The Shadow of Great Britain

115: Chapter 75: The Fleet Commander’s Strange Invitation 115: Chapter 75: The Fleet Commander’s Strange Invitation On the deck of HMS Conqueror, two deep red velvet armchairs and a small round table were arranged.

Arthur picked up the white porcelain teacup from the table and gently sipped it.

He gazed at the gradually setting sun on the horizon and the golden sea surface, feeling the gentle summer breeze, and sensed that his tightly wound nerves had finally relaxed.

Sitting beside him was an old man with a furrowed brow, silver-white wig, and dressed in the uniform of a high-ranking officer of the Royal Navy.

This was none other than the highest commander of the entire Channel Fleet—General Edward Codrington.

Arthur had imagined he would meet a burly and rough man, but in reality, Codrington was a man with an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, a hooked nose, and slender eyes.

Were it not for his naval uniform, the melancholic aura emanating from Codrington’s entire being might have made him appear more like an artist with a brush than a military man.

Of course, had he really become an artist, perhaps he wouldn’t possess this melancholic aura at all.

After all, God only knows whether he felt such melancholy because he was put on ice by the Navy Department.

Upon seeing Arthur finish his tea, Codrington raised his hand and pointed to the platter of raisins on the round table, saying, “Have some of these; I guarantee they’re good.

Of all the raisins in the fleets, I dare say the Channel Fleet’s are the tastiest.

After all, the supplier of the raisins is personally selected by me, and each grape must come from the sunny coasts of the Apennines.”

Hearing this, Arthur immediately understood that Codrington must still have some grievances on his mind.

After all, a normal naval officer would not trouble the Navy Department so much over some raisins, why go to such lengths to source them from the Mediterranean?

Nevertheless, he generously accepted the other party’s suggestion and grabbed a handful of raisins to pop into his mouth.

He chewed and commented, “This isn’t just ordinary sweetness, grapes from the brilliantly sunny Mediterranean are indeed superior to our native ones.

Sir, you truly do have a taste for grapes.”

Codrington, hearing the compliment, felt much more cheerful immediately.

He modestly said, “Having eaten many grapes, one naturally comes to understand them.

Having fought many battles, one naturally comes to win them.

But a genius scientist like yourself cannot simply accumulate knowledge through mere experience.

Diligence is important, of course, but in the realm of scientific research, talent is even more important.”

Arthur almost spit out the tea he had just taken a sip of to cleanse his palate.

He adjusted his feelings and managed to maintain a calm expression by a narrow margin.

“Are you also a researcher in science?”

“No, no, no,”

Codrington, holding his teacup, smiled and said, “I’m far from your level, although I am a member of the Royal Society, I can at best be considered an enthusiast.

Seeing your surprised expression, I guess the Duke of Sussex didn’t inform you?

In fact, many officers of the Royal Navy are members of the Royal Society, and we always stay attuned to the advancements in the field of science.

Any wise naval officer knows that utilizing science can give us a significant advantage on the battlefield.

Frankly, I am one of Mr.

Faraday’s followers, although my interest leans more towards his progress in chemistry.

As for his recently proposed direction of electromagnetism, I’m just beginning to delve into it.”

Hearing this, Arthur couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding.

This doesn’t sound quite right!

He couldn’t be looking to discuss the field of electromagnetism with me, could he?

Sure enough, Codrington began to inquire, “It might be a bit presumptuous of me to ask, but since you are probably the second-most knowledgeable person in the field of electromagnetism in Britain after Mr.

Faraday, I am curious about your views on the future direction of electromagnetism?”

“Hmm…”

Arthur feigned thoughtfulness, and regarding the question, he chose to speak not of theory, but of vision.

“The discovery of electromagnetic induction indeed solved a big problem for us.

After discovering that electricity and magnetism can be converted into each other, Mr.

Faraday began to devote all his energy to the development of the electromagnetic generator.”

“If he makes a key breakthrough in this area, then I believe that perhaps in the near future, electromagnetic generators will be used in various fields of life just like steam engines.”

“Electromagnetic generator?”

Codrington’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, “I know that some civilian ships powered by steam engines have appeared in these two years.

But the power provided by steam engines is obviously still insufficient to drive large warships; at most they can only be used as auxiliary power.

In your opinion, is there a chance in the future to build a warship driven entirely by electricity?”

“A warship driven by electric power?”

Arthur carefully recalled, he didn’t seem to have any impression of such a thing, but he didn’t want to dampen Codrington’s enthusiasm, so he could only reply.

“Regarding science, I can only say that anything is possible.

But at the same time, patience is needed.

After all, you know, it’s been a long time since the invention of the steam engine.

But it’s only from today that Britain truly has a passenger railway line entirely driven by steam locomotives.

I believe electric warships will definitely appear; it just takes time.”

Upon hearing this, Codrington laughed heartily, “So you’ve also seen the news that the Manchester-Liverpool railway is about to open.

To be honest, although I’m old, I always like to stay in fashion.

If it weren’t for the sudden orders to set sail, I would have planned to ride on the first passenger train today.”

Arthur joked, “Really?

I’m the same as you.

If I hadn’t been suddenly assigned this case, I would probably be on the train now, responsible for Duke Wellington’s security.”

Codrington, hearing this, couldn’t help but laugh, “In that case, it seems we were destined to sit down and have a cup of tea together today.”

Arthur nodded with a smile, “Now it seems, it’s probably God’s will, isn’t it?

The task of accompanying you for tea, I couldn’t avoid it even if I wanted to.”

Codrington nodded with a smile, “To speak of Scotland Yard, it really doesn’t treasure talent, to actually send an outstanding person like you out to the open sea, what would they do if something happened?

In the new field of electromagnetism, Great Britain only has you and Faraday to show for.

If I may say, young man, why don’t you just leave Scotland Yard?

In a couple of years, I might be called back to the Navy Department, and when that time comes, you can be my scientific secretary.”

Arthur was caught off guard by Codrington’s sudden offer.

However, after giving it a brief thought, he didn’t immediately decline, but instead said with a smile, “If you have any needs in London, feel free to contact me.”

At this, Codrington waved his hand, “No need to be available at any time, I’ll need you soon.

To be frank, in two weeks I’ll be back in London on leave, and my wife wants to take this opportunity to hold a scientific salon at home.

She needs distinguished young scientists like you as guests.

If you can make some time, why don’t we settle the matter right now.”

Arthur was dumbfounded by General Codrington’s flurry of moves.

Only now did he finally understand the other party’s true intentions.

He said with a mix of laughter and helplessness, “Your Excellency, if it’s for this matter, why go through such a roundabout way?

I could have agreed to your request outright.”

As Arthur spoke, this time it was Codrington who was surprised.

“Oh…

really?

I thought you might be reluctant.

After all, many scientists from the Royal Society are rather eccentric, like, say, Faraday…

Oh, no.

I shouldn’t call them eccentric, it’s just that they dedicate all their time to science and so they seldom appear in social settings.

Not to mention, this scientific salon is organized by…”

Codrington stopped abruptly in his speech.

Arthur asked, “Organized by what?”

Codrington looked at Arthur, the old man blinked hard, “Nothing, nothing…”

He hurriedly picked up the teapot and filled Arthur’s cup to the brim.

“Here, Mr.

Hastings, have some tea.

This tea is carefully selected by me, Chinese tea, truly exquisite, not something I offer to just anybody.”