Shadow of great britain

Disraeli was holding the document and was about to open it, but before he could do it, Arthur stood up and held down his arm.

"Benjamin, you can just take this thing back and look at it. It's best for the editorial department to do things that editors should do."

When Disraeli heard this, he grinned and said: "Isn't that what I am doing as an editor? Arthur, can't you let me review the manuscript?"

Arthur shook his head gently: "I advise you not to."

"Oh well."

Disraeli raised his buttocks and sank down on the desk. He glanced at the document in his hand, and finally couldn't help but ask: "Then at least tell me what's in it, right?"

The fat French man with a keen sense of smell also became suspicious: "Yes! Although you do some shady things every day, there is no need to hide it from your brothers, right?"

Tennyson on the side also said anxiously: "How about I go out first?"

Arthur raised his hand and pushed him back to the chair: "No need, Alfred, no one treats you as an outsider. Since everyone is interested, it's not a big deal if I tell you."

Alexandre Dumas pinched his chin and narrowed his eyes and asked, "What's in that?"

Arthur picked up the teapot and poured water into the teacup: "Nothing, just some comparative research on English and Russian literature. Didn't we recently set aside a column space for the Polish Friends Literary Association? I am in the spirit of promoting exchanges between the two sides. , I want Benjamin, the major shareholder, to have a deeper impression of Eastern European literature.”

When Tennyson heard this, he suddenly became enthusiastic: "Really? So this is a study of Russian literature? Having said that, I do know something about Russian poetry. Do you know Mr. Pushkin? If life deceives you, don't Sad, don't be impatient! You need to be calm in the melancholy days. Believe it, happy days will come! Although this song "If Life Deceived You" is short, it is really a catchy masterpiece. During this period of my father's death In these difficult days, this little poem inspired me."

When Arthur heard this, he couldn't help but mention: "If you like Mr. Pushkin's works very much, you can communicate more with our new columnist, the Polish poet Mr. Mickiewicz, when you have nothing to do. He is Mr. Pushkin." A close friend. At the same time, he is also a close comrade-in-arms of the Russian poet Mr. Ryleyev.”

"Ryleyev?" Tennyson couldn't help but ask: "Is it Mr. Ryleyev, the leader of the Decembrists?"

Alexandre Dumas nodded and said: "Yes, that's right, the great republican who died generously after writing "Nariwaiko"."

When Alexandre Dumas said this, he couldn't help singing: "If anyone first stands up and fights against the people who oppress the people, I know that destruction will await him. Fate has ordained that you should die. But tell me where and what At that time, freedom was ever redeemed without sacrifice? Ryleyev, what a masterpiece! Whether it is his poems or his short life."

Tennyson couldn't help but recall: "I heard that Mr. Ryleyev did not confess to any of the rebels during the interrogation from beginning to end, and he also applied to the Investigative Committee for the execution of only him. This is true. ?"

Arthur folded his arms and leaned on the desk: "This matter is not a secret, so I can confirm to you that it is indeed true. He does have a sense of heroism. From the information I obtained, What Ryleyev said during the interrogation was: If the death of a person is good for Russia, then that person should only be me. I always hope that death can stop here, and they can return with the mercy of God. Families, back to their homeland, back to their Tsar.”

When Alexandre Dumas heard this, he couldn't help but excitedly slapped the table: "Great soul, great Ryleyev, he really said everything in my heart!"

Arthur spoke again: "By the way, I heard that when Mr. Ryleyev rushed to the execution ground, he still held a book of Lord Byron's poems in his hand, and he did not let go of it until his death."

When Tennyson heard this, he couldn't help covering his forehead: "Oh God! Why do you punish such a devout ascetic? Arthur, you are right, maybe I really should go and talk to him." Talk to Mr. Mickiewicz, Poland is also in the same suffering at the moment, and I am a little worried whether he will be next."

Arthur saw that the atmosphere was almost set, so he picked up the teacup and walked up to Disraeli: "Speaking of which, I heard Mr. Thomas Campbell said that he went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report to Pasadena on behalf of the Polish Literary Friends Association a few days ago. Viscount Madston requested a certain amount of humanitarian aid for Polish exiles. Do you know what their discussion was like?"

Disraeli was a little sad at first, but when he heard this, he immediately understood what he was holding.

He was sad and shocked at first, and then the corners of his mouth were pulled upward little by little: "Ah...ah...that thing! I heard that Viscount Palmerston was very sympathetic to the suffering of the Polish people. He also invited representatives of Polish exiles to have dinner with him, and even shed a few tears in front of them.”

When Alexandre Dumas heard this, he couldn't help frowning, and he snorted softly: "Since the tears have been shed, that means he doesn't plan to allocate a penny, right?"

Disraeli sighed: "Otherwise? Alexander, you probably don't understand that hypocritical old fool. Not only is he deaf and blind, but he also wears dentures. There is not a single word that comes out of his mouth that is worthy of recognition." Believe it.

According to my observation and understanding of him during this period, if he claims that you are his friend, then he must want to get something from you, or he may be ready to attack you. Now, Poland is clearly in the position of a friend. "

Alexandre Dumas paced back and forth in the office: "No, we should do something for Poland. Maybe I should also go and talk to Mr. Mickiewicz and make a small voice for the Polish people who are in dire straits? Asia Se, would you like to leave me a page in the next issue of The Economist?"

"Of course." Arthur asked while holding the cup and warming his hands: "But... Alexander, do you understand economics? Although I think it's okay to add some personal opinions to "The Economist", at least you still We need to talk about economics and wrap it in a professional coat, right? For example, value theory, monetary theory, etc."

Alexandre Dumas didn't take it seriously and said: "I don't understand, but my stockbroker does! I asked him to write something about economics for me, and I will just add political commentary later."

"Stockbroker?" Arthur asked: "You spent all your royalties on stock trading? Alexander, although you are rich now, you can't throw money into the water! Even if you want to trade in stocks, at least you must first Go talk to our major shareholder, the Rothschild family."

Alexandre Dumas nodded and said: "Yes! Lionel introduced me to my stockbroker. He said that guy's trading ability is not inferior to him at all."

When Disraeli heard this, he immediately knew who Dumas was talking about: "You're not talking about Jacob, are you?"

Alexandre Dumas was stunned: "How did you know?"

"Is it really Jacob?!" Disraeli curled his lips and said, "Jacob and I both grew up on King Street, and their family is also Jewish, so of course we know each other."

Arthur asked: "Who is this Jacob?"

Disraeli's tone sounded a little unconvinced, but also tinged with jealousy: "Jacob has no background, but he has a very famous surname in the economic circles throughout Britain and even Europe."

Tennyson also wondered: "What's his last name?"

Disraeli sighed: "His surname is Ricardo, and his father is the spiritual successor of Mr. Adam Smith - David Ricardo."

When Alexandre Dumas heard this, his mouth grew into a circle. He was stunned for a long time and then straightened his collar, puffed up his chest and said to Arthur: "Can I publish an article in The Economist now?" ?Our Economist Review Editor, Mr. Arthur Hastings.”

Arthur shrugged: "Of course there is no problem. If I continue to refuse in this situation, I am very worried that those supporters of Mr. Ricardo will slap "Principles of Political Economy and Taxation" directly on my face. However, Alexander, I hope you can ask Mr. Ricardo on my behalf, when the Economist publishes that article, if you can allow me to include the name of Jacob Ricardo in it. Please forgive me for being rude, Ricardo. The surname is to the world of economics what the surname Dumas is to popular literature.”

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas readily agreed: "Of course, no problem, I understand what you mean. This is for the sales of The Economist, and especially for the Polish people."

As soon as Alexander finished speaking, he saw Arthur leaning on the table, calculating and muttering: "Mill plus Ricardo, now I don't see who dares to question the professionalism of The Economist."

Alexandre Dumas laughed and said: "Not just the two of them, don't we also have Louis Bonaparte and a Polish prince?"

Upon hearing this, Arthur corrected: "Alexander, you have to understand that The Economist is being questioned because of the two of them."

Having said this, Arthur reached out and pulled Disraeli over. He gently patted the document in Disraeli's hand and asked in a low voice: "Benjamin, you should know. The Parliament wants to It is disbanded. You have been chasing Lord Russell of the Whig Party for more than a month now. It is meaningless now. Lord Russell is important in the Whig Party, but he is not on the same level as Viscount Palmerston. Can you If you can't secure your position as the Tory parliamentary candidate, it depends on this wave. The uglier he looks, the more secure your position in the Tory caucus."

"Arthur, of course, this is for the Polish people! As a politician who is determined to safeguard freedom, and an ambitious young man in Britain, I am bound to do this!"

Disraeli first shouted a few words at the top of his lungs with excitement, coaxing Dumas and Tennyson out to discuss the articles in the next issue of "The Englishman". Then he gently closed the door of the office and walked forward with a smile on his face. He patted Arthur's chest with the back of his hand.

"I have to say, Arthur, you really gave me help in the nick of time this time. You may not know that a shining new star has recently emerged in the Tory Party. Damn it, if I hadn't laid the groundwork in the party in advance It’s been a long time, maybe he really pushed me down.”

Arthur leaned against the window and smoked: "Another new star? So Bernie Harrison is completely hopeless?"

"You can't say that."

Disraeli whispered: "Earl Eldon was clearly a ruthless character when he was the chancellor, but over the years, perhaps because he has grown older or has become more sensitive due to being attacked by public opinion, he is actually pretty good. Nostalgic. After all, Bernie Harrison has been with him for so many years. It may be difficult for him to suddenly let go of Harrison. I heard that even if the caucus does not allocate a seat to Harrison, Earl Eldon may still be able to control him. A pocket constituency is given to Harrison. After all, he also knows that Harrison still has a case on his back. If he is not given a parliamentary status, Scotland Yard will definitely not let him go easily. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

Disraeli covered his mouth with one hand and said: "Unless there is some more negative news for him in the near future. You should know that Earl Eldon, Mr. Drummond and the former Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. John Crocker, etc. People work together. And these people all have one thing in common, they are all extremely devout Christians, so you understand, Harrison has made them very dissatisfied now, if Scotland Yard can give him another chance If he has any moral flaws, he will be completely screwed."

Arthur couldn't help but smile when he heard this. He stared at Disraeli for a long time.

Disraeli was so frightened by him that he couldn't help but said: "Arthur, what are you doing?"

Arthur just reached out and took off the hat on the coat rack and put it on his head, the Scotland Yard police badge shining above his head.

Arthur patted his shoulder lightly: "Benjamin, proud people are really good!"

Disraeli blinked and said with a wicked smile: "Of course, as I said, sooner or later I will climb to the top of the slippery pole of Britain. Arthur, just look at it, General Secretary of the Treasury I have already prepared the position of deputy commander for you."

Arthur put on his tuxedo and dusted off the St. Edward's Crown emblem: "By the way, what is the background of the Tory star you mentioned?"

Disraeli pursed his lips and shook his head: "That's not easy to do. He is an outstanding graduate of Eton College and has a first-class degree from Oxford University. He has been the president of the Oxford Debating Society all year round during college. I heard from all the Oxford graduates at the banquet. His Excellency said that professors at Oxford were full of praise for him, calling him 'the next Robert Peel'.

In addition, he gave a sensational speech against parliamentary reform in Oxford last year, so he attracted great attention from the Tories right after graduation. When the Duke of Newcastle attended the Oxford graduation ceremony not long ago, he personally extended an olive branch to him and invited him to join the Tory Party. Arthur, do you understand now how much pressure I am under? "

Arthur touched his chin and said, "Benjamin, why are you talking like a character in a novel?"

"Novel character?" Disraeli rolled his eyes: "It's a pity that there is still one such novel character among the Tories."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Who else, of course, is our leader, Sir Robert Peel."

Disraeli couldn't help complaining: "When Sir Peel was studying in Oxford, he received even more exaggerated evaluations than this new boy. The principal of Oxford at that time bluntly said that Sir Peel would definitely be elected Prime Minister in the future, and Sir Peel lived up to expectations. He is the following The first speech in the House of Commons won the full house. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Charles Abbott, even gave a standing ovation and praised Sir Peel's debut in the House of Commons as the best since the former Prime Minister William Pitt Jr. You know, William Jr. ·Pet is a strong contender for Britain's greatest prime minister in the 18th century. What an honor it is to be rated like this!"

Seeing Disraeli's anxious look, Arthur just made a joke: "Benjamin, you don't have to worry so much. You don't need to be better than Sir Peel in your first speech in the House of Commons. You just need to be able to defeat the new one." Just one of the boys who comes will be fine.”

"What you said is easy, but there is really no better way. Damn it, excellent, I am born to be better than others!"

Disraeli took a deep breath while cheering himself up: "I, Benjamin, must beat Gladstone, a woodcutter who only knows how to chop wood!"

"Gladstone? Woodcutter?" Arthur was stunned for a long time after hearing these two words: "Benjamin, what are you talking about?"

"Arthur, you don't know how ghostly that new guy is!"

Disraeli complained: "That guy doesn't look like a nineteenth-century British gentleman from head to toe. Instead, he looks like a medieval mummy just dug out of the churchyard. I tried to deal with him, after all, everyone They are all newcomers, and although they are in a competitive relationship with each other, it is always right to have a good relationship.

But that guy doesn't know how to make friends with others at all. His biggest hobby besides work is actually chopping firewood! I asked him to go to the theater to watch a play before, but he actually declined me, and the reason for the refusal is something you would never imagine. He actually said he was going to the streets to persuade prostitutes to become good men!

And he has been doing this for several months. When he was studying in Oxford, he persuaded prostitutes near Oxford, and now he has brought this habit to London. In my opinion, he should not choose a congressman, but should find a church to be a pastor. "

When Arthur heard this, he immediately understood why Disraeli had such a sense of crisis.

Every move of this new Mr. Gladstone is almost perfectly in line with the Tory hard-liners' requirements for MPs. Not only does he oppose parliamentary reform, but his moral values ​​are also obviously in line with the most simple and conservative Anglican ethics.

Such a person is obviously better than a guy like Disraeli who just shouted "missing the good life in the countryside" and "reviving the spirit of the British aristocracy".

"Gladstone..." Arthur muttered this name, feeling as if he had heard it somewhere before. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat: "Benjamin, what is the full name of Mr. Gladstone? Do you know?" ?”

"Full name?" Disraeli thought for a moment and replied: "William Ewart Gladstone, his father was originally a big slave trader in the West Indies. Later, after Britain announced the abolition of slavery, He then turned to industry and finance."

Arthur muttered: "It's really him...but I didn't expect that his family is still related to Alexander..."

"Oh! That's right!" Disraeli rolled his eyes: "Maybe we should dress Alexander up and bring him to Parliament to sue their family's business?"

When Arthur heard this, he hesitated with his mouth half open. After a long time, he could only pat Disraeli on the shoulder: "You'd better talk to Alexander yourself about this matter. As you know, he recently bought He has a flintlock revolver, it would be nice for you to try it with him."

When Disraeli saw that Arthur was not going, he felt guilty: "Do you have any other arrangements?"

Arthur nodded slightly, gently raised his hat and said goodbye to him: "Didn't you just say that? Mr. Bernie Harrison, I'm going to close the net."

Disraeli heard this and quickly stopped him: "Arthur, don't act rashly. Have you forgotten what I said? If you want to close the net, you have to push him again."

"Of course I remember."

Arthur took out a business card given to him by Fiona from the inner pocket of his tuxedo and waved it gently: "You may not know, but I heard that Mr. Bernie Harrison still likes to visit some romantic places. He has obviously not been in a good mood recently, so the frequency of wandering outside has increased significantly. Originally, I thought that such a small matter was not worth bringing to the table, but since your Excellencies, Earl Eldon, care so much about personal ethics, then I We had to reluctantly drag him out of Wenwen Township. Benjamin, you should have told me this information earlier. In that case, I wouldn’t have waited so long.”

After speaking, Arthur raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and his narrowed eyes covered his black eyes with a red shimmer, and he could only see a charming and gentle smile on his lips.

Arthur puffed up his chest, grabbed the police officer's knife hanging on the coat rack, and opened the door to the office. The only sound he could hear was the dull thump of his shiny black riding boots on the wooden floor.

Disraeli leaned against the window, a gust of breeze blew by, blowing away the beads of sweat on his forehead.

He stared at Arthur's back and disappeared outside the door of the editorial office. He just shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I hope you don't bump into that old antique Gladstone when you are acting. He also likes to go there like Harrison when he is not doing anything." The place of love and moon comes together. Of course, the difference between him and most men is that his purpose of going there is a bit too strange. "