The Shadow of Great Britain

365: Chapter 220: The Prime Minister Starting From Today 365: Chapter 220: The Prime Minister Starting From Today Within the tea room on the second floor of Rubin’s perfume shop, Arthur, Disraeli, and Brummell were thoroughly enjoying their conversation about the new King’s domestic affairs.

Ever since the emergence of the monarchy on this small island, royal gossip had always been the most eagerly discussed topic amongst the British public.

Whether it was the high-ranking nobility of the House of Lords or the impoverished folks of London struggling to make ends meet, when it came to the royal family, everyone seemed to have some secret rumor they had heard from somewhere.

However, unlike most street gossip, the information obtained from Mr.

Beau Brummell, who had served as the royal family’s fashion consultant for many years, was obviously more credible.

Setting down his teacup, Disraeli asked, “So, you’re saying Queen Adelaide’s belly is still quiet?

That shouldn’t be, should it?

Didn’t His Majesty the King have ten illegitimate children with Mrs.

Jordan?

Parliament had high hopes for him, wishing he and Queen Adelaide would make an effort to produce a legitimate male heir for Britain!”

Brummell, sipping his tea, shook his head and said, “No one can tell what the matter really is, but everyone is guessing it might be Queen Adelaide’s problem.

However, if Queen Adelaide truly cannot bear children, nothing can be done, and Parliament can only pray to God now.”

Arthur, upon hearing this, seemed to have thought of something, “But if Queen Adelaide cannot bear a prince, according to the current succession order, I’m afraid the throne would have to go to the sole daughter of the Duke of Kent, who died young—Princess Victoria, right?”

Brummell nodded, “Correct, according to Britain’s Act of Settlement, Princess Victoria is currently the first in line.

Following her are her several uncles, with Prince Ernest, Duke of Cumberland, being second in line, and Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, being third in line.”

Hearing this, Arthur frowned and asked, “What about Prince Augustus, Duke of Sussex, and President of the Royal Society?”

Brummell replied, “If the Duke of Sussex were willing to marry a royal princess or even a German States countess as stipulated by the Act of Settlement, he would certainly be entitled to the throne, and third in line should have been his.

Unfortunately, Prince Augustus is not willing.

I actually wish he could become the King, but the Duke of Sussex is naturally unrestrained and does not wish to be confined by the throne.

It seems he prefers the velvet chairs of President of the Royal Art Society and President of the Royal Society over Buckingham Palace’s throne.”

Upon hearing this, Disraeli exclaimed, “But, if Princess Victoria were to succeed to the throne, wouldn’t the union between Britain and the Kingdom of Hanover dissolve?

The Kingdom of Hanover, as one of the German States, strictly adheres to the Salic Law, which I believe does not support the succession of females to the throne, does it?”

“Indeed,” replied Brummell, “which is why in the Kingdom of Hanover’s line of succession, Prince Ernest, Duke of Cumberland, is the first in line.

However, Parliament doesn’t seem to care much about that loose union with Hanover.

Both nations’ parliaments are elected separately, and even fiscal taxes are entirely separate, so if it dissolves, so be it.”

Arthur couldn’t help but sip his tea and comment, “It seems that only Britain could remain this calm about losing a great piece of land for no good reason.

Be it Russia, the Ottoman Empire, or France, if they faced such an inheritance crisis, I reckon they’d already be planning to draw knives and guns.”

Brummell flicked his hand dismissively, “We aren’t exactly not trying, you know.

The Lord Chamberlain is diligently persuading His Majesty the King to put more effort into it, and His Majesty himself takes it very seriously; it’s quite evident that the time he spends out walking with the Queen has significantly decreased.

The Duke of Wellington fought wars for most of his life, and Admiral Nelson died on the battlefield of Trafalgar—now the fruits of Britain’s greatest land and naval leaders’ labors are lying in a grand bed at Buckingham Palace.

We can’t help with such matters; we can only wish His Majesty the King and the Queen bring good tidings to the public of Britain and Hanover.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur also smacked his lips, and after pondering for a while, he couldn’t resist cracking a joke, “If they do produce an heir, that would only suggest that perhaps someone has been…

assisting.”

Disraeli heard this and quickly nudged his leg with his cane, reminding, “Arthur, what are you saying?

Are you planning not to stick with Scotland Yard anymore?”

Brummell, upon hearing this, pulled out his pocket watch to check the time, then stood up and stretched his body before taking his leave, “Well, that’s enough chit-chat for today.

Benjamin, don’t forget to attend the banquet hosted by Lord Lyndhurst this weekend; he’s a great admirer of ‘The British’ and has praised your ‘Young Duke’ immensely.

I’ve assured him that I would definitely get you to the banquet.”

Disraeli removed his hat to bid farewell, “Of course, how could I forget such an important event?

Goodbye, Mr.

Brummell, I wish you a pleasant life.”

Having said that, Disraeli watched Brummell descend the stairs.

No sooner had Brummell vanished from sight than Disraeli couldn’t help but proudly adjust his coat, turning to Arthur, “Arthur, our ‘The Times’ really was a good move!

Look, I’ve already caught the attention of important people.

The special edition I wrote, ‘Britain and France: or, The Cabinet’s Love for France and its Cure’, has won the favor of Tory heavyweight and former Naval Minister, Mr.

John Crook, and now I’ve caught the eye of the legal giant, Lord Lyndhurst.

Just watch, in less than ten years, I’ll become the Prime Minister of Britain.

You just keep your post at Scotland Yard and refrain from voicing such out-of-tune opinions like earlier.

Just hold on till I become Prime Minister, and I’ll definitely promote you to Permanent Under-Secretary at the Treasury.

Do you remember what I told you before?

Pride!

We are excellent by nature because of our pride!”

Arthur looked at Disraeli’s excited face and never imagined that one day he would be promised a government position by this rash Jewish political neophyte.

However, he didn’t dampen Disraeli’s spirits because as far as he knew, this young man did indeed stand a chance of not just becoming one, but being damn good at it too.

Arthur simply took a calm sip of tea, “Benjamin, have you forgotten the three Charleses as well as Alexander, Eld and the others?”

“How could that be possible?” Disraeli laughed like a sunflower, “Mr.

Dickens could become the editor-in-chief of The Times in the future.

Just last week, Lionel announced on behalf of the Rothschild Family an increased investment in The Times.

If I can become Prime Minister, arranging an editor-in-chief position for my friend shouldn’t be too much to ask, should it?”

Arthur, holding his teacup, curled his lip, “That’s certainly not too much.

Putting him there would even be a bit of a reach for The Times.”

“Right, I told you so,” Disraeli wished again, “And Mr.

Darwin, he could become the president of the Linnaean Society and, while we’re at it, hold the position of Chancellor of Cambridge too.”

Arthur nodded lightly, “That’s sensible, but Eld is likely to be displeased.”

“Oh, Eld, I can’t forget about him!” Disraeli exclaimed, “Since you’ve become the Permanent Secretary at the Treasury, Eld can take over at the Navy Department, can’t he?

After his voyage around the world, that experience should be something to show off.”

At this, Arthur was startled at first, then he savored the implication, muttering, “I’ve said it, why else could Britain lose to the indigenous people of Africa in the future?

Benjamin, you are quite the strategist with appointments!”

“Lose to the indigenous people of Africa?” Disraeli thought Arthur was joking with him and laughed heartily, “If Britain could lose to the indigenous people of Africa, wouldn’t that mean France might be invaded by them?”

Upon hearing this, Arthur couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up, “Benjamin, I didn’t see that coming, you’re a bit of a prophet, aren’t you?”

Disraeli bragged, “Of course, a great politician must possess some foresight.

By the way, there’s Alexander.

If I become Prime Minister, I’ll help him establish a Republic in France.”

Arthur just shook his head, “Alright, but the French probably just hope you don’t compete with them for the Suez Canal.”

“Arthur, what are you talking about?

I’m finding you more and more incomprehensible.”

“It’s nothing.” Arthur asked, “Aren’t you curious about why I’m in a perfume shop during work hours?”

“What’s there to be curious about?

You often wander the streets and alleys of London, don’t you?”

Arthur waved his finger gently, “But today is different.

Benjamin, we’ve been talking about being Prime Minister for so long, shouldn’t we turn our attention back to reality now?”

“Back to reality?” Disraeli pondered, “You mean, like me joining a party or something?”

“Not just that.”

Arthur smiled, “I think you might take it a step further and run for an MP or something.

Didn’t you just mention Mr.

Crook and Lord Lyndhurst?

These two are bigwigs of the Tory Party.

If you can build a good relationship with them in time, you might make a name for yourself in an upcoming by-election.”

“By-election.” Disraeli’s body jolted, he abruptly stood up, “Has something happened to an MP?”

Arthur’s fingers intertwined on his knees, “I had thought that particular MP couldn’t possibly be in trouble…

but if you could leave a sufficiently good impression on Mr.

Crook and the rest of the Tory Party’s hardliners, like securing electoral guarantees or something, then maybe that MP might just find himself in trouble.”

At this, Disraeli immediately caught on.

He thought of the recent, much-discussed controversy involving MP Bernie Harrison and Scotland Yard.

“Has…

has the outcome of that affair been decided?”

Arthur only smiled, “The result is not important.

What’s important is that you, Benjamin, must remember that you were born to be Prime Minister.”

With these words, Arthur stood up and patted his shoulder, “Benjamin, whenever you’re ready, feel free to come to Scotland Yard to chat with your loyal Permanent Secretary of the Treasury.

As for now, I need to go discuss ‘Styria’s Secret’ with Mr.

Riddle.”