The Shadow of Great Britain

116: Chapter 76: The Return of the Hero 116: Chapter 76: The Return of the Hero On the deck of the Conqueror, General Cordington passionately introduced to Arthur the city emerging on the horizon and its long history.

It was indeed the base of the Channel Fleet and the oldest naval base in the history of Great Britain—Portsmouth Naval Base.

As the birthplace of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Naval Base carried a fine tradition of foreign combat.

Even during the Roman Empire, Portsmouth had already been established as a fortress, and Parchester Castle to the north of the harbor was one of the remnants left by the Romans.

In the subsequent Viking Age, it served as a frontline fortress against Viking invasions.

By the 14th century, during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, Portsmouth acted as the forward base for the Plantagenet dynasty’s operations against France.

Its naval tradition began in 1496 with the founding of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and in 1540, the Royal Navy officially declared its establishment there.

From the deck, Arthur gazed at Portsmouth and saw only the distinctive red-brick buildings and the white lighthouse, symbols of the Royal Navy.

Beyond that were the stretching, imposing fortress walls that nearly encapsulated the entire city, topped with shore batteries mounted with cannons.

Not far off at sea, the silhouette of the legendary Royal Navy warship ‘Victory’ could also be seen.

This vessel, which had served as the flagship of Royal Navy notables John Jervis and Horatio Nelson and witnessed the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, was decommissioned in 1812.

By special approval of the Navy Department, it was spared from being scrapped.

Furthermore, the Navy Department allocated special funds for the aged ‘Victory’ to undergo partial renovation and retrofitting at the Portsmouth Shipyard, allowing it to continue serving as the flagship of the Portsmouth Base commander.

Accompanied by the glow of the setting sun, the Conqueror and the Reckless towed the essentially immobilized Beggar and Black Thorn into the harbor.

Waiting at the dock were numerous Royal Navy sailors and British journalists who had somehow caught wind of the event and swarmed there.

The Conqueror gradually rolled up its sails and lowered its anchor, and the sailors stood solemnly and proudly at the ship’s railings.

As soon as the Conqueror was stable, the stationed sailors ashore quickly lifted the gangplank, setting up a long staircase for disembarking from the Conqueror.

The sailors on board naturally took out a red carpet they had prepared earlier.

They grabbed one end and let the other roll down the gangplank.

Cordington, wearing a red cloak, approached the gangplank and glanced over it twice, feeling as if something was missing by his side.

He turned his head and then realized that Arthur was standing right behind him, alongside Colonel Fitzroy, the captain of the Beggar.

Cordington chuckled and shook his head, then extended his hand to embrace the arms of the two men, placing them beside him in line.

Colonel Fitzroy, taken aback, said, “General…”

Cordington replied with a resigned smile, “I have no more aspirations, but you are still young.

Besides, this is an honor you deserve.

Young man, you must fight for what should be fought for; you can’t always shrink back.

In the Royal Navy, people don’t see it as modesty, they just think you lack initiative.”

Arthur said, “That’s true for Colonel Fitzroy.

But sir, I’m not part of the Royal Navy.”

Cordington raised his finger and shook it, smiling at Arthur.

“I’ve just heard about you from Fitzroy.

I can assure you, the Royal Navy is very fortunate to potentially have an outstanding boarding combat officer.

But the key issue is that Sir Peel has persuaded the First Sea Lord Thomas Hardy.

If Sir Peel ever lets go, I can assure you that the Royal Navy would welcome you at any time.

My promise still stands because I indeed need a scientific secretary who possesses both brains and brawn,” Cordington said.

The moment General Cordington’s words ended, a uniform pacing of running feet was heard from the dock.

Two rows of sailors in neat military uniforms lined up along the dock, and at the end of the dock stood an elderly, white-haired, walking stick-assisted man dressed in a full set of senior officer uniforms and covered with medals, slightly hunchbacked and even shaky on his feet.

That was Portsmouth Naval Base Commander—General Edward Pellew.

The old man, leaning on his cane and amid the clinking sounds of medals, slowly made his way to the bottom of the Conqueror.

He slowly raised his head, the sea breeze lifting his white eyebrows.

Taking a deep breath, the old man raised his walking stick tremulously before thrusting it down sharply.

Following that, a hoarse yet forceful voice filled the entire port.

“Congratulations on the victorious return of the Royal Navy’s Channel Fleet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland!”

With the old man’s command, the cannons from the fortifications around Portsmouth Port began to roar one after another.

The sailors on the dock also simultaneously raised their muskets to fire salutes into the sky.

Cordington gently patted Arthur and Fitzroy from behind, who understood immediately.

Under the gaze of countless people, three white-gloved hands extended from the deck of the Conqueror: “For Nelson!”

Then, led by General Cordington, Arthur and Fitzroy descended the gangplank step by step, followed by the marine troopers from Beggar and the other meritorious crew members of Beggar.

General Cordington approached General Pellew, first saluting him, then spoke, “Channel Fleet, mission accomplished.”

General Pellew nodded slightly, patting Cordington’s shoulder, “I’m almost at that age too.

From now on, Portsmouth is yours to take over.”

As soon as Pellew had finished speaking, the reporters who had been waiting impatiently swarmed forward, each one rushing to interview General Cordington.

“General Cordington, could you elaborate on the recent diplomatic incident?”

“Who exactly is the person wanted by the French government?”

“After your setback in Ottoman, do you think this opportunity will lead to your reappointment by the Navy Department?

I heard that the Atlantic Fleet is considering a change in command.”

However, seeing the situation, Cordington simply shook his head.

He disliked dealing with these reporters because, years ago, he had been attacked by them when the Navy Department had brought him before a military court.

When faced with their requests for interviews, General Cordington declined all of them, only saying to them, “As you reporters used to say, I’m just a ‘victorious yet defeated’ second-rate general.

So I wasn’t deeply involved in this event.

I just fired at the Ottomans as usual.

If you want to ask, you should ask Officer Arthur Hastings and Captain Robert FitzRoy of the Beagle behind me.

They are the real unsung heroes in this diplomatic case against France.”

With that, Cordington helped General Pellew into a carriage at the port under the protection of guards.

Having lost their target, the reporters immediately shifted their focus to Arthur and FitzRoy.

At that moment, a reporter suddenly slapped his forehead as if he had remembered something.

“Arthur Hastings?

Isn’t he the top dog of Scotland Yard?”

“Was this case handled by him too?”

“Don’t forget, the last major murder and body-snatching case was supervised by him.”

“Hastings?

May I ask which one of you is Mr.

Hastings?”

Upon hearing this, Arthur discreetly stepped back.

Just as he took a step back, Eld’s voice sounded from behind him.

“Damn it!

Arthur, why is it always you who grabs the spotlight?

Even General Cordington has heard much about you.

Do you have any special tricks for this?

You really must teach me one day.”

Arthur looked up at Cordington, who was now engulfed by reporters, and shook his head towards Eld, “Do you really envy this kind of treatment?”

Eld muttered under his breath, “Of course!

Who doesn’t like to be in the spotlight?

But every time I try to stand out, something always happens to thwart my plans.”

Hearing this, Arthur nodded slightly, “Alright, I’ll satisfy you today.”

Surprised, Eld asked, “How are you going to satisfy me?”

Arthur didn’t respond.

He just placed his hand on Eld’s back and then forcefully pushed him forward.

Then he pointed at him and shouted, “Arthur Hastings is right here!”

“What?!”

“Where?!”

Hearing this, the reporters turned around.

Each one of them, like sharks smelling blood, swiftly devoured Eld completely.

Arthur took a pipe out of his pocket, gently lit it, shook his hand to extinguish the match, and then took a deep puff on the pipe.

As the thick smoke rose, all that could be heard behind him was Eld’s loud shouts of panic.

“Don’t push!

Don’t push!

What?

What did you ask me?

How did I go from being an ordinary policeman to where I am today?

I have to mention the inspiration and teaching I received from my friend Mr.

Eld Carter.

Do you know the name Eld Carter?

What?

You don’t know?

Let me tell you, he is a distinguished graduate of the Classics Department at the University of London, very cultured and knowledgeable, currently single and unmarried, and therefore urgently needs a suitable lady to fill his profound soul and hollow heart…”

Arthur shook his head when he heard this.

Just as he was about to step away from there, suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed his sleeve.

Turning around, Arthur saw a familiar face.

It was Dickens, who had resigned from his court clerk job and was now working full-time in reporting.

Arthur joked, “You’re here too?

How about having dinner with me and perhaps some tea afterward?”

But, hearing this, Dickens merely lowered his hat brim.

He whispered softly, “Arthur, it’s really a godsend to see you here.”

“What happened?”

“You might not know that there was a major incident during the commuter rail opening ceremony between Manchester and Liverpool!”