Chapter 10

Guests are quite rare in the Gaudan household.

This middle-class family in Saint-Denis is like a small island, and the quiet, almost lonely atmosphere suits Felix, who has just arrived. During this time, he has almost finished reading all the books at home and those given by Estourny.

Since students at French teaching schools have quite generous holidays, Felix, who majors in history and law, has eighty-eight days off each year. After this summer, he only needs to return to Rouen to complete his studies.

As for his future, his father René says he can either get a church position or become a practicing lawyer. For a slightly wealthy noble or bourgeois son, apart from inheriting the family business, there are only three paths: military service, missionary work, or becoming a lawyer.

René has planned it out: in Felix's generation, they must rise to the noble class.

His woodworking workshop will be handed over to his senior apprentice, Cato, in the future. As long as it is managed well, he will give Cato a large sum of money to help him start a family and a career. As for Felix, the only heir of the Gaudan family, he must either become a bishop, dedicating his life to Christ and gaining glory, or pursue law, which means studying in Paris and finding an opportunity to marry a woman from a wealthy family, first becoming a lawyer, then a judge, and eventually receiving a title from the king.

When Felix entered the living room, two servants in gray cloaks bowed to him and handed René two letters before leaving.

Outside the Gaudan house, the sounds of wheels, whips, and bells could be heard. Felix stood by the window and saw the two servants climb into a black, elegant carriage pulled by two fine horses, which quickly disappeared from sight.

"A big figure will be coming to our house in five days. He has taken a fancy to my garden and hopes to stay here for a few days while waiting for another important person, then they will meet in Rouen." René said excitedly after reading the letters.

"Who is it? A count, a marquis, or a duke?" Ailé asked curiously.

But as soon as the titles were mentioned, René fell silent and looked at his youngest daughter with caution.

Ailé immediately realized she had said something wrong, lowered her head, and dared not speak again.

René coughed twice and said, "If he were a noble, the Gaudan family would never give up the garden, never! But this man is not. His fame resounds in both worlds, and he is a hero of the common people, Benjamin Franklin."

At the mention of this well-known name, Felix suddenly remembered. Yes, the famous scientist, inventor, diplomat, and statesman, whose face would later appear on the hundred-dollar bill, was indeed in France at this time.

Franklin had come to France earlier and later became a plenipotentiary ambassador, with the main task of forming an alliance between France and America to fight against Britain: America could gain valuable independence in this war, and France could use the opportunity to wash away the humiliation of previous wars against Britain.

In the end, both France and America achieved their goals, but France was burdened with heavy debts for aiding America. At the request of the Continental Congress, Franklin continuously borrowed money from King Louis XVI in Paris and Versailles. Sometimes Franklin himself felt embarrassed, but Louis XVI remained incredibly generous. Once, Louis XVI gave six million livres to the Americans and had the Foreign Minister Vergennes tell Franklin, "These six million livres do not require any interest. This is a gift to your country as a testament to our friendship."

Later, Franklin, as a plenipotentiary ambassador, signed peace treaties with Britain and France. Now, full of prestige, he is leaving Paris, preparing to sail down the Seine to the English port of Dover, where he will meet his son, William Franklin, a loyalist, and then take a ship back to America.

Indeed, Benjamin Franklin's son is a staunch loyalist (during the Revolutionary War, Americans who wished to remain loyal to the British king) and has settled in Britain.

However, with the war now over, there is no reason for Franklin and his son to remain estranged. Moreover, Franklin is eighty years old and will not return to Europe after this trip to America.

"Franklin does not want to stay in Saint-Denis. He believes the place is full of damp sea air, which would exacerbate his gout. He also does not want to stay in Rouen because he wants a garden similar to the one in Paris, in Passy."

"What kind of garden?" Felix asked his father.

"Mrs. B's garden," René replied, clearly using a pseudonym to conceal the garden owner's real name.

"Our Gaudan family's garden is the same as Mrs. B's?" Ailé perked up.

René smiled, somewhat proudly, and revealed to his son and daughter, "It's hard to say they are the same, but this is thanks to my patron, Mr. John Holker of Rouen, who is a good friend of Franklin. Through his recommendation, Franklin became interested in our garden and is willing to stay here for a while."

Indeed, the two messengers were Mr. Holker's servants.

Speaking of Mr. John Holker, he is a first-class celebrity in Rouen. From his name, it is clear he is a standard Englishman. He was originally a businessman in Manchester and knew many members of the Royal Society of London, but as a Jacobite, he came to France early to seek refuge, which was common between the two countries—Jacobites from Britain came to France, and Huguenots from France went to Britain. After coming to France, Mr. Holker rose rapidly, not only becoming the owner of the royal silk factory in Rouen but also serving as the king's manufacturing director. It is said that his wealth amounts to eight million livres, and he employs thousands of workers.

The Gaudan family, since Felix's grandfather, has been under Holker's patronage, which is why, as a converted Huguenot, they have been able to establish themselves in Rouen. Additionally, the expensive furniture that René sells to the luxury market in Paris is entirely dependent on Holker's business network. In return, the Gaudan family naturally offers supreme loyalty to the Holker family.

"So, how should I behave in front of Franklin?" Felix understood the deeper meaning behind Mr. Holker's actions.

René was very pleased with his son's perceptiveness. If the boy's epilepsy could be cured, it would truly be a great comfort. "The letter says that Mr. Franklin likes science, poetry, and young people. He has been in Paris for many years, always separated from his grandchildren, and is very lonely. Mr. Holker's plan is for you to accompany him in our garden and then to Rouen. If you can gain Franklin's approval, you will quickly become famous in any field. Remember, he is an honorary member of the academies of science and literature in various European countries and a close friend and guest of many kings."

Felix said he would do his best.

At this moment, René seemed to hesitate for a moment but then took a letter from his pocket and said, "This is from another 'Holker' in Rouen. I think it's better to give it to you."

Felix took it and saw a neat and elegant "M" at the bottom of the letter.