The Devil Who Dotes on Her Brother's Thesis (4)

Joseph knew that Coulomb was quite skeptical of his so-called independent research into what he called "descriptive geometry." Perhaps Monge, the true pioneer of descriptive geometry, was less suspicious because he himself had been a child prodigy and thus found it less strange that another prodigy might develop similar techniques at a similar age.

Joseph had indeed studied descriptive geometry in his past life, and he believed that after hundreds of years of development, the descriptive geometry of the future must have advanced far beyond what existed in this era. However, he did not know exactly how far Monge's original version had progressed. After some thought, Joseph felt that certain techniques involving projective transformations were likely later developments, so he carefully recalled them in his mind, incorporated that content, and began to explain it in detail.

The Duke of Orleans listened with great interest from the side. It was only when Joseph finished a portion of his explanation and paused that he asked Monge, "Monsieur Monge, how does Joseph's method compare to yours?"

"By and large, they are much the same," Monge replied. After saying this, he looked at everyone and suddenly realized his words might imply that Joseph hadn't truly invented the technique himself. He quickly added, "But there are some differences. For instance, the projective transformations he uses to handle maps are very interesting—something I hadn't thought of before. Maps drawn this way will be much more useful. While the principles of the method Bonaparte created are basically the same as mine, in terms of practicality, it is perhaps even better. Monsieur Bonaparte, you are truly a genius in mathematics!"

Monge's descriptive geometry had always been a closely guarded secret, so even those standing nearby had not been exposed to much of it. Now that they heard Monge speak this way, their suspicions naturally vanished.

"Joseph, I never imagined you were such a mathematical genius. Hmm, I seem to recall hearing you were still in secondary school? At..." Duke Charles suddenly couldn't remember which school it was.

"It is the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, Your Grace. Joseph and my nephew Armand are classmates," Lavoisier added with a smile from the side.

"Right, right. That was where I saw him with Armand last time," Duke Charles said, looking at Joseph with an appreciative gaze. "It is a blessing for France to have such young men constantly emerging. It is just unfair that someone who has achieved such results cannot receive the honor he deserves and even lives in poverty. I believe we should provide Joseph with some compensation for this."

Condorcet nodded and said, "I think Joseph's paper is at the very least highly worthy of discussion; it should win this competition and receive the six-hundred-franc prize."

Because the Duke of Orleans had mentioned compensation, even Coulomb and Monge raised no objections.

"That is too little," Duke Charles said, looking dissatisfied.

"Your Grace, do not worry; such talent will not be buried," Condorcet said. "Once this paper is published and the speed of light experiment is completed, I believe Joseph could obtain a teaching position at the University of Paris, or perhaps even a post here. Hmm, Joseph, I hear you are graduating soon. How about it? Are you interested? I can provide you with a letter of recommendation."

Before Joseph could speak, Monge interjected, "Joseph has great talent in descriptive geometry, but it is a confidential technique. If he goes to the University of Paris, he won't be able to research these things easily. That would be a great pity. The Paris Military Academy is looking for a teacher who can instruct in descriptive geometry, and they have entrusted me with recommending an expert. It would be better if Laplace and I recommended him to the Paris Military Academy to teach mathematics. I believe that would be even better. Furthermore, I can secure a higher stipend for him; his income would certainly be higher than at the University of Paris. Joseph, what do you think?"

In terms of pure prestige, the University of Paris was certainly more famous. But when it came to income, it was indeed as Monge said: teaching at the Paris Military Academy would be more lucrative. Moreover, Joseph knew that the revolution was about to break out. During the revolution, various factions would take turns on the stage; today a royalist might be hanging from a lamppost, and tomorrow the revolutionary of today would be on the guillotine. The University of Paris was a hub for various political factions, and if he went there, he might be uncontrollably dragged into political struggles for any number of reasons. By comparison, the Paris Military Academy was much safer. Furthermore, entering the military system would allow him to make necessary preparations for the future.

Thinking of this, Joseph said to Monge, "Monsieur Condorcet, thank you very much for your recommendation. However, I think I am more inclined toward Monsieur Monge's suggestion. My father has just passed away, and I have younger brothers who still need to study; I am in great need of money right now. Besides, my brother Napoleon is at the Paris Military Academy. He is a troublemaker, and I feel that if I am there, I can keep a better eye on him."

Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. Duke Charles laughed and said, "It seems all older brothers always think their younger brothers are troublemakers. Hmm, I can imagine what it feels like for a younger brother to walk into a classroom and find that the teacher is his own brother..."

"Let us return to the speed of light experiment," Lavoisier said.

"Very well, let us continue..."

Two days after this visit, Joseph received an official letter from the French Academy of Sciences delivered by a messenger, informing him that his paper had won the competition and the six-hundred-franc prize.

This prize money made Joseph's life significantly more comfortable overnight. Two days later, he received a letter sent by Monge. In this thick envelope, Monge told Joseph that the Academy had completed preparations for the speed of light experiment and intended to conduct it in ten days' time—on a moonless night—at one of the Duke of Orleans' chateaus.

At the end of the letter, Monge told Joseph that he and Laplace had recommended him. He believed that in a few days, Joseph would receive an official letter from the Paris Military Academy. Once he graduated, he could report to the academy.

Joseph was quite pleased upon receiving the letter, though it was a pity Napoleon wasn't around to show off to. However, it would be even better if he could suddenly appear in uniform in the classroom where Napoleon was studying. Hmm, he could even call Napoleon up to the blackboard to solve a difficult problem. That was truly a pleasant thought.

Furthermore, with ready cash in hand, Joseph immediately thought of the classic line from the character Master Lu in Water Margin: "My mouth is getting bland enough to grow mold!" Joseph calculated that if he went to a restaurant and spent two francs, he could have a wonderful, greasy, and satisfying meal. However, considering Napoleon wasn't there, Joseph couldn't bring himself to abandon his brother and go eat a feast alone. Thus, he had to continue to endure; fortunately, the next weekend was only a few days away. When the weekend arrived, he could take Napoleon out for a big meal.

The only unfortunate thing was that on the way to school, Joseph passed several restaurants. These restaurants were not high-end, and the prices were not particularly expensive—at least, not to Joseph, who now had several hundred francs in his pocket. In the past, when Joseph passed by here on his way to school, he would often smell the aroma of meat broth wafting from these restaurants. But back then, Joseph didn't even have a single coin in his pocket, so the temptation of that aroma wasn't particularly strong; at most, it made Joseph swallow his saliva, hold his breath, and quicken his pace. But this time, things were different. With money in his pocket and the real possibility of going in for a meal, the aroma of the broth became increasingly irresistible. Joseph tried to quicken his pace, but the scents seemed to turn into elastic ropes, binding him and pulling him backward. It took a great deal of effort for Joseph to break free, and as a result, he arrived at school late for the first time in his life. Fortunately, the teacher was so nearsighted he didn't notice, giving Joseph a chance to sneak into the classroom.

Just like that, he finally made it to the weekend. Generally, Napoleon would walk to Joseph's place after school to save money. Considering the walking distance, he should arrive around five o'clock in the afternoon, just in time to go to a restaurant for a meal. Joseph had told Father Jean-Jacques early on that tonight, once Napoleon arrived, they would go out for a good meal, so today, including Father Jean-Jacques, no one needed to gnaw on black bread.

However, it was nearly seven o'clock before Napoleon slowly sauntered over to Joseph's place, and by this time, all the restaurants on the street had already closed—this was, after all, not an era with a rich nightlife. Father Jean-Jacques, having been too hungry to wait, had already fixed himself half a piece of leftover dry bread and eaten it with water.

"Why are you so late?" Joseph asked, suppressing his annoyance.

"Someone treated me to a meal," Napoleon said.

"Damn it, you actually ate?" The starving Joseph could barely contain his anger. "Wait... someone treated you to a meal? I heard you are very unpopular at school?"

"I helped him finish his math homework," Napoleon said proudly.

"But I'm still hungry..." Because of his hunger, Joseph didn't even have the interest to show off his prize money to Napoleon.

"You were waiting for me to eat together?" Napoleon was surprised. "It's just two pieces of black bread; is that worth waiting for?"

"Fine, tomorrow you'll be eating black bread!" Joseph said through gritted teeth.