The Shadow of Great Britain

154: Chapter 111: Wellington’s Strategic Shift 154: Chapter 111: Wellington’s Strategic Shift Westminster, London, 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Duke of Wellington leaned back in a deep red velvet chair.

In his left hand, he held a copy of a newspaper from France, and in his right, a letter delivered from Paris by the Rothschild courier service.

Having finished reading these two documents, he couldn’t help but press a hand to his temple and then addressed Sir Peel, who was sitting opposite him, “Ha!

So, Louis Philippe just refuses to admit that it was the French government who abducted the person to Paris?”

Sir Peel smiled and shook his head, “My lord, you shouldn’t say that.

Louis Philippe just doesn’t acknowledge it publicly; didn’t he apologize to you in private through the secret letter?”

The Duke of Wellington, visibly annoyed, folded the two pieces of correspondence and slipped them into his jacket pocket, “What good is an apology in private?

In the end, isn’t this just another shameless plan to make us face the public opinion risks?

I’m not without understanding for him, after all, he has only just ascended to the throne of France.

If he were to yield to Great Britain just after ascending, I suppose his reign as the King of France would come to an abrupt end.”

Seeing the Duke visibly irate, Sir Peel had a sudden inspiration.

Leaning slightly forward, he strategized, “However… if Louis Philippe wants to benefit from this situation, then the uprising in Brussels last month that almost led to Belgium’s de facto independence…”

The Duke of Wellington understood Sir Peel’s implication upon hearing this.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, Britain aimed to create a powerful buffer state in northern France to maintain continental balance.

Thus, at the Vienna Congress in 1815, it was proposed to merge the Dutch and Belgian regions, establishing the new Kingdom of the Netherlands.

However, though nominally one country, Belgium and the Netherlands had significant differences in culture, religion, and economic structure.

For example, the Dutch were primarily Protestant, while the Belgians were Catholic.

The Dutch spoke Flemish, while in Belgium, a small part spoke Flemish but the majority spoke French.

But that wasn’t the worst part; what was fatal was that the Dutch, known as the ‘Carriers of the Seas,’ primarily relied on commerce and fisheries, while Belgium had a solid industrial and agricultural base.

Therefore, the commercially prosperous Dutch inevitably adopted a mercantilist national policy of low tariffs and free trade, which, in turn, sacrificed the industrial and agricultural interests of Belgium as they had to bear the brunt of cheap foreign goods flooding the market, contrary to their desire for protective trade policies.

King William I of the Netherlands harbored suspicions about the newly joined Belgians and, in order to ensure the Dutch majority in the kingdom, had devised many discriminatory policies targeting the Belgian region over the years.

For instance, only those who spoke Flemish could apply for public sector exams, and high-ranking government and military positions were also exclusively held by the Dutch.

Belgian newspapers were subject to censorship, yet the debt incurred by the Netherlands during the Napoleonic Wars had to be shared by the Belgians.

After enduring over a decade of repression, the Belgians were already dissatisfied with Dutch rule, and the July Revolution in France acted as a catalyst, instantly igniting the passion for independence among the Belgians.

Thus, soon after the July Revolution, the Belgians initiated an uprising in Brussels.

To showcase his image as a revolutionary leader to his people, the French King Louis Philippe was quick to express his support for Belgium.

However, for Britain, watching an independent Belgium leaning towards France was absolutely intolerable.

Yet, it seemed unrealistic to hope for a peaceful reconciliation between Belgium and the Netherlands.

Therefore, during this period, the Cabinet was continuously discussing whether to send troops to intervene in the Belgian War of Independence.

Indeed, at this time, King Louis Philippe could not afford to bow to Britain, but the price of maintaining face meant that he had to offer something in return.

For instance, promising Britain that he would not interfere further in the Belgian matter.

The Duke of Wellington, biting on his feather pen, nodded slightly, “If we consider this from a practical standpoint, it indeed appears to be a highly favorable deal.

If this were before the ‘Catholic Emancipation Act’ was passed, I would have accepted Louis Philippe’s proposal without a second thought.

But now…”

The Duke of Wellington laughed bitterly and shook his head, “We might need some pointless face-saving issue even more than he does.

Thus, I said before, I detest party politics.

Although stating this might upset many, I still have to say that factional struggles greatly harm national interests.

I clearly averted a civil war for the country, yet they treated me as if I were a criminal.

I really don’t know who it was that prevented Napoleon from marching on Britain; if I had known they would be so ungrateful, I might as well have perished at Waterloo.

Then they would all be practicing Catholicism and speaking French by now.

Ah, Robert, I don’t see delaying this as a viable solution anymore.

Hesketh is dead, and cooperating with the moderate faction of the Whig Party isn’t going well.

Parliament will convene in two weeks, and the Whig Party will definitely take the opportunity to propose a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet.

From a military perspective, if defeat is inevitable, it might be better to strike first and take all the responsibility.

That way, you might still be able to unite the party and the electorate, preventing the Tory Party from losing too many seats in the next general election.”

Sir Peel heard this and was first startled, then his face showed shock as he said, “Your Grace, what are you saying?

You are the party leader, the Cabinet and the backbenchers within the party will surely stand with you!”

Duke Wellington lifted the goblet from the table, looked at the swaying liquid inside and said, “That’s not necessary, Robert.

When His Majesty the King ordered me to form a Cabinet, it was to stabilize the chaotic situation within the Cabinet and resolve the issues with the Ottoman and Greece.

But personally, I neither have the talent for public speaking nor do I like to make public appearances, so no one detests this job more than I do, nor is anyone as ignorant about party affairs as I am.

I am an upright man and a forthright soldier; I disdain plots and prefer to be straightforward with people.

But clearly, this approach does not work under the current circumstances.”

I still oppose the Parliamentary reform, and I will not change my stance for the sake of clinging to these positions of power.

I have always believed — what they call reform is merely a revolution through legitimate legal procedures.

They want to bring about a Great Revolution in Britain, but I do not agree.

But if I keep refusing to compromise, it might not just lead to a revolution, they might even bring about a Robespierre.

If that were to happen, it would be bad for everyone.

Therefore, according to the principles of battlefield command, when in a disadvantageous position, one should consolidate forces and adopt a defensive posture, waiting for the right moment to rise again.

Since the Whig Party loves this high ground so much, I shall let them have it.

But I indeed did not expect that I would lose, not to Napoleon, but to the covert attacks of my own men.”

At this point, the Duke of Wellington suddenly paused in his speech, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s as he stared at Sir Peel and spoke.

“Robert, from now on, the party affairs are yours to handle.”

Sir Peel, upon hearing this, felt complex emotions, and he half-opened his mouth to speak but then hesitated.

After a long silence, Sir Peel sighed, “I understand, so you are planning to…”

Wellington slightly raised his hand, “You don’t need to worry about what comes next.

The next time Parliament convenes, I must vent the frustration I’ve suppressed for years onto their heads.

After that session, all the media pressure against the Tory Party will shift to me.

And after that, you and the existing Tory members will be able to breathe a sigh of relief.”

Duke Wellington said this and unconsciously stood up and tugged at his collar: “I want them to understand that not everyone craves those political benefits.

Do they really think I am unaware of their little schemes?

They propose reforms on their initiative, so that the new voters will cast their votes for them.

What do they take the politics and affairs of Britain for?

Childish, naive!”

As he finished speaking, the door of the office was suddenly pushed open a crack, and the Duke of Wellington’s private secretary stood outside, leaning slightly forward.

“Your Grace, there is someone here to see you.”

Duke Wellington lifted his glass and downed the sherry, playfully responding, “Oh?

A familiar scene, just like Waterloo nearly two decades ago, at a critical moment, could it be my old friend Marshal Bruegel finally remembers me?

Thank God.

But he’d better forget about me; he has been dead for over a decade, and I’m not ready to join him in the soil to reminisce about old times just yet.”

The private secretary smiled and replied, “It’s not Marshal Bruegel, but rather Sir Peel’s subordinate, the new chief inspector from Scotland Yard, Arthur Hastings.”

“Oh.” The Duke of Wellington paused briefly, then turned to Peel and said, “Robert, it seems they are looking for you.

I’m sorry for calling you over and disturbing the normal operations of the Home Office; I hope it hasn’t caused any trouble.

Though I do quite admire that capable young man; every time he shows up, it’s never good news, but fortunately, he always manages to handle things remarkably well.”

Sir Peel quickly stood up and said, “Tell Arthur I’ll be right down.”

“No, no, no.” The private secretary, holding documents, hastily waved his hand, “Inspector Hastings specifically asked for you by name, Your Grace.

It seems something major has happened in Hyde Park.”

“For me?

Hyde Park?” The Duke of Wellington frowned, tightening his white eyebrows, “I hope it isn’t someone inciting the public to smash the windows at my house again.”