The Shadow of Great Britain

Capítulo 1575: Chapter 13: The Princess’s Electromagnetism Teacher?

Arthur looked at Palmerston’s serious face, knowing that they probably wouldn’t make any substantial progress today.

Palmerston wanted Arthur to change his stance, not simply to punish him.

But this wasn’t because Palmerston was large-hearted by nature, rather because behind Arthur stood Lord Brougham and the Earl of Dalmo, along with a group of Radical Party representatives from the Whig Party.

In the eyes of this Radical Liberal Party, supporting the Chechen mountain people against Tsarist Russia’s tyranny wasn’t a mistake; it even had a bit of Don Quixote’s spirit of charging at windmills with courage and valor.

The Whig Party had already fallen into a fragmented state over the Irish Church issue, and everyone agreed to let Viscount Melbourne assume the position of Prime Minister precisely because he was a gentle and easy-going person; everyone pinned their hopes on him to reconcile the party’s internal conflicts.

If at this moment Palmerston were to openly demand the government harshly punish Arthur over the Chechen issue, it would only further exacerbate contradictions.

But if Arthur’s actions were ignored, then he couldn’t help but worry if those restless fellows in other foreign embassies might be inspired by this, and thus keen to emulate Arthur and Eckett.

As for why Palmerston sought out Arthur instead of Eckett, it was naturally because Eckett had long been labeled “unmanageable” by Palmerston.

Looking at Eckett’s record in Greece and the Near East, to say the best, he was an out-and-out idealist; to say the worst, he was completely brainless.

What’s more troubling for Palmerston is that Eckett’s impulsive nature and stubborn temperament rarely allows him to bow to others. And because of his family background and social circle, he has ample confidence to maintain his edges.

Therefore, if he were to rashly summon him to the Foreign Office, whether Sir David Eckett would be willing to come is one thing. Even if he did come, it would very likely end up with Palmerston embarrassed and unable to step down.

The saying goes well, comparisons can be miserable for people and goods.

Compared to David Eckett, Arthur naturally seemed much easier to deal with.

Although Arthur might not be any less bold than Eckett, and his thoughts might even be much deeper, at least in public, Arthur still conducted himself with a sense of propriety.

Furthermore, Palmerston initially thought Arthur resigned from his position earlier just for show, in the face of problems that couldn’t be concealed, he donned the guise of a “freedom fighter” to salvage his reputation in time.

Therefore, he thought as long as he expressed forgiveness and exchanged it for a position of equivalent rank in the French Embassy, he could make Arthur relent and admit his mistake, thereby establishing him as a model of “a person who knows and rectifies their mistakes” for other foreign embassies.

However, what he didn’t anticipate was that Arthur’s manner today was completely as if he didn’t care at all.

This guy seemingly truly intended to give up a high-ranking position in the Foreign Office, and the beauties and luxurious cars in high society’s gatherings, abandoning so much for those Chechens whom he had never met in the remote corners of the Caucasus.

Could he really be a brainless idealist?

Palmerston thought carefully and concluded, it’s not impossible.

After all, this officer’s rise began with a courtroom speech against the “Bloody Act,” and even to this day, he still held the title of “Great Britain’s Finest Officer,” and this title had even been officially certified by His Majesty the King and the Privy Council.

Before Palmerston could figure out what exactly Arthur was up to, he saw Britain’s first-ever police knight stand up quietly, bowing politely and spoke deliberately, “Your Excellency’s insights are very instructive, especially regarding the definition of moral influence. If diplomacy were to be viewed as an ongoing drama, I believe you would be the Sheridan of the stage.”

The Sheridan of the stage, this wasn’t a compliment, as the well-known playwright was famous for satirical comedies.

More so, Sheridan was the grandfather of Lady Norton, the female lead in Viscount Melbourne’s extramarital affair scandal back then.

Palmerston couldn’t help but speculate if Arthur, who had resolved the scandal for Viscount Melbourne, had received some kind of assurance from the new Prime Minister.

Palmerston’s lips twitched slightly, but he nodded, politely bidding farewell.

Arthur left the office, walking down the corridor of the Foreign Office towards the exit.

Just as he stepped down the stairs, a familiar voice rang out, “So, did he show any great mercy? The days at the Dutch Celebes Affairs Liaison Office aren’t pleasant.”

Arthur turned his head and saw the Assistant Undersecretary of the Foreign Office, Schneider, leaning against the marble column at the edge of the corridor.

Arthur chuckled and shrugged, “Honestly, if Palmerston hadn’t told me he was maintaining world peace, I almost thought he was working hard to stuff the whole world into the old bottles of the Vienna Conference.”

“Oh, no, no, Arthur, the Foreign Office is certainly full of pacifists; everyone here advocates for peace and order.” Schneider replied with a serious face: “It’s just that the peace and order of the Foreign Office are built on cleaning up the mess after others have finished their fights.”