Shadow of great britain

Liverpool, Merseyside, Lime Street.

Liverpool is the core transportation city in the UK and an important hub for shipping in Europe. More than 40% of Europe's transatlantic trade is transited through Liverpool.

Lime Street, known as Liverpool's King's Cross, has always occupied a very special position in Liverpool's municipal planning and transportation planning.

One kilometer west of here is Liverpool's busy dock area.

Standing on a tall building and looking west.

Lined up from north to south are: the old wharf, which mainly trades with Africa and Ireland, Salthouse Wharf, which mainly trades grain and timber, St. George Wharf, which mainly trades with the West Indies, and the American docks. and King's Dock for trade vessels along the Baltic Sea coast, and Queen's Dock, which is mainly used for fishing operations in Greenland.

At the corners of the five major docks is the world of construction workers. The Brunswick Dock, funded by the General Administration of Customs, is expected to be completed next year. After that, the young descendant of the Liverpool dock family will be responsible for It played an important role in the lumber trade between Britain and the Canadian colonies, and was responsible for the continuous import of century-old oak for the Royal Navy for the construction of large warships.

Just one street away from Lime Street is Liverpool's famous maritime workshop area, where countless workshops specialize in the production of ship equipment, ranging from nautical cables, sails and copper rivets that wrap the bottom of ships, etc. From a simple iron component, to a wooden barrel for storing fresh water and the crew's favorite beer mug, you can buy anything that can be used on the ship here.

Such an important area has naturally attracted the attention of major import and export trading companies and real estate developers.

Ever since Liverpool's port status was recognized in the 17th century, land prices here have risen steadily. Although at the beginning of this century, Liverpool's trade had suffered a big blow due to the Napoleonic Wars, after Napoleon, the biggest dissident of Liverpool housing prices, defeated Waterloo, the land price in Lime Street has become equal to Liverpool's import and export throughput. It also started a rapid retaliatory growth.

Nowadays, those who can get a piece of land on Lime Street are either the local established nobles, the best of the nouveau riche, or those traditional organizations with a long history.

When it comes to Liverpool's long-standing traditional organizations, it is like a joke that Liverpool citizens often make. If God is the boss, then the Liverpool Association is the second child.

In the club hall where members of the Liverpool Association often gather, a dozen silver-haired people are quietly sitting on the sofa, reading newspapers and drinking tea.

It has almost become a habit for these old guys to come and sit in the club before going to work.

In such a place where businessmen gather, you will always hear a lot of reliable gossip. And this information can often make you make a fortune inadvertently or save the belongings that are clanking in your pocket.

"John, although I didn't go to the banquet last night, I heard that the boy from London seemed to have mentioned to you a new municipal construction plan? The total value is two hundred thousand pounds?"

Old Gladstone changed his left and right legs, and continued to cross his legs. He buried his face in the newspaper and replied without raising his head: "Just a little bit of news, give us a pie. In my opinion! It may not work out in the end, Hess Mr. Tings probably didn’t want to get too serious with us, so after reprimanding the work of the Customs Department, he wanted to use some sweeteners to keep everyone in trouble.”

Old Pocket Watch Roswell also echoed: "That's right. The gang of robbers in the Treasury Department are all dogs. When they see the money, they will bite it to death and won't let go. I want to dig out a few scraps of meat from their rotten teeth. What's the point? So easy. A Scotland Yard superintendent may not even be able to arrest all criminals in London, so why should he be confident that he can compete with the Ministry of Finance?"

The silver-haired old gentleman glanced at the two of them, raised his eyebrows and said suspiciously: "Hey! This is God opening his eyes. The sun is out in London? When will you two old guys be able to chat together?"

Roswell held the teacup and tasted the tea carefully: "Lovie, what you said is so unpleasant. Aren't John and I talking to you?"

The old gentleman Lowe narrowed his eyes and said: "Really? I didn't hear it at all, but the sound of the pocket watch was buzzing in my head. My dear Mr. Roswell, it turns out you The new factory did not open in London, but opened on my head! You two are not planning to hide this two hundred thousand pounds from everyone and eat it together, are you? You really have a big appetite!"

Roswell didn't care at all about the strange things. He was also a member of the Liverpool Association. How to deal with friends and businessmen, Old Pocket Watch has been studying for twenty or thirty years.

He said: "Lovi, to be honest with you, why don't you believe it? Municipal construction projects are just predictions for the time being. Do you know what predictions are? Predictions are nothing to do. As long as the shovel doesn't fall on the ground, nothing can be done. Yes. And didn't you plan to send someone to show that ungrateful London boy a little bit of his skills? What: When I was running a ship in Africa, a ship of slaves only cost 8,000 pounds, and there was a possibility of contracting malaria or something. . This time everyone didn’t let you participate because of your poor health. You can’t even handle malaria. Wouldn’t it be worse if you contracted cholera?”

When Mr. Lowe heard this, he angrily picked up his cane and knocked on the floor repeatedly: "Roswell, you old watchmaker, do you know about municipal construction? Are you still planning to pave a road on King Street with a pocket watch? You can't even fucking connect the church tower. The clock you hang is too hard to move, so you are not afraid that God will punish you and punish you, you old immortal!"

Roswell retorted: "Yes! You know municipal construction. Since you stopped running boats, you have been studying streets every day. After studying for more than ten years, the road finally paved is so muddy that it can make my pants legs jump when I step on it. This It’s the construction quality of your construction company.”

Lovi blushed angrily when he heard this and emphasized: "Isn't that because the money allocated by the city committee for the project is not equal? ​​If those sons of bitches can deliver at least the same as the Brunswick Pier built under the supervision of the General Administration of Customs. With 70% of the project cost, I guarantee that the streets of Liverpool will be paved better than the halls of the Palace of Westminster!”

Seeing that the old man was anxious, the others hurriedly spoke out to comfort him.

"Lovi, you are a professional at doing this. If this plan really succeeds, your company will probably win the bid. For those of us who are inexperienced, even if the project is given to us in the end and we are asked to temporarily find planners and construction workers, we will not be able to do it. We can’t get enough people together!”

"Roswell, you're almost done. You're in the pocket watch business, why do you get involved in engineering construction?"

Roswell tugged at his tie and said contemptuously: "Originally I didn't want to speak. But Lowe's disrespectful attitude towards Mr. Hastings really made me unable to stand it. I don't know what kind of rude person he is. , to be able to speak out loud at a gathering of respectable gentlemen and propose to everyone that Britain's most talented young musician and researcher in the field of electromagnetism should be killed."

"Musician? Researcher?"

"When did that young man assume such two identities again?"

Seeing that everyone was confused, Roswell couldn't help but feel a little proud. He pretended to be surprised and said: "You don't know yet? Oh, I'm sorry, I almost forgot. Although everyone here is an elegant and stylish Liverpool gentleman, But not every gentleman is keen on science and music and art. However, I suggest that you should pay proper attention to these aspects, so as not to become like Lowe, who exudes the smell of the nouveau riche."

Roswell had not been proud for long. On the other end, Old Gladstone, who had been silently watching the show, suddenly spoke up and said, "Robert, by the way, how did you know Mr. Hastings's other identity? Could it be Catherine who told you?"

Roswell didn't care that the truth was exposed by Old Gladstone. Not only did he not care, Old Pocket Watch even took the opportunity to raise his daughter's worth.

"Yes, that's what my girl told me. She has always been fond of science and music. Whenever something new comes out in London, she wants to get it back and study it. For example, that gramophone, she loves it as soon as it comes out. Begging me to buy it for her. Although this thing is quite expensive, and you have to buy matching records, but in order to cultivate her elegant taste, what does it mean for the old father to spend some money? Although Catherine was not born in a noble family, I provided Her temperament is definitely aristocratic."

Old Gladstone was originally a displeased old guy who simply wanted some yin and yang, but when he heard that Roswell actually dared to compare with him on the education of his children, Old Gladstone, who had always been stronger in his life, suddenly got angry. A competitive mentality.

He deliberately did not look at Roswell, and just sipped the tea calmly: "Oh? Really? Did Catherine go to Harrow College or Eton College, and was the university taught in Cambridge or Oxford in England? Or in Scotland? Edinburgh or Glasgow? Oh, that's really not possible. You can also study at London University like Mr. Hastings did. With the support of Lord Justice Brougham, you can finally gain some foundation."

When Roswell heard this, he was so angry that he almost jumped out of his mouth.

Old Gladstone knew that no women were admitted to Harrow, Eton, or the universities he mentioned such as Cambridge and Oxford. Even the University of London, currently the most liberal in Britain, only allows women to attend occasionally.

By asking such a question, he clearly wanted to cause trouble.

But Roswell also understood why the old man was running against him everywhere. He just wanted to disturb the budding love between his son and his daughter.

Roswell, who was well aware of the opponent's pain points, struck with precision and said: "Yes. As a girl, Catherine certainly cannot compare with young talents like William in terms of knowledge and knowledge. But precisely because of her shortcomings in this area, That’s why she needs a capable husband to take her forward with her. Fortunately, although Catherine is not very knowledgeable, her taste in music is very similar to William’s. John, please convey my gratitude to William for you. , I am very grateful that he was willing to agree to my little girl’s rude request to ask Mr. Hastings for a copy of the score of “Der Hastings” signed by Mr. Chopin.”

When Old Gladstone heard half of what he said, he thought that Old Pocket Watch had finally given up. But when he heard the following, the twists and turns of the plot made his heart tremble, and he almost sprayed the tea in his mouth into Roswell's face. Go up.

"What are you talking about? This is nonsense! How could this boy William do such a stupid thing! Doesn't he know that Mr. Hastings has everything on his plate? How can he have the time to care about such trivial things!"

Having said this, Old Gladstone quickly stood up and said goodbye to all the old guys: "Breakfast is almost done. I have to go to the company to look through the accounts to see if there are any missing tariffs that have not been reported. By the way, , I also sincerely suggest to you that it is best to take a good look at the accounts of the past few months while it is still early today. Mr. Herbert of the Municipal Council communicated with me yesterday, and they are doing their best to support the black community. Mr. Stings, and it seems that the Customs Office, Customs Service and Port Authority are going to take serious action. At this juncture, you can't put a black eye on the face of our Liverpool Association."

Unexpectedly, before he had gone far, Lowe stepped forward and stopped him: "John, what about the municipal construction project?"

"That? That..." Old Gladstone smiled and moved his hand on his shoulder a little further: "Let's postpone that discussion later."

After saying this, old Gladstone was like an eagle jumping off the cliff, fluttering his wings and planning to fly out of the hall.

At this moment, a speeding carriage, carrying smoke and dust all over the sky, swerved and stopped in front of the Liverpool Association Club.

Before the car stopped, two people jumped out of the car.

They were sweating profusely as they ran and shouted: "Gentlemen, something bad has happened! Superintendent Hastings, he...he was assassinated in front of the Golden Lion Hotel!"

"Ah?!" Old Gladstone's smile froze, and even his kicked-out left leg stayed in place: "Who did it?"

As soon as these words came out, the old gentlemen who had just been immersed in reading the newspapers put down their newspapers together as if they had made an appointment, and all looked at Lowe behind Old Gladstone.

Roswell also wound up the clockwork and slapped him on the forehead. He couldn't help but cursed: "Lovie? Are you a fucking idiot? If he dies, you can pave the way for the Guards Cavalry Regiment!"

Luo Wei was also frightened and his face turned pale. He glared and angrily shouted: "Roswell! You think I am you, I have a fucking brain! If I am planning to kill him, when you pay the money, I will follow suit." What a fart!"

Roswell rolled his eyes, and Old Pocket Watch pinched his chin and analyzed: "Maybe you are trying to clear yourself of suspicion?"

At this time, Luo Wei just wished he could go back in time and slap his original self. What could he have said?

He swore to heaven: "I swear to God, if I really did this, let me accompany Mr. Hastings to hell."

When the messenger who came to report heard this, he quickly clarified: "Mr. Lowe, don't go down in a hurry. Mr. Hastings is still up there."

"Yes, he was slightly injured. But overall he is still alive and kicking, and he even has the time to lose his temper."

When Old Gladstone heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief: "Has the doctor been sent?"

"The doctor was contacted to give him stitches, and Mr. Kessler of the Board of Health did it himself. There could not have been a better surgeon in Liverpool."

After hearing this, Old Gladstone finally felt relieved.

He wiped the cold sweat from his head, turned around and stared at Luo Wei for a long time, and then asked: "Luo Wei, tell me the truth, is it really not you who did it?"

Luo Wei became furious and said, "What do you all doubt about me?"

Roswell frowned and said: "The person who assassinated Prime Minister Percival before was also a businessman. The assassin Bellingham was also in the import and export agency business. In addition, you also made rude remarks before. Lowe, it is really difficult for us not to doubt you."

Luo Wei saw that everyone was focusing their attention on him, and he was so anxious that his brain became easier to use.

He argued: "Can I be the same as that Bellingham? Bellingham was detained in Russia and went bankrupt. He wanted compensation but was kicked back and forth by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. So he had no choice but to grab a gun and run away. There are people in the House of Commons. And he always defended that he wanted to assassinate the ambassador to Russia, but he got the wrong person, so he killed the Prime Minister. Mr. Hastings did not bankrupt me, and I also know what he looks like. . What reason do I have to give up my four- to five-thousand-pound-a-year business and insist on wrestling with the gallows?"

Roswell's face was full of doubts: "Do you believe Bellingham's defense? The wrong person was killed, and the Prime Minister happened to be killed. This coincidence is really amazing. Lowe, are you related to the East India Company people? Are you colluding and planning to trick us?"

"East India Company?"

The businessmen present wrinkled their noses when they heard the name.

Some people even spoke directly to Old Gladstone: "Although Lowe may not have been involved in this matter, the East India Company really had the motive to do this. Since we joined forces with the people in London to persuade Parliament to monopolize their India area, After the power was removed, they have always hated us."

"If that's the case, John, you are in danger. Everyone knows that the first merchant ship from Liverpool to India, the Kingsmill, is your property. If this matter gets too big, by then If the council supports Bristol instead of Liverpool, we'll all be blind."

When Old Gladstone heard this, his face became increasingly ugly: "East India Company? It's not impossible... Speaking of which, I remember that there were people from the East India Company around Mr. Hastings. If they really did it, then they were really well prepared! But... aren't they afraid of being found out? The last time the charter was renewed, they lost their Indian franchise. If this incident is also found out, Let’s be honest, when the renewal is next time, they probably won’t even be able to keep the tea franchise in China…”

After hearing this, Roswell pulled Old Gladstone out and said, "It's impossible. It's just a dog jumping over the wall. Let's go to the Golden Lion Hotel first. After all, we have to get ourselves out first, and then we can think about what to do." Show some color to those sons of bitches in East India. If they dare to make false accusations, we will sit back and leave them with nothing! East India Company? Haha! Our Liverpool Association is not someone to be trifled with either!"