Shadow of great britain

In London in the early morning, it was still raining as finely as silk as usual.

On the streets of Doughty Street in Southwark, London, hard riding boots stepped on the puddles between the bricks, causing a splash of water.

Hard cowhide high boots, tight deerskin riding breeches, paired with a suitably hourglass-shaped slim-fit blue and black vlock jacket, a belt with a silver buckle, and a cream-yellow vest with flowers. Frilled dark black linen shirt and tie.

The soft white gloves were gently lifted up, and the black cloth umbrella was slightly raised, revealing the pair of black eyes with red light and the top hat hidden under the umbrella.

Arthur had a pipe in his mouth, and from time to time three or two puffs of white gas came out from the tip of his nose, making it unclear whether the main component was water vapor or nicotine.

Accompanying Arthur was his French police secretary, perhaps because he had only joined Scotland Yard not long ago and his love for police uniforms had not yet passed. Even though Arthur requested that he travel in plain clothes today, Louis Bonaparte still wore a set of clothes similar to his usual duty uniform.

The only difference between his clothes today and his usual clothes may be that he changed his dark blue tuxedo from Scotland Yard into a dark black one.

The two walked and chatted.

Louis smiled: "Sir, you..."

Before Louis finished speaking, he saw Arthur waving his hands and saying: "Although it is working time now, we are not at Scotland Yard, and this is a plainclothes operation, so you don't need to call me sir, just call me Arthur. You know, I like making friends with people. Although I already have a fat French friend as a friend, I don’t mind making another thin one. Ensuring biological diversity is not only important for the earth, but also for friends. of."

"Okay then, Arthur."

Louis curled his lips and smiled: "But isn't it too much for you to use the word biodiversity to describe making friends? Although I don't mind joking with my friends, some people can't stand such jokes. Unless... 伱Do you usually make friends with monkeys?"

Arthur held his pipe in his mouth and nodded expressionlessly: "Louis, it seems that you have become a qualified detective. Maybe in the near future, I can consider giving you some case investigation work in the Criminal Investigation Department. I have to say, you are quite talented as a police officer."

Louis smiled and asked: "Arthur, you haven't answered me yet. Do you really know how to make friends with monkeys? Did you meet at the London Zoo?"

When Arthur heard this, he stopped suddenly and took a deep breath: "Louis..."

"What's wrong."

"Don't give my alma mater a random nickname!"

Louis was surprised: "Ah? I know that the educational philosophy of the University of London is very broad, but do they actually recruit monkeys there? How did it get in?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's because the cage in the lower courtyard is not closed. But what's the big deal about monkeys going to university? Monkeys are always diligent as a species. They even teach themselves Polish when they have nothing to do."

In order to support his conclusion, Arthur did not forget to take out the "Bernie Harrison's Amazing Journey" that Martin gave him from his arms.

He put the book into Louis' hand and said, "Did you see that monkeys can also write books?"

Louis Bonaparte didn't react at first, but when he saw Bernie Harrison's name, he immediately laughed out loud, and he asked: "In that case, why don't you recruit a monkey in "Britain" Where are the novels published in "Man"? Arthur, haven't you always complained about the lack of authors? "

When Arthur heard this, he just took a puff of cigarette: "We did have it before, but he went back to his hometown in South America a while ago."

"Hometown in South America?"

When Arthur heard Louis' question, he also knew that this question could not be continued.

At this time, "The British" is trying every means to establish Elder's glorious image in Britain. This carefully woven 'white' lie cannot be revealed from his mouth.

Arthur took a look at Louis' clothes and changed the subject: "What? Aren't you tired of Scotland Yard uniforms? Even if you talk about casual clothes, you just picked one with similar style and different colors. Do you have any idea about uniforms? Any special hobbies?"

Louis shook his head and smiled: "It's not a special hobby. But I think the quality of the uniforms is usually good, and the color matching and style look very beautiful. Do you know why so many soldiers are willing to serve Napoleon? In addition to In addition to his admiration, having a decent and handsome uniform to wear as a soldier is also a very important consideration.

During the Napoleonic period, the most common French infantry uniform was worth 250 francs. If you became a cavalry, it would be even more extraordinary. That outfit would cost 500 francs. If you become a heavily armored dragoon or a guard, the cost of the outfit can be as high as 2,000 francs.

Take the Old Guard and Guards Cavalry, the most elite of the French Empire and the most trusted by my uncle. Guess how many sets of uniforms they have? "

Arthur thought for a while and casually reported the number: "Five sets?"

"Five sets? You are half right. The Old Guards indeed have five sets. But the Guards Cavalry has ten sets."

Louis said proudly: "Combat uniforms, marching uniforms, field uniforms, regular uniforms, duty uniforms, stable service uniforms, social uniforms, casual uniforms, military parade uniforms, grand parade uniforms, these are all separate. And the clothing of each legion. They all have their own characteristics, just like you in Britain. The fifth regiment wears white tunic with lemon yellow texture and sky blue breeches, while the seventh regiment wears green tunic with narcissus yellow texture and scarlet breeches.

Generally speaking, monarchs are very concerned about the clothing and appearance of their soldiers. Frederick III of Prussia was like this, Alexander I of Russia was like this, George IV of Britain was like this, and my uncle was one of the monarchs. The best among them. However, relatively speaking, the French military uniforms are more reasonably designed than the military uniforms of other countries. British military uniforms emphasized beauty too much, so that the tops were designed to be so tight that some soldiers could not even put them on, let alone operate a musket.

But in terms of military uniforms, I can't criticize Britain too much. After all, although George IV was obsessed with beautiful military uniforms, the Duke of Wellington later corrected him in time. He protested to the king and said, 'Soldiers can't even breathe wearing such clothes. , How can we fight like this? And among the anti-French alliance, Britain is not the one that emphasizes beauty and ignores practicality.

I heard my uncle say that during the Battle of Austerlitz, the commander of the Russian Royal Guards Cavalry Regiment, Archduke Constantine, ordered the entire regiment to dismount two miles from the battlefield and regroup. They first cleaned their uniforms, and then I powdered my hair again and put on a new saddle that had just arrived from St. Petersburg. Although this behavior seems a bit redundant, it has to be admitted that this approach may also inspire their fighting spirit.

In the snowy sky at Austerlitz, the defeat of the anti-French Allied forces was inevitable, but the Tsarist Guards Cavalry showed a respectable fighting will. They fought until the last moment, until almost the entire army Overturned. "

After hearing this, Arthur nodded slightly and said: "A very wonderful story. However, Louis...it would be better if you could save this story for later. The gentleman we are about to meet should Will love these stories.”

Louis Bonaparte frowned and said: "You... Arthur, is the gentleman you are talking about also a Bonapartist like Mr. Bertrand? He is also French?"

Arthur blew out the smoke: "If he were French, then this matter might not be so complicated. Louis, I must say that in addition to being unpopular with the British, the name Napoleon is still popular in other parts of Europe. He is quite respected. There are many Poles, Italians, and Belgians who support him. But the gentleman we are going to meet today is not from these three areas."

When Louis Bonaparte heard this, he guessed the answer almost immediately: "Then I think that gentleman is probably a German?"

Arthur nodded: "To be precise, he is a German Jew, and like Benjamin, he is a converted Jew. The person we are going to visit today is the troublemaking expert from Dusseldorf - Hai Mr. Inrich Heine."

"Heine?" Louis Bonaparte thought for a moment: "I seem to have heard this name somewhere."

Arthur said: "His "Collection of Poems" is selling well all over Europe, and you may have read a few sentences in the newspaper. My heart is like the waves of the sea, and the deep nostalgia affects my heart. Ah! I miss you so much, your pretty figure!"

Louis' eyes lit up: "Did he originally write this poem? I have to say, this poem really feels a bit like Byron."

Arthur also agreed after hearing this: "I think so too. Heine is like the spiritual successor of Lord Byron, but unfortunately, what he inherited is only half a piece, just like the coronation ceremony of our new king. "

"What do you mean?"

Arthur replied: "We have all read the verses of Lord Byron, and we all know his chaotic private life that could make up hundreds of opera scenes. Lord Byron was an angry, aggressive, and explosive man on the one hand, and on the other On the one hand, he is sentimental and can cry sometimes."

Louis smiled and asked: "But this can't be said to be a shortcoming. After all, he is a poet. Aren't all poets like this? I don't think there is anything wrong with this."

Arthur replied: "Louis, you misunderstood me. I didn't intend to make irresponsible remarks about Lord Byron. I just think that although Mr. Heine is somewhat similar to Lord Byron, he has a deep understanding of Byron." The inheritance is only half, he doesn’t like to cry, he is just angry and aggressive, like a powder keg that can be ignited at a moment’s notice.”

"Oh..." Louis raised his eyebrows: "It sounds quite difficult to deal with. But since he is so difficult to deal with, why are we trying to get into trouble with him? Has he committed something?"

When Arthur heard this, he did not tell anyone about the conversation between Lionel Rothschild and him on the golf course that day. Instead, he replied in a confused way: "As I said just now, Mr. Heine is a danger." Although I don't know why he came to London, in order to prevent him from doing anything extraordinary in Britain, I think it is safer to get to know his details first. This is also the scope of the Police Intelligence Bureau, isn't it? ?”

Louis asked curiously: "So what extraordinary thing did he do?"

Arthur didn't say anything, he just took out a newspaper clipping from his pocket and handed it over.

Louis took the newspaper clipping. It was a newspaper from Paris, with words written in familiar and friendly French that made people laugh.

——I heard everyone shouting that they love freedom. I heard this argument in every city I passed and every country I stayed in. I was very excited about this phenomenon at first. I felt like people all over the world were standing with me. But the longer I stayed in these countries, the more I discovered that although everyone said they loved freedom, they loved freedom in different ways. The British love freedom as much as they love their legal wives. Usually the British are indifferent to her, but if anyone dares to reach out, they will fight to the death. The French love freedom like a lover. When they think of it, they are passionate and want to be with her every day. When they are no longer interested, they just ignore her, as if they have never known this woman. As for the Germans, everyone knows that Germans attach great importance to tradition. Germans love freedom like we love our deceased grandmothers. They usually can’t think of it, but when they think of it, they burst into tears!

——Prussia said: By paying taxes according to our tax laws, you will have a unified German motherland in material terms. But I am a strange person. I just want the German states to be unified spiritually. At this time, I heard Austrian Prime Minister Metternich shouting from the side: You don’t have to worry about this at all. We are responsible for the spiritual unity, because Austria will be responsible for publishing censorship!

Louis could no longer hold back when he saw this, but when his eyes moved to the bottom, the suppressed smile finally couldn't be hidden. He stood in the drizzle streets of London and laughed with his belly in his hands. Even the black cloth umbrella fell to the ground.

The last newspaper clipping also floated from his hand to the ground. What was written on it was a recent poetry work of Mr. Heine.

"Elegy"

Author: Heinrich Heine

because of this,

I stayed a long time,

I wandered in a foreign land,

Waiting for the beloved girl,

Wait until you are in the church and watch her put on the wedding dress.

Damn it, I'm not the groom! !

She is a delicate violet,

Shines brightly in my memory.

This frivolous girl! I've never gotten involved!

Damn it, how could I be so stupid? !

Arthur stopped and looked at Louis Bonaparte who was laughing uncontrollably. He also held his chin and savored the aftertaste of the poem.

He said to himself: "Not to mention, this "Elegy" made me feel for the first time that Elder is not that far away from a great poet."

Just as he was muttering, he looked up and suddenly found a sarcastic quarrel coming from the hotel in front of him.

There was a typical British ruffian holding a wine bottle in his hand and wearing a gray felt hat, and a brown-haired young man dressed in black from head to toe, with only a white shirt.

The ruffian whistled, raised his head and said sarcastically: "Hey! Do you know? When I went on an adventure in the Caribbean not long ago, I discovered an island, and there were no Jews or donkeys on that island! Do you think it's strange?" "

The brown-haired young man said calmly: "I don't think it's strange, I just feel a little regretful."

"Huh?" The ruffian raised his eyebrows and said, "Why are you sorry?"

The young man said: "The island is incomplete without Jews and donkeys, so why don't you go to this island with me to make up for this shortcoming? I can leave this afternoon, but I don't know when you can leave." Where's your departure?"

When the ruffian heard this, his eyes widened: "You...you Jew, how dare you insult me?"

"Did I insult you?" The young man raised his head arrogantly and said, "You think too little of yourself. I almost forgot to ask you, why do you want to act like a donkey?"

The gangster raised the wine bottle and threatened: "You...you bastard...do you think I dare not give you some color?"

The young man shrugged as if he didn't care. He pointed at the wine bottle in the other person's hand, and then pointed at his head: "Yes, that's right, just use that bottle and come here hard! I've been here recently I was worried about how to act like an authentic British person, but you gave me an idea. You see, my hair is still quite thick. If you drink this bottle, I guess I will not be far from an authentic British person. "

The young man's provocation obviously angered the gangster. He picked up the bottle and was about to smash it on the young man's head, but before he could take action, his wrist was tightly grasped.

The gangster looked back and saw that behind him there was a muscular gentleman who was a head taller than him. He even had a follower behind him.

Arthur pinched the gangster's wrist with one hand, and reached into his arms with the other hand without haste to pull out the civilized staff inserted in his belt. He waved the civilized staff in front of the gangster: "Do you know this?"

The ruffian was stunned for a moment, then swallowed heavily and nodded slowly.

Arthur asked again: "Then you should know what I do, right?"

Raindrops slapped on the gangster's face, mixed with sweat beads and flowed down his side face, and each drop pattered on the ground: "Of course, sir, you...you have stretched out the lobster claws, I …Can I still not know what you do?”

Arthur nodded slightly and said, "Now that you know what I do, I want to ask you, what do you do?"

"I..." the gangster forced a smile on his face: "Are you new here? All the old people in this area know me. I am Hansen who picks up horse manure on Doughty Street. What I do is a serious business. . Isn’t this a coincidence today? Is it raining? There is no horse manure on the road, so I just thought of finding a gentleman to chat with. When the rain passes, I have to start working. "

Upon seeing this, Louis took out a penny from his pocket and stuffed it into the gangster's hand: "Mr. Hansen, then please go to a tavern on the roadside to have a glass of wine to warm up. It's windy, rainy and cold on the road, so standing on the street and chatting is not a good idea. It’s easy to get sick.”

When the ruffian heard this, he hurried down the slope and said: "Oh! Thank God, how could I meet such kind gentlemen like you today? I listen to you and I will leave here right away. I think at this time, I I really need a glass of wine to warm my little beating heart.”

Arthur let go of his hand, and the ruffian pinched a penny like a loose rabbit, and ran away without looking back.

Arthur looked at his disappearing back and was about to greet the brown-haired young man. Unexpectedly, the other party spoke first.

The young man looked at them both, then looked up at the sky. He finally extended his hand in a friendly manner and said, "Thank you both for your enthusiastic help. Now the donkey has gone to fill the water tank with horse urine. Thank you for asking him to stop crowing. For my sake, although it’s a little early, if you don’t have work to do, why don’t I treat you two to a drink?”

Arthur asked: "Horse urine?"

The young man nodded and said: "Yes, the most authentic one. The only thing I can guarantee is that what we drink will definitely taste better than what the donkeys drink."

Thanks to the leader Sunceol for the reward, the leader will send additional updates in the next two days.