Chapter 104: Toulon 2

 "Joseph, would you like to be in charge of managing military production?" Carnot raised his head from the documents and looked at Joseph.

"Yes, Lazar." Joseph replied, "Right now, things are gradually getting back on track in other military aspects, but our military production is still in complete chaos. There are issues like cutting corners, poor quality, and various problems popping up one after another. It has seriously hindered our army. Although the Committee of Public Safety has dispatched some envoys to supervise military production, most of these envoys are ignorant of technology and production, and it's challenging for them to be of much help."

"More than just not being of much help? We should be thankful they don't make things worse. What can they do besides chasing after troublemakers and causing chaos?" Carnot remarked. He had a more straightforward and truthful character. Carnot's comment was grounded in recent events where a Committee of Public Safety envoy was sent to a munitions factory, and upon arrival, they started hunting down saboteurs, leading to the hanging of a significant portion of the factory's engineers. Before the envoy arrived, the factory's issues were limited to slow production and unstable quality. But after their intervention, the factory stopped production altogether. Of course, it wouldn't be fair to say the envoy accomplished nothing – at least, after their visit, the factory never produced any subpar cannons.

"So, what are your thoughts on this matter?" Carnot asked.

"I propose establishing an organization like this." Joseph handed a document to Carnot. "This organization would consist of the 'Military Technology Laboratory' and the 'Military Technology Inspection Department.'"

Carnot accepted the document and began to read it carefully. Joseph found a chair and sat down, even signaling for Carnot's aide to pour him a cup of coffee.

Carnot was a fast reader, so by the time Joseph leisurely finished his coffee, Carnot raised his head from the document.

"This is a good idea," Carnot said, "Setting up a 'Military Technology Laboratory' for technical research and standard development and a 'Military Technology Inspection Department' with dedicated technical representatives stationed in military production enterprises to oversee the process. All products must be approved by the representatives of the inspection department before they can be sold to the army. This idea is excellent, much better than sending clueless envoys to military factories. But... Joseph, have you thought about the fact that we lack enough people in our military who can handle these responsibilities?"

"There is a solution," Joseph replied. "We can recruit and train individuals capable of this work. With so many students in Paris University, their level of knowledge, with a bit of training, will be sufficient for such tasks. The critical issue, however, is keeping these technical representatives in check. Lazar, I've heard that anyone with power will naturally try to expand their boundaries and is prone to abusing their authority. Judging product quality involves a significant exercise of power, with significant economic interests at stake. So, we need a way to supervise these technical representatives."

"They are military personnel. If the technical representatives fail to identify quality issues and the military discovers them, they can be dealt with through military law," Carnot explained. "Does the laboratory have enough researchers?"

"Not yet, but we can recruit more," Joseph replied. "You know, the Academy of Sciences has been dissolved, and some academicians are not in a good position anymore."

Carnot fixed his gaze on Joseph for a moment, then said, "Joseph, your intuition is quite keen. You've even noticed that Lavoisier's situation isn't looking good. He might not even be aware of it himself. I know Mr. Lavoisier is your friend, but there's an economic case involving him, and 'Le Père Duchesne' is attacking him. You know the background of that newspaper..."

'Le Père Duchesne' was a far-left, radical newspaper associated with Hébert, who took over from Marat after Marat's death. In this new role, Hébert replaced the previously popular 'Friend of the People' newspaper, becoming the most significant voice of the common people.

Compared to Marat, Hébert was less capable. Marat, despite his extreme and abrasive character, possessed profound insights and a keen political sense. Hébert, in these aspects, paled in comparison to Marat. So, while Marat claimed that saving the Republic required chopping off the heads of a hundred thousand merchants, Hébert insisted that the entire class of businessmen were parasites on the people and should be hung from lampposts. Marat argued that the proportion of malefactors among the educated class was high (as at the time, educated individuals were typically the wealthy); Hébert contended that the educated were all scoundrels, and the revolutionary France didn't need scientists.

This made Lavoisier a target, as he was well-known, and taking him down could bring significant attention. However, he also lacked much political influence, and due to his imprudent financial activities, he had left numerous vulnerabilities. It was said that, during Marat's time, many people encouraged him to go after Lavoisier. But, despite his personal grudges, Marat understood Lavoisier's value. Now, eager to inherit Marat's legacy, Hébert pointed his guns at Lavoisier.

"I'm doing this not only because Lavoisier is my friend. Lazar, you should know that Mr. Lavoisier used to be our political opponent. He was a Brissotin, and even among the Brissotins, he was considered relatively conservative. I also know that Mr. Lavoisier is quite greedy. In the chaotic market, he has engaged in some disruptive activities. But... but, Lazar, Mr. Lavoisier is the greatest scientist in all of France. A mind like his could be taken in a second, but to grow another one like it might take a hundred years. Mr. Lavoisier is invaluable! Think about it – if his explosives can be further developed and loaded into artillery shells, all the feudal lords in Europe will tremble under our guns. Even now, if we calculate Mr. Lavoisier's contributions as positive and his wrongdoings as negative, I dare say the total would still be a vast positive number, much greater than most revolutionaries!"

"Joseph, don't get too excited. I understand your point, and I agree with your thoughts," Carnot said. "But do you really believe that hiding him in the 'Military Technology Laboratory' will save him? Do you think that, once the Committee of Public Safety issues an arrest warrant, the doors of the 'Military Technology Research Institute' can stop those people?"

"In that case, let Mr. Lavoisier die in a laboratory accident, without a trace," Joseph said. "After all, research related to explosives can easily lead to such results."

Carnot knew that when Joseph suggested Mr. Lavoisier's death in a laboratory accident, it wasn't a genuine wish to see him dead. Instead, it was a way to turn him into a nameless, faceless figure, thus offering him protection.

"Joseph, I understand your intentions. But you must know that anything you can think of, Hébert... Hébert probably can't think of. However, your actions won't be a complete surprise to him. When he figures it out, he will hate you with a passion," Carnot said in a hushed voice.

"Let him hate me! A man must have his enemies. If he has no one who hates him, he is a failure!" Joseph replied firmly.

Carnot stood up, his eyes fixed on Joseph, and the intensity of his gaze left Joseph wondering about his true intentions.

"Well said, Joseph. I'm too weak compared to you. A true warrior doesn't flaunt his bravery, like a fierce fighting dog, not barking everywhere – just like Hébert! As long as I'm in this position, Hébert, the rabid dog, won't be able to infiltrate our military!" Carnot proclaimed.

In truth, Carnot overestimated Joseph because he was unfamiliar with the historical context of the previous world. Joseph feared Robespierre, Danton, and Marat but wasn't aware of Saint-Just (never heard of him before) and had no knowledge of Hébert (who are you?).

After saying this, Carnot took a few brisk steps in the room and then stopped, turning to Joseph. He said, "Find a suitable location for the laboratory, preferably far from Paris. And find an opportunity to arrange a secret meeting between Mr. Lavoisier and me. He probably doesn't even know he's become a target."

"Thank you, General. There are no words to express my gratitude to you," Joseph hastily saluted.

"Joseph, your gratitude is not necessary for others' affairs. You're a man of morality and trustworthiness!" Carnot thought to himself, but he said, "Joseph, I recall you've mentioned that your fondest wish is to stay in the laboratory. Now, your scheme has succeeded! You are a hypocrite who abuses your power for personal gain!"

"Hahaha, Lazar, you've seen through me! I just love seeing you envy me," Joseph laughed heartily.