Taken In

Thus began a grand conspiracy against Joseph, orchestrated by Joseph own brothers. This also proves that any traitor is unpopular. The great Eastern philosopher Mencius said, "Those who stubbornly adhere to traitorous ways will lose the support of most people. Even their own family will betray them." This statement is truly a profound truth.

After reviewing the plans of the people at the Academy of Academy of Sciences —mainly the group from the École Normale Supérieure — Lucien shook his head. He said that apart from the initial ideas being quite good, the later plans were riddled with flaws.

"Sigh, that's why these kinds of things should be done by professionals. For example, inviting the Academy of Sciences of Britain to visit and then arranging a return visit. That plan is complete nonsense. A great Eastern strategist once said that only by understanding the enemy and understanding oneself can victory be guaranteed. Your plan shows that my elder brother has absolutely no understanding of this."

Politically, Britain is still our enemy, though neither of us says so—we both smile and call each other 'friendly nations,' but behind the scenes, we both wish we could strangle each other. A figure as important as Joseph would never be allowed by our country to go to enemy-controlled territory; he himself is a very...very cautious person, and he certainly wouldn't go.

Therefore, any invitation must come from our closest, most reliable, and truly friendly nations. Furthermore, you should no longer discuss this matter, nor do you need to do anything more about it. The more you do, the more easily Joseph will notice. So, from now on, just pretend this never happened. Understand? No further discussion of this matter is permitted. And, assuming there is no leak, regardless of the final outcome, the First Consul has agreed to increase the funding for the École Normale Supérieure by fifteen percent next year..."

So the members of the École Normale Supérieure happily withdrew from the conspiracy. Even if it didn't bring in money, the less involved one was, the better, right? After all, Dean Joseph would definitely return. If he found out they were part of the plot, he might not be able to deal with Lavoisier, but he could certainly bully them, couldn't he?

The next step was to persuade Lavoisier. After explaining his purpose to Lavoisier immediately responded:

"Lucien, don't you know the relationship between me and your elder brother? Back then, your elder brother saved my life when I was in the most danger; he helped me become rich when I was at my poorest. Moreover, your elder brother is my niece's husband. You actually want me to join you in deceiving him? How can that be? More money is needed!"

The two then got together to haggle, and in the end, Lucien used his shares in a phosphate mine in Morocco, which was still in the hands of the Barbary Pirates, to gain Lavoisier's support.

Next came the formal performance. As arranged by Lucien, the invitations to the French Academy of Sciences came from several Italy universities, including the prestigious University of Bologna, the University of Padua, the University of Naples Federico II, and the University of Siena.

Among these, the University of Bologna is the world's oldest university with a complete system that has developed to this day. Founded in 1088, it has produced many famous figures and enjoys a very high academic reputation. Dante, Petrarch, Dürer, Erasmus, Goldoni Copernicus, and others all studied or taught here, earning it the title of "Mother of Universities." Today, this university is also home to the Northern Italian Republic Academy of Sciences. Therefore, its invitation actually represents the Northern Italian Republic Academy of Sciences, and even the government of the Northern Italian Republic.

Moreover, since almost all of Italy is now under France control, security here is guaranteed.

When these Italy universities jointly extended the invitation, Joseph, the president of the French Academy of Sciences, immediately made a decision for political reasons. "We must send a delegation of sufficient weight and sincerity."

So he immediately appointed several of his students and assistants, such as Gauss Ohm, and personally visited Mr. Lavoisier, hoping that Lavoisier could lead the team there.

"Joseph, why don't you go yourself?" Lavoisier asked.

"Oh, Fanny is pregnant again. I can't leave at this time," Joseph said.

How many months pregnant is Fanny?

"Two months."

"Well, then you'll need to help look after her," Lavoisier said.

"You're looking after her? What can you possibly look after her for?" Madame Lavoisier suddenly retorted. "Which of you men knows how to take care of someone?"

Joseph couldn't really refute that, because he really wasn't very good at taking care of people.

"Oh dear, Fanny is pregnant. So who's taking care of Alice now?" Lavoisier asked.

"Fanny is with her," Joseph answered honestly. Fanny's mother had passed away, and her father, Lavoisier's brother, had always been in poor health and couldn't help.

"See, I told you so. You men shouldn't talk about taking care of women. Maybe Fanny is the one taking care of you now. Oh dear, Alice still as mischievous as before?"

"Ah, Alice is much better than before, much quieter, just like her mother," Joseph replied.

"God help me, it's fine if she looks a bit like her aunt, but I hope her personality doesn't resemble hers." Madame Lavoisier was always very direct.

"Sigh, Fanny is pregnant and has to take care of Alice. Hmm, how about this, when I go to Italy, I'll take Alice with me, so Fanny can have a little easier time," Lavoisier said.

Joseph knew that Lavoisier adored his daughter. Fanny used to sometimes take Alice to Lavoisier's vineyards for several days. However, Alice hadn't traveled far from home much before, so he was still a little hesitant.

"How about I go back and discuss it with Fanny?" Joseph finally said.

Upon returning home, Joseph told his wife about Mr. Lavoisier's suggestion.

"Going with Mr. Lavoisier would be reassuring. Hmm, Fanny, what do you think?" Joseph asked.

"Why don't we ask Alice?" Fanny said.

So the two of them called Alice, who was chasing butterflies in the garden, over, told her about it, and then asked her, "Alice, would you like to go?"

"Italy? Hmm, is that the place with the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa where Galileo threw the iron ball, the story of Romeo and Juliet, and Venice with its rivers and boats everywhere? I've wanted to go for ages. Auntie says it's so much fun there!" Alice clapped her hands.

So, Lavoisier's plan to take Alice on a trip to Italy was finalized. To broaden his daughter's horizons, Joseph even personally took time to explain all the fun and unique things about Italy to her, making Fanny a little jealous.