The Shadow of Great Britain

333: Chapter 208: Intelligence Bureau Welfare House (4K8) 333: Chapter 208: Intelligence Bureau Welfare House (4K8) Rustle, rustle, rustle…

“Bernie, about that case…”

“It was beautifully done, George, everyone is very satisfied with the progress of the matter.”

“Peel must be at his wit’s end over the case now, huh?

Ha, he should have seen it coming.

If the party had given me more resources, I wouldn’t have lost in York to Brougham.

What’s more infuriating is that after my defeat, he actually summoned me to the White Club and gave me a dressing down.

Who does he think he is?

Not even the Duke of Wellington could reprimand me like a three-year-old child!”

“Hahaha, George, don’t be angry, now it’s Peel’s turn to get hot under the collar.

If he doesn’t support me in Parliament, then he can kiss his position as the party leader goodbye.

But if he does support me, then the mess will fall squarely on Scotland Yard which he created himself.

George, you really have good fortune, if you hadn’t become the magistrate, how could you have pressed Peel so easily?”

“But the warrant was issued by me after all, legally speaking, there shouldn’t be an investigation into dereliction of my duties, right?”

“What are you afraid of, most of the judges are our people.

With the Earl of Eldon there, they will turn a blind eye to the matter of the arrest warrant.”

“But…”

“But what?”

“But I’m worried that the Earl of Eldon’s personal friendship with Sir Peel might affect his judgment.

After all, Sir Peel had been defending the Earl of Eldon in public over the Peterloo Massacre and the Six Acts, to pass the modifications to the ‘Bloody Bill.’ I heard that last weekend, Sir Peel even invited His Lordship to hunt in the country; they might have already discussed this in private.

And for this judge position, I’ve even issued a declaration of leaving the party.

Would His Lordship really be willing to help me squash the matter of the arrest warrant?”

“George, you always like this.

If you don’t want to do something, don’t do it, but once you do, no regrets.

I’ll take care of Earl of Eldon for you, I’ll explain it away as a mere occupational blunder, a nod from him will cover it up.

And even if the Earl is unwilling, I don’t believe the Lord Chancellor’s office would make a fuss over such a trifle, taking it up to His Majesty the King, through the Council or Privy Council—that would be just looking for trouble.

Lord Brougham just recently became the High Chancellor, it was he who signed your commission.

If he brought this up, wouldn’t he be slapping his own face?”

“You make sense.

But Bernie, as you know, that’s no ordinary man, that’s the madman Henry Peter Brougham.

Anyone with a mind to sue King George IV is liable to do anything in my eyes.”

“If Brougham really does such a thing as to slap his own face, then I must regard him in a new light, at least it means your electoral loss in York wasn’t unjustified.

However, we always have to consider things from a reasonable perspective.

Unlikely events don’t serve as a reference.

If everything goes as usual, even if Brougham brings up the issue, you might at most face a few months’ dock in pay.”

“Peel, whether he supports me or not, will have to face doubt within the party, and besides, it can disgust the Whig Party a bit.

Isn’t Earl Grey recently very happy with the ‘Parliamentary Reform Bill’?

Now this mess has happened, we can also casually pin the hat of using government power to arrest opposition MPs on their heads.

George, what was originally an unfortunate accident can now be turned into so many gains, you’ve made a fortune.”

“I hope so, damn, I never wanted to do this!”

“It’s too late to say so much; since the deed is done, you can only blame your past self for not being careful enough.

George, you’re lucky, to have a friend like me, otherwise your judge’s cap would have been snatched away.

Speaking of which, haven’t you always been dissatisfied with Viscount Melbourne?

I heard you recently want to transfer to some London district prosecution office through connections, he enjoyed the benefits but doesn’t want to continue doing you favors?”

“Must you bring that up?”

“Come on, speak up, we’re all friends here.

If I don’t know the situation, how can I devise a plan for you?”

“Hmph!

You must have heard some rumors.

My wife, that harlot Caroline, has been very close with Melbourne for years, but she’s still got the nerve to tell me to my face that there’s nothing between her and Melbourne.

We had a few fights over it, but after Melbourne got promoted, I figured that connection might benefit my career, so I turned a blind eye.

After all, as you know, to get ahead in Britain’s political scene, one can’t be too clean.

I was always too upright before, which is why I was overlooked, but the moment I grasped this principle, I immediately became a magistrate.”

“Hmm…

You sure married a good wife.”

“Good my ass, a mere magistrate thinks he can fob me off, Melbourne’s taking me way too lightly!

After finishing with Peel, he’s next in line!

Scotland Yard is under the Home Office, if there’s trouble in a subordinate department, he has to take responsibility, right?”

“George, you’re as shrewd as ever, with brains, plans, and the skill to execute.

Just being a magistrate really is beneath your talents.

But I have some even more ruthless tricks up my sleeve.

Are you interested?”

“Ha, Bernie, no need for flattery, as long as it makes Melbourne and that adulteress Caroline miserable, just suggest it.”