The Shadow of Great Britain

245: Chapter 166 When did the University of London become number one in Britain?

245: Chapter 166 When did the University of London become number one in Britain?

Outside the meeting room stood two British gentlemen in formal attire, leaning on their canes.

The one who looked rather thin, efficient, and sported graying hair was about forty years old, and Arthur recognized the man whom he had attended lectures by numerous times.

This was none other than the dean of the University of London’s School of Law, the professor of jurisprudence, and the founder of one of the three major modern legal schools—the analytical school of jurisprudence—Professor John Austin.

The man standing beside him appeared a bit older than Arthur but seemed to be only in his thirties.

Could he be a young professor recently joined at the University of London, standing next to Professor Austin?

Arthur, clutching his white gloves in his hand, turned his head to look at the stone-faced Chief Rowan before turning back to apologize to Professor Austin, “Mr.

Austin, as you see, though the law is closely related to my work, ever since I left school, too many things have diverted my attention.

So, I have neglected my legal studies for quite some time.”

It seemed that Austin did not notice the tension in the air.

He laughed heartily and joked with Arthur, “In that case, do you need me to help you catch up on your lessons?

Same old rules, you sort out my lunch, and you’re not allowed to get angry when I criticize Kant.

That would suffice.

To tell the truth, I have actually missed you since you left the campus.

Without you, there’s one less student willing to attend my lectures.”

At this, Arthur merely pursed his lips and said, “If you would slightly lower the difficulty of your courses, perhaps more students would attend.

Your academic expectations are rather perfectionistic, and I am always grateful that your course was optional in the history department.

Had it been compulsory, I doubt I would be able to graduate right now.”

Rowan, hearing Arthur and Austin exchanging words and completely ignoring him, felt humiliated and asked with suppressed anger, “May I ask, gentlemen, what brings you to the Greater London Police Department today?

We are currently convening a high-level police meeting, and if you gentlemen have no business with police affairs, I must ask you to leave immediately.”

At those words, the young man beside Austin spoke up, “May I inquire if you are Chief Charles Rowan of the Greater London Police Department?”

Rowan nodded slightly, with a face that shifted between shadow and light, “May I ask who you are?”

The young man stepped forward and extended his hand, “Edwin Chadwick, a practicing barrister graduated from the Inner Temple, private secretary to Mr.

Jeremy Bentham, and at the same time, the newly appointed permanent private secretary to Lord Chancellor Brougham.

I have been tasked by the Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a member of the Privy Council, the Kingdom’s legal advisor before His Majesty the King, the Speaker of the House of Lords, the chairperson of the Justice Committee of the Privy Council and the House of Lords, the Kingdom’s highest judicial officer and chief administrative officer of the Lord Chancellor’s office, the controller of the Great Seal of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, founded on the principles of equality, fairness, and justice—the head of the highest legal authority in Great Britain, the Court of Equity, the president of the British Bar Association, appointed by His Majesty the King as the visitor of all the Church universities such as Oxford and Cambridge in the English region, the paymaster of holy salaries for 442 English parishes and 12 great cathedrals’ clergy, the highest supervisor of public health in Britain, inspector of dozens of English hospitals like St.

Mary’s Hospital, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Hospital, founder of the Whig Party’s organ ‘Edinburgh Review’ and the University of London, chair of the board of governors, His Majesty’s Solicitor General, Lord Henry Peter Brougham—by the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor’s office to extend an invitation to Britain’s finest police officer, the Kingdom’s expert on police crime issues, Chief Inspector of the Greater London Police Department, distinguished alumnus of the University of London, Mr.

Arthur Hastings, to attend a cross-departmental conference to discuss the establishment of the prosecution office in the London area, scheduled for next month.”

Outside the window, dark clouds obscured the sun, and a bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the faces of every chief inspector present.

Sitting next to Arthur, Chief Inspector Mosley couldn’t help whistling.

Raising an eyebrow, he chuckled, “Looks like someone’s in big trouble.”

Chief Rowan felt his calves turn to jelly, and with a thunderous crash, he toppled backward, landing with a thud on the window sill.

His broad, sturdy back knocked open the window, and a gust of wind blew in, lifting the curtains to veil him in white gauze.

Arthur glanced at Rowan, whose face was half-hidden behind the curtain, and calmly spoke, “Chief, now I truly can’t find you.

Quite a good hiding spot.”

Deputy Chief Sir Mayne, seeing the situation, hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.

Pressing his hands on the table, he rose and said with a smile, “For such matters, having someone deliver the documents would have been sufficient.

Mr.

Chadwick, there was no need for the permanent private secretary to Lord Brougham to make the trip in person, was there?”

Chadwick, with a cold face, glanced at Rowan, whose face was completely obscured by the curtain, and turned to Sir Mayne, “Before I came, I, too, thought that a trip for such a trivial matter was unnecessary.

But now it seems that my visit was indeed necessary.

Lord Brougham truly had foresight; he was concerned this kind of issue might arise.”

Sir Mayne, seeing Chadwick’s firm tone, suddenly sensed that the matter was serious.

Although their immediate superiors at Scotland Yard were from the Home Office, they often had to interact with the magistrate judges due to their work.

Offending the Lord Chancellor’s office, which was responsible for managing the magistrate judges, would mean that from now on, they would likely find themselves in an untenable position.

Besides, even if they clenched their teeth and stubbornly resisted the Lord Chancellor’s office, their supervisor, Viscount Melbourne, would not allow it.

Because although the Cabinet members were ostensibly equals, in reality, there was an established order of precedence.

In the line of importance descending from medieval times, the Lord Chancellor was the second most senior Great Officer of State, directly after the Lord High Steward.

However, the position of the chief minister is not permanent and is often vacant, which means that the High Chancellor is currently the de facto senior minister of state.

Following the High Chancellor, ranked third, is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is also the Prime Minister of Britain.

According to British political tradition, in the event of a national emergency, such as a temporary vacancy of the king’s position or the inability of the king and the Crown Prince to wield power due to health reasons, the High Chancellor shall be the first in line to act as a regent.

Furthermore, under the provisions of the “Treason Act of 1351”, assassinating the High Chancellor and the king is essentially equivalent; both are serious acts of treason.

It is for the High Chancellor’s unique status in the British political and legal system that although the High Chancellor’s power is less than that of the Prime Minister, his social status actually surpasses that of the Prime Minister.

In the whole of Great Britain, only two people are of higher social status than the High Chancellor: one is King William IV of Britain, and the other is the religious leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It could be said that with Arthur’s direct superior changing from Sir Robert Peel, the Home Secretary, to Lord Henry Brougham, the High Chancellor, his backbone did not weaken, but rather became even firmer.

The moment this occurred to Rowan, he wished he could slap himself hard in the face.

Only then did he finally remember the good of the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel; if the Tory Party were still in power, there would only be Arthur bouncing around as the lone seed from the University of London.

But now that the Whig Party has risen, it isn’t just Arthur Hastings hopping about; there are many more from the University of London.

With Lord Brougham taking the position of High Chancellor, the Royal Charter for the University of London can almost certainly be issued.

Now that the High Chancellor is a University of London man, how could Oxford University, Cambridge University and the numerous priests sing a different tune?

Of course, if they truly wish to block the University of London by sacrificing some of their economic interests, it’s not impossible.

Isn’t the High Chancellor just responsible for the supervision of universities and the distribution of Holy Salaries?

What’s the big deal?

The priests and professors from Oxford and Cambridge can be tougher; at worst, the education funds might be cut or the Holy Salaries delayed.

They can just work without pay.

However, these are not what Rowan is most worried about, as the matter of the Royal Charter for the University of London is something that Oxford, Cambridge, and the priests are certainly more anxious about than he is.

What worries Rowan the most at present is the fear that if this trend continues, before too long, a large influx of University of London graduates will begin entering the judiciary system.

If Lord Brougham is determined to cultivate Arthur, he could use more drastic measures.

From now on, any case prosecuted by Arthur could be fast-tracked in the Magistrates’ Courts.

In just a few months’ time, this young man’s achievements would surely skyrocket.

When it comes to reporting annual performance to the Home Office, everyone’s scorecard will stand out, highlighting Arthur especially.

Rowan, leaning against the windowsill and watching Arthur engaging in lively conversation with Austin and Chadwick, felt his heart turn cold.

He had thought the boy was just a common lad with no background or connections, coming from the rural areas around York.

How could he have become someone with such an unfathomable background so quickly?

Rowan took a deep breath, turned his head to look out the window at the driving rainstorm.

The cold raindrops hitting his face finally cleared his muddled mind.

Looking up at the flash of lightning across the sky, Rowan felt as if he had a thousand words to pour out.

But at this moment, what he most wanted to do was to point to the sky and question the old entity that had been out of reach since entering the 19th century—is there a god or not?

Damn it!

The University of London!!

The University of London!!!

Why does that atheistic college on Gower Street have such great power?!