The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 926: Chapter 29 Cultural Counsellor in Russia

Elliot may not have taken Arthur’s suggestions regarding trade negotiations with China to heart, because from both the Foreign Office’s and Elliot’s perspective, there are very few people in the entire United Kingdom who truly understand this far Eastern nation.

Even if someone in Britain truly understands China, that person is most likely already employed by the East India Company’s Trade Commission in Guangzhou, such as John Davis, the Foreign Office’s intended second Superintendent of Trade with China, and George Robinson, the third.

Among them, John Davis joined the East India Company after graduating from Oxford University. At the age of 18, he held the position of secretary at the board of the East India Company’s Trade Commission in Guangzhou. In 1816, he accompanied the diplomatic mission led by Earl Amherst as an advisor and translator to meet with the Chinese Emperor.

Most importantly, in his spare time, John Davis translated a large number of Chinese literary works due to his interest. Now, 70 to 80 percent of the Chinese novels popular in London are produced by John Davis. Moreover, to flaunt his identity as someone proficient in Chinese, John Davis proudly filled in the translator section with the Chinese name he gave himself—De Beishi.

For this reason, both the Foreign Office and the Colonial Office, as well as his former employer, the East India Company, regard John Davis as the British person who understands China the most.

As for George Robinson, although he might not understand China as well as Davis, he has already been in a management position at the East India Company’s Trade Commission in Guangzhou for over ten years.

Furthermore, Robinson’s family background seems very reassuring.

In British political circles, not everyone enjoys struggling in the corridors of power that control the Kingdom. With the continued expansion of colonies, some families have begun to set their sights on broader overseas horizons, and the Robinson Family is among them.

Members of the Robinson Family are widely dispersed across the globe. Some are stationed on the West African coast, some are active in Western Australia’s colonial institutions, and others work in the British Hudson’s Bay Company’s administrative departments in Canada.

Compared to these two well-backed veteran colonial officials, Arthur Hastings, a name with little influence in the Foreign Office, is clearly insufficient to sway Elliot’s judgment.

Moreover, in the letter Viscount Palmerston sent to Elliot, there had already been orders similar to Arthur’s discourse.

Elliot distinctly remembered that the Viscount’s orders included:

First, upon arriving in China, garrison in Guangzhou and strive to maintain friendly relations with the Chinese.

Second, avoid using intimidating language in letters to Chinese officials to prevent causing offense.

Third, do not request assistance from the Royal Navy unnecessarily to avoid triggering conflicts.

Fourth, do not intervene in the opium smuggling trade, currently in a gray area, until the form of negotiations becomes clear.

Elliot was unsure whether he should share Palmerston’s secret letter with Arthur, especially because he had already learned from friend’s correspondence in Guyana about this fellow who once caused a stir in London.

Though Arthur Hastings doesn’t hold much influence in the Foreign Office, this former Assistant Commissioner of Police enjoys a reputation in Scotland Yard comparable to Nelson in the Royal Navy.

In short, this individual seems to wield considerable power within the Home Office’s closed system. Yes, so powerful that the bureaucrats in the Home Office were eager to kick this hot potato over to the Foreign Office.

As Elliot was still weighing his options, the Earl of Dalhousie had already begun to speak.

As a former Minister of Seal who had once been part of the Cabinet, the straightforward and arrogant Earl of Dalhousie always couldn’t be bothered with such political intrigue.

Back when the Whig Party was out of power for over thirty years, he dared to repeatedly slam his hands on the table in Parliament, demanding parliamentary reform and leading the Friends of the People association to investigate the blood relations and electoral bribery of Tory Party members, working with Lord Brougham, Thomas Campbell, and others to establish the University of London.

Now that the Whig Party has regained power, and his father-in-law, Earl Grey, has become the Prime Minister, the Earl of Dalhousie has even less reason to tolerate those old bureaucrats whom he’s long despised.

Moreover, Arthur Hastings is a graduate of the University of London, and he is also the first graduate in the university’s history to be knighted. Considering he is only 24 years old, it is even more commendable.

Although he doesn’t wish to admit it himself, during the Cabinet meeting that proposed awarding the junior knighthood to the miraculously revived Arthur, the Earl of Dalhousie, just like Lord Brougham and Viscount Melbourne, had no hesitation in casting his vote of support.

The Earl of Dalhousie gently raised an eyebrow and asked, ”You mentioned that during university, your study of Russian history was rather in-depth?”

Arthur replied with a smile, ”I wouldn’t say in-depth, but I have indeed read quite extensively on the subject. I even learned a bit of Russian.”

Dalhousie poured some wine for Arthur, asking, ”Why are you interested in Russia?”

Arthur didn’t know why Dalhousie suddenly asked this, but considering the political inclinations and experiences of this major patron of the University of London, it was very easy for him to bring up a topic that piqued his interest.