The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1072: Chapter 85: Who Will Be the Groom Today

“Marriage?”

Thiers involuntarily put down his wine glass, his gaze drifting towards the window: “Oh, seems I should congratulate you, then? I didn’t expect to have the fortune of marrying in the same year as you. A woman chosen by Lady Odense must certainly be a remarkable lady. Is she a social butterfly, or does she have a vast fortune and land to inherit, or perhaps some other advantages?”

Louis half-jokingly complained: “Let me tell you this, Mr. Thiers. The women my mother chose, whether they are nobles or bourgeois, they have no souls; they’re always the epitome of selfishness.”

Thiers heard this and his gaze returned from the window, unable to suppress a smile: “Why do you say that? Doesn’t Lady Odense have an eye for people?”

“No, precisely because my mother is too perceptive, but her standards for people differ from mine.”

Louis poured out his grievances: “As you said, the woman my mother chose for me is wealthy and popular in the social circle, yet I dislike women like her. Let me tell you my reasons.”

Thiers frowned: “Is that so? Such women are generally in high demand in Paris.”

Arthur shook his finger at this: “Mr. Thiers, it seems our views differ.”

“Oh? You also don’t like such women?”

Arthur slightly nodded: “It’s not about like or dislike, it’s about what you want to pursue. In my view, such a marriage for Louis is not necessarily a bad thing, because when considering things for my friend, the starting point is not love.”

Thiers showed great interest: “Is that so? It seems you have profound insights into women?”

“Not profound insights, but some observations that are not particularly astute.”

Arthur suddenly remembered the person in front of him seemed to have had a fling with Clara before, so he used the influence of alcohol to summarize Thiers’ ‘famous sayings’ that Clara had told him.

“According to my insights, a woman who is noble-hearted, pure in taste, gentle in nature, rich in emotion, and lives frugally, has absolutely no chance of gaining popularity in society. I’m willing to assert: a popular woman and a powerful man belong to the same type, differing only in subtle ways.

The attributes that allow a man to rise above others, earning greatness and glory, are in this sense dreadful when applied by a woman in social settings. To mask her true nature, she inevitably becomes vicious and insidious. To engage in the intrigues of social interactions necessitates developing a body as tough as iron beneath a fragile exterior.

Such fashionable ladies are devoid of emotion, only knowing how to seek pleasure in ecstasy, and can find warmth for their cold temperament only in crowded social circles. She needs stimulation, enjoyment. Because she is more about intentions than emotions, she sacrifices friends and true love for her own popularity.

It’s akin to a General who sacrifices his most faithful allies to achieve victory. A popular woman cannot be considered a woman, neither can she be a mother, a wife, nor a lover. When she needs you, she can snuggle like a cat. Yet, when she doesn’t need you, you won’t get even a slip of paper from her.

Therefore, dealing with such a woman, one had best forsake romantic sentiments and adhere to political rules. A politician’s wife must be a machine for politics, knowing how to flatter and bow. In her, wifely attributes are weak; more importantly, she becomes a tool, the most loyal tool of an ambitious person.

Getting roasted chestnuts from the fire on your behalf without implicating you, nor even your friends, is acceptable regardless of denial. A politician’s wife, spanning strategies like Figaro, can turn the tide, whereas Louis’ beloved gentle wife offers no assistance, but a popular wife can get him anything he desires.

Many times, in man’s identity, tackling certain challenges is tough; wives’ social circles can be the diamond drill that pierces all barriers, opening windows for husbands comprehensively. Modest virtues fit ordinary citizens, but to be a politician, navigating these circles, requires inevitable evildoings. Yet, regrettably, my friend Louis refuses my advice.”

Thiers rested a hand on the wine glass, tracing circles on the table with the other. His smile seemed relaxed yet bitter poignancy was not lost on Arthur.

“When I was his age, advice fell on deaf ears. Back then, I dreamt of pure love, to be the most upright person, to find success through personal effort. I recall entering university, with my father and mother separated since my early years. My mother and sister scraped by to provide my annual living of twelve hundred francs.

Hence, I studied hard not because of innate love for reading but due to impoverished circumstances urging diligence. From young age, I understood shaping my future and keenly assessed societal trends before choosing fields of study for seizing opportunities.

Before college, before arriving in Paris, social dreams held me enamored. But after coming here, realizing arrival doesn’t certify entering Paris. Academic excellence and capability aren’t the sole criteria for Parisian judgment, rarely considered at all.

As you said, mastering social circles is essential. Only within these circles can Paris recognize your abilities. Back then, I truly wished for a popular wife to help enter reclusive realms. Unfortunately, missing a mother like Lady Odense, no match-making led by anyone, relying solely on myself.

Wishing to enter circles on one’s own demands wealth or fame. If unable to penetrate, acquiring money or fame becomes nearly impossible, a vicious cycle, essentially an unsolvable problem.”

Born in the Palace of Versailles, Louis might struggle to grasp Thiers’ sentiments, yet Arthur, starting lower, completely understood what Thiers meant.

Arthur’s rise seemed miraculous through courtroom speeches moving London citizens, earning Police Superintendent under Sir Pier’s promotion. Yet, sheer luck played a part, coinciding with “Catholic Emancipation Act” needing epitome examples.

Following, breaking into London’s social scenes arose from investigating the maritime slave trade case, uncovering Fred’s abduction diplomatically significant due to France’s criminal Great Dumas. Consequently, involving the Home Office and Foreign Office, deploying the Channel Fleet for Fred’s gang’s decisive strike.

Incidentally, Channel Fleet Commander General Codrington was also a Royal Society member, and Lady Codrington’s Bluestocking Society Club avidly interested in the latest electromagnetic developments, leading to Arthur attending a high society event lecturing wives of a caliber entirely inaccessible to ordinary citizens.

Arthur’s sequentially fortuitous events, coupled with the Devil’s backing, paved his path here.

Although Thiers came from slightly better circumstances than Arthur, ultimately he climbed to Cabinet level purely through personal effort, setting aside the unspeakable means, his remarkable journey sparks awe.

Arthur inquired: “How did you eventually resolve that vicious cycle problem?”

Thiers didn’t explicitly answer, cheekily winked at Arthur: “Sir, analyzing women so deeply, do you still need me to illustrate problem-solving? This involves many lovely individuals; initially it’s those purely devoted to love despite adversity. Later, those needed by me, and helping more significantly.”

Arthur chuckled: “Can’t you elaborate a little more?”

Thiers sipped wine, gazing at the crimson clarity within, began: “If you insist on asking, well, my final reply is: the way you reached here is how I similarly reached here.”