The Fox of France - Chapter 359: Fishing

According to Lucien’s later description of the two British counter-espionage organizations in his memoirs, both the Sixth Army Intelligence and the Royal Anti-Espionage Investigation Group were not particularly adept at effective espionage techniques – at least not initially. Their lack of expertise in this area often led them to miss crucial points in counter-espionage efforts.

“These two departments bear too much resemblance to the police units. Their past experiences in dealing with minor thefts and misdemeanors often restricted their approach, trapping them in outdated methods. When faced with new challenges, they appeared rather clumsy. And in their attempts at gathering intelligence abroad, they often made it easier for the Ministry of Public Security—the people there suffer from similar issues as the British… (The paper trails off as a whole page isn’t enough to contain Lucien’s gripes about the Ministry of Public Security.)” — “Lucien Bonaparte’s Memoirs”

Overall, Lucien’s assessment of British intelligence agencies remained relatively objective, more reliable than his views on the French Ministry of Public Security. In the British imagination, French spies were believed to sneak into factories to inspect equipment clandestinely or disguise themselves as workers to gather information. There were even assumptions about corrupting key individuals with money or seduction, turning them into traitors for the United Kingdom. Honestly, the latter was true to some extent for the French, but it wasn’t the primary method for gathering intelligence for the Ministry of Truth.

The Ministry of Truth’s approach to intelligence gathering was overt. They collected various data through legitimate means and subjected it to comparison and analysis. Within the Ministry of Truth, the department engaging in these activities boasted the highest manpower and consumed the most resources.

Their first focus was on procuring information about various supplies and their prices. The British had little knowledge of how much the French could discern from such information, hence keeping it unguarded. Through the procurement details, the Ministry of Truth acquired its first crucial information:

There was no evidence indicating British purchases of materials necessary for the production of alkaline refractory materials. Hence, it was inferred that the British were likely still using acidic refractory materials.

Furthermore, agents of the Ministry of Truth secured some slag from the Lorraine Steel Factory through commercial means. At that time, this slag was considered waste and often sold to enterprises requiring such material. By this method, the Ministry effortlessly obtained some slag from the Lorraine Steel Factory. Chemical analysis of this slag revealed almost every detail of the British steel refining technology.

The slag from Britain was sent to the laboratories of the Lorraine Steel Factory. Within days, the conclusions reached the hands of the brothers.

“As we had anticipated, the British utilize an acidic lining for their steel refining furnaces. This means they are very selective with their ores. If they were to use our Lorraine iron ore, they’d end up with heaps of scrap steel. However, their iron ore, well…” Joseph sighed, “In terms of luck, the British have lower sulfur content in their iron ore compared to ours. So, they can manage with their acidic refining. From this data, their steel might not be of top quality, but it’s functional.”

“What about their production costs?” Napoleon inquired. Currently, that was the most critical query.

“The costs should be relatively high,” Lucien responded. “Judging from the quantity of slag processed, we can deduce their output. Their furnaces are too small, resulting in low production, naturally leading to higher costs. Even their pig iron is surprisingly expensive. Based on this, I estimate…”

Lucien mentioned a figure, prompting Napoleon to lean back, closer to the thick cushioned backrest. “What’s going on with the British? This cost is much higher than even our earliest experimental furnaces, let alone comparing it to our regular ones. This is… Well, the British’s commercial representatives for negotiations should be arriving soon?”

“Tomorrow, a British trade delegation is due to arrive in Paris. Do we reveal some of this information to Talleyrand?” Lucien asked.

“We can inform him partially, but nothing precise. Just let him know that we’re aware the British can refine steel but at significantly higher costs than us. And convey that we wish to dominate their domestic steel market through ‘free trade,’ restricting their steel industry primarily to military use,” Napoleon said. “Additionally, Lucien, keep an eye on British technological advancements. Our strategy will involve introducing slightly superior products into the market wherever the British make breakthroughs, preventing their investments from yielding substantial returns.

“Joseph, what about your task? The reason the British catch up swiftly in technology is due to institutions like Cambridge and Oxford. I recall you mentioning ways to lure scientifically and technically inclined individuals from worldwide, including Britain, to France, thereby weakening their scientific research capabilities. How’s that progressing?”

“Why should you worry about my affairs?” Joseph retorted. “Since when is it your turn to oversee my work?”

Despite his words, Joseph continued, “Currently, the situation in Britain seems a bit better. In the past few years, Paris University’s annual enrollment has increased by over twenty percent. This surge is especially prominent in science and engineering disciplines. Where are these students coming from? Apart from the local French students, they’re predominantly from other European countries. The number of foreign students, especially those in science and engineering, has been increasing by forty-five percent annually. Other countries can’t offer as many job opportunities for graduates, so these students, particularly those in technical fields, mostly stay in France.

“Moreover, our affiliated companies support education across Europe under the guise of charity. We’ve established over twenty universities in Italy, the Rhineland, Prussia, Austria, slowly over time. These universities receive our financial backing, providing full scholarships for talented yet financially constrained students.

“Oh, and this scholarship is even named after you, Napoleon. Those less affluent yet talented students can apply, recommended by their teachers, and complete their education without spending a penny. They might even get opportunities for further education at Paris University. Naturally, as a return, they are obliged to work for the sponsoring companies for a certain period—currently set at five years—considering their age upon graduation, during which they’re likely to settle in France. Besides, those studying technical fields who leave France will likely find their skills undervalued elsewhere.”

Upon hearing the scholarship’s name, Napoleon seemed pleased, but he inquired, “Um, Joseph, why wasn’t I informed beforehand about naming the scholarship after me?”

“I was busy,” Joseph replied. “Besides, it’s just a name; what does it have to do with you? Do I really need to inform you beforehand? If you’re unwilling, we can name it after Lucien instead. Lucien, any objections?”

“No, none at all. I have no objections,” Napoleon hastily interjected, shooting a warning glance at Lucien, signaling him not to say anything reckless.

“Well, there you have it,” Joseph said. “Additionally, we plan to award a grand prize globally, under the auspices of the French Academy of Sciences, to scientists who make outstanding contributions in the field of science. It will be an annual event with a prize of half a million francs, quite substantial, but undoubtedly carrying significant publicity. We aim to have four categories: mathematics, physics, chemistry, and medicine. The prize will be called…”

Napoleon immediately widened his eyes, sitting up straight.

“It’ll be called the ‘Prometheus’ Prize,” Joseph said. “Prometheus, who brought the fire of civilization to mankind, is a symbol of scientific exploration and the advancement of civilization. Therefore, using His name is perfect. So, what do you think, Napoleon?”

“I… You ask if I approve, of course, I do. Hmm, ‘I make mankind unable to foresee death, I place blind hope in their hearts, and I also give them fire.'” Napoleon recited two lines from the tragedy ‘Prometheus Bound.’

“Then it’s settled,” Joseph said.

Napoleon felt a slight reluctance, but he knew that if this award were to be named after a person, Joseph was undoubtedly more qualified than he was.

“Also, I’ve organized a ‘University Scientific Ranking,'” Joseph added. “It’s basically based on the number of papers published by scholars from various universities in the ‘Nature’ journal of the French Academy of Sciences over the years, as well as the citations these papers received. Since ‘Nature’ often features significant breakthroughs and pays exceptionally well—much higher than journals in other countries—even scholars from foreign schools are willing to publish their findings in it. Based on this, Paris University naturally has overwhelming advantages, but the two British schools also perform well. This is a good thing, indicating that the authority of ‘Nature’ has gained recognition, even from the British.”

“Then we consider openness, such as the number of international students and foreign professors. In this regard, French universities have even more evident advantages over schools in other countries. I’m sure that before long, including the British, universities across Europe will become our fishpond,” Joseph explained.

This approach became quite common in later years. In Joseph’s previous life, the Angsa people used a similar strategy, placing Melbourne University, Singapore University, and Hong Kong University far ahead of Tokyo University, which had 11 Nobel laureates. They played the game of turning other countries into their fishponds.

For a considerable time, the best students in the Red Hare Country were almost all taken away by them. If they hadn’t later taken the path of industrialization, leading to a lack of domestic positions for engineering talents from around the world, this situation might have continued. Until Joseph crossed over, some of the world’s largest democratic countries were still proudly showcasing themselves as fishponds, proud that the highest-ranking wage earners in American companies were taken from their pond. Therefore, Joseph had a deep-seated vigilance against financial players, a sentiment originating from his previous life.

Napoleon nodded after listening. Joseph’s plan was quite perfect. Generally, in Joseph’s business scope, there wasn’t much for Napoleon to comment on. However, many times, he didn’t understand how his brother’s mind worked.

“In general, a person’s intellectual and physical energy is limited. Especially in scientific research, it consumes both mental and physical energy! Look at Joseph’s assistant Gauss. He’s exceptionally intelligent, almost non-human in his thinking speed. But even Gauss has nearly exhausted his mental energy in research, to the point that he often faces simple life problems,” Joseph explained. “But Joseph, he not only engages in scientific research but also studies military affairs, does business, plays political conspiracies. What’s more, he excels in everything, playing each to an astonishing level. In science, people already say he’s the greatest scientist since Newton. In military matters, even Napoleon has to admit that he changed the entire face of war. Speaking of business, he now controls the world’s largest consortium, with his influence extending to every corner of the world. As for political conspiracies—of course, this scoundrel won’t admit he engages in conspiracies. He shamelessly claims to play open and honest strategies, like playing chess, never hiding anything, making every move clear to the opponent and making them helpless—like the set we just went through. Fortunately, this guy isn’t so skilled at chess; it’s almost his most obvious flaw. You know, this guy, how can he be so unscientific? Fortunately, he’s my big brother, and we share the Bonaparte surname…”

Just as Napoleon was bored with these silly thoughts, Joseph spoke again.

“Lucian, the selection for the first Prometheus Award is about to begin. You need to generate interest in this matter, not only in academic circles or among respectable people but throughout Europe. Everyone should know about it, even if they’re illiterate and can’t recognize a single letter. Can you do it?”

“If you raise the prize money to one million francs, there’s no problem at all,” Lucian said. “Fifty thousand is a big number, but compared to one million, the impact is much less.”

Lucian’s argument made sense. Indeed, fifty thousand was already a substantial amount, something most people wouldn’t earn in their lifetime, or even in several lifetimes. However, when people described someone as wealthy, they usually liked to say they were a ‘millionaire.’ Who ever heard of a ‘fifty-thousandaire’? A prize that instantly turned someone into a millionaire was much more stimulating than turning them into a ‘fifty-thousandaire.’

“If you raise the prize to four million at once, there’s no problem, but you need to allocate more funds to the Academy,” Joseph suggested.

“Ah, this issue…” Napoleon felt that matters involving small sums of money were better not decided hastily; they needed careful consideration. Well, this matter required thorough consideration.

“You guys are fools!” Lucian disdainfully said. “Joseph, do you remember the story you told about the Indian who raised monkeys? In the morning, he gave three apples, and in the evening, he gave four apples; or was it in the morning, he gave four apples, and in the evening, he gave three apples?”

Joseph was momentarily puzzled.

“Whether you tell the story or I tell it, it doesn’t matter. This kind of monkey business that Indians are good at, can’t you guys do it? We can stagger the four awards. This year, give out awards for mathematics and physics; next year, give out awards for medicine and chemistry. This way, we only need to award two prizes each year, and the total prize money for each year is already two million. Isn’t this a millionaire prize every year? And this way, although it becomes biennial, it still maintains annual awards and annual excitement. You see, isn’t this excellent! You guys, even playing monkey business, don’t know how. Truly foolish, truly…” Lucian suddenly became proud.

“Napoleon, what do you think about Lucian’s idea?”” Joseph asked.

“Lucian has a bit of cleverness,” Napoleon said disdainfully. However, although his tone was disdainful, he did not express any opposition. Obviously, Napoleon himself thought that this approach was quite good.

So Lucian’s suggestion was quickly approved. Then, Lucian, who could handle it, immediately rushed back to his office—some luxurious office in the Red Mill—and began to arrange related matters.