The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1266: Chapter 158: Iron and Blood (Part 2)

However, although Bismarck had already tried to make amends, thinking it over, he felt this statement might still sound too harsh to liberals.

He looked around anxiously, yet to his surprise, no one present voiced any objection to his views, not even Heine, whom he considered the most liberal of them all, opened his mouth to curse.

On the contrary, this great German poet lightly clinked his glass with Bismarck’s: “Otto, I’m sorry, I used to think you were just an ordinary university student. But what you said today really made me see you differently; although the reasoning might not be entirely correct, it’s enough to distinguish you from most of the fools at the University of Gottingen.”

Garibaldi and the other members of Young Italy said nothing; they merely forced a bitter smile.

Perhaps they once believed in the so-called great unity of Europe, believed in the grand unification of the peoples of all nations under the banner of liberty, but after the disastrous Savoy expedition, it had become difficult for them to hold faith in internationalism.

The French Government not only failed to send troops to support Young Italy as promised after the expedition but actively cooperated with Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia in arresting the Young Italy members and the French Republicans who supported the Italian revolution.

As for the Bonaparte Party that once clamored for one emperor for Europe, they merely coldly observed everything happening in Italy, not even bothering to utter a word of support.

And the British?

Perhaps in terms of the Italian revolution, Britain provided more assistance than France did, but it was still very limited.

Though the British gave Young Italy some financial aid, Garibaldi tended to believe that the ten thousand francs were a personal donation from his friend Arthur.

And how did the British Government respond to the Savoy expedition?

The British Foreign Secretary, Viscount Palmerston, seized the first opportunity after the event to mock his old rival and antagonist, Austrian Prime Minister Metternich, taunting Austria that if they did not enact liberal constitutions in the Northern Italian States under Austrian control, they would surely face more similar issues in the future.

In response, Metternich retaliated against Viscount Palmerston by passing the “Carlsbad Decrees” amendment within the German Confederation, demonstrating that matters remained under Austrian control.

But besides that?

Did the British do anything?

The British Government provided every support short of help.

They allowed Mazzini and other core members of Young Italy to exile themselves to London, giving them nominal freedom. But in reality, the activities of Mazzini and others were entirely under the surveillance of plainclothes officers from Scotland Yard, ensuring they wouldn’t cause any major disturbances in London.

Mazzini clearly stated in a letter to Garibaldi that he considered the British to be as unreliable as the French. He had no doubts that a plan to betray Young Italy remained tucked away under the desks of the British Foreign Office. The only reason they hadn’t acted on it was due to the poor relations between Viscount Palmerston and Metternich, and the British Foreign Office deemed Austria’s offer worthless.

Although Britain completely abolished slavery on its home soil and overseas territories this year, no one would ever forget how they once amassed great wealth through the Triangle Trade. The British have plenty of “wealth-creating” experiences in the trade of human lives.

These thoughts Garibaldi kept to himself, never sharing them with Arthur.

After all, Arthur took such great risks to save their lives this time; saying such heartless things would break his heart.

But in reality, even if Garibaldi told Arthur these things, it wouldn’t matter much.

He didn’t know this friend well, nor did he understand Arthur’s views on the departments of Whitehall.

For according to Arthur’s view, they were merely a group of farce actors busy defending their own desks and chairs.

The Treasury embodies the two-faced archetype; everyone there is a miser, desperately squeezing the last pennies from taxpayers, while sipping on champagne at parties with an air of simple frugality.

As for his old superior—the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it is quite interesting indeed. The Home Office is more enthusiastic about spying on its own citizens than any detective would be; its tradition of surveillance predates Arthur’s Secret Intelligence Service, as if every citizen unfolding a newspaper is a rebellious conspirator, and every household’s fireplace doesn’t lead to the chimney, but to the Palace of Versailles.

The War and Colonial Office are avid enthusiasts of coloring games; these folks are eager to pin little flags on every map, as if every piece of land belongs to the British Empire.

But when it comes to action, they become evasive, shrinking faster than mice, as if their strategy is ‘prefer not to fight, but if we do, credit me for the victory, and I’m not responsible for the loss’.

And the Foreign Office?

Heh, they’re truly like the clowns on stage, the pinnacle of all farces.

They spend their days whispering a string of trivial flattery in the King’s ear and covering up their inaction at international negotiation tables with elegant etiquette. Everyone there is adept at making the most mundane nonsense sound grand.

Every diplomatic negotiation is like a meticulously scripted play, with each ambassador an actor in opulent costumes.

They can wrap every failure as a great victory with elegant words, call any helpless concession a ‘strategic adjustment’, and label a terrifying misjudgment as ‘failure is the mother of success’. If you believed their rhetoric, you’d have to wonder if you’re still living in the real world.