After returning from the "Saint Martha's Society," Lionel went directly to Zola's villa in Meudon.
Mr. and Mrs. Zola had returned from their seaside holiday yesterday, and the Meudon villa was bustling once again.
Upon seeing Lionel, Alice and Patty were both pleasantly surprised, especially asking about Lionel's health.
Lionel assured them that he had fully recovered and there was no need to worry.
Subsequently, he took Mr. Zola to the relatively quiet living room and told him about the "Saint Martha's Society" and Alice.
Lionel said to Zola with some apology,
"Émile, Alice will probably have to stay here with you for a while longer, until I resolve the matter with the 'Saint Martha's Society'..."
Zola was startled:
"Resolve the 'Saint Martha's Society'? What do you intend to do?"
Lionel showed a mocking expression:
"They think this is how they can control me? What a joke..."
Zola quickly asked,
"Do you have a plan? Do you need my help?"
Lionel shook his head:
"Right now, I only have a preliminary idea, not yet mature enough.
Heh... I will definitely 'cooperate well' with the Church and give them a surprise..."
Zola patted his shoulder:
"Alice can stay here as long as she wants, don't worry."
Lionel nodded and embraced him lightly:
"Thank you, Émile, you have always been the most benevolent among us..."
Leaving the living room, Lionel called Alice aside again and explained the situation.
Alice was greatly frightened, even offering to "turn herself in," but Lionel's gentle and resolute tone reassured her.
He even had the presence of mind to joke:
"You're the best copyist in all of Paris, I can't bear to let you become a nun."
Only then did Alice relax.
It wasn't until after dinner at the Meudon villa that Lionel took the train back to Paris.
——————
Just as Lionel was plotting to "cooperate well with the Church," the belated autumn breeze finally swept away Paris's heat and stench.
After a torrential downpour, the Seine River once again became clear.
Although there was still a week until the Sorbonne opened, Paris's autumn social season had already begun.
Lionel hadn't expected his first invitation to come from — Chen Jitong.
The translator for the Envoy to Britain and France personally delivered the invitation to his door.
Compared to when they met in the Sorbonne auditorium a few months ago, he was still elegant and his queue was meticulously combed.
Chen Jitong smiled:
"Mr. Sorel, I hope I haven't interrupted your work."
Lionel quickly replied courteously:
"Mr. Chen, what an unexpected surprise. Please come in!"
The two sat down in the living room, and Chen Jitong took out an exquisite invitation from his pocket and handed it over:
"I am here on behalf of the new Marquis Zeng Jize, Envoy to Britain and France, to invite you.
Many figures from the literary and artistic circles will be attending.
The Marquis has long heard of your esteemed name and particularly hopes you can grace us with your presence."
Lionel took the invitation, a puzzled look on his face:
"Marquis Zeng Jize? If I'm not mistaken, wasn't your country's envoy His Excellency Guo Songtao?
I've heard his name in some salons, and everyone seems to have a good impression of him."
Chen Jitong's expression instantly darkened:
"His Excellency Guo... he has already resigned and returned home. And it's not a glorious return, but a return to face punishment."
Lionel was surprised:
"To face punishment? What happened? Wasn't His Excellency Guo one of the rare enlightened individuals in China?"
Chen Jitong's tone was full of indignation:
"Enlightened? Precisely because he was too enlightened, he suffered such a fate!
Do you know, during his mission abroad, His Excellency Guo wrote a book titled 'A Record of My Western Mission,' documenting the political systems and social customs of various European countries.
He advocated that China should learn from the strengths of the West.
After this book was sent back home, it was actually denounced by those conservative ministers as a symbol of betrayal!"
Lionel: "..."
What a familiar recipe, a familiar taste.
He felt as if he had just opened a high school history textbook in front of him.
Chen Jitong's tone grew more agitated:
"And that's not all, His Excellency Guo's deputy in the embassy opposed him at every turn, even submitting memorials to impeach him."
Then Chen Jitong elaborated on the three absurd charges for which Guo Songtao was impeached:
Firstly, visiting a fort in a Western-style jacket — a dignified envoy of the Celestial Empire, even if he froze to death, should not wear foreign clothes!
Secondly, standing up to greet the King of Brazil — how could a dignified envoy of the Celestial Empire pay respects to the king of a small nation?
Thirdly, repeatedly asking for program lists at a concert at Buckingham Palace — why should a dignified envoy of the Celestial Empire imitate the actions of foreigners?
Lionel: "..."
This flavor was too strong, making him feel disoriented, unsure of what era it was.
Chen Jitong finally began to sneer:
"It's laughable that British newspapers even praised His Excellency Guo as 'the most cultured Oriental they had ever seen'!
But in China, His Excellency Guo has become a traitor, a British spy!"
Lionel could only offer comfort:
"This is truly... incredible. Please allow me to express my sympathy for His Excellency Guo's plight... These are all insignificant trifles..."
Chen Jitong seemed to have found a kindred spirit:
"Unfortunately... the government, under pressure, could only recall him. Now, upon his return, he might face further investigation, and possibly even imprisonment."
Lionel sincerely said:
"I hope His Excellency Guo will be safe and sound... And this Marquis Zeng?"
Chen Jitong then realized that his indignation had caused the conversation to deviate from the topic:
"Please rest assured, the new Envoy, Marquis Zeng Jize, is also an outstanding figure.
He is the second son of our country's late senior minister Zeng Guofan, proficient in English, skilled in mathematics and natural sciences, and also has unique insights into international affairs, similarly advocating learning from Europe and reforming for strength."
Lionel nodded; he had an impression of the "Guo-Zeng" figures in diplomatic history.
Chen Jitong continued:
"The Marquis particularly hopes to establish friendly relations with various circles in France.
He knows that you are not only a rising star in the literary world but also hold understanding and respect for Eastern culture.
Mr. Sorel, influential young talents like you are precisely the bridges needed for exchanges between China and France.
Your voice might be more powerful than many diplomatic notes."
Lionel fell into thought...
After some deliberation, Lionel finally nodded:
"I understand. Thank you for the Marquis's invitation, I am honored to be able to attend the dinner."
Chen Jitong's face broke into a sincere smile:
"Excellent! Marquis Zeng will be very pleased. I will send a carriage to pick you up then."
————
Two days later, at six in the evening, an elaborately decorated carriage stopped punctually downstairs at Lionel's apartment building.
Lionel rode the carriage through the streets of Paris and finally stopped in front of a Haussmann-style mansion.
A dragon flag hung above the lintel, fluttering slightly in the evening breeze.
The embassy was already bustling with guests.
Lionel saw many familiar faces from Parisian society — Paul Pigott, editor-in-chief of Le Petit Parisien, and the already quite famous writer Anatole France...
The interior decorations were a blend of Chinese and Western styles: Chinese palace lanterns hung beneath European chandeliers, and both oil paintings and ink wash paintings adorned the walls.
Marquis Zeng Jize appeared in the hall, surrounded by a large retinue.
He was about forty years old, with a lean face, dressed in Qing dynasty official attire.
Although his French wasn't fluent, everyday communication was not a problem.
After a brief speech, the dinner officially began, and Lionel was seated at a table near the main table.
The silverware gleamed on the table, but the dishes served were eye-opening:
Chinese cold dishes were alongside French appetizers, West Lake vinegar fish and abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and maw appeared alternately, and French baked snails and truffle soup were also on the menu.
Midway through the banquet, Chen Jitong brought two young Chinese men over to Lionel, who quickly wiped his mouth and stood up.
Surprisingly, these two young men wore neither official robes nor Western suits, but rather dark blue European-style student uniforms.
Chen Jitong introduced them:
"Lionel, these two are government-sponsored students sent by our country to study in Britain. They are close in age to you and are both outstanding young people from our two countries.
This time, the Envoy specifically brought them to Paris, hoping they can establish good connections. I hope you can become friends!"
After speaking, one of the tall, resolute-looking young men was the first to extend his hand:
"Mr. Sorel, good evening! I am Sa Zhenbing!"
The other young man also spoke:
"Good evening, Mr. Sorel! My name is Yan Fu."
(End of chapter)
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