Shadow of great britain

Foreign Office, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, 85 Downing Street, London, Westminster.

The exquisite carvings on the exterior walls, the magnificent columns and the majestic gates are architecturally speaking, and its appearance alone is enough to illustrate its splendor. But in fact, no matter if this is just the tip of the iceberg, the truly breathtaking exquisite design and magnificent style are hidden under its otherworldly appearance, just like the two words that British gentlemen like to say most - —Low-key and luxurious.

Exquisite frescoes, gilded ceilings and floors made of pure marble from the Greek and Sicilian coasts.

The sun shines directly on the black-edged handrail of the state staircase through the hollow dome. The slightly dry palms resting on the handrail seem to shine brightly along with the aquamarine on the ring.

Viscount Palmerston was accompanied by a magnificent gentleman who was several years older than him, wearing a crimson deerskin cloak and riding boots.

Judging from the brownish-yellow clay on the old gentleman's riding boots, he must have just had a pleasant country hunt this morning.

Although Viscount Palmerston has always been arrogant, and his attitude towards the work of his subordinates can even be said to be harsh, but today, His Excellency the Viscount's attitude towards the old gentlemen around him can be described as polite.

The reason why he did this is mainly due to the following points.

First of all, this old gentleman came from a noble family. His father and uncle were both famous generals in the British Army. Not only that, his uncle even served as the governor of Virginia and British North America before American independence.

Such unique conditions naturally gave the old gentleman some innate advantages in British politics. But what's even more valuable is that he made full use of these advantages.

Although he does not love the military as much as the elders in the family, he has shown superhuman talents in communication.

At the beginning of his political career, the old gentleman served as a chamberlain for nine years and won the trust of the royal family because he handled the affairs of the inner court in an orderly manner.

As a close friend of the royal family, the British court likes to send him to take action on many unresolved matters.

For example, when the Napoleonic Wars were raging, he was sent as minister to Naples to deal with Napoleon's brother-in-law, King Murat of Naples.

Or elect him to serve as an advisor to Britain's highest authority, the Privy Council.

Of course, the most talked-about story is his visit to the Qing Dynasty in 1816 as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

Although the results of that trip were not good, it earned the old gentleman a reputation as an expert on Eastern issues in British politics. Therefore, after the Governor-General of India, the Marquis Hastings, was recalled to the country for trial due to a corruption scandal, it was logical that the old gentleman, who was deeply trusted by the royal family, was sent to India to correct the situation.

During his tenure as the Governor-General of India, although the colonial government's performance in the Anglo-Burmese War was unsatisfactory, it spent a full 13 million pounds in military expenditures and more than 10,000 casualties to capture this small Southeast Asian state.

But generally speaking, India did not have much trouble during his term, and it also helped Britain further consolidate its rule in northern India. Therefore, after he ended his term as governor, he was officially named the first Earl of Amherst.

However, although Earl Amherst is now in a semi-retired state and his physical condition is not very good, because Earl Amherst and various Tory figures, such as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel, have long maintained their Strong friendships.

In addition, he himself is a senior diplomat and still holds the title of Chamberlain, so his ties with the royal family are also very close. Therefore, Viscount Palmerston must at least give this senior face in terms of etiquette.

Not to mention, the reason why Count Amherst came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today was because of Palmerston's invitation.

Palmerston stood beside Amherst, bending his neck slightly and asking softly.

"Since you left the post of Governor-General of India in 1828, this position has been succeeded by Lord William Bentinck. Judging from the various documents, reports and statistics currently reported back from India, Lord Bentinck has completed his job very well. Mission, our business profits in India have also increased with the level of good local governance.

However, I just recently learned from the Colonial Affairs Department that Lord Bentinck seems to have recently launched his reform experiment in India. Although the abolition of barbarian bad habits such as self-immolation and burial of widows is indeed an act of civilization and progress.

However, I still feel a little worried when I think of how Lord Bentinck, when he was the governor of Madras, India, banned beards and turbans among Indian soldiers and almost caused a mutiny. At that time, if his father, the old Duke of Portland, was not serving as Prime Minister and promptly recalled him to the country and treated him coldly, Lord Bentinck's political career would have been almost ruined.

Even though so many years have passed, Lord Bentinck's inner strength has obviously not changed. Now it seems that his thoughts were poisoned by utilitarians like Bentham more deeply than we expected. "

When Count Amherst heard this, he punched the floor with his cane a little harder. He said calmly without turning his head: "Perhaps you should go and say this to our distinguished Lord Justice, Lord Brougham." , when it comes to Bentham’s supporters, I’m afraid there aren’t many who hold more power than he does.”

Viscount Palmerston also heard the smell of gunpowder in the other party's words, and he comforted him with a smile.

"Of course, Bentham's ideas are not all bad. For example, the individual should enjoy his inherent financial rights, free trade, freedom of speech and press, etc., and many of these ideas have also been accepted by the government.

However, in my opinion, many of Bentham's initiatives still seem too extreme, such as the direct abolition of slavery, the prohibition of corporal punishment in the military, the separation of state religions, and the legalization of homosexuality, etc. However, overall, I still respect him very much.

Although he was a supporter of the French Revolution, he was also awarded the status of an honorary citizen of France. But there is no doubt that he does want to think about the world and British society, but there is a slight deviation in the way he thinks. "

Count Amherst chuckled: "It seems that we still have some rare commonalities. I also admire Mr. Bentham very much, but the difference between us is that I don't appreciate Bentham's views. I just appreciate him." His personality. Bentham was naive in his words and deeds, but he lived a magnanimous life. Both his views and actions were consistent and traceable.

Correspondingly, I hate those characters like George Canning who regard betrayal and betrayal as a habit. Although I don't want to criticize this kind of behavior, such examples were extremely rare in the past. However, in recent decades, it seems to have become an unwritten rule. Even a student who is still studying will randomly change His face was gone. "

Others may not understand this, but Palmerston understands the meaning of the old earl's words very well.

As a follower of former Prime Minister George Canning, Viscount Palmerston first entered Parliament that year, and one of his first jobs was as a low-level official under the Admiralty. According to Canning's wishes, Viscount Palmerston took risks and formulated plans for the bombardment of Copenhagen and A battle plan to destroy the Danish Navy.

And if you carefully analyze Palmerston's political career, you can also find that he is full of the shadow of Canning who led the way.

They also jumped between the Tory Party and the Whig Party. When Canning was a student, he became friends with several leaders of the Whig Party under the introduction of his uncle. However, after graduation, he chose to join the powerful Tory Party. .

As for Palmerston, he has always shown his firm royalist views in the past, and insisted on dealing with absolutely iron-blooded toughness both internally and externally. However, when he was gradually marginalized in the Tory party, he transformed into a Whig who supported parliamentary reform.

Moreover, both of them were very romantic in their private lives. Three of the seven most respected ladies in the Allmark Club were very fond of Palmerston's humor.

Canning's game was even bigger. He once had an ambiguous personal relationship with George IV's queen, Princess Caroline from Brunswick.

He is also good at debates and speeches, and likes to use an aggressive and oppressive attitude to force his opponents to admit defeat, and often offends people because of this.

Even, they are very similar in blood.

Viscount Palmerston was an authentic Irish nobleman, and Canning's parents were also Irish.

It is precisely because they are so similar that friends' descriptions of Canning and Palmerston can be used interchangeably in many situations.

- He regards politics as child's play and has no regard for principles if they interfere with his goal of gaining power.

Viscount Palmerston knew very well what a bad influence his betrayal of the Tories had on the hearts of those honest old Tories.

However, he always has a reason to defend himself.

"Your Excellency, if you must take Lord Canning as an example. Yes, I am a liberal idealist who passionately believes in the historical mission of Great Britain to spread democratic values ​​throughout the world. If necessary, I will not rule out The possibility of using force. Just like Sir Canning's famous saying - I will create a new world to change the balance of power in the old world."

It is a pity that Earl Amherst did not accept Palmerston's method.

"Really? If that's the case, you should have gone to Liverpool, not Sergeant Hastings, who was shot. You should have stood on the deck of the battleship in the old dock of Liverpool, pointing the muzzle at that Help the businessmen who made their fortune from the slave trade and force them to spit out the bloody money. Moreover, if you are really a liberal idealist, then you should not criticize Lord Bentinck's work in India, Bentham Don’t they quite approve of his reforms in India? I read the previous issues of the Westminster Review, and they sang praises for Bentinck there.”

Palmerston said sternly: "Of course, Your Excellency, I have made it clear from the beginning that I very much recognize Lord Bentinck's work. However, on some specific details, I still want to consult with you, the official India has the input of experts with rich management experience.”

Earl Amherst did not intend to defeat Palmerston on his own territory. The old Earl took out the handkerchief in his breast pocket and blew his nose: "I guess what you are saying is that he plans to cancel the horse race." Do the two governors of Dras and Bombay have the right to issue laws independently?”

Palmerston smiled and nodded: "Actually, it's not just that, there is also the matter of him allowing Indians to be promoted to senior colonial officials."

Count Amherst raised his white eyebrows: "Then it is not important that he improves the salary and status of Indian judges and promotes English reforms in courts and colleges and universities?"

"Of course this is important, but..."

Palmerston smiled and replied: "At this point, I think he has done a good job. As I said before, I think Britain's mission is to spread advanced civilization to the wilderness. If he intends to I have absolutely no problem with replicating the advanced British system in India."

Earl Amherst nodded slightly and said: "It seems that not all of our foreign minister's views are flexible. However, at this point, I must remind you that India is not Britain. There are people there that are several times the size of Britain. land and population, so not all systems can be copied in full.

Of all Bentinck's reforms, the most necessary was the abolition of the power of Madras and Bombay to issue laws independently. India needs a strong central government to be better managed, and enacting four or five independent sets of laws in India that do not govern each other is detrimental to our business interests. "

When Palmerston heard this, he just smiled and complimented: "It seems that you and I have more than just one thing in common. I actually agree with this. However, it is obvious that some colleagues in the Whig Party are not the same as others." I have different views. But in my capacity, it is not easy for me to point this out to them face to face. If you are willing to take the time to have a good talk with the three noble Lords of the Indian Governing Council, I believe that things will definitely progress. .”

After chatting for a long time, Palmerston revealed his true intentions, which somewhat made Count Amherst a little unhappy.

He said: "Actually, even if you don't take the initiative to mention this matter, I will go to the committee and the Privy Council to talk about this issue, because I have always been consistent and I am not likely to change my views at will."

Having said this, Earl Amherst also patted Viscount Palmerston's arm gently: "Henry, I sometimes think that if you were the one who went to China as ambassador, then the matter would definitely be settled. You know Why? Because you will definitely agree to kneel down to the Emperor of China."

When Viscount Palmerston heard this, his expression changed instantly.

Today, because of the affairs in India, he invited Amesh to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to entertain him with smoke and tea, and he also said a lot of good things.

However, this semi-retired veteran Tory cadre stands out as a person who has no desires and desires, does whatever he wants, does whatever he wants, and talks how he wants.

Seeing Palmerston's change of expression, Amherst burst into laughter and said, "Henry, don't be angry. I'm not insulting you, but complimenting you. In fact, when I came back from China, I also stopped by to visit Napoleon. St. Helena Island, the place of exile. After Napoleon heard me talk about his experience as an ambassador, he told me that if he were me, he would definitely kneel down and kowtow to the Chinese emperor, because this is Do as the Romans do. He's flexible, just like you and Canning."

After saying this, Count Amherst did not give Palmerston a chance to speak, so he led his attendants out of the hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while humming a cheerful ditty.

Looking at the old man's brisk legs and feet, it seems that the severe rheumatism he contracted in India has suddenly improved a lot.

Viscount Palmerston stared at the old man's retreating back for a long time. After taking several deep breaths, his clenched fists slowly relaxed.

When the affairs officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saw the minister's appearance, they all fell silent. They hurried past him with their heads lowered like chickens pecking at rice, for fear that making any noise would make him angry.

In the silent hall, one could only hear Palmerston's angry low voice: "If it weren't for your age, I would definitely challenge you to a duel!"

The old affairs officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looked at each other, and everyone could read a familiar flavor in each other's eyes.

The ministerial duel can be regarded as a traditional repertoire of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the last cabinet minister to duel...

Oh, maybe the last one is not accurate. To be more precise, the ministers who dueled in the last duel were Viscount Castlereagh, who formulated the principles of European coordination, and Sir Canning, who succeeded Viscount Castlereagh as foreign secretary.

Seeing the minister's appearance, everyone couldn't help but worry about whether they could get off work on time today.

Just as they were contemplating how to get Palmerston to extinguish the fire in time, an old face suddenly walked into the hall - Mr. Schneider, the Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who had met Arthur in Liverpool.

Schneider obviously did not notice the subtle changes in the air. He walked towards Viscount Palmerston with a smile on his face.

Just when everyone thought that this boy was going to be in bad luck today, Viscount Palmerston suddenly had a look of surprise and a smile on his face.

"Oh? My sweetheart is here?"

When Schneider heard this, he just coughed awkwardly and politely: "Your Excellency, at least today you'd better not call Mrs. Leven that. After all, the Russian Ambassador Count Leven also visited the official residence with her."