Shadow of great britain

Greenwich Police Station, in Arthur's office.

Arthur and the rumored uninvited guest sat at opposite ends of the desk.

Just as the police officer who went to deliver the message to Arthur described, the guest wore a black burqa and a lapel white shirt, with a silver cross hanging on his chest, and a tall figure on his thin face. There is no callus on the bridge of the nose or on the white hands. From the first look, it is clear that he has not done any heavy physical work.

All the above information indicates that this guest must be from a middle-class family or above and have received a considerable level of education.

Arthur couldn't figure out the purpose of the other party's visit, so he could only ask in as friendly a tone as possible: "I guess I don't know you. I don't know how to call you?"

The other party also smiled politely, and he said: "Mr. Hastings, I really disturb you by coming to the door suddenly.

I am the Vicar of St. Mary's, Oxford University Church, and a Special Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford University - John Newman.

You can just call me Pastor, or Mr. Newman, or John if you prefer. "

Oxford university?

Priest?

Arthur couldn't help but take a deep breath.

For him, it is already difficult to deal with these two things in one. How can he be a human being if they are combined into one?

What's worse is that the guest in front of him is actually a researcher at Oriel College, Oxford University.

If Oxford University is the stronghold of conservatives in Great Britain, then Oriel College, which specializes in teaching theological knowledge and training Anglican priests, is simply the stronghold of the stronghold.

It is no exaggeration to say that based on Arthur's values ​​​​and understanding of Oriel College, everyone there should be sentenced to death, and the death penalty must be executed repeatedly.

Fortunately, Arthur had already met Darwin, who graduated from Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, so he finally managed to maintain a calm expression when facing Mr. Newman, who worked at Oriel College, University of Oxford.

But this still did not prevent the red devil sitting on the desk from laughing up to the sky.

Agares pointed at Arthur's face, holding his stomach and drooling with laughter.

"Arthur, look at your expression. You are crying or laughing. Those who didn't know would have thought you smelled the poop from the Baal Dung Farm."

After hearing this, Arthur just squeezed out a breath from his nose and muttered: "Agares, I won't allow you to insult the stool like this."

But Pastor Newman, who was sitting opposite, obviously didn't hear Arthur's words clearly. He was stunned and said: "What did you say?"

Arthur quickly put on a smile: "Nothing, I said it was raining today and there was a lack of light in the office."

When Newman was not thinking about it, he hurriedly changed the subject and said, "I wonder why you came to see me today?"

When Newman heard this, he took out two books from the cowhide bag he carried and placed them on Arthur's desk.

Arthur lowered his head and saw that the two books were "The Rights of Man" and "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine.

His brows twitched and he asked, "Can I confirm your occupation again? Are you a priest?"

Newman nodded: "That's right."

Arthur asked again: "You also graduated from Oxford University?"

Newman continued to nod: "Graduated in 1820."

Arthur took a deep breath and held his mouth with one hand. He looked at Newman and then at the two books.

After reading for a long time, he finally said: "To be honest, Mr. Newman, I can't understand you. Because I really can't associate an Oxford-educated priest with these two books."

When Newman heard this, he suddenly smiled: "You have indeed read these two books."

Arthur shook his head and denied: "I haven't seen it."

Newman was stunned when he heard this: "Then how do you know you can't associate an Oxford priest with these two books?"

Arthur picked up the tea cup on the table and took a sip: "Because of Scotland Yard's regulations, I can't at least admit that I have seen it.

Although these two books are no longer illegal publications, it has only been a year since they were banned.

Besides, we Scotland Yard police officers are at least nominally directly under the command of His Majesty the King, and you should be very clear about how the late King George III is called in these two books. "

"Are you talking about this section?"

Newman picked up the book "Common Sense", flipped it to the bookmarked position skillfully, and read out the contents in a normal tone.

"George III is nothing but a royal beast of Great Britain. He is the chief culprit of events in North America. The British royal family is not sacred, because according to the history of the conquest of the British Isles, the ancestor of the British King is just the most evil-doing member of a certain group of unscrupulous people. Chief."

Arthur pulled the corners of his mouth, exhaled, inhaled and exhaled again. It took him a long time to forcefully pull back the raised corners of his mouth.

Arthur rubbed his face with both hands and said calmly: "Mr. Newman, you only have to read some of the things, and you don't need to read them out. If you want me to lose my job, just say so. This method is really dangerous." It’s so underhanded.”

"Losing your job? Why would you lose your job over this?"

Newman stood up, pointed to the words in "Common Sense" with confusion and said, "Isn't this the truth?"

Arthur glanced at the line of words, pursed his lips, and his voice trembled as he spoke.

"Mr. Newman, you have to know that in most cases, the truth hurts the most."

The Red Devil took the opportunity to come over and pat him on the shoulder. He pretended to forgive Arthur and said, "Arthur, if you want to laugh, just laugh. Holding it in all the time is not good for your health."

Newman sat back in his chair as if frustrated: "To be honest, before reading these two books, I always thought Thomas Paine was a cynical and evil man.

But now, I am convinced by him. Although he is a non-believer, his actions and ideals are more like a devout believer than anyone else. "

"You just forgive him?"

Arthur said: "I remember he also criticized the church, saying that 'the Christian system in religion is an insult to common sense.'

He also said, 'They refer to the book called the Bible as the word of God, which is sheer blasphemy. It was a book full of lies and contradictions, recording a history of very bad times and very bad people. ’

Because of his words, I remember that Oxford University would drag him out and criticize him every now and then! "

Newman said confused: "Maybe other people think so, but I think that's because they don't understand Thomas Paine. Look at the ideas he expressed and the contributions he made.

He proposed to establish public education and set a minimum wage standard. He criticized George III and had to leave Britain because of this.

He helped the North American colonies get rid of Great Britain and personally participated in the battle. Every American soldier had a copy of "Common Sense" and all Americans could recite what he said.

However, after the independence of the United States, he was excluded and dismissed for exposing corruption scandals within the government, and left the United States sadly.

He participated in the French Revolution, but was forced to leave France because he opposed Robespierre's execution of Louis XVI and their bloody policies.

He opposed Napoleon's proclaimed emperor and refused his conscription and invitation, but it did not affect Napoleon's appreciation of him.

Many times, as long as he keeps his mouth shut, he can live his life in peace and prosperity instead of dying alone in a rented cabin.

But he doesn't, he never stops speaking out, he only sticks to what he thinks is right and insists on implementing his virtues, just like you did in court before.

Is he an infidel? I think he is a true believer.

Unfortunately, Paine is dead and can no longer answer my questions.

But to my relief, I saw you in the newspaper.

So I came here today and wanted to ask you, who is as unwilling to remain silent as he is, how do you view these issues? "