when he was already stuffed. He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth: "That's because you spent 300 francs here! This kind of respect is cheap and not worth your emotional investment."

Gu Hongming gave Lionel a deep look. This young Frenchman was a year younger than him, but he possessed a maturity and composure far exceeding his own, especially his egalitarian attitude, which far surpassed that of any young talents he had met from China, France, and England.

Lionel asked, "Tomson, what are you planning to do in the future?"

Gu Hongming paused for a moment, then replied, "I will study law at the Sorbonne Law School, then go to Italy, and then to Germany..."

Lionel shook his head: “That’s not what I’m asking—are you planning to stay in Europe, or go back to Penang (now part of Malaysia, a British colony in the 19th century)... or go to, um, China?” Gu Hongming fell silent upon hearing this, and after a long while, he slowly spoke: “Probably back to Penang, my home is there.”

Lionel smiled and said, "That's great. With your qualifications, you can find a decent job and live a high-class life, whether in Europe or Penang."

Gu Hongming, being an exceptionally intelligent man, immediately sensed something in Lionel's words and pressed on, "What about China? You've overlooked China—what would happen if I went to China?"

Lionel still smiled: "China...you can find a decent job and live a high-class life just like that."

Gu Hongming thought for a while before saying, "Since both are respectable jobs and allow one to live a life of luxury, it would be quite different in China, wouldn't it?"

Lionel's next words were quite meaningful: "If you consider yourself an Englishman or a European, then whether in Europe, Penang, or China, a decent job and a life of the upper class are the same."

But this morning at the Sorbonne, you said you were Chinese, which makes things a bit complicated… Good jobs will still be available, but being upper-class… well… hehe.”

Gu Hongming was born in Penang. At the age of 10, he went to Scotland with his adoptive father, British businessman Brown, who owned rubber plantations. He then studied in Germany and England, and is now studying law in Paris. In fact, he has never been to China.

His current feelings toward China stem more from a natural identification with his skin color and appearance, as well as the cultural imprint left on him by his biological father when he was a child. Therefore, he cannot yet understand the "complexity" that Lionel mentioned, or exactly where the "complexity" lies.

Lionel didn't bother to explain further. He waved to the waiter, who, under Gu Hongming's surprised gaze, packed the complete food he had kept separately into a paper bag.

At the restaurant entrance, Lionel declined Gu Hongming's invitation to take him home by carriage, and instead carried his packed bags and leisurely walked home.

Watching Gu Hongming's beautiful and exquisite two-horse carriage gradually disappear into the distance, everything that had happened today seemed like an unexpected little episode that stirred up a ripple in his otherwise peaceful life before returning to its calm state.

While it's true that we can see the limitations of the elites of this era from the perspective of those who come after us, once we find ourselves among them, we discover that they also have their own helplessness.

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"What? Louis-Alphonse really said Lionel was a 'commodity'?" Dean Henry Patan was incredulous when he heard what had happened at the Chinese man's lecture yesterday.

The "Poetry Gathering" is the most important annual fundraising event at the Sorbonne, and it is directly related to his prestige as the dean.

Lionel Sorel's attendance at the "poetry gathering" was not only at Madame Rothschild's request, but also to satisfy the curiosity of many noblewomen.

After all, "Poor Lionel" has become a legend in the salon world, and with a masterpiece like "The Old Guard" to his name, he can be described as "talented and handsome".

Even if Lionel is "selling his art but not his body," as long as he shows off his skills at the "Poetry Festival," the academy's research funding this year will probably be more than enough.

Hearing that Lionel has refused to attend the "poetry gathering" is like a stab in the heart for Henry Patan.

He stared at the Dean of Academic Affairs, Dunn, and said, word by word, "No matter what it takes, make sure he's by the campfire this Saturday night!"

The Sorbonne's "Poetry Gathering" imitates the legendary ancient Greek custom, where a bonfire is lit in the college square, and students and guests attend the event wearing ancient Greek robes and laurel wreaths.

Dean Henry Patan couldn't imagine how many complaints would arise without Lionel's "poetry gatherings".

(End of this chapter)