The Shadow of Great Britain

Capítulo 1433: Chapter 219: Sir Hastings Admired by All (Part 2)

“If I could have the honor of personally witnessing one of Sir Arthur’s experiments, it would be the greatest honor of my life,” a young nobleman said excitedly, his eyes shimmering with longing and awe for the unknown world.

Another noble suggested, “Indeed, such an opportunity is once in a lifetime. We must organize a grand welcome banquet at once, just like the one we held for Mr. Humboldt, inviting all the prominent figures in the city so that Sir Arthur can feel Moscow’s warmth and respect.”

At this moment, the young nobleman who first raised the topic spoke up, “As for the welcome banquet, there’s no need for everyone to worry. Our dear Governor of Moscow, Duke Dmitry Golitsyn, and the learned Academic Director of Moscow University, Duke Sergei Golitsyn, are already planning it!”

While the nobles raised their glasses in celebration of the Governor and Academic Director’s foresight, they didn’t notice a four-wheeled carriage passing by outside the window.

The owner of this carriage was none other than the European scholar who had traveled far from London, the very figure they were longing to meet.

Arthur loosened his tight collar, held a pipe in his mouth, and even tossed the high top hat, used for appearances, onto the seat beside him.

If someone were to see this fellow now, they might think he was some drifter from the East End of London, and in truth, they wouldn’t be far off.

Left hand with the Civilization Cane, right hand with the officer’s dagger, high top hat knocked off by a hooligan’s punch floating in a dirty puddle, and wearing a blue swallow-tailed uniform stained with an Irish drunkard’s vomit—this was the daily appearance of Arthur Hastings, the sergeant constable from Greenwich.

However, although the person was the same, his identity was now different.

So the Civilization Cane was replaced with a cane inlaid with turquoise, the officer’s dagger with an oak pipe, the badge on his chest turned into a ribbon loop, and even the high top hat and tailcoat were replaced from coarsely made uniforms to bespoke fine fabrics.

Even the stains on his clothing changed from a drunkard’s vomit to red wine stains from a private party, though not as much as before, but these wine stains were far more valuable than vomit.

If there were anything still the same compared to before, it would be the pair of white gloves Arthur still wore, the same ones he had worn since his days in Greenwich.

A British Knight, a renowned scholar, a musical genius, a literary titan, and…

The most charming yet most detestable constable from Scotland Yard.

Sir Arthur Hastings.

Arthur’s mind was filled with scenes from today when he was caught unexpectedly by two professors while infiltrating Moscow University.

What could be done in a second?

Light a cigarette, take a sip of wine, or cause two venerable old professors to switch from arrogance to respect.

For some reason, Arthur suddenly remembered a story told to him by the French detective Mr. Vidocq.

Just by announcing his name—Francois Vidocq—he could send the street hooligans of Paris scurrying for cover.

Now, the name Arthur Hastings could have a similar effect in the scientific community.

As Herzen sarcastically remarked, the two professors first greeted him with a ‘long-awaited, long-awaited,’ then flattered him endlessly, and admitted their inferiority.

Perhaps to bolster their courage, they even took Arthur to visit the vice-academic director, Count Panin, who, seen as something of a behemoth by Herzen, had invited quite a few professors he believed could showcase Moscow University’s academic prowess and with whom he had close relations.

Moscow University is not without good professors, but those who focus their academic efforts on currying favor with officials often do not have commendable academic standards.

Arthur recalled a particular old professor named Feodor Fedorovich Rice, and though it’s perhaps disrespectful to say, in Arthur’s opinion, this chemistry professor’s understanding of chemistry seemed to not go beyond the basics of hydrogen and oxygen.

According to Herzen’s tips, the professor attained his position not due to his exceptional abilities but because his uncle once studied the subject. Thus, during the late reign of Catherine the Great, Russia had sent someone to Germany to invite his uncle. However, the old man was unwilling to come, recommending his nephew instead.

In short, this charlatan from Germany had been bluffing his way through Moscow University’s classrooms for forty years.

Thinking about this, Arthur couldn’t help but feel wronged for Gogol.

Case after case proved that the reason the little Russian couldn’t become a vice-professor at Kyiv University had nothing to do with his academic merits.

It was because he was Russian, lacking both luck and a well-known uncle.

But Arthur was evidently more fortunate than Gogol. Though he came from swineherd origins and was a dismissed Assistant Commissioner, his undergraduate degree from the University of London gave him the confidence to show off.

Midway through the private party at Count Panin’s house today, he received a message from the Governor of Moscow, Duke Dmitry Golitsyn.

Duke Golitsyn first welcomed Arthur’s arrival and then spoke of his friendship with the Ambassador to Russia, Earl of Dalmo.

Through Secretary Blackville’s explanations, Arthur finally understood that Duke Golitsyn and Earl of Dalmo were close comrades. Whenever the two met at a ball, Duke Dmitry Golitsyn always warmly engaged the Earl of Dalmo.

The event’s origin seemed to come from a statement made by the Earl of Dalmo—that Duke Dmitry Golitsyn was a true Whig Party member, possessing the true soul of the Whig Party.

While Arthur didn’t understand how there could be a Whig Party member among Russian nobility, it was undoubtedly a compliment that Duke Golitsyn greatly appreciated, which also earned him the regard of other Russian nobles.

Thus, out of affection for his close friend, Duke Golitsyn was also exceedingly attentive to Arthur, the Earl’s brilliant student.

Even if one peeled away the layer of him being a University of London graduate, befriending Sir Arthur Hastings, a renowned scholar, writer, musician, and a true Royalist recognized by His Majesty the Tsar, remained an enticing option.

He discreetly canceled Arthur’s hotel booking, graciously allowing the weary traveler to stay in his old mansion on Tver Street in Moscow, providing him with two cooks and several clumsy but capable male servants.

Moreover, even his private secretary, Mr. Blackville, provided him with a valet to carry his bags.

And the carriage Arthur was riding in, well, that was naturally rented from a carriage shop by Duke Golitsyn, the finest of its kind.

All this came with the condition that Duke Dmitry Golitsyn hoped Arthur, amidst his busy schedule, could graciously attend the welcome reception that Moscow’s high society was hosting in his honor and deliver a lecture on the recent major advancements in electromagnetism, helping his cousin, Academic Director of Moscow University, Duke Sergei Golitsyn, properly educate those idle, ignorant young students.

In today’s Moscow, if you don’t know Sir Arthur Hastings, then I advise you to soon rectify this oversight.

Because nothing pleases Governor Golitsyn more than having Sir Arthur Hastings accompany him in a game of Boston cards.

As Arthur’s carriage came to a halt in front of the Golitsyn family mansion on Tver Street, the red-faced secretary respectfully opened the carriage door, clearing the snow before Arthur, and politely invited down the supervisor he had been grumbling about the entire journey.

Yet before he could invite Arthur down, he noticed a figure rising from the steps nearby, shoulders covered in snow.

The man rubbed his frozen hands, shook off the snow from his uniform to reveal a Constitutional Soldier’s attire, and stiffly walked towards the carriage, saluting, “Hello, Sir Arthur, do you remember me? Constitutional Soldier Captain, Richard Hoot.”