The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1228: Chapter 145: The Internationale (Part 2)

He not only valued national interests, but also showed the necessary strength at critical moments and made wise decisions that changed the course of history.

History is not driven by passion, but by cold calculations, cautious attitude, and superhuman wisdom.

You can accuse him of being a complete scoundrel, but at the same time you have to admit he is a strong man.

Prussians always favor the strong, and Bismarck was no exception.

Moreover, he goes a step further than ordinary Prussians, as besides his worship, he also wishes to become strong himself.

However, Arthur was unaware that he surprisingly gained a fan in Prussia despite having done nothing.

What’s more surprising is that this Prussian fan focuses on different aspects than other fans.

While other fans admire his achievements in natural philosophy, music, literature, and animal protection, this fan admires his audacity to order police to shoot at the Tower of London.

Arthur leaned against the table corner and asked, ”Giuseppe, do you mean to say that not only do Italian farmers not support your expedition, but also people in France are dissatisfied with you?”

This time, before Garibaldi could speak, Great Dumas waved his hand with a gloomy face and said, ”Don’t mention it! We encountered many setbacks on our journey from France to Gottingen. On the last night before leaving the French border, we stayed at a country inn. Since we were in a hurry to travel, we hadn’t eaten anything since the previous evening.

Since we were about to escape to safety, and having not eaten for eighteen hours, everyone’s appetite was great. The innkeeper congratulated us for our good appetite and cheerful demeanor. The host was very enthusiastic, and his wife was kind. The homemade country wine had a great flavor.

Due to their perfect hospitality, Giuseppe was moved by their warmth and ended up telling them things he shouldn’t have. As a result, we saw the innkeeper’s face suddenly change.

At the time, Giuseppe still didn’t understand what was happening, so he asked him, ’Did I do something to upset you?’

The innkeeper shouted, ’Of course! After hearing your candid words, I really feel it is my duty to arrest you.’

When Giuseppe heard this, he didn’t take his words seriously, thinking the innkeeper was joking, so he laughed heartily. It wasn’t until he noticed the innkeeper’s face becoming increasingly stern that he realized he was serious.

But Giuseppe did not flinch; he untied the sailor’s knife from his belt and slapped it on the table, saying, ’If you insist on doing this, then go ahead, arrest me! Before finishing the last dessert after dinner, there’s still time. But, if you let me finish this dinner, I’ll double the bill, because I’m still hungry.’

Bismarck curiously asked after hearing this, ”Did he make a move?”

”Do you mean the innkeeper?” Garibaldi chuckled, as if he didn’t think his situation at the time was so dangerous: ”He doesn’t have the guts. Not to brag, but if it’s a fair duel one-on-one, I fear no one in this world.”

Bismarck merely muttered under his breath: ”Before meeting that English wild boar, I thought the same...”

Perhaps due to using a phonograph leading to hearing loss, the English wild boar had poor hearing; he simply raised his hoof signaling Bismarck not to interrupt: ”Otto, listen to the story properly, it’s not time for questions yet.”

Garibaldi then spoke: ”After the host said those words, we continued eating as if nothing happened. We all understood that if the innkeeper really wanted to arrest us, there’s no way he could do it alone, he’d need at least seven or eight capable assistants. His little inn was the gathering place for all the young men in the village; they went there every night to drink, smoke, hear news, and discuss national affairs.

People typically arrived in twos and threes for these daily gatherings, and soon, about ten young men came and started a card fight. Although the host no longer brought up arresting me, his eyes still occasionally glared at us. To prevent him from taking desperate measures, I shook my pocket vigorously, making the few gold coins inside jingle, hoping he’d understand there’s money to be made off me.

Next, we had to deal with those young men eating and drinking at the inn; I knew I must befriend him before the innkeeper could. A young man who came for drinks had just finished singing a song to cheers, and I seized the moment, stood up, raised my cup, and said: ’It’s my turn now!’

What song should I sing now? I thought it should be a Beranger song! It should be his satirical songs that appear grateful but have inner criticism! I jumped onto the table in front of everyone and began singing Beranger’s ”The Good People’s God.”

Reaching this point, Garibaldi got excited, this new Italian tenor pulled his voice and performed live: ”Ah! How satisfied I am with my fate! I sing, and God grants me food and drink. I say: Merciful God, master of all power, You wouldn’t give us a soul made of wood. A heart, Lord, a heart sensitive to suffering! I will always say: Ah! How satisfied I am with my fate!”