The Shadow of Great Britain

575: Chapter 293 Political Transaction_2 575: Chapter 293 Political Transaction_2 Arthur didn’t rush to express his stance; he simply smiled and asked, “How did Liverpool handle things in the past?”

While wiping his sweat, Hearst ambiguously replied, “Let me put it this way: In the 18th century, if you wanted to climb the ranks in the Customs department quickly, having a good wife was very important.

Of course, whether or not your wife is good doesn’t depend on you to say, it depends on whether she has gained the appreciation of your superior leaders.”

“Hiss…” Great Dumas, who was standing by the window smoking, almost choked out his lungs when he heard this: “Britain, truly full of surprises everywhere.”

Hesse, who had been repeatedly frustrated in pursuing his cousin, was also greatly shocked: “In this case, marrying a village girl from Germany might not be so bad; they provide a sense of security that is absolutely unmatched.”

Louis was just quietly taking notes.

He flipped to a fresh page and asked, “Director, how do you think I should write this?”

Arthur, with his fingers interlaced on his knee and leaning back in his chair, smiled and answered, “That depends entirely on Mr.

Hearst’s attitude.”

After some thought, Hearst finally clenched his teeth and held up two fingers to Arthur: “Their bottom line is this much, and you’ll have no problems negotiating with this number.

Any more, and they might start avoiding risks.”

Arthur nodded slightly upon hearing this, and called out to Louis: “Louis, write it down like this.

During the period Mr.

Rhys Hearst served as Port Director, Liverpool Port eradicated the old and corrupt practices of the last century, maintained precise and clear accounts, and vigorously prohibited private transactions among employees.

At the same time, it perfectly responded to the Cabinet’s advocacy for a free trade atmosphere, spending every penny exactly where it was intended to go…”

Louis, without looking up from his notes, asked, “Do I need to specify exactly where the pennies went?”

Hearing this, Hearst quickly dissuaded him: “That’s really not necessary!”

Upon hearing this, Arthur suddenly changed his tone: “However, at the practical execution level, the Liverpool Port Authority also had some shortcomings, such as issues of misplaced social services…”

Hearing this, Hearst, who had just been relieved, became anxious again: “Mr.

Hastings, where does this come from?”

Arthur started, “Mr.

Hearst, as I have said since you entered, our dialogue today is conducted with utmost sincerity.

The evaluation of the Port’s work, I have understood solely from your mouth.

There’s no fabrication involved; at most, there is a bit of embellishment.

If I remember correctly, you mentioned earlier that the Port’s ‘healthcare’ expenditure was specifically designated for the leadership within the port, not benefiting the general employees, let alone covering general social services.

I am now using your words to formulate such a statement, wouldn’t that be reasonable?”

Hearst, biting his teeth, asked, “Mr.

Hastings, wasn’t this matter already swept under the rug?”

Arthur replied, “Mr.

Hearst, I’m here for an audit, there’s no sweeping under the rug.

The Port’s accounts for the past five years have this item every month.

Although the amounts are not large, if the Customs someday asks what this was about, I certainly can’t claim it was due to personal negligence.”

Furthermore, with this cholera outbreak, ‘healthcare’ really sticks out too much.

You need to find a reasonable explanation for it.

I’ll give you one night to come up with a satisfactory written explanation, in duplicate: one copy to be kept at the Port and one for me to take back to London.

Lastly, remember to stamp it with the Port’s official seal—only then will it have legal effect.”

Upon hearing this, Hearst finally understood what Arthur meant.

He could overlook this matter, but the prerequisite for overlooking this account is, if there is a future disclosure, he must have a pretext of being misled by the Port to use as an excuse to his superiors.

Hearing Arthur intending to remain non-committal yet considering taking that explanatory document back to London, Hearst’s forehead broke out in sweat once more.

He leaned in closer and whispered, “Mr.

Hastings, isn’t this making a mountain out of a molehill?

A few pounds less a month, a hundred or so at most, just a smear in the ledger and this passes.”

Arthur nodded slightly, “That’s possible, however…

I did say at the Port and Customs meeting, the auditors are from the East India Company.

If you can convince them not to itemize this specifically, I really wouldn’t mind.”

Hearst slapped his forehead.

Convince the East India Company?

Was this a joke?

Although it was no longer the heyday of the East India Company, a Liverpool Port Director was still not significant enough to be noticed by the directors.

Moreover, the inspection in Liverpool was led by the Cabinet; he really did not see any reason why the East India Company should particularly let him off.

Fearful of both wolves ahead and tigers behind, the thought of possibly being kicked off his profitable position as Port Director, or maybe even imprisoned in Newgate Prison, made him feel faint.

He cautiously asked, “Mr.

Hastings, are you free after the banquet?

Or…

or tomorrow is fine, any day is fine, if I could trouble you for half an hour to visit my home?”

Hearing this, the scheming Frenchman turned around and said, “Mr.

Hearst, you’re not thinking of playing some Port authority’s traditional tricks, are you?”

“No no no, how could that be?

Mr.

Hastings’s report also says that those are old and corrupt practices.”