The Shadow of Great Britain

”What I mean is...” Mr. Phillips calmly corrected, ”The Government cannot place the entire administrative system at risk just because one designer refuses to compromise.”

This statement finally struck Chadwick.

”Are you accusing me personally?” Chadwick said, laughing in anger, ”Or are you implying that the issues with the Poor Law Commission stem from my unwillingness to yield?”

Phillips did not deny it: ”I am reminding you that when a policy starts to repeatedly rely on the police to maintain its social acceptability, it has already entered a dangerous phase.”

Chadwick argued back: ”The existence of the police inherently means the Government has the right to enforce the order it deems necessary.”

Phillips shook his head: ”It is precisely this kind of thinking that has made you increasingly isolated within the Government.”

Before Chadwick could continue arguing, footsteps sounded from outside the meeting room.

Phillips glanced towards the door, showing no surprise: ”It seems the timing is perfect.”

The door was gently knocked twice, then pushed open.

Arthur walked in.

Today, he wore a neatly tailored dark casual coat, his hat had been entrusted to the attendant outside, and his gloves were casually tucked under his arm.

From a distance, Arthur seemed more like an ordinary civil servant attending an interdepartmental consultation, rather than someone with real power over the national police system.

”Mr. Phillips.”

Arthur nodded slightly, his tone as polite and restrained as ever.

Only then did he shift his gaze to the other side of the room.

In the next instant, his steps noticeably paused.

”Mr. Chadwick?”

Clearly, he did not know Chadwick would be present today as well.

Chadwick was equally surprised.

He had not anticipated seeing Arthur here either.

After a brief silence, he nodded in response: ”Sir Arthur.”

Arthur pondered briefly and quickly surmised the intention behind Phillips arranging this.

Either the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office thought he couldn’t handle Chadwick, considering the Poor Law Commission’s secretary was known as difficult among the civil servants in the Home Office, yet the enforcement of the Poor Law could not proceed without his expertise.

Thus, at this critical juncture, the Cabinet had no intention of moving him.

Or it was because the letter Arthur sent to the local police system in his personal capacity some time ago caused trouble.

While the letter did not call for disobedience, nor attack the legitimacy of the New Poor Law, let alone incite the police to detach from the Government. In terms of its wording, it even fully aligned with the duty of a high-ranking police official to ”stabilize morale, emphasize discipline, and reaffirm pledges.” Therefore, the Home Office was not outraged by the content of the letter.

What truly made the Home Office uneasy was another aspect—that the letter bypassed them.

It wasn’t filed with the Home Office, nor did it go through any official channels for interdepartmental coordination, yet it precisely reached the grassroots level of the local police system.

More importantly, it worked.

From the Home Office’s standpoint, the letter was far more than a redundant reassurance; it was an unauthorized political mobilization, even if it was cloaked in honor, pledges, and responsibilities.

Phillips’ current attitude also confirms this point.

He did not mention the letter directly.

This, in itself, was a signal.

If the Home Office thought the letter constituted overreach, today’s meeting wouldn’t be so cordial.

If they considered the letter insignificant, then with Phillips’ seasoned skills, he certainly wouldn’t have ”accidentally” facilitated the encounter between Chadwick and Arthur at this critical moment.

The current situation lies somewhere in between.

The Home Office neither intends to pursue it immediately, nor can they ignore it.

In Phillips’ view, while the letter may not be unforgivable, it has exposed a dangerous tendency. The police system is starting to form an operational framework that circumvents the civil servant structure. And this is precisely something any civil servant government cannot tolerate.

”Sir Arthur, your timing is impeccable.” Phillips finally shifted the topic to him: ”I believe you may understand better than anyone who has truly been under pressure locally over the past few months.”

He did not look at Chadwick, but instead focused on the old file bag, lightly tapping its seal with his finger: ”The police system’s report is written very restrained. There are no complaints, no excuses, just an honest account of what they face daily.”

These words nearly sounded like speaking on behalf of the police.

”I must admit.” Phillips continued: ”Without the local officers maintaining calm on the front lines, many of the autonomous municipalities wouldn’t be in such a condition where they are still manageable.”

He spoke the words ”still manageable” with a very light tone, yet they sounded profound.

Arthur did not interrupt, only slightly nodding to signal he was listening.

”Precisely because of this.” Phillips naturally turned the conversation: ”The Home Office has high praise for the professionalism currently displayed by the police department. We recognize that this restraint itself is a rare political asset.”

Chadwick’s brow furrowed.

”But an asset is only called an asset...” Phillips lifted his gaze: ”because it needs to be used properly, not continually depleted. Sir Arthur, the reason the police system has maintained a special trust position in the public’s eye in recent years is largely because it is always seen as, how to put it, a force not directly involved in policy maneuvering.”

He didn’t use the word ”political,” but ”policy maneuvering,” which was the language of civil servants.

”If this perception changes...” Phillips smiled and shook his head: ”Even if the change itself is reasonable, the consequences will be long-term.”

Chadwick eventually couldn’t help but speak, thinking Phillips’ previous words were directed at him: ”Are you implying that police involvement itself undermines the legitimacy of the reform?”

”Of course not, the Home Office’s stance is consistent.” Phillips emphasized: ”We hope the police system maintains its professionalism and independent judgment, but also hope it isn’t forced to assume roles beyond its institutional positioning.”

Even Arthur couldn’t help but marvel at Phillips’ ability to criticize indirectly.

Indeed, these words surpassed the usual indirect criticism.

Without understanding the context, others might think Phillips was applying pressure on Chadwick on behalf of the police department.

However, Arthur was well aware that ever since he walked in, Phillips had been speaking in riddles from start to finish. But this Permanent Secretary of the Home Office was formidable because each of his statements could separately be taken as support for the police department, yet could also express dissatisfaction with Arthur’s overreach. He even casually suggested the reason the Home Office could no longer support Chadwick was the police department’s reluctance to continue cooperating.