The Shadow of Great Britain

Capítulo 1586: Chapter 17: Brougham’s Invitation (2)

Moreover, even from a commercial perspective, Arthur doesn’t believe train passengers would be willing to spend six and a half pennies to appreciate beautiful poetry. Clearly, they prefer exciting stories.

Thus, in situations like this, Eld’s importance immediately stood out.

Given that this kid was bored to the point of farting on the ship, Arthur didn’t even have to write a letter specifically asking Eld to increase production; just the previous short stories he sent to the editorial department could be used for most of the year.

As for what to do after half a year?

Ha, that’s nothing to worry about, because Arthur had already calculated it.

Eld and Darwin’s global scientific expedition aboard the Beagle started in November 1830. According to their letters and current progress, the Beagle had already left the Galapagos Islands, thoroughly concluded detailed examinations of the South American region, and was now under full speed heading towards Australia under Colonel Fitzroy’s leadership.

If nothing unexpected happens, they will likely discover a barren area populated by indigenous residents in Australia and have the chance to name it after themselves.

Unfortunately, Arthur believes that Eld is significantly behind Darwin in terms of naming rights in the new territory, considering Darwin’s personal image, especially his increasingly prominent bald head, really fits the definition of a barren area.

Upon thinking of this, Arthur couldn’t help but feel somewhat jealous. Darwin had the opportunity to name a land after his surname, while Arthur’s surname was named after a land.

Alas…

Perhaps this is the difference between people.

Better go sort through Eld’s train novels.

Though Arthur was reluctant to admit it, even if Eld wasn’t as good as Darwin, it didn’t stop Eld from being a “talent.”

Even someone like Great Dumas, the king of popular novels, would struggle to come up with a title like “Coral Reef Enchantress.” As for the masterpiece where the boiler worker and the noble lady have an affair on the train, “Steam Saint,” it’s simply a perfect manifestation of personal talent. The brainless narrative style is just like the spicy whiskey and opium tincture often consumed by the workers in the East District, not only suitable for allowing the working masses short-term mental escape but also satisfying the hypocritical societal ethos of the British upper class, with their conservative appearances but passionate hearts.

Compared to other magazines often worried about circulation issues, “British” never worries about whether Eld’s works will be popular. Instead, they usually worry about what to do if Eld’s books become too popular.

Therefore, to prevent Eld from going too far, they have to alter those Eld works that needed to be published.

And now, Tennyson and Heine, these leisure individuals, are well suited to use their poetic writing to help Eld with refinement and embellishment.

In this regard, Eld truly can be called a legend in British literary circles, whose historical status is absolutely undeniable.

Because whether it’s Great Dumas, Dickens, Disraeli, Hastings, or even now Heine and Tennyson, which of them would dare say they haven’t served Eld Carter’s great work?

Just when everyone was eagerly discussing how to set up the inaugural issue of “Spark,” suddenly, there was a knock-knock-knock at the door.

A small clerk with plenty of freckles on his face pushed open the door, briskly walking to Arthur’s side to whisper a few words.

Soon after, Arthur stood up and took the coat off the clothes rack: “Friends, our plans are almost set, and now only execution is left. Of course, today we might have missed some considerations. If you think of anything, you can come find me anytime, or propose it at next week’s meeting.”

Great Dumas and others didn’t pay heed to Arthur’s sudden departure. They were still excited about the upcoming new magazine, but Disraeli, who had grasped plenty of information, stood up without a fuss: “I’m going out to buy a few bottles of tonic water, do any of you want some?”

After taking a few “takeout” orders, Disraeli pocketed a few coins and went out the door with Arthur.

He pulled out a cigar box and offered it to Arthur; Arthur skillfully took one and lit it.

Disraeli asked: “White Hall looking for you? Palmerston hasn’t given up yet?”

“It is indeed White Hall, but not Palmerston.” Arthur’s mouth was filled with smoke: “Lord Brougham is waiting for me.”

“Lord Brougham? High Chancellor?” Disraeli said uneasily: “Has he decided not to protect you anymore? Do you think it’s possible that Earl of Dalmo wrote him a letter? After all, what you did in Caucasus really screwed Earl of Dalmo lightly.”

Arthur didn’t seem worried at all: “Perhaps. This time, indeed, things aren’t fair for Earl of Dalmo. I even wrote him a letter of apology a few days ago, explained everything clearly to the Foreign Office; I only mentioned it was a personal matter between David Eckett and myself, having nothing to do with the Embassy in Russia.”

Disraeli snorted: “Even if you said nothing, what does it matter? Does Palmerston dare to touch Dalmo? No matter how you slice it, Earl of Dalmo is the son-in-law of former Prime Minister Count Grey, and it’s thanks to Grey’s support that Palmerston’s sitting in the Foreign Secretary’s seat. Not looking at Monk’s face but looking at Buddha’s face, moreover, Dalmo is not easy to mess with either; if ‘Radical Jack’ gets pissed off, he could storm back to London and throw the entire Foreign Office into chaos.”

“That’s true, but in my heart, I’m always guilty towards Earl of Dalmo.” Arthur, thinking of this, couldn’t help but curse David Eckett: “If it weren’t for compelling circumstances, I would never stand together with Eckett. That guy never informed me about transporting supplies to Chechnya, and he definitely planned to drag me down with him!”

“What could be done?” Disraeli rolled his eyes: “Who knows what the hell he’s up to, did he pocket the Ottoman Sultan’s liras? How can he cause such a ruckus between Ottomans and Russians.”

Arthur could only speculate on this: “Maybe it’s because he was involved in the Greek War of Independence early on. At that time, he was an ally of the Greeks, and Russians were also allies of the Greeks. Who knows what happened during the war, resulting in him hating both countries.”

Upon saying this, Arthur waved farewell to Disraeli: “Lord Brougham’s carriage is waiting for me downstairs, I won’t chat with you much more.”

Upon finishing, Arthur descended the stairs in his boots, and as soon as he walked out of the editing department, he saw a four-wheel carriage parked on the street.

The waiting servant noticed Arthur; they first nodded at him with a smile, then opened the door.

Arthur was about to get into the carriage when he noticed a familiar face sitting inside; it was none other than Lord Brougham in a tailcoat.

Brougham glanced at the student who had just made a huge mess, patted the seat cushion beside him, sipped tea from the cup on the table: “What are you waiting for? Get in.”

Arthur shrugged helplessly, then boarded the carriage.

As soon as he sat down, the carriage started moving. Lord Brougham poured tea for Arthur with one hand and milk with the other, pushing a cup of black tea towards him.

“I’ve heard you went to the Foreign Office and conversed with Viscount Palmeston… was it enjoyable?”

Arthur stared at the cup of black tea, the vehicle’s movement causing ripples on the water’s surface.

He knew he couldn’t hide matters from Brougham, so he simply confessed: “You know, that Excellency’s personality is quite strict, and mine is very straightforward, such a combination usually doesn’t yield good results.”