Shadow of great britain

As the center of London's press and publishing industry for centuries, Fleet Street has always been a sacred place for British journalists.

Today, this holy land welcomes a new guest - the editorial office of "British" magazine.

As a popular magazine in the streets of London in recent years, "The Englishman" has finally decided to move its headquarters from the Lancaster Gate building where Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Hastings once lived. He moved out of his two residences and entered a new track of formalized office work.

Mr. Disraeli, who is committed to working tirelessly for the Prime Minister's goals, also announced that he will officially step down from the post of editor-in-chief of "The Englishman" today, and will split the position into two positions: editor-in-chief of fashion literature and editor-in-chief of romance literature. .

The person who took over as editor-in-chief of fashion literature was the reluctant Mr. Alexandre Dumas.

Arthur leaned on the chair in the editorial office, drank tea and read the newspaper, and said to comfort: "Alexander, where can I write a manuscript instead of writing? You sit in an office on Fleet Street and get a salary, and Benjamin, in order to take care of you, also I have specially hired two writing assistants for you to help collect information. Even if you don’t need a fixed office location, you will need those two assistants, right?"

Dumas was sitting at the desk next door and spinning his quill. The fat man yawned and said impatiently: "This place is like a prison. Even if you let me stay here, you must rent a bigger house." ? Not to mention other things, we have to be more spacious than the editorial office of "Blackwood"."

"It will happen one day in the future, but for now, please bear with me for a while." Arthur said, "But if you dislike the narrowness here, you can also go to Scotland Yard to assist my police secretary in training."

"Training?" Alexandre Dumas paused while holding the coffee, and frowned: "What did you do to fool the boy from the Bonaparte family?"

"It's not a lie, it's what he suggested." Arthur said: "Louis and I reported that after a week of observation and research in various police districts in London, he found that the quality of the police officers was uneven, especially in execution and discipline. Sex still needs to be strengthened, so..."

Alexandre Dumas shook his head when he heard this: "If there is a good job, who will be a policeman? It's either a farmer who has just moved to the city or a bankrupt craftsman. At a price of fifteen shillings a week, does he still want to hire someone?" Are the Pope’s Swiss Guards coming to Scotland Yard?”

Arthur replied: "The Swiss Guards will definitely not be invited, but Louis has also attended a military academy in Switzerland for a few years, and he still has some family background in training. He told me that he planned to follow the training of the French artillery. The standards will bring out a group of police officers with absolutely excellent professional capabilities to Scotland Yard, and the Criminal Investigation Department will be the first target for his training."

Alexandre Dumas almost spit out the coffee in his mouth when he heard this: "What?! He plans to help Scotland Yard train a team of French artillery?"

"That's right, that's why I asked you if you are interested in assisting him." Arthur shook the newspaper in his hand: "Alexander, I remember, didn't you hold the rank of artillery captain in France? You also served as deputy artillery company commander. ?”

"Not only did I do it!" Alexandre Dumas immediately became energetic when he heard this. He straightened his collar with a proud snort: "I also led people to bombard the Tuileries Palace!"

Arthur heard this and quickly raised his hand to stop him: "Just training this time will be enough. You don't need to teach them to bombard St. James's Palace. If you are really hungry for a while, you can go to St. Petersburg and teach the sailors there to bombard the Winter Palace. Anyway, Sooner or later, it will be bombed, and who can be bombarded?"

Alexandre Dumas asked: "You have a problem with the Tsar?"

Arthur said calmly: "No, it's just because I don't have any friends in Russia yet."

Alexandre Dumas couldn't help shaking his head when he heard this: "The British people are really cold. You have no objection to the Tsar, but I have an objection. Nicholas I, a cruel tyrant, look what he did to Poland! That fuck The hypocritical man who protected Greece from the Ottoman Empire and claimed to be the protector of Christians in the world has finally torn away his hypocritical mask."

After Alexandre Dumas finished speaking, he found that Arthur not only ignored him but was still reading the newspaper attentively. He leaned forward and asked: "What are you reading?"

Arthur didn't answer, just handed him the newspaper in his hand: "You will know after you see it for yourself."

Alexandre Dumas took the newspaper and read ten lines.

"The Greek President was assassinated, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep condolences"

According to public information in Athens, the great leader of the Greek War of Independence, an outstanding diplomat renowned in Europe, a strong and unyielding liberal fighter, the founding father and first president of the Hellenic Republic, Ioannis Antonios Capodistria When Mr. Si went to church for Sunday Mass on October 9, he was attacked in the street by two ultra-nationalists from the Mani region of Greece.

Mr. Capodistrias was shot several times in the chest and died that afternoon after resuscitation failed.

The two attackers were arrested by the Greek authorities on the spot. According to reliable sources, the reason why the two attackers assassinated the president was because the Mani region refused to give up regional autonomy and pay taxes. The leader of the Mani people, Petros Mafu, Romichaels was arrested and imprisoned by the Greek authorities, which aroused extreme dissatisfaction among the local ethnic groups, which in turn led to the tragedy.

After the incident, Foreign Secretary Viscount Palmerston immediately expressed his condolences to the Greek ambassador and severely condemned the murderer. Viscount Palmerston claimed: At this difficult moment, the entire British public will be united in solidarity with the perpetrators. With the free and fighting people of Greece.

Currently, the Greek government has declared a temporary state of emergency across the country. During the emergency period, all military and political affairs will be taken over by Greece's Supreme Triumvirate, composed of Army Commander-in-Chief General Koroktronis, Navy Commander-in-Chief General Miaolis and the leader of the Greek Parliament Mr. Kolettis.

Arthur rapped his knuckles on the table and couldn't stop mumbling: "It's a typical ancient Greek tragedy, isn't it? Alexander. Let's pay tribute to Mr. Capodistrias, an outstanding politician. Please observe three minutes of silence."

Alexandre Dumas put down the newspaper and said: "So, does Scotland Yard still have to fly the flag at half-mast in mourning?"

Arthur lamented: "If I had the power, I wouldn't mind doing it. But unfortunately, I don't."

Of course Alexandre Dumas would not be deceived by Arthur. As an energetic nineteenth-century republican political boy, he knew the situation in Europe very well, and at the very least he was very concerned about it.

As for Greece, which has been the focus of the past few years, Alexandre Dumas has done some research of his own.

He pointed to the list of the Greek Triumvirate in the newspaper and said: "Army Commander-in-Chief Koroktronis is the leader of the pro-Russian faction who wore the same pants as the assassinated Greek President. The weapons, equipment and training of the Greek Army are also It was basically aid from the Russians.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Miaolis, is also very interesting. I remember that when British people with lofty ideals such as Byron and Shelley went to Greece to assist in the war, most of them were responsible for guarding Mesolongium, and the people there Supplies were transported by Miaoulis for several years.

After General Thomas Cochrane, the bomb maniac of the Royal Navy, was sent by Britain to fight in Greece, Miaolis became his full-time assistant. What exactly is he made of, Arthur, can you tell me? "

When Arthur heard this, he just raised his hand and pointed at Collatis, who was at the end of the three-person committee: "So before that, why don't we talk about Mr. Collatis? Alexander, he is just like you. A great republican, a spiritual Frenchman, full of an unparalleled love for the land of France. Even if France itself is not a republic now, it cannot change Mr. Collatis's fanatical and spiritual tendencies. "

There was silence in the office for a while, and then I saw Alexandre Dumas and Arthur smiling at each other.

Alexandre Dumas smiled and shook his head: "Ah... Arthur, maybe you are right: there are no people in politics, only thoughts. There are no emotions, only interests. In politics, you cannot say that you are killing a person, that is just killing someone." An obstacle was removed. Mr. Capodistrias was removed because he served only Russian interests."

Arthur opened the manuscript at hand and also praised: "You are right, just like what is written in "The Count of Monte Cristo". When a person has a considerable amount of property, luxury life becomes a necessity. When a person has a fairly superior status, his ideals will become brighter."

"So it's really you British guys who did this?"

"Given the lack of information at hand, I am also inclined to believe that this may be a French-style accident."

"Okay, let's make a compromise and just treat him as a Greek venting his dissatisfaction."

"Yes, the evaluation given in The Times is objective enough and meets the expectations of many parties."

As soon as Arthur said this, the door to the editorial office suddenly opened.

The face that appeared outside the door stunned Arthur and Alexandre Dumas.

"Alfred, why are you here?"

Tennyson took off his hat. His expression looked a little tired, but he still forced a smile: "Didn't Mr. Disraeli tell you? Mr. Dumas is the editor-in-chief of fashion literature, and I am the editor-in-chief of fashion literature." Responsible for romantic literature.”

Alexandre Dumas was stunned: "Let you be the editor? What is Benjamin doing? Doesn't he know that you are still studying at Cambridge?"

"I..." Tennyson paused: "I dropped out of school."

"Did you drop out of school?" Arthur raised his eyebrows and said, "Did something happen to you?"

"That's right, just ask if you have any difficulties." Alexandre Dumas put his arm around Arthur's shoulders, beat his chest with his hand and said, "See, we can help you figure out the pros and cons. If you really can't figure it out, we will remove the obstacles. .”

Arthur glanced at him, lit his pipe and took a puff of smoke: "Alexander, I'm just going to school, I don't think it's enough to reach that level."

Tennyson hung his hat and coat on the coat rack: "It's nothing, you two don't have to worry about me. I just can't afford the tuition at Cambridge because my father passed away."

"This...your father is gone?"

"Alfred, I'm sorry to hear that."

Tennyson found a chair and sat down: "It's okay. God always calls people, but this time he happened to choose my father. But Cambridge is definitely not as reasonable as God. If you have no money, you should drop out. This is the rule. .”

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas took out his wallet directly from his arms: "How much does the tuition at Cambridge cost? Just ask, I can lend you the tuition first, and you don't have to worry about paying it back."

Seeing this, Tennyson quickly warned Dumas not to be impulsive: "Alexander, thank you for your kindness, but it's really unnecessary. I have dropped out of school. There is no turning back. Besides, it's just for a second or third class in Cambridge." Paying one or two hundred pounds a year for a diploma is simply too expensive."

"One or two hundred pounds?" Alexandre Dumas's hands trembled when he heard this: "Is a Cambridge diploma made of gold? How much money does it cost to go to school? If you complete your studies, the money for studying will be worth nothing. It’s enough to buy two houses in London.”

At this point, Alexandre Dumas suddenly came back to his senses: "So, that little bald guy Charles's family is quite wealthy?"

Arthur glanced at him: "What do you think? I have told you a long time ago that among our group of people, I am the only real mud-legged person."

Tennyson seemed to be very open-minded, and he smiled: "Arthur, you can't say that, and now I do too. Speaking of which, education in Cambridge is actually quite boring. When William dropped out of school at the beginning of the year, I thought It’s up to me whether I should drop out with him. Now that my father has passed away, it just gives me a reason to officially drop out. So, I’ll just drop out.”

Alexandre Dumas asked in confusion: "That friend of yours, Mr. Thackeray's father, also passed away?"

Arthur looked at Alexandre Dumas: "Alexander, you are quite good at talking."

Tennyson shook his head and said: "William's father died relatively early, but his father was a senior employee of the East India Company, and William was an only son, so he was able to inherit a large fortune. It's just that , although William has a good personality, he is a bit withdrawn, so he is not able to handle the relationship with his classmates well. In addition, he was stimulated by Mr. Carter before, and he failed to submit articles to magazines several times. So at the beginning of this year He dropped out of school and made a special trip to the Weimar Republic in Germany, intending to study poetry and art with Mr. Goethe."

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas couldn't help but sigh: "Goethe? This is really willful!"

Arthur also echoed: "I think it's mainly because of his money. But I think he should gain something from this trip. After all, even Bernard, who always looked down on Mr. Goethe, could only dismiss Mr. Goethe as a 'rhyming man'." slave'. This shows that even his opponents cannot deny the beauty of Mr. Goethe's poetry."

Speaking of this, Arthur suddenly asked: "But having said that, don't I remember that there is a place for working-study students in Cambridge? Sir Isaac Newton graduated as a working-study student back then. If you can become a working-study student, the tuition fee will be You should be able to get a discount, so Alexander and I can help you get the remaining share and living expenses together."

When Tennyson heard this, he waved his hands quickly and said: "Arthur, I really appreciate your kind help. But the status of a work-study student is not so easy to get. There are more work-study students in natural philosophy, and I am studying There is no such thing as work-study in classical literature. After all, only mathematics, physics, and chemistry require apprentices to help professors."

The more Dumas listened, the more confused he became: "What's going on with the work-study students? Can Cambridge students still be divided into third, sixth, and ninth grades?"

"That's right."

Tennyson nodded and said: "To be precise, students at Cambridge and Oxford are divided into three levels. The best ones are aristocratic students, like Lord Byron, who can graduate smoothly without taking any exams.

Secondly, there are self-financing students like me and Charles. Charles, who studies theology, is considered the mainstream of self-financing students. After graduation, he can be a pastor in an Anglican church, with a good salary and high social status.

The worst of all were work-study students like Sir Isaac Newton. Although they will receive discounts on tuition, they are responsible for many chores, such as cleaning the campus, serving tea and water to professors, running errands for noble students, and so on.

I remember there was always a legend on campus that Sir Isaac Newton earned his tuition by tricking aristocratic students into doing business with him. Cambridge in the 17th century was not the same as it is now. The campus and the town of Cambridge were almost completely connected. The ground was full of mud and garbage, and the river was dirty. Beggars, businessmen, vagrants, prostitutes, and farmers were all there. What were they doing in the town? There are all kinds of things, so there are business opportunities everywhere. "

When Tennyson said this, he couldn't help but make a joke. He comforted himself: "Maybe Sir Newton was too obsessed with business, so when he graduated, he only got a second-class degree from Cambridge. Thinking about it this way, it doesn’t seem like a big deal if I drop out of Cambridge.”

"Second class degree?" Alexandre Dumas turned back to look at Arthur: "What degree did you get from the University of London?"

Arthur raised his own hat. He did not talk about himself, but instead asked: "Three-year academic gold medal, what do you think?"

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas asked again: "What about Elder?"

Arthur took a sip of tea: "It's also first class."

"Ah?!" Alexandre Dumas exclaimed, "How did he get first class?"

"I don't know either." Arthur shrugged: "But the professors in the Department of Classical Literature say that the tea sent by Elder is first-class."

Speaking of this, Arthur suddenly had a flash of inspiration in his mind. He pondered for a while and suddenly said: "Alfred, although it is inappropriate to say this, I don't think it is necessary to study classical literature in Cambridge. And you will Now that you’ve moved to London, why not find a school that’s affordable and won’t delay your work?”

"You..." Tennyson was also stunned: "You mean your alma mater."

Alexandre Dumas heard this and said with disgust: "Come on, Arthur, what good can the Classics Department of the University of London teach?"

Arthur didn't refute, he just said: "Perhaps it was mainly an animal research institution before, but now Alfred comes, isn't it different? Besides, Cambridge and Oxford charge one to two hundred pounds a year. , the tuition fees at the four major law firms in London can reach 300 pounds per year, while the annual tuition fees at the University of London are only 13 pounds 6 shillings. Where can you find such value for money?"

"But..." Tennyson was a little confused: "But I heard that the University of London does not have a royal charter?"

Arthur took a sip of tea and said, "Don't worry, it will be available soon."

Tennyson was stunned: "How did you know?"

Arthur put down the tea cup, leaned forward and asked seriously: "Alfred, do you know who is responsible for issuing royal charters?"

Tennyson thought for a while: "Should...it should be the chief justice, right?"

Arthur nodded: "That's right, but the Lord Chancellor is now our Chairman of the Board of Governors. So you see, it's not us who have to worry about the Royal Charter now, it's Oxford and Cambridge. If they continue to incite the Board of Education Vote against granting a Royal Charter to the University of London, then by the time their Royal Charter expires they'd better hope Lord Brougham has been ousted, otherwise we'll see."

When Tennyson heard this, he immediately smiled and said: "This...if you say so, maybe I should really consider studying at the University of London..."

Seeing his interest, Arthur took out the paper from the drawer and wrote a note and handed it to him: "Alfred, when you go to register, take this and give it to Principal Horner. He will definitely consider that you have already studied in Cambridge." Since you have been studying for a while, I will arrange for you to skip a grade if appropriate."

"Arthur, I..." The haze in Tennyson's heart was swept away: "I really don't know how to thank you."

Alexandre Dumas couldn't help but whistled: "I'm just saying, Alfred, the obstacle has been removed now."

While the three of them were talking and laughing, the door to the editorial office was knocked open again.

Disraeli, who walked unsteadily, staggered into the office, covering his head and complaining: "Damn it, I shouldn't have drank so much yesterday. When I got up this morning, I felt like the whole world was spinning around me. Until now. not good."

Seeing this, Alexandre Dumas couldn't help but joked: "It seems that our future prime minister has had his first taste of politics. Benjamin, how does it taste?"

"How does it taste?" Disraeli glared: "It's hot and a little sweet when you first taste it, but after that, your throat still feels a little burning."

Alexandre Dumas laughed loudly and said: "Then I think this politics may be twenty-eight degrees."

"Absolutely." Disraeli still felt a little frightened when he thought about it: "Oh God! You didn't see the scene last night. The feeling of being targeted by several ladies is so unsettling. I am afraid of offending if I please this. Well, no one dares to be indifferent, otherwise they can pin me to death on the table with just a wink. By the way, Arthur, why did you specially call me here today? "

When Arthur heard this, he just took out the document bag he put aside and threw it over: "What else can I do? Of course, I will help you pave the road to the Prime Minister."

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