The next day, the morning in Paris was awakened by a clamor different from usual.
The shrill cries of newsboys pierced through the thin mist, echoing on every street corner, yet their content was strikingly consistent:
"Le Figaro! Read about the great parliamentary debate! Minister Ferry's eloquence convinced the conservatives! The end of the Jesuits is nigh!"
"La République's Headline! Reason triumphs over ignorance! The secularization of education bill is unstoppable!"
"Le Petit Journal! Le Petit Parisien! Conservatives are speechless! The Chorus made a great contribution!"
"Le Matin! See how 'The Conscience of the Sorbonne' Lionel Sorel is changing France with his play!"
The entire Parisian newspaper industry went into full gear, swiftly delivering the previous day's victory and defeat at the Palais Bourbon to every café, every salon, and every home in Paris.
The front pages were almost entirely dominated by news of the parliamentary debate, accompanied by impassioned commentaries.
Le Figaro's report was relatively sober, but its stance was clearly on the side of the Republicans:
[...Yesterday's debate was a crucial battle determining the future direction of education in France.
Minister Ferry refuted the conservatives' stale arguments one by one, and skillfully invoked the story of The Chorus, showcasing the importance of secular humanistic care in education with artistic appeal, which was a stroke of genius...]
La République was even more radical, filled with the joy of victory:
[Victory! This is a victory for reason and enlightenment! The Republicans, led by Gambetta and Ferry, delivered a heavy blow to the clerical conservative forces!
When Minister Ferry mentioned The Chorus, when he mentioned Teacher Mathieu, who inspired mischievous children with music and love, those gentlemen who shouted 'no morality without religion' saw their moral high ground instantly collapse!
Because this play tells us that true morality stems from the beauty and goodness of human nature, it had already written the prelude to yesterday's victory!]
Le Petit Parisien naturally spared no effort in praising Lionel, after all, thanks to the serialization of The Misadventures of Benjamin Button, it had jumped to become the sales champion among the three major newspapers!
[Whose pen became the sharpest spear in Minister Ferry's hand? It is Lionel Sorel!
This young Sorbonne student, with his The Chorus, conducted an 'enlightenment' on education reform for the people of Paris and all of France in advance.
The victory in parliament originated from a consensus that had already taken root outside parliament.
Mr. Sorel deserves the primary credit!]
However, almost all analytical articles also more or less pointed to the same conclusion:
In this parliamentary debate, The Chorus's social resonance played a crucial role in enabling the Republicans to break the deadlock so quickly and achieve an overwhelming advantage.
Lionel Sorel's name became truly and tightly bound to the cause of education in the French Republic.
A new title began to circulate in the newspapers—Lionel would be the new generation's "Son of the Republic."
——————
Meanwhile, in the Archbishop's residence behind Notre Dame Cathedral, Archbishop Louis-Antoine-Augustin Guibert was carefully reading these newspapers.
He read the newspapers' mockery of the conservative parliamentarians, saw Ferry and the Republicans basking in their triumph, and noted the various speculations about his own absence.
A secretary stood respectfully nearby, whispering,
"Your Grace, the Duke of Broglie and Monsieur de Maun sent messages...
They expressed... great disappointment and confusion at your inability to attend parliament yesterday to offer support."
Archbishop Guibert let out a soft snort, putting down Le Figaro.
Disappointment?
Confusion?
What were they still hoping for?
Hoping that he would go against this already unstoppable torrent, crash head-on with them, and finally be nailed to the pillar of shame in history, bearing infamy?
The secularization of education was an irreversible trend, now that the Republicans were in full power.
The Jesuits had also become the most glaring thorn in the Republicans' eyes, destined to be removed sooner or later—France had already done so twice, after all.
Resisting by force would only make the Church lose more, perhaps even completely lose its say in French education.
Guibert pondered for a moment, a glimmer of resolve flashing in his eyes.
Not tying himself to the conservatives' leaking old ship was not enough.
He needed to take the initiative!
He stood up, his tone unwavering:
"Prepare the carriage."
The secretary hurried,
"Your Grace, where are you going? The meeting with the abbesses this afternoon..."
Archbishop Guibert adjusted the crucifix on his chest:
"Postpone it, or cancel it. You can communicate with them.
I'm going to the Marais district, and then to those Catholic primary schools near Rue Saint-Jacques."
The secretary was stunned.
The Marais district had many poor people and immigrant communities, and Rue Saint-Jacques was a slum within a slum!
The Catholic primary schools there operated under difficult conditions, with strained finances.
Past Archbishops had usually presided over ceremonies or attended salons in affluent areas, rarely venturing deep into these places.
Guibert did not offer further explanation, merely urging his secretary:
"Hurry, I need to leave immediately!"
He intended to use his actions to show Paris, the Republican government, and also the Vatican his new stance—
He was no longer an opponent of the secularization trend, but a pragmatic spiritual leader who cared about the suffering of the people.
————
Over the next few days, the Archbishop's carriage occasionally appeared in the most dilapidated neighborhoods of Paris.
Dressed in simple everyday clothes, he kindly visited schools with dim classrooms and meager facilities, comforting the monks and nuns who persevered in teaching amidst the cold wind.
He even promised on the spot to allocate a portion of the diocese's limited funds to improve heating and purchase books...
The effect of all these actions was immediate.
The accompanying reporter from L'Univers quickly recorded everything.
The next day, a report titled "The Compassionate Shepherd: Archbishop Guibert Cares for Poverty-Stricken Education" was freshly published.
It was accompanied by sketch illustrations of the Archbishop caressing children's hair and talking to poor teachers, vigorously portraying his approachable and benevolent image.
Indeed, this move earned a chorus of praise from public opinion.
Even Republican newspapers cautiously welcomed it.
La République commented:
[Regardless of Archbishop Guibert's motives, his actions in addressing the real difficulties of education and alleviating the suffering of the lower classes are commendable.
We are pleased to see the Church's power participating in social welfare endeavors in a more pragmatic way, rather than sticking to ideological confrontation.]
...
Archbishop Guibert sat in his study, reading these reports, and a genuine smile finally appeared on his face.
He might have lost the support of the conservatives, but he had gained broader social goodwill and secured room for the Church to maneuver.
Wanting the Church to continue controlling education was an unrealistic fantasy—but his ambition was no longer set on that...
This deal, in his view, was beginning to look like a good bargain.
——————
Far away in the Vatican, a serious conversation was taking place within the Curia.
"Go to Paris and ask Guibert what exactly he intends to do."
"As you command, Your Holiness!"
"And, make contact with that young man—Lionel Sorel."
"...Do I need to convey any specific message to him?"
"No need for anything special. You just need to observe, and maintain limited contact. When you return, tell me what kind of person he is."
"As you command, Your Holiness! Anything else?"
After a long silence, Leo XIII, seated behind his desk, sighed:
"That's all. You may go!"
(End of Chapter)
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