Shadow of great britain

As an ancient sport that originated in the 15th century, golf has been taking root on this small island of Britain for a long time.

However, golf was not first popularized in England, but in Scotland.

In fact, at the beginning, it was just a hockey-like sport called Chole originating from the Flanders region of Belgium.

This sport, which only requires a stick, a ball and a few holes dug by moles, quickly became very popular in Scotland. Within a few years, it became a popular sport in Scotland, ranging from nobles to priests. It is a national sport that ordinary people love to play.

But perhaps because the land of Scotland is so vast and the local population is so small, after a period of evolution, the Scottish people who have become more interested in playing Chole no longer limit themselves to playing Chole in a small area. , they naturally expanded the scope of this activity to the entire nearby pastures and farmland. Although various natural obstacles, wheat fields, and ponds and puddles increased the difficulty of the game, they also increased its fun.

After that, they changed Chole’s official English name to Golf.

But everyone was having fun, but the King of Scotland was not.

Nobles and commoners across the country are addicted to playing golf and football, and they don't even practice bows and arrows. If the English from the south come over in the future, are you going to send them into the hole with one shot or kick them into the door with one kick?

His Majesty the King, who deeply felt that the country might fall into a national defense crisis, learned from the painful experience and finally made a decision that went against the will of the people across the country.

In 1457, King James II of Scotland formally issued a national seal after notifying Parliament, requiring that golf and football be banned nationwide.

However, although the imperial edict says so, the actual effect of this edict is the same as banning mahjong in China.

God doesn't care about the Scottish people playing golf. How can your king have any say in this matter?

In this way, this edict was finally abolished in 1502, half a century after it was issued.

The reason for the abolition is also very simple, because the new king, James IV, the grandson of James II, was a golfer himself. The first thing he did after taking office was to go straight to the Posi Bow and Arrow Workshop in the capital and order two fine clubs.

In 1553, one of the two major religious leaders in Scotland, the Archbishop of St. Andrews, who governed the four dioceses of Aberdeen, Dunkeld, Galloway and Argyll and the Islands, also issued an edict allowing local residents to Golfing in St Andrews.

However, the Archbishop of St. Andrews may not have thought of the consequences of his edict. For a long time to come, the church found that a group of people often played golf secretly during Sunday sermons.

For this reason, the city of Edinburgh even had to impose a strict ban on playing football during Sunday sermons.

In 1603, after England and Scotland formally merged to form the Kingdom of Great Britain, James I, the first British King, naturally brought the habit of golfing from Scotland to England.

The Blackheath stadium that Arthur and the others visited today was established in 1608 by the earliest British king.

Thanks to the king's love for golf and his decree in 1618 that the British people have the inherent right to play golf on Sundays, Arthur and the others do not have to check the calendar when they go out to play. Not to mention being criticized by the priests.

Arthur walked out of the wooden shed in the preparation area of ​​the stadium, unbuttoned his tuxedo to reveal the white shirt and breeches he was wearing underneath, covered his eyebrows with his hands and looked up at the sun hidden behind the dark clouds on the horizon.

Next to him is an old acacia tree that has grown for an unknown number of years. Under his feet is green grass. As for the distance, there is a green and a pond. Not far from the pond, there are ditches and embankments. There is a small river separated by a wooden bridge. Occasionally, several officers wearing Royal Navy uniforms can be seen passing by on horseback.

Under the trees on the green, you can occasionally see a few gentlemen sitting under the trees looking up at the sky with sad faces, as if they are waiting for apples.

It is not surprising to see the Royal Navy here, because at the far north of the stadium is the Royal Naval College, which Elder took Arthur to visit.

As for the gentlemen under the fruit trees, Arthur speculated that they were probably employees of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

The Royal Observatory and the stadium are also located in Blackheath Park and can be reached within a short walk. As for why these gentlemen looked sad, Arthur thought it had something to do with Mr. George Airy, the director of the Royal Observatory.

Just thinking about working under that old-fashioned scholar who is conceited, jealous and narrow-minded gives me a headache.

Even in the field of electromagnetism that has nothing to do with Mr. Airy, he can output the new ideas of Arthur and Mr. Faraday, let alone get along with this astronomical tyrant day and night.

However, this tyrant is not without merit. In Arthur's opinion, apart from being one of Cambridge's top mathematical lunatics and outstanding astronomers, that guy's most outstanding achievement is the design of glasses that can correct astigmatism.

Arthur carried the club behind his back, stretched out, and swung it casually into the air a few times. As a skilled swordsman, he quickly found the center of gravity of the club. Just as he was thinking about finding As he was trying the ball, Lionel Rothschild's voice came from behind him.

Lionel saw through at a glance his intention to hit the ball high and far with a stick, and said with a smile: "Arthur, this is not cricket, you have to lower the cue a little. But If you really want to knock two sticks, I will set up a game later. Are you free next Saturday?"

"next Saturday?"

Arthur thought about it for a moment: "It's hard to say. Lionel, you also know. The Parliament may be dissolved. Some emergency may happen in the meantime. I don't want to let you go after making an appointment." Pigeon."

"Then let's talk about it when you have some free time."

After saying this, Lionel waved to the caddy next to him and motioned for him to bring the club bag. He pulled a pole from it and threw it towards Arthur: "Try this, American walnut." The wooden pole is much easier to use than the one you have. The best wood in Britain has been hauled away by the Royal Navy to build ships, and the wood that can be used to make golf clubs is all second-class."

Arthur took the club and simply waved it twice, causing a gust of wind: "It seems to be much stronger than the one I have."

Lionel smiled and leaned forward: "I said, Arthur, Blackheath usually plays the "St. Andrews Rules". Is Mr. Talleyrand familiar with it?"

"It doesn't matter what the rules are. Mr. Talleyrand, like me, is a beginner. You can give him a little more time. He had a bad experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and was not in a good mood. He was in the carriage just now." At that time, I was still holding back my money to win.”

When Lionel heard this, he just tapped Arthur's shoulder lightly with his hand. He smiled and said: "Arthur, what are you talking about? I will not let Mr. Talleyrand. If I lose Well, that’s purely because Mr. Talleyrand has talent. For an outstanding diplomat who can maneuver around Europe, isn’t it normal for him to have some talent in golf?”

Arthur pursed his lips, took out an apple from his pocket and took a bite: "There is indeed a reason why Rothschild's business is so good!"

Lionel was stunned by the sudden appearance of the apple: "Where did you get this apple?"

Arthur raised his head towards the green in front: "Isn't this resourceful? It's picked fresh. Do you want to try it? I have one in my pocket. It's much fresher than the Newton store on Jermyn Street."

"This..." Lionel couldn't laugh or cry: "Otherwise, you should keep it for Mr. Talleyrand. He met a few acquaintances at the entrance of the stadium. It will probably take a while before he comes here."

When Agares, who was squatting on the acacia tree and chewing an apple, heard this, he spat out the apple peel and said, "You weird little Jew, what's the big deal about eating two rotten apples? I'm eating a golden apple." , your ancestors haven’t fucking crossed the Red Sea yet!”

But Lionel obviously didn't notice the devil's dirty words. While Talleyrand was away, he happened to have something to talk to Arthur about.

Lionel dismissed the caddy and said with a smile: "Actually, I had an encounter with Mr. Talleyrand a few years ago, but he probably doesn't remember it."

"Huh? What about this?"

When Arthur said this, he suddenly remembered: "I almost forgot that your uncle, Mr. James Rothschild, is in charge of your family's business in Paris, right?"

Lionel smiled and replied: "That's right. I was studying in Paris at that time, and Uncle James wanted to take me to see the world. He went to the Tuileries Palace to meet Charles X, who was the one who robbed you The man at the Regent's Crescent House was talking about the issuance of French national debt, so he took me there with him.

I was still young at that time, and I didn’t dare to say anything along the way. My uncle just introduced me to the important figures in the French court one by one, including Prince Polignac, Prince Condé, and Lafayette. During the introduction, I suddenly saw an old lame man walking out of the palace. After he walked away, I learned from others that he was the famous Talleyrand. "

Arthur raised his eyebrows and asked, "Really? What do they think of him?"

Lionel scratched his chin: "They said a lot. On the good side, for example, Mr. Talleyrand is considered a Voltaire-like figure. His humorous mouth can always pop out a few worthwhile words from time to time. A classic saying that has been praised for a long time and made the audience willing to pay for it.

As for the bad aspects, they are nothing more than clichés, such as: France's misfortune is that this land gave birth to a guy like Talleyrand who does not even have the most basic moral qualities. What is even more unfortunate is that the results achieved by France at the Congress of Vienna were actually achieved by such a guy. "

Arthur wrapped the apple core in a handkerchief and stuffed it into his pocket: "If all the French think this way, it would be a bit unfair. I don't know Mr. Talleyrand well, but I think he is a person The reason why he has no regard for morality is precisely because he was born in France.

He grew up in a time when only one moral was true in France, and that was the likes and dislikes of the king. No matter how many bad things you do, as long as the king still smiles at you, you are a moral gentleman. If the king kicks you into the Bastille, no matter how many good things you do, you must still be a hypocrite.

Therefore, Mr. Talleyrand doesn't care what others think of him. Not only does he not care, he doesn't even bother to conceal his misdeeds. Not only him, but also Mr. Vidocq, the head of the security department of the Paris Police Department, who I know, is like this. They call this style of behavior active silence.

Whether it was during the reign of Louis XVI, the Great Revolution, or when Napoleon proclaimed himself emperor, this style of behavior could help them survive intact in the political arena. As for those who make sarcastic remarks, if we put them in the same period, let alone asking them to change the court six times, they will most likely be guillotined earlier than Louis XVI. "

When Lionel heard this, he couldn't help but smile with an unknown meaning. He took out the cigar box from his pocket and opened the lid with a flick: "Arthur, I didn't expect you to be with my Uncle James." I hold the same view, I thought young people like us all love fantasy."

Arthur reached out and took out one from the cigar box and lit it: "Young people do love to fantasize, so if you can wake up earlier than your peers, you will easily have an advantage. You can put your fantasies into practice earlier. Use your time to learn some useful skills or knowledge, although these skills and knowledge may seem very insignificant compared to some people's natural advantages."

Lionel smiled: "But it's better than nothing."

Arthur nodded slightly: "That's right, at least you've got a head start."

When Lionel heard this, he suddenly changed the subject and said: "Arthur, speaking of this, I happened to know the list of some young people who love fantasy. I wonder if you are interested in helping them get rid of useless and harmful things as soon as possible. Fantasy, let’s do something down-to-earth.”

"Um?"

Arthur sensed something wrong in Lionel's words. He opened his mouth half-open and let the cigar smoke billow on his lips: "The order of the Financial City is not a security team hired by the Financial City autonomous group at a huge cost. Are you responsible? The police distribution there is much richer than in the metropolitan area, and Scotland Yard can't get its hands in there."

"No, no, no, Arthur, you misunderstood." Lionel asked with a smile: "I'm not talking about attacks and destruction in the physical sense, but attacks on Rothschild in terms of public opinion and spirituality. ."

"Public opinion and spirit?"

Arthur did not intend to directly agree to his friend's request, but chose to continue talking in circles with him: "Lionel, didn't Rothschild just purchase a large amount of shares in The Times this year? I don’t think there is any newspaper in Britain that can overwhelm The Times in terms of public opinion. Even the recent surge in sales of our The Englishman relies on the matrimonial ads published in The Times.”

Lionel saw that Arthur was still unwilling to let go, so he tentatively gave him an introduction: "Arthur, I remember that you like literature and philosophy very much."

"Of course, if it weren't for this, I wouldn't have started "The British"." Arthur calmly took a puff of his cigar: "Lionel, you know, literature is my dream, just like playing the piano."

Lionel asked with a smile: "In addition to writing, do you also read literary review magazines such as Blackwood? The article reprinted from the French newspaper in the previous issues of Blackwood was extraordinary. It’s wonderful.”

When Arthur heard this, he immediately remembered that article: "Are you talking about the article about the Paris debate between Ludwig Berner and Heine? That article is indeed wonderful. Although I don't completely agree with Berner Sir’s argument, but I have to applaud his creative approach to metaphor.”

Lionel couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "You're right, after all, except for Bernard, probably no one in the world would denounce Mr. Goethe of Weimar as a 'rhyme slave'. "

Arthur said half-jokingly: "That's better than Hegel of Württemberg. After all, in Bernard's words, Hegel is a 'non-rhyming slave'."

Lionel nodded and said: "However, he was still merciful in his evaluation of Heine. He just compared Heine to a 'slave of aestheticism'."

The red devil, lying on his side on the acacia tree, picked out his ears with a branch, frowned and said, "Are they all fucking slaves? Arthur, is this Bernard a Spartan living in ancient Greece?" ?”

Lionel smiled and continued: "But leave Goethe and Hegel aside. Regarding the description of Heine, I think Bernard was really right. As he said in the article: Escape once Illusion can make people wiser than discovering a truth. Arthur, you police officers are always so realistic and rational. Mr. Berner is so insightful probably because he worked as a police clerk in his early years. I think, Heine The husband is still reluctant to break free from his illusion.

Look at what he wrote, and yet he wanted to get it all published in Britain. Although Britain has initially achieved freedom of press and publication, in the field of book censorship, at least the facts must be respected, right? "

Arthur took the yellowed manuscript from Lionel's hand, and after just one glance, he instantly understood why Rothschild was so angry about this manuscript.

People all over Europe, look before you. Rothschild I, Wellington, Metternich and the Pope have joined forces to form a wall against freedom.

These Rothschilds have always played the same game, to make money. Bankers are the nation's greatest enemies, and they have done more damage to the foundations of freedom than anyone else. There is no doubt that if Rothschild had not provided financial support to those dictators, most Europeans would have enjoyed complete freedom by this time.

Although the Rothschilds are not currently claiming the crown, when a throne is unoccupied, they will provide comprehensive advice and elect a new king.

France's July Revolution? This is just a self-entertaining joke!

If Louis Philippe is still King of France in a year, he can crown himself!

Not at the Saint-Remy Cathedral in Reims, but at the Notre-Dame de la Bourse in Paris!

Rothschild will serve as archbishop of the ceremony. After the coronation, the doves would be released as usual, and one of them would fly to St. Helena, land on Napoleon's tomb, and say mockingly to his remains that they had seen his successor crowned yesterday, but not by the pope. With anointing, the whole body was anointed by a Jew. Moreover, the current rulers of France have acquired a title, 5% as emperor, 3% as king, and the rest as protector of bankers and traders!

When Arthur saw the manuscript, he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. He took a deep breath and asked, "If I remember correctly, isn't Mr. Heine himself a Jew? Even if he dislikes Ross, Child, there’s no need to humiliate the Jewish identity in the last paragraph, right?”

Lionel shook his head slightly and said: "No, the last paragraph was not written by Heine, but the masterpiece of his friend Mr. Bone."

Arthur blew out a smoke ring: "Are you sure? Will my friends make fun of Mr. Heine's ethnicity?"

"Pretty sure."

Lionel nodded with a complicated expression: "Because Mr. Born is also a Jew, and he was a Jew born in the Jewish Street in Frankfurt. My grandfather came from there. Even now, we still often Will return to the ancestral home in Frankfurt to hold a family meeting. I don’t understand what they are thinking. Of these two guys, Heine doesn’t know what he is resisting. And Born is even worse. As a Jews, turned into German nationalists.”

"Jewish German nationalists?"

Arthur covered his mouth and took a deep breath: "Hiss... I didn't know that these three things could be put together. It's really... very imaginative. Mr. Heine is at best a young man's confusion. , but Mr. Bone is suffering from madness, and he is still seriously ill."

"That's right."

Lionel smiled helplessly or angrily, and he said: "As a Jew who came from Frankfurt, doesn't he still understand where the most serious rejection of Jews in Europe is? The German state! Britain's Although Jews have few rights, what we get here is far from what we can compare with in Germany. Arthur, I don’t ask you to prevent the publication of this book, but if possible, I ask you to censor it. Go talk to them both."

Arthur frowned and asked, "According to the article in Blackwood, isn't Mr. Heine in Paris at this time?"

"Yes, Heine is still in Paris." Lionel said: "But Born is in London at the moment, and Heine will come to London soon to talk to him about publishing this book "Travel Sketches" in English It’s a matter of edition.”

"Then..." Arthur paused: "How did you know about this?"

Lionel smiled slightly, and he took out a letter from his coat pocket: "Arthur, I have to remind you a little, if you want to deliver a letter, don't use the British General Post Office, it is not only slow but also easy to lose. In addition, Rothschild’s post and courier service is the best in Europe.”

Arthur also understood after hearing this. He put out his cigar and pressed it twice with his toes: "Unfortunately, Rothschild is still not very satisfactory in terms of confidentiality..."