shadow of britain

Chapter 112 Heroes Return
On the deck of the Conqueror, General Codrington pointed to the city emerging on the coastline ahead and enthusiastically introduced its long history to Arthur.

That is where the Channel Fleet is stationed, and it is also the oldest naval base in Great Britain - Portsmouth Naval Base.

As the birthplace of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Naval Base carries a fine tradition of foreign operations.

As early as the Roman Empire, Portsmouth had been established as a castle, and Portchester Castle on the north side of the port is also one of the traces left by the Romans.

In the later period of Viking voyages, it was used as a front-line fortress against the invasion of Viking pirates.

During the Hundred Years' War between Britain and France in the 14th century, Portsmouth served as the forward base of the Plantagenet Dynasty's war against France.

The naval tradition here began with the establishment of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1496, and in 1540, the Royal Navy officially announced the establishment of the army here.

Arthur overlooked Portsmouth from the deck, and all he saw were the red brick buildings and white lighthouses with the characteristics of the Royal Navy.

In addition, there are stretching towering fortress walls that almost cover the entire city and defensive forts with shore artillery.

And on the sea not far away, you can also see the figure of the Royal Navy's legendary battleship 'HMS Victory'.

After being retired from active service in the Navy in 1812, this ship was the flagship of John Jervis and Horatio Nelson, the famous admirals of the Royal Navy, and witnessed the victory of the Trafalgar naval battle. The fate of being demolished.

Not only that, the Ministry of the Navy also allocated special funds to allow the aging "Victory" to be partially refurbished and refitted at the Portsmouth Shipyard, allowing it to continue to play its role as the flagship of the Portsmouth Base Commander.

With the afterglow of the setting sun, the Conqueror and the Reckless dragged the Beagle and the Blackthorn, which were basically incapacitated, into the port respectively.

And on the pier of the port, many sailors of the Royal Navy and British reporters who got the news from nowhere had already been waiting.

The Conqueror slowly rolled up its sails and lowered its anchor. The sailors stood in front of the railing on the side of the ship one by one, with serious expressions and heads held high.

As soon as the Conqueror came to a stop, the garrison sailors who had been waiting on the shore immediately raised the boards and built a long ladder for the Conqueror to disembark.

And the sailors on the ship took out the red carpet prepared earlier in the morning, they grabbed one end and let the other end roll down the board.

General Codrington, who was wearing a red cloak, came to the board and glanced twice, always feeling that something was missing around him.

He turned his head and saw that Arthur was standing behind him, standing with Captain Fitzroy, the captain of the Beagle.

Codlington shook his head with a smile, then reached out and put his arms around the two, pushing them to a position parallel to him.

Colonel Fitzroy was flattered and said: "General..."

Codrington smiled helplessly: "I have nothing to look forward to, but you are still young. Besides, this is the honor you deserve. Young people, what you should fight for is to fight, but you can't shrink everything. In the back. In the Royal Navy, people don't think you're being modest, they just think you don't have a brain."

Arthur said: "Your words are true for Colonel Fitzroy. But my lord, I am not affiliated with the Royal Navy."

Codrington raised his finger and shook, he smiled at Arthur.

"I heard what Fitzroy said about you just now. I can tell you for sure that the Royal Navy is very honored to have an outstanding general in the port battle. But the crux of the problem is that Sir Peel convinced the First Sea Marshal Chancellor Thomas Hardy.

If one day Sir Peel is willing to let go, then I can assure you that the Royal Navy is always welcome to join you.My promise to you still counts, because I really lack a scientific secretary with both brains and strength. "

As soon as General Codrington finished speaking, he heard a sound of uniform running on the pier.

Two rows of sailors in neat military uniform lined up along the pier, and at the end of the pier was a white-haired man with a cane, wearing a full set of senior officer uniform, with medals on his chest, slightly hunchbacked, An old man who wobbles even when he walks.

It was Admiral Edward Pellet, Commander of Portsmouth Naval Station.

I saw the old man leaning on a cane, walking slowly to the bottom of the Conqueror amidst the clanging medals.

He raised his head slowly, and the sea breeze blew his white eyebrows.

The old man took a deep breath, raised his cane tremblingly, and then slammed down the stick.

Immediately afterwards, an old but full of spirit voice spread throughout the port.

"Congratulations to the Royal Navy Channel Fleet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on its triumphant return!"

As soon as the old man gave an order, the guns roared from the fortress in Portsmouth Harbor one by one.

The sailors on the pier also took up their muskets in unison and fired salutes to the sky.

Codrington patted Arthur and Fitzroy slightly from behind, and the two understood.

Under the gaze of countless people, three white gloves stretched out from the deck of the Conqueror: "For Nelson!"

Later, under the leadership of General Codrington, Arthur and Fitzroy stepped off the deck, followed by the Marines of the Beagle and the rest of the meritorious crew of the Beagle. .

General Codrington walked up to General Pellet, saluted first, and then said, "The Strait Fleet has fulfilled its mission."

General Pellet nodded slightly. He patted Codrington on the shoulder and said, "I'm almost of age. From now on, Portsmouth will be handed over to you."

As soon as Pellet finished speaking, those reporters who couldn't wait for a long time rushed forward, and they rushed to interview General Codlington one by one.

"Your Excellency Codrington, can you talk about the occurrence and process of this diplomatic incident in detail?"

"Who is that man wanted by the French government?"

"After you defeated Osman, do you think you will be reappointed by the Admiralty because of this opportunity? I heard that the Atlantic Fleet seems to be considering changing the commander."

However, seeing this situation, Codrington just shook his head.

He didn't like dealing with these reporters, because a few years ago, he was also attacked by these reporters for being court-martialed by the Admiralty.

Facing their interview requests, General Codrington refused all of them, and he just said to them: "As you reporters said before, I am just a second-rate general who 'wins but loses'.

So for this incident, I didn't take much part in it, I just opened fire on the Ottomans as usual.

If you want to ask, you should ask Sergeant Arthur Hastings and Captain Robert Fitzroy of the Beagle behind me who are in charge of the case.They are the real behind-the-scenes heroes in this diplomatic case with France. "

After speaking, Codrington helped General Pellet board the carriage at the port under the cover of guards.

The reporters who had lost their target immediately turned their attention to Arthur and Fitzroy.

At this time, a reporter suddenly slapped his head, as if he remembered something.

"Arthur Hastings? Isn't that the strongest voice in that Scotland Yard?"

"He did this case again?"

"Don't forget, he also supervised the last large-scale murder case."

"Hastings? Who is Mr. Hastings?"

When Arthur heard this, he shrank back quietly.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he took a step back, Elder's voice sounded behind him.

"Damn it! Arthur, why do you always get the limelight? Even General Codrington has long admired your name. Do you have any special knack for this? You must teach me someday."

Arthur looked up at Codlington, who was already surrounded by reporters, and shook his head at Elder, "Are you envious of this kind of treatment?"

Elder cursed in a low voice: "Of course! Who doesn't like to be in the limelight? But every time I want to be in the limelight, something will always happen that makes me unhappy."

Arthur nodded slightly when he heard the words: "Okay, then I will satisfy you today."

Elder was taken aback when he heard the words: "How can you satisfy me?"

Arthur didn't speak, he just pressed Elder's back, and then pushed him forward hard.

Then he pointed at him and shouted: "Arthur Hastings is here!"

"what?!"

"Where?!"

The reporters turned their heads when they heard the words. They were like sharks smelling blood, and they ate Elder up in an instant.

Arthur took out a pipe from his pocket and lighted it lightly. He flicked his hand to extinguish the match, and then took a deep breath with the pipe in his mouth.

Thick smoke rose, and behind him only Elder's terrified voice could be heard yelling.

"Don't squeeze! Don't squeeze! What? What question are you asking me? How did I get here step by step from an ordinary little policeman?

Here I have to mention the inspiration and teaching of my friend Mr. Elder Carter.Do you know Elder Carter's name?

What?have no idea?Then let me tell you, he is a top student in the Department of Classical Literature, University of London, he is very self-cultivated and capable, and he is currently single and unmarried, so he urgently needs a lady of the right age to fill his deep soul and empty heart..."

Arthur couldn't help shaking his head when he heard this.

Just as he was about to step away from here, suddenly, a hand stretched out from behind and grabbed his sleeve.

Arthur looked back, and it turned out to be a familiar face.

That is Dickens, who has resigned from his job as a court clerk and is currently conducting interviews and reports full-time.

Arthur joked: "Why are you here too? Want to have dinner with me and drink tea by the way?"

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Dickens just slightly lowered the brim of his hat, and said in a low voice, "Arthur, I am so grateful to see you here."

"what happened?"

"You don't know yet, do you? At the opening ceremony of the Manchester-Liverpool passenger railway, something big happened!"

(End of this chapter)