The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1298: Chapter 171: Britain’s Migrating Parasites

Russia is not a country, but a harsh trial, where every free thought and every independent heart is ruthlessly suppressed. The Third Bureau, the shadow of this Empire, reflects perfectly the essence of the Tsar—a monarch afraid of the truth.

—Alexander Ivanovich Herzen

Alexander Dumas sat on the sofa with a smiling face, listening to Herzen recount the story of Napoleon’s expedition to Russia.

Although he loved those grand war epics in his youth, for some reason, since reaching his thirties, he has grown increasingly fond of stories akin to trivial matters outside the annals of war.

Perhaps because he had participated in France’s July Revolution and experienced the riotous night of London’s Parliamentary Reform, Alexander Dumas finally began to see himself clearly. Though epic as it might be, he found it unlikely his name would be recorded in such places.

Many years later, Mr. Alexander Dumas’s name might not necessarily appear in historical records, but his life’s little stories might be relished by young men like Herzen who have not experienced storms, becoming characters like ’my uncle’s’ or ’my aunt’s.’

Of course, this does not mean he dislikes heroes. He has admired heroes all his life and is an unabashed hero-worshiper, creating numerous heroic characters in his novels.

It’s just that...

Compared to those born great heroes, Alexander Dumas has a greater fondness for outstanding leaders born from the common folk.

A person who can stand firm in storms, ascend to the pinnacle of power with extraordinary courage and wisdom, hold onto faith in the direst of situations, unyielding and determined, and be capable of reversing their fate, is indeed a great soul challenging destiny.

His belief is as unbreakable as iron, his resolve like an unextinguishable blaze.

He marches determinedly, carrying ideals, not retreating a step even if the path ahead is strewn with thorns.

He is a guide lighting the way for others, willing to be consumed by undercurrents rather than give up on salvation. He would rather fall into the abyss himself to ensure the continuity of order’s flame...

When Alexander Dumas reached this thought, his brow suddenly furrowed. Something felt amiss.

He clearly thought of General Napoleon, yet somehow the portrait of Napoleon in his mind inexplicably overlapped with the portrait painted by Mr. William Turner for someone.

That ridiculous ’Holy Image’ has now been imparted with some mystical significance by the Royal Police at Scotland Yard, hanging prominently at 4 Whitehall, the headquarters of the Royal Greater London Police Department.

Actually, the London cops didn’t originally intend to go so far, but the continuous and intense ’bombardment’ by the Fleet Street media obviously annoyed them.

Due to the Home Office’s orders and Parliament’s constraints, they couldn’t do much about these British journalists. In such times, invoking the legendary officer Sir Arthur Hastings, who earned Scotland Yard its ’Royal’ title, is undoubtedly the safest form of protest.

Yes, Scotland Yard does not admit their open-fire behavior was wrong. In that place, there are not few who miss their old commander, Arthur Hastings.

At least when Arthur was there, their salary levels increased by twenty-five percent. Even though the old commander is not there anymore, he still cares about his old unit. After all, Arthur...

However, if these cops enjoy hanging portraits so much, Alexander Dumas suggested that the French police and Russian police could hang one too.

The French police could hang Fouche’s portrait, the Russian police Bendendorf’s, and together with Britain’s Hastings, they would have the trio.

It’s as if he’s preparing a new novel ”The Three Musketeers,” and maybe one day he should write a book named ”The Three Ancestors of Spies.”

Of course, compared to Fouche and Bendendorf, Alexander Dumas considers Arthur to be somewhat redeemable, akin to his attitude towards Napoleon.

The greatness of a nation should not be built on the ruins of others. Napoleon’s conquests were an expensive gamble, with others’ lives as stakes, but the game was for his personal glory.

What is the difference between Arthur and Napoleon?

Perhaps he lacks a bit of talent compared to Napoleon, and his stage isn’t as grand.

And this, in the end, is it a blessing or a curse?

Look at France now, and also the current Russia...

Perhaps Arthur not being able to rise is more of a blessing for the British.

At this thought, Alexander Dumas suddenly noticed the door to the box was gently pushed open, and standing outside was Mr. Hastings, who in his mind was more deserving of the title of ’Little Napoleon’ than Louis.

The two old friends exchanged glances, tacitly saying nothing.

After the Young Italy incident, Alexander Dumas had understood Arthur’s way of dealing with the world. This guy indeed liked to inquire all over the place but at least wasn’t like the French police, who would imprison people at the slightest hearing of something.

However, you couldn’t trust him completely either, otherwise, you wouldn’t know when he might shoot you in the back—if you weren’t his friend, that is.

The young men were still venting their excess adolescent energy, and after a few drinks, their excessive self-awareness seemed to be constantly strengthening.