Shadow of great britain

The late autumn night was dimly reflected in the dining room through the thick velvet curtains. Several chandeliers hung above the long table, illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime.

The table in the restaurant is covered with clean linen tablecloth, exquisite tableware and silver candlesticks, and the candlelight flickers with warm light.

Various dishes are placed on the table in order, including the French Provence potato stew and the German classic salted pork knuckle with bread, and the soup is purple-red Russian borscht.

In addition, Arthur also carefully selected several wines that suit the students' tastes, but the alcohol content is not high. He hopes everyone can relax but not lose control.

These include Alexandre Dumas’s lifelong love: an eight-year reserve from Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux, as well as Napoleon’s favorite drink, Gevrey-Chambertin.

There are also British favorites, port from Portugal’s Douro Valley and sherry from Spain’s Jerez region.

Of course, among the drinks, there will naturally be no shortage of 'Rheingau Riesling', the favorite of German nobles. This Riesling wine also comes from a famous European winery - Schloss Johannesburg.

The variety of dishes and drinks seemed to hint to the guests that the atmosphere tonight was diverse and open.

Compared with Gestapo members like Bismarck, the American student Mr. John Motley was obviously much more relaxed.

He picked up the bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin on the wine table and couldn't help laughing as he stared at the label on the bottle: "I know this kind of wine. Mr. Gauss would probably go crazy if he saw it."

Alexandre Dumas laughed loudly when he heard this and said: "It seems that Mr. Gauss is a person who knows how to enjoy life. His taste is exactly the same as Napoleon's."

Mr. Shubland, the master member of the Pomeranian Saber Society who had been recruited by Bismarck, responded with fear: "Sir, you may be mistaken. Mottley said that Mr. Gauss will go crazy because of this." Growing wine was Napoleon’s favorite thing. Everyone who has taken Mr. Gauss’s class knows how much he hated Napoleon and the Revolution.”

"Gauss hates Napoleon and the Revolution?" Alexandre Dumas thought reflexively: "He is a conservative? I thought a scholar like him would support republicanism."

Bismarck, who knew the true identities of the people in front of him, replied with embarrassment: "Mr. Gauss may not be a conservative, but it is completely reasonable for him to hate Napoleon. Because after Napoleon's army captured Göttingen, the University of Göttingen Teaching and research work came to a standstill, and the French also required him to pay a war tax of 2,000 francs."

Shubland then added: "But this is not the worst. You should know that Mr. Gauss's background is not good. The reason why he was able to go to university was because he was appreciated by Carl Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick. Since he Since the age of 14, the Duke has never stopped supporting him. Mr. Gauss has always been grateful to the Duke for his kindness, and even writes "Dedicated to the Duke" on the title page of every academic monograph he publishes.

However, in the Battle of Jena in 1806, the Duke died heroically in the confrontation with Napoleon. In the Battle of Waterloo nine years later, the old Duke's son, the "Black Duke" Friedrich William, also died gloriously while leading the army. For Mr. Gauss, there is probably no one in the world who has caused more harm to him than Napoleon. "

When Alexandre Dumas heard this, his newly ignited republican soul was instantly poured cold water on him.

Although he wanted to point out that Gauss's views were incorrect, judging from what happened to Gauss, it seemed that even if he hated Napoleon, there was nothing to blame.

However, Alexandre Dumas still planned to save some face for the Revolution: "It doesn't matter if you hate Napoleon. There are also many French republicans who oppose Napoleon. But because Gauss hated Napoleon, he hated the Revolution. Isn't there something wrong? "

Bismarck, who usually did not dare to express his opinions in front of Arthur due to the "letter of recommendation", used the topic to express his views.

"I think Professor Gauss's views are very consistent. If it hadn't been for the Revolution, how could France have given birth to a monster like Napoleon who usurped power. The ideals of the Revolution and Napoleon's slogans all sound very weird. Mouth. They talk about uniting the whole of Europe with freedom and democracy, but in fact they use the National Guard and the Old Guard. If anyone opposes their views, they will become reactionaries who oppose progress. There is nothing more ridiculous in the world than this. scam.

Because based on the historical records I read in the book, I can easily get a clear point: If anyone thinks that Europe is a unity with the ability to act together, then he is completely wrong. Europa is just a geographical concept, other than that it is a verbal idiom. Those who like to use this idiom are mainly those who encourage others to take advantage of the fire under the banner of Europe. The European Community is like a ghost, an imaginary that is completely unreal. "

Having said this, Bismarck did not forget to make up for himself: "Of course, what I read in books may not necessarily be correct. Because historians often look at issues from their own standpoints, and everyone looks at issues. "It's all subjective, and the really important stuff often doesn't make it into the archives."

However, although Bismarck had gone back to make amends, he turned around and thought about it. He felt that this passage might still be too unpleasant for liberals.

He looked around nervously, but no one in the room refuted his point of view. Even Heine, the senior student whom he thought was the most liberal, did not curse.

On the contrary, the great German poet held up his wine glass and gently clinked it with Bismarck: "Otto, I'm sorry, I used to think of you as an ordinary college student. But your words today really made me look at you with new eyes. Although the truth in it may not be entirely correct, these words are enough to distinguish you from most of the idiots in Göttingen University."

Garibaldi and other members of the Young Italy did not speak, they just smiled bitterly.

Perhaps they once believed in the so-called European unity and the great union of peoples under the banner of freedom, but after the disastrous defeat of the expedition to Savoy, it was difficult for them to believe in internationalism.

Not only did the French government not send troops to support the Young Italy after the expedition as they promised, but they actively cooperated with Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia to arrest the Young Italy and the French Republicans who supported the Italian Revolution.

As for the Bonapartists who once shouted "One Europe, One Emperor", they watched everything that happened in Italy with a cold eye, and were even reluctant to say a word of support.

And what about the British?

Perhaps Britain provided more help than France on the issue of the Italian Revolution, but it was still extremely limited.

Although the British gave some financial help to the young Italy, if you look closely, Garibaldi is more inclined to believe that the 10,000 francs were privately sponsored by his friend Arthur.

And how did the British government react to the expedition to Savoy?

After the action, British Foreign Secretary Viscount Palmerston immediately mocked his old rival and old opponent, Austrian Prime Minister Metternich, and ridiculed Austria that if it did not pass a liberal constitution in the northern Italian states controlled by Austria, it would inevitably face more similar problems in the future.

And Metternich's response to Viscount Palmerston was to pass the amendment to the "Carlsbad Resolution" in the German Confederation to prove that things were still under Austria's control.

But what else?

What did the British do?

The British government provided all support except help.

They allowed Mazzini and other core members of the Young Italy to go into exile in London, giving them nominal freedom. But in fact, the activities of Mazzini and others were completely monitored by plainclothes police officers from Scotland Yard to ensure that they would not cause any big trouble in London.

Mazzini clearly told Garibaldi in the letter that he believed that the British were as unreliable as the French, and he had no doubt that there was a plan to sell out the Young Italy under the desk of the British Foreign Office. The reason why they did not do so now was entirely because Viscount Palmerston had a bad relationship with Metternich, and the British Foreign Office also believed that the price offered by Austria was worthless.

Although Britain completely abolished slavery in its homeland and overseas territories this year, no one would forget how they made a fortune in the triangular trade. Buying and selling human lives, the British have a lot of "Get Rich" in this business.

Garibaldi kept these words in his heart and did not tell Arthur.

After all, Arthur took such a big risk to save their lives this time. If he said such an inhumane thing again, it would hurt his heart.

But in fact, it would not matter if Garibaldi told Arthur all this.

He did not know this friend very well, and he did not know Arthur's views on the various departments in Whitehall Street.

Because according to Arthur, they were just a group of comedians who were busy defending their own tables and chairs.

The Treasury was a typical double-faced person. Everyone there was a miser. They tried their best to squeeze the last penny from the taxpayers, while sipping the virtue of simplicity and frugality in the champagne glasses at the banquet.

As for Arthur's old superior, the Home Office, it was even more interesting. The Home Office was more keen on monitoring its own citizens than any detective. The Home Office's surveillance tradition was far older than Arthur's Secret Intelligence Service, as if every citizen who opened the morning newspaper was a rebellious conspirator, and every household's fireplace did not lead to the chimney, but to the Palace of Versailles.

The War and Colonial Office was a loyal fan of coloring games. This group of people wanted to put small flags on every map, as if every piece of territory belonged to the British Empire.

But when it comes to action, they start to be evasive and shrink faster than mice, as if their strategy is "It's better not to fight, but if we fight, I will have the credit if we win, and it's not my responsibility if we lose."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Haha, they are really like clowns on the stage, the best of all farces.

Every day they are busy whispering a string of insignificant rhetoric in the king's ear, and then use elegant etiquette to cover up their inaction at the international negotiation table. Everyone there is proficient in making the most mediocre nonsense sound grandiose.

Every diplomatic negotiation is like a carefully choreographed drama, and every ambassador is an actor in gorgeous costumes.

They can use elegant words to package all failures as great victories, call helpless concessions "strategic adjustments", and call terrifying misjudgments "failure is the mother of success." If you believe their words, you should really doubt whether you are still living in the real world.

Of course, Arthur's words cannot be taken completely seriously. After all, as a has-been old comedian and once the most popular comedian in London, it is natural for him to complain about the theater's performance arrangements.

Bismarck saw that everyone appreciated his words, and the young man gradually became bolder.

The young man's pushy nature made him begin to comment on the German system.

"Of course, I don't mean that the German state governments are any better. In my opinion, the federal government is simply a protracted farce. Look at Prussia, it has a lot of soldiers and cannons, but it just pretends to be Act like peacemakers, as if their bayonets are for sticking flowers in. Oh, don't get me wrong, they are really good at sticking things in - especially behind their allies' backs.

As for Austria, that's even more ridiculous. The ministers in Vienna are extremely busy. They dance and drink in the palace every day, and then try their best to prove that they are still the "big brother of Germany" in every meeting. But in fact? They are like a gorgeous old ship, shiny on the outside, but already rotting away underwater.

But the most interesting ones are those small states. Bavaria, Saxony, Hannover... They are like a group of bragging little cocks, desperately claiming their independence and dignity in their respective territories, as if they are really capable of fighting for themselves among the great powers. But as soon as Prussia or Austria coughed lightly in their ears, they would immediately tuck their tails and hide in their dens like mice after seeing a cat. "

Bismarck's joke immediately enlivened the atmosphere at the scene, and the senior student Heine even stood up to applaud the junior student.

Bismarck took a puff of his cigarette with satisfaction, put on a stern look, and commented as if he was possessed by Voltaire: "In the final analysis, the whole of Germany is like a set of rickety building blocks, and every country is trying to make it better." Their little pieces are not taken away by others, but no one has the courage to glue these building blocks together. Oh! They can hold meetings for decades, but after each meeting, our great confederacy disappears. There are only more agreements and treaties left, pieces of paper without real power. Sometimes I really want to ask these so-called 'leaders': Are you ruling a country, or are you running a club that can collapse at any time? They are not as efficient as our Gestapo."

Heine nodded slightly with appreciation: "It seems that I am not the only one to realize that our Confederate Parliament is simply the pinnacle of comedy. Those old politicians sit in the gorgeously decorated conference hall, talking loudly again and again, using obscure laws The terminology spins endless webs, but they never think about whether these webs can catch anything. Anyway, it is enough that everyone can continue to have meetings, drink tea, and keep everything in order. "

After saying this, his usual cynical, melancholy and profound expression appeared on his face again, which is always very lethal to ladies and young people.

There was a hint of contemptuous irony in Heine's voice: "Germany, this land full of poets and thinkers, always makes people feel that the people here are better at dreaming than acting. Each of them can In the beer hall, they talked endlessly about philosophy and eternal truths, as if all the mysteries of the world were hidden in that glass of yellow beer foam. But once they needed to really stand up and do something, they immediately fell into endless meditation and hesitation. It’s as if they are waiting for some sage to descend from the sky and show them the way.”

When Arthur heard this, he just smiled and asked: "Are you still preventing the Germans from having the right to dream? Heinrich."

"No, on the contrary, I want to encourage them." Heine snorted: "As we all know, the air here is the best for dreaming."

When Garibaldi heard such discouraging words, he couldn't help but want to cheer everyone up: "It's always good to dream. I have been dreaming too. In my dreams, I want to be able to achieve the unification of Italy."

Arthur took a sip and said, "Giuseppe, it seems that you and Otto have a lot in common."

He turned his attention to Bismarck: "I heard that you have a lot of opinions on the unification of Germany. Recently you also gave a speech at the Student Union, saying that Germany will have a unified country sooner or later, is that right?"

Arthur asked with a smile, as if he just raised the topic casually, but there was a sly look in his eyes, betraying the old man's sinister thoughts.

He invited Bismarck to dinner today just to turn this excuse into an established fact.

How to make a young man who thinks he can use Young Italy as a lever to blackmail the superintendent into submission?

The answer, of course, is to let him be a part of it.

The smug Bismarck raised his eyebrows and laughed a little drunkenly: "Yes, I said it. Sooner or later, the Confederate bureaucrats must understand that without a strong center, Germany will always be in pieces. Jigsaw. Although I don’t agree with all the views of those small citizens, I also support the unification of Germany.”

He shook his glass, with a hint of impatience in his eyes. He seemed to see himself representing Prussia at the German Confederation Conference many years later.

Perhaps feeling the heroic spirit of Frederick the Great, Bismarck punched the table, raised his arms and shouted: "Germany needs iron and blood, not an agreement!"