The Shadow of Great Britain

”Talking bad about the Prime Minister? How dare I? I’m just a poor lad from York countryside, a stinking blue lobster, an executioner under the Tower of London, a black sheep at the Foreign Office and White Hall... ”

”You still say you haven’t gone to speak ill, look at the tone of your words, the sarcasm is almost overflowing.”

”Benjamin, you accuse me of having stereotypes about you, but your prejudice against me is not less.” Arthur put down the pipe and said, ”I went to Buckingham Palace not to speak ill of anyone, on the contrary, I went to clean up the Prime Minister’s mess.”

Disraeli, being a smart man, said, ”You mean those suggestive articles in the newspapers recently?”

”Yes.” Arthur said blandly, ”Those reports that write the Queen like a young girl in love and Melbourne like a soon-to-retire Casanova.”

”That stuff?” Disraeli waved his hand indifferently: ”Oh, that’s not a big deal. Unless someone deliberately fans the flames behind the scenes, such gossip generally won’t be remembered in a few days. What’s there to worry about?”

”Just because you think that way doesn’t mean the Queen thinks that way. Benjamin, we make a living in this field, knowing full well gossip doesn’t last long. But she isn’t, Her Majesty the Queen has never experienced such things. She is young and received the most traditional education, and as a young lady, naturally values these things.”

”Then what to do? Is she asking you to arrest all the reporters? That’s not a good idea.”

”I taught her a little trick of the trade.” Arthur shifted the topic, ”Benjamin, regarding the new Police Bill, did you hear any wind at the Carlton Club?”

”The Police Bill? Peel is more interested in that.”

Disraeli usually doesn’t care much about law enforcement issues, since his seat in the Lower House is in Tower Hamlets, he usually focuses on topics that affect local voters’ interests.

In other words, his main service targets are pub owners, dock contractors, factory owners, and the like.

Although these people often deal with the police, the new Police Bill’s clauses are of little concern to them.

Arthur asked, ”What is Peel’s opinion?”

”Peel’s opinion? He hasn’t made a public statement, but you know his character. Anything that involves expanding police power, he certainly wouldn’t stand in opposition. After all, Scotland Yard was his creation, arguably one of his most important achievements over the years. I hear he’s busy behind the scenes for the new Police Bill.”

At this, Disraeli expressed, ”Don’t worry, this time the new Police Bill is bound to pass, led by the Whig Party and supported by the Conservative Party, Scotland Yard’s power expansion is certain. The only issue now is how much your power will expand.”

”I know that of course.” Arthur said, taking a draft from his bag, ”How many of these contents do you think can pass on Peel’s side?”

Disraeli glanced down at the draft.

Just one glance, and he seemed struck by lightning, his neck stiffened, eyebrows twitched twice, even doubting if he saw it wrong.

”Arthur, London is not Paris, are you planning to move the London City Government to Scotland Yard?”

Arthur replied casually, ”It’s not as serious as you say, the French Minister of Police manages far more than this.”

”Are you really planning to be Fouche?” Disraeli reminded, ”But Napoleon has no ground to survive in Britain.”

”Who says no? Louis is living in Regency Crescent, isn’t he?” Arthur emphasized, ”He might also be visiting Marquis of Londonerry Mansion now, they’ve been quite close these past two years.”

Disraeli was stumped, pointing to the draft, saying: ”The intercommunication of intelligence among national police agencies, this is reasonable. But allowing Scotland Yard to directly mobilize the surrounding county’s police force? Arthur, what are you thinking? Local Parliament alone can tear you apart for this point. Also, what does it mean to expand investigation rights to potential harmful activities? You mean, with one word you can lock half of London in custody?”

Disraeli clutched his chest, never expecting his friend to have such ambition: ”Arthur... even if Peel turns a blind eye to these clauses and doesn’t oppose your power expansion, the Whig Party will surely explode. Is this a draft? You’re spanking Liberalism.”

Arthur shrugged: ”You know it’s a draft, this is just professional advice based on the current national law and order situation, it doesn’t mean it will all be implemented in the bill. When did the Police Commissioner Committee’s guidance ever have legal effect? I’m just writing it down, if thirty percent of it actually passes, that would already be a blessing.”

Disraeli rubbed his temples, ”Although that’s what you say, but this draft looks like you’re staging a coup. No, if it really gets implemented, then you indeed would have the capital for a coup.”

Arthur raised his eyebrows: ”Then say, how many of these opinions do you think can pass over at Peel’s place?”

Disraeli took a deep breath: ”How many can pass at Peel’s place isn’t important, what’s important is, you need to act like a sheep, make Peel feel you have no ambition.”