The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1394: Chapter 206: The Tsar’s Interest: Who Is Arthur Hastings? (2)

The codification work of the Second Bureau, the tariff protection system established by Chancellor of the Exchequer Conklin, the 1828 educational reform, and the ‘official nationality theory’ of Minister of National Education Uvarov, all these imperial policies can be seen with the influence of the ‘prescription’ from the Third Bureau.

As a good friend of the Tsar, the only person allowed to share a carriage with the Tsar during visits, the current Acting Vice Tsar of the Russian Empire, Count Benkendorf naturally does not want to give up his position of being second only to the Tsar.

Under the premise of not damaging this background, he is willing to cover for his sister, but once Mrs. Levin offends this principle, then…

Such things as sacrificing familial ties for the greater good, Benkendorf has done it more than once.

“Your Majesty, thank you for your concern. Dorothea is still the same, hosting her banquets in Paris. Her salon remains active, continuously attracting visits from European political figures and cultural celebrities.”

Tsar Nicholas I paused for a moment, his gaze not leaving the fountain: “Paris… She seems to have a special fondness for that place, more so than Saint Petersburg. Alas, sometimes I think, if only Dorothea were a man. No offense to ladies, but they tend to be emotional, unable to handle affairs with the same calmness as men.”

Count Benkendorf heard this and twitched slightly at the corner of his eye, but quickly bowed his head to conceal his emotions: “Your Majesty, Dorothea indeed prefers to influence people in her own way. However, she combines emotion and intellect well, and her identity as a woman allows her to navigate many tricky situations with ease.”

The Tsar nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement: “I admit that, she has the ability, like an innate talent, not something that can be achieved through learning. First she shone in Vienna, then in her twenty years in London, Dorothea always managed to solve problems, and nobody knows better than me how much useful information she transmitted for Russia. Even some trivial matters and idle chats previously deemed useless, now in hindsight, have proven valuable.”

The Tsar took off his gloves and sat on the bench by the fountain, gesturing for Benkendorf to sit beside him: “Do you remember the phonograph Dorothea brought back for me from London?”

Benkendorf asked: “The one from Whiston?”

“Yes, that one, along with many records.” The Tsar said: “Among them there’s a ‘Paganini Etude: La Campanella,’ I recall it’s a piece by up-and-coming London pianist Arthur Hastings.”

“Is that piece very appealing?” Benkendorf joked: “Perhaps I should borrow that record from you.”

“Appealing? Perhaps, but I don’t have as refined a taste as the Londoners.” The Tsar commented: “I still prefer the sacred music of the Eastern Orthodox. If you want that record, I can simply give it to you.”

Benkendorf nodded gently, his tone slightly complimentary: “Your Majesty’s generosity is deeply appreciated, but since it is something you cherish, how could I take it lightly? Knowing your assessment is enough for me.”

The Tsar crossed one leg over the other, hands clasped on his knee: “Coincidentally, I too want to know your opinion.”

“Of that piece?”

“No, of the performer.” The Tsar patted his gloves: “Today, among the visiting British delegation, there’s a newly appointed attaché, also named Arthur Hastings, the same name as the performer of ‘La Campanella.’ I remember your report previously mentioned this British attaché is a well-known pianist in London?”

Benkendorf recalled, immediately remembering several family letters Mrs. Levin had written to him in recent years and the background investigation the Third Bureau had recently completed.

“You are indeed insightful, they are indeed the same person. Moreover, being a pianist is just one of Arthur Hastings’s identities, simultaneously, he is Faraday’s research assistant, a renowned researcher in natural philosophy. However, these are just his sidelines, his main profession is as a police officer, a senior officer in the Royal Greater London Police Department. After resigning from the police department, he was hired last year as a professor at the University of Gottingen due to his outstanding contributions in science, appointed by King William IV as the academic director and national special representative, serving as the constitutional reform adviser for the Kingdom of Hanover.”

Tsar Nicholas I initially thought Arthur was just an inexperienced diplomatic newcomer, but upon hearing this impressive list of credentials, even the Tsar couldn’t help but remark: “Sounds like this Sir Arthur Hastings is quite the versatile talent, isn’t he?”

Benkendorf nodded: “Exactly, Dorothea mentioned this young man to me before, at that time he was not very prominent, merely a mid-level officer in the police department, but in a short time, he quickly ascended, even experiencing the tumultuous period from the Wellington Cabinet to the Grey Cabinet, yet regardless of the cabinet reshuffles or party changes, it did not affect his growth. In less than four years, he leapt from an obscure street patrolman to become the third-ranking officer at Scotland Yard, undoubtedly a remarkably talented individual.”

Tsar Nicholas I, intrigued, continued to ask: “Why the third-ranking? Being so young, he can wait until he becomes the top-ranking before transitioning to diplomacy.”