The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1023: Chapter 67: Monkeys Will Eventually Evolve_2

Of course, Heine is a poet with integrity, and he absolutely would not accept such charity-like assistance. Therefore, in order to thank Arthur for the money just credited to his account and the recent series of cultural and entertainment activities, Heine took the initiative, regardless of whether Arthur needed it or not. He first penned a few flattering articles in ”Constitutional Newspaper” and ”Le Globe,” and while at it, used Arthur Hastings’ name to suppress Liszt’s arrogance. Why not?

Although the articles are virtual, no one should underestimate the influence of the name Heinrich Heine in Paris. Thanks to Heine’s burgeoning enthusiasm for writing, the Parisians and the art world have undergone three stages of transformation.

When Heine published his first article, the folks would just hold onto the newspaper, frowning, and ask, ”Who is Arthur Hastings?”

A month ago, people would point at the newspaper headline and say to their companions nearby, ”This is Arthur Hastings.”

And now, these gentlemen and ladies, when hearing someone knowing nothing about the name, would just use a fan to cover their mouths, with a face full of shock, and exclaim, ”What! You don’t know Arthur Hastings?”

You’re asking why Arthur is so informed about these matters?

That’s because yesterday at the Paris Opera House while enjoying a Chopin performance, he was discussing music with a lady who seemed quite cultured, and she questioned him just like that.

”Heinrich...I mean...”

Arthur received the champagne from the waiter, hesitated: ”Have you been publishing articles a bit too frequently lately?”

Heine rested one hand on the velvet chair back, and holding a wine glass with the other, toasted Arthur.

His face showed a beaming smile, indicating that this Deutsch literary gem has been in quite a good mood recently: ”I’ve indeed been writing a bit more lately, but I owe it all to you, Arthur. I’ve discovered that you’re simply my lucky star; ever since you came to Paris, my thoughts have been flowing like a fountain. By the way, aren’t you heading to Hanover for your appointment next? I plan to organize my recent drafts, translate them into German, and submit them to the local newspapers in Hanover. I can’t do much, but for a friend, this is the least I can do.”

”You even plan to submit them to Hanover?”

Heine didn’t hold back, directly admitted while sipping his wine: ”Of course, and not entirely for you. Liszt will be performing in various German states later this year, and I intend to lay some groundwork for our ’piano tyrant.’ Let the Deutsch people know there are more than just Liszt who can play piano in Europe. Arthur, you don’t understand Germany; our bumpkins lack insight. As soon as they hear something from Paris, they treat it as if it were an heirloom. If I don’t preemptively cool this fervent sentiment, Liszt might succeed again.”

Arthur found it somewhat amusing yet regrettable, shook his head: ”Heinrich, you should choose Chopin to compete with Liszt. In terms of piano performance, I can’t compete with Liszt.”

Heine, indifferent, replied: ”Arthur, you don’t understand. If Mr. Chopin were French, that would be no problem, but the issue is he’s Polish, and his character is too shy.”

”What’s wrong with being Polish?”

”The problem is significant!”

Heine solemnly explained to Arthur: ”You must understand discrimination exists between nations. You may not sense this deeply, being English, the most recognized nationality among the British people. However, as a Jew constantly facing discrimination, I’m more than aware.

Among Deutsch, they look down on each other; Prussians disdain Bavarians, Bavarians disdain Austrians, but they unanimously regard French as a higher-ranking nation. Things from France are fashion, trends; French is the most beautiful language, French institutions are also the benchmarks of progress. Naturally, the British are also objects of their envy.

But keep in mind, they only admire these two places. To the east, from Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Russia are seen as a bunch of hillbillies, and this discriminatory mindset grows stronger the further east you go. Mr. Chopin may play piano excellently, as well as Liszt, even surpassing him, but his national disadvantage is hard to rectify through performance skills.”

Arthur couldn’t help but ask: ”Isn’t this perspective overly small-town?”

”Small-town? Small-town is just right!”

Heine seriously stated: ”Every country’s cities are crowded with small-town people; can we expect them to give objective evaluations of literature, music from a fair stance? When it comes to positions, most people make assumptions, and for books to sell well, you must cater to the small-town mindset.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur suddenly anxiously put down his cigar: ”Heinrich.”

”What’s the matter?”

Arthur held his forehead, rather troubled: ”I’m suddenly worried about the sales of your new book ’On Romanticism.’ Would printing three thousand copies for the first edition be too reckless?”

Heine quickly reassured: ”Arthur, it’s different. Our ’British’ branding targets middle-class individuals with a certain knowledge reserve, and among all European countries, Britain has the largest middle-class population. Only printing three thousand copies, I believe you’re being overly cautious.”

”Let’s hope so.”

Arthur glanced at the bill handed over by the waiter, pressed his forehead, and blinked painfully: ”Regarding the circulation of ’On Romanticism,’ my requirements aren’t high; just covering costs would suffice. And then there’s Mr. Andersen’s poetry collection; he’s rather unknown in Britain, and I’m uncertain if it will be a hit. If it doesn’t succeed, combined with ’On Romanticism,’ ’British’s’ short-term cash flow pressure will be heavy.”

”Kein Mühlenbrot ohne Mühlstein.”

”What did you say?”

Heine raised his eyebrows, smiling: ”A German proverb, no mill bread without millstone. To achieve results, you need necessary tools or resources; I believe ’British’ certainly possesses these tools and resources. In the past, while living in London, I never heard of ’British.’ But when I revisited London the year before, you had already become a literary magazine alongside ’Blackwood’s,’ which isn’t something an ordinary person could accomplish. Arthur, I’m no fool; you have a secret to success.”

”If you insist I have some secret, it’s just as you said earlier; we excel at catering to the small-town viewpoint.”

Arthur lit a cigar and remarked: ”’British’s’ success heavily relied on Eld’s help; our early distribution channels were nearly single-handedly developed by him. In that regard, he indeed is a commercial prodigy. The Royal Navy employed him perhaps for his ability to manage channels, and appointed him to carry out the global scientific exploration mission.”

”Regarding Mr. Carter, I’ve heard you and Alexander, Charles mention him many times. He sounds like a legendary figure; if there’s a chance, after he returns from the sea, you could introduce him to me.”

”I think I heard someone mention Eld Carter?” Just as Heine spoke, a burst of laughter suddenly came from nearby.

Arthur looked over to see three guests who had just come up from the first floor; those on the left and right Arthur didn’t recognize, but the one in the middle, Arthur recognized anywhere, being the eccentric Victor Hugo.

Upon seeing Arthur and Heine, Hugo smiled and introduced them: ”Arthur, Heinrich, we were just talking about you two, and unexpectedly ran into you here. Let me introduce you; this is Charles Gasoline, the most renowned publisher in Paris, who published my ’Notre-Dame de Paris.’ Beside him is Henry Dracett; you two should be well acquainted, right? Mr. Dracett mentioned that during his time in London, his bank once helped you manage deposit business.”