Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Back at his lodgings, Joseph began to ponder a question: what documents should he give Fanny to handle? Classified documents were absolutely out of the question—that would harm her. But non-classified documents... hmm, it seemed Joseph didn't actually have any yet.

After thinking carefully for a long time, Joseph finally came up with something—the exercise books he had prepared for Napoleon, Lucien, and Louis. These exercises, tailored to children of different ages and levels, had excellent educational and deterrent effects. If they were properly compiled, they could eventually publish a "Joseph's Mathematical Exercise Book" to benefit society, wouldn't that be wonderful?

So Joseph retrieved the math problems that Lucien and Louis had done in Paris, and there were quite a few. He also figured Carnot probably had some too. All together, that should be enough. As for the future, with Napoleon, Lucien, Louis all by his side, what was there to worry about? Hmm, that's it. He'd go back and intensify the training of these mischievous boys.

Joseph and Fanny agreed to visit Armand together at a cemetery on the outskirts of the city two days later. In 1786, for hygiene reasons, Paris banned the setting up of graves and burial of bodies within the city. As a result, many small cemeteries began to appear on the outskirts of the city. Later, these cemeteries gradually merged into one, becoming the three major cemeteries of Paris.

After Armand's body was returned, it was buried in a cemetery in the Montmartre Heights. Getting there would take quite a while. When Armand was buried, Fanny spent a considerable amount of time figuring out a way to attend the funeral without Armand family knowing.

However, going to such a place with a huge pile of homework is probably not a good idea. Joseph thought it best to entrust these things to her when he was about to leave. As for the day in between, it would be a good opportunity to rest.

However, Joseph didn't get a chance to rest. Just as he was thinking this, there was a knock on the door.

"Who?" Joseph asked.

"Mr. Bonaparte, it's me, Fouché," came Fouché's voice from outside the door.

Joseph opened the door and saw Fouché standing outside, carrying a bag, his face covered in sweat from walking on the street.

"Please come in, Mr. Fouché." Joseph invited him in and poured him a large glass of water.

"Thank you, I was thirsty." Fouché took the glass of water, drank it all in one gulp, and handed it back, saying, "Is there any more? Give me another glass."

Joseph poured him another glass of water. "Mr. Fouché, what brings you here now?"

Fouché took the cup and downed it in one gulp. He touched his mouth and said, "I've resolved the two matters you entrusted to me."

As he spoke, Fouché took out a stack of papers from his black leather bag. "These are the names of the people I found. Except for a few, they have all accepted the terms you offered."

Joseph frowned slightly. "What was their reason?"

"Several men, such as Gaston and Dominique, left because of poor health. Edmond, on the other hand, became wealthy and no longer wanted to do such strenuous work. The three most noteworthy are François, Henri, and Otto. They left Paris, and their whereabouts are unknown, but there are indications that they had contact with some Royalist Party before leaving Paris."

"Heh, even the Royalist Party have more foresight than some of the guys in our government," Joseph couldn't help but sarcastically remark.

"I have contacted all the remaining people, and new contracts have been signed with them in accordance with your authorization," Fouché continued.

"Mr. Fouché, thank you for your help," Joseph said.

"Furthermore, the privatization of the Naval Research Institute is no longer a problem. Hmm..." Fouché said, handing Joseph a document. "Just sign this, and the Naval Research Institute will be yours."

"So fast?" Joseph was taken aback. He took the document and glanced at it. "Why is the total price two hundred thousand Livre? Doesn't that mean you didn't earn a single Livre?"

"The price on the document is paid in Assignat," Fouché laughed.

After the Guillotine Demon King was defeated, the Assignat went completely out of control. Now, one Livre Silver Coin can be exchanged for at least twenty Livre Assignat.

"Selling it for such a low price?" Joseph was taken aback.

"For this, Mr. Barras took an additional 120,000 Livre from me. Of course, this money wasn't all his," Fouché replied. Without Fouché's explanation, Joseph knew that the 120,000 livres Barras took was definitely not Assignat.

"Very well, thank you for your help. Then we only have one last thing to do." Joseph looked at Fouché and said, "Now, can you tell me your choice?"

"Mr. Bonaparte, according to our previous agreement, I should receive Livres, plus my commission of 2,000 Livre, and the 1,215 Livre I saved when negotiating wages with those gentlemen. I should receive 73,215 Livre from you. If I use 73,000 Livre as an investment, how many shares should I have?"

The two men then began discussing the shareholding. In this matter, Fouché was much more agreeable than Lavoisier. They quickly reached a broad consensus. Joseph felt that a comprehensive strategic partnership should be established soon, but at that moment, Fouché suddenly asked, "Mr. Bonaparte, what is your view on the current political situation?"

Joseph knew that Fouché was different from Lavoisier; Fouché valued political status more than money. Nevertheless, he asked, "Mr. Fouché, why do you ask me this question?"

"Mr. Bonaparte, in the meantime while I was handling these matters for you, I also took the time to inquire about your various actions over the past few years," Fouché replied. "In the past few years, your actions have been very cautious. But now, your actions have suddenly become much bolder, and I would like to understand your thoughts on this."

"Mr. Fouché, the chaos in France under the current government is quite evident," Joseph said. "For a regime to survive, it needs support. Who is supporting the current government?"

"Who?"

"People who have made a lot of money and want to make even more. But do these people really trust those who were once Jacobin and cheered for Robespierre?" Joseph smiled. "Therefore, to gain their support, they not only need to guarantee their interests through policy, but they also need to put those people they truly trust into power and occupy important positions. Whom do those people trust most now?"

"The Brissotins," Fouché said.

"It's not just the Brissotins, but also the Feuillants, and even the reactionary forces against the Jacobin. More importantly, it's a widespread distrust of the strong government, which will inevitably lead to the rise of Royalist Party. These respectable people, along with the Brissotins Feuillants, simply don't trust the current leaders. Moreover, the opening of the markets and the rejection of the Jacobin will certainly have various adverse effects on the army's combat effectiveness. Therefore, for some time to come, France will inevitably suffer continuous military defeats. Even if there are one or two occasional resurgences, they will not change the fundamental situation. Politically, the country will be unstable, with frequent rebellions."

Joseph paused here. He looked at Fouché and said, "At this point, those respectable people will realize that the current weak government is equally unable to protect their interests. Therefore, they will need a strong government that can truly safeguard their interests, and even secure them for them. That will be the real opportunity."

Fouché laughed upon hearing this, "Robespierre was initially worried that a prolonged war would lead to the emergence of military poison. But now it seems that this trend is irreversible, isn't it? Your brother is an outstanding general, and you yourself are also an outstanding individual. Moreover, due to financial difficulties, the army is starting to go hungry. Isn't this an opportunity to privatize the national army? Well then, I hope we can cooperate happily in the future."

Thus, the two successfully established a comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Mr. Bonaparte, I remember you wanted me to help you with security and confidentiality matters. I've studied the old confidentiality regulations of the 'Military Research Institute,' which are actually quite comprehensive. Of course, they're too costly to implement. I've simplified the plan slightly. Following that should be sufficient for you. You've also given me another task: to keep an eye on other manufacturers. For this, I need to stay in Paris. Moreover, our real business requires someone to be in Paris. Mr. Carnot can handle some of the overt military matters, but I feel it's better for me to handle many things myself."

"You're right," Joseph said. "Here's what we'll do: you stay in Paris and handle intelligence matters. If you need anything, just let me know. While I'm away, you can write to me or go directly to General Carnot."

"Alright, let's do it that way." Fouché stood up, preparing to take his leave.

"Ah, Mr. Fouché, while I'm away, there's one other person I'd like to trouble you to look after as well," Joseph said.

"Who?"

"Armand's sister, Miss Fanny," Joseph said.