The Shadow of Great Britain

Capítulo 1357: Chapter 193: The Devil That Tempts the Human Heart

On the dining table in the mayor’s house was a plate of thick rye bread with a crispy crust and a soft interior, carrying a sour aftertaste of fermentation.

Beside it were slices of ham and sausage, vibrant in color, exuding rich aromas of smoke and roasted meat.

There was also a large platter of roasted potatoes, crispy on the outside and tender inside, complemented with a touch of onion and herbs, enough to whet anyone’s appetite.

A bowl of steaming hot milk porridge was served, with small chunks of butter floating on top and a rich milky fragrance, looking warm and tempting.

At one corner of the dining table was sour cream, as white as snow, beside some pickled cucumbers and pickles, the kind of sour side dishes that are a classic pairing for a Russian breakfast, both appetizing and palate-cleansing. On the table, there was also a small plate of sliced cheese, with a rich fragrance, perfect to be eaten with bread and ham, creating a tremendously rich texture.

Of course, the most important part was the steaming pot of red tea with sugared fruits to accompany it. Next to it was a small dish of sugar and a pot of milk, for guests to add according to their taste.

Arthur took a sip of red tea, put down the cup, and savored the warmth and aroma of that sip. In his opinion, Russian tea, whether in flavor or aroma persistence, was clearly superior to British tea.

Neither Russia nor Britain produces tea, so the tea in both countries is essentially purchased through trade with China.

However, Russia primarily trades directly with China overland, ensuring both the supply and quality of tea.

Britain, on the other hand, relies on maritime transport, sending tea from Guangzhou to London and other major cities. Due to relatively poor transport and storage conditions, this naturally leads to difficulties in maintaining the tea at its best quality, with high-quality whole leaf tea prices remaining steep year-round.

Back when Arthur was a stinky foot constable at Greenwich, he drank powdered tea (tea dust) sold at 1 shilling per pound.

Even after being promoted to Police Superintendent, he only switched to blended tea (tea blended according to specific proportions and recipes from different regions) priced at 2 to 5 shillings per pound.

It was not until the “British” business got on track and began to show progress in the dealings with Rothschild that Arthur finally started to drink high-end varieties like Keemun and Lapsang Souchong, which easily started at 10 shillings per pound.

However, these high-end teas, seen only in British high society, somehow made their way to a remote small town like Druiysk. Arthur even once found the Jasmine Tea, highly sought after by British ladies, in a corner of a restaurant.

Admittedly, at least as far as tea is concerned, Russians do indeed enjoy more favorable treatment compared to the British.

Arthur picked up a piece of sugared fruit mixed with sour plum, almond, and orange peel and asked, in a Yorkshire-accented English, the Captain Hutter beside him: “Richard, I’ve always been curious, how did you end up working at the Moscow Company? It’s not a common choice usually. How long have you been living in Russia? Four or five years? Or even longer?”

Hutter took a sip of tea, a thick white mist puffing out of his frost-reddened nose. He stared at the snowflakes drifting outside the window, his gaze calm, as if looking back at those years long gone.

“Including this year, it’s already my fifteenth year in Russia. When I was twelve, my father suddenly found me and told me I didn’t have to go to grammar school tomorrow. He knew a friend from the Moscow Company who would take me as an apprentice. Frankly speaking, it was just that the family had no means, so I had to find a way to make a living myself. My father’s business was not doing well, and my mother passed away early. The family couldn’t support several children. My younger brothers and sisters were still small. I was the eldest in the family, and I couldn’t let those little kids take my place, could I? The Moscow Company provided an opportunity, so I had no choice but to go. At first, I didn’t think much of it. What could a twelve-year-old kid understand? I only knew that there was a company in London Chelsea that would teach me some Russian and arithmetic, qualifying me to do something in Moscow or Petersburg. At that time, I completely didn’t understand what business was about, only knowing that earning money could make life better.”

At this point, Hutter shook his head gently, seemingly reflecting on himself at that age.

“In that half a year, I learned quite a bit of Russian and some superficial stuff, like business negotiations, contract details, etc., but it was all just surface-level. Genuine experience comes from actually going to those places. When I went to Petersburg, I learned how Russia truly operated. The officials, merchants, and nobility, everyone had their own interests, and the games they played, the sordid dealings among these adults were far more complicated than I had thought.

In the following years, going to Moscow, Kazan, it was all the same. Everywhere I had to learn the rules, learn how not to let others see that I didn’t fully understand these things. I’m not the type who can flaunt himself in crowds, but you have to quietly observe, make the right choices, seize the right opportunities. After a few more years, I learned to interact with these people, understood what should be said and what not, and realized the hidden things behind the commercial scene.”

He continued casually: “Life in Russia is not easy, especially for someone with no background. Leaving home so early, the agent assessments of the Company were always strict, and Russian businessmen wouldn’t show you any sympathy just because you were a child. So, here, everything has to depend on yourself. Spring, summer, autumn, winter, day after day, year after year, life is just a grinding process. If you hadn’t brought it up today, I almost forgot that it’s already my fifteenth year away from home.”