The Shadow of Great Britain

101: Chapter 61: I Want the Tory Party’s Life 101: Chapter 61: I Want the Tory Party’s Life On the outskirts of West London, a terraced house with a garden.

The servant stationed outside the ornate iron gate saw a carriage slowly approaching.

The carriage wheels suddenly stopped, and a gentleman alighted, wearing a top hat, clad in a black suit, and carrying an exquisite gift.

With a broad back and a straight posture, he walked precisely as if he were in a military parade, a stance that clearly showed he had served in the army.

Upon recognizing the gentleman’s face, the servant quickly walked up with a smile, first taking the gift from the man’s hand, then bowing slightly.

“Superintendent Clemens, Viscount Hastings has been awaiting you for some time,” he said.

Clemens adjusted his upright collar and nodded, “Kindly lead me to him.”

Guided by the servant, the two walked through the garden path into the villa’s sitting room.

The sitting room wasn’t particularly large, but was exquisitely and richly decorated.

Directly ahead, mounted above the fireplace, was a deer head specimen with a label underneath, recording that the deer was hunted in Broglie in the year 1811.

Opposite the fireplace were several sofas and an exotic-looking circular carpet.

Just as Clemens was about to sit, he embarrassingly discovered a pair of lace-edged, semi-transparent panties hidden in the crevice of the sofa.

From the style and design, it likely belonged to an aristocratic lady of no small status.

Seeing this, the servant hastily stowed the underwear in his pocket and awkwardly offered Clemens a circumspect apology.

“You know, Viscount Hastings is quite charming.

The ladies from Almack’s Club adore him and often host book salons here.

It’s quite normal for them to occasionally leave behind a few personal items,” he explained.

Having heard the servant’s explanation, Clemens could only pretend to be oblivious, nodding in agreement, “His Lordship did look after our Guard Cavalry quite a bit when he served in the Army.

You need not explain so much to me; I am, after all, one of his old subordinates…”

While Clemens did not dare to inquire too much, his curiosity eventually got the better of him.

He stealthily glanced at the staircase leading to the second floor and the door to the adjacent room, ensuring the Viscount was not yet present before he cautiously asked.

“However, while I know His Lordship is very popular with the noblewomen, considering his age, I’m curious who this time it could be…”

The servant, seeing his curiosity, looked around secretly before whispering, “The wife of the Russian ambassador, Princess Livin…”

“Ah…” Clemens suddenly realized, “That makes sense.

I’ve heard of Princess Livin; my wife mentioned her to me.

She told me that the ladies of London privately call her…”

Just as Clemens was about to reveal more, the servant suddenly coughed loudly, and the astute Superintendent quickly held his tongue.

Sure enough, just as he closed his mouth, a familiar voice came from behind him.

“Clemens, what are you standing around for?

Find a place to sit,” it said.

Clemens turned to see a middle-aged man in casual attire, drying his wet hair with a towel.

After finishing with his hair, the man handed the towel to a servant and casually took a seat on a sofa, looking puzzled at the stunned Clemens, “Are you ill?

You don’t seem quite yourself today.

Would you care for some gin?”

Clemens, observing his freshly bathed appearance, felt a sinking feeling.

Could it be that Princess Livin has not yet left?

He quickly chose a sofa with its back to the room and staircase and sat down properly before speaking, “Scotland Yard has been overwhelmed with work recently, as you might have seen in the newspapers.

The murder and body snatching cases have turned Scotland Yard upside down.

Sir Peel was furious about it, and Duke Wellington even ordered the military police to join the operation.

Everyone was busy for a month, and it only just concluded recently.”

As the Viscount began to pour tea, he remarked, “Ha!

Peel loves to fuss over such trivial matters, seizing on a hot topic to try to divert the public’s attention.

That young police officer making speeches in court is one thing; this murder and body snatching case is another.

There are plenty of deaths daily in the city of London; if he truly wanted to combat those selling bodies, why then did he push for the repeal of the Bloody Act before?

If it were up to me, I surely would have slaughtered all those body stealers.

If I can’t touch the doctors, can’t I touch those gravedigging rats?

Hmph!

Peel is a contradiction; he is both tender-hearted and yet wants to establish order.

Where in the world does such a situation exist?”

As Clemens listened, he couldn’t help but tense up.

Viscount was about to sip his tea when he noticed the subtle change in Clemens’s expression.

He paused while holding his teacup and asked, “Clemens, you’re not entangled in this case, are you?”

“No, of course not,” Clemens replied.

“As you know, I like wealth, but this little matter is beneath me.”

The Viscount stared at him for a while and then set down his teacup, saying, “Fine, I believe you.

But I still have to remind you, you’re not that old and still have a promising future.

The Tory Party is barely hanging on; once Wellington steps down, the Whig Party will be able to take power.

From my observations within the party and my understanding of the situation, once the Whig Party comes to power, the next Prime Minister should be Earl Charles Grey.

I have a decent relationship with Earl Grey, and my position in the party is quite stable, so I might get a Cabinet position from him, either the Treasury or the Home Office, though I personally would prefer the Foreign Office.

But no matter which position I end up with, you should be promoted, as a reward for your loyalty and a recognition of your steadfastness during my time out of office.

Clemens, you’ve done well.

Since I left the Cabinet, I’ve obtained a lot of important information from you.”

The Viscount raised his teacup to Clemens, and with a smile, he said, “To our interests.”

Clemens, originally all smiles, was about to drink his tea but suddenly stiffened at these words, asking, “Viscount, you really are a joker, isn’t it usually said, ‘To our friendship’?”

The Viscount chuckled lightly, shaking his head, “Friendship is fleeting; only interests are concrete.

Clemens, you have been with me so long, how do you still not understand my character?

For me, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

If it weren’t for my nature, why would I have defected from the Tory Party?

Wellington, Peel, George Canning, William Hesketh—their lack of vision was appalling.

A capable politician should do what is beneficial, whether for the country or for oneself.

They should have seen this coming when they planned to challenge my position as a member of Parliament for Cambridge University in the party.

I take revenge very seriously; anyone who offends me, I assure you, won’t live to tell the tale.”

Clemens smiled stiffly, agreeing, “You are right, Lord Palmerston.

I came here today precisely because I want to solve your problems.

I’ve discovered an opportunity to help you defeat Wellington’s Cabinet.”

“Oh?

You found a way to disrupt Wellington and Hesketh’s reconciliation?”

Palmerston sipped his tea, shaking his head slightly, “Forgive my frankness, but that level is not something you can get involved in.

I tested Hesketh’s intentions recently.

Wellington must have given him some sort of charm potion; he seems to truly intend to take his people back.”

“It’s not a problem with Mr.

Hesketh.

The reconciliation ceremony between him and Duke Wellington and the security for the inaugural ceremony of the Manchester-Liverpool railway were managed by Peel’s protégé, Superintendent Hastings of the Greater London Police Department.

I couldn’t intervene, so I couldn’t create problems between them.”

Palmerston rested an arm on the armrest of the sofa, muttering to himself.

“Hastings?

That Arthur Hastings?

That young man has climbed up quickly, and Peel is willing to entrust such a key responsibility to him.

If he keeps this up, he might very well become the head of the Greater London Police Department in a few years, right?”

Clemens, hearing this, realized Palmerston was hinting at something, and responded with flattery, “That doesn’t worry me; you have Peel’s support, but don’t I have yours?

I can assure you, this piece of information will be extremely valuable to you.”

Palmerston’s interest was piqued, and he leaned forward to ask, “What have you found?”

Clemens pulled a document from his briefcase and handed it over deferentially.

“Please take a look.

This is information I got from Fred.

I had a tough time opening him up, but this fellow recently took on a big job from the French government, kidnapping a French republican to transport back,” Clemens explained.

Palmerston examined the document and couldn’t help snapping his fingers joyfully, “That damned Fred, I can’t believe he could pull off such a good deed.

Looking back, I think my order for him to retire directly was a bit harsh.

If I had known he’d turn out this well, I would have kept him on.”

Clemens smiled and said, “Your order wasn’t too harsh; Fred brought it on himself.

Although it’s proper to be strict with soldiers, whipping two new recruits to death was too violent.”

Palmerston pursed his lips and nodded, “That’s true.”

He stood up and patted Clemens on the shoulder, “Without Fred, there’s still no issue, because I have you.

Clemens, I need you to ensure at all costs that Fred manages to get that Frenchman to Paris.

If he successfully completes this task, I promise that the next day, every newspaper in London will be plastered with this news.

As soon as Wellington’s Cabinet collapses, whether I end up in the Foreign Office, the Home Office, or the Treasury, I will secure a good position for you.

Hmm… perhaps these roles are too civil for you.

How about this, would you be interested in handling military matters again?

I’ll consider finding someone to transfer you to the Ordnance Board.

Though the Ordnance Board doesn’t manage the cavalry or infantry, they are in charge of the engineers and artillery,” he added.

Clemens, hearing this, couldn’t help but let a flicker of joy crinkle his eyebrows.

He stood up and saluted crisply, “No permanent friends, only permanent interests!”

Hearing this, Palmerston, holding his teacup as he leaned back on the sofa, smiled gently, “Clemens, I have high hopes for you.”