The Shadow of Great Britain

595: Chapter 300: Washington from the United States_2 595: Chapter 300: Washington from the United States_2 However, pondering this, the Royal Navy’s anomalous behavior of seizing the advantageous position whenever battle was imminent could also be explained.

Other nations preferred the leeward side because if the situation turned unfavorable, they could always escape by using the wind.

Moreover, the maneuverability of the ships on the leeward side was much better, preventing them from being blown off course to a significant degree.

As for the Royal Navy seizing the windward side, it was because they had no intention of fleeing from the start.

Although taking the windward side made it harder to disengage, it was advantageous for pursuit.

Despite the waves making the hull tilt upwards, the cannonballs gained a range advantage.

It must be said, this group of profit-driven fellows were really too arrogant.

Arthur remarked while having breakfast, “They indeed had reasons to be proud, for the Royal Navy had maintained a record of not losing a single ship for nine consecutive years.

Moreover, the end of this record, now in retrospect, seems rather amusing.”

Great Dumas asked, “Speaking of which, who ended this record?

France?”

Arthur glanced at him, “Alexander, why do you disgrace yourself?”

“If not France, who else could it be?”

Arthur, munching on a bagel and sipping some tea, said, “Those coffee drinkers in the North American colonies.”

“Isn’t that even more embarrassing?”

Arthur shook his head and said, “To be precise, it’s more than just embarrassing, it also makes one doubt if the Royal Navy had lost their minds.

The navy is supposed to be a force that emphasizes skill, yet here they were, even more focused on bravery than the British Army.”

Perhaps the nine-year record had gone to their heads, so in 1812 when the Royal Navy’s Warrior confronted the American Constitution, which was twice its tonnage, their first thought was not to flee but to fire several shots at the Constitution.

What’s more absurd, the Warrior had already been damaged in earlier combat missions and was actually on its way back to base for repairs.

The moment they saw the Americans, they threw aside the fact that their speed was only two-thirds of the original.

They even thought about boarding the Americans’ ship, only to be sunk before they could get close enough.

In my opinion, France is truly incompetent!”

Great Dumas, initially engrossed, frowned at this last statement and asked, “What does France have to do with you Britons fighting your own sons?

Is France to blame no matter what happens?”

Arthur sipped his tea, “I have my reasons for saying this, because the Royal Navy’s Warrior was captured from the French.

Eld always tells me, if it had been a true British ship, it surely wouldn’t have ended up in American hands.

So, ultimately, it’s still France’s fault.”

Hearing this, Great Dumas felt as if he was choking on bread; he stared wide-eyed and said, “Regardless, this has still been a massive disgrace for the Royal Navy.

The honors Nelson gained at Trafalgar in ten victories don’t compare to the shame brought upon the Royal Navy by losing just once with the Warrior.”

Arthur nodded and said, “Alexander, perhaps you should work at our Navy Department.”

“Why?”

“Because your thoughts exactly match theirs.

After learning of the Warrior’s sinking, everyone in the Navy Department, from the Naval Minister to the First Naval Lord, down to the cadets at Greenwich and the Navy Department’s doorman, viewed it as the greatest disgrace since the establishment of the Royal Navy.

So, to retaliate against the Americans, while also dealing with Napoleon, the Navy Department also quietly managed to settle scores with the Americans.”

“What did they do?”

Arthur drank some tea, “They stationed men near the Caribbean Sea for several months, finally seizing the opportunity to ambush the Americans and even captured the United States’ ‘President.’ Following the Royal Navy tradition, the President was promptly incorporated into the West Indies Squadron as a flagship service.”

“Moreover, to humiliate the Americans, they didn’t even rename the President.

Furthermore, the West Indies Squadron would pull the President out to the American East Coast for strategic patrols every so often, a practice that continued for nearly half a year until the Navy Department finally cooled off.”

Great Dumas, hearing this, laughed so hard he slapped his thigh and said, “So, it seems your Navy Department really has some tricks up its sleeve.

This vengeful nature, refusing to rename the ‘President’, is truly the best reflection of the Britons’ sneaky mind games.

But, what can I say, I somewhat enjoy this manoeuvre.

Arthur calmly sipped his tea.

“I was just joking with you about this matter.

It’s better if you don’t go blabbing about it, especially when you’re still looking to get a revolver from Mr.

Colt.

I’m afraid he might lose his patience and end up shooting you.”

Great Dumas then said, “Isn’t Colt planning to establish a factory in London?

Wouldn’t he also come to seek his roots and glory back in his homeland?”

Arthur replied, “As for his nationality, he’s still hesitating.

After all, he was born and raised in America, even though, at the end of the day, he’s of British descent.

But then again, a lot of Britons are of German descent, and I haven’t seen many of them crying out to go to Prussia to pay homage to Frederick III.”

Just as Arthur finished speaking, a sinister voice came from outside the door: “Did I just hear someone wants to pay homage to Frederick III?

Excuse me for being frank, but in Prussia, there are far too many wanting to do that, and you wouldn’t even get a number if you went now.”

Heine strode into the room, casually pulled out a chair, and sat down.

Great Dumas raised his hand and greeted him, “Good morning, Heinrich!

You seem spirited, starting your day by bashing Prussia.

It seems Austria is scheduled for your afternoon slot?

But brother, a word of advice, although you detest Germany, you can’t always be bashing it, can you?

Look at me, I bash France too, but only Louis Philippe; I still love the French people.”

Heine just shook his head, “No, Alexander, you’re French, so you don’t understand this kind of feeling.

I love my homeland just as you do, I hate it because I love it.

It is because of this love that I left there.

If one day, the people of Germany could be like those of France, even if we had a Louis Philippe on our heads, I would still sing praises for Germany.”

Great Dumas merely curled his lips and said, “Heinrich, forgive me for being blunt, but your expectations seem too low.”

Seeing that the two young politicians were about to start again, Arthur was intending to step outside for some fresh air, but before he could leave, Louis pushed the door open and entered.

He began, “The Liverpool Health Committee just sent word that the pump handles in the cholera outbreak area have all been removed.

To compensate the citizens for this inconvenience, the Liverpool municipal authorities will distribute a quota of clean spirits in the near future.

Due to tight municipal funds, the City Hall has informed us that this temporary relief is projected to last only half a month in conjunction with your plan.

However, it seems the Liverpool Association, under the leadership of old Gladstone, is willing to generously tackle the beer relief after half a month, as merchants have already started charity fundraising.”

Furthermore, Committee Chairman Rosenberg has also agreed to temporarily not address Dr.

Haidskal’s requests, provided that he must stop his autopsy activities on patients immediately.

He also hopes to finalize the local treatment plans with you in more detail at the Health Committee meeting scheduled for later this afternoon.”

The Director of the Liverpool Post Office, Edward, also sent someone to say that the note you handed over was dispatched to London by a special train coordinated with the railway company at midnight yesterday, and by now, it’s probably already on the Lord Chancellor Brougham’s desk awaiting review.”

Hearing a string of good news, Arthur felt much better.

He looked out the window, where the sun was gradually rising over the sea.

Arthur then said, “While it’s still early, let’s take a tour of the epidemic area.”

Upon hearing this, Louis tucked the documents back into his folder and said with a smile, “A tour of the epidemic area is certainly possible.

But before that, would you consider meeting someone?”

“Meet someone?

Who?”

“Secretary of the Embassy of the United States to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Mr.

Washington Irving.

Heaven knows why he’s come to Liverpool, but by the look of it, he seems to have some issues he wants you to help resolve.

If you consider it a bother, I can turn him away for you.”