I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 274 Mikhail's Wealth and Bold Decisions

For Paris, where new events happen every day, new big names emerge every day, and a plethora of sensational news circulates daily, it would be incredibly easy for them to forget someone who was once famous in Paris.

But perhaps because Mikhail's novels were still being serialized in Paris, coupled with the special relationship between Britain and France and Mikhail's successive successes in Britain, Paris has not forgotten Mikhail after all this time. In fact, reports about him, which he gave an interview just yesterday, are already prominently featured in many newspapers today.

"Huh? Mr. Mikhail is back in Paris again?"

"That's great! I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I feel like Paris has become much quieter since he left. At least the news in the newspapers isn't as amazing as it was when he was here!"

"I can't forget the many rare marine creatures and strange sights in 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,' as well as the dangers such as stranding, fighting sharks, being blocked by icebergs, and being attacked by octopuses. I even had a few strange dreams because of it. Has the author of this work finally returned? It seems that there are new works to be published. I don't have to worry about what to read next!"

"I saw him in the newspaper a while ago. Apparently, he beat every single one of the British literary figures to a pulp. Hahaha, well done!"

"Will he have a new play running in Paris? I still remember 'La Traviata,' and I heard someone is planning to adapt it into an opera? But I still want to see a new one."

……

While many readers in Paris were delighted by the news, at Dumas's home, the burly man, whose stomach seemed to have grown even larger, pointed with equal astonishment at the newspaper headline, then couldn't help but look at Mikhail and ask:

"Mr. Mikhail has become the leading figure in British literature! Mikhail, is this true? You've really done so well in Britain!"

"Of course it's fake, Mr. Dumas."

Mikhail's lips twitched, then he said with a hint of helplessness, "There are so many writers in Britain, how could it possibly be my turn? How could you believe these tabloid rumors?"

"If it were you, I would still believe it to some extent."

After laughing heartily, Alexandre Dumas looked around his current residence and said with some regret, "It's a pity that my Castle of Monte Cristo is not yet finished, otherwise I would definitely entertain you there properly. I spent hundreds of thousands of francs to build this castle, and I believe it will definitely surprise you!"

Frankly, this expense alone was enough to surprise Mikhail, after all, hundreds of thousands of francs would have a purchasing power of nearly 100 million in later years.
Two years later, after Alexandre Dumas went bankrupt, the castle was sold for just over 30,000 francs.

Thinking of this, Mikhail finally offered a fitting reminder: "Mr. Dumas, such expenses are far too enormous; perhaps you should exercise some restraint."

“Mikhail, few people have given me advice like you.”

To this, Dumas simply waved his hand dismissively and said, "But true wealth is not how much you own, but how much you have the ability to squander. I have never thought about saving money in my life."

Faced with such an answer, Mikhail could only nod helplessly.

In truth, such words meant little to Alexandre Dumas. Just like in the last month of his life, he went directly to Alexandre Dumas fils' house and loudly said, "My child, I have come here to wait for my death."

When Alexandre Dumas fils saw that his father, Alexandre Dumas, was not only heavily in debt but also had only a single copper coin left in his pocket, he couldn't help but feel sad for his once glorious father. To this, Alexandre Dumas simply said, "A single copper coin was all I had when I first arrived in Paris. Just think, half a century of luxurious living without spending a single copper coin, isn't that incredibly cheap?"

Their mindset is truly exceptional.

The year 1848 had the greatest impact on Alexandre Dumas, bankrupting him and causing him to lose several very powerful patrons. At the same time, facing the new dynasty, Dumas's initial plan was to run for a seat in the National Assembly, but he failed to do so in several regions.

During one campaign speech, someone even mocked him directly, saying, "Humph, you marquis! Humph, you black devil!"

Then Alexandre Dumas grabbed the man by the backside, lifted him over the riverbank railing, and dangled him over the water, saying, "Beg for mercy, or I'll throw you in!"

Finally, the person quickly apologized.
It can only be said that Alexandre Dumas's large appetite was not for nothing.

Just as Mikhail was pondering Dumas's fate, Dumas, as if struck by a sudden thought, said with great interest:

"Mikhail, if I'm not mistaken, your current wealth shouldn't be less than mine, right? After all, you have a publishing house in Russia that has no rivals, several wildly popular serialized novels in Paris, and a play that's been a hit for a long time. And I think you also own a very successful tailor shop?"

And in the last six months or so, you've had a very popular serialized novel in the UK, and I heard you've opened a factory. Could it be that your wealth has reached a million francs?

"How can it be!"

If converted to later generations, this amount of money would be more than 30 million US dollars!

Upon hearing this rather alarming figure, Mikhail waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "It's at most only half the size of your Monte Cristo castle."

Frankly, although Mikhail receives bills from different people every now and then, he has never seriously calculated the total amount. He can only say that given his current spending habits, he could easily declare, "I've never touched money; I have no interest in money. My happiest time was when I earned twenty rubles for a single article and lived in a tiny room."

Pooh!
Although life back then seemed simpler and more hopeful, now I have the energy to do more things.

"Really? I'd believe anyone else, but I need to think about yours. You always underestimate yourself."

"Of course, money isn't that easy to earn."

Mikhail smiled and waved his hand, then quickly mentioned the general to Alexandre Dumas.

"A general from Russia? I think I heard about him from His Highness Duke Montpensier. Do you know him? No, that's not right."

The worldly-wise Alexandre Dumas suddenly asked with great interest, "Does this general have a daughter?"

Mikhail: “?”

How could you guess that?
“Yes.” “Then I understand everything! No wonder I’ve never heard of you having any mistresses in Paris, so that’s the crux of the matter!”

After Dumas burst into laughter, he was about to offer Mikhail a piece of advice: "A man should have at least a dozen mistresses in his lifetime!"

But seeing a moving expression he had never seen before on the usually composed young man's face, Dumas ultimately abandoned his teasing thoughts and instead patted Mikhail on the shoulder with a smile, saying:
"I remember Russia's class system being particularly strict? But there are some things you can relax a bit. With your current reputation, even if you were Russian, His Highness Duke Montpensier would be very willing to maintain friendly relations with you, and other members of high society should have similar intentions."

The Duke of Montpellier? The fifth son of the current King of France? He later apparently became the brother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II of Spain.

"In short, just pick a suitable banquet to attend! Trust me, all the powerful and influential people will be happy to put in a good word for you, and I'll assist you in this regard."

At this point, as if remembering something, Alexandre Dumas asked again with great interest, "Was this general someone who valued you highly before you became famous?"

"Yes."

"Then he must possess extremely high cultural literacy and excellent judgment! I must find him and have a good chat with him! To be honest, I don't particularly like Russian nobles, but I would still be very happy to deal with a general as well-mannered as him."

Mikhail: “.”

Let the general go!
Would you be angry if the general remembered Molière as an Englishman?
After feeling sorry for the general for a while, Alexandre Dumas had a long and cheerful conversation with Mikhail. As they talked, it was time for dinner, and Dumas said to his servants, "It's almost time to serve the food."

Then he looked at Mikhail and said, "Knowing you were coming today, I had my chef prepare all sorts of ingredients yesterday, and I even personally made the braising sauce. I'm just waiting for you to come and taste it to see how it is!"

Mikhail, if I may be so bold, you've definitely lost a lot of weight since your trip to England.

Seeing Dumas's enthusiasm, Mikhail, who was actually quite hungry, readily nodded. As dish after dish was placed on the table, the servants standing by to serve the two of them initially didn't think much of it, but as they watched, they couldn't help but widen their eyes in surprise.

In the end, the servant felt a chill run down his spine at the scene before him.
After finishing their meal, Alexandre Dumas and Mikhail exchanged a smile. Dumas remarked first, "Mikhail, I thought you were past your prime, but I never expected you to be even better than before."

"You too."

Mikhail waved his hand politely and said, "As majestic as ever."
After exchanging pleasantries and resting at Alexandre Dumas's place for a while, Mikhail, heavily pregnant, went to visit another acquaintance in Paris.

For Hugo and Dumas, the next few years may have been a difficult period in their lives, but it was far from the end of their lives. However, for Balzac, whose health was deteriorating, it was not so.

When Mikhail arrived at Balzac's house on time, with mixed feelings, he only saw a face that was particularly angry. The man then pointed to a news article in the newspaper with a trembling finger and said, "You, do you have anything else to say?"

Mikhail: “?”

Mikhail paused for two seconds before taking the newspaper from Balzac's hand, and then he saw:

"Mr. Mikhail has officially established a company in London, and it is said that the company's products have enormous market potential."

"Of course it's fake."

Mikhail immediately shook his head and said, "I only started this company on a whim, and it's currently on the verge of bankruptcy."

You'd better believe it's true.

Balzac looked at Mikhail with some suspicion before inviting him to sit down, albeit with some doubt.

Frankly speaking, Balzac believed his future was still bright. After all, after so many years of courtship, he seemed to be only one step away from marrying that extremely wealthy widow. At that time, most of the difficulties he faced would be resolved, and he could finally live a good life.

Even so, Balzac still felt that young people should not be too successful. If they enjoy so much now, what will happen to them later?
Of course, during the conversation, Balzac inquired about Mikhail's recent situation to some extent, and Mikhail, in answering Balzac's questions, also talked about Balzac's ongoing novel, "Cousin Bette".

What do you think of this work?

Balzac couldn't help but ask.

"It will become one of the greatest masterpieces of your life; this work is undoubtedly the product of the pinnacle of your art."

Although Balzac had heard countless praises throughout his life, he was immediately invigorated by Mikhail's sincere compliments, nodding repeatedly as he listened.

In fact, Mikhail's praise was not unfounded. Novels like "Cousin Bette" and "Cousin Pons" were indeed products of Balzac's artistic peak, but after that, Balzac, whose body had reached its limits, was truly no longer capable.
Therefore, in the end, Mikhail couldn't help but remind him, "You'd better spend more time resting; even I can tell that something's not right with your body."

"I will."

Upon hearing this, Balzac finally nodded and said optimistically, "Mikhail, my good days are just around the corner! Please come visit me often then, and I will certainly treat you well."

Mikhail: “.”

Stop planting flags
After a long conversation with Balzac about writing and life, Mikhail's busy day was essentially over.

Seeing that the general would not arrive in Paris for several more days, Mikhail thought about it carefully for a long time and finally made a bold decision.

After gathering intelligence and making sufficient preparations, on a perfectly ordinary day, Mikhail headed towards an upcoming secret conference. The conference had one issue that needed to be voted on:
"Is the congress communist?"

(End of this chapter)