The Shadow of Great Britain

Capítulo 1424: Chapter 216: Medal? Oh, It’s Just a Trifle from the Tsar

The bustling Tver Street is one of Moscow’s main avenues, connecting to Red Square. As a core area where nobility and wealthy merchants gather, the street is lined with stone buildings that are not particularly tall but are exquisitely decorated, blending late 18th-century Russian classicism with the European style that followed the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

The façade of the Herzen Mansion at No. 25 Tver Street is painted in pale yellow, with white stripes adorning the edges, simple yet elegant. The windows are tall, with some carved patterns on the frames. Above the main door hangs an iron lantern, whose orange light casts a warm glow on the winter snow.

Arthur’s sudden visit clearly pleased Herzen, perhaps due to the quietness of the Shrovetide festival at home, Herzen also hoped to bring some warmth to the house.

He didn’t have time to change clothes, wearing a dark wool robe, a simple scarf tied around his neck, and plush slippers as he personally came to welcome the guest.

Pushing open Herzen’s door, a wave of warmth greeted the face.

The living room arrangement felt cozy, a Persian carpet spread over the floor, a few landscape oil paintings and family portraits hung on the walls.

A bookshelf occupied an entire wall, filled with Russian literature and European philosophy books, some of which had worn covers, evidently well-read works.

In the center of the room stood a long table adorned with marble lamps and a porcelain vase with dried flowers. The wood burning in the fireplace crackled, and as the flames danced, the room’s temperature rose significantly.

Herzen first invited Arthur and Blackwell to sit down, then instructed the servants to bring the samovar.

Soon, the servants placed a set of silver tea apparatus on the table, the clinking sound of cups, plates, and spoons echoed clearly in the room, steam subtly rose from the kettle lid.

A pot of fragrant Russian black tea was placed on the table, alongside a dish of jam, a dish of Russian gingerbread for tea, and a few slices of very thinly sliced lemon.

Herzen personally added some jam and lemon slices to Arthur’s teacup, then poured in a steaming cup of black tea, placing a small silver spoon in the cup to stir.

He warmly entertained the two foreign friends, saying lightheartedly, “I hope you enjoy this Russian tea flavor; I always feel the samovar is more suited to this season than the British teapot.”

Arthur took a sip of the tea, this tea with added jam was not suitable for cutting grease, but drinking it as a dessert on its own had a unique taste. Overall, it was not difficult to drink, and from a personal taste perspective, Arthur would gladly give it an A.

“It tastes good.” Arthur looked at Herzen and joked, “Just heard from your introduction, you’re now working in the Bureau of Land? Six months ago, you were still a student, and now you count as an official.”

Herzen responded with some shyness, “It’s merely entering society. The Bureau of Land’s affairs are cumbersome, mostly writing reports and reviewing paperwork, small tasks overshadowed by your career. I thought you were fooling me; I didn’t expect you truly moved from Hanover to Russia.”

His peripheral vision noticed the small ribbon ring pinned to Arthur’s chest—a red ribbon with a yellow edge.

This color scheme made Herzen pause for a moment, then asked, “Is this? The Saint Anna Medal ribbon ring?”

Although Arthur verbally claimed not to care about the Tsar’s medal, his body was exceedingly honest.

Generally, medals are worn only at formal occasions, whereas in daily settings, only the small metal ring on the medal, that is the ribbon ring, is worn to showcase one’s honor.

Although Arthur was knighted by King William IV as a Junior Knight, during this era, the oldest British knight rank had a peculiar flaw, that is, it only had a knight sword, decorative spurs, and ribbon, but no medal.

Because ultimately, although a Junior Knight cannot enter the House of Lords, it is still considered a feudal title with military obligations, similar to Baron, Viscount, Earl, and other titles.

If it were the Middle Ages instead of the 19th century, Arthur, as a knight, would commonly receive a piece of land, even a fief.

However, the issue is, since the 16th century, as modern armies gradually professionalized, national military relied more on state financial support rather than on providing land to lords in exchange for military service.

Thus, a Junior Knight increasingly became an honorary title, symbolizing recognition for personal achievements, without the need to provide military service.

So naturally, it would not be granted land.

And the problem of having neither land nor a medal is considered a historical legacy issue.

Therefore, the Tsar’s granting Arthur a Second-Class Saint Anna Medal became Arthur’s first medal received in life.

People usually value their first acquisition, Arthur though a cold and ruthless old hand, could not escape common human emotions, and he cherished this medal dearly.

Since receiving the Saint Anna Medal, Herzen was the first to hit the nail on the head with his words.

Arthur was indeed joyful inside, but as a senior, even if he was not much older than Herzen, some dignity and respect expected of an elder had to be maintained.

Arthur calmly put down the teacup, pretending it wasn’t intentional, saying, “You mean this? This is indeed a reward from His Majesty the Tsar. But, as you know, such honor is more symbolic.”

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