Though the winter of 1879 was cold, the political climate in Paris was ablaze due to a decisive victory.
With Archbishop Guibert's unexpected change of stance, the conservative camp was completely fractured, and republican forces gained an overwhelming advantage in parliament.
In late January, the latest "Education Law" passed through the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate almost without suspense.
The provisions of the bill were nearly identical to previous rumors:
First, public primary education would be free;
Second, all children aged 6 to 13 were required to receive an education;
Third, religious education was completely excluded from public school curricula, replaced by brand new "moral and civic education."
This meant that the Republic had finally, systematically and institutionally, reclaimed from the church the power to shape the minds of the next generation of French citizens.
The efforts of Jules Ferry, Minister of Public Education and Fine Arts, over several years achieved a landmark breakthrough.
Ferdinand Édouard Buisson, a renowned educator and staunch republican, was officially appointed as the chief editor for new public school textbooks.
He would be responsible for assembling a team to compile a new set of textbooks imbued with the spirit of the Republic, to replace the old textbooks controlled by the church.
——————
A few days later, one afternoon, Albert de Rohan mysteriously pulled Lionel into a secluded, deserted garden at the Sorbonne.
His face was beaming with irrepressible excitement:
"Lion! Lion! Tremendous good news!
My father! He succeeded! He's been appointed chairman of the 'French Reader' Compilation Committee!"
Lionel was startled at first, then quickly realized—
This was the "secret" Albert had revealed last year, before inviting him to Count Rohan's ball.
He hadn't expected it to actually come true...
The new "French Reader" could become the source of literary enlightenment for millions of French children for decades to come!
Its influence was enough to shape the literary tastes and ideological foundations of one or even several generations.
Having one's work included in it would signify a historic recognition, a value that could even surpass commercial success, a symbol of a writer entering the pantheon of classics.
Lionel smiled and congratulated Albert:
"Congratulations, Your Excellency Count!"
Albert excitedly rubbed his hands:
"Indeed! Father is overjoyed! Think about it, Lion! What does this mean?
All French children in the future, when they open the first page of their textbook, will see chapters selected by my father, representing the essence of French literature!
What an honor!"
He abruptly stopped, looking at Lionel with fervent eyes:
"Don't worry, Lion! Our Rohan family will never go back on its word! Besides, your work is outstanding enough!"
Lionel's heart rate subtly quickened; no writer could remain unmoved by this news.
If his works could be selected for the "French Reader," to be listed alongside La Fontaine, Hugo, Molière... it would be one of a writer's ultimate achievements.
It would be even better if they weren't required to memorize the full text...
Albert leaned close to Lionel's ear:
"Father told me to tell you—you can nominate at least one piece! Pick one, your most confident one."
Lionel was stunned, his mind starting to ponder.
Since the "French Reader" was an elementary school textbook, only "The Old Guard," "My Homeland," and "My Uncle Jules" would be suitable.
"The Old Guard" expressed compassion for the common people; "My Homeland" depicted social changes and nostalgia; "My Uncle Jules" revealed the indifference of the world and human relationships...
After a moment, he took a deep breath:
"Which piece is suitable, perhaps it's best left to the committee..."
Albert was confused:
"Why, you don't seem that excited..."
Lionel smiled faintly, patting his shoulder:
"Go back and tell Count Rohan that everything will be decided by the committee. I know nothing!"
Albert was bewildered and could only respond:
"Alright... then..."
——————
The day after the news of Count Rohan's appointment appeared in the papers, an unsigned short commentary quietly surfaced in an inconspicuous corner of Le Gaulois.
The headline of the commentary was quite sensational—
"A Genius's Shortcut? On the 'Extraordinary' Treatment of Certain Young Writers."
The article, written in a seemingly objective yet subtly chilling tone, stated:
[...It is reported that His Excellency Count Rohan, the newly appointed chairman of the 'French Reader' Compilation Committee, is very close to a certain young writer, Mr. S, who has recently risen to prominence.
Mr. S is known for depicting provincial life and common people; while his talent is certainly commendable, his qualifications are still shallow, and whether his works can withstand the test of time remains to be seen.
However, unconfirmed rumors circulate that due to his remarkable 'good relations' with those in power, and his 'unwavering' performance on certain sensitive issues recently, his works might receive astonishing favor—with as many as three pieces selected at once for the upcoming 'French Reader'!
If this is true, one must question whether this is a victory for literary value or a reward for political opportunism?
When did the sacred temple of education become a banquet hall to reward 'cooperative attitudes'?]
This report instantly shattered the recently somewhat calm Parisian literary scene.
Everyone knew who Mr. S referred to.
At first, it was just whispers in small circles.
While people were surprised by the number "three," most thought it might be a rumor, or Le Gaulois's usual exaggeration.
Lionel Sorel's reputation had always been good—he probably wasn't such an opportunist?
However, subsequent developments exceeded everyone's expectations.
As if by prior arrangement, several conservative newspapers successively reprinted the short commentary, accompanied by even sharper critiques.
The wave of questioning swelled like a snowball.
"Twenty-two years old? Three works selected for the 'French Reader'? What were Racine, Corneille, Molière doing at that age?"
"'The Old Guard,' 'My Homeland,' 'My Uncle Jules'? They are all good stories, but are they enough to enlighten future generations of French children?
"Shouldn't some of Mr. Daudet's pieces be prioritized instead? 'The Last Lesson,' 'The Siege of Berlin'..."
"The Republic needs new literary idols, but being overly eager for quick success will only harm this young man and tarnish the purity of education reform!"
"It is said that he had a 'tacit understanding' with certain factions regarding the 'Choir' matter? Was everything premeditated?"
A storm of public opinion suddenly descended.
Lionel woke up to find his name sweeping through all the Parisian newspapers in a different way.
Praise and admiration disappeared, replaced by overwhelming doubt, jealousy, and outright attacks.
Soon, worse accusations were piled on him, one after another—
"Lapdog of the Republican government"
"Ferry's literary thug"
"Opportunist trading his pen for a future"
...
All sorts of labels were generously affixed to him.
The delicate balance and brief tranquility he had achieved by maneuvering with the Church through "The Choir" were completely shattered at this moment.
Both Republicans and conservatives maintained a strange silence—
The attacks in the newspapers were almost all signed "A Concerned Parisian," "A Gentleman with Some Inside Knowledge," and so on.
The First Textbook War thus quietly began.
And this time, Lionel didn't even know who his opponent was...
(End of chapter)
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