The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1438: Chapter 221: Getting Things Done Is Easy in Moscow (Part 2)

A normal person would smoke one or two pounds at most in a month, even those hooked with smoke tobacco in their noses couldn’t exceed 4 pounds.

Everyone knew Arthur’s words were sheer deception; the 5,000 rubles were entirely a reward he slipped to Hutter.

What does 5,000 rubles mean?

Hutter’s annual salary and allowance were approximately 450 rubles, and 5,000 rubles were more than ten years of his wages!

Though he recovered what thieves stole for Arthur, even if he didn’t report it, Arthur could find Colonel Shubinski to handle it, or even directly report it from the British Embassy to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Thus, recovering the losses couldn’t be considered a remarkable achievement.

As for helping Arthur escape from Druiysk, in this matter, he could indeed count it as an achievement.

However, he initially anticipated that the reward for this would be Arthur helping him secure a position at the British Embassy, so he might have an optional path if one day he saw no hope in the Third Bureau.

And this 5,000 rubles...

Though it was merely a thin piece of paper, those monotonous strings of numbers were glaringly evident to Hutter, as if more conspicuous than an elephant.

Arthur didn’t rush Hutter for a prompt answer; instead, he lit his pipe, relaxed, and lounged in a sofa chair.

For a Sir, one rule must be adhered to in bribing others—you must offer a reward that far exceeds the counterparty’s expectations, never thinking of haggling, only under a one-hit success can the bribery achieve optimal results.

When others think of one, you give ten; when they think of ten, you give a hundred.

No one can resist such temptation.

Of course, this method can’t be used often, only in cases of a one-time task that can’t afford failure can this trick be used.

The inability to afford failure means that between executor and task, there should be no friction at all, or it might easily lead to unforeseen circumstances.

And a one-time task assures that Arthur’s financial power is enough to handle it.

Moreover, there was an unexpected benefit in tossing out 5,000 rubles today—his personal secretary, Mr. Blackville, was watching.

Let this lackluster lad see the tangible benefits of working efficiently under a Sir.

As expected, not only were Hutter’s eyes fixed, even Blackville’s eyes were gleaming with excitement.

Since arriving in Russia, it was the first time Arthur found his secretary’s spirit could be so elevated to such a degree.

The usually composed Constitutional Soldier Captain couldn’t help but swallow, trembling as he extended his hand, slowly pushing back the check that lay on the coffee table, the sluggish motion as if he wasn’t pushing a thin sheet of paper, but the Mount Olympus itself.

Hutter, trying his best, couldn’t prevail as the King of Gods, Zeus residing atop Mount Olympus acted.

Arthur blocked Hutter’s hand, pushing the check back in front of him, smiling with a hint of reproach in his eyes: ”Richard, are we friends?”

”Of course.” Hutter replied without hesitation: ”We’re certainly friends, I’ve always been honored to be your friend, but...”

”Since we’re friends, do me this favor.” Arthur’s choice of words was very meticulous, having thoroughly studied the pronouns in Russian: ”Buying nasal tobacco isn’t a heavy task, if you can’t walk this minor distance, I can only assume you don’t consider me a friend.”

After a moment’s silence, Hutter finally took the check and put it into his pocket: ”There’s no such expensive nasal tobacco in Moscow, but I’ve heard that the Circassians in the Caucasus are skilled at growing a type of local tobacco, I can bring you some later.”

When Arthur heard Hutter mention the Caucasus voluntarily, he understood the business was practically settled.

Arthur reverted to the English accent of York, even choosing straightforward words: ”Are you hinting that we could become allies?”

Hutter’s hand was in his pocket, seemingly not yet recovered from immense happiness: ”Allies? Wouldn’t that term be somewhat improper?”

Arthur despised the euphemistic phrasing, yet he liked Hutter’s response a lot.

If Hutter readily admitted being an ally, it indicated two possibilities.

Either he was an undercover sent from the Third Bureau, a despicable spy, as only undercovers are eager to demonstrate solidarity.

Or he was a downright money-grubber; 5,000 rubles could buy him, and 10,000 could have him tearing the agreement apart.

If it were the first, Arthur wouldn’t talk Caucasus with him any further, casually deflecting with fibs.

And if it were the second, dispatching him to handle affairs in the Caucasus, Arthur wouldn’t be exceptionally assured. Thus, aside from the 5,000 rubles, Arthur needed to venture from other aspects, such as starting to exert influence on his brother, as some double insurance.

However, having confirmed Hutter was neither a spy nor a money-grubber, Arthur required Hutter’s firm assurance.

Because from experience, when someone tells you directly they are neutral to any party, you should internally mark they are definitely not your ally.

Such significant work can’t be handled without allies.

Arthur inquired: ”Though the term allies might sound indecent, Richard, the situation in the Caucasus is convoluted; you should deliberate cautiously, if you don’t wish to risk involvement, stay clear. Once you delve into it, we become allies. As I mentioned earlier, helping with tobacco procurement is already deeply appreciated, you needn’t stir the muddy waters deliberately.”

Hutter initially planned to change his course, and Arthur’s 5,000 rubles cemented his decision.

Though he speculated some major issue had arisen in the Caucasus, as Hutter said, in his years as a Constitutional Soldier, bad news always overshadowed the good.

Solitarily heading from London to Moscow at a youthful age, he followed the Moscow Company through commercial tides, submerged in the Tsarist Russian bureaucracy; climbing from a minor staff to Constitutional Soldier Captain; he wasn’t one lacking guts.

Both not yet thirty, Arthur was ambitious, and so was he.

Perhaps terms like ambition and allies were as improper, so let’s use another term; Richard Hoot also had ideals!

The greater the risk, the greater the opportunity.

If this affair succeeded, it would be far beyond simply assuming a Second-class Secretary role or earning 5,000 rubles.

”Sir, rest assured, my utterance means it’s well-considered.”

Arthur nodded slightly: ”Alright, since you’ve decided, strive to get a mission in the Caucasus; preferably one with a few months’ local stay. Before departure, come over to my place once more; we’ll hash things out in detail then. If you don’t receive one, then let’s attribute it to our bad luck, merrily forgetting about Caucasus affairs.”

Hutter rose: ”Understood, Sir.”

With that, Hutter pulled out a hefty tome from his briefcase, handing it to Arthur.

”What’s this?” Arthur asked.

Hutter opened the booklet, pointing to the list and addresses: ”This is the ’Official Titles Guide’ printed annually by the Russian Government, it records current positions and residing addresses of Russian government officials. I assume since you arrived in Moscow, you’ll undoubtedly have lots of socializing; with this guide, it surely will facilitate action. Hope you won’t mind my presumption.”

”Mind? Richard, you’ve rendered me immense help.”

Arthur cheerfully patted Hutter’s shoulder: ”I always considered you a competent hand, and now my belief is firm.

Hutter chuckled softly at the words: ”I heard you went to Moscow University today? And with you was Herzen, a former Moscow University student?”

Arthur was surprised news traveled so fast, awkwardly nodding: ”Yes, stealthily slipping into campus, then caught red-handed by two professors.”

”That’s enjoyable too, but...” Hutter paused: ”About Herzen, you’d better be wary. I’m not lambasting your social circle, merely reminding you, that young lad Herzen was once on the watch list of both the Third Bureau and the police department; he’s a restless youth. You’re already a Moscow celebrity; frequent association with that lad might generate needless misunderstandings among the police and constitutional soldiers, or if you indeed plan something, discretion is advisable.”