The Shadow of Great Britain

367: Chapter 221 Emperor of Police (4K2)_2 367: Chapter 221 Emperor of Police (4K2)_2 Louis Bonaparte let out a sigh of relief and asked with a smile, “So, what do you think of my speech?

Mr.

Wheatstone told me that you are also talented in public speaking, Apparently, you once saved a little boy’s life with a speech in court, didn’t you?”

Arthur looked up at him and said, “Why does Charles tell you everything?

As an employee of the intelligence agency, shouldn’t he keep his mouth shut?”

“Intelligence agency?

What kind of intelligence agency?

Is it similar to the Security Department of the Prefecture of Police in Greater Paris?”

Arthur replied, “It depends on how you understand it, but indeed, I am somewhat acquainted with Mr.

Victor, the head of the Security Department.”

“Somewhat acquainted?” Louis Bonaparte pressed, “To what extent?”

Arthur, opening the cell door, replied, “Not that deep, barely the kind that involves life or death I suppose.”

“Isn’t that deep?” Louis Bonaparte exclaimed, “I’ve heard people say that Britons are hard to get close to, and now it seems it’s indeed the case.

Do Britons think that one cannot be considered a friend unless they are buried together after death?”

Arthur nodded slightly, picked up a cigar from the desk in the cell, and lit it by the wall, “Of course, Mr.

Bonaparte, not only are British people hard to get close to, but our nature is also quite terrible.

If you have the time, perhaps you should visit the Ottomans for a trip, in hopes that you might deepen your understanding of the English from the Ottoman peasants.”

“Why should I go to the Ottomans to understand the English?”

Arthur blew out a ring of smoke, “Because there’s a local saying in the Ottoman lands, if you trip over a stone while walking, that stone was most likely placed there by an Englishman.

Now, do you understand why?”

Louis Bonaparte laughed, “Do the Ottomans have to go that far?

Didn’t you British just destroy their Black Sea Fleet in the Battle of Navarino?”

“Well, that’s correct,” Arthur nodded, “By the same token, you French aren’t still holding a grudge against Britain because of the Battle of Trafalgar, are you?”

Upon hearing this, Louis Bonaparte’s face changed, and he emphasized, “Was it just the matter of the Battle of Trafalgar?

There was also Waterloo and the seven coalitions against France!”

“Not all the coalitions were instigated by Britain,” Arthur pointed out.

“But why did Britain participate in all seven alliances?”

“For the fun of it, that’s just what the British do,” Arthur shrugged.

“What about the Hundred Years’ War?” Louis Bonaparte inquired further.

“A little unfriendly friction between neighbors, isn’t that quite normal?” replied Arthur.

“Friction from 1337 to 1453?”

“Britain wanted to call it quits in 1360, but it was the French who disagreed, wasn’t it?”

“Nonsense, at that time, the entire region from south of the Loire River to the Pyrenees was occupied by the English army.

Wouldn’t it have been foolish to shake hands and make peace thoroughly?”

Arthur shrugged against the wall, “Since you put it that way, there’s nothing I can do.

But come to think of it, why am I even defending Britain?

Whatever you say goes, after all, your surname is Bonaparte, and I’m just a minor police superintendent at Scotland Yard.

Louis, as long as you’re happy.”

Seeing Arthur’s demeanor, Louis Bonaparte felt even more uncomfortable and retorted, “Originally, I didn’t believe Mr.

Wheatstone when he claimed you were a master of public speaking, but now I see that even though your speeches may lack passion, they’re sufficiently effective for concealing the truth.”

Arthur replied upon hearing this, “I can be passionate too, it all depends on whether you can accept it or not.”

“Really?

You can be passionate?” Louis Bonaparte said with doubt, “Say something to prove it.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur first cleared his throat, then began to speak with a loud, clear voice.

“Before me stands a nation, a nation groaning in humiliation!

Since the end of that war, our nation’s pride has been lost!

The victors ride roughshod over our necks, they trample over our dignity at will, the dignity of the most noble nation on the European Continent!

Tell me, do you choose to be freedom fighters like Napoleon, or do you choose to be the most despicable slaves?

You may say: Mr.

Bonaparte, I need a job, a piece of bread.

Yes, you are correct, life is indeed too important.

But let me tell you.

There is something in this world more important than life, and that is freedom!

That is dignity!

What we need is not a piece of bread!

It is living space!

A nation’s living space!

A country that only knows how to protest is a country without a backbone!

A Government that only knows how to protest is a Government without a backbone!

This living space is not achieved by begging or protesting, but by iron and blood!”

Arthur paused here, then touched his philtrum, “Perhaps it would be better with a little mustache.

But the point is made, and besides, Louis, what do you think of this speech?”

Upon hearing this, Louis Bonaparte furrowed his brows, and after a long time, he responded, “Overall, it’s not bad, but bread and work are still very important.

My uncle had a great fall because of this.

By the way, did you come up with this speech yourself?”

“I could not come up with such words.”

Arthur twisted his neck, “Only the homeland of Hegel could give birth to such thoughts, this is his most beloved rational state.

As for Britain, even on this small island, unifying the thoughts of the English and the Scots is not feasible, so forget about those other trifles.

After all, each country is different, if Britain were to implement absolutism, and Russia parliamentary politics, the end result would be complete chaos in both countries, folks would just live by their own habits.

Without Parliament, the Britons would naturally create another, without the Tsar, the Russians would naturally support another one; at most, they’d just change the name.”

Upon hearing this, Louis Bonaparte could not help expressing his delight, “So you think the same?

I’ve said it before, France should establish a system that is strong but not authoritarian, free but not anarchic, independent but not seeking conquest.”

Arthur couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow upon hearing this, “I didn’t realize you had so many demands.”

Louis Bonaparte didn’t mind Arthur’s jest, he just kept talking non-stop about his views, “In my opinion, France should be governed jointly by the people, the legislative body, and the Emperor.

The people should have the right to elect and acknowledge, deliberative power should be with the legislative body, and the executive power should be with the Emperor.”

Arthur took a puff of his cigar, “It seems you’re quite clear on which power is most important.”

The moment Arthur said this, he left Louis Bonaparte speechless and unable to utter a single word for a long while.

Arthur did not continue to trouble him on this matter, but just patted the manuscript lying in front of him, “You’d better take this ‘political thought’ back and continue to revise it.

Although Britain practises freedom of press and does not ban any publications, if you write too poorly, it still affects people’s evaluation of your books, doesn’t it?

Britain has many madmen and lunatics, but I have to admit, Mr.

Bonaparte, you still are one of the more unique individuals I have met.”

With that said, Arthur patted his shoulder, “Your mother is waiting for you outside Scotland Yard.

I hope that the next time I see you, you’ll have your nationality documents ready.

It’s inconvenient to be abroad without a nationality.”

Louis Bonaparte walked halfway, then turned back, he looked at Arthur, who was smoking a cigar, and suddenly asked, “If I had British nationality, could I join Scotland Yard?”

“Hmm?” Arthur’s action of smoking paused.

He was flabbergasted for a moment, with a slight frown forming, “What did you say?”

Seeing Arthur’s astonished expression, Louis Bonaparte clenched his fist and thumped his chest, “The Roman Charcoal Burning Party’s uprising failed, and the skills I learned at the Swiss military school have nowhere to be applied.

Plus, I can’t always live at my uncle’s house, can I?

I must find myself a job to support myself.

Mr.

Hasting, I am quite interested in that Police Intelligence Department of yours.

For some reason, seeing you always reminds me of the former French Empire Minister of Police Fouche.

I want to work at Scotland Yard to understand how he managed things back then.”

Arthur looked at him for a long while, pondering for a moment, before pressing his cigar on the table and grinding it out inch by inch, “If you can obtain citizenship, and persuade your uncle and mother…

I happen to be in need of a police secretary.”

“Understood, Chief!”