Chapter 1129: Chapter 1118: Empire Cultural Struggle
Perhaps due to the groundwork laid by Princess Mathilde, Flaubert did not immediately show a refusal towards Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation.
"Your Majesty, thank you for recognizing me!" Flaubert said politely to Jerome Bonaparte, "However, I think with my current literary talent, I am far from being able to enter the hall of the French Academy!
If I am hastily promoted, it might affect your sacred name!!"
For Flaubert’s humble yet slightly flattering response, Jerome Bonaparte showed a knowing smile and spoke to Flaubert again, "Mr. Flaubert, you are being overly modest!
I can assure you that just your book ’Madam Baulifa’ published in the Paris Magazine in 1856 is enough to silence a large group of academicians in the French Academy!"
When Jerome Bonaparte accurately mentioned the title of the book, a look of astonishment appeared on Flaubert’s face.
In Flaubert’s mind, the fact that the Emperor wanted to recruit him as a member of the French Academy was probably just to do Princess Mathilde a favor.
He thought the Emperor probably hadn’t even heard of his works.
To his surprise, the Emperor could accurately mention the publication date of ’Madam Baulifa’, indicating he had put in some effort.
"What! Mr. Flaubert, are you surprised that I could accurately mention the time your work was published?" Jerome Bonaparte, who considered himself experienced in dealing with people, naturally understood Flaubert’s thoughts and decided to "add fuel to the fire" for this literary master, "Actually, my wife and I are both loyal readers!"
Flaubert was even more shocked because the book ’Madam Baulifa’ was immediately labeled as ’morally corrupt and defamatory to religion’ and was strictly restricted after its release.
Without Princess Matilda’s protection, Flaubert probably wouldn’t have escaped imprisonment.
"Mr. Flaubert, both Their Majesties are indeed your loyal readers!" Princess Mathilde, standing by, also said to Flaubert, "The reason ’Madam Baulifa’ hasn’t been completely banned and can still circulate in a limited scope is entirely due to His Majesty!"
"Mr. Flaubert!" Jerome Bonaparte solemnly said to Flaubert, "I personally like ’Madam Baulifa’ very much, but as the Monarch of the Empire, I cannot act solely on my personal preferences.
Sometimes, I have to slightly consider the face of some (Church) forces!
I am personally very sorry about the Empire’s restriction on the dissemination of ’Madam Baulifa’!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s apology made Flaubert a little at a loss.
At this moment, although Flaubert was a pessimist, he was essentially a literati.
What a literati needs most is not the stimulation of money, but respect.
Now, the Monarch who controls a country was "humbling himself" to apologize to Flaubert, how could Flaubert not be moved.
"Your Majesty... I... I..." After being slightly absent-minded for a moment, Flaubert responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Thank you for your appreciation! I never expected a Monarch like you could be my reader, and would also be willing to apologize on behalf of the Empire to a small insignificant person like me... I find it difficult to describe my feelings at this moment in words!"
"Mr. Flaubert, I am also a human, of course I have my own preferences!" Jerome Bonaparte answered Flaubert, "After I read the book ’Madam Baulifa’, I felt that your future achievements would definitely not lose to Mr. Victor Hugo.
At that time, I wanted to invite you to join the French Academy!
However, due to being too busy at work, I kept forgetting to extend the invitation to you!
Now, I officially, on behalf of the Honorary Dean of the French Academy, extend an invitation to you—Mr. Gustave Flaubert!
I hope you will consider it carefully!"
With that said, Jerome Bonaparte extended his hand to Flaubert.
Flaubert hesitated for a moment before extending his hand to shake with Jerome Bonaparte.
Proud as Flaubert was, he maintained a humble attitude at this moment and complimented Jerome Bonaparte, "I am very honored to be able to shake hands with a great Monarch!"
Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte, Mathilde, and Flaubert sat at the three corners of the sofa, engaging in exploration around the book ’Madam Baulifa’.
As the author of the book, Flaubert naturally became the main character in the conversation, sharing with Jerome Bonaparte and Mathilde the reasons for writing the book and the sources of his inspiration.
Jerome Bonaparte and Princess Mathilde listened intently to Flaubert’s words, occasionally interjecting with their subjective evaluations, quickly creating a lively atmosphere in the room.
As Jerome Bonaparte and the others delved further, their topics were no longer limited to ’Madam Baulifa’, and their discussions expanded beyond novels.
At this moment, Gustave Flaubert had transformed into a sharp-tongued critic, offering incisive commentary on every novel, poem, and even play script proposed by Jerome Bonaparte and Princess Mathilde.
Some critiques received unanimous approval from Jerome Bonaparte and Mathilde.
While some critiques were collectively opposed by Jerome Bonaparte and Mathilde.
Faced with the dispute, the three individuals argued their points without any consideration for each other’s status. At this moment, there were no distinctions between a monarch and subjects; everyone was equal.
This continued for over an hour until a knock was heard at the door, which brought the argument in the room to a halt.
Jerome Bonaparte showed an apologetic smile to Flaubert and Princess Mathilde and then called the person outside the room to come in.
"Your Majesty!" The person standing outside the room was none other than the Emperor’s Secretary General, Angelo von Beichu.
"Mr. Beichu, what’s the matter?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Angelo von Beichu.
Angelo von Beichu tactfully informed Jerome Bonaparte that there was a batch of documents waiting for him to process.
Flaubert and Princess Mathilde, upon hearing Beichu’s response, immediately realized it was time for them to leave.
Thus, Flaubert and Princess Mathilde bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte said only a few polite words and did not try to retain Flaubert and Mathilde further.
However, Jerome Bonaparte ordered Angelo von Beichu to personally escort them out of Fontainebleau Palace.
Under the watchful eyes of Jerome Bonaparte, Princess Mathilde and Flaubert left Fontainebleau Palace.
Watching the back of the departing Flaubert, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.
For Jerome Bonaparte, incorporating a literary figure like Flaubert, who exists outside the official system, into the official domain indeed helps maintain the Empire’s rule.
After all, a literary figure who operates outside the system, yet possesses significant influence, can easily be exploited by those with ulterior motives to become a leading figure of opposition against the Empire.
Victor Hugo is a living example; when Jerome Bonaparte initially exiled him, he did not have as much influence as he does now.
With the passage of time, the influence of Victor Hugo, who was exiled abroad, has grown, and his sympathizers in France have increased. Now, he has become a spiritual symbol of opposition to the Empire.
Honestly, Jerome Bonaparte was starting to somewhat regret his previous decision to expel Victor Hugo from the country.
Of course, it wasn’t that Jerome Bonaparte hadn’t tried to reconcile with Victor Hugo.
However, every envoy he sent for reconciliation was sternly turned away by Victor Hugo.
Even the proposition to appoint Victor Hugo as a cabinet minister was rejected by Victor Hugo.
Yet upon careful reflection, if Victor Hugo had not been exiled from the country, Jerome Bonaparte truly would not have known how to deal with such an influential figure.
Victor Hugo’s influence meant that imprisoning him was not an option; he even needed to provide personal protection for Hugo.
Because if Victor Hugo were to be harmed within the country, Jerome Bonaparte would find himself in a situation where he couldn’t explain himself.
After careful consideration, Jerome Bonaparte concluded that it was better for Victor Hugo to stay abroad.
Precisely because of the lesson learned from Victor Hugo, Jerome Bonaparte was very lenient towards the literary figures within the Empire.
As long as the literary figures living in the French Empire did not write articles directly targeting the Empire or openly express unfavorable opinions towards the Empire, the Empire would turn a blind eye, ensure payment, and maintain their titles.
For those literary figures who cooperated with the Empire, Jerome Bonaparte would provide them with exceptional treatment and status.
In short, in dealing with these writers who held the power of the pen, Jerome Bonaparte could only choose to entice them with benefits and honor, as the approach of offering both punishment and reward could have adverse effects on some literary figures.
...
After returning to the hotel, Princess Mathilde and Flaubert, Flaubert suddenly felt a headache, realizing that his syphilis might be relapsing!
"Your Highness, I need to rest for a while!" Flaubert said to Princess Mathilde.
Seeing Flaubert’s somewhat pale face, Princess Mathilde thought it was due to accompanying her through the snowy ground, so she nodded at Flaubert.
With Princess Mathilde’s permission, Flaubert quickly returned to his room, lying on the bed to rest while his awareness was still clear.
On the other hand, Princess Mathilde, having returned to her room alone, soon received a telegram from Paris.
The content of the telegram was a summary of what Cavour sent to Madam Tilde’s Mansion as a greeting, and it also stated that the letter would be delivered to her in three hours.
