The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1296: Chapter 170: 4th-Rank Civil Servant Lord Hei (Part 2)

The first category, the highest in ranking, can fully represent the King’s and the government’s will; these are ambassador-level diplomatic representatives, to which Britain’s Ambassador to Russia, the Earl of Dalmo, belongs. In formal diplomatic occasions, they enjoy the honorific ‘Your Excellency.’

The second category refers to the ordinary representatives to foreign countries, who are the most numerous and are in charge of liaising with the heads of state of the host countries. They are respectfully addressed as ‘His Honor’ in formal diplomatic scenes.

The third category, chargé d’affaires, holds a considerably lower status than the previous two. Unlike the other ranks, chargés d’affaires are not dispatched to the heads of state but to the foreign ministers and foreign secretaries. In formal settings, they are addressed with the honorific ‘Your Honor.’

According to British diplomatic tradition, every year, the overseas mission must submit its list of attaché titles to London and the Middlesex executive officials, to ensure they obtain diplomatic immunity. Along with this list, a “social title roster” and a “ranking title roster” are typically published.

Given the Earl of Dalmo’s rank as an ambassador-level diplomatic representative, it’s clear that with the British Embassy in Russia, if one person gains power, everyone benefits.

Occupying the top position among British overseas envoys in the “ranking title roster,” the British Embassy in Russia is certainly the foremost among British missions abroad. Therefore, Arthur, as the Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy in Russia, is undoubtedly the leading cultural attaché among his peers.

Moreover, as Arthur mentioned, considering his closeness with the Earl of Dalmo, it is possible that the Earl might appoint him as a temporary chargé d’affaires in the ambassador’s absence.

If that happens, he would become an ambassadorial counsellor.

Even if he lacks such luck, his current title as a counsellor grants him privileges that Shubinsky can only dream of.

Privileges like tax exemptions and diplomatic immunity are so commonplace they’re hardly worth mentioning. Even when Arthur departs from the Russian Embassy, according to diplomatic custom, the Russian court would usually bestow upon him a medal that Shubinsky has long desired.

High-ranking ambassadors like the Earl of Dalmo are typically awarded the White Eagle Medal.

And civilian counsellors like Arthur are generally conferred the Third-Class Order of Saint Vladimir.

Aside from these honors, diplomatic officers departing post traditionally receive gifts. At the very least, he would receive a snuffbox studded with diamonds, turquoise, and various gemstones.

Facing Russians, Shubinsky, a mid-level cadre of the Third Bureau and the Constitutional Guard, would be dismissive, but toward high-ranking diplomats like Arthur, he is forced to be humble.

Back when he was in London, his role was merely that of an assistant military officer.

According to Russian official grade tables, he was merely a seventh-rank army lieutenant.

Now, although he is elevated to a fifth-rank Constitutional Soldier Colonel, by the Russian official grading system, a counsellor like Arthur who serves at a high-ranking embassy is undoubtedly a legitimate senior civil servant, an undisputed fourth-rank dignitary!

If translated into positions in the Russian local government, an official matching Arthur’s rank could be the governor of a frontier district, a deputy governor of a core inland province, a local prosecutor in the judicial system, a provincial finance supervision officer, or a police chief overseeing the security of a province!

‘Oh my heavens!’ Shubinsky slapped his forehead, exclaiming his catchphrase once more: ‘Arthur, my old friend, you say I was promoted, but in truth, it’s you who have been elevated! We used to be lackeys under big shots, and now, you’re the big shot, while I remain a servant.’

Shubinsky’s words were a blend of humility; he dared not speak too plainly, resorting to the term ‘lackey’ to sidestep his responsibility in the Liverpool explosion incident.

Speaking of this, Shubinsky couldn’t help but express envy: ‘I suppose it won’t be long before I’ll see you at social gatherings in Moscow and St. Petersburg. You’ll be wearing a blue woolen coat with a V-shaped black velvet collar and trim, with gilded buttons adorned with the royal crest depicting two beasts.’

Seeing Shubinsky in this state, Arthur didn’t push him further.

He was here to make friends, not to create more enemies.

As for the Liverpool explosion incident, although he hadn’t forgotten, he wasn’t petty enough to hold it against Shubinsky. Instead of retaliating against Shubinsky, he might as well use this leverage to establish a good relationship with him. After all, this wasn’t the first time he’d done such a thing. The last person he formed a good friendship with over a bombing incident was Mr. Auguste Schneider from the Foreign Office.

Arthur took out his pocket watch, checked the time, and then stood up, patting Shubinsky on the shoulder: ‘Sergei, drink to your heart’s content today, I’ll handle all the expenses. I forgot to tell you, I contributed to tonight’s premiere of “Turandot.” As for the Poles, you needn’t worry about them, if they want to cause trouble here, I’ll get to them before you do. Except, of course, the Polish girls, as everyone knows, they are incredibly beautiful.’

Shubinsky watched Arthur swaggeringly turn and leave, and the little German tagalong at his side seemed to find it impolite to leave just like that, so before stepping out of the pub, he doffed his hat and gave an apologetic smile.