The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1132: Chapter 110: Police Rule on Campus (Part 3)

“You don’t understand, Otto, this is just a gimmick.”

With his fingers interlocked under his chin, Arthur said, “I am the Academic Director of the University of Gottingen, and helping the school develop is one of my duties. The name ‘Natural Magic’ is simply a genius creation, I don’t know how the University of Bologna came up with such a good name back then. It sounds catchy, and it’s definitely beneficial for enrollment.”

“Indeed.” Bismarck rolled his eyes, “It not only attracts students but also draws in priests!”

Arthur did not refute, he replied with a smile, “Otto, do you know the power of language? Just by changing the name, an ordinary physics experiment can become mysterious metaphysical knowledge. Similarly, although your current situation is difficult, if you change your title, your worth can immediately skyrocket.”

Even though Bismarck was mentally prepared, he couldn’t help but be cautious and said, “Professor, I know a letter of recommendation is not for free, but if you want me to do something against my conscience, against the spirit of nobility, I’m afraid I cannot comply.”

“Otto, how could you think of me that way?” Arthur accepted the cider from the boss and took a gentle sip, “Just because I beat you up for a week straight?”

“I wouldn’t be that petty.” Bismarck said solemnly, “But there is a German proverb: ‘What you get for free is worth nothing.’ A letter of recommendation is a valuable thing, so its price must be high.”

“Hmm…”

Arthur casually gave the young man a compliment, “You are very smart, smarter than the majority of people your age. So I believe leaving this recommendation letter to you is certainly not a wrong decision, and you are also worthy of the position of president of the University of Gottingen Student Union.”

“Of course, I’m different from those fools coming from a citizen class, I…”

Bismarck’s words were cut short as he furrowed his brow sharply, “Sorry, did I hear you right? What did you just say?”

Arthur raised his glass and clinked it with Bismarck’s, “I said, I hope you can take the position of president of the University of Gottingen Student Union.”

“I…”

Bismarck’s head was a little dizzy, he couldn’t help but feel if he had drunk too much today, otherwise, why was he hearing all good things.

He pointed to himself and asked, “Are you saying that I should become the student council president?”

Arthur ordered another salted pork knuckle, “What? You don’t think you’re up to the job? Is your capability only limited to managing three wolfhounds, and if asked to manage eight hundred university students, you can only stare blankly? I apologize for putting it this way, but, Otto, if you don’t do well as the student council president, I can’t give you the school recommendation letter because I wouldn’t know where your excellence lies.”

“That’s certainly not what I mean!” Bismarck’s face turned red and hot with excitement, and the young man’s vanity once again took over what little remained of his rational high ground, “If—and I’m saying if—you really dare to entrust the student council to me, I will surely show you what discipline is! Like that of the Prussian army, with ironclad discipline!”

Bismarck eloquently explained to Arthur his vision, describing how he intended to shape the student union into an organization. Under his leadership, how the student council members would resolutely execute decisions from higher levels, and how they would maintain order on the Gottingen campus.

If it were someone else speaking these words, it might just be brushed off, but as it was, they were spoken by the most troublesome student at the University of Gottingen, which made Bismarck’s words, in the eyes of the general populace, appear to have little persuasive power.

However, Arthur hadn’t even questioned Bismarck yet, when the latter began hesitantly doubting Arthur himself.

“Professor Hastings, of course, I must first declare, that I say this not to attack you. Because you came from London and haven’t been in Gottingen for long, you might not know how German universities are currently managed. Since the Frankfurt garrison incident, almost all student societies on campus have been ordered to disband.

I previously went to Jena University to pick a fight because the Prussian homeland fencing club I joined in Gottingen was shut down, and most people in the school, knowing my prowess, didn’t want to duel with me privately. So, I had to secretly go somewhere else to spar. Who would have guessed, those at Jena University, not only were poor in fencing, but also in character.

They couldn’t beat me, so they reported me to the school, saying I went to Jena University to provoke trouble. As a result, the school’s disciplinary committee confined me for two weeks. At this juncture, the entire Gottingen campus is like a state of emergency, any slight commotion would provoke an overreaction from the Göttingen Police Station and the professors. You’re talking about reinstating the student union, which was explicitly banned by the German Confederation Council, isn’t this likely to cause issues?”

Arthur, hearing this, indifferently forked a piece of salted pork knuckle.

“Otto, this is my concern, not yours. I am the National Special Representative of the University of Gottingen, if I say the student union can exist, it can exist.

If the professors have concerns, they can always come and find me, the Academic Director.

If the Göttingen Police Station is worried, they can report it to the Home Office of the Kingdom of Hannover, or escalate it to His Excellency the Governor at Leineschloss, or even to His Majesty the King at St. James’s Palace.

As for the German Confederation Council, the power I exercise is fully in line with the amendments of the “Carlsbad Decrees.” The National Special Representative has the authority to review and approve the establishment of student federations.

If the Confederation Council is not satisfied, they can suggest that the Kingdom of Hanover remove me from office, I respect their right to express dissatisfaction, but before that, they must also respect the Kingdom of Hanover’s sovereign right to appoint a National Special Representative freely.”