The Shadow of Great Britain

393: Chapter 230 Flowers, Swords, Poland, and France (6K4)_3 393: Chapter 230 Flowers, Swords, Poland, and France (6K4)_3 Then, Viscount Palmeston delivered the aforementioned speech in Parliament, vehemently opposing what he considered to be “a quixotic crusade for abstract principles.” In his view, the action was neither economical nor practical, and it also risked offending much of Europe.

Upon hearing this, Talleyrand smiled slightly, “If that’s what he said, I can understand why he made such a statement today.

I realize he doesn’t like to take risks—he only squeezes soft persimmons.

But let me be clear here, he will eventually regret his indulgence of the Russians’ behavior.”

“Look at Greece, it’s because Britain indulged the Russians during the Russo-Turkish War and the Greek War of Independence, allowing Cordington to completely defeat the Ottoman navy, that now Russia’s influence in Greece not only outpaces France’s but even Britain cannot catch up with Russia.”

“Don’t forget, the President of Greece, Kapodistrias, was once the head of the Russian Foreign Office and the Russian representative at the Vienna Congress.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur simply replied lightly, “Mr.

Kapodistrias’ affairs will be handled by a designated person.”

On hearing this, Talleyrand’s expression suddenly changed, and he raised an eyebrow, “Lad, does Scotland Yard also handle this matter?

I always thought your scope was limited to London.”

“Not at all,” Arthur swung his golf club, hitting the golf ball into the sky, “but I occasionally visit the Royal Navy’s Geographical Information Data Statistics Department and the Army’s Terrain Survey Bureau, and sometimes I do hear some interesting things from them.”

“Oh…”

Talleyrand, recognizing the significance of these two names, instantly understood Arthur’s implication and couldn’t help but regard the young man before him even more highly, “What exactly do you exchange with them?”

Arthur bit his white glove and took it off, “Nothing much, just exchanging some information about reptilian specimens.”

“Reptilian specimens?” Lionel was utterly confused, “Aren’t those supposed to be sought at the Linnaean Society?

When I was finding specimens for Duke of Sussex, I usually went there.”

Arthur looked up at him, “Lionel, the specimens at the Linnaean Society are civilian-grade.

I’m talking about police and military-grade.”

Talleyrand solemnly patted Arthur’s shoulder, “Then do you know who is handling the specimens this time?”

At this, Arthur could only helplessly respond, “Your Excellency, you should know better than I do, the best craftsmanship always comes from the native makers of the specimens.”

Talleyrand, unable to suppress a chuckle, said, “It seems you really do know a lot, lad.”

Lionel, feeling something was amiss, sensed that the young and the old were exchanging cryptic communications.

After pondering for a while, he finally decided not to inquire further.

If Rothschild wanted to know what was happening in Greece, he just needed to send a few messengers to Athens, and within a few days, he’d receive a detailed written report.

He patted Arthur on the back and said with a chuckle, “We’ve chatted about enough trivialities to almost forget our actual purpose today.

We came here to play golf, not to discuss reptilian specimens.

Let’s go, Arthur.

Where did your ball go just now?”

At this, Arthur simply shook his head.

He glanced at Agares, who was perched on a tree, slapping his thigh and laughing loudly, and said, “That depends on where the crow has flown.”

Talleyrand frowned, “A crow?”

A nearby caddie timely added, “Yes, sir, Mr.

Hasting’s ball was just carried off by a crow flying across the course.”

“Carried off?” Lionel slapped his forehead, exclaiming, “My God!

Do the ‘St Andrews Rules’ say anything about what to do if a ball is carried off by a crow?”

“Uh…” the caddie said awkwardly, “The rules state that if a ball is obstructed by any person, horse, dog, or other object, one should continue playing from the spot of the ball.

But being carried away by a crow is probably unprecedented in hundreds of years.

Perhaps, during the next ‘St Andrews Rules’ revision, I should suggest adding this rule to the club.”

Lionel asked curiously, “You can suggest rule revisions to the St Andrews Royal Ancient Golf Club?”

The caddie, somewhat discontent, responded, “Sir, I am the chief caddie of St Andrews Course.

Besides that, I am the best golfer in all of Scotland and indeed all of Britain.

I was originally here at Blackheath for an exhibition match today, if it weren’t for hearing that three distinguished guests were visiting, including two beginners, I wouldn’t have been arranged here to provide instruction.”

Talleyrand also joked, “Young man, are you truly the best golfer in all of Scotland?

You’re only about sixteen or seventeen, careful not to sprain your tongue from talking big.”

The caddie didn’t care about who Talleyrand was.

On the golf course, he was the king.

The caddie declared, “If you doubt me, why not have a game with me?

If I lose, I’ll cover your club fees for the year.

But if I win, I won’t hassle you, a beginner; you just have to address me once as ‘the Napoleon of the golf course’ while on the green.”

“Another Napoleon, haha, that’s rather interesting,” Talleyrand laughed, “May I have the honor of knowing the name of the best golfer in Scotland?”