Joining the Venture

After a while, with a creaking sound, the door was slowly opened, Fouché appeared in front of Joseph.

After joining the Hébertist Faction, Fouché moved his family here, mainly to show that he was one of the Sans-culottes. Moreover, after Hébertist Faction, Fouché remained very honest. If we disregard his repeated defections and only consider this period, Fouché was almost a moral exemplar like Robespierre.

After Hébert's downfall, Fouché was too preoccupied with dealing with Robespierre to consider moving. After Robespierre's fall, Fouché lost almost all his sources of income, so he had no choice but to continue living there.

At this moment, people gradually gathered around, and someone shouted, "Joseph, what happened?"

"No, it's nothing, they're our friends," Fouché replied loudly.

Upon hearing this, the men gradually dispersed. These were all Sans-culottes, Hébert's men, and in their eyes, Fouché was not a fickle viper, but a hero who had avenged Hébert.

"Mr. Bonaparte, Mr. Carnot, it's quite a surprise to see you here," Fouché said with a smile.

"Ah, Mr. Fouché, we've always been friends, haven't we?" Joseph said with a smile. "Won't you invite us in?"

"The house is a mess, please don't laugh at me," Fouché, gesturing for them to come in.

The group entered the house, which was pitch black as it was nearing evening. For a while, Joseph couldn't see anything clearly, only vaguely making out a few figures. He heard Fouché say, "Take the child to the back to play."

It took Joseph's eyes quite a while to adjust.

"Mr. Bonaparte, Mr. Carnot, have you come to see me because there is something I can do for you?" Fouché said with a smile.

"Mr. Fouché, what do you think of those guys on stage these days who are so greedy?" Joseph said.

"Do you intend to launch a rebellion to overthrow them?" Fouché asked. "If so, I advise you as a friend that, at least for now, it is not a good time to do so."

"No, no, no, my friend, what are you thinking?" Joseph quickly said, "I just want to do what I can to mitigate some of the losses for our country."

Fouché lowered his head and thought for a moment before saying, "You mean you want me to retrieve some things from the military research institute?"

"Not things, but people," Joseph said. "Mr. Fouché, you must know what's most important to the institute? Researchers, of course. I have a list here, and I hope you can help us find these people. You can tell them that if they're willing to come with me to Toulon, all their income can be increased to the previous standard. The upper limit of the increase is also marked on this list."

As Joseph spoke, he handed a list to Fouché.

Fouché took the list but didn't look at it; in fact, it was too dark in his room for him to see it.

"So, Mr. Bonaparte, you intend to rebuild the military research institute? But have you obtained authorization from the government for this?" Fouché frowned.

"No," Joseph said. "We plan to establish a private research institute. Of course, the scope of business will be the same as before. Mr. Fouché, since the current trend is for everyone to make money through any means necessary, why not let us make money instead of letting others do so? So, Mr. Fouché, would you be interested in joining us and making money together?"

Fouché stared at Joseph for a moment, then asked, "Rebuilding the research institute and establishing a military-industrial enterprise is indeed a very profitable business right now. However, it requires a large sum of start-up capital. Do you have that money?"

"That's not a problem," Joseph said.

"Ah, that's right," Fouché said. "Back when I was in Toulon, you and your brother had already established a smuggling route to Spain. You must have been busy these past few months. Smuggling must have brought you quite a bit of income. But, since it's business, may I ask, if I may be so impolite, what do I get out of this deal?"

"If you can find everyone on this list, I will pay you two thousand Livre, in silver coins. Furthermore, the difference between the monthly salary you negotiate with these people and the maximum I offer will be your profit. Besides that, there is an even more important task: persuading the government to approve my acquisition of the Naval Research Institute. For this, I have prepared two hundred Livres. As long as you can help us get things done within two hundred thousand, the surplus will be your reward. You can then choose to receive cash from me—well, not Assignat —or have it converted into shares and join us," Joseph said.

"What can I do if I join you?" Fouché asked again.

"I've already seen your abilities in Toulon. You know, in the past, military research institutes relied on the power of the state to maintain secrecy and security. But now, we can't have that kind of power anymore. Even if I use my brother's influence for personal gain, it won't be the same as before. And for the company we envision to make big money, we must maintain secrecy. I think you are very talented in this area."

Fouché listened quietly without making a sound.

"Besides that, we also need to gather information on other manufacturers, which is also important for our business," Joseph continued. "Mr. Fouché, I know you're not particularly concerned with wealth itself. But my friend, with your keen insight, haven't you noticed that times have changed? The era of revolution is over, the passion of revolution has burned out. The days when a speech in the street or a pamphlet could stir up a storm are gone! Now, to make a difference in politics, you need sufficient wealth. Mr. Fouché, are you interested in joining us?"

Fouché looked up at Joseph and finally said, "I can take care of the matter you entrusted to me first. As for whether I should join you, I need to think about it some more."

"Very well," Joseph said. "At least for now, we're cooperating well. I may be leaving Paris soon. Well, for some matters in Paris, you can contact General Carnot."

"Alright," Fouché said, "Then, could you give me an advance on some of the funds? You know, all the things you've asked me to do require money."

Joseph looked around and then said, "That's a very reasonable request. Well, I can pay you one thousand Livre right now, or you can choose the same amount in pounds or Mark."

"Let's go with Livre," Fouché said, "But not with Assignat."

"Yes," Joseph Fouché, taking a check from his pocket. "Could I light a lamp? And do you have a pen?"

"Okay, yes, I do," Fouché quickly replied.

Fouché lit the oil lamp himself and brought a pen and ink. Joseph signed the check, blotted out the ink with absorbent paper, and then handed the check to Fouché.

Fouché took the check, looked at it, nodded, and put it away.

"By the way, Mr. Fouché, I asked you to inquire about my friend..."

"It was Armand Lavoisier, wasn't it? He died on the northern front," Fouché said. "But that's not so bad, otherwise he would have been on the guillotine a while ago..."

The next day, Joseph rushed to the University of Paris and found Lavoisier, who was now teaching University of Paris. He asked Lavoisier to come to Toulon and help him rebuild a research institute.

"Is that so?" Lavoisier, understanding Joseph's meaning, thought for a moment and replied, "Joseph, I'm very grateful for your protection last time; otherwise, I might have been killed by Robespierre. However, last time it was for the country, there was an element of obligation involved. This time is different; if..."

Joseph immediately understood that Lavoisier wanted to raise his own value.

"Mr. Lavoisier, you're right, but as you know, I don't have any government funding this time." Joseph first pleaded poverty, then offered a solution.

"How about this, Mr. Lavoisier? You see, we're currently operating on a profit-and-loss basis, but as you know, I have many connections, and this business should be profitable. Why don't you contribute your skills as capital to our business, and then you'll be one of the owners?"

"Hmm, that's one idea, but how many shares should my knowledge be converted into?"

The two then had a frank conversation on the issue, exchanging opinions fully. Just as Joseph was about to say that the discussion had enhanced their mutual understanding and that the talks were beneficial, Lavoisier ultimately made a concession.

"Alright, alright, let's do it your way. After all, you helped me. If it weren't for you, I'd be on the guillotine by now. I'm the kind of person who always repays kindness..."

Joseph was quite satisfied with the agreement reached with Lavoisier, and then politely took his leave. In Joseph's view, it was excellent to have brought Lavoisier into the fold with such terms. (After all, Joseph was from a later era, and influenced by that era, his assessment of the value of knowledge was far higher than that of people in his time.)

As soon as Joseph stepped out the door, Lavoisier immediately called to his wife, who had been eavesdropping behind the door, "Marie, get ready! We're about to head to Toulon! Ah, this is wonderful! To be able to conduct experiments without any restrictions, and with such a high salary, plus stock dividends... Hahaha... Joseph is such a generous man! We'll be living the life of the rich again!"