The Shadow of Great Britain

And such a perspective has indirectly led to the modern British historical community’s overwhelming praise and commendation of Joan of Arc.

Because in the eyes of scholars, if Joan had not appeared in time back then to turn the tide for France during the Hundred Years’ War, then Britain would have long since formed a joint rule with France. Consequently, with a king having a foothold in France, it would have been impossible to compromise with the British nobility, and thus, things like the Great Charter, the Bill of Rights, and the Glorious Revolution would have been out of the question.

For this reason, British historians generally believe that Joan of Arc is not only a national hero of France but also made an indelible contribution to salvaging the British constitutional system. To exaggerate a little, it could be said that without Joan of Arc, there would be no modern civilized society.

Although Arthur always felt that this statement had a ring of hyperbole at first glance, given that it is reasonable and well-founded, it didn’t seem to have any major flaws upon a cursory look, so he wasn’t keen on further delving into the matter.

Compared to studying Joan of Arc, he now hoped more to become like Joan of Arc, even though from his background, he had no chance of becoming a national hero of France in this lifetime, but this did not stop him from making an indelible contribution to the British constitutional system.

Perhaps Sir Arthur was not as adept at warfare as Joan of Arc, nor as knowledgeable about governance as various cabinet members, but regarding what kind of men Victoria favored, Arthur was more confident than any cabinet member.

On the surface, it appeared that Victoria disliked preaching, was opposed to being arranged, and had no patience for those whose ambition was transparent at first glance.

In reality, however, Victoria was not truly averse to these things; indeed, in Arthur’s view, Victoria actually relished them quite a bit.

Having grown up under the impenetrable Kensington System, she naturally developed a repulsion toward the overt authority of the Duchess of Kent and Conroy, but she would easily develop a dangerous fondness for those who, though appearing gentle and harmonious on the surface, held an upper hand in every aspect.

And the Duke of Nemour was precisely such a type.

What’s worse, he was even a young officer who had been on the battlefield.

Victoria’s distant cousin, the Duke of Brunswick, who had never been to the battlefield, could easily enchant her with his flowing long hair and heroic demeanor on horseback, making her face flush crimson...

On the day of her accession, when Victoria witnessed Arthur, adorned in a cloak, mounting his horse to lead the police cavalry escorting her to St. James’s Palace, she was moved to tears...

Even Lord Elphinsone, that Scottish noble who nearly caused a major scandal, managed to charm Victoria merely because he had once served in the guard...

Three impostors could make Victoria so muddled; if the Duke of Nemour were to step in, the consequences would truly be unimaginable.

Nonetheless, if it eventually became necessary to form a personal union with France, Arthur personally wouldn’t be opposed to it. After all, he was practically an old Parisian by then; he had even enlisted Great Dumas’s help in buying a house on the Champs Elysees for him.

The house was originally intended for Arthur should, in the event of failure to accomplish great deeds, he swear with the Cabinet to the Thames River and, if handed over to Scotland Yard, remain a wealthy man.

However, if the Duke of Nemour did become the King’s Consort and insisted on having him work at the Tuileries Palace, then the villa on the Champs Elysees could well be utilized ahead of time.

But speaking of it, he also had property in Brussels.

Owning the eighty-year exclusive operating rights of the Belgium Railroad Telegraph and a villa on the Champs Elysees, which is more significant?

Even though Arthur wasn’t good with math, unlike Gauss, at least he knew how to count zeros.

As soon as Arthur finished balancing this ridiculous yet unavoidable account in his head, he heard the sound of rumbling wheels approaching from the street corner.

The driver gently pulled the reins, and the horse’s hooves landed on the gravel road, stopping precisely in front of Arthur.

Arthur didn’t even need to ask to know whose carriage it was.

Sure enough, the carriage door was pushed open from inside, and Disraeli was inside, sitting back with his legs crossed, surrounded by smoke.

Arthur bent down to get into the carriage, the edges of his coat brushing against the door frame, which he promptly adjusted.

He hadn’t even settled into his seat before speaking, ”Where’s Albert now?”

Disraeli exhaled a puff of smoke, glancing at him sideways, ”Don’t worry, if things weren’t arranged properly, I wouldn’t dare to personally come fetch you at leisure.”

Arthur squinted slightly, ”Is he at the editorial office?”

Disraeli flicked some ash, ”Eld is accompanying him, and the two are deep in conversation.”

Arthur slightly exhaled a sigh of relief, finally having a moment to take a drag from his cigarette, ”What are they discussing?”

”Nothing other than the topics Eld fancies,” Disraeli replied slowly, ”From circumnavigation to horse breeding, with occasional scathing comments on new plays in the West District.”

Arthur finally showed a genuine smile, ”Then Albert probably won’t be too bored.”

”As for Albert’s matters, I think we can set them aside for now,” Disraeli shifted the conversation, ”What truly worries me a bit is our friend, Mr. Louis Bonaparte.”

Arthur struck a match nonchalantly, ”Louis? What about him?”

Disraeli turned his head, ”Coincidentally, I wanted to ask you that same question. Arthur, you mustn’t tell me he hasn’t come looking for you recently.”

Arthur didn’t respond; he merely lit his cigarette, took a deep drag, and then slowly exhaled the smoke, taking advantage of that brief pause to reorganize his facial expression.