The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1337: Chapter 185: Hestingov’s Path to Officialdom

If one were to answer the question ”What is happening in Russia?” with a single word, the answer could only be ”theft.”

—— Nikolai Karamzin

Before coming to Russia to experience firsthand the customs and traditions of this vast country, I had read more than once about the corruption and arrogance of its governmental institutions and bureaucrats. However, for such a large nation, classifying officials simply as good or bad inevitably leads to a skewed understanding of their character and demeanor.

Based on my observations, in terms of personality and temperament alone, Russian officials are not much different from those in other countries. Among them are those who are kind-hearted and gentle, as well as those who are rude, fierce, and brutal.

What is noteworthy, however, is that regardless of an official’s temperament, they all live off embezzlement and bribery, as if they are conquerors from a foreign tribe and the Russian people are the conquered. The social structure of Russian bureaucracy is a highly closed system, where they tend to collaborate exclusively with their own kind, flatter their superiors, and bully their subordinates. They cherish the hierarchical system and automatic promotion mechanism, as they are intrinsically part of it.

Everything outside their system is seen as chaotic anarchy. They instinctively repel those who are overly eager or overly cautious, because this system demands everyone to participate in bribery, creating a shared bond of responsibility. Just as a drunkard dislikes a sober companion, a thief feels uneasy in front of an honest person.

Corruption is often seen in various countries, but Russian officialdom has a unique phenomenon that I have not witnessed elsewhere.

Russian officials naturally distinguish corrupt income into ”blameless income” and ”blameworthy income,” with the identity of the victim being a crucial distinguishing factor.

”Blameworthy income” refers to earnings obtained at the expense of royal interests, such as embezzling government funds or deliberately falsifying data required by the government.

”Blameless income” refers to earnings obtained at the expense of public welfare, including money extorted from the public and bribes collected during judicial trials to bias the verdict towards the briber. Such money often appears as expedited fees, which are tips received to hasten the processing of affairs between citizens and the government.

Amusingly, when accepting ”blameworthy” bribes, it is not unusual for bribed officials to adhere to unspoken pricing standards, and even to give change.

Based on my personal experience, when it comes to officials damaging national interests, i.e., those acquiring ”blameworthy income,” governmental inspectors will pursue their accountability relentlessly and impose severe penalties. However, if the victim is a commoner, they rarely intervene unless it causes significant social impact. This has practically become customary in Russia.

—— Arthur Hastings ”1834 Routine Diplomatic Report”

In the study of the Mayor Mansion, the bookshelves were filled with various insignificant documents, and the candlelight flickered beside the fireplace.

In the very center of the study stood an oak card table decorated with red lacquer and green felt.

Seven or eight Tsarist Russia officials in black evening attire sat around the card table, with a deck of cards spread out before them.

The officials either sat or stood, faces full of vigilance and anticipation.

After all, everyone was aware that today was not merely a simple game of gambling entertainment; it was more like a silent political battlefield, a contest of endurance and cunning.

Among them, the most relaxed was Colonel Hestingov, who displayed a convincing aristocratic demeanor.

He held a cigar between his lips, occasionally letting his fingers glide over the cards in his hand, uttering a few words of disdainful French now and then, with a calm and clear tone. The clarity of his enunciation, upon careful listening, revealed an undoubtedly authentic Parisian accent.

Mayor Bakarjin occasionally flicked the ashes on the table. When it was his turn to play, his fingers paused slightly on the surface of the card, then after a moment’s thought, he hesitantly drew out a card and pushed it slowly onto the table.

”Mr. Mayor, your luck is truly bad today.” Arthur spread his cards and threw them onto the table: ”I win again.”

The mayor feigned distress by resting his hands on his forehead and sighed, taking a wallet from his pocket and placing three rubles on the table: ”Oh dear! My rotten luck! Colonel, your card playing is quite excellent.”

Arthur snapped his fingers, and the inspector serving as his sidekick promptly gathered up the rubles for him.

Finally, Arthur didn’t forget to instruct: ”Aleksey Portnovich, the gambling funds were yours to lend, as agreed. I’ll take two-thirds, and you take one-third.”

The inspector dared not accept this money, bending over with a smiling refusal: ”Winning is your ability; how could I be worthy of taking a third from you?”

Unexpectedly, Arthur insisted, ”Take it as I told you; I’m a man of my word. By the way, if any of you tire of playing, let Aleksey Portnovich take your place. I’ve noticed him getting impatient sitting by my side.”

Arthur’s words fell, but no one stepped away from the table for quite some time.

The mayor led, saying: ”How could that be? I’m not finished playing yet. Colonel, you told me before that you couldn’t play Talbo, but now it seems you must have been lying. Even in St. Petersburg, you must surely be counted among the top card players!”

Arthur took a drag on his cigarette: ”I really wasn’t lying to you; in St. Petersburg, we play more of Kelder, Hunter, and Paris. How about we change the game?”