The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1354: Chapter 191: Sound Man (Part 2)

Arthur heard the question, straightened his back, squinted his eyes, and nodded slightly: ”Hmm, very good question. Richard, very good question!”

Hutter spoke: ”I know, you may still have a lot of work to do here, after all, you carry the Emperor’s secret decree and bear the title of Imperial Envoy. But, forgive me for being blunt, a small place like Druiysk is not worth delaying your journey for several weeks. Your esteemed self should be sitting in the British Club in St. Petersburg and Moscow, enjoying Bordeaux wine, amidst everyone’s compliments.”

Arthur returned to the sofa and sat down: ”Richard, I have to say, I do indeed think the same way. Of course, my plan to leave Druiysk is not because I’m shirking responsibility, but because, as far as I know, the Emperor will soon dispatch another Imperial Envoy to take over my work. I never do things like taking the spotlight just to showcase my abilities.”

Hutter took out a notebook from his vest pocket, adeptly picked up the quill pen from the desk, and began recording: ”You’re right, although I’ve only just met you, I can already sense your meticulous style. Moreover, you’re responsible for the Third Bureau’s routine local inspections, not like the special inspection of the next Imperial Envoy, so there’s no need to control the details too strictly, and I’ll make sure to explain this clearly to everyone.”

Arthur nodded slightly: ”Of course, I just mentioned Sir Arthur Hastings to you. Right now, the troublesome issue he’s facing is still unresolved. During the long journey, his diplomatic passport and various identity verification documents fell into the hands of thieves, and even the tens of thousands of rubles he was carrying were lost along with them. This matter is...”

Nearby, crouched on the job, the Red Devil heard this and couldn’t help but cover his mouth and laugh: ”Oh, my dear Arthur, didn’t you lose only five thousand rubles? Could it be that the money wasn’t lost, but that you lent it at high interest to the thief, and in just a few days, it more than doubled?”

Hutter said solemnly: ”This matter constitutes a serious diplomatic incident, which is beyond my authority to resolve. But please convey to Sir Arthur that he can rest assured, I will report this matter through special channels to the Third Bureau headquarters in St. Petersburg, and I’m sure Count Bendendorf will handle this matter seriously. Even if we cannot recover your losses, we will surely find a way to compensate part of it. After all, although the Russian weather is cold, people’s hearts are always warm, we cannot let our guests from afar be disappointed.”

At this, Hutter paused: ”However, as for diplomatic passports and identity verification documents... the Third Bureau does not have the authority to reissue them.”

Arthur knew what Hutter’s words implied.

The Third Bureau might indeed not have the authority to help reissue them, but even if they did, Hutter would not proactively propose this to the Bureau because his willingness to help hinges on Arthur truly being Sir Arthur Hastings.

If Arthur can’t take office as the Cultural Counsellor in Russia, then the deal between the two becomes null and void.

Moreover, not only would the deal be off, but Hutter might even escort him and that group of Poles to Siberia, as deceiving a Russian Military Police officer surely comes with consequences.

However, this issue has never truly posed a problem for Arthur.

If the new Cultural Counsellor in Russia isn’t Arthur Hastings, but someone else, like Eld Carter, then without documents, it would indeed be impossible to verify his identity.

At times like this, the importance of being the first graduate of the University of London, having won a three-year scholarship, and being the top graduate of the history department becomes immediately apparent.

Even if Arthur were clothed in rags,, supporting himself with a cane, carrying a bowl to the gates of the British Embassy in Russia, all he would need to do is kneel before the gates and shout three times ’Mentor’, and the Earl of Dalmo would immediately send someone to open the door for him and reward him with a hot meal.

After all, who on the London University campus doesn’t know this favored protégé of Jeremy Bentham?

Not to mention, even the former Emperor of Russia, Alexander I, once wrote to Mr. Bentham, seeking advice on statecraft and governance.

If we really debate it, saying Sir Arthur was awarded an honorary degree by the Tsar would be an exaggeration, but saying he’s in the same league as the Tsar’s origins is practically accurate, isn’t it?

Moreover, Arthur was indeed the top among those of Tsar origin, so by the standards of the imperial examination, to call him a rank one title-bearer is entirely expected.

Arthur didn’t expose Hutter’s little ploys but simply said lightly: ”There’s no need to worry about Sir Arthur’s matters. He is the Earl of Dalmo’s protégé and retainer. Even without a diplomatic passport, merely assuming office with his face will be no problem.”

Upon hearing this, Hutter quickly stood up: ”How can that be? Even if diplomatic documents can’t be found, we must at least preserve Sir Arthur’s assets.”

Arthur lightly brushed off this unpleasant episode and continued: ”Besides, there’s another matter, and if disclosed, it might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Hutter sensed something amiss and asked alertly: ”What matter?”

Arthur spoke: ”After losing his diplomatic documents, considering he didn’t want to freeze to death and wanted to avoid causing a serious diplomatic incident between Britain and Russia, Sir Arthur used another identity document to enter the city to escape the cold. Regarding this identity document, you know, in such an administrative environment, many things require a flexible and reasonable approach to resolution. Frankly, much of the time, this is not the ideal way we aspire to, but we must admit, in certain situations, it is indeed the most suitable solution.

The process of handling this identity document was actually not as complex as a conventional procedure. It entirely meets existing administrative requirements, operating within a framework of compliance, but detail-wise, it has undergone a certain degree of ambiguity. Much like those upper-level documents, we often find that their legitimacy doesn’t fully derive from authentic data but is showcased through a clever method to exhibit relative legality. As for the name, place, or even that piece of history on the document, you can understand it as being due to ’operational necessity’ or some sort of ’necessary correction’ in the spirit of fairness, or think of it more as some sort of ’adaptive adjustment.’

The officer who handled this at the time was a colleague who understood the actual situation quite well. In some subtle administrative contexts, we don’t even need too many written explanations. He fully understands that while certain steps may seem cumbersome, in reality, they are merely procedural formalities. Without these procedural formalities, it might actually seem out of sync with societal needs.

So, although it may seem unconventional from the surface, from a practical operational perspective, it is entirely logical and reasonable, beyond reproach. After all, you know, in a complex administrative system, many things have to be realized through what we can call ’reasonable curves.’ In short, those ’minor modifications’ on the document were merely to make the entire process smoother, fulfilling the necessary administrative functions seamlessly without deviation.”

Hutter stood across from Arthur, posture upright, but his gaze fixed intently on the latter. His mind was blank, with an unconscious hint of confusion flashing across his face, eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if every word he heard had become incredibly unfamiliar.

He couldn’t help but gently shake his head, a subtle touch of bewilderment flashing in his eyes.

Yes, it sounded reasonable, even more ”sensible” than he imagined.

However, Arthur’s eloquent explanation brought him an indescribable confusion, like a fog preventing him from seeing the truth through appearances.

His eyes widened, mouth agape, yet seemingly unsure how to respond. Arthur smiled gently, appearing in no rush for an answer. Hutter’s brows furrowed, his mouth twitching unconsciously, as he seemed to struggle digesting each of Arthur’s words.

Yet, as time passed, that state of bewilderment gradually underwent subtle changes. Hutter’s gaze began to focus, the chains of thought suddenly shattered by some force, one sudden insight pierced through the fog in his heart. His gaze lingered on Arthur for a moment, as if suddenly illuminated by something, his entire demeanor seemed to snap into clarity.

His eyes widened even further, like he’d been struck by a boulder on the head, instantly discarding previous confusion and hesitation.

He arrived at a conclusion—a conclusion far simpler than he imagined.

”You mean, for... forgery?”

Arthur sipped his tea, seemingly unconcerned with the matter: ”You know, such matters can’t merely be viewed as ’forgery.’ It’s simply a formal adjustment—reasonable and necessary.”