The Shadow of Great Britain

89: Chapter 49: The Fate of the King 89: Chapter 49: The Fate of the King Arthur strolled leisurely on the streets of London, finally able to slow down and enjoy the scenery, unlike usual, as he was dressed in plain clothes today.

According to the latest directive issued by Sir Peel, in view of the escalating protests and large gatherings across London, Scotland Yard had selected a group of experienced officers to go undercover at these events for secret duty.

No wonder Sir Peel reacted so strongly, for activities like ‘demanding Parliament reform and expanded suffrage’ were not new.

The first large-scale movement demanding Parliament reform in Britain actually erupted during the Great Revolution in France in 1789.

As Sir Peel emphasized in Home Office documents, every French revolution had unexpected consequences in Britain.

The Great Revolution of 1789 ignited immense political enthusiasm among the lower classes in Britain, altering many entrenched notions held since the Glorious Revolution and making them realize that politics was not solely the affair of elites; the common people had a rightful part in it too.

The first to challenge these old notions was Priest Richard Price, a key member of the Sheffield Constitutional Society.

In a commemorative activity honoring the 101st anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, he delivered a sermon titled “On Loving Our Country,” in which he introduced a crucial idea for subsequent reform movements—the most important legacy of the Glorious Revolution was that the people had the right to choose and replace their government at any time.

But this perspective immediately sparked fierce rebuttal from Edmond Burke of the Whig Party, who published a book titled “Reflections on the Revolution in France,” where he articulated his views.

— The principle of the Glorious Revolution was not to change, but to adhere to tradition.

Tradition maintained the existence of society, and thus was the foundation of it.

The Great Revolution led France to collapse by destroying its traditions; Britain must not follow France’s example but instead safeguard tradition to ensure national security.

While Burke held the upper hand, Thomas Paine published “Human Rights” to confront him.

Paine stressed in the book that each generation has the authority to choose the political system they prefer, without their ancestors making that decision for them.

Choosing a political system was an innate human right for the British, and they should fight to the death to defend this right.

However, under the existing system, workers were deprived of this right, resulting in their widespread poverty.

Only by restoring their rights could they be rescued from poverty.

Paine’s “Human Rights” broke through to 200,000 copies sold within a year of publication.

In such a social atmosphere, a series of grassroots organizations advocating for reform sprang up, entities like the Sheffield Constitutional Society and the London Corresponding Society, each boasting memberships of thousands, mushroomed overnight.

All this left the British Government feeling extremely alarmed, believing these organizations were harbingers of a revolution.

Therefore, acting on the principle of striking first to avoid misfortune later, the authorities quickly arrested key members of the London Corresponding Society and the Sheffield Constitutional Society on charges of treason.

Chairman Margaret and Gerald of the London Corresponding Society were eventually sentenced to fourteen years of exile, but most of the members were acquitted by the jury due to insufficient evidence.

As the French Revolution failed, the movement for Parliamentary reform also fell into a slump.

But the memories of the past still lingered in the minds of the Members of Parliament, leaving Sir Peel with no choice but to approach cautiously.

After all, the Tory Party had proved over the decades that solely using violent means only made matters worse.

Although the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel opposed Parliamentary reform, they also firmly believed that issues should be resolved with as little force as possible.

Although this viewpoint seemed paradoxical, it indeed represented the current policy of Wellington’s Cabinet.

They hoped that with time, the British public would forget about the Parliamentary reforms on their own, rather than forcibly suppressing the gatherings.

However, from Arthur’s observations over the past few days, it seemed that the calculations of the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel were likely to fail.

Because those involved in Parliamentary reform this time included not just the insignificant workers, but also the Whig Party, a large number of Priests, and both the moderate and radical factions of the Tory Party.

From what Arthur had observed so far, almost every stratum in London was advocating for Parliament reform.

Although their reasons for wanting reform might differ, their actions were united.

“Whether for good or bad, reform is always somewhat helpful!”

“We demand expanded suffrage!”

“Wellington must step down, he’s just an old swindler from Ireland!”

Arthur blended into the protesting crowd, shouting slogans while holding signs for his companions.

“Overthrow the Tory Party!

Eliminate Wellington!”

When Agares saw this, he couldn’t help but glare and said, “Arthur, weren’t you supposed to be monitoring them?

Why are you mingling with them instead?”

Arthur touched the brim of his hat and found an opportunity to break away from the marching crowd.

It wasn’t because he was tired, but rather, he had followed the crowd to the police station in the Greenwich District.

He arrived at a vacant spot on the street corner and lit his pipe, taking a fierce puff.

“Agares, you don’t understand, the highest form of undercover work is to join them.

At least I’ve found out that this group seems to be sponsored by the Whig Party, and their actions are merely shouting slogans, without any plans for extreme behavior, which saves me a lot of trouble.”

The Red Devil narrowed his eyes and said, “Arthur, what exactly are you thinking?

You are fed by the Tory Party’s Robert Peel on one hand, and on the other, you are quite close with the Duke of Sussex from the Whig Party.

Forgive my bluntness, but if you really intend to play politics, it’s better not to straddle the fence like this, it won’t benefit you.

You should know that for those dominant politicians, loyalty that isn’t absolute is the same as absolute disloyalty.”

“Agares, that’s where you’re wrong, I never straddle the fence.”

Arthur exhaled a puff of smoke: “You know, I’m a police officer of Scotland Yard.

According to the Home Office regulations, I must not hold any political stance.

Just like my view on religion that I shared with you before, I choose neither God nor the Devil, both are blindfolds that would cover my eyes.

In politics, I choose neither the Whig Party nor the Tory Party, both of whom are really the same, exhibiting traits of justice only when they are out of power.

I only agree with them on certain issues.

I admire the Whig Party’s abolition of slavery, although most of them support it because they are factory owners.

They make no money from that aspect and need free workers in their factories.

On the other hand, I also appreciate the conservative restraint that the Tory Party is now promoting.

They love peace, although this is also because a significant portion of their supporters are bankers, and war would negatively impact the stocks and bonds they hold.

All in all, each has its merits, Agares, times are changing, every party has its virtues, and we need to see their shining points.”

The Red Devil rubbed his hands and chuckled, “Come on, Arthur, you little villain.

Don’t tell me you don’t know that sometimes having no stance is a stance in itself, and it’s a stance that pleases neither side.

Do you know why the Duke of Wellington has fallen into his current predicament, surrounded by enemies?

It’s because he tried to take a middle path, thus failing to gain favor from the liberals and getting expelled by the conservatives.

It’s only because he is Wellington that he can still manage to hold on for a while.

If it were someone else as prime minister, they would probably have already been overthrown.

Don’t be fooled by how loudly those protesters are shouting for freedom; they claim to love freedom, but they actually just hate their masters.

Their anger isn’t about injustice, but rather about their subordinate position in an unjust system.

Don’t let your insignificant conscience deceive you, the Parliamentary reform is a great opportunity, and the choice is now in your hands.

You can use this chance to swear loyalty to Robert Peel or use your connection with the Duke of Sussex to formally align with the Whig Party.

Come on, Arthur, have you decided which side to support?

A promising young Police Superintendent from Scotland Yard might not seem important now, but you could immediately make a difference using the information you have at your disposal.

Are you for or against reform, will you choose the Whigs or the Tories?

Don’t take the middle path, and don’t bother investigating that slave-trading case anymore; neither will benefit you.”

Arthur just glanced at him.

He extinguished the pipe in his hand and said, “Agares, haven’t you always been urging me to be their god?

I’ve been thinking, being a god is too difficult.

I’d rather be their king.”

At this, the Red Devil exclaimed joyously, “Oh, my dear Arthur, have you come to your senses?”

Arthur nodded and said, “I’ll leave you with one thought.

Do you know what the fate of a king is?”

“What is it?”

Arthur pocketed his pipe and stepped into the police station.

“The fate of a king is to do good deeds and be maligned for them.”