The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1350: Chapter 189: The Cunning Cultural Attaché (3)

Even though Bakarjin’s teasing and actions seemed somewhat exaggerated, Hutter still maintained his usual calmness.

His gaze was like a sharp knife, piercing and impossible to ignore, but it became especially meticulous when it landed on Arthur.

Arthur took the teacup handed over by Bakarjin, rinsed his mouth, and glanced up at this unfamiliar face in front of him: ”Mr. Mayor, who is this?”

Before Bakarjin could help with the introduction, Hutter raised his hand in salute: ”Hello, Colonel. Cavalry Captain of the Imperial Constabulary Second District, Richard Hoot. I am passing by while escorting a prisoner and heard you were conducting official business here, so I thought I’d stop by to pay my respects.”

When Arthur heard this identity, his heart skipped a beat.

”Captain Richard Hutter...” Arthur’s voice was steady, his tone leisurely as he said, ”I’ve heard of your name; you have quite a reputation in the constabulary.”

If Hutter were just an ordinary captain, he might have doubted Arthur’s words, but being the only British constable in the constabulary gave him some renown.

This identity indeed gave him a certain level of fame, so it’s not particularly surprising that this Colonel knows his name.

”You probably heard it from others at the headquarters?” Hutter smiled: ”Reputation is an overstatement; at most, it’s just my British identity that makes me stand out in the group.”

British?

The old constable recalled the matter Shubinsky had discussed with him earlier at the mention of this keyword.

He nodded slightly, as if he had heard about it before: ”Shubinsky mentioned you to me, and regarding your joining the constabulary, the director even personally wrote to seek the opinion of the British Envoy.”

”You know Colonel Shubinsky?” Hutter was slightly surprised: ”Could it be that you also worked in the Second District before?”

Arthur did not answer directly; instead, he politely nodded to Bakarjin: ”Mr. Mayor, Captain and I have some private matters to discuss.”

Bakarjin was more than willing to leave this dreadful place; no one liked standing next to the constabulary, not even the Governor, let alone a small mayor like him: ”Of course, of course, take your time to chat. I’ll have someone prepare tea and snacks for you.”

Arthur watched the mayor close the door, then picked up the teapot and poured Hutter a cup of black tea: ”I’ve known Shubinsky for quite some time; are you his subordinate?”

”Not a subordinate, but I have indeed received his care.”

Hutter seemed quite constrained in front of Arthur: ”I initially worked at the British Moscow Company as a company employee. The main business of the Moscow Company was importing woolen goods and firearms into Russia and transporting Russian honey, fish oil, fur, and timber back to Britain. Once, I was in charge of liaising with the constabulary on uniform procurement, so I got to know several constabulary officers in Moscow, including General Volkov, the constabulary commander in Moscow, and Colonel Shubinsky, the Moscow Chief. Later, the constabulary wanted to borrow the company’s accounts to investigate a rebellion case. I facilitated this and helped enumerate the data they wanted, so they half-jokingly said I had a talent for the constabulary and asked if I wanted to join. Encouraged by them, I applied to the constabulary, initially with a trial mindset, but to my surprise, I got in.”

Although Arthur had heard of this matter before, hearing it directly from the person still surprised him: ”I know quite a few German officers in the group, but most of them are second or even third-generation immigrants. Even if they’re first-generation, they’ve already acquired Russian nationality. Your case, retaining foreign nationality to serve in the constabulary, is quite unique. Haven’t you thought about changing your nationality to Russian?”

Hutter was obviously not asked this question for the first time, but he clearly resisted this question.

Why not change nationality to Russian?

This is because, serving as a constabulary officer with British nationality, he could view the constabulary as a special job and saw the Tsar as his employer.

Once he changed to Russian nationality, he would have to see the job as his life, seeing the Tsar as his master, like other constables.

He enjoyed the status and wealth the constabulary officer position brought him, but he wasn’t willing to risk being exiled to Siberia.

Hutter answered vaguely, ”If the time is right, I would definitely change my nationality, but now I’m just a captain. According to last year’s ’Legal Compilation’, any low-born person serving in military and administrative or court roles, once reaching the 8th rank, gains hereditary nobility titles for themselves and their legitimate children born during their tenure. This means I need to reach the rank of Major before considering changing nationality. Changing now would only earn me a lifetime nobility title, which is not worth it.”

Hutter’s rhetoric certainly didn’t fool Arthur, but upon confirming that the other party was still of British nationality, the prospective Cultural Counsellor to Russia discovered an unavoidable topic for Hutter: ”But wouldn’t this be too cumbersome?”

”Cumbersome?”

”Yes!” Arthur stood up and said, ”You’re of British nationality, so doesn’t this mean you have to visit the British Embassy every year to renew your passport? What would you do if they refuse to renew it?”