Chapter 313: Chapter 309: Construction of Health System
"Mr. Pasteur, I am truly very sorry!"
Jerome Bonaparte felt apologetic for "ignoring" Louis Pasteur just now.
"Please don’t say that! Receiving your invitation is already an honor for me. I am just an ordinary researcher, really..."
Jerome Bonaparte’s apology made Louis Pasteur feel as if he were on the spot. At this moment, he was a researcher as ordinary as any other, and the University of Strasbourg where he was based didn’t enjoy the widespread fame that the Ecole Normale Supérieure did across Europe. Excessive praise only made him feel anxious and uncomfortable.
However, Louis Pasteur did not know that in the mind of Jerome Bonaparte, his value in biology, chemistry, and even medicine far surpassed that of most scientists in the world.
Not to mention that the pasteurization method named after Pasteur was still in use even in the 21st century. Even without that, his other inventions, like the rabies vaccine, the chicken cholera vaccine, and techniques for preventive inoculation, would advance the world’s medical system by leaps and bounds.
It could be said that the world could do without Jerome Bonaparte, but it absolutely could not do without Louis Pasteur.
Of course, at present, Louis Pasteur did not know that his future achievements would become a monument in the history of scientific research, and in his anxious heart, he couldn’t understand why he was receiving such favor from Jerome Bonaparte.
"An ordinary researcher?" Jerome Bonaparte nodded kindly to Louis Pasteur, then half-jokingly and half-seriously said to Jean Dulles: "My favorite people are researchers. They devote all their energy to studying phenomena that seem incredible and dedicate their passion and loyalty to the country!"
"That’s right! Researchers dedicate their energy to scientific careers and their passion to the nation!"
Jean Dulles noticed Jerome Bonaparte’s fondness for Louis Pasteur’s talents, and although Jean Dulles didn’t quite understand what great skills his stubborn student had to catch the Governor’s eye, he was still pleased to see such promise emerge from his team.
"I... Your Excellency, I am just an unremarkable person! I really don’t have any great abilities!" The compliments exchanged between Jerome Bonaparte and Jean Dulles made Louis Pasteur even more modest and cautious: "In Paris, there are many people like me!"
"There indeed are many people in Paris with similar energy to you, but they are a notch lower in terms of talent!" Seeing Louis Pasteur’s hesitant lips, Jerome Bonaparte immediately understood his inclination to continue with humility and gestured to stop him: "Please, let me finish speaking!"
Louis Pasteur pursed his lips and continued to listen attentively to Jerome Bonaparte.
"I once heard from a certain scientist that genius comes from 99% effort and 1% inspiration! However, it’s that 1% inspiration that determines whether one can become an inventor! If a person lacks talent, even if they exert several times, or even dozens of times more effort than usual, it would merely be futile! Sometimes, a sudden flash of inspiration is more valuable than working for days, if not tens of days!" Jerome Bonaparte earnestly pointed at Louis Pasteur and stated: "In you, he saw the potential to become an inventor! Your body, spirit, and talent can entirely support you in becoming a great scientist of France!"
"I... I..." Louis Pasteur detected sincerity in Jerome Bonaparte’s words, and this genuine praise rendered him even more bewildered.
Could I really become a great scientist of France?
Louis Pasteur couldn’t help but ask himself this question internally. He recalled his arduous path of learning in the past and his ambitious vow during university to benefit the world. A shy smile appeared on his lips: "Your Excellency... I am not yet deserving of the title of the greatest scientist. I am just a fledgling scholar, of course... I hope my research can gain recognition and that my results can benefit more people..."
Louis Pasteur’s tone grew stronger, and his gaze shifted from confusion to determination. Under the influence of Jerome Bonaparte, Louis Pasteur became more resolute.
"Excellent!" Jerome Bonaparte applauded for the "transformation" of Louis Pasteur, "this is the state a true researcher should maintain, a steadfast spirit that pursues relentlessly without turning back!"
Jean Dulles, who was beside him, also nodded in approval for the transformation of his student.
"Your Excellency, please stop complimenting me!" Louis Pasteur once more displayed a shy smile.
"Hahaha... Even our future great inventor has moments of modesty!" Jerome Bonaparte playfully teased before shifting directly to the main topic: "Mr. Louis Pasteur, perhaps you haven’t yet achieved accomplishments matching your talent... After all, you are still young, but I believe you surely will in the future... However, I hope you can make achievements quickly!" Jerome Bonaparte hinted to Louis Pasteur: "France needs you!"
"I will make achievements as soon as possible!" Louis Pasteur eagerly promised Jerome Bonaparte.
"By the way, I heard the research environment at the University of Strasbourg is somewhat lacking!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned ignorance and asked Louis Pasteur: "Is that so?"
"The research at the University of Strasbourg is indeed somewhat inferior to that in Paris!" Louis Pasteur admitted frankly with a nod: "However, I have confidence to overcome the difficulties!"
"In tough times, we cannot make the scientists suffer!" Jerome Bonaparte sighed and then rose to walk to the drawers, taking out a check for 100,000 francs and laying it before Louis Pasteur: "This is a token of my regard for university education!"
"No... Your Excellency, I cannot accept this!" Louis Pasteur wanted to refuse Jerome Bonaparte.
"Take it!" Jerome Bonaparte slipped the check into Louis Pasteur’s pocket and continued: "Think of it as my compensation to him! Mr. Louis Pasteur, from now on, you will no longer be a professor at Strasbourg University, but the Deputy Director of the Department of Health under the Ministry of Public Works, enjoying the benefits of a professor at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s appointment left Louis Pasteur and Jean Dulles stunned. Though they hadn’t heard of the Department of Health (a newly established department, which historically was not formed until the 1870s and 80s of the Third French Republic), being able to hold the position of deputy director signified stepping into the ranks of the Parisian middle-income earners.
At the age of 28, Louis Pasteur reached a field untouchable by most Parisians even at 38 or 48, truly deemed as "imperial grace."
"If you still wish to retain your teaching identity, I won’t hinder you. You may choose to assume the position of dean or principal at any school... I believe with your ability, this should be easy for you to achieve!" Jerome Bonaparte offered terms enough to drive all educators wild: "What do you think?"
What do I think? How could it not be great? No one could possibly refuse!
Louis Pasteur, of course, was no exception and was won over by Jerome Bonaparte’s appointment proposition.
Beside him, Jean Dulles also cast a slightly envious glance; at Louis Pasteur’s age, he was still worried about whether he would secure a place at Ecole Normale Supérieure.
"Of... of course!" Louis Pasteur agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s terms with a tremor in his voice: "Your Excellency, what do you need me to do for you?"
"I will provide you with a professional team to assist you in researching the treatment of wounds and the cholera problem!" Jerome Bonaparte immediately informed Louis Pasteur of the research direction.
Throughout the 19th century, cholera remained a challenge that plagued all of France, and successive French governments were unable to properly resolve the issue. Jerome Bonaparte was now determined to address the cursed cholera and environmental conditions seriously, considering reducing mortality to be a means of boosting population numbers!
"The treatment of wounds and cholera!" Louis Pasteur repeatedly contemplated Jerome Bonaparte’s words and cautiously voiced his "difficulty": "To be honest, during my university days, I did have considerable research on the morphology of bacteria... But as my university education was primarily focused on chemistry, a sudden shift will require some time!"
"Rest assured! I’ll equip you with the most professional equipment and team!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Louis Pasteur: "If all goes well, you will not only be able to join the French Academy of Sciences, but you will also leave your name in history! Centuries later, the world may no longer remember Jerome Bonaparte, but it will always remember Louis Pasteur!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s words directly struck the chord in Louis Pasteur’s heart. Scientists laboring in their research field, aside from benefiting all humanity, aspired to have their names engraved in history like Newton and Descartes.
Moreover, the crystallization of his love with his wife was taken away by none other than the dreadful cholera.
From the perspective of a researcher and a father, Louis Pasteur was determined to combat cholera to the end!
"I understand!"