Shadow of great britain

In front of the sofa in the living room, Arthur, Disraeli and Alexandre Dumas sat around the sofa and discussed the battle plan against Gladstone.

From the way Disraeli gritted his teeth, one could tell how much this guy hated the outstanding Oxford graduate who suddenly appeared.

However, we can't blame the Tory party bosses for admiring Gladstone so much. In fact, this young man's academic background and personality traits have accurately reflected their political aesthetics.

He graduated from Eton College and Oxford University successively. He has an ascetic life style and a strong sense of public responsibility. He does not smoke, drink alcohol, or engage in promiscuous relations between men and women. He has never even had a girlfriend.

In terms of moral concepts, this is a typical Calvinist with traditional conservative attitudes.

In terms of political philosophy, he agreed with a series of legal reforms carried out by Sir Peel, advocated judicial fairness, and publicly declared that "justice that is delayed is not justice."

But at the same time, he also opposed parliamentary reforms and opposed liberal reforms proposed by the Whig Party such as granting the right to vote in parliamentary elections to Jews who believed in Judaism and opening existing universities to "nonconformists".

If those last few words were omitted, Mr. Gladstone would undoubtedly be a popular young statesman among the British public.

But once the following sentences are added, Mr. Gladstone's popular area will naturally be narrowed. He transformed into a young politician who was not popular with Jews and nonconformists, but could still win a large number of fans in the Tory Party.

Unfortunately, the three people sitting in front of the sofa today are quite mixed, including a Jew and a nonconformist. As for the last remaining one, it's obviously worse, because he is a French literary giant who can't get him to support you no matter what slogans you shout.

Disraeli slapped the table and shouted: "Arthur, have you seen this? Gladstone is not only coming for me, he is also targeting non-conformists like you. I am knocking him down not just for me." I am still seeking justice for you and Alexander.”

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas said indifferently: "Come on, Benjamin. What's that British slang? Don't hang yourself on the national flag to scare people."

Arthur took a sip of tea and added: "In the East, this saying can also be called pulling a tiger's skin to make a banner."

Alexandre Dumas nodded and said, "Oh? Really? Arthur, I really learn something new every day when I stay with you."

Disraeli was still unwilling to give up after hearing this. He asked: "Arthur, although you agree that I added a scene in Scotland Yard, I feel that this alone cannot completely defeat Gladstone." . I think the documents you gave me before are still very useful. You are right. Now I can no longer satisfy just attacking Lord Russell. Maybe I should find an opportunity to publicly criticize Viscount Palmerston in the near future. ?”

As soon as Arthur heard that Disraeli was about to attack Palmerston, he quickly raised his hand to stop him and said: "Benjamin, I just had an in-depth discussion with His Excellency the Viscount yesterday on the Polish issue and censorship of books and newspapers. Although I also agree with your intention to attack him, I think it is best not to happen in the near future, otherwise it will not only cause trouble for "British", but may even affect your election in the upcoming general election. . You don’t want the Whigs to concentrate their firepower on you, do you?”

When Alexandre Dumas heard this, before Disraeli could speak, he frowned and asked: "Did you go to meet with Palmerston? Has his attitude towards the Polish issue changed?"

Arthur said vaguely: "His Excellency the Viscount is also very concerned about the living conditions of Polish exiles, and he also plans to take some practical actions for the Poles. Yesterday, His Excellency the Viscount told me that he planned to visit the leader of Polish exiles in person Prince Czartoryski, let’s see if we can help them solve some of their problems.”

At this point, Arthur put down his tea cup and looked at Disraeli and said: "That's why, Benjamin, I don't recommend that you attack him on the Polish issue in the near future. Otherwise, as soon as you attack the Foreign Secretary, you will be in the newspaper. Get a headline about his concern for Polish refugees and you'll become a laughing stock in British politics."

Disraeli broke into a cold sweat when he heard this. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Oh my God! Arthur, I am lucky to have come to see you today. Otherwise, I would have lost my life." If not, I’d really have to hit the wall.”

Dumas doubted: "But... Palmerston said he wanted to improve the treatment of Polish refugees, so you believed him so easily? Didn't Benjamin say that guy didn't tell the truth?"

Arthur nodded and said: "Yes, Benjamin's judgment is correct, and you, Alexander, your suspicion is not a problem. Of course, Viscount Palmerston will not change his attitude towards Poland because of my few words. He just It's just a pretense. Therefore, I just hope that Benjamin can raise the question on Viscount Palmerston in parliament after he is elected as a member of Parliament.

From my analysis of the exchanges I had with Viscount Palmerston, I found that he was not a person who was very resistant to using unconventional means. If Benjamin had criticized foreign policy as a civilian, and that was when Viscount Palmerston had just finished pretending, I'm not sure he would have done something. After all, at that stage, public opinion was on his side. If he suddenly accused Benjamin of defaming the cabinet, it seemed to be justifiable.

Don't forget about Bernie Harrison, Scotland Yard hasn't moved him until now because we're trying to keep things quiet. But Mr. Harrison is still at the forefront of public opinion because of his sponsorship of Mrs. Poland. After ten days and a half, no one cares about him, Scotland Yard can legitimately invite him to the interrogation room and concentrate on the murder case. "

Disraeli heard this and knew that there was no need to insist on this matter.

He turned to consult: "It is really not a wise move to provoke Palmerston when the election is approaching. But the same goes for being in the limelight in other ways, I..."

This time, before Disraeli could finish speaking, Arthur said: "Don't worry, Benjamin. In addition to going to Scotland Yard to do moral persuasion, I have prepared another thing that can make you stand out. Palmer Viscount Ston yesterday generously offered to provide job opportunities for Polish refugees. In order to prevent him from continuing to be entangled in the Polish article of "The Englishman", I told him that our editorial department could contribute several positions.

According to Viscount Palmerston's personality, he will definitely brag about this matter in the newspapers. As our major shareholder and editor-in-chief, you will also be able to follow him to get a few interview opportunities.

And after you are elected as a member of Parliament in the future, if you plan to cause trouble for him on the Polish issue, you can just use your identity as a Polish employer to speak out and tell everyone that in fact, the lives of most Polish refugees have not improved. You can achieve multiple things with one stone, why not? "

When Alexandre Dumas heard this, he just put down his teacup and gritted his teeth and sighed: "Black! How damn dark! Arthur, it's a great pity for British politics that you don't elect members."

Disraeli, who still had a conscience, was a little worried about Arthur's situation: "But if I do this...Arthur, won't you have problems there? After I am elected as a member of the Parliament, I will not be afraid of Pa No one dares to cause trouble for "The Englishman" after Maxton's threat. But you are working at Scotland Yard after all, so aren't you afraid that Palmerston will come back and come back to blame you?"

After hearing this, Arthur held the tea cup and leaned on the sofa indifferently: "Benjamin, Viscount Palmerston is the Foreign Secretary, and he can't get his hands into the Ministry of Home Affairs for the time being. I know that he has a good relationship with the Minister of Home Affairs, Viscount Melbourne. , but if I can make Viscount Melbourne feel that I am important to him, then nothing will happen to me in a short time."

Disraeli asked: "Do you think you are important to the Viscount Melbourne?"

Arthur took a sip of tea, slowly shook his head and said: "It's not important right now. At most, he just treated me with a little courtesy for the sake of Lord Brougham."

Alexandre Dumas wondered: "Then where does your confidence come from?"

Arthur smiled softly: "Of course it comes from Mr. Bernie Harrison and their good friend Judge Norton."

Arthur's words confused Alexandre Dumas and Disraeli, and they couldn't guess what Arthur was talking about. Just when they wanted to continue questioning, they suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Alexandre Dumas stood up and opened the door. What appeared in front of him was a thin young man wearing a close-fitting tuxedo and a dark gray bow, with a slightly melancholy look in his eyes.

The man's face looked slightly haggard. Although he tried to cheer up, the traces of exhaustion left by life on his body could still be seen at a glance.

He looked at the stalwart Alexandre Dumas, reluctantly showed a polite smile, took off his hat and asked in his half-baked English: "Excuse me, is this the apartment of Mr. Arthur Hastings?"

Alexandre Dumas looked at him strangely, held his chin and asked, "Are you French?"

The young man looked slightly surprised and said, "Why do you say that?"

Alexandre Dumas replied: "Because your accent is so strange, it's almost the same as when I first learned English."

The young man just smiled gently when he heard this: "I am indeed half French. My father is French, but my mother and I are both full-fledged Poles."

Alexandre Dumas laughed when he heard this and said: "Really? Then we have some similarities. My grandfather is a Frenchman, but my grandmother is an out-and-out black slave girl."

When the young man heard this, he asked politely: "This... are you Mr. Hastings's servant?"

"Servant? No, no, no, no one in this world can let me be his servant."

Speaking of which, Alexandre Dumas added: "Especially the French heir, Louis Philippe."

When the young man heard this, he just smiled bitterly and said: "Although I don't want to object to you, I think the reason why you hate the King of France so much is because you haven't met the Tsar of Russia yet."

Alexandre Dumas thought for a while after hearing this, and nodded: "You are right. At least Louis Philippe can be regarded as a humanoid creature. For the sake of Poland, my friend, you come in first. I can see that you He is not a difficult man to get along with, and fortunately, Mr. Arthur Hastings you are looking for is also such a man."

Arthur got up from the sofa and asked: "Alexander, who is here?"

Alexandre Dumas led the young man into the house and introduced Arthur: "Arthur, this is... uh, I forgot to ask, who are you?"

When Disraeli heard this, he couldn't help joking: "Alexander, thank God! Fortunately, he gave you a pair of hands that can write "The Count of Monte Cristo". If you become a janitor, sooner or later you will be hungry." dead."

Hearing this, the young man just smiled and replied: "It's not the fault of the gentleman next to me. It's because I didn't explain it clearly to him. It's really presumptuous of me to come to visit suddenly without making an appointment in advance. This is my business card, please. Be sure to accept it.”

Arthur looked at the other party first, and then solemnly took the business card from the other party's hand.

He glanced down and saw only a few short but useful pieces of information written on the thin, plain and unadorned business card.

frederic chopin

He studied piano at the age of 6, composed music at the age of 7, and performed for the first time at the Radziwił Palace Charity Concert at the age of 8. He graduated from the Warsaw Conservatoire and held a small concert in Vienna at the age of 19.

Chopin looked at Arthur who looked calm with some anxiety. He didn't know why Arthur had to look at such a short business card for so long.

When he thought of this, he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. Maybe he shouldn't have come to this place today. If it weren't for the pressure of life, there was not much money left in his pocket, and he needed to save enough for a ferry ticket to Paris, he would never pay a sudden visit to a stranger he had never met.

Even though this stranger has always had a good reputation in the outside world, even Prince Czartoryski, the leader of the Polish exiles, praised the shareholder of "British" magazine. What is even more incredible is that this main business owner A young British man who is the superintendent of Scotland Yard is also a pianist at the London Philharmonic Society.

Chopin's eyes couldn't help but drift to Arthur's hand. When he saw the slender fingers, his inner restlessness finally eased, and was replaced by a ray of surprise.

Those hands should be able to span twelve degrees, right? This does seem to be the basic qualifications that a guy who can write "The Bell" should have.

Just as Chopin was staring at the hands in ecstasy, he suddenly found that the hands were moving.

Arthur put the business card into his jacket pocket lightly, smiled and said, "Mr. Chopin, or do you mind if I call you Frederick?"