Shadow of great britain

On the deck of the Beagle.

Elder covered the cracked tiger's mouth and sucked in air: "Damn it! It really hurts!"

Arthur glanced at the sailors lying around resting against the guardrails and masts, pointed at several battleships on the sea ahead that were seven or eight times the size of the Beagle, and asked.

"What's the origin of all this?"

Elder winked at Arthur and pursed his lips. Seeing his appearance, Arthur took out a pipe from his pocket and lit it for him.

Elder took a sip and then answered with satisfaction.

"You really asked the right person. Admiral Edward Codrington, former Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, current Commander of the Channel Fleet, and also my uncle's old boss.

At that time, he also participated in the Battle of Trafalgar. At that time, he served as the commander of the Reserve Squadron under General Nelson and led his troops to severely damage the Spanish Navy flagship "Prince of Asturias".

As a veteran general with great military exploits and outstanding achievements, if it weren't for some minor mistakes he made in the previous two years, he would not have been removed from his position as commander of the Mediterranean Fleet and transferred back to the domestic Strait Fleet as a mascot.

According to the normal development of naval admirals, a person with qualifications and military exploits like General Codrington should have been promoted to admiral by now. "

"Small mistake?" Arthur asked: "Is the Royal Navy so strict about the promotion of generals? Such an outstanding general was stuck in the promotion channel just because of a small mistake? What on earth did he commit?"

Elder chewed his pipe and said, "It's not a big deal. During the Greek War of Independence in 1827, General Codrington, who served as commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, led the joint fleet of Britain, France, and Russia in Navarino. In the naval battle, all the maritime power of the Ottoman Turkish Empire was destroyed.

If I remember correctly, General Codrington sank and captured more than 60 ships of the Ottoman Turkish Empire in that battle without losing a single ship, including three large battleships and 20 ships. Multiple cruisers and a whole bunch of messy boats. "

When Arthur heard this, his eyelids twitched: "You call this a trivial matter? Wasn't this battle a beautiful battle? What mistake did the Admiralty make? It's okay not to commend it. Why did you treat Codrington? What if the general is transferred back to the country and sits on the bench?"

Elder glanced at his good brother, and he pushed Arthur's chest with his shoulder.

"Arthur, why don't you understand? This kind of thing should happen to us at Scotland Yard, right? It's like, your Scotland Yard policemen are born to investigate cases, but whoever investigates some cases is unlucky. And the Royal Navy's Generals are also born to win battles, but in some battles, whoever wins the battle will be defeated, and General Codrington is a typical example of this situation."

When Arthur heard this, he frowned and thought for a moment, but he soon understood.

"General Codrington's victory in the war and his dismissal must be related to the 'continental balance of power policy' set by the cabinet, right? After defeating the Ottoman Turkish Empire's navy, then the eastern coast of the Mediterranean will become the domain of the Russians. I'm afraid this is The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not want to see it."

Elder nodded slightly: "Arthur, you are worthy of it. In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Navy gave General Codrington many orders before, asking him to ignore the provocation from the Ottomans and try to be as peaceful as possible. way to solve the problem.

General Codrington also tried to mediate peace. He sailed the fleet into the Gulf of Navarino to frighten the Ottoman army. He also sent a messenger demanding that the Ottomans must abide by the armistice agreement with Greece and immediately sail from Boro. Pennesian withdrawal.

But the Ottomans obviously did not like to listen to advice. Not only did they not withdraw their troops, they also killed the messenger sent by General Codrington, and then took the lead in firing at General Codrington's fleet. You can probably imagine what happens next..."

Arthur wiped the sweat from his forehead: "No wonder General Codrington directly ordered the sinking of the Barbary pirates' ship without asking. He did have reason to be so angry with the Ottomans. After winning the battle, he also Being so depressed, I would probably have to find a place to vent my anger.

However, it was fortunate that the fat French man was not on the pirate ship, otherwise General Codrington might have sunk them all together. After all, he may have a bit of a temper regarding the policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "

"Who says it isn't?"

Elder shrugged his shoulders: "General Codrington's war career should be over. What the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hates most is generals who don't listen to their orders. Oh, I can't say that. After all, there was another person who hated him before. Where is Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, commanded by the Foreign and War Offices."

When Colonel Fitzroy heard this, he couldn't help but said: "Elder, this is different. Outstanding generals in the Army can be willful, but those in the Royal Navy absolutely cannot."

Elder asked blankly: "What's the reason?"

Colonel Fitzroy replied seriously: "Because there are many generals in the Royal Navy who can fight, such as Richard Howe, John Jervis, Cuthbert Collingwood, William Cornwallis, you name it. It’s a big name to find one. But the Army has produced an Arthur Wellesley in hundreds of years, so we can’t keep the Duke of Wellington in our hands.”

After Colonel Fitzroy said this, there was a burst of laughter on the ship.

The sailors followed suit and shouted, "Who says it's not the case? After all, in our Royal Navy, defeating the French is nothing unusual. But in the Army, a small Battle of Waterloo is a big deal."

Alexandre Dumas, who was sitting next to the mast to rest, heard this and immediately got up angrily and said: "Please pay attention! You British people can only win because of a little more luck. If you have the ability, don't bring in Prussian reinforcements. I think How did you win the Battle of Waterloo!"

Unexpectedly, as soon as he said these words, the sailors not only did not refute, but nodded repeatedly: "You Frenchman, among all the words you said today, this is the most pleasant one."

Colonel Fitzroy also hurried up to calm him down: "Mr. Dumas, don't be angry. In fact, I still agree with the technical capabilities of the French. Britain is not superior to your motherland, France, in all aspects. "

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas also restrained his fiery temper: "Mr. Colonel, you are indeed different from these vulgar sailors. From your conversation, it is clear that you have received a considerable degree of higher education."

Colonel Fitzroy narrowed his eyes and smiled: "That's right. Only Britain and France can work together to complete the most powerful weapon in the 19th century!"

"Oh?" Alexandre Dumas asked in confusion: "What was the most powerful weapon in the 19th century?"

When the sailors saw his confused look, they all laughed so hard that their mouths twisted.

Arthur walked up to him sympathetically and whispered in his ear: "Don't you know? Mr. Dumas, the most powerful weapon in the 19th century was the French naval ship captured by the British."

When Alexandre Dumas was about to get angry, a burst of sweet military music suddenly sounded on the sea.

That was the Royal Navy March of the United Kingdom - "Hearts of Oak".

All the sailors who had been squatting lazily on the ship stood up. Even Elder, who had always been indifferent, straightened his face and stood at attention, paying attention to the flagship of the Channel Fleet, the Conqueror.

Only a huffing sound was heard, and a springboard slowly stretched out from the guardrail of the towering "Conqueror", extending from top to bottom to the deck of the "Beagle".

Several officers wearing neat red and black Royal Navy uniforms and epaulettes walked down with strong steps.

They stood on the deck, glanced at it first, and then said to Colonel Fitzroy: "Robert, you did a good job today."

Colonel Fitzroy quickly stood at attention and saluted: "For Nelson!"

The officer nodded, and then asked: "I don't know, where is the Scotland Yard inspector, Mr. Arthur Hastings, at this time?"

At this time, Arthur, who was leaning against the guardrail and smoking, heard this and pushed the ash from his pipe out of the boat. Then he raised a hand and said, "I am Arthur Hastings. What's up?"

The officers walked up to him, glanced at his red-stained shirt and the blood-stained corners of his mouth, then nodded solemnly, slowly raised their hands and saluted.

"Mr. Hastings, Commander of the English Channel Fleet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Vice-Admiral White Flag of the Royal Navy, His Excellency Edward Codrington."