Chapter 18: Fudie's Thesis (4)

　Joseph knew that Cullen was actually quite skeptical about his so-called independent research on "pictorial geometry", but perhaps it was Monge, the real pioneer of "pictorial geometry", who was less skeptical because he was a child prodigy, so he was more skeptical about the fact that there were other child prodigies who had created similar techniques at an age similar to that of his own. He was a child prodigy, so he was less skeptical of any other child prodigy creating a similar technique at an age similar to his own.

　　Joseph had indeed studied pictorial geometry in his previous life, and he was sure that after hundreds of years of development, the pictorial geometry of later times must have been much more developed than that of this time. However, he did not know exactly how far the original pictorial geometry of Monge had developed. After thinking about it, Joseph felt that some techniques of projective transformations were mostly developed in later times, so he recalled them carefully in his mind, and then added some of this part in and talked about it in detail.

　　The Duke of Orleans listened with interest on one side, until Joseph finished one part of the lecture and stopped for the moment?when he asked Monge, "Mr. Monge, how does Joseph's method compare to yours?"

　　"About the same, by and large." Monge said. He looked at everyone after he finished speaking, and suddenly realized that his words might have meant to imply that Joseph hadn't come up with the Geometry of Drawing on his own, so he hurriedly added, "But there are still some places that aren't quite the same, for example, the projection transformation he used in how he handled the map is very interesting, and something I hadn't thought of before. The maps drawn this way will work better. Mr. Bonaparte created a method that, although 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 Drawing Geometry, has always been a confidential content, so even the ones who were beside him actually didn't have much contact with it before, at this time, when everyone heard that Monge had said so, they naturally dispelled their doubts.

　　"Joseph, I really didn't expect that you are actually a math genius. Hmm, I think I heard last time that you were still in middle school? In ... "Duke Charles suddenly couldn't recall which middle school he was actually in.

　　"It's the Louis the Great School, Your Highness the Duke. Joseph and my nephew Amand were classmates." Lavoisier added from the sidelines with a smile.

　　"Right, right. That's how I saw him and Amand together last time." Duke Charles looked at Joseph with an appreciative gaze and said, "It's truly a blessing for France to have such young people popping up constantly. It's just that it's so unfair to make such achievements and not get the honor they deserve, and even live in poverty. I feel that we should give Joseph a little compensation for this."

　　Condorcet nodded and said, "I think that this paper of Joseph's is at least extremely discussable and should be able to win this time and receive a prize of six hundred francs."

　　Because the Duke of Orleans mentioned compensation, even Cullen and Monge did not object.

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

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

　　Before Joseph had a chance to speak, Monge jumped ahead, "Joseph is very talented at drawing geometry, but it's a secret skill. If he goes to the University of Paris, he won't be able to study this very easily. That would be a real shame. The Officers' School in Paris is looking for a teacher who can teach pictorial geometry, and they've commissioned me to recommend an expert to them. Why don't I join Mr. Laplace in recommending him to teach mathematics at the Paris Military Academy? I think it would be better. And I'll be 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, of course the University of Paris is more prestigious. But in terms of income, it was true that, as Monge had said, teaching at the Officers' School in Paris would be a bit more lucrative. In addition, Joseph knew that the revolution was about to break out, in the revolution, all kinds of forces you side of the stage, today in the street lamp post hanging royalist, tomorrow above the guillotine is today's revolutionaries. And the University of Paris, is the place where all kinds of political schools converge, if you get here, you may be uncontrollably involved in the political struggle for whatever reason. In contrast, the Paris Military Academy was much safer. And after entering the military system, one could also make some necessary preparations for the future.

　　Thinking of this, Joseph then said to Monge, "Mr. Condorcet, thank you very much for your recommendation. However, I think I still prefer Mr. Monge's suggestion. My father has just passed away, and there are still a few younger brothers at home who need to study, I am in great need of money right now. And my brother Napoleon happens to be at the Paris Officers' School. He's a troublemaker, and I think I'll be able to keep a better eye on him when I'm there."

　　When they heard this, they all burst out laughing together. Duke Charles added as he laughed, "It seems like all the older brothers always think their younger brothers are troublemakers. Well, I can imagine what it's like for a younger brother to enter a classroom and find out that the teacher above him is actually his own brother ..."

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

　　"Okay, let's continue ..."

　　...

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

　　These prizes made Joseph's life much easier at once. Two days later he received another letter from Monge. In this thick letter, Monge told Joseph that the Academy of Sciences had completed preparations for the experiment on the speed of light and was ready to carry out the experiment at one of the Duke of Orleans' castles on the evening of ten days later - a moonless night.

　　At the end of the letter, Monge told Joseph that he had recommended him along with Laplace. It was believed that in a few days he would receive an official letter from the Officers' School in Paris. It was only a matter of waiting for him to report to the Paris Officer's School as soon as he graduated.

　　Getting the letter Joseph was very proud of himself, it was just a shame that Napoleon wasn't around to show him off. Still, it would be nice to suddenly appear in uniform in the classroom where Napoleon was taking his lessons. Well, it would also be possible to point Napoleon up to the blackboard to do the puzzle. That's really, really delightful to think about.

　　On top of that, with live money in his hand all of a sudden, Joseph immediately remembered that classic line from Master Lu in Water Margin: "The mouth is fading out of Neo!" Joseph calculated that if he went inside the restaurant and spent two francs, he could have a nice big meal with his mouth watering. However, Napoleon was not there, and leaving his brother to eat alone was not something that Joseph could do. So he had to keep holding back a bit, and the good thing was that the next weekend wasn't for a few days. By the time the weekend rolled around, it would be time to take Napoleon out for a big meal.

　　It was just unfortunate that there were several restaurants on Joseph's way to school. Those restaurants weren't exactly high class, and they weren't particularly expensive - at least, they seemed that way to Joseph, who nowadays had several hundred francs in his pocket. In the old days, Joseph used to smell the aroma of bouillabaisse wafting out of these restaurants when he passed by on his way to school. But back then, Joseph didn't even have a single coin in his pocket, so the allure of that broth's aroma didn't seem to be particularly strong, and at most, it would cause Joseph to gulp a mouthful of water, then hold his breath and quicken his pace. But this time, things were a little different, with money in his pocket and the possibility of actually going for a meal, the scent of those broths became more and more irresistible. Joseph tried to pick up his pace, but those broths seemed to turn into elastic ropes that bound him and worked to pull him backward. It took a lot of effort for Joseph to sort of break free, only to arrive at school late for class for the first time in his life. Luckily, the teacher was too nearsighted to notice him, giving him a chance to sneak into the classroom.

　　With that, it was easy to make it to the weekend, and normally Napoleon would have hiked over to Joseph's after school - it was less expensive. Considering the walking distance, when he arrived it would be about five o'clock in the afternoon, just in time for a meal in the restaurant. Joseph had then told Father Jean Jacques early on that they would go out for a nice meal together this evening when Napoleon came over, so there would be no need for anyone, including Father Jean Jacques, to nibble on black bread today.

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

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

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

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

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

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

　　"You were waiting for me so you could finish your meal together?" Napoleon was taken aback, "It's just two pieces of black bread? Is that worth waiting for?"

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