The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1067: Chapter 83 The Great Conspirator_3

However, if you want to cause trouble for comic artists, it’s not easy to start with their works.

Moreover, the Paris Police had already suffered a setback in this regard before; they previously sued a comic artist named Philippon, accusing his comic ”Bricklayer” of violating the news laws.

In court, Philippon, to prove that the characters he drew only bore a simple resemblance to the King and were not drawn deliberately, took out paper and pen and drew four sketches on the spot.

The first sketch was a simple outline of a pear, the second was slightly more complex than the first, the third evolved further from the basis, and the fourth was adjusted on the previous basis, but already bore a striking resemblance to Louis Philippe.

”Sketches drawn for the audience in court on November 14th”

Due to insufficient evidence, the Great Paris Police Hall was ultimately declared defeated. However, it didn’t end there; this comic artist named Philippon later posted his drafts, attracting a group of imitators, and the pear craze started from him.

And the ”Buzz” magazine mentioned by Louis Philippe was founded by Philippon and his friend Daumier.

How should one describe the content of ”Buzz” magazine?

It’s simply a fruit paradise of the 19th century.

Although Philippon and Daumier never wrote a single word, each issue of ”Buzz” was able to aptly express the main theme of ’Save us from pear oversupply’.

In response, the Paris Police could only choose selective blindness; after all, this group of civil workers indeed finds it difficult to proactively acknowledge that a fruit is the King.

If they really sued for this, it’s hard to say whether the court should judge the comic artist for insulting the King or the police for insulting the King.

If Louis Philippe did not proactively mention this matter, Thiers, the new Home Secretary, could only pretend to be blind, but since the King brought it up, Thiers had to use the art of language to report the recent groundbreaking progress to him.

After careful consideration, Thiers spoke: ”’Buzz’ indeed sells well in Paris, but some of their content also subtly reveals some difficult-to-detect anti-government tendencies. Although Philippon and Daumier have always claimed themselves as liberal comic artists, they have actually been hedging between the republican and orthodox parties for magazine sales. However, if we dispatch the police over such trivial matters, it would make our Government seem lacking in tolerance. The despicable acts of comic artists still need to be exposed by the artists themselves.”

”Oh?” Louis Philippe expressed interest upon hearing: ”Are you saying that such a good comic magazine also has people who find it unsatisfactory?”

Thiers replied with a smile: ”A comic magazine barely founded half a year ago, with drawings of little quality, yet with some lowly tactics, manages to garner over five thousand annual subscription users. It’s only normal for some earnest comic artists to be displeased. I have an artist friend, who has been complaining about the vacillating stance of ’Buzz’ for quite some time now.”

Coincidentally, with so many things happening recently, I think it’s time for him to publish a statement in the newspaper, urging his colleagues in the comic world to denounce magazines like ’Buzz’ that are two-faced. France is a politically free country, but this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t criticize those hypocrites who try to please everyone and have no stance.”

Louis Philippe was satisfied with the answer, thus chose not to pursue the matter further.

He then said: ”I don’t care about the matters of comic artists. Thiers, I’ve been contemplating our current situation, the domestic political landscape is still unstable, and the public emotions show no signs of calm. Just like what Gizo said at the last Cabinet meeting: the July Revolution was merely a political issue; society hadn’t faced any threats. Since then, what changes have occurred to highlight social problems? Thiers, you are France’s finest historian, do you have an answer to this issue?”

Thiers walked alongside the King’s steps.

”Ultimately, I consider it an issue of economic development. National prosperity depends on economic freedom and industrialization. We must encourage innovation in enterprises, build modern infrastructure to enhance national competitiveness, which will solve problems naturally. However, without stable social order, any economic construction and reform are merely empty talk; on this point, Gizo and I agree, and the British have already set excellent examples for us.

Therefore, the Government has the responsibility to take all necessary measures to maintain national stability and legal dignity. This is why I suggest a thorough investigation of the assassination case, as we must beware of those advocating violent revolution, as they will only bring chaos and destruction. Real reform should be achieved through law and order, not violence. Neither rioting nor assassination is permissible.

Currently, we’re catching just a few assassins, dispatching merely some police officers. But if we don’t act, tomorrow could bring a revolution, deploying armies, Dragon Cavalry, and we’d need dozens of cannons like Napoleon to blast them back. The republican uprising last June and the Lyon workers’ riots the year before have left us with enough lessons.

Certainly, no one wishes to confront workers and the poor, and I also don’t want to make such a decision. Meanwhile, as a liberal, I sympathize with the Poles’ plight, as I believe the Russians dealt with the Polish issue too violently. Whether past, present, or future, I will always steadfastly speak for workers and Poland, I support them.

But as a minister, personal emotions must not override rationality; I won’t change policies evidently most beneficial for France’s overall development because of this. Using Jeremy Bentham’s words: the greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation. This is utilitarianism, and pragmatism.”

Louis Philippe stopped and nodded in appreciation at Thiers: ”This is why I find you the best choice for Home Secretary. Thiers, you said you’re unfit to be elected an academician? To me, there’s simply no more suitable candidate than you, you understand political economics very well, and also utilitarianism.”

Thiers jokingly replied: ”Actually, in today’s Paris, there’s someone who understands utilitarianism more than me, after all, he is Mr. Bentham’s personal disciple. I heard Bentham wanted him to accompany him on his last journey when he was about to depart.”

”Oh? Who are you talking about?”

Thiers slightly bowed, saying: ”Sir Arthur Hastings, you should have met him in Ke Daopsai Mansion. He has a great relationship with Mr. Talleyrand, and I’ve heard from Jusco that you seem to appreciate him as well?”

”Ah...” Louis Philippe’s mind flashed Arthur’s vague facial image: ”That young man? When the carriage rushed into Ke Daopsai Mansion, I was chatting with him. Oh, right, Dumas was there at that time too.”

Thiers laughed as he explained: ”Indeed, he is good friends with Mr. Zhongma, and also has a good relationship with Mr. Faraday. But you probably wouldn’t guess, Mr. Chopin’s piece ’Dedicated to Hastings’ was actually written for Sir Arthur Hastings.”

Louis Philippe chuckled silently: ”Chopin, Faraday, Dumas, and Louis Bonaparte, along with police and pianist, he indeed has quite a mixed composition! I thought various governmental policies were bothersome enough, but didn’t expect this young man could handle it all.”

Thiers heard and didn’t comment but gestured to his secretary behind him to take over the prepared file report.

”Your Majesty, as a matter of fact, regarding the assassination case, the information we currently understand is as complex as Sir Arthur Hastings’s interests and hobbies. Here is the progress of the investigation that Jusco organized today and my distilled summary, though these will be announced in tomorrow’s cabinet meeting, I think it’s best to present it to you beforehand.”