May 29, 1770, the third day after Lawrence met with the Duke of Richelieu.

After meeting the Duke of Richelieu at the Comédie de Paris, Lawrence also realized that he was completely involved in the partisan dispute between the Duke of Richelieu and the Duke of Choiseul.

Although Lawrence had expected that the Duke of Richelieu would probably keep all the treaties he had negotiated with the Duke of Choiseul in order to win over him, including the matters negotiated between the National Silver Company and the British.

But the attitude of the Duke of Richelieu that day was undoubtedly sure that Lawrence would not fall to the side of the Duke of Choiseul, so he wanted to suppress the benefits obtained by Lawrence and Corsica to the minimum.

In a sense, the Duke of Richelieu was right, and the Duke of Choiseul was becoming increasingly unpopular with Louis XV, and a shrewd and insider-aware politician would undoubtedly choose to take sides between the two dukes.

The Duke of Richelieu was therefore determined that Lawrence would not continue to follow the Duke of Choiseul, so he did not make any sincere conditions for Lawrence.

"It's essentially a matter of taking sides politically..."

Lawrence lay in the sofa chair, the expression on his face cloudy, and he held his forehead and pondered:

"There is no third way, it is completely impossible to protect one's life, and what is left in front of you is a choice between two or the other, whether to accept the Duke of Richelieu's conditions in humiliation and join him, or choose to help the Duke of Schuiseul, who is obviously declining."

Rationally, Lawrence knew that the risk of defecting to the Duke of Richelieu was the lowest, because this was the course of history, and even if Lawrence stood idly by, the Duke of Choiseul would soon fall.

However, after the fall of the Duke of Choiseul, Lawrence did not know how the powerful Duke of Richelieu would treat the treaty with Corsica, and whether he would change even the most basic terms, and did not want to gamble.

In that case, the only reasonable option is the only one.

"Maybe... It's time for the sword to go sideways. ”

A glint flashed in Lawrence's eyes, and he secretly made up his mind, and immediately got up from the sofa chair, went to the study, wrote a letter of visitation, and called the old butler of the mansion and commanded:

"Please send this letter to the Duke of Choiseul, as soon as possible."

"I see."

The old butler took the letter, but did not leave at once, but reminded Lawrence:

"By the way, the same Monsieur Lavoisier whom you decided to meet three days ago is expected to visit in the afternoon, and you should start changing your formal clothes."

"Lavoisier? Oh, of course, I almost forgot about it. ”

Lawrence was stunned for a moment before he reacted, it was really because the affairs of the Duke of Richelieu and the Duke of Choiseul really occupied too much of Lawrence's energy.

However, Lawrence was still very interested in meeting this famous chemist.

This was not only to satisfy Lawrence's personal interests, but also because Lavoisier's appearance would present a great opportunity for the Corsican National Silver Company in Lawrence's plan.

......

"Oh my God, what a magnificent and beautiful mansion."

On the Champs-Élysées on the banks of the Seine, a tall and thin young man wearing a silver wig stopped in place, looked at the mansion where Lawrence lived from afar, and couldn't help but sigh.

He was dressed in a somewhat old black gown and carried a silver cane that did not correspond to his age.

I am afraid that no passer-by will be able to see that this young man named Lavoisier, who is only twenty-six years old, is actually a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris, and will write a strong mark in the history of science.

Lavoisier was now nervously hesitating in place, pondering for a moment how to speak to the Bonaparte.

A few days earlier, Lavoisier had been surprised by Lawrence's reply, and he had sent the letter of visit just by chance, not expecting to receive a reply from Lawrence.

Moreover, Lavoisier had heard that several letters of visit from nobles and proprietors who were much more prominent than his own had been lost, but he had received a reply, which made Lavoisier feel a little nervous and uncomfortable (this chapter is not finished!). )

Chapter 149: A Secret Deal with Lavoisier

Pampered.

While Lavoisier was still standing at the door with some hesitation, the old butler of the mansion had noticed him, came out of his own accord, bowed to him, and said:

"You're Monsieur Lavoisier, aren't you? Monsieur Bonaparte is already waiting for you in the reception room, so please come with me. ”

"Oh, oh, of course."

Seeing this, Lavoisier did not have time to think about it, so he quickly took off his hat and tucked it under his armpit, and followed the old butler through the path full of busts, and into the mansion.

The living room is brightly lit, with the soft afternoon sunlight shining through a large floor-to-ceiling window, and you can even sit here and see the sparkling and glittering Seine River.

"Ah, Monsieur Lavoisier, you are here, please sit at will."

Lawrence, who was lying on the sofa with his eyes closed, noticed the movement on the side, and when he opened his eyes, he saw the young man in front of him who was a little restrained and nervous, so he pointed to the large row of sofas next to him and said with a smile.

"Well, good afternoon, Lord Bonaparte, thank you."

Lavoisier said, and quickly found a seat not far from Lawrence to sit down, and then couldn't help but look at Lawrence a few more times.

After receiving Lawrence's reply at that time, Lavoisier went to inquire about Lawrence, and probably knew that this was a very young Corsican governor.

However, after the actual meeting, Lavoisier was surprised by Lawrence, who was less than twenty years old.

When Lavoisier looked at Lawrence, Lawrence was also looking at him, and Lawrence was still very interested in this indispensable figure in the history of chemistry.

And after recalling Lavoisier's memories, Lawrence could probably guess why he had come to visit him.

Although Lavoisier had a deep scientific background, on the other hand, he also had his own political and financial pursuits.

Historically, Lavoisier became more socially responsible after middle age, and his time for scientific research gradually decreased, and he also served as a member of the National Assembly.

At the same time, Lavoisier also served as a tax collector for a long time, and although this accumulated a lot of wealth for him, it was also the trigger for his later death.

Under the French tax system at that time, in the area contracted by the tax officials, they only had to pay a specified amount of tax to the state, and the excess tax could go directly into their own pockets.

Under such a system, the tax officials undoubtedly want to collect as much tax as possible, which also leads to their extremely bad image in the minds of ordinary people.

Although Lavoisier himself did not extort from the masses, after the Revolution the angry masses regarded him as one of the people who oppressed the people in taxes, and eventually guillotined him along with twenty-nine other tax collectors.

Of course, Lavoisier did not anticipate this outcome at this time, and he is now very satisfied with the status of tax collector he obtained two years ago, and wants to further expand his authority.

That's why he's in Lawrence's mansion today.

After all, in the hearts of Lavoisier and other small aristocratic merchants, Lawrence, who was so close to the Duke of Choiseul, would definitely be able to help him.

"I'm glad you've had time here, Mr. Lavoisier."

After speculating on Lavoisier's intentions, Lawrence was the first to speak:

"I've heard of you for a long time, and your views on natural philosophy are very appealing to me."

"Oh? Yes, you're also an academic? ”

Lavoisier listened to Lawrence talk about his area of expertise, and suddenly became less nervous, and asked a little excitedly.

Lawrence smiled and nodded, casually making up with his memory:

"Of course, I've even read your article, and that experiment in which you refuted the four-element theory gave me a lot of inspiration."

"Ah, yes, yes, I only published that article this year, and the experiment has been a long one, so I ...... it first."

As soon as Lavoisier talked about his experiments, he began to repeat them to Lawrence, adding a lot of dancing body language.

Even when explaining to Lawrence how vigorously he stirred the solution, Lavoisier insisted on (this chapter is not finished!). )

Chapter 149: A Secret Deal with Lavoisier

The coffee on the table was used for a presentation, and the piping hot coffee spilled directly on Lavoisier's half pants.

Lawrence, on the other hand, listened patiently and attentively, and as a mechanical engineer from later generations, Lawrence, who stood on the shoulders of giants, also heard many of Lavoisier's mistakes in this experiment.

"Whew... That's probably it, Lord Bonaparte. I'm sorry I was so excited. ”

Lavoisier exhaled after he had finished speaking, and then apologized as he quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the coffee stains on his pants.

Lawrence waved his hand absentmindedly, looked at Lavoisier and said with a smile:

"It's a clever experiment, but I think your steps and processes seem to have a lot to improve."

"Huh? Improvement? ”

Lavoisier was stunned for a moment, and even stopped wiping his hands.

"The first thing is your instrument selection and cleaning......"

Lawrence slowly and methodically stated his full opinions, from the selection of instruments to the method of operation, and finally to the selection of reagents and the principles of experimentation, although some of the suggestions were out of his time, but still caused Lavoisier to ponder.

"Shhhh Oh my God, what you said seems to make a lot of sense. ”

Lavoisier was still stunned, and even the movements of his hands were frozen a minute ago, and it was not until Lawrence had finished speaking that he slowly came back to his senses and muttered:

"Oh my god, that's true, fortunately this experiment is not that accurate, if this is a more precise experiment, the problems you said are very serious."

After that, Lavoisier looked at Lawrence very gratefully, and said in a loud voice:

"I really didn't expect that you are indeed a meticulous and astute scholar, and it is really rewarding to communicate with you."

Lawrence shook his head modestly, after all, he could see that these problems were also due to the experience of predecessors like Lavoisier, so he said unexpectedly:

"Where, your experimental process has also given me a lot of inspiration, and scholars still need to communicate with each other in order to progress."

"It's true, communication is extremely important." Lavoisier said approvingly.

However, after hearing Lavoisier's affirmation, Lawrence showed a sly smile and suddenly said:

"That's why I'd love to learn from French scholars."

Lavoisier was stunned for a moment, after all, he was not a political old fox like the Duke of Richelieu, and he didn't react to Lawrence's meaning for a while.

Lawrence was not impatient either, and continued to hint:

"If there is one of the most knowledgeable scholars in France, it is the Royal Academy of Sciences. Oh, I almost forgot, you're a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences. ”

"It's... Would you like to have a salon with the members of the Royal Academy of Sciences? I should be able to arrange..."

Lavoisier said with some hesitation, he vaguely sensed what Lawrence meant, but he did not dare to confirm it, so he had to give a rather conservative answer.

Lawrence could only chuckle and shake his head, if it was for the Duke of Choiseul or the Duke of Richelieu, they must have known what they meant from the first sentence.

"I mean..."

Lawrence said directly:

"It's nice to have a long-term relationship with them, and of course, to be a part of them."

"You want to join the Royal Academy of Sciences?"

Lavoisier suddenly realized, but then said with some concern:

"However, I have to say that it is a bit difficult, and of course I am not boasting. You need to have some well-known academic work, and you need to have a joint recommendation from three academicians, and then you have to go through a committee vote before you can be awarded the title of academician. ”

Lawrence listened to Lavoisier's explanation, and nodded unexpectedly, this system of recommendations was still widespread in later generations.

However, for Lawrence, although he has the confidence to follow the formal process of joining the Royal Academy with the scientific knowledge in his head, it will undoubtedly take a long time.

Not to mention publishing influential academic articles, it costs one (this chapter is not finished!) just to find three academicians to recommend them jointly. )

Chapter 149: A Secret Deal with Lavoisier

After all, Lawrence did not come out of college, and he had neither the recommendation of his mentor nor his connections in the academic circle.

Therefore, if Lawrence wants to become a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences as soon as possible, he still has to rely on this young man in front of him who has become famous.

That's why Laurence was the only one who received Lavoisier's letter of visit.

"Ah, that does sound a bit difficult."

Lawrence took a sip of his coffee, moistened his throat, and then suddenly changed the topic and said:

"Oh, by the way, Monsieur Lavoisier, what are you visiting me for today, we have been so happy to have forgotten about it."

"I... This..."

Lavoisier's eyes widened, and even if he was sluggish, he could hear what Lawrence wanted at this time.

Lawrence glanced at Lavoisier, who was a little hesitant and hesitant, and added, consciously or unconsciously:

"I'll be talking to the Duke of Choiseul about taxes in the area around Paris recently, and it would be nice if I could help you."

Lavoisier couldn't hide the surprise on his face, not knowing how Lawrence had guessed that he had come to ask him to expand his tax package.

"Haha..."

Lavoisier laughed dryly, he also knew that with his current channels, it would be heaven to see a character like Lawrence, and if he missed this opportunity, who knows how long he would have to wait, so he gritted his teeth and said:

"Actually, it's nothing, just a few little things about the tax-inclusive area under my name. More than that, it is your Excellency Bonaparte that worries me more about your joining the Royal Academy of Sciences. ”

"Oh? yes, didn't you just say it's a little difficult? Lawrence asked with a chuckle.

"Well, actually..."

Lavoisier thought for a moment, then squeezed out a smile and said:

"You have just demonstrated excellent academic ability, and I think there will be several academicians, including me, who are willing to recommend you."

"It's great." Lawrence nodded in satisfaction, then added:

"What about influential scholarly works? I had some brilliant ideas for experiments, but unfortunately I couldn't take a break from my official duties. ”

Lavoisier replied fluently:

"No, the advice you just gave me is very important, I think I will have to list your name as a co-author in the next few articles, including the ones that have already been published, I will also add your name, what do you think...?"

"Oh! Mr. Lavoisier, you are so kind. ”

Lawrence leaned back in the sofa relaxedly, nodded slightly, and said:

"In that case, I think your request for the expansion of the tax-inclusive area will also be taken seriously by the Duke of Choiseul."

"That's good... That's good..."

Lavoisier smiled awkwardly.

Although the two had reached an agreement, and Lavoisier had gotten what he wanted, he was not happy at all.

"Can I ask a question that might offend you?"

Lavoisier stared at Lawrence for a moment, then asked hesitantly.

"Please." Lawrence said with a wave of his hand.

"I feel that you do have the knowledge to enter the Royal Academy of Sciences openly, why use this... What an unsavory way to see it. ”

Lavoisier observed Lawrence's face and said as tactfully as he could:

"I think that's a bit of an insult to the demeanor and ethics of a scholar."

Lawrence took a big sip from his coffee cup, and did not pay attention to Lavoisier's somewhat sarcastic words, and said directly:

"Mr. Lavoisier, I am sorry if our transaction condemns your conscience. It's just that for myself, I think of myself as a mercenary politician more than an ethical scholar. ”

Chapter 149: A Secret Deal with Lavoisier