The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 984: Chapter 51 I Am Bonaparte_3

Louis shrugged his shoulders: ”At least that’s what my uncles think.”

Arthur leaned back on the sofa and took a leisurely sip of tea: ”Well, Louis, I must frankly say that your uncles are right.”

Louis had been smiling happily, but his smile froze: ”Do you also think I should be more low-key now? Leaving everything to these elders to handle?”

Arthur shook his head: ”Of course not, how could the old men’s minds be more agile than the young? I just feel that in that book of yours, you overly emphasized uniting everyone. You want to unite the Bonaparte Party, the republican, the Orthodox Party, and even the Orleans Party; you want every country to enjoy its own national characteristics and the system it yearns for.

You believe all nations will be brothers, in front of deposed tyranny, on comforting grounds, all satisfied humans will embrace each other. If this were all true, I think Britain should immediately appoint you as the new Irish affairs minister, not to mention all nations, Britain can’t even deal with the Irish properly.

Or, you could choose to go with me to Russia for the appointment, to give the Tsar some advice on how to solve the Polish issue. Of course, the Tsar may not be very receptive, so you can also consider discussing with the Poles about the issue of uniting with the Russians. But I worry, if you really put this issue before them, even someone as mild-mannered as Mr. Chopin would give you a stab, let alone a vote.”

Louis was silent for a moment upon hearing this: ”Arthur, I feel you underestimate me. You think I’m just a talker who does nothing in practice?”

Arthur slightly raised his eyebrows and smiled: ”Louis, I’ve never underestimated you. But you must grasp the balance, moving rashly without thinking clearly will only make you fall into traps. Your status is special, so flies often hover around your actions. You are never short of conspirators and agitators around you, maybe I am one as well. But you have to discern which ideas are practical, and which are unrealistic, only then can you act.”

”Alright.”

Louis stood up and embraced Arthur briefly: ”My dear friend, I’m very glad to see you in good health. But some matters aren’t as you think. In police activities, you’re the expert, I’m only fit to be your deputy. But in France, especially in politics, I have my own ideas. Arthur, rest well, if you need anything, just send someone to let me know, I’ll solve anything I can for you.”

With that, Louis opened the door and walked out of the room.

Arthur watched the closed door and just shook his head gently.

Agares leaned against the wardrobe, savoring the red wine he had stolen from the banquet tonight. The Red Devil, intoxicated, laughed heartily: ”Oh, the story of the Farmer and the Serpent. You worked hard to point out the direction for him, but once he walked out of the predicament, he kicked you to the corner. Arthur, who do you think you are? You’re just a pig farmer from the countryside of York, what gave you the confidence that you could stand alongside a great Bonaparte.”

Arthur did not take the Red Devil’s sarcastic remarks to heart.

Although he did not expect Louis to change so drastically, as Joseph, Louis’s uncle, had said, a young man of noble birth in the dangerous metropolis of Paris truly can’t avoid being deceived.

Since arriving in Paris, Arthur noticed that the servants around Louis were increasing, and most of them were unfamiliar faces, wearing various flamboyant titles.

Their titles and attire were too ornate for Arthur to remember each one, but one word could define them — political opportunists.

After truly becoming a Bonaparte, people had already begun to bet on Louis Bonaparte, who had previously gone unnoticed.

Compared to them, the Second-class Secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Embassy in the Kingdom of Hanover was indeed a figure not worthy of much attention.

Arthur held the cup of red tea and stood by the window, the hazy moonlight illuminating the dark street, shining on Louis’s magnificent carriage and the cavalry and guard following it closely.

Arthur took a sip of the steaming tea and slowly exhaled: ”Louis, I once thought you were easier than Alexander. Now it seems I was wrong. Growing up does indeed require hitting walls.”