Since the Emperor of France chose to trust William Thomson’s plan, Field similarly decided to abandon Atlantic Telegraph Company’s chief engineer, Whitehouse, after weighing the pros and cons.

After all, following the 1858 telegraph "debacle," the Atlantic Telegraph Company had become notorious as a fraudulent company in the minds of citizens in England and America.

The bonds and stocks issued to fund the transatlantic telegraph project have now become worthless.

Despite the British Government establishing an "investigation committee" still probing the reason for the telegraph interruption, with initial findings absolving the Atlantic Telegraph Company, it has nevertheless been forsaken by the capital market.

Currently, all shares of the Atlantic Telegraph Company scattered in the capital market have been acquired by an obscure French company, whose holdings now surpass those of Field.

If this French company so desires, they can convene a shareholders meeting to remove Field, or even declare the dissolution of the Atlantic Company.

After this obscure French company became the major shareholder of the Atlantic Company, an invitation from the Emperor of France appeared before Field.

Thus, Field has reason to believe that the people behind this French company are likely the Emperor himself or a member of the royal family.

Were it not for such dignitaries like His Majesty the Emperor, who are deeply interested in the transatlantic telegraph and possess vast wealth, Field cannot fathom which benevolent (foolish) entrepreneur would resolutely invest in the transatlantic company, knowing the project is loss-making.

Honestly, even Field himself harbors doubts about the feasibility of constructing a transatlantic telegraph line.

Of course, presently His Majesty the Emperor did not discuss the French company, so Field tactfully refrained from bringing it up.

Nevertheless, in Field’s mind, Jerome Bonaparte has already become a vital supporter of the Atlantic Telegraph Company.

Field must cling to this lifeline, as long as the Emperor chooses to trust him, then the Atlantic Company can secure a continuous influx of funding, even if it means piling up cables; Field believes he can still achieve a transatlantic telegraph line.

Pitiably, Whitehouse, the chief engineer, is unaware he has already been forsaken by Field.

"Since Whitehouse’s plan has already failed, and Whitstone’s plan to increase voltage is also unfeasible, I think we should adopt Professor William Thomson’s plan!" Jerome Bonaparte squinted and spoke to Field in a tone that seemed like negotiation but was actually a command, "What do you think, Mr. Field?"

"Honorable Your Majesty!" Field displayed a fawning smile, bowed and responded obsequiously to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your suggestion is indeed excellent!

Actually, even before that experiment began, I did not believe in Whitehouse’s crude plan!

Only because he was the company’s chief engineer and he had the support of Mr. Faraday!

...Your Majesty, you should know Mr. Faraday is the Kingdom of Britain’s most authoritative expert in electrical engineering, in this regard, I truly could not defy him... So I yielded to Whitehouse’s ideas... Now thinking back, I feel a twinge of regret.

If I had listened to Professor William Thomson’s advice earlier, then the transatlantic telegraph might have succeeded!

Mr. Thomson, please forgive my poor judgment!"

Having said this, Field unexpectedly bowed solemnly to William Thomson.

This display of courtesy caught William Thomson off guard, he quickly reached out to support Field and said, "Mr. Field, I am not angry with you!

Scientific experiments naturally entail possibilities of trial and error, moreover, Mr. Whitehouse’s and Mr. Faraday’s reputation is indeed greater than mine!

If I were in your position, I too would have chosen to trust them!

While Whitehouse’s approach was incorrect, it does not imply my plan is certainly right!

We still need to conduct thorough research!"

William Thomson’s pragmatic statement allowed Field to breathe a sigh of relief, his greatest fear was that William Thomson would seize the opportunity to undermine him before the Emperor.

Currently, William Thomson chose not to undermine Field but to collaborate with him in research, how could Field not be moved?

"Mr. Field, this is not a courtroom! You have not committed any dereliction of duty, so there’s no need to be so humble!" Jerome Bonaparte spoke softly to Field, "As Mr. William Thomson just mentioned, constructing a trans-oceanic cable line is essentially a grand scientific experiment, we must experience failure to accumulate insights, striving for success in subsequent attempts!

So you need not worry about being dismissed from your position at the Atlantic Telegraph Company, the Atlantic Telegraph Company still requires dedicated individuals like you to lead it!"

With this statement alone, Field can confirm that the person behind the obscure French company is indeed His Majesty the Emperor.

"Thank you for your magnanimity!"

Field similarly bowed and saluted Jerome Bonaparte, which elicited a look of confusion from William Thomson, unfamiliar with the operations of the Atlantic Telegraph Company.

Immediately, Jerome Bonaparte redirected the conversation back to the plan of constructing a telegraph line to French Guiana.

At that moment, the sound of a knocking on the door was heard once again.

Jerome Bonaparte paused briefly and smiled, asking William Thomson and Field, "Besides you, I have invited another guest to discuss the telegraph with you!

I hope you don’t mind!"

William Thomson and Field simultaneously nodded, indicating that such a large-scale project indeed required ample talent to complete.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte instructed Bulbaski to open the door, and Bulbaski obliged.

When the door opened, Governor Louis Feldbu of French Senegal stood outside.

At that moment, he was still unaware of why the Emperor had summoned him, and upon seeing the two people in the room besides the Emperor and his adjutant, his expression became even more puzzled.

"General Feldbu, come in!" Jerome Bonaparte gestured with a relaxed tone to Louis Feldbu.

Louis Feldbu followed closely behind Bulbaski, soon arriving in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Your Majesty!" Louis Feldbu saluted Jerome Bonaparte solemnly.

"Have a seat! General Feldbu!" Jerome Bonaparte gestured for Louis Feldbu to sit down, and similarly addressed Field and William Thomson, "You two also, don’t just stand there, have a seat!"

William Thomson and Field also sat on the sofa.

Once everyone was seated, Jerome Bonaparte introduced Field and William Thomson to Louis Feldbu.

"These two are the owner and consultant of the Atlantic Telegraph Company. Their purpose here is to assist France in constructing a transatlantic telegraph!"

Although Louis Feldbu did not know Field and William Thomson, he courteously remarked.

"I have heard a lot about you."

Then, Jerome Bonaparte introduced Louis Feldbu to Field and William Thomson, "This is General Louis Feldbu, the Governor of Senegal, with whom you will be dealing in the coming period!"

Upon hearing that they were going to interact with the Governor of Senegal, William Thomson and Field roughly understood Jerome Bonaparte’s next steps, their expressions revealing realization.

Seeing the two in front of him clearly enlightened, Jerome Bonaparte instructed Bulbaski to bring the prepared maps.

Bulbaski promptly stood up and quickly spread a map across the table in front of the four of them.

The map depicted Europe, Africa (already discovered part), and South America. Jerome Bonaparte slowly moved his finger from the French Mainland to French Senegal, addressing the three present, "I plan to establish a telegraph line between France and Senegal to connect France with the Western Africa region!"

Then, Jerome Bonaparte moved his finger from Senegal to French Guiana, continuing, "Once the telegraph connection between France and Senegal is established, it will be further transmitted from Senegal to French Guiana!

The distance between Senegal and French Guiana is significantly shorter than that between France and French Guiana, thus reducing some unnecessary risks!"

Field and William Thomson quietly observed the route Jerome Bonaparte was outlining for them. Judging merely by distance, this route was indeed shorter than a direct connection between France and French Guiana, but it was still longer than the transatlantic telegraph route.

What’s more, this was a sea route they had never explored.

Having already faced one failed venture, Field felt a bit apprehensive.

Not wanting to embarrass Jerome Bonaparte, Field first praised Jerome Bonaparte’s course for being nearly perfect.

Afterward, Field cautiously mentioned the potential uncertainties between Senegal and French Guiana, particularly given that the waters had not been thoroughly explored yet.

Regarding Field’s concerns, Jerome Bonaparte reassuringly replied, "There’s no need to worry! About two months ago, I had already ordered the French Navy and geologists to jointly study the continental plates between Senegal and French Guiana!

I believe it won’t be long before I receive a response!

All you need to do is to first complete the telegraph line between France and Senegal!

If there are indeed insurmountable conditions between Senegal and Guyana for laying cables, we can also establish a telegraph connection between France and the United States of America!

I am confident you will succeed!"