The Shadow of Great Britain

616: Chapter 307: The Royal Navy’s Expert in Humiliating America_3 616: Chapter 307: The Royal Navy’s Expert in Humiliating America_3 “Foreign Office?”

Upon hearing this name, Jones’s head began to ache, and both Tom and Tony composed their faces.

“We haven’t been informed that anyone from the Foreign Office was coming today.

Moreover, I am not authorized to open this special correspondence.

Do you have any other documents that can prove your identity?”

Seeing that Jones did not believe him, the secretary did not waste words, simply reaching into his inner pocket and pulling out a Foreign Office badge engraved with a unicorn, a lion, and a Crown.

Having memorized the emblems of the various departments of Whitehall long ago, Jones only needed a glance to know that this item was genuine.

However, for safety reasons, he still courteously requested, “It appears that the two of you are indeed from the Foreign Office.

But given the current sensitive situation in Liverpool, to prevent any accidental incidents and ensure your safety, could you remove your coats for an inspection?

We must ensure that you are not carrying any firearms or ammunition.”

The middle-aged gentleman, upon hearing this, couldn’t help frowning and snorted lightly, “I’m just here to ask Mr.

Hastings to do a small favor, specially authorized by the Foreign Office.

Is it really necessary to go through all this trouble?”

Seeing the situation turning sour, Jones hurriedly explained, “I’m sorry, sir, but these are the rules, and I have no authority to go against the decisions of the Home Office or any other higher managing departments.”

“Ha…

Trying to scare me with the Home Office, are you?

Fine!”

With a lift of his graying eyebrows, the middle-aged gentleman directly clasped Jones’s head in his coat.

Taking a puff of his cigarette, the middle-aged gentleman inquired, “Do you see clearly now?

What is hanging on my shoulder underneath my coat?”

Forcing himself to remain calm, Jones reported aloud, “Report!

Gold-edged epaulettes!

There’s also an Order of Saint Edward, crossed batons and swords, and two sun stars.”

The middle-aged gentleman asked, “What do these epaulettes signify?”

“Report!

The epaulettes signify that you are a serving Rear Admiral of the Royal Navy!”

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged gentleman burst into hearty laughter, then releasing Jones’s head, he said, “Young man, it seems your knowledge could use some improvement.”

Jones, with sweat on his brow, said, “Please enlighten me!”

Patting his shoulder, the middle-aged gentleman replied, “You’ve overlooked something; I am not just a Rear Admiral of the Royal Navy but also a Rear Admiral under the Red Flag, which means I am just one step away from being promoted to Vice Admiral.

In other words, if I am lucky, when I return from Portugal, I will be able to leave that damned Reserve Fleet behind and instead take command of the Vanguard Fleet.”

Jones, smiling apologetically, said, “I have a different opinion, sir.

In my view, you might also have the chance to become the Deputy Secretary of the Navy, or even the Second, Third, or Fourth Sea Lord.”

More delighted by this, the middle-aged gentleman said, “Then I’ll take your good word for it, but according to the usual hiring practices of the Navy Department, generals like me and Thomas Cochrane, who are adept in war, are never as secure in their position as office Marshals like Gambier, who can pull strings with the King.

So, young man, I’ll take your auspicious words as a mere jest.”

The secretary who had been following the middle-aged gentleman pursed his lips slightly upon hearing this and urged, “Since Mr.

Napier is unwilling to undergo the check, could you please ask Superintendent Hastings if he might make an exception?

We really have a secret order from the Foreign Office, and this matter cannot be delayed.”

Hearing these words, Jones did not dare to play fast and loose; he promptly saluted, “Right, I will convey your words accurately to Superintendent Hastings.”

Yet as soon as he said this, the sound of boots descending the stairs echoed from behind, followed by Arthur’s slightly rough and hoarse voice.

One hand wearing white gloves held the railing while the other rested on the King’s Sword of Honor, “General Charles Napier?

I’ve long heard of your great name.”

Napier couldn’t help but smile when he heard this, and lifted his hat to greet, “Mr.

Hastings, a promising youth, I’ve heard Cordington and Cochrane mention you.

Many in the Royal Navy have a good impression of you, and I hope you can continue to maintain that…,”

At this point, Napier’s words suddenly halted when he caught sight of the pinprick at the corner of Arthur’s eye.

Unlike most people who would react with sympathy, Napier felt a sense of kinship upon seeing the wound; he casually pulled down the pleated collar and pointed to a scar on his neck as thick as a finger.

“I have one of those medals too.

Young man, do not feel sorrow for your wounds; quite a few ladies find them rather charming.

It shows that we truly have gone through life and death for Britain—it’s a testament to honor,”

Arthur went down the stairs, “You are right, but it’s better not to show off that honor here, as I fear it may spark a diplomatic incident.”

Hmm,” responded Napier, as he humorously inquired with a slight turn of his eye, “Could there be some traitor from North America here?”

“You guessed it,” Arthur nodded slightly, “The Secretary of the United States Embassy, Mr.

Washington Irving.”

When Napier heard this, he burst into laughter, “Irving I do not know, but Washington I am familiar with.

I have been there before.

Have you ever seen Washington at four in the morning?

Under a clear night sky, the bombs were like shooting stars, and the fireworks from the Capitol and the federal buildings were very beautiful.”

On hearing this, Arthur could only sigh, “I knew it was right to stop you here.

Although Mr.

Irving also has a low opinion of America, he would not go as far as setting everything ablaze as you do.”

Napier spoke up, “Don’t say that; I have made my contributions to the Americans.

Do you know the American military song ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’?

That song was actually composed on my ship.”

“Oh?”

Arthur was taken aback by the trivia Napier blurted out, “You can compose music too?”

Leaning on his cane, Napier shook his head, “No, no, no.

I’m not as knowledgeable about music as a pianist like you.

The song was written by an American lawyer who happened to be on my ship.

I was assigned to surround Baltimore at the time, and that American lawyer was sent to negotiate, asking me to release an American prisoner on board.”

“Our offensive was fierce, so the lawyer thought Baltimore would fall the next day.

But when dawn came the next day, he found the American flag still flying over Baltimore, and so he knelt on the deck and wrote the song in tears.”

“Honestly, while I don’t have much regard for those country bumpkins, their simple sentiments touched me deeply.

So, I took the initiative to ask if I could contribute lyrics, or at the very least, help polish them if necessary.”

Tom, Tony, and the others had odd expressions on their faces when they heard this.

Arthur recalled the lyrics of the song and asked, “May I know which part of the lyrics you polished?”

Humming the tune of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’, Napier said with an air of nonchalance, “It’s that part—’the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.’ Those rockets and bombs were all fired by my men.

Without me, would that song rhyme like that?”

Upon this remark, everyone present burst into hearty laughter.

Perhaps the laughter was so loud that it even drew out Louis and the Great Dumas, who had been organizing documents on the second floor.

With a look of utter confusion, they asked, “What are you laughing about?”

Arthur turned to look at them and, after some thought, finally spoke up, “Hurry and arrange someone to take Mr.

Irving out for a tour around Liverpool City.”