The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1283: Chapter 164: London Reactionaries (Part 2)

Though small, the Police Intelligence Department is well-equipped, relying on detectives from the Ghost Team and a few enforcers from Ledley’s team, along with tip-offs from the prostitutes of London and street thugs. Together, they have managed to work wonders within their limited means.

With an annual budget of £10,000, the Police Intelligence Department has already brought most of the criminal underworld of the East End of London under its control.

If the secret service fund could be extended to them, then Sir Arthur Hastings’ half-bust would surely hang in the red-light districts of every major city in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Of course, some of these hidden matters are not suitable to discuss with the Duke of Sussex.

After all, according to Fiona, although she runs a small business, Nightingale Mansion occasionally entertains even members of the Royal Family.

Arthur is not an innocent man unaware of such matters, which is why he doesn’t want Your Excellency to worry about being recorded while enjoying your role-playing celebrations.

Arthur explained the ins and outs of the secret service fund to the audience present, which not only drew the attention of the Duke of Sussex but even Disraeli was quite astonished.

As for Lionel, though he was unaware of the secret service fund, he was not surprised.

Because Rothschild’s courier services had long cooperated with the Home Office and other departments and occasionally acted as intermediaries between the British Government and foreign officials, he was all too familiar with this business.

Of course, Rothschild has never neglected London, Paris, or Vienna. His father Nathan acted as a broker for the British Government, his uncle James for the French Government, and his uncle Solomon was one of Prime Minister Metternich’s most trusted advisers in Austria.

As for the German Confederation and the Two Sicilies Kingdom, they were respectively the domains of Amschel and Uncle Carl.

Although Arthur earnestly explained the importance of integrating intelligence systems to the Duke of Sussex, this was clearly insufficient to sway this staunch liberal.

The Duke regretfully shook his head and said, ”Arthur, it’s not that your suggestions are poor. Anyone who has carefully read your report knows that you have put in substantial effort in police research. Your report is as commendable as, or even better than, your academic papers. But this does not align with our ideals; Britain’s system dictates that we cannot tread old paths, and we must embrace new ideas.”

Arthur understood the Duke of Sussex’s underlying message: there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

The wish to return to London was pronounced dead, prompting Arthur to inwardly vent his frustrations.

In his view, perhaps it was due to the successful handling of the London riots last year that the Cabinet developed some unrealistic ideas.

Perhaps White Hall believes that after passing parliamentary reforms, they can rest assured. After all, compared to continental European countries, Britain is practically the model of liberalism. What complaints could the British possibly have about the current political system?

As for foreign intelligence...

Unless Europe produces another Napoleon, Britain has always been indifferent to foreign intelligence.

Hmm?

Arthur furrowed his brows, and a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind.

Complacency?

Another Napoleon?

It seemed he happened to have the conditions to incite the eruption of these two problems.

Reclining on the sofa, the Red Devil took a sip of red wine. Agares could see right through this young lad, who had been by his side for more than a decade, understanding what he was contemplating.

Perhaps it was the theatrical atmosphere stimulating his artistic senses, Agares placed one hand on his brow and, with a face full of sorrow, recited a line from Shakespeare’s famous play ”Hamlet”: ”This is the fall of mankind! Once fallen, there’s nothing left worth saving.”

Arthur merely cast a faint glance at the Red Devil, adjusted his attire, and responded softly with a Shakespearean line from ”Macbeth”: ”I am in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as going o’er.”

The Duke of Sussex, with his back turned, had no idea what was on the mind of this young man, who showed much promise. He had hoped to convey the weight of his words to Arthur in this manner but hadn’t anticipated that it would have the opposite effect.

As Macbeth suggests, when deeply engaged in blood, whether one stops or continues, turning back is as difficult as going forward.

The London police, with their hands stained with blood, could never be seen as one of their own by the liberal progressives who demanded change so vehemently. Nor would the authoritarians look favorably upon a country bumpkin like a swineherd from York.

Thus, Arthur had no choice. Given the circumstances, he could only choose to continue down the road of conservatism.

The room fell into silence, the Duke of Sussex sensing the atmosphere was just right, turned around and addressed Arthur.

”Of course, Arthur, your proposal hasn’t been entirely rejected. On the contrary, both His Majesty the King and the Home Office, as well as your former department, Scotland Yard, find your advocacy for updating police equipment quite commendable. Especially after the night of the London riots, everyone has realized how inadequately protected the officers are.

White trousers, tailcoats, and top hats may look gentlemanly, but they offer no protection from the sticks of rioters. Wearing such uniforms on the street, they indeed stand out too conspicuously among the crowd. The Royal Police should exude the aura of the Royal Police, and this aura, a sense of seriousness and security, must be first reflected in their uniform.

Your design of the tall steel helmet, inspired by the German military helmet, along with that buttoned waist dark blue uniform, not only possesses practicality but also visual appeal, aligning with Royal majesty. Although your intelligence proposal encountered resistance, your recommendation for uniform change gained unanimous support. I imagine, if all goes well, by the time you return to London, you will see your former colleagues wearing the uniforms you designed.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur forced a smile: ”Glad I’m still able to contribute to Scotland Yard.”

The Duke of Sussex, seeing that Arthur did not dwell on the matter of police intelligence, nodded in approval: ”Arthur, you know your abilities. I know your abilities. His Majesty the King and the Cabinet know your abilities even better. We all believe that keeping you at Scotland Yard is wasting your talents, which is why Your Excellency has transferred you to Hanover.

This is a test and training for you. You should look further ahead; you are a gentleman, so don’t get tied down by work that gentlemen despise. Although some words shouldn’t be told to you, given our personal relationship, I can reveal some key information that others might not find convenient or commonly known.”

”Key information?”

Disraeli and Lionel, upon hearing this, tactfully excused themselves: ”Your Highness, we have some personal matters to attend to, so...”

The Duke of Sussex dismissed them with a wave: ”It’s okay, you are both outstanding youths of Britain, so it doesn’t matter if you hear this. I trust you surely won’t spread it around.”

Disraeli and Lionel exchanged glances.

The two understood each other’s intent.

If the Duke says this, then he intends for them to spread it around.

The Duke of Sussex paced the room, leaning on his cane: ”Arthur, His Majesty values you greatly, as does the Duke of Wellington. However, both believe that in the present situation, appointing a young man from a police background is highly inappropriate. Moreover, if a man, loyal to the country, loyal to the Royal Family, the British man, has not undergone training in the Army and Royal Navy, his life is incomplete.”

Having said this, the Duke of Sussex stopped and looked into Arthur’s eyes, asking: ”Arthur, do you understand what I mean? Be patient, don’t rush.”