Return to Paris

Barras proposed in Parliament a re-election to ensure Thermidorians majority (this was unanimously agreed upon). He also stressed the need for the army to have its own representatives in Parliament (this was also agreed upon, considering the presence of the Red Army outside). Furthermore, he proposed that the Directory be composed of several highly respected individuals who had demonstrated their loyalty to the republic in the vote to execute the king (this was also agreed upon). He further proposed that General Carnot, who could represent the army, be included in the Directory (this was also unchallenged). Additionally, given the general lack of technical expertise and vulnerability to being deceived by unscrupulous merchants, Parliament needed to include personnel proficient in military technology (this was also agreed upon). Finally, considering the poor performance of the police force during the rebellion, he believed that the Paris police system needed to be reorganized, and he was confident that Fouché was capable of this task.

Many people are dissatisfied with this, because the police department is such a crucial and vital department. Whoever controls it enjoys immense political advantages. Many feel they could potentially vie for control. Even more feel that so many vital departments falling into the hands of the Barras faction is simply too... too unbalanced.

So, in this matter, Barras encountered resistance for the first time. But if he couldn't even overcome this resistance, how could he continue to be a major shareholder in the "Military-Industrial Complex"? So, Barras didn't hold back in parliament, revealing that the families or subordinates of several of the most vehement opponents had leaked state secrets to the Royalist Party, and he even presented concrete evidence.

Of course, this wasn't 1993, and Barras wasn't Robespierre; otherwise, these members of parliament would be on the guillotine. Barras magnanimously stated that he didn't doubt the members' loyalty to the Republic; he believed their families and subordinates had been deceived by the cunning Royalist Party. This wasn't their fault; it was entirely due to the Royalist Party' cunning. However, these gentlemen were so honest and simple; how could they possibly deal with such cunning Royalist Party? Therefore, the matter of the Minister of Police was best left to Fouché, who had made a great Fouché in uncovering the Royalist Party conspiracy.

"Does anyone still have any objections?" Barras asked finally.

Everyone expressed their understanding and agreement, because they were all worried that if they didn't understand or agree, some scandals would immediately be exposed. To be honest, which of the members of the National Assembly today has a clean record? Back in Robespierre's time, they would all be on the guillotine.

Just as everyone was arguing over these positions, Joseph, accompanied by several bodyguards with revolvers tucked into their belts, arrived at Fanny's house in a carriage with Fanny and her family.

A few days ago, when the situation in Paris began to become dangerous, Joseph, through Fouché's arrangement, personally visited Fanny and her family and brought them out of Paris to seek refuge. Now that everything has calmed down, they can return.

All the way there, the Viscountess was worried that a thief might break into her house, that... Although Fanny had reassured her, saying, "Don't worry, Mom. If a thief breaks into our house, we should be happy, because there's nothing worth stealing. Maybe the thief, while searching for valuables, will accidentally leave their own wallet in our house."

"Don't talk nonsense," even the Viscount laughed. "Our family isn't that poor. At least, we can still afford little Fanny's dowry."

Fanny blushed, glanced down at Joseph, and remained silent.

Fortunately, the carriage had arrived at their doorstep, and everyone could get off.

After getting off the carriage, the attendants carried the luggage and other belongings inside. Joseph and the Viscount Lavoisier and his family then sat in the small garden for a while.

"Viscount, Paris should stabilize for the foreseeable future; at least, there shouldn't be any major chaos," Joseph said.

"So, we'll have peaceful days from now on? That's wonderful! It would be even better if Armand came back," said the Viscountess.

Joseph replied without changing his expression, "That's right. But things will definitely get better."

"It'll be alright," the Viscount said, winking. "As long as nothing's hanging on the lampposts, that's all that matters... By the way, now that things are peaceful in Paris, Joseph, when are you coming Paris?"

"Our family will definitely be returning to Paris. However, this requires a lot of preparation. Paris is the heart of France Paris; it has the best schools and the best research resources. My research institute will naturally be moved back. But this is a huge project, and it won't be a matter of just a day or two. Recently, my friends and I have been looking for a suitable location near Paris to serve as the new research institute's address. In addition, your brother, Master Lavoisier, also misses Paris a bit; after all, Toulon is really too small compared to Paris."

After a few more casual words, Joseph got up to take his leave. The Viscount, citing his own bad legs, did not see Joseph off, but instead sent his daughter Fanny to see him off.

Fanny saw him off and didn't return for a long time. As she hummed a tune as she walked through the front yard, heading back to her room, she heard her father calling her from the small living room, "Fanny! Come here for a moment."

Fanny went to the small living room and saw her elderly father sitting in a rocking chair by the window, basking in the sun.

"Dad, is something the matter?"

"Ah, Fanny, come sit next to me," said the Viscount.

Fanny walked over and sat down in a chair next to the rocking chair.

"Did he propose to you?" the viscount suddenly asked.

"Ah..." Fanny blushed.

"What? This kid's so unruly? Well, otherwise why would he be that brat's friend... Fanny, no, we can't let this happen. If this kid dares to come again, I'll..."

"Dad..." Fanny glared at the Viscount, "He brought it up, but... that guy is so annoying. He didn't even consider whether I agreed or not, he just said something like, 'After you marry me, we'll do this and that.' I said, I haven't decided whether I want to marry you yet!"

"Oh dear! Fanny, that's not right of you!" the old viscount said immediately. "You should know that young men like Joseph are hard to find these days. He has a bright future and will become one of the most important figures in all of France. For your happiness, you should hold on to him tight, otherwise, who knows when some shameless, seductive hussy will come along and try to rob you."

"Dad! If you say that again, I'm leaving!" Fanny said sternly, standing up.

"Alright, alright, I'm only doing this for your own good. Think about it, how many people are plotting against someone like Joseph all day long? If you're really angry, then I really won't say anything more..."

Fanny sat down again.

"That's right, that's my good daughter. Listen to me, next time you have this opportunity, you must..."

"Dad, you're making it sound like I'll never get married!"

"How could my daughter not be able to get married? There are more men in Paris than fish in the Atlantic Ocean. But Fanny, you need to understand that who a woman marries is incredibly important. It's like fishing; catching a tuna and catching a sardine are both fish, but the difference is huge. Also, you really need to hurry. You know, although there are many fish in the sea, if the bait soaks in the water for too long..."

While the Viscount and Fanny were having their heart-to-heart talk, Joseph also returned to his residence by carriage, only to find that Lucien was nowhere to be found.

"Mr. Bonaparte, young Master Lucien has gone out. It seems someone invited him to a banquet. He left you a note," Aunt Sophie said, handing him a note.

"Oh," Joseph replied, taking the paper.

The note said he had gone to Labas and that Joseph should not wait for him.

"Damn it, this guy went off to eat something delicious by himself!" Joseph said. However, Joseph didn't really want to show his face too much in these kinds of situations, so having his younger brother take his place wasn't so bad.

Since Lucien wasn't there, Joseph simply had Aunt Sophie prepare dinner. After dinner, he went into his study to consider several options for moving the research institute to Paris.

"Directly within Paris? Many things would be much more convenient, but it's too crowded, the space is too small, and some experiments wouldn't be easy to conduct. Hmm... the Duke of Orleans' estate? It's not too far from Paris, and the place is large... it's just a bit far from the Red Army's base... And here, it's a tiny bit further from Paris, but closer to the Red Army, and the terrain is quite varied. Hmm, how about this place? It just requires widening the roads ourselves, which will cost more money..."

Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. Joseph put aside his plans, went out of the study, and saw Lucien walk in, smelling strongly of brandy.

"You dare to drink so much alcohol at a place frequented by people like that?" Joseph frowned, beginning to consider how to better educate his younger brother.

"No, no..." Lucien's words were quite clear. "If you don't believe me, smell it; the wine is all over my clothes. How could I dare to actually drink at the place of that cunning old bastard?"

"Really?" Joseph walked closer and sniffed the clothes; indeed, the smell of alcohol was mostly on them.

"Hmm, you do know how to adapt. But surely no one would force you to drink, right? How come you're covered in so much alcohol?"

"Who says I can't?" Lucien said. "There was a lady at the banquet who kept chatting and drinking with me. I really don't know how she could drink so much."

"You cheated while drinking with a woman? Hmm, that woman was pretty?"

"It is very beautiful," Lucien said.

"What was that woman's name?" A question suddenly popped into Joseph's mind.