shadow of britain

Chapter 34 Yes, Sir!

The Duke of Wellington took the manuscript from Sir Peel, just glanced at it lightly, and he quickly turned over a dozen pages to the end.

Soon, the Field Marshal, who has always been known for his iron will and strictness, couldn't help showing a smile.

"Robert, I think you may have seen everything, but only missed his most important appeal."

The Duke of Wellington turned the manuscript to Sir Peel, and pointed to a line of text that almost occupied the entire page.

"I'm afraid that's what he wants most."

Sir Peel looked up.

The text above is straightforward and concise.

—Even with such extensive revisions, I still find it difficult to get decent officers at twelve shillings a week, and therefore I am asking for a pay rise for all Scotland Yard front line officers.

Sir Peel couldn't help laughing when he saw this, and the unhappiness he felt because of the inner-party struggle just now was swept away.

He asked the Duke of Wellington, "What do you think, Mr. Duke?"

The Duke of Wellington said: "Interesting young man. It is rare to see people who dare to make such a request with their superiors."

Sir Peel thought for a moment: "Do you think you should not agree to his request?"

The Duke of Wellington shook his head slightly: "No, I didn't mean that. Because I was like him when I was young, even worse than him. He just made some demands, and I directly disobeyed the orders of my superiors. .You know, I never like to be bossed around."

Sir Peel asked with a smile: "I didn't expect you to have such an experience, can you remind me, what is it?"

The Duke of Wellington waved his hand nonchalantly, as if it was a trivial matter.

"Nothing to mention, but if you want to hear it, I'll tell you about it. Do you remember the Battle of Vimeiro in the Iberian Peninsula in 1808?"

"Of course I remember, you are the supreme commander of that battle."

The Duke of Wellington said: "Actually, I shouldn't be. I remember that it should be August 1 of that year. I just led more than 100 people to successfully land in Montego Bay, [-] miles north of the Portuguese capital Lisbon.

But it didn't take long to receive information that the main force of the French army stationed in Portugal led by Napoleon's general 'Storm' Jean-Andoché Junod was nearby.

The Army Staff ordered me to wait, for General Dalrymple was coming with reinforcements of 5000 men to take over from me the command of the whole army, and ordered me to cooperate with him in attacking the French.

But I ignored them, because the opportunity to fight was fleeting, and instead of waiting, it would be better for me to attack directly. "

When Sir Peel heard this, he couldn't laugh or cry: "Didn't they send you to a military court after the war for your behavior?"

The Duke of Wellington said: "Of course I sent it! But it's not because I started the war privately, but because I want to investigate the fact that I accepted the surrender of the French army without permission, agreed to the safe retreat of the remnants of the French army, and provided ships for the French army who voluntarily returned to France. The problem."

Sir Peel smiled bitterly: "I seem to remember that incident, but I remember that your crime was not acquitted by the judge?"

"Of course! Why is it established? I won the battle!"

The Duke of Wellington replied as it should: "Anyone will sign the treaty. How many battles can be won? If the Ministry of War thinks that my signing is not good, they can go to fight the French themselves and force Napoleon to fight." Sign one that satisfies them!"

Sir Peel nodded thoughtfully: "Then what do you think of Inspector Arthur's request?"

The Duke of Wellington responded frankly: "It is of course possible to give the Scotland Yard police a raise, but they have to win the battle first."

Sir Peel said with a smile: "Since you, the Prime Minister and First Chancellor of the Exchequer, said so, then I understand how to reply to Inspector Arthur."

……

London Metropolitan Police Greenwich Police Station.

Arthur leaned on the seat of the round table in the conference room, looking up at the yellowed chandelier on the ceiling. The lamp oil inside hadn't been changed for a long time, so even the light emitted was a bit dim, and couldn't even cover Arthur's face .

There was pouring rain outside the window, and thumb-sized raindrops hit the streets of London like bullets. Occasionally, a flash of lightning flashed across, illuminating half of Arthur's face near the window.

He appears very calm, with no expression on his face, and no joy can be seen. The only thing moving in the whole picture is the pen spinning in his hand.

Lightning flashed, thunder sounded, the light in the room dimmed again, and his face disappeared into the shadows again. In the dim environment, the only thing that could identify him was the shining light on his shoulder straps. star of Bath.

Behind him, two workers were installing a frame. Inside the frame was a neat document just brought back from the printing factory. The content of the document was as simple as its title.

Those are Arthur Hastings' nine principles, which have just been newly revised into the London Metropolitan Police's Handbook of Policing Practice.

And on the table in front of Arthur, there was also a letter sent almost at the same time as the new version of the police manual. The letter came from the Ministry of Home Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on Whitehall Street.

The content inside is not complicated, there are only a few lines of words, even people who have only received the most elementary education can understand its literal meaning.

——With a beautiful Lisbon landing, breaking Napoleon's "continental blockade system" against Great Britain, in exchange for a 20.00% salary increase for Scotland Yard as a whole.

Boom boom boom!
There was a cautious knock on the door outside the meeting room.

"Enter."

The door of the meeting room was pushed open, and four sheriffs carrying three V-shaped epaulets stepped into the meeting room in a row. They stood at attention, turned around and saluted Arthur.

The sheriffs looked at the nine principles hanging on Arthur's back, and their Adam's apples moved slightly.

Of course, they also received the latest edition of the police manual, and they also knew that the 20-year-old young inspector in front of them was like the sun rising over Scotland Yard at eight or nine in the morning.

Arthur waved his hand, motioning for them to sit down.

But before they could sit still, a bright lightning flashed outside the window, startling the four sheriffs and quickly stood up again.

It wasn't until they saw Arthur's surprised eyes that they sat down again in embarrassment.

But then, there was a rumbling thunder, and Arthur stood up suddenly from his chair.

Snapped!
He propped his two strong arms on the table, just like standing in the public prosecution bench of the Magistrate's Court that day.

"Although everyone here should already know me, but out of politeness, I think it is necessary to introduce myself.

Arthur Hastings, Chief Superintendent of Greenwich Police Division, East London Region, Metropolitan Police Force, I will be in charge of all policing work in this police district from today onwards. "

Speaking of this, Arthur paused for a moment, and then asked: "By the way, I heard that there is a sheriff who took office at the same time as me. I heard that he succeeded my old boss Willox. I don't know if it is Who?"

Hearing this, the young police officer sitting at the end hurriedly got up and reported: "Brydon Jones, I am transferred from the London Metropolitan Police Headquarters to the Greenwich Police District, and I salute you!"

Arthur leaned forward and extended his hand to him friendly: "Mr. Jones, nice to meet you."

The young police officer hurriedly held Arthur with his sweaty hand: "I'm glad to meet you too."

He couldn't see Arthur's face clearly, he could only find two slightly red eyes in the darkness.

Arthur's gentle and generous voice sounded.

"I've heard about Willox's absconding with public funds and guns. It's really unfortunate for Scotland Yard that this happened. You must take him as a warning."

Jones' body froze, and he almost subconsciously stood at attention and saluted: "Yes, sir!"

(End of this chapter)