The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1235: Chapter 147: Munich Conspiracy_3

”This...” Arthur felt somewhat guilty when he heard the topic.

It wasn’t for any other reason, but because during his time at Scotland Yard, he too had engaged in the unauthorized opening of letters.

However, upon second thought, the incident of Bensdorf’s dismissal was clearly different from his previous acts, especially as the timing of the incident was too coincidental.

Arthur asked, ”The gossip you’re talking about, doesn’t it refer to the opened letter that Metternich’s men placed in Bensdorf’s office?”

”Indeed so.” Schneider chuckled, ”In the autocratic Germany, political scheming is nothing more than this. It’s just about opening a letter, after all. You know, Viscount Palmerston’s dealings...”

”Hmm?”

”Oh...” Schneider exclaimed, covering his mouth in surprise, ”Look at me saying such nonsense.”

Arthur immediately noticed that this guy was acting, and deliberately doing so rather clumsily.

Illegally opening the King’s letters is not a minor charge anywhere, and if one insists that doing so in Britain is a lesser crime than in Germany, it is merely because the monarch here still holds substantial power, thus making it more sensitive.

As for Palmerston intercepting letters, even if Schneider hadn’t mentioned it, Arthur had some vague understanding.

Because back when he ’retrieved’ letters at the Royal Post, he often met colleagues from the Foreign Office.

At that time, Arthur marveled at the low efficiency of the Royal Post, to the point where even the Foreign Office had to pick up items in person, but looking back now, it turned out to be ’human nature.’

Schneider’s intentional slip was merely to flaunt to Arthur that he knew many secrets. And for diplomats, secrets are money and power.

Arthur downplayed the Foreign Office’s sordid affairs and pursued, ”So after Bensdorf’s dismissal, did anyone heed Metternich’s proposal?”

Schneider shook his head, ”If you are referring to the establishment of a Pan-Germanic armed force, no one responded in that regard. The German states are not foolish; they cannot spend money and effort, and then hand over military command to the German Confederation. Because everyone knows, the Confederation is, in fact, controlled by Austria. However, due to the news of the Italian revolution during the conference, the member states did agree to enhance cooperation in other areas.”

”Such as?”

”Such as the issues of illegal immigration and border control.”

Schneider spoke, ”You should know that after last year’s failed Polish uprising, unrest broke out in Paris, and Parisians strongly demanded that the government send troops to support Poland. In Germany, almost nationwide demonstrations were held against the Tsar. And because Germany borders Poland, most of the Polish soldiers who failed in the uprising crossed into Germany, and they were warmly received wherever they went.

Whether it be citizens or farmers, everyone brought Polish soldiers to pubs or their homes, offering them food and drink. A Prussian officer I know told me that while stationed in Mainz, the citizens there felt it was unusual if they hadn’t laid out a Polish person in their city, and at least when I went out on the streets, I never saw a sober Pole.

He joked with me that these fugitives were especially popular with women, so many ruffians intentionally got Polish military uniforms and spoke awkward German on the streets purposely. In those early months, a Polish uniform was even more effective than a pass obtained from the Police Chief, allowing any criminal free passage through any region in Germany.

To prevent the spillover of the Italian revolution and to strictly guard against refugee waves similar to the Polish uprising, along with their new ideas and revolutionary fervor, almost all Confederate members agreed to enhance cooperation in policing, intelligence, and other areas. They even set up a German Confederation Central Police Intelligence Committee.”

At this point, Schneider gloated as he sighed, ”I must say, every professor and student at the University of Gottingen should be grateful that the Kingdom of Hanover is a part of the Consortium with Britain. Otherwise, given this committee’s level of activity, they would have been in deep trouble by now.”

”Has something happened recently?”

”What happened?” Schneider exclaimed, ”They created dossiers for every lecturer and professor within the kingdom!”

Arthur didn’t seem surprised at all, quietly eating his meal, ”Indeed, that sounds excessive.”

”Moreover, Professor Bell of Woodstock University was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Professor Jordan of Marburg University received a 5-year sentence, with five other professors prosecuted for treason and required to serve at military fortresses.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur slammed the table and stood up, ”Now that is truly excessive; what did they say?”

”Nothing more than remarks that the King and Confederation representatives found threatening.”

Schneider laughed, ”But even more amusing is news from Tubingen University, where a group of students broke the windows of the President’s office because their president is a Conservative Party member in the Wurttemberg Parliament. At this time, university administration is challenging. Singing the praises of freedom may land you in prison, but supporting Confederation resolutions could lead to student protests. Therefore, wise people usually choose to hold a pan-European conference on Electromagnetism at this time.”

Arthur played along humorously, ”That’s just something done on the side, but if possible, I’d still rather talk to you about border control and illegal immigration issues.”

Schneider, oblivious to Arthur’s actual intent, merely thought Arthur didn’t want to discuss his small thoughts, ”Why? Are you now thinking of getting a few Polish uniforms to demonstrate the charm of freedom to the ladies in Gottingen?”

Arthur sliced a piece of joint and placed it on Schneider’s plate with a fork and knife, ”Polish uniforms are long out of season, but I can get some Italian uniforms. August, are you interested in this matter?”