Shadow of great britain

Arthur, Alexandre Dumas and Thomas Campbell sat around the coffee table. The three of them drank tea and talked about their knowledge of Poland.

Since intercepting information about the unrest in Poland from the Tsarist Russian Embassy last year, Arthur has been able to read some news about the Polish uprising from London newspapers from time to time, but most of them are general and general news. Progress, even if Arthur wanted to learn more about it, his London Police Intelligence Bureau did not have the manpower and energy.

He could only occasionally learn some scattered details from Fiona, who worked at the Tsarist Russian Embassy. All in all, since the large-scale uprising broke out in Warsaw last November, the Polish uprising army did not seem to be going well except for its initial victory.

At this moment, from Thomas Campbell's words, the picture in Arthur's mind finally became clear.

Just like the impact on the European continent after the French Revolution in 1789, since the July Revolution broke out in France last year, many places in Europe have been inspired by the victory of the July Revolution, and large-scale armed uprisings have broken out one after another.

And this is the most important reason why Austrian Prime Minister Metternich, Russian Czar Nicholas I and Prussian King Frederick William III wanted to prevent Belgium from becoming independent. As the three most powerful autocratic monarchies in Europe, they They are very worried that making concessions on the Belgian issue will allow domestic resistance forces to see an opportunity to take advantage of it, thus shaking the foundation of their rule.

And facts have proved this. Even before Tsarist Russia gave in on the Belgian issue, a large-scale armed uprising was already launched in the Kingdom of Poland under its control. This also led to Tsarist Russia finally relenting on Belgium's independence and agreed to the plan for Prince Leopold, the uncle of the British Crown Princess Victoria, to be the King of Belgium.

Frustrated in diplomacy, the iron-fisted ruler Tsar Nicholas I naturally wanted to regain ground on internal issues. During the peace talks between the Polish provisional government and the Tsarist Russian government held in St. Petersburg on December 10 last year, Nicholas I King Gula I categorically rejected the petition submitted by the Polish delegation, refused to respect the Polish Constitution established in 1815, and refused to return the land expropriated in Poland. He also stated that he refused to negotiate on the uprising or make concessions that could calm Polish public opinion. , the Poles have only two choices - either lay down their arms and declare unconditional surrender, or Warsaw waits to be crushed by the Russian army!

When the Tsar's reply was sent back to Poland, it unsurprisingly aroused the indignation of the Polish public. The Supreme National Assembly of Poland publicly reprimanded the head of the negotiating delegation, Jezielski, who had previously taken a conciliatory stance towards Russia. As for the other The leader of the Polish government, Ksawali Lubezki, who took a concessionary stance, was even more frightened to stay in Russia and did not dare to return to his country.

On January 25, 1831, a large-scale demonstration broke out in Warsaw. College students in Warsaw held placards with the names of the five revolutionaries of the Russian Decembrist Uprising and gathered in Warsaw's landmark Castle Square. Polish Field Marshal Ostro Wski gave a war mobilization speech with side-by-side Polish and Russian flags and the slogan 'For your freedom and mine'.

At the same time, Polish farmers also began to refuse to perform labor service, put down their hoes and picked up guns to join the uprising army voluntarily.

On the same day, Poland issued a diplomatic notification to the European ambassadors in Poland. Due to the infringement of Polish sovereignty by Tsar Alexander and Nicholas, the Kingdom of Poland officially declared independence from the Russian Empire. The new government will be composed of the former Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Led by Prince Czartoryski of Poland.

Nicholas I's response to Poland's independence did not go back on his words. Poland declared independence on January 25, and on February 5, Russia's 120,000 counter-rebellion troops entered the Kingdom of Poland under the leadership of Tsarist Russian Field Marshal Zabarkanski. .

However, the Tsarist Russian army did not complete the reconquest of Poland as quickly and powerfully as expected. Zabarkanski suffered a blow in the suburbs of Warsaw. They were defeated by the numerically inferior Polish rebel army at the Battle of Grauchow. , and were driven all the way to the Bug River by the rebel army. In April, large-scale cholera and typhoid broke out within the Russian army, severely damaging its combat effectiveness.

It was not until June that the Tsarist Russian army finally recovered. They achieved their first operational victory over Poland in Ostrowinka.

But Tsar Nicholas I's patience with the slow-moving Marshal Zabarkanski had obviously reached its limit. After another attack on Warsaw was blocked, the furious Tsar finally couldn't help but got angry: "No matter how you say it, the battle will be fought." The strength of the troops is 120,000 against 60,000, and the advantage lies with me. Niang Xipi! Zabarkansky is incompetent, it seems that I must go out personally!"

However, just as Nicholas I was gearing up to prepare for his personal expedition, there was a loud noise in the sky of St. Petersburg, and the star appeared shining brightly.

"Your Majesty, wait a minute, let me use my little plan to discipline the Poles and surrender!"

The speaker is exactly: the famous Tsarist Russian general who grew up in the artillery fire of the Napoleonic War, the victorious man who once invaded Paris, the enemy of the Ottoman Turks who repeatedly performed extraordinary feats in the Seventh and Eighth Russo-Turkish Wars, and the Persian Qajar. The king of the Middle East who beat the dynasty on the head, the conqueror of the Caucasus, the old brother who fought side by side with the late Emperor Alexander I, the good brother who won the trust of Tsar Nicholas I, Count Yerevan Ivan Fedorovich Pas Marshal Kevich.

After receiving a strong guarantee from Marshal Paskiewicz, Nicholas I quickly dismissed Marshal Zabarkansky from his post and replaced him with Paskiewicz as the counter-insurgency commander.

As soon as Paskiewicz took office, he changed Zabarkanski's rough and head-on style of fighting. He cunningly ordered the Russian army to cross the Vistula River from a position close to the Prussian border and bypass the Polish troops. The frontal defense line attacks Warsaw directly from the west.

At this time, the Polish rebel army was still divided over the previous defeat. The Polish generals who were defeated in the Battle of Lesobieki were all arrested and imprisoned on the grounds of treason.

After the court acquitted these generals, the excited citizens of Warsaw rushed directly into the prison, lynched them and hanged them one by one. The leader of the uprising, Krukovitzki, who was fighting on the front line, had to rush back to Warsaw overnight to appease the citizens and ordered the arrest of those riot leaders.

After the Poles were busy with this wave, the Russian army led by Paskiewicz had quietly arrived at the gates of Warsaw. After two days of fierce fighting, Paskiewicz could finally surrender to St. Petersburg with satisfaction. Message - Your Majesty, I am honored to inform you that Warsaw is now at your feet again.

Alexandre Dumas listened to Thomas Campbell's introduction. The fat French man held tea in his hand with his mouth half open. After a long time, he couldn't help but shook his head and said: "The fighting outside is lively, and the fighting inside is even more lively. In just a few months, Four governments have changed in just a short period of time, how can we make a successful revolution like this?"

When Arthur heard this, he glanced at him and said: "It shouldn't be the French's turn to say this, right? The Constitutional Monarchists, Girondins, Jacobins, Thermidorian Directory, and the Hébert faction within , Feuillant, Furious, Plains, Montagnards, Sans Sans and Royalists, the painters’ palettes were not as rich as the political factions of the French Revolution. Wasn’t Paris more lively than Warsaw at that time?”

If it was a year ago, Alexandre Dumas would definitely have started a fight with Arthur when he heard this, but now the fat man's mentality has calmed down a lot.

Alexandre Dumas took a sip from his teacup and said, "That's better than London. Apart from the Tories, there are Whigs. Just two plates of radishes. The British have been eating them for hundreds of years. Aren't they tired of it?"

Arthur turned to look at Campbell: "So, Mr. Campbell, are the members of the Friends of Poland Literary Society you mentioned all political figures who fled to London after the failure of the Polish Uprising?"

Campbell smiled and shook his head: "Not entirely, but it is more or less related to the uprising. Poland's land neighbors were relatively hostile to the uprising, so after the uprising failed, they could only choose to take a boat from the sea. Evacuate. You should know that after the uprising, Prussia provided engineering and supply assistance to the Russians, and at the same time blocked the border to prohibit Polish aid personnel and weapons from entering Poland. Although Austria had an ambiguous attitude at first, after discovering that the Russian army was not in a good position in the war, The border with Poland was also sealed at Russia’s request.”

Alexandre Dumas, who had always been keen on politics, couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "Metternich of Austria probably wanted to use Poland to bleed Russia at first, right? But he probably didn't expect that Russia could become like this. If Poland is really allowed to establish a republic, then he will be out of luck. But having said that, if the Poles can seize the good situation in the early stage and defeat the Russian army in one go, it is not impossible to break away from Russia's jurisdiction. It's a pity that they think at the same time You talk and want to fight, but by the time you realize that you have no way out, it's already too late."

Arthur put down his tea cup and said: "So, who are the people in the Polish Friends Literary Association you initiated who need to contribute to "The Englishman"?"

Campbell said: "I did not start this literary association alone. Another initiator of the association was Prince Czartoryski, the former foreign minister of the Russian Empire who served as the president of the Polish Provisional Government. He has a book "Diplomatic Essays" that is almost completed. "Wanted to be published. It was probably because of this manuscript that Brougham politely refused me to publish the Literary Society article in the Edinburgh Review.

After all, the Whig Party is now the ruling party in Britain. Therefore, the views in the Whig Party organ "Edinburgh Review" can basically represent the official diplomatic position of the British government. Our relations with Russia are at least harmonious on the surface. The Whig party is probably not willing to offend the powerful Russian czar for an exiled former Polish president, right? "

Arthur asked tentatively: "Can you give me a general introduction to the content of "Essays on Diplomacy"?"

Campbell did not deliberately conceal Arthur. He answered frankly: "Prince Czartoryski is a very far-sighted politician. He wants to find a place for Poland in Europe. He wants to make Western Europe care about this subjugated country. The dilemma of a country that, although it no longer exists, is still an essential part of the European order.

In addition, he also believed that Poland's efforts for independence were closely connected with the independence movements of other subjugated countries in Europe as far east as the Caucasus. Russia's ruled area is constantly expanding to the west and south. Relying on inexhaustible natural resources from the east and north, Russia is becoming an eternal source of threat to Europe.

By the way, another interesting point is that he felt that Prussia's threat to the peaceful order was also growing. If possible, he believed that East Prussia could be incorporated into the rebuilt Poland and use this as a means to disintegrate it. "

When Arthur heard this, he couldn't help but lean on the back of the sofa chair with a teacup in his hand: "If His Excellency the Prince is not resentful of Prussia's blockade of Poland, then his views are too far-sighted. .”

"What? Do you think so too?"

Campbell laughed and said: "Every time he introduced his knowledge of Prussia to others, others just smiled politely, but judging from their expressions, most of them did not believe it. But unexpectedly, he actually I found a soulmate in The British, and he was a young guy in his early twenties."

At this point, Campbell also joked: "Although I don't know why Prince Czartoryski regarded Prussia as a huge threat, his experience and experience are there after all. Arthur, you are young. If you can think the same thing as his hero, maybe you should go to the Foreign Office in the future instead of staying at Scotland Yard."

When Arthur heard this, he also joked: "Come on, Mr. Campbell, please stop complimenting me. My international perspective is only enough to see the slums of the East End of London from Whitehall Street, or at most to West India." At the dock. But now I understand why Lord Brougham asked you to come to The British. His views on Russia are indeed inappropriate in the Edinburgh Review, but if it is an ordinary It is really appropriate to publish it in a private magazine. After all, sometimes the foreshadowing from the private sector is also very important. We happen to be publishing a supplement in the next issue called "The Economist". I think this "Diplomatic Essay" by His Excellency the Prince is completely You can go up there, it’s very suitable and appropriate.”

"The Economist?" Campbell said blankly: "But the prince's article is not about economics, but about politics!"

"That's right! Political economics!"

Arthur took a sip of tea: "If you don't talk about politics, what else are you going to do with The Economist? As for economics, we already have a manuscript by Mr. John Mill. You don't have to worry at all. As for the rest The pages are all reserved for politics. To be honest, in the first issue of "The Economist", we also plan to publish an article on "Napoleonic Thoughts". If it is combined with Prince Czartoryski's "Essays on Diplomacy", this will Sales will definitely keep rising. With sales, we will be able to share more royalties, and with more shares, we will have more funds for the Literary Association of Friends of Poland. The cycle of conscience will start to change now, right?

By the way, Mr. Campbell, are there any other well-known authors you would recommend? To be honest, our main magazine "The British" is also currently short of articles. Since two of our main authors followed a Royal Navy ship to fish at sea half a year ago, we have had two large columns vacant. Although I found a candidate to fill the vacancy today, there is still another slot left vacant. If there is a suitable one in the association, I think this column can be directly handed over to the Literary Association of Friends of Poland. This saves both you and me. "

Campbell was overjoyed when he heard this and said: "This...Arthur, are you telling the truth?"

"Of course." Arthur nodded and said: "Whether it is for the sake of the Polish people or the friendship of the University of London, I will be duty-bound to help wherever I can."

Having said this, Arthur turned to look at Alexandre Dumas, the mainstay of "The Englishman" and asked: "Alexander, do you agree?"

Alexandre Dumas put one hand on the sofa chair and took a bite of an apple: "It's not like you don't know me. I like republicans, whether they are French or Polish."

"Except the British one?"

Alexandre Dumas raised his eyebrows and said: "Even British."

When Campbell heard this, he did not blame Alexandre Dumas. The famous British poet was in a happy mood now and did not mind making a few jokes: "Speaking of suitable candidates, I really have one here. His resume has been exiled by Tsarist Russia. It is enough to show that he is a heroic republican, and his friendship with the Russian Decembrists also shows his firm position. At the same time, he is also a close friend of Pushkin and a loyal fan of Byron. Fortunately, he returned from Rome to attend No one was shot during the uprising, otherwise the world poetry world would have suffered huge losses."

When Alexandre Dumas heard this, he couldn't help but put down his apple and nodded: "It sounds like someone you can be friends with. Mr. Campbell, who is the person you are talking about?"

Campbell smiled and said: "Please allow me to introduce you to the most talented contemporary poet in Poland - Mr. Adam Mickiewicz. Believe me, you will not be disappointed if you give the column to him."

There are three thousand six left, a little later.