The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1011: Chapter 62: Restaurant Riot_2

The British Government’s attitude towards such cases is intriguing, residing in a muddling middle ground. For such an industry that possibly dates back centuries, the Government’s approach is not eradication but concealment.

This is akin to the ”Vagrancy Act” implemented in Britain for over two hundred years and the ”Oxford Prostitution Act” passed only a few years ago.

The ”Vagrancy Act” stipulates: Those identified as vagrants or long-term beggars are to be stripped of their shirts, publicly whipped until bleeding, and then escorted back to their origin or last year’s residence. If the origin or last known residence cannot be determined, they are sent to a reformatory or common prison for lifelong hard labor.

On the other hand, the ”Oxford Prostitution Act” stipulates: Common prostitutes and streetwalkers loitering on public sidewalks, streets, or roads within the precincts of Oxford University without sufficient reason to prove a legitimate purpose, are deemed unlawful idlers, which constitutes a crime, and shall be arrested under provisions related to the ”Vagrancy Act,” with a penalty of up to one month’s hard labor imprisonment.

Just as long as they are not visible on the streets, it’s equivalent to there being no beggars or prostitutes; this self-deceptive approach has earned London the acclaim of being Europe’s wealthy city, invisible to any poor individuals. It’s earned Oxford University praise for its educational achievements—one cannot even find a prostitute in the town of Oxford.

Though most foreign visitors are kept in the dark, foreign literati like Heine, who have resided in Britain for long periods, are well aware of the true state of London and Britain. The poor and prostitutes indeed exist near London and Oxford University, but those areas are not often favored by tourists.

”Cast aside your unrealistic dreams; otherwise, you’ll eventually end up in my situation.”

Clara’s words sounded somewhat bittersweet, as if mocking the young man’s obstinate mind.

”But you are different from me. I’m indeed a country girl, but you, at the very least, have attended university. However, you likely have a misunderstanding about university, believing that attending university will lead you to success because you’ve seen many university graduates succeed. In reality, it’s not like that; those who succeed after attending university do so because most who can afford university come from families already successful. Your lack of success isn’t due to poor luck, but because, for you, attending university was already a financial strain.”

”Is this something your former patron said to you?”

Clara absentmindedly sipped her drink: ”Oh, you managed to ask this question; perhaps I should reconsider my opinion of you, as you’re actually quite clever. If you had not spent money on university but instead ventured into some business or bought a position in the government, perhaps your situation would be much better now.”

Arthur looked at the young lady: ”But, judging by what you say, your patron probably only barely made it through university and later succeeded due to his own intelligence and talents?”

”Do you think you compare to him?”

Clara gave Arthur a disdainful glance: ”Wait until you’re the Senate President to make such claims. He fought hard to reach his current position.”

”Senate President?” Arthur hesitated: ”Your patron is Adolphe Thiers?”

Clara, having her secret exposed, was somewhat irked: ”What’s wrong? You think I lack the allure to captivate Mr. Thiers?”

”No, no, no,” Arthur waved his hands repeatedly, responding nervously: ”Even I am captivated by you; how much more enticing would you be to Mr. Thiers?”

Clara nearly choked on her beer, she giggled, giving Arthur a mocking glance: ”I initially thought you were arrogant, but I didn’t realize you actually placed yourself above Thiers in your heart?”

”Of course.” Arthur spread his arms wide, passionately reciting: ”Napoleon was just an artillery cadet, with ninety-eight gold coins given by his fiancée Desiree in his pocket, he went to Paris, and then became the Republic’s First Consul, the Emperor of the Empire. Mr. Thiers met you and is now the Senate President. If they can achieve it, why not me? I refuse to believe it.”

”Unbelievable,” Clara ridiculed: ”You just considered jumping off a bridge, and now you fancy becoming Senate President and Emperor.”

”No, madam, you’ve misunderstood,” Arthur said seriously: ”There’s a difference between Emperor and Senate President.”

Clara asked curiously: ”What’s the difference?”

”The difference lies in...” Arthur glanced around mysteriously, then whispered into Clara’s ear: ”Whether or not you sponsor me ninety-eight gold coins. Without those coins, I can only be Senate President, not Emperor.”

Clara laughed uncontrollably at these words, slapping off Arthur’s hat: ”You’re quite the rascal.”

Arthur, embarrassed, bent over to retrieve his hat, glanced anxiously at Clara: ”Don’t you believe it?”

”I believe in you less than in God! You just said those studying history aren’t worth anything nowadays, worth are the swindlers, you certainly practice what you preach, now ready to change paths, abandon being a man of culture, and become a rogue?”

”That results from your misunderstanding of cultured people,” Arthur received the Marengo Chicken from the bartender and diligently served it to Clara: ”Cultured people are often quite roguish; when you’re distant, they might seem like untouchable holy images from a church.”