The Shadow of Great Britain

22: Chapter 19: Fight Fire with Fire 22: Chapter 19: Fight Fire with Fire Arthur, upon hearing this, raised his hand politely and said, “I don’t recall having such a grandfather, nor do I have any interest in playing grandson for someone else.”

Upon hearing this, Colonel Fitzroy eyed Arthur up and down.

“And you are?”

“I am precisely the Naturalist whom you do not wish to take on board.”

Fitzroy was at first startled, then embarrassedly chuckled.

“I didn’t expect such a coincidence that you would be right here.

However, this is also good as it gives me the opportunity to explain the reasons for refusal in person.

It’s not that you are not excellent, you fully meet the Beagle’s requirements for a Naturalist.

However, this is an order from the Navy Department headquarters, and as a Captain and a serviceman, I must resolutely carry out orders.”

“But…” Eld attempted to protest.

But Colonel Fitzroy cut him off.

“No buts.

Eld, the person issuing this order is someone not even your uncle has the privilege to negotiate with.

Your friend is very qualified, and I believe he will find suitable employment.

Besides, you know as well that the Royal Navy is an organization of strict discipline, and following orders is our sacred duty.

So now, shut your mouth and follow the order.”

Having said this, he nodded apologetically at Arthur, “Young man, I truly am sorry.”

Arthur let out a slight sigh but quickly accepted the reality.

“It’s okay, Colonel.

As you said, the Royal Navy is an organization of strict discipline.

I understand the difficulties you face because I have served in a similar organization before.”

“You’ve served in a similar organization before?”

Fitzroy pondered for a moment, then came to a conclusion on his own: “Oh!

I knew you couldn’t be without some significant background.

An organization, yes, the organization!

You must have been placed in the Army by your family, right?

I am pleased to hear there is even such an organization there.”

Having said this, Fitzroy realized something was amiss and hastily apologized with an embarrassed face: “I’m sorry, I did not mean to make a dig at the Army at all.

It’s a fine place, isn’t it?”

Eld, seizing the opportunity, followed up in a mocking tone: “Right, not only does the Army have an organization, but they even have discipline!”

Fitzroy knew he couldn’t dwell on this issue any further, so he quickly said farewell: “Enjoy yourselves, I have official duties to attend to and can’t accompany you any longer.”

With that, he hurried into the gates of the Royal Naval Academy under their gaze.

Arthur glanced at Eld next to him, who wore a strange expression, and asked, “Does Colonel Fitzroy hold the Army in such contempt?”

“What kind of question is that, Arthur?”

Eld said, “What do you mean does Colonel Fitzroy look down on the Army, the entire Royal Navy looks down on the Army.

That place is simply a den of scoundrels, with prostitution, bullying, fighting, verbal abuse, physical punishment, drunkenness, gambling, wage theft, strict hierarchy, and survival of the fittest – every bad word in the world you could apply to the Army.”

“So, the Royal Navy is much better?”

“Of course not, the Royal Navy was equally barbaric in the past, but the good thing is that all of our officers have served at the grassroots level for at least six years, so they understand the sailors’ difficulties and take them into account to some extent when assigning work.

And the mutiny on the West Coast of Puerto Rico in 1797 also served as an alarm bell for the Navy Department.

The sailors aboard the Royal Navy escort ship Hermione had suffered long-term abuse by the officers; they were forced into extended labor, beatings, and verbal abuse were the norm, and for any slight mishap, they could be ordered by the Captain to be tied to the mast and left hanging for seven to eight hours.

One night, having endured enough, the sailors banded together with their cutlasses and bayonets, hacking away at the soundly sleeping officers with more than a dozen blows each.

The surviving officers, along with the abusive Captain Hugh Pigot, were bound by the sailors to the Hermione’s beakhead and dragged for several miles before finally being thrown overboard to feed the sharks.

At the end of the story, the sailors of the Hermione steered the ship to the North American colonies and even swore allegiance to the United States government.”

Since that incident, the Royal Navy had added the position of Navigating Officer, tasked with compiling the navigational log.

He would record every detail aboard the ship and store it in a safe.

Before returning from a voyage, no one had the authority to order him to open the box.

The Navy Department would also conduct regular inspections of the navigational logs, and if they found any officers oppressing the soldiers, they would punish them accordingly.

Although this might not necessarily be effective, one had to admit that since the Hermione mutiny, the internal atmosphere of the Royal Navy had indeed improved somewhat.

But the Army had not yet experienced such an event, so it remained in a primal state, a place where even officer positions could be obtained through donation.

How could one dare to expect military discipline from them?”

At this point, Eld seemed to suddenly remember something, slapping his forehead as he spoke.

“Damn it!

Arthur, I shouldn’t have talked to you about this.

It’s all my fault, bringing up the matter before we concluded the negotiations and causing you to resign from your job.”

Eld’s face was filled with remorse; he simply didn’t know how to face Arthur.

As he was considering how to apologize properly, a policeman with a Civilization Cane tucked at his waist approached.

“Arthur?

Is that you, Arthur?”

Turning his head, Arthur saw that the speaker was a former colleague of his.

He reached out to greet him, “Good morning, Dennis.

I thought that by shedding that uniform, I’d be away from the police for a while.”

To his surprise, Dennis reacted with shock and delight.

“Arthur, I’ve finally found you!

I just came back from your place, and I feared you’d moved away already.

My dear Arthur, you must come with me to Scotland Yard immediately!”

At this, Arthur’s brows furrowed, “To Scotland Yard?

Did that old bastard Wilcox really launch an internal investigation against me?”

“Oh no!

That’s not it!

An internal investigation has indeed been initiated, but it’s not about you, it’s regarding Tom and Tony!”

“Hmm?” A sense of foreboding suddenly arose within Arthur, “What happened to them?”

Dennis said with frustration, “After you resigned the day before yesterday, Tom and Tony grew increasingly unsettled.

So, after work yesterday, they waited for Superintendent Wilcox on his way home and beat him up quite badly.

The situation is very serious.

Losing their jobs is one thing, but they might even be sent to the Magistrates’ Court for trial.

As you know, those two poor devils can’t afford a defense lawyer, and after much thought, it seems you are the only one who could carve a way out for them.”

Arthur’s expression changed, and he took hold of Officer Dennis, saying, “Take me there right now.”

But before he had taken a step, Eld spoke up again.

“Arthur, I really am sorry about today.

However, if you need help with anything, feel free to reach out to me at any time; trust me, I can connect you with professional lawyers.”

However, Arthur seemed unmoved by this, nudging Eld with his elbow.

“It doesn’t matter.

If I can’t return to the ship, so be it.

The story of your sailor’s mutiny was quite interesting to hear.

I did gain something after all.

At least, the story you just shared taught me a lesson.”

“What lesson?” Eld was somewhat puzzled.

Arthur paused for a moment, stood still, and then spoke.

“Principles like conscience and public morality are preached to the good people, but when dealing with naturally cruel bastards, they need to be taught a lesson in a different way.

Otherwise, the situation will never get better.”

After pondering, Eld said, “It seems… that’s the reasoning.”

And the long-silent Red Devil once again emerged, wrapping his arm around Arthur’s shoulder and laughing loudly.

“That’s right!

Arthur!

You’ve finally understood.

Go ahead and take down that Superintendent whose head is filled with obedience and command!

We can’t reason anymore, you must go and teach him a lesson with force!”