Shadow of great britain

Indeed, Arthur wanted to recommend to Gasulin the outstanding academic works in The Economist, the supplement of The Brit.

However, since the publishing censorship in Paris was much stricter than that in London, Gasulin, as a veteran in the publishing industry, was quite shrewd in selecting those publications that would not cause trouble.

Although the book "Ancestors' Ceremony" by the Polish romantic poet Adam Mickiewicz involved political propaganda, given the current political atmosphere in Paris and the sympathy of French society for the Poles, the publication of "Ancestors' Ceremony" would definitely receive cheers and applause from the Bonapartists and Polish refugees, and the Orleansists were also very happy to see such social sentiment.

As for the royalists, although they have always been in the same boat with the Russians, they would not compete on such a small issue. Not to mention that these people are currently severely suppressed in the political spectrum of Paris, and they are absolutely impossible to go against public opinion because of the Russians.

As for John Mill's related economic works, the concept of the free market is also very consistent with the ruling philosophy of the Orleans faction based on the big financial bourgeoisie, so there will be no problem in publishing his books. However, due to the academic nature of economic papers, his sales may be a problem, but it is completely acceptable for Gasulin to lose money on Mill's works.

Because among the options given by Arthur, there are several options that make him excited.

A four-in-one gift package of Arthur Sigmar, Alfred Tennyson, Benjamin Disraeli and Charles Dickens.

Alfred Tennyson, this name was still unknown in the British literary world more than a year ago, but in 1833, he has become the hottest young poet in the British literary world.

Pastoral poems and elegy are his forte, and the beautiful and sad language is not like the author of "The Englishman" can produce.

His new work, In Memoriam, almost single-handedly reversed the reputation of The Limey among readers who advocated romanticism. Many readers who once regarded Blackwood as the highest work of art in British literature began to regard the poetry column of The Limey as the second choice for the British literary hall after Tennyson emerged.

As for Benjamin Disraeli, this young talent who is both a politician and a writer and is currently traveling in Italy, established his leading position among young British writers with The Travels of Captain Popanilla, which he created during his travels, after the accumulation of The Young Duke.

His frequent competition with the Whig party's official newspaper "Edinburgh Review" in the Tory party's official newspaper "Quarterly Review" won the praise of the Tory party's literary talent for this Jewish guy. Many young people in the Tory party became his loyal fans under the influence of Disraeli's outstanding speaking talent and excellent writing skills, ignoring the teachings of their fathers at home that "Benjamin Disraeli doesn't look like a good person."

If his works were published in Paris at this time, I believe that many big figures in the Parisian political circle would definitely be interested in buying a copy. After all, this is a young politician with a bright future, a small group of young people in the Tory Party, and a high probability of being in charge of a department in the future.

And Charles Dickens, this person's reputation is needless to say, just look at the plays rehearsed in major theaters in London, "The Strange Gentleman and the Pretty Country Girl", "Is She His Wife?", "The Pickwick Papers", etc. This guy is so popular in London!

Who is the leader of the Parisian new literature? Some may say it is Hugo, some may say it is Dumas, and some may think it is Winnie.

But in London, there is no dispute about this issue. This person can only be Charles Dickens.

Although many people in the British literary world have criticized Dickens' works for not being profound enough, compromising too much with the vulgar society, being more entertaining than literary, and having no pursuit other than making money. But when these words fall into the ears of publishers, they are like poison to others and honey to me.

Did you hear that?

Dickens' works are very profitable.

The Paris publishing industry had long been scrambling for Dickens' French copyright, but what they didn't expect was that "The Englishman" didn't seem to be as greedy for money as "Blackwood". Although the publishers offered a very high price, neither their editorial department nor Dickens himself would give in.

As for the reason, it was actually very simple. At that time, they didn't have the mind to talk about any publishing issues, because one of their important shareholders was lying in St. Martin's Church next to Trafalgar Square, imitating the story of Lazarus.

Finally, Arthur Sigmar is also a rather mysterious writer. In a sense, he is as important as Sir Walter Scott, who pioneered the genre of historical romance novels and opened a new era of writing.

Arthur Sigmar is the pioneer of the genre of detective novels. Although this field is far less mature than historical novels, it also means that this field may have considerable sales potential. And judging from the sales feedback in the British market, the readership base in this field is quite solid. In the minds of some readers, Charles Dickens and Benjamin Disraeli are completely incomparable with Arthur Sigmar. He is the real No. 1 "Englishman".

If such an effect could be replicated in France, then Gasulin would have picked up a Scott for nothing. He could not think of any reason to reject Arthur Sigmar's work. Although publishing his works would involve taking certain risks, the rewards after success would be quite generous.

And according to some gossip Gasulin received from London, Arthur Sigmar himself is a long-serving senior police officer at Scotland Yard. Combined with "The Hastings Detective Collection" and Mr. Arthur Hastings Based on his personal experience, his true identity is actually not difficult to guess.

Compared with the small risk he avoided by not publishing Arthur Sigmar's work, Gasulin was less willing to take the big risk of offending The British's major shareholder, a former Scotland Yard senior police officer, and the Publication Review Board.

In other words, even if Arthur didn't mention it, Gasulin would still shamelessly give Arthur Sigma a fat contract.

After all, he was a high-class knight who manipulated others and spoke softly. Mr. Hastings had to give up the French copyright of Elder Carter for the sake of face, right?

It has to be said that Gasulin's little idea was indeed used in the right place, but he did not know Arthur's thoughts accurately when it came to the price of the contract.

However, as Gasulin said, he is the most negotiable publisher in the Paris publishing world, so after he raised his offer, he soon got his wish and got the six works of "The Englishman" in his pocket. What he didn't even expect was that Heine on the side also generously handed over the French distribution rights of his new work "On the Romantics" to him.

Adam Mickiewicz's "Ancestor Sacrifice" costs 7,000 francs.

Benjamin Disraeli's "The Young Duke" six thousand francs.

Charles Dickens's "The Pickwick Papers" twelve thousand francs.

Alfred Tennyson's "In Memoriam" seven thousand francs.

Elder Carter's "Robin Hood" for twelve thousand francs.

Heinrich Heine's "On the Romantics" six thousand francs.

Gasulin's final price for "The Hastings Detective Collection" was fixed at twelve thousand and one francs.

Between pushing cups and changing cups, the two parties concluded a big business of more than 60,000 francs.

Although such a huge transaction put Gasulin's financial pressure at the top, the good sales prospects still made him unable to help but smile.

On the side, Henry Draisaitl's understanding of Arthur has reached a higher level.

He originally just wanted to help his nephew and granddaughter today, but unexpectedly he suddenly reached a large promissory note deposit of 60,000 francs.

He is prospering in the political world. At the same time, he still enjoys a considerable say in the currently popular "The Anglican". He can decide the French copyright of so many books in one breath...

Draisaitl saw that Gasulin and Arthur were almost chatting. Taking advantage of the drunken atmosphere of everyone, he smiled and asked knowingly: "Sir, historical novels are so popular in France, and you are another one." As a top student who graduated with a major in history, why don’t you consider trying your hand at writing a historical novel?”

Arthur just thought it was a casual chat and responded with a smile: "It's not that I haven't thought about it, but you don't have to be a history major to write historical novels. History is history, and novels are novels. If you study history, you can If you write historical novels well, then the most popular novelist in Paris at the moment should be Mr. Guizot instead of Thiers.”

Gasulin heard this and laughed and replied: "Are you criticizing the works written by Mr. Thiers which are not historical biographies but novels?"

Hugo somewhat disagreed with Arthur's view: "In my opinion, Mr. Thiers's book is actually quite interesting. I think it is very rare that he can describe history so vividly."

Arthur shrugged and said with a smile: "This sentence was not said by me, but by the Duke of Wellington. He read Mr. Thiers's "History of the Consulate and the Empire" and clearly refuted the reference to Ai Thiers clearly described in it that Murat assembled chasseurs, dragoons and cuirassiers, attacked the Russian army with eighty squadrons, and charged into battle at a critical moment to save the entire army from danger.

But the Duke of Wellington clearly told me that according to the French army's establishment, a cuirassier squadron has a full strength of 172 men, and a dragoon and chasseur squadron have a full strength of 232 men. However, the actual strength is generally 100 to 150 men, so 80 squadrons It is equivalent to more than 10,000 cavalry. Murat could not muster 10,000 troops at that time. According to the intelligence he obtained, the French army participated in the attack at that time with 52 squadrons, including 42 squadrons of 14 regular cavalry regiments and 10 Guards Cavalry squadrons.

As for why Thiers turned 42 squadrons into 80 squadrons? His Excellency the Duke's exact words were: 'Probably that fool confused the organization of the French squadron and company. Therefore, even though he wrote about this action in a vivid and colorful way, which made many people indulge in the ambition and pride on the battlefield, in fact he was just a dilettante who didn't understand anything. ’”

Arthur paused for a moment when he said this, and tactfully excused the Duke of Wellington: "So, let's leave professional things to professionals. Leave works before you understand the principles of things, usually It will only make knowledgeable people laugh and cry.”

After hearing this, Draisaitl pretended to be offended under the influence of alcohol: "In that case, it was a bad move for them to transfer you from Scotland Yard. You are definitely an expert in the police force, but you are a novice in diplomacy. Oh, but I You can’t say that. After all, there are people who can do things well without experience. This is the case with an old friend of mine. Coincidentally, his surname is also Hastings.”

Arthur became interested when he heard this: "Which Hastings are you talking about?"

Seeing the fish take the bait, Draisaitl continued to spread the bait and said: "That is a very outstanding person. Let me give you a hint. He served as the governor-general in India."

"Governor-General of India?"

Arthur rubbed his temples and recalled the history courses he had taken in college: "Warren Hastings? That one is indeed a legend. The title Governor was established during his tenure. He was abandoned by his father when he was young. However, he relied on his uncle's financial support to enter Westminster Public School for further study. He joined the East India Company at the age of 18 and has been working there ever since. He started as an ordinary clerk in Calcutta and later worked in management positions step by step. He had a seat on the company's board of directors, served as the vice chairman of Madras, and became the Governor of Bengal after the conquest of Bengal. The following year, he was authorized to take charge of Indian colonial affairs. But unfortunately, his background was too weak, so he was dismissed. He was targeted by his competitors, and it took him nearly ten years of litigation to prove his innocence. Looking at it this way, his early life experience is indeed quite similar to mine.”

Draisaitl was suddenly startled when he heard this.

It was only then that he realized that he seemed to have ignored another possibility.

As Arthur said, there was more than one Hastings who served as Governor-General of India.

The first Marquess of Hastings was the first Indian Governor-General after the reorganization of India, and Warren Hastings was the first Indian Governor-General in the historical sense. More importantly, both Hastings have done very well in India, and both have very clear Tory views.

It’s just that Warren Hastings’s ending was obviously much worse than that of the Marquis of Hastings, because the first Marquis of Hastings was also of noble origin, and he was also a royal relative of the Prince Regent and the Duke of York. A close friend, so in the end it was not affected too much.

However, Warren Hastings was born into a clergy family and was also a professional company civil servant who grew up under the East India Company system. He was the target of severe crackdowns by the government. Therefore, when the Indian Commission was established, although Warren Hastings held the title of Governor-General of India, he was hampered by the other four government personnel on the commission in actual affairs. He even had a ten-year lawsuit in his later years. Zhong almost took the blame for the whole company.

Draisaitl asked calmly: "Really? Were you like him in your early years?"

Arthur smiled and recalled the past: "It's almost the same, maybe even a little worse than him. Without the help of my uncle, I might still be raising pigs in the countryside. How could I afford to go to university, let alone become a diplomat?" ”

"uncle……"

Draisaitl immediately grasped the key words, and Arthur's words almost perfectly confirmed his previous conjecture.

An illegitimate child who was abandoned by his parents just like Warren Hastings, but grew up under the care of his uncle, and then followed his uncle's path to Scotland Yard...

Draisaitl suddenly became enlightened when he thought of this.

No wonder the Hastings family never came forward to claim this young man. After all, the main branch of the family never thought of acknowledging this disgraceful illegitimate son. His success in reaching this point is entirely the result of hard work and coincidence.

Draisaitl was still thinking about this when he suddenly heard Arthur calling him.

"Mr. Draisaitl, if it's not too much trouble, I hope to transfer part of the upfront payment to the bank account on the business card."

Without even looking at it, Draisaitl put the business card in his jacket pocket and asked with a smile: "Of course there is no problem in transferring the money to other banks, but the transfer business of Bank of Paris is different from what you think, like For such a large transaction, you need to fill out a lot of forms, go through a lot of procedures, and you have to be present in person. "

"Is it so troublesome?"

Draisaitl said with a smile: "It is indeed a bit troublesome, but I will omit all the procedures for you that we can arrange ourselves. If you have nothing else important, you can take a day to come to my residence in Paris. I'll finish the rest of the formalities and invite you to dinner. If you don't mind, I'd like to introduce you to five famous Parisian beauties. To make up for the rudeness of these complicated bank procedures..."

Draisaitl saw the change in Arthur's expression when he heard this, and without letting him speak, he joked with him: "Ha! Young man, your brows are widening. It seems that you are the same as I was when I was young, although I’m tired of these formalities, but I can’t resist banquets and beauties. So, let’s make an agreement?”

When Arthur saw Draisaitl's warm invitation, his thoughts suddenly changed.

It seems that he can use this banquet to prove how smoothly his plan is going to Gwawei's group of ruffians who still have doubts about bank fraud.

If they were shown that they could already attend banquets held by bankers, they would most likely be convinced of the success of this plan. After that, everything will progress more and more smoothly.

Arthur thought of this, took off his hat politely and smiled: "In that case, I'd rather obey than be polite. But I want to know, can I bring a few friends to the banquet?"

"Of course, of course!" Dresset nodded generously and said: "I like young people, especially young talents as outstanding as you."