Goal-Digger's Thesis (IV)

Joseph knew that Coulomb was actually quite skeptical about his so-called independent research on "descriptive geometry", but perhaps it was the real creator of "descriptive geometry", Monge, who was a child prodigy, so he was less skeptical about other child prodigies creating similar techniques at an age similar to his own years.

Joseph did study descriptive geometry in his previous life, and he was sure that after centuries of development, the descriptive geometry of later times must have developed more compared to the descriptive geometry of this time. He did not know, however, how far the original descriptive geometry of Monge had been developed. After thinking about it, Joseph felt that some of the techniques of projective transformation were mostly developed in later times, so he recalled them carefully in his mind and then added some of this part and talked about it in detail.

The Duke of Orléans listened with interest until Joseph had finished one part of his speech and stopped for the moment when he asked Monge: "Mr. Monge, how does Joseph's method compare to yours?"

"Mostly the same." Monge said. He looked at the group after he finished, suddenly realizing that his words might have meant to imply that Joseph hadn't come up with the descriptive geometry on his own, and hastened to add another sentence: "But there are still some things that aren't quite the same, such as the projection transformations he employs in how he approaches the maps are very interesting and something I hadn't thought of before. The map will work better when drawn this way. Mr. Bonaparte has created a method that, while basically the same as mine in principle, is even better than mine in terms of practicality. Mr. Bonaparte, you are truly a genius in mathematics!"

Monge's method of painting geometry has been content of confidentiality, so even on the side of the several previous, they actually did not have much contact. At this time, everyone heard what Monge said, naturally dispelled the suspicion.

"Joseph, what a surprise, you are actually a math genius. Well, I think I heard last time that you were still in middle school? At ..." Duke Chartres suddenly couldn't remember exactly which middle school he was in.

"It is the Louis-le-Grand, Your Highness the Duke. Joseph and my nephew Armand were classmates." Lavoisier added from the sidelines with a smile. 

"Right, right. That's the last time I saw him with Armand." Duke Chartres looked at Joseph with an appreciative eye and said, "It is truly a blessing for France to have such young men springing up constantly. It's just that it's so unfair to make such achievements and not get the credit they deserve, or even live in poverty. I think we should give Joseph a little compensation for that."

Condorcet said with a nod: "I think that this paper of Joseph's is at least highly discussable and should win this time with a prize of six hundred francs." 

Because the Duke of Orleans mentioned compensation, even Coulomb and Monge didn't object.

"That's too little." Duke Chartres was less than pleased.

"Your Highness the Duke, you don't have to worry, such a talent won't be buried." Condorcet said, "When this paper is published, as well as the speed-of-light experiments completed, I think Joseph will be able to get a professorship at the University of Paris, or even a position here. Well, Joseph, I hear you're due to graduate soon. How about it, interested? I can give you a letter of recommendation."

Before Joseph had a chance to speak, Monge jumped ahead: "Joseph is very talented at descriptive geometry, but it's a skill that's kept secret. He would not be able to study these very easily if he went to the University of Paris. That would be a real pity. The École Militaire in Paris was looking for a teacher who could teach descriptive geometry, and they entrusted me with the task of recommending an expert to them. Why don't I and Mr. Laplace together recommend him to teach mathematics at the École Militaire in Paris. I think it needs to be a little better. And I was able to get him a larger stipend, and definitely more in terms of income than at the University of Paris. Joseph, what do you think?"

In terms of reputation alone, the University of Paris is certainly more prestigious. But when it comes to income, it is true, as Monge says, that teaching at the École Militaire in Paris would have paid a little more. In addition, Joseph knew that a revolution was about to break out, in which all sorts of forces were on the stage on both sides of the fence; today, on the streetlight pole hung the royalists, and tomorrow, on top of the guillotine are today's revolutionaries. The University of Paris, on the other hand, is the place where various political schools of thought converge. If one arrives here, one may be drawn uncontrollably into the political struggle for whatever reason. By contrast, the Paris École Militaire is much safer. And when he enters the military system, he will be able to make some necessary preparations for the future.

With that in mind, Joseph turned to Monge: "Mr. Condorcet, thank you very much for your recommendation. I think I'd prefer Mr. Monge's suggestion, though. My father has just passed away and I have a couple of younger brothers at home who have to go to school, and I am in great need of money right now. And my brother Napoleon happens to be at the Paris École Militaire. He's a troublemaker, and I think I can keep a better eye on him when I'm there."

When they heard this, they all burst out laughing together. Duke Chartres said while laughing, "It seems like all the older brothers always think their younger brothers are troublemakers. I can imagine what it's like to be a younger brother going into a classroom and realizing that the teacher up there is actually your older brother ..." 

"Let's get back to the light speed experiment." Lavoisier spoke up.

"Okay, let's continue ..."

...

Two more days after this visit, Joseph received by messenger an official letter from the French Academy of Sciences informing him that he had won a merit and a prize of six hundred francs for his thesis.

These bonuses made Joseph's life a lot easier all of a sudden. After two more days, he received another letter from Monge. In this thick letter, Monge tells Joseph that the Academy of Sciences has completed its preparations for the speed-of-light experiment and is ready to carry it out at one of the Duke of Orleans' chateaux on the evening of ten days from now - there is no moon that night.

At the end of the letter, Monge tells Joseph that he recommended him along with Laplace. He believes that he will receive an official letter from the École Militaire in Paris in a few days. Just as soon as he graduates, he'll be able to report to the École Militaire in Paris.

Joseph was very proud to get the letter, but it was a pity that Napoleon was not around to show it off to him. However, it would be nice to suddenly show up in uniform in the same classroom where Napoleon was taking his classes. One could also point Napoleon up to the blackboard for the puzzle. It's really, really fun to think about.

On top of that, with live money in his hand all of a sudden, Joseph immediately remembered that he must celebrate this with someone. Joseph calculated that if he went inside the restaurant and spent two francs, he could have a nice, mouth-watering meal. Consider, though, that Napoleon wasn't there, and leaving his brother behind and going off on his own was not something Joseph could do. So he had to keep putting up with it for a little while, and the good news was that the next weekend wasn't for a few days. When the weekend comes, it's time to take Napoleon out for a big dinner.

It was unfortunate that several restaurants were on Joseph's way to school. Those restaurants weren't exactly high class and weren't particularly expensive- at least, that's how it seemed to Joseph, who nowadays had several hundred francs in his pocket. In the old days, Joseph passed by this area on his way to school and often smelled the aroma of broth wafting out of these restaurants. But at that point, Joseph didn't even have a single coin in his pocket, so the allure of the scent of that broth didn't seem particularly strong, and at best, it caused Joseph to gulp, then hold his breath and pick up the pace. But this time, things were a little different, and with money in my pocket and the possibility of actually going for a meal, the smell of those broths became more and more irresistible. Joseph tried to pick up his pace, but the broth seemed to turn into elastic ropes that bound him and worked to pull him backward. It took a lot of effort for Joseph to manage to fight his way out, only to arrive at school late for class for the first time in his life. Luckily, being too nearsighted, the teacher didn't notice him, giving him a chance to sneak into the classroom.

And so it was that it was easy to make it to the weekend, and usually, Napoleon would hike over to Joseph's after school - it was less expensive. Considering the walking distance, when he arrived, it would have been about five o'clock in the afternoon, just in time for a meal in a restaurant. Joseph told Father Jean Jacques early on that they would all go out for a nice dinner tonight when Napoleon came over, so today, including Father Jean Jacques, there would be no need to nibble on black bread.

It wasn't until almost seven o'clock, however, that Napoleon made his way slowly and leisurely to Joseph, and by this time, all the restaurants on the street were closed - this was not, after all, an era of abundant nightlife. And Father Jean Jacques, long too hungry to wait, got himself half a stick of leftover dry bread and ate it with water. 

"Why are you so late?" Joseph asked, holding back his displeasure.

"A guy bought me a meal." Napoleon said.

"Damn, you actually ate dinner?" A hungry Joseph could barely suppress his anger, "Wait ... someone actually invited you to dinner? I've heard you're not well-liked at school?"

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

"But I am still hungry ..." Because of his hunger, Joseph couldn't even bring himself to show off his prize to Napoleon.

"You were waiting for me so you could finish dinner together?" Napoleon was taken aback, "Isn't it just two brown breads? What's the point of waiting?"

"Well, tomorrow you'll have black bread!" Joseph said through gritted teeth.