Chapter 79 of 100

Chapter 79

15 min read3,812 words

It's the fourth update! On the first day of the Three Rivers, I still ask for your favorites, recommendations, and Three Rivers votes.

The theory of "light under the lamp" now seems very reasonable. While the entire Paris, no, the entire France was on high alert, Napoleon III walked into the French Foreign Ministry building at the Quai d'Orsay, following Zhu Jishi, and even shook hands with the actual controller of the French government—the eyes of the Marquis de Guizot were red, clearly indicating a sleepless night, surely busy arranging the capture of Napoleon III. He probably never dreamed that the top fugitive of France had once stood right in front of him.

The attention of the Marquis de La Rochefoucauld, who was about to travel to China, was completely drawn to Zhu Jishi, this "member of the Chinese royal family." Clearly, he was extremely interested in Zhu Jishi's identity, and in the hall of the French Foreign Ministry, he held Zhu Jishi's hand and had a long, pleasant conversation, finally taking a photo with Zhu Jishi as a keepsake.

When Zhu Jishi proposed to take Bai Siwen and Jones to Calais on the way, La Rochefoucauld readily agreed, even inviting Zhu Jishi, Maria Clementina, and Bai Siwen to share his carriage. As for Napoleon III, he naturally mixed in the convoy of the French embassy, passing through without any hindrance—those French soldiers, no matter how blind, wouldn't search the convoy of the French government, right?

"Sir Zhu, how is the preparation for your university in Hong Kong going? Have you found all the teachers? Among the members of the embassy I am leading to China, there are a few very learned monks. If they can't enter China to preach soon, they could work part-time at your school."

La Rochefoucauld's words made Zhu Jishi smile bitterly, and he whispered, "Marquis, my university is still just an idea, without even a basic plan, and there's no funding. The cost of setting up a university and a college would be at least a hundred thousand pounds, and the annual operating expenses would be several tens of thousands of pounds. It's hard to support with my current financial resources."

"Hmm, hmm, setting up a university does cost a lot of money," the Marquis de La Rochefoucauld glanced at Maria sitting next to Zhu Jishi, thinking, "The richest woman in France has been conquered by you, so you shouldn't worry about money for a university. Once the old Duke de Segur dies, and you marry the Duchess de Segur, you'll have everything! Why can't I have such a good deal of wealth and beauty?"

"At least my Jishi Charity is developing well..." Zhu Jishi calculated, "In another two or three years, it should be able to support the costs of Jishi University and Jishi College. Additionally, I plan to establish a foundation to raise donations from Chinese merchants."

The idea of supporting a university and a college with tuition fees was something Zhu Jishi didn't even dare to think about. In the current China, the imperial examination was the main path, and it would be good enough if a Western-style college or university had students. Tuition would likely be free. As for raising funds from merchants, it was just talk; those Chinese merchants would rather pay officials or set up Confucian academies, not Western-style schools.

"Jason, don't worry about the funding. I think we can start preparing for the university now," Maria Clementina said softly.

"Uh, Maria, you're right, we should start preparing earlier," Zhu Jishi stammered. He thought, "What does Maria mean? Is she putting on a show for La Rochefoucauld, or does she really want to help me? The cost of setting up a university and the annual operating expenses are not small sums. Even the Segur family, though very wealthy, wouldn't spend money so recklessly. And Maria is a staunch Bonapartist; if she has money, she would definitely prioritize supporting Napoleon III's rebellion..."

"Money alone isn't enough; talent is the most important. The Pope has already agreed to send monks, and the French government has promised to provide assistance. Next, we should seek the support of Prince Albert, who just became the Chancellor of Cambridge University last month. If we can collaborate with Cambridge, it will be much easier."

Maria Clementina continued to plan for Zhu Jishi, offering a good suggestion.

Zhu Jishi thought for a moment and nodded. Since Jishi University in Hong Kong would be operating on British territory, although the British value academic freedom, they wouldn't give up the opportunity to exert influence. Therefore, involving Cambridge University would certainly gain more support from the British government.

"Yes, when I return to Britain, I will discuss this with Prince Albert. Additionally, Jishi University in Hong Kong has a military academy, which requires more support from the British government."

"Military academy!?" Bai Siwen, who was pretending to be a piece of wood in the carriage, drew a sharp breath. Although his face remained calm, his mind was racing. A military academy trains officers, right? Zhu Jishi's true intentions are finally revealed! The so-called Jishi University and Jishi College are just a facade; the real goal is this military academy!

As a descendant of the Ming loyalists, now a scholar in both Britain and France, a British knight, and having hooked up with a French duchess worth at least ten million taels, he already has money and connections. With a military academy... the day the first batch of officers is trained will likely be the day the Ming loyalists raise their flag!

This time, the Qing Dynasty will surely suffer another great calamity!

...

Zhu Jishi never imagined that he had a loyalist of the Qing Dynasty by his side. Even if he knew Bai Siwen was a great loyalist, he couldn't do anything about it now. After arriving in Calais, he and Bai Siwen would part ways temporarily, and when they met again, things would be different.

Napoleon III's escape plan went smoothly. Although the security at Calais Port was tight, the convoy of the French diplomatic mission passed through without any hindrance, directly reaching the dock. This time, the French diplomatic mission's fleet consisted of nine sailing ships, seven of which were French warships, and two were armed merchant ships of the Jishi Charity. The seas were not safe in this era, and pirate activities were still frequent. The two armed merchant ships of the Jishi Charity carried goods worth 50,000 pounds, including wine, glassware, and clocks. The wine and glassware belonged to the Segur Hong Kong Wine Company, a joint venture between the Jishi Charity and the Segur family, which was the exclusive agent for all Segur family wine brands in the Greater East Asia market. The clocks were purchased by Bai Siwen with the 10,000 pounds given by Zhu Jishi, intended to be given as gifts or sold in the Qing Dynasty.

"Louis, should I call you Mr. Bonaparte or Mr. Durand?" On board the Segur family's sailing ship, Zhu Jishi smiled and revealed Napoleon III's identity.

"Still Mr. Durand," Napoleon III, leaning on the ship's railing, gazed at the land of France, "I need to disappear from public view for a while to protect my friends."

He glanced at Zhu Jishi and Maria Clementina. The storm hadn't passed yet, and the French government's spies would certainly search for Napoleon III in France and Europe. If they discovered that Napoleon III's escape was orchestrated by Maria Clementina and Zhu Jishi, their properties and families in France would be in trouble.

"Jason," Maria Clementina suddenly interjected, "To avoid suspicion, we must live together for a while in Britain. I have villas near London and Manchester. Additionally, Louis will temporarily pose as an employee of the Jishi Charity."

"Alright," Zhu Jishi nodded and continued, "Maria, I can agree to your request, but I have two conditions."

"Go ahead," Maria smiled and nodded, "Do you want me to sponsor your university?"

"No," Zhu Jishi said, "I require you to be loyal to me while we live together, and I cannot sever my relationship with Mrs. Durand."

"Ha ha, those are the conditions," Maria Clementina nodded, half-laughing and half-crying, "I agree, I really don't understand how you Easterners think, valuing a woman's fidelity so much?"

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