Chapter 33: Armand's Friends
It was the chilly month of April 1787, when the willow trees along the Seine River had just begun to sprout tiny buds, no bigger than grains of rice. In other parts, the cold of winter still lingered.
"Do you know, Joseph, I actually prefer April to the full bloom of May," Armand said as he strolled along the Seine's banks, with Joseph walking beside him.
"Why's that?" Joseph inquired.
"Because April is the season of budding, the most hopeful time of all. Though the cold hasn't completely receded, and patches of snow can still be seen on the shaded slopes outside the city, the arrival of spring by the river is unstoppable," Armand explained.
"You make a good point," Joseph replied. "But April can be quite harsh too."
"Why do you say that?" Armand asked.
"Do you know, Armand?" Joseph glanced around and pointed to a bare lilac tree not far away. "Take this lilac tree, for instance. Last year, it produced thousands of seeds. Armand, all these seeds try to sprout in April."
"What's wrong with that?" Armand asked, puzzled.
Joseph walked over to the bare lilac tree, ran his hand along the rough trunk, and turned back to say, "Armand, out of the thousands of seeds this tree produced, how many do you think can grow even a small shoot? And of those fortunate enough to sprout a tender bud in April, how many can grow into a magnificent tree that blooms with flowers in spring? Think about it, even in the harshest of winters, all those thousands of seeds are still alive. But in April, most of them silently die in the soil. Think about how many lives quietly fade away in April, how many hopes are crushed. Even now, beneath our feet, in the soil, countless lives may be dying... April is the cruelest month. It resurrects lilacs on barren land, mixing memory and desire, and urges the dull roots to stir. Winter warms us, covering the earth in forgetful snow, sustaining the withered roots for a while."
"Wait a moment," Armand interjected. "Joseph, I must say you're wasting your talents not being a poet. Your perspective is intriguing. However, I've heard a similar sentiment from someone else, though their conclusion differed from yours. They said that in a revolution, many will pay a price, even with their lives. But it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the revolution. Because without it, if we have an eternal winter, life might fade away a bit slower, but the prolonged harsh winter will eventually wither all life. After all, dry roots can only sustain for so long. Revolution may cause us to lose a lot in the short term, but in the long run, it can bring us more."
"Who told you that?" Joseph asked.
"Marat, a doctor," Armand replied.
"Marat? Is that the one who was assassinated in a bathtub, then briefly enshrined, only to be moved again shortly after?" Joseph wondered. "Is he the author of 'A Study on the Properties of Fire'? I recall your uncle mentioning him."
"Ah, I'm sure my uncle didn't speak kindly of him," Armand chuckled. It also confirmed that the Marat Armand mentioned was indeed the same Marat that Joseph was thinking of.
"Lavoisier only mentioned his views when discussing erroneous ideas. In fact, besides the word 'absurd' to describe his conclusions, Lavoisier had no other opinion about him. Did he have any conflicts with your uncle?" Joseph asked.
Joseph recognized the person it was his fellow student, Orlans, who had gone on to become a lawyer and left Paris for a provincial town after graduation. They had kept in touch through letters, but their in-person meetings had been few and far between. It was a pleasant surprise to see him back in Paris.
"Orlans, you're here too? You didn't send me a letter in advance," Joseph exclaimed, pleasantly surprised.
"Because this trip to Paris was a last-minute decision due to some work-related matters. I thought my messenger might not be as fast as I am. After finishing my work, I intended to come find you, but Armand said you were coming here today, so I decided to wait for you directly," Orlans explained. "Joseph, welcome."
After welcoming Joseph, Orlans and Armand began introducing the others present.
"This is our esteemed lawyer, Danton," Orlans began, introducing a slightly overweight man in his twenties, seated next to him. "He was one of my mentors and has taught me a great deal during this time."
Joseph knew that this was Danton, one of the later-to-be-famous Jacobin giants. He couldn't help but observe him closely.
Danton had an unrefined appearance, wearing a loose, bright red overcoat with an open shirt revealing his neck. The coat's buttons were missing, and he wore high boots. His hair was untamed, and his wig was visibly made from horsehair. His face had a few blemishes, but a friendly smile played on his lips. He had thick lips, large teeth, powerful fists, and bright eyes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Joseph said, giving a slight bow.
"It's an honor to meet a future great scientist," Danton replied.
Joseph also noticed that, indeed, as Armand had mentioned, Danton was quite the unrefined character. He couldn't help but glance at him a couple more times.
"This angelic-looking fellow, who can make me jealous to the point of sleepless nights with a single glance, is our friend, Louis," Armand introduced the young man who had brought them inside. "Joseph, Louis is just like that even a simple glance from him is enough to steal any maiden's heart. But he rarely smiles."
"Hello, I've read some of your works, and if you have time in the future, I'd like to seek your guidance on some mathematical questions," Louis said. Joseph responded with a greeting while noticing that, indeed, as Armand had described, Louis had the face of an angel. His slightly wavy flaxen hair, velvety skin, and crystal-clear, lively blue eyes were striking. Even if he were to offer a slight smile, just like a gentle breeze in May, it would be enough to sweep any maiden's heart away. But Louis's face was almost devoid of a smile, resembling a marble sculpture.
"If he were born in a later era, he wouldn't have to do anything just with that face, he wouldn't have to worry about food," Joseph thought, feeling a touch of envy.
The story of their gathering continues, and the group's discussion, laughter, and shared camaraderie unfold as they explore the dynamics of this unique assembly of friends.
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