The Shadow of Great Britain

626: Chapter 310 Academic Circle is also a Circle_3 626: Chapter 310 Academic Circle is also a Circle_3 Arthur nodded slightly when he heard the figure, “That’s decent.

But, John, although I’ve always thought highly of your abilities, to be this capable is beyond my expectation.

It’s unimaginable that a fellow like you has never been to school.”

Upon hearing this, Mil set down his teacup and corrected, “Arthur, just because I didn’t go to school doesn’t mean I didn’t study.”

Arthur replied with a twist of his mouth, “That statement of yours sounds like it came straight from the Foreign Office.”

Mil began, “Although I never attended school, that’s because my father thought the educational system in Britain was utterly rubbish, so he chose to teach me at home.

From the age of three, I learned Greek with him, began studying Latin, algebra, geometry, and calculus at eight, started receiving enlightenment in history at nine, and by twelve, I was diving into economics, philosophy, and logic.

By the time I was sixteen, I was already writing columns for ‘The Westminster Review.’ Isn’t that much stronger than most university graduates?”

Arthur nodded in agreement, “Indeed, that’s high-quality education, and it seems like you even omitted quite a few subjects.

At least from what I see, you also speak French and German quite well.

But, I have one question, with your father spending so much time on you each year, didn’t he need to work to support the family?”

Mil replied, “Of course he needed to earn money, but his job was relatively easy, so he devoted his free time to educating his children.”

Arthur picked up his teacup, “What did your father do?”

Mil bit into a doughnut, “He was one of the board members at the East India Company.”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Arthur pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the tea that had spilled from the corner of his mouth, “If I remember correctly, the board is supposed to inspect the company’s finances and supervise the work of board members, right?

They also have the authority to represent shareholders in suing directors, don’t they?”

Mil nodded, “Arthur, you seem to have improved your knowledge since last year.”

Arthur set down his teacup, “Well, now I finally understand why you could work in the financial department of the East India Company and even manage to suffer from ennui in your first few years there, feeling dazed all day.

If I had a father like that, I could even sleep on the manager’s desk, and he wouldn’t be able to do a thing about it.”

Mil blushed and coughed, “Arthur, are you implying that my abilities are not sufficient for the work at the East India Company?”

“No, no, no, I didn’t mean that at all.

Your abilities would more than suffice for a role in the Treasury.”

Arthur spoke up, “It’s just that I had heard from Eld before, to work at the London headquarters of the East India Company, it’s not your ability that counts.

Eld told me that although nobody would admit it openly, if you look at the composition of new employees at the headquarters in London, you’d discover that ninety percent come from Balliol College at Oxford University.”

“Um…” Mil opened his mouth slightly, hesitated for a long while, and eventually conceded vaguely, “All I can say is, the East India Company indeed has some collaborations with Balliol.”

Arthur nodded, “So, that makes your case even more commendable as an exception.”

Mil restrained himself but finally couldn’t help retorting, “Arthur, that sounds like you are insulting my reputation.

In fact, even an average person, as long as they have trained at the company’s Haileybury College, has the opportunity to enter the London headquarters.

I myself trained there for over half a year.”

When Arthur heard him voluntarily mention Haileybury College, he couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile, “That is indeed a respectable school, backed by the East India Company, with ample funds, and also home to many eminent professors, like Mr.

Malthus, for instance.

Right, you’re so proficient in political economics; you must have attended his classes back then, right?”

“Professor Malthus?” When Mil heard this, his expression unavoidably turned strange, “That is a sensitive topic; why do you suddenly bring him up?”