The Shadow of Great Britain

422: Chapter 239: The Great Century (4K4)_3 422: Chapter 239: The Great Century (4K4)_3 Arthur heard this and joked, “Louis, this is no small matter; for Scotland Yard, it’s a big deal.

Besides, the intelligence you’ve collected is by no means insignificant—only truly capable people can do this job.

The bigwigs with the power to make policies naturally have a bunch of people advising them.

As for themselves, they just need to pick one option, and even if things go awry later on, they can just blame the person who gave the advice.

But for us, as operatives and the ones making suggestions, if we mess things up, who can we push the blame onto?”

Upon hearing this, Louis Bonaparte was startled at first, and then asked, “Did you come up with this idea yourself?”

Arthur blew on his scalding coffee and said, “No, but I have found many practitioners in history.

You might not know this, but when I was at the University of London, I was in the history department.”

At this, Louis Bonaparte couldn’t help but put down the documents he was holding and asked with a wry smile, “Chief, to be honest, even though it’s been over a month since I’ve been working with you, the more I associate with you, the less I am able to see clearly who you are.

Newspaper magazines, police evaluations, street rumors, practical operations—on different sources of information, your image is completely different, sometimes even diametrically opposed, contradictory.”

“If all this is true, you are both a righteous police officer eager to help the weak and an expert at devising dastardly traps.

You’re both a policeman who opposes reform to protect Tory interests and a progressive who cherishes Whig values.

You’re both a passionate pianist and a reclusive scientist who enjoys solitude.

You’re a solitary scholar who can spout philosophical quotes at any moment and a local rascal who can sit in a pub with the dirtiest of London’s riffraff and share a drink and a meal.”

At this point, Louis Bonaparte sighed and asked, “So, chief, are you really this fickle?”

Arthur, sipping his hot coffee in small sips, replied, “Louis.”

“Yes, what is it, chief?”

Arthur looked up at him with a smile and said, “I have never changed; what has changed is this era.”

When Louis Bonaparte heard this, he was first stunned, then said in astonishment, “The era has changed?”

Arthur leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced, and said, “Speaking of which, just yesterday I received a letter from a friend in South America; he’s a terrific naturalist.

He may not be a philosopher, but sometimes I think the explanations naturalists use to interpret the world are even more exciting.”

“What did he say?”

Arthur, looking out at the fine rain, started, “Louis, in this world, it is not the strongest who survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”

Upon hearing this, Louis fell into deep thought.

But before he could gather his thoughts, there was a knock at the office door.

“Come in.”

Tom pushed the door open and entered.

He saw Louis, glanced at Arthur, and his face suddenly took on an uncomfortable expression, as if hesitant to speak.

Arthur asked, “What is it?”

After pondering for a moment, Tom began cautiously, “Arthur, the Foreign Office, Viscount Palmeston has summoned you—he seems to have something he wants to discuss with you.”

Arthur picked up the hat from the desk and placed it on his head, straightening his attire, and asked, “Did he say what it was about?”

Tom glanced at Louis and hesitated for a long time before he finally hinted, “It seems to be related to a magazine article, among other things.

I heard from the messenger it appears Viscount Palmeston is not pleased with the recent political articles and opinions in support of Poland that have been circulating in London.”