The Shadow of Great Britain

Capítulo 1388: Chapter 204: The Renowned Hastings (Part 2)

“Why?”

Pushkin shrugged helplessly: “Because Count Chernyshov, Minister of the Army, and Police Chief Gladkov, these two people also lost in the first election, but eventually, due to government support, they were re-elected. I heard from Gogol that you are Britain’s cultural attaché, and also the author of the ‘Hastings Case Files.’ The former identity prevents unscrupulous persons in the club from opposing you, while the latter identity mobilizes the upright members to collectively support you. Even if some muddle-headed people voted against you in the first election, I believe our government will consider supporting your second candidacy.”

Arthur, hearing this, discreetly waved his hand: “Mr. Pushkin, you don’t know, my worry is precisely the influence from the government. Because today I might raise some unpleasant matters in front of His Majesty the Tsar.”

“You…” Pushkin couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked: “Forgive my rudeness, are you saying you intend to provoke His Majesty the Tsar?”

“No, I will never actively seek to provoke anyone, whether they are the Tsar or a poor person on the street leaning on a cane, holding a broken bowl to beg for a living. You must know, I am an honest, warm-hearted person, and I never wish to lose my temper with others.”

Here, Arthur changed his tone: “However, you should understand that some things are beyond my control. The work pressing on my head from above must be done. I am just an inconspicuous little figure, unable to singlehandedly confront our Foreign Secretary, Viscount Palmerston.”

Pushkin, hearing this, couldn’t help but sympathize with Arthur: “It seems you’ve encountered a dreadful task. Moreover, you should not know what kind of person our monarch is.”

Arthur asked: “Is his temper very bad?”

Pushkin shook his head: “Rather than saying his temper is very bad, it would be better to say he is a monarch lacking imagination but excessively enthusiastic. He is often swayed by sudden hatred and impulse, and his thinking can suddenly jump from one extreme to another. And haven’t you noticed? In other countries, such as your homeland, a king usually does not directly deal with representatives from other countries. Whereas in our country, the Tsar is the opposite: he spontaneously acts as Russia’s Foreign Minister, personally involved in every diplomatic matter, and confident in resolving the most complex international issues through his personal influence and charm. I find it difficult to assess whether his approach is right or wrong. But from my observations, the French chargé d’affaires who visited him this morning was completely provoked by his charisma.”

Arthur advised: “You’d better learn English; although I appreciate your warning, you should also consider your own safety. Do you know how many prohibited Russian words were interspersed in your previous statement?”

Pushkin smiled at Arthur: “With your words just now, I think joining the British Club shouldn’t be a problem for you, at least you understand the principle of caution. However, there’s no need for you to worry about my personal safety; His Majesty the Tsar knows what kind of person I am, and my terms have been careful enough, especially those on paper.”

Arthur nodded slightly and put on his white gloves: “It was a pleasure talking to you today; I should visit you someday and chat about the ‘Three Character Classic.’ If it’s not too much trouble, please invite Mr. Bichulin and that young Russian. By the way, where do you live?”

“32 Nevsky Prospect.” Pushkin stood up to see Arthur off: “You can come the day after tomorrow; you could have come tomorrow, but I must attend a ball tomorrow to please the Emperor.”

“Hmm? Does His Majesty the Tsar even control where you dance?”

“Most of the time he doesn’t, but the other day the Duke of Trubetskoy held a ball, and the Emperor suddenly appeared and stayed for half an hour. The Emperor didn’t see me anywhere, and the elderly Countess Boblinskaya explained on my behalf, saying I didn’t come because there were no buttons on my uniform. But the Emperor was evidently angered by this explanation and asked my wife: ‘Did your husband miss the recent ball because his boots didn’t fit or because the buttons on his tailcoat fell off?’”

Pushkin sighed: “Please excuse my rudeness, but unfortunately, I do have to be cautious lately. Just last month, Bezobrazov was exiled to the Caucasus for similar reasons, and his wife had to move to Moscow. If I were alone, I might not care so much, but now that I have a family.”

Arthur heard this and now sympathized with Pushkin. If he offended the Tsar, it would simply mean not being able to join the British Club and being unable to conduct normal diplomatic work in Russia. But for Pushkin, if he truly provoked the Tsar, it could be life-threatening.

He patted Pushkin’s shoulder: “Friend, don’t worry so much; even if you don’t have time to see me next month, it’s the same. Besides, even if you have no time at all, can’t we still communicate through letters?”

Pushkin quickly discouraged: “You can write to me, but pay attention to the wording and expressions because whether it’s the post office in St. Petersburg, the Third Bureau, or the Home Office, they could open my letters at any time. Especially since your identity is a British cultural attaché, I’m sure they’re very interested in your correspondence.”

Arthur naturally understood this.

As a seasoned senior officer of Scotland Yard, he had especially benefited multiple times from Rothschild’s private courier services, and Arthur was well aware of the importance of conveying crucial information orally.

But having letters opened is not necessarily a bad thing, because sometimes, Arthur writes letters precisely to be read by the Third Bureau and Home Office police.

Nevertheless, Arthur thanked Pushkin for his advice.

You see, both having partial Black ancestry, both having Black ancestors who served as generals, both celebrated European literary giants.

Yet clearly, Pushkin’s mind is far sharper than that of the Great Dumas.

As for what exactly causes this difference?

Excluding the variable of Black genes, Arthur leans towards the belief that it is mainly because the French genes polluted that dead fat man’s brain.

Writing, women, republicanism, apart from these, the Great Dumas’ small brain can hardly accommodate a fourth matter.

Arthur had just pushed open the door to the smoking room when he saw Colonel Stewart walking over with a Russian Imperial Guard officer.

“Arthur, it’s time for the audience. Earl of Dalmo has already gone ahead, and you and I will follow Baron Dantes.”

The Russian Imperial Guard officer stood before Arthur, suddenly removed his white glove, and extended his hand, asking in French: “Are you Sir Arthur Hastings?”

“You are Baron Dantes, aren’t you?” Arthur grasped his hand: “Pleasure to meet you.”

Dantes squeezed Arthur’s hand firmly, saying meaningfully: “I have long heard of you; even before I came to Russia, I already knew your name.”

Arthur thought the other was going to bring up his ‘brilliant feats’ under the Tower of London, so he quickly changed the subject: “Let’s quickly proceed to meet His Majesty the Tsar.”

Dantes, however, called to Arthur from behind: “Do you have time these days? Marquis Bina also wishes to meet you.”

“Marquis Bina?” Arthur was unsure of the other’s pulse: “Am I that famous?”

Dantes reached Arthur’s side, nonchalantly leading the way while speaking: “Perhaps you are unknown in Europe, but among the French Chouans, you are already renowned.”