Chapter 297: The Enlighteners of Russia

Andrei knew right away that the voice he heard belonged to his close friend, Anatole.

"I've got something for you to see," Andrei said without even looking up, "I'm looking for 'The Journal of Scientific Truths.'" He handed Anatole a copy of "The Sun."

Anatole accepted the newspaper and began reading. Meanwhile, Andrei quickly found "The Journal of Scientific Truths" and started reading it attentively.

"I see now! You're right. I should have known earlier. We studied resistance and heat just last month. And didn't we already have incandescent lamps with platinum filaments? I should have guessed it was an incandescent lamp!" Andrei's excitement was so contagious that the newspaper in his hand began to tremble.Finnd new chapters at novelhall.com

"Well, last night was a bit wild. There was a special event, and, oh, I might have overspent a bit in the past few days..." Anatole, still holding "The Sun," started contemplating his expenses.

The two of them stood by the roadside, engrossed in the newspapers, oblivious to the approaching public carriage.

It was Vaska, their coachman, who finally reminded them, "Young masters, the carriage is here!"

"Ah!" Andrei snapped back to reality. He didn't want to risk being late for class. He grabbed Anatole, who was still counting his remaining money, and rushed toward the carriage.

Apparently, this was a benefit secured by Monsieur Bonaparte, who had requested it from the government specifically for various schools in France. Currently, the benefit was only available in Paris, but it was expected to be extended to the entire country shortly. The benefit included providing two electric lamps for schools with more than a hundred students, along with six hours of free electricity for lighting. Schools that installed their own electric lamps could even get a discount on their electricity bills within a certain range.

"Many people use various means to slander and criticize the revolution, portraying it as a celebration of anarchy, unnecessary violence, and even a betrayal of God. But I'm here to tell you, it's all nonsense! If we talk about anarchy, aren't those who degrade naturally free individuals to the level of cattle the true anarchists? Unnecessary violence? Wasn't the violence against slaves necessary for their masters? As for God, when He created our ancestors, did He instruct them not to live as equals, not to love one another, but to exploit and persecute each other? Who has truly betrayed God?

Andrei, Lev, consider this: can the knowledge you're acquiring here in France really be put to use back in Russia? Look at the engineering students; how many of them actually return to Russia? Is it because they lack patriotism? No, it's because the knowledge they acquire here finds no application in Russia at this time!

Now, what about France? Is it inherently a place where anyone with knowledge can find purpose? No, not really, at least not before the revolution! France became what it is today because, during the revolution, they used thunder and flames to purge all the impediments blocking their path. Russia, on the other hand, has suffered far more than France. If just a fraction of the hardships our people endure were placed upon the French, they would have risen in rebellion a hundred times. We Russians have a bad habit of glorifying suffering, of celebrating endurance in the face of hardship. But isn't enduring hardship just another form of tolerating evil?

Andrei, Lev, I dare say, if Russia is ever to rise to the pinnacle of the world, it will be through a revolution akin to the one in France, using thunder and flames to sweep away the scum. I believe this is the path Russia must take to greatness."

"You're right, Ivan," Andrei chimed in, his excitement matching Ivan's, "When I first came to France, I only aimed to excel in science and technology and then return home to either start a factory or teach at a university, passing on the knowledge I've gained to others and slowly raising our people's faith in science.

But you're right; we don't have the luxury of time anymore. Our gap with France isn't narrowing; it's widening, and it's accelerating. If I pursued my earlier plans, Russia might progress gradually, perhaps reaching France's level in a generation. But by then, the French will have sprinted even farther ahead. We're chasing the horse-drawn carriage on a snail's pace. So, tell me, what can I do for Russia, for the revolution?"

"Andrei, my friend, my brother," Ivan responded, "The time for revolution isn't quite ripe yet, so for now, you should keep on studying diligently. When you return to Russia, you can spread knowledge of science and democracy, awaken more people who are willing to embrace revolution.

Andrei, I've studied the French Revolution. It didn't just happen out of thin air. The French people once endured suffering much like our own. But first, they had Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu—the Enlightenment. After that, more French people awakened, leading to the revolution and eventually the prosperous France we see today.

As for us, we haven't even completed our Enlightenment yet. Without sowing, how can we reap? Right now, we need to sow the seeds. Of course, Russia's spring and summer are both brief, so our actions must be faster than the French were in their time."