The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1291: Chapter 168: The Triumphant Gathering of the Secret Police (Part 2)

Shubinsky took a sip of Georgia Wine, as if the fatigue from the journey had been cured by that mouthful, and he continued: “So, experienced Third Bureau officials like me are being massively called back home, responsible for training the new members who have been recruited into the Third Bureau.”

At this point, Shubinsky did not forget to joke: “For a period of time, I was almost like you, the former principal of the London Police Academy. Almost all the new Third Bureau members concentrated in Moscow have attended my classes.”

Arthur heard this, as if remembering something, he smiled helplessly: “No wonder before you returned home, you specifically came to Scotland Yard to visit me, specifically asking for a few internal training manuals.”

Shubinsky laughed and gave Arthur a thumbs up: “I have to say, Arthur, you’re not just good at solving cases, you’re also a master at compiling manuals. You wouldn’t mind if I borrowed some of your labor results for my teaching work, would you?”

“Of course, I don’t mind.” Arthur said lightly, clinking his glass with Shubinsky: “To be honest, you only borrowed part of it, while the Kingdom of Hanover might as well copy all of my works.”

“The Kingdom of Hanover?”

Shubinsky thought for a moment and immediately understood, he nudged Arthur’s chest with his elbow and said with a mischievous smile: “I knew you didn’t come to Germany just to be a schoolteacher. Even if the British disrespect talent as much as they can, it’s impossible to send someone capable of being a Constitutional Soldier Commander to do scientific research.”

Bismarck was sitting next to Arthur, drinking sullenly, not daring to say a word.

Although he too considered a Constitutional Soldier Commander to be higher-end talent than a scientist, he didn’t know if Garibaldi, Herzen, or the idiots at the University of Gottingen would feel the same way.

Arthur asked: “What about you, Sergei, are you still doing training work?”

“Burp!” Shubinsky shook his head: “The training work has concluded. And now… my work is actually similar to yours, related to education, but also remains tied to the core of national security.”

“You’re in charge of monitoring university students?” Arthur blurted out.

“Hmm?”

Shubinsky was taken aback by Arthur’s question, but when he saw Arthur pat his own chest, he realized: “I almost forgot, you’re probably doing the same thing now. Yes, Moscow University is my territory. The young people there are quite restless, and they’ve caused several political incidents in recent years. My job is to tell them to study diligently, and after graduation, work diligently and become people beneficial to the country. Of course, there are always some young people who don’t listen, so when that happens, the ‘whip’ must be used.”

Arthur sympathized with Shubinsky: “Oh, Sergei, I understand how difficult this job is. These little bastards haven’t experienced society, their university life allows them leisure, and when such a crowd gathers, they start daydreaming. If you discipline them too strictly, your good reputation in society will be ruined. Even worse, you don’t know which of these students come from influential families, and if you recklessly arrest someone, it might affect your career. But if you manage them loosely, my god, they could create chaos at any moment! Do you know about the ‘Frankfurt Garrison Incident’ that happened recently? I was transferred to the University of Gottingen right after that incident.”

Shubinsky swirled his wine glass and nodded in agreement: “I know, a bunch of students almost raided the armory. A similar incident almost happened at Moscow University, but due to early detection, a major disaster was averted. I don’t dare imagine what would happen if a ‘Frankfurt Garrison Incident’ occurred in Russia…”

At this point, Shubinsky shuddered: “His Majesty the Tsar might just have my head removed.”

“Stop complaining, Sergei.” Arthur commented: “Compared to being stripped of duty and exiled to Siberia with your family, that’s already a good outcome.”

Shubinsky, holding his glass, gazed at the calm surface of the wine: “You’re right, perhaps that’s why Volkov, who was in charge of Moscow University before me, feared this, so he sentenced all the students involved in the Kritsky incident harshly. If these students don’t go to Siberia, then it would be me and my family that would have to.”

Arthur quickly caught onto the key problem: “What was the Kritsky incident?”

“In short, it’s a bunch of disillusioned, brainless students. Volkov accused them of participating in secret societies, conspiring to overthrow the Tsarist Government, evidenced by them spreading banned poetry by Pushkin, Layerev, and Poleshchev.”

“Is that all?” Arthur chuckled softly: “If that’s the standard, I might as well be arrested too.”

Shubinsky vaguely knew that Arthur, during his time in London, probably engaged in some shady business under the table. Because back in the Russian Embassy, he once asked Arthur to buy some of Eld Carter’s forbidden works.

Shubinsky laughed and waved his hand: “That’s their foolishness! What can a few young students accomplish? Nothing but ruin themselves! If they had been like you, secretly trading adult works for some extra cash, they might not have been sentenced so heavily. These young people need to understand, toying with liberal phrases is dangerous, and secret activities are even more unthinkable. A careless tear shed for Poland or a bold word spoken can result in years of exile. The works they distributed for free not only earned them nothing in rubles but led to prison for some, military service for others, and exile for others. The only one benefiting was Volkov, who now not only doesn’t have to worry about troublesome students but also secured the position of Moscow Constabulary Commander.”

Arthur feigned surprise: “Such a small incident could earn someone the role of Constabulary Commander?”

“No, a small incident alone wouldn’t suffice for a Constabulary Commander position.”

Shubinsky, feeling insightful, began instructing Arthur on how to navigate the Russian officialdom: “Volkov’s success lies in turning a small incident into a major event. He successfully persuaded the Winter Palace that it was a large-scale revolt, the aftermath of the Decembrist uprising. Unfortunately, he didn’t find weapons or ammunition from the students, or by now, he would be working at the Third Bureau headquarters in Saint Petersburg, not just as the Moscow Constabulary Commander.”

Arthur teased: “Sergei, it seems you are far less ambitious than your predecessor. With such a good opportunity, instead of staying in Moscow and thoroughly investigating student activities, you have time to run off to Leipzig to see ‘Turandot’.”

“Watching ‘Turandot’ is part of work too…” Shubinsky, being an experienced player, seamlessly added: “In our line of work, opportunities can present themselves anytime. Balancing work and life is crucial; enjoying life is to work better, after all.”

Shubinsky didn’t want to tell Arthur the truth, but Arthur had plenty of ways to make him speak.

The swineherd not only excels at raising pigs but is also an expert angler.

It’s commonly known that a key secret to fishing is to be willing to use bait to create the right conditions.

Moreover, this bait was just something Arthur picked up by the roadside, so distributing it didn’t cause any heartache.

Arthur spoke regretfully: “Is that so? Sergei, I thought you came to Leipzig for those Russian students.”

Arthur didn’t complete his sentence, leaving it for Bismarck: “Otto, what are those fellows called?”

Bismarck, suddenly called upon, was so startled that he nearly dropped his glass: “I… I only remember there being many named Nicholas among them.”