Chapter 18: The Devil''s Geometrical Drawing


    Joseph knew that Cullen was quite skeptical about what he called "geometric drawing," and perhaps the true pioneer of "geometric drawing" was Montgri, who, being a child prodigy himself, was less doubtful about others of his age creating simr techniques.


    In his previous life, Joseph had indeed studied geometric drawing. He believed that over hundreds of years of development, the geometric drawing of the future would certainly have seen more progresspared to what was known at this time. However, he had no idea how advanced Montgri''s original geometric drawing had be. Joseph thought for a moment and realized that some of the techniques involving projection transformation were probably developed in the future. He carefully recalled them and began to exin.


    The Duke of Orleans listened with great interest, and when Joseph temporarily paused, he turned to Montgri and asked, "Mr. Montgri, how does Joseph''s methodpare to yours?"


    "It''s quite simr," Montgri replied. After he finished, he nced around and suddenly realized that his words might imply that Joseph didn''t create the geometric drawing. He quickly added, "But there are some differences. For example, his approach to handling maps using projection transformations is very interesting, something I hadn''t thought of before. Maps created this way are more practical. Mr. Bonaparte, though his principles are fundamentally simr to mine, his method is even more practical than mine. Mr. Bonaparte, you are truly a mathematical genius!"


    Montgri''s geometric drawing had always been a well-kept secret, so even the few others in the room who hadn''t had much contact with it before were now less suspicious after hearing Montgri''s words.


    "Joseph, I never thought you were a mathematical genius. I think I heard you were still in secondary school thest time," the Duke of Charles suddenly struggled to remember which school Joseph attended.


    "It''s the School of Emperor Louis, Your Grace. Joseph and my nephew Armand are ssmates," Lavasse added with a smile.


    "Yes, that''s right. I saw him with Armand thest time," the Duke of Charles said appreciatively, looking at Joseph. "To have young people like you emerging continuously is France''s fortune. But to achieve such results and not receive the recognition you deserve, even living in poverty, that''s unfair. I think we shouldpensate Joseph for this."


    Condorcet nodded, "I believe Joseph''s thesis is highly debatable, and he should at least win thispetition and receive the 600 francs prize."


    Because the Duke of Orleans mentionedpensation, not even Cullen and Montgri opposed it.


    "That''s too little," the Duke of Charles was not satisfied.


    "Your Grace, you need not worry. Talent like this won''t be buried," Condorcet said, "Once this thesis is published, and the experiment on the speed of light ispleted, I think Joseph can secure a teaching position at the University of Paris, or even here. Joseph, I heard you''re about to graduate. Interested? I can provide you with a letter of rmendation."


    Before Joseph could reply, Montgri interjected, "Joseph has great talent in geometric drawing, but it''s a closely guarded technique. If he goes to the University of Paris, he won''t be able to conveniently research it. That would be a pity. The Paris Military Academy is looking for a teacher to instruct geometric drawing, and they''ve asked me for a rmendation. Why don''t I and Mr. Lace rmend him to the Paris Military Academy to teach mathematics? I think that''s even better. I can also secure more funding for him, and he''ll have a higher iepared to the University of Paris. Joseph, what do you think?"


    In terms of reputation alone, the University of Paris was undoubtedly more prestigious. However, when it came to ie, it was true, as Montgri said, that teaching at the Paris Military Academy would be more lucrative. Additionally, Joseph knew that a revolution was about to break out, and in a revolution, various factions jockeyed for power, with today''s royalists hanging banners onmpposts and tomorrow''s revolutionaries using the guillotine. Paris University was the center where all political currents converged, and going there might mean getting involved in uncontroble political struggles for some reason. Inparison, the Paris Military Academy was much safer. Furthermore, entering the military system would prepare him for the future.


    Thinking about all of this, Joseph said to Montgri, "Thank you very much for your rmendation, Mr. Condorcet. However, I''m more inclined to Mr. Montgri''s suggestion. My father just passed away, and I have several younger brothers who need education. I''m in great need of money right now. Besides, my younger brother, Napoleon, is at the Paris Military Academy. He''s a troublemaker, and I think I can keep a closer eye on him there."


    Upon hearing this, everyone burst intoughter. The Duke of Charles even said, "It seems like all older brothers always think their younger brothers are troublemakers. I can imagine that for the younger brother, entering the ssroom and finding that the teacher is his own older brother would be quite an experience..."


    "Let''s get back to the experiment on the speed of light," Lace interrupted.


    "Of course, let''s continue..."


    ...


    Two days after this visit, Joseph received a letter from the French Academy of Sciences, informing him that his thesis had won thepetition and awarded him 600 francs.


    This prize money made Joseph''s life considerably morefortable. Two more days passed, and he received a letter from Montgri. In this thick letter, Montgri informed Joseph that the Academy of Sciences hadpleted the preparations for the speed of light experiment. They nned to conduct the experiment ten dayster, on a moonless night, at a castle owned by the Duke of Orleans.


    At the end of the letter, Montgri told Joseph that he and Lace had rmended him. They believed that in a few days, he would receive a letter from the Paris Military Academy. Once he graduated, he could report to the academy.


    Joseph was ted upon receiving the letter, but unfortunately, Napoleon was not with him to share in his joy. However, the thought of appearing in uniform in Napoleon''s ssroom and challenging him withplex problems on the chalkboard made Joseph even happier. Just the thought brought joy.


    In addition to this, with money in hand, Joseph immediately recalled the ssic line from "Water Margin" by Lu Da: "The taste of meat is still in my mouth!" Joseph calcted that he could afford a good meal in a restaurant for just two francs. However, considering Napoleon was not around, he couldn''t leave his younger brother behind to dine alone. So, he had to endure a bit longer since the weekend was just a few days away. By the weekend, he and Napoleon could enjoy a great meal together.


    The only unfortunate part was that Joseph passed by several restaurants on his way to school, and by the standards of the time, they weren''t too expensive. The delicious aroma of meat soup wafting from those restaurants was increasingly irresistible. Joseph tried to walk faster, but the scent seemed to transform into stic ropes, pulling him back. He struggled to break free and finally arrived at school, nearlyte for ss for the first time in his life. Fortunately, the teacher, with his extremely poor eyesight, didn''t notice him and allowed him to sneak into the ssroom.


    So, he managed to endure until the weekend. Typically, Napoleon would walk to Joseph''s ce after school to save money. Considering the distance, he should arrive around 5 PM, which would be the perfect time for a good meal. Joseph had already informed Father Jacques that he and Napoleon would go out for a meal together tonight, so nobody, including Father Jacques, would need to eat dry ck bread today.


    However, Napoleon arrived quitete, nearly around 7 PM, and by this time, all the restaurants on the street had already closed. This was not an era known for its vibrant nightlife. Father Jacques, who had been too hungry to wait, had already eaten half a piece of leftover dry bread with water.


    "Why are you sote?" Joseph asked, trying to suppress his annoyance.


    "Some guy invited me to dinner," Napoleon said.


    "Damn, you actually had dinner?" Joseph, who was starving, was almost unable to contain his anger. "Wait a moment... someone actually invited you to dinner? I heard your poprity at school is quite low."


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


    "But I''m starving," Joseph said, his hunger preventing him from even being interested in showing off his prize money to Napoleon.


    "You''re waiting for me to eat together?" Napoleon was surprised. "Isn''t it just two pieces of ck bread? Do you really need to wait?"


    "Fine, you''ll eat ck bread tomorrow!" Joseph said through gritted teeth.


    Unlock exclusive early ess to more than 200 chapters before anyone else by bing a valued member of my <b>Patreon</b>munity.