Shadow of great britain

"Um……"

When Arthur heard that Gladstone could actually ask this question, he couldn't help but not knowing what to say.

Perhaps because he was educated at the University of London, during his university days, Arthur often attended public lectures given by Mr. Bentham when he had nothing to do.

As a serious Oxford University graduate, Jeremy Bentham would not only talk about his specialized field of law in his speeches, but this old naughty boy with a straightforward and even eccentric temper would often speak without hesitation. He mercilessly criticized his alma mater.

It was from Bentham's words that Arthur established his basic impression of Oxford education in this era.

As one of the two oldest universities in the UK, Oxford University retains a very strong aristocratic and religious character. Just like all European church universities, Oxford and Cambridge both attach great importance to classical literature education, or to be more precise, They attach great importance to the education of ancient Greek and Roman classical literature. As for British native English literature, it is naturally regarded as poor people's literature and is not included in their teaching scope.

In addition, as universities founded by clergy, Oxford and Cambridge still retain many ancient and dull customs. For example, every student who enrolls must sign the "Thirty-nine Articles of Faith" professing the faith of the state religion, otherwise he will not be allowed to enroll.

Although this ritual, which has become more and more formalized today, no longer has much meaning, similar dogmatic to almost rigid rules, as well as rigid superior-subordinate relationships within the school, have given rise to countless bad habits. .

Professors yelled at students, and senior students bullied junior students. Under heavy pressure and relatively affluent family conditions, this naturally gave rise to a campus atmosphere of alcoholism, addiction to prostitution, and rampant violence on the Oxford campus. .

According to Bentham, there are only four types of students trained by Oxford.

The first type are rebels like him who are always unwilling to integrate and persevere to the end. Although such people graduated from Oxford, they are ashamed of it. In addition to some knowledge, Oxford education gives them unlimited potential. Resistance spirit.

The second type is guys like Lord Byron. Although they are also rebellious and hate Oxford, their long study in Oxford still makes them infected with Oxford's bad atmosphere. But unlike ordinary Oxford people, they did not bother to cover up their behavior, and used their own behavior to angrily denounce the hypocrisy of Oxford's educational philosophy. The series of outrageous tidbits about Lord Byron during his lifetime, as well as the broken hearts of women, are the best illustration of the life style of this nineteenth-century British hippie.

The third type is the norm for most Oxford graduates. On the surface, they seem to have accepted Oxford's ideals. When reciting the "Thirty-nine Articles of Faith", no one is louder than them. But everyone knows that this is just a joke.

In public, these Oxford model students would act sanctimonious, as if no one in the world was more honorable and decent than them.

But every night, the noisy beer halls and prosperous prostitution industry in Oxford Town have shown what they really think. Perhaps when no one is around in private, they play more fancy than Lord Byron, but they won't mention it verbally. And they will eventually bring this habit to the various walks of life their family is involved in and to the parliament where Oxbridge graduates gather.

As for the fourth type, according to Mr. Bentham, this kind of people can be called the most naive fools in the world. They were really deceived by the various mottos, regulations and so-called ancient traditions of Oxford University. In the past, they were the most respectful and devout believers, as well as the most studious and motivated students. They have withstood the bad atmosphere of Oxford. They come out of the mud without being stained, and they wash through the clear ripples without being evil.

But when it comes to this, Mr. Bentham regretfully said that at least when he was studying at Oxford, he had never seen this fourth kind of person. This kind of person only existed in his imagination.

Perhaps because of Bentham's influence, when Arthur heard about Gladstone's style for the first time, he inevitably doubted whether the boy was really as blameless as the rumors said.

But then he thought about it, even the University of London could produce such a strange person as Elder, and it seemed that it was not a small chance that Oxford would occasionally recruit a lunatic.

Besides, Oxford has already produced a weirdo like the Reverend Newman, so it would not be surprising to have another decent Mr. Gladstone.

Arthur studied Gladstone's expression, but after watching it for a while, he never read the slightest hint of deception in the other person's micro-expression.

Since the other party really didn't understand, Arthur could only patiently explain to him slowly. After all, Scotland Yard's most important task today was to serve these devout gentlemen who came for moral persuasion. Although Director Luowan did not send him out to pick up customers, but someone came to the door, Arthur still didn't mind providing a few high-quality services alone.

Arthur said: "The so-called prostitutes refer to those related workers who do not solicit customers in a fixed location and openly. This includes mistresses who have been kept for a long time, as well as those who do not make a living from this for a long time, but occasionally Ladies making a deal. These ladies dress almost the same as ordinary women. They are even married, with their own jobs, husbands and children.

Generally speaking, it is extremely difficult to identify whether they are engaged in related business. Only the most experienced veterans can understand their impromptu hints. This may be a provocative movement of lifting the skirt, a suggestive look, Or maybe it's seductive words that aren't too direct.

In most cases, these ladies have one or several long-term stable customers. Their transaction scope is small and their relationships are kept very secretive. Therefore, for Scotland Yard, if you want to find out their specific number, Very difficult.

We can only send the most experienced agents to try their luck along the streets of London. If we happen to bump into a lady and lose a stable customer, or let her feel that our agent is a target worthy of development, Then we might be lucky enough to get it. "

Gladstone asked: "Does success mean being developed by her?"

Arthur had not yet swallowed the tea in his mouth. When he heard these words, he almost sprayed it directly on the other person's face. He swallowed the black tea calmly, took out his handkerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth: "Mr. Gladstone, I mean Scotland Yard’s prostitution statistics are plus one. I don’t think the average police officer has much spare money to do this.”

Gladstone asked again: "Do you mean that senior police officers can do it?"

Arthur stared at Gladstone's serious expression, not knowing how to communicate with this young man who seemed to be politically ignorant. But at least for now, he finally understands why the conservative bosses of the Tory Party support this young man.

Whether by Western or Eastern standards, this guy's moral values ​​are pure enough, which will indeed endear him to the priests.

Arthur turned and said: "Well, Mr. Gladstone, if you really want to get to the bottom of it. Let me put it bluntly. In terms of cost alone, the salaries of senior police officers are indeed sufficient to meet this expenditure. Enough. High returns are one of the reasons why the number of prostitutes remains high.

Think about it, in London today, the annual income of most female workers is around 25-30 pounds. However, according to statistics from Scotland Yard, the unit price of an ordinary wandering warbler who has fallen into the dust can usually reach 1 shilling. Therefore, even those women who have to be pumped out by brothels for 40 to 50% can still earn 80-100 pounds a year, while those with better conditions can even double this amount.

You should also know what the current normal income level is in London. A well-respected mature mechanic can only earn 100 pounds, and a senior railway company employee earns 60-80 pounds per year. As Superintendent of Scotland Yard, my annual salary is £150. Under the temptation of such wealth, and through the moral inducement of some relevant people, they will have a second time after the first time, and it will become more and more uncontrollable in the future.

I heard that you have been admonishing them a long time ago, so you may also know from their mouths that once you do this, it is impossible to go back. Judging from the interrogation results of a total of 3103 prostitutes arrested by Scotland Yard in the past, 1773 of them were completely uneducated, 1237 were able to recognize twenty-six letters and had some basic reading and writing, and 89 had received tutoring. Tutoring, only 8 had completed a women's grammar school.

Therefore, most of them can only work as textile workers or domestic maids. But you may not know that factory owners and family employers are very interested in employees' past experience, so once they find out that an employee has such experience, they are unlikely to get any job. I think this may be the reason why you have always failed in moral persuasion. "

When Gladstone heard this, he couldn't help but frown. He seemed to have figured out something, but also seemed to be in some pain. He sighed and said: "Alas... I can't think of anything to refute you. Reason. Mr. Hastings, I have to admit that maybe I had some preconceived impressions of Scotland Yard before. Now that I hear you say it, maybe the phenomenon I have heard of before is just a minority."

Arthur sensed something amiss from Gladstone's words: "What did you hear before?"

Pastor Newman heard this and explained for him: "William told me before that when he was walking on the streets of London, someone complained to him that 'if a prostitute quarrels with the police, she will definitely die', and There seem to be quite a few prostitutes who hold this view. And when I was sitting in the confessional, I once heard a similar statement. If they don't bribe the police or the sheriff, they will be taken away and accepted. investigation."

When Arthur heard this, he immediately figured out Gladstone's activity area. Originally, he thought that Gladstone was wandering around Fiona's territory at most, but now it seems that this kid has nothing to do. There must have been a lot of time wandering towards Holywell Street and Leicester Square.

Seeing that the young gentleman in front of him was likely to be elected as a member of Parliament in the near future, Arthur could only think about it carefully, and then said cautiously: "I do not deny that there is such a phenomenon within Scotland Yard, blackmailing brothels, forcing women to stand on the street Bribery, or forcing them to provide free services, similar situations occur from time to time. Therefore, Scotland Yard will remove and prosecute some police officers who are found to have violated regulations from time to time.

But I also have to emphasize that not everything you hear may be true and reliable. Although the legal boundaries of their business behavior are very vague, and we cannot directly declare such behavior to be a violation, according to the provisions of the Vagrancy Act, police officers have the obligation and must control their solicitation and seduction of pedestrians. Moreover, many of them are not only engaged in the business of selling their bodies, but also include a considerable number of robberies, thefts, violent attacks and even the killing of clients.

And when we prosecute these women and their collaborators, most of them are charged with these crimes. Because of that, you see, Scotland Yard has always had a bad relationship with these ladies. "

The red devil sitting on the window sill couldn't help laughing when he heard this. He swung his tail and asked: "Oh, my dear Arthur, aren't you ashamed when you say this? All of London, no, all of London Britain, is there anyone who cooperates with these ladies better than you? And I think your relationship is quite good. At least you didn't ask for bribes from them or ask for free services, right? You gave them money. Well, the total amount is as high as six hundred pounds!"

Arthur glanced at the sinister red devil, smiled calmly and said, "Now, Mr. Gladstone, is there anything else you want to know?"

Gladstone originally wanted to condemn Scotland Yard today, but the fledgling young man was confused by Scotland Yard's detailed statistics and Arthur's half-truths.

He was silent for a moment, shook his head and said, "No, Mr. Hastings, I think what you said is very good. Maybe I will still have problems in the future, but I don't have any anymore."

He stood up and prepared to go out. Seeing that he was leaving, Newman also stood up.

But before he could go out, Newman looked back at Arthur again, as if he was hesitant to speak, as if there was something difficult to say.

Arthur saw the doubts in his heart and asked softly: "Mr. Newman, are you in any trouble?"

Newman put his hand on the door handle. He hesitated for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Arthur, you said it very well. It's always gratifying to hear such practical and logical conclusions. This I can't help but think of what you said to me the last time I met you. You advised me to stop my campaign against Robert Peel because it would do no good to the clergy of Oxford. At that time I thought You were just defending Pierre, your guide, but looking back now, maybe you were right.

The views of the Whigs were more terrible than those of the Tories, and their contempt for the faith was beyond all imagination. They are rejecting God and the moral constraints they have established with God. As you said, ordinary police officers don't have much money to spend on caring for Liu Ying. How much sin must flow from how many people to support this hotbed of hell? Arthur, I have seen it, I have seen it with my lightless eyes, they want to be above God. "

After Newman finished speaking, he pushed open the door of the office and walked out with Gladstone, leaving only Arthur sitting behind the desk with a calm look on his face.

He held his chin with one hand, stared at the place where Newman left with squinted eyes, and murmured: "That doesn't sound right. Do the priests want to do something?"

When Agares heard this, he just gently unscrewed the sugar bowl on Arthur's table, picked up a sugar cube and put it into his mouth: "A trapped beast has to fight, let alone a servant of God. ?”