The Shadow of Great Britain

”An accident? What kind of accident could happen to him?” Disraeli lounged back in his chair: ”As the dignified King of Belgium, his safety is the responsibility of the Belgian Government. Even if he comes to Britain, the responsibility for his security falls on the Guard Cavalry and Scotland Yard, which is...”

At this point, Disraeli himself realized something was amiss. He paused for a moment, skeptically asking, ”Arthur, you haven’t received any intelligence regarding an assassination attempt on Leopold, have you?”

”No, not at all. This King of Belgium can’t compare to France’s Louis Philippe; he doesn’t have as many enemies.” Arthur counted on his fingers: ”If it were Louis Philippe visiting this time, Scotland Yard might indeed be in trouble. He’s only been on the throne for seven years, but there have already been five or six assassination attempts against him. I heard from Paris that the republican plot two years ago on Saint Anthony Street nearly succeeded, 25 gun barrels firing more than 400 bullets. Although Louis Philippe escaped, Marshal Mortier and 18 others accompanying him died on the spot. Additionally, 22 people were injured.”

The exhibit ”The Infernal Machine, July 28, 1835 Assassination Attempt on King Louis Philippe of France” is currently housed at the Paris National Archives Museum.

Upon hearing this, Disraeli took a sharp breath: ”These French people are still too brutal in their methods.”

Unexpectedly, Arthur waved his hand: ”This can’t be entirely blamed on the French, as the assassin was an Italian Corsican republican named Giuseppe Fieschi.”

”An Italian Corsican republican?” Disraeli was stunned for a while: ”Arthur, are you implying something?”

It was no wonder Disraeli would overthink, because these three combined identities inevitably reminded people of a certain short man whom Britons deeply despise.

Arthur waved his hand: ”I’m not implying anything, just stating the facts. However, although Leopold’s visit to Britain isn’t too worrisome in terms of assassination, if certain arrangements are poorly managed, our deal could fall through at any moment.”

”What are you referring to?”

”While I was in Brussels, his noble majesty introduced me to his nephew, Albert of the Saxon-Coburg-Gotha Family, a very remarkable young man. Handsome in appearance, steady in character, eager to learn and progress, and besides, he is a loyal reader of The Englishman, much in agreement with my academic philosophy from when I taught at the University of Gottingen.”

Disraeli frowned as he listened to Arthur’s praises for Albert: ”So? What do you want me to do? Recommend him to some noble lady who has a liking for such young men?”

”No, no, no, Benjamin, don’t be so shallow. He’s not good at dealing with ladies, so don’t make things difficult for him,” Arthur said with a smile: ”On the contrary, I hope you can introduce him to the prominent figures of your Conservative Party and teach him how to interact with these major players.”

Hearing this, Disraeli felt goosebumps all over: ”Does he... have... certain French habits?”

”Not at all, but I think, as a potential consort of the Queen of England, it’s necessary for him to get acquainted with his future work environment ahead of time.”

”The future consort of the Queen?!” Disraeli widened his eyes: ”You... Arthur, are you saying that without an accident, this is what you meant?”

”Otherwise?” Arthur tapped his knuckles on the table: ”Do you think earning the Belgian’s 1.2 million Francs is easy?”

Disraeli was shocked and hurriedly refused: ”I... My God! Damn it, Arthur, we used to just sell books and do some underground publishing. Later, when we got more power, we made money through stocks and telegrams. I really didn’t expect, at this point, you’re actually eyeing the people business! Gladstone, the woodcutter, their family just sells black slaves, but you... God! If this goes wrong, don’t even think about going to India!”

Arthur couldn’t help but suppress the fact that Disraeli had been involved in trafficking Young Italy youths before, seeing Disraeli’s excited state.

”Benjamin, no need to say it so harshly. Do you truly think Coburg’s Albert is a bad choice for the Queen?”

”Whether he’s good or bad isn’t for you or me to decide, Arthur. How could you promise Leopold such a thing?”

Arthur certainly hadn’t promised anything to Leopold, but fearing Disraeli might not exert enough effort, he decided to apply a bit of pressure on this Jewish lad: ”What else could we do? Benjamin, that’s 1.2 million Francs! You and Mrs. Sikes barely survived with those two thousand Pounds, fifty thousand Francs nearly destroyed you, and 1.2 million is enough to ruin you 24 times.”

”1.2 million...” Disraeli was about to get angry, but hearing this number, he quickly calmed down: ”True... this kind of business isn’t that common...”

Thinking of this, Disraeli gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, resolving: ”Damn it, who cares now? We’ve reached this point, regretting is useless? Anyway, are you planning to let Peel and the others support Albert to become the consort?”

Seeing Disraeli take the bait, Arthur’s face broke into a smile: ”Sir Peel and the others have their own views, and ultimately whether Albert can gain their support depends on his own level of effort. However, before that, we can first demonstrate the various benefits of Albert becoming the King’s consort to them.”

”Such as?”

”Such as?” Arthur cleared his throat: ”For instance, we can address the necessity of the Queen getting married. After all, they should also know that the Queen currently has no offspring. If, I mean if, she were to experience some unnecessary accident, according to the order of succession, the Duke of Cumberland — now the King of Hanover, Ernst I — would don the Crown of Great Britain.”