shadow of britain

Chapter 465 Circulation in the Upper Class

While the ladies in the lounge were having a heated discussion about the wealthy Earl of Durham and the good students he trained at the University of London, Arthur, who had finally had a moment of leisure, finally had time to do something he liked. matter.

Although his position in the diplomatic system is not high, due to the special nature of his work tasks and the fact that his work has been highly valued by His Majesty the King and the Duke of Wellington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given it to a certain extent. Arthur has intelligence authority that does not match his rank.

In other words, he can randomly select historical documents that suit his liking among the old papers of the British Legation in France. In order to help Arthur conduct research on the police reform of the new constitution of the Kingdom of Hanno, Arthur had no reservations about police documents.

Today, the reading book Arthur chose to accompany his meal was a memorandum written by Joseph Fouche, the French Minister of Police during the former Napoleonic Empire and the early Restoration period, to the Duke of Wellington after the Battle of Waterloo.

——If someone can effectively protect the interests of the public without destroying their self-confidence, challenging their inherent prejudices, making them lose their ability to think and act, or controlling their ignorance and gullibility, then the people can Be obedient and remain calm. At present, our civilization has undergone earth-shaking changes, which contains many elements of progress and has also given rise to some new evil forces. Today, the age-old tradition of obedience is outdated, and conformist methods no longer tame people.

——The reason why Napoleon Bonaparte easily seized power is inseparable from the mistakes made by the Bourbon royal family. This group of people stubbornly believed that the reason why the royal power was subverted was because there was a huge conspiracy at work. This kind of Fatal prejudice is the height of stupidity. They always use informants indiscriminately and do not discriminate when processing intelligence, let alone pay attention to it.

—In my experience at work, a police informant submits reports every day in exchange for payment and recognition of his enthusiasm. If they have nothing to write about, they make it up. If he accidentally discovers something, he will exaggerate it to highlight his presence. This kind of wrong intelligence often leads to misjudgments by the government and elevates some trivial matters to the perspective of coups and uprisings.

——When the fear of coups and uprisings spreads, more and more troops and military police are dispatched, which will make the atmosphere in society become manic and depressing, which will then affect the normal order of life and cause the spread of violence among all strata of society. no in good mood. This smell of uneasiness made those dissidents aware of it at a glance, and they began to connect and organize with each other. Then, coups and uprisings that should not have existed really grew in this atmosphere.

——Of course, these conspiracies that do not actually exist are not always useless. If the government can seize the fabricated dangerous opportunity, maintaining a conspiracy is enough for the government to take advantage of the opportunity to gain more strength and power. But the premise of all this is that the government itself should be awake and understand that the conspiracy is false or within control, instead of being similarly dominated by the fear of conspiracy theories.

Arthur wrote a long article about his views on police reform and development. He had just put down his pen and was thinking about drinking a glass of wine. Unexpectedly, before he could pick up the glass, he heard a rather strange sound coming from his ears. Appreciative exclamations.

——Even among the 43 riots with political demands, their so-called political demands were linked to basic living needs. The rebellions that broke out in France from 1816 to 1817 were almost all related to food shortages caused by volcanic eruptions. In 1819 The Luddite movement that broke out in Lyon in was originally intended to protest against the newly introduced printing machines.

He took out the pen from his pocket, followed the example of previous ambassadors to France, and also gave his own opinions at the bottom of the document.

——In Toulouse, the local police even deliberately incited food price riots. They privately printed pamphlets condemning the Bourbon royal family and sent people to distribute them to the market. Then they could openly arrest those who did not know the reason. Citizens who are disorganized and just criticize the government out of dissatisfaction.

Mrs. Leven looked at this outstanding young man in his twenties with a smile, and greeted in her cheerful tone as always: "Mr. Hastings, oh, no, he should be a knight now. You used to send me and Mrs. Cowper The gramophone I bought is so useful that I can’t live without it even a day. I took it with me when I came to Paris this time.”

As diplomatic intelligence officers, they gave different opinions on Fouche's views. But in Arthur's opinion, those were comments made by outsiders just to watch the fun.

——Managing the police force and informant system is an art, and it is not a fixed quota that can be quantified with indicators. The frequency and number of political prisoner arrests by police forces is often linked not to the actual number of dissidents but to the extent to which governments and leading politicians believe in conspiracy theories. If the big shots are convinced of a subversive conspiracy, informants can quickly conjure up half a country's opposition. If you put these people in jail, they will soon become real opposition. .

——These arrested people were forced to admit that their drunken and crazy behavior in the tavern was actually insulting the royal family, insulting the royalists, and playing hooligans, and they themselves were extreme republicans or Bonapartists. The pubs they frequented have also become what the police call a stronghold for opposition elements. For some reason, these ordinary people who usually work in docks and factories have the experience of going to Berlin, London or New York.

- People were arrested for shouting "Long live the Emperor!" or "Down with the Bourbons!" Others were thrown into drunken tantrums after losing their jobs, or angry at their wives, expressing anger about tax rates or the price of bread, or even just expressing anger. Frustrated and dissatisfied, he was imprisoned.

——At this point, the reports of public coach drivers and mail coach drivers are obviously more real than those of police informants. The reports of coachmen usually reflect some small details of life. They record the real reasons why people quarrel and abuse the government. , the goal that most people think about is how to earn enough butter and bread, not political issues.

——The Bourbon dynasty died in the July Revolution. Who did the most? I think those French citizens who were dissatisfied because of rising food prices only accounted for two-thirds of the role. The management style of the Bourbon dynasty led to The intensification of social conflicts accounts for one-third. As for those professional political party members, all they did was kick open the door when the train was about to arrive at the station.

——In view of this kind of behavior, I think we must take warning during the development and construction process of Scotland Yard and the police reform process in the Kingdom of Hanover.

——Mr. Vidocq confessed to me that police informants often set up "some kind of political mousetrap" during the Restoration. These guys who depended on bounties would mingle with manual laborers, drink and sing, and they would teach the workers to sing. Songs that offend the Bourbon royal family, place them in fictional subversive activities, and then notify the police to arrest the drunkards.

Under the memo, there is also a line of reading notes left by previous British ambassadors to France.

——In fact, the biggest mistake of the restored Bourbons was that they did not pay attention to Fouche's suggestions and dismissed him from his post. Instead, he appointed Elie Decaz as the new Minister of Police. According to historical documents, in the early years of the Restoration, there was no large-scale, organized subversive activity in France, but Decaze's police were addicted to arresting people.

Arthur raised his head. Count Durham had arrived at Arthur's side without knowing it. He was accompanied by a female companion, a beautiful lady that Arthur had met in London - the Russian Embassy in Britain. Lady Leven, wife of the ambassador, Earl Leven.

"Lord Brougham was right when he suggested to His Majesty that you should be sent to Hanover to write the police reform part of the new constitution."

If Arthur saw this hidden Russian female spy, his mind would immediately think of the Liverpool bombing that opened his eyes. Even if Mrs. Levine was not the chief instigator of that case, at least she was deeply involved in it. However, today she stood beside him with her charming long skirt in such a graceful manner, as if nothing was wrong with her.

——The French during this period had to pay great attention to their dress. Mr. François Vidoc, a well-known Paris police detective, told me that during the police period of Decaz, some people would be questioned because of the buttons with the "Imperial Eagle" on their clothes, and a piece of jewelry. The shop apprentice was arrested for wearing pink, white and purple clothes because the police suspected that the apprentice was dressed in this way to show his belief in the tricolor flag (red, white and blue).

——The loyalty of the Paris Fire Brigade was once suspected because these firefighters did not raise their guns in salute when the King's Guard passed. From January 1818 to June 1, on the eve of the July Revolution, a total of 1830 riots were recorded against the authorities, of which only about 6%, or 704, had political demands.

Perhaps his opinions are not authoritative enough in terms of natural philosophy, but in terms of police management and intelligence, Arthur still has some experience.

If Arthur hadn't had a vague understanding of the bombing, he might have been deceived by her today.

It has to be said that even among the most ruthless upper-class ladies, Mrs. Levin can be regarded as the best.

Arthur took off his hat and stood up and saluted: "Madam, I didn't expect to see you in Paris. It's the social season in London at this time. How can you have time to go to Paris to relax?"

Mrs. Levine said with a smile: "Usually I spend half of my time in London and half of my time in Paris. But last year because of cholera, I didn't come to Paris for almost the whole year, so I couldn't wait to come over at the beginning of spring this year. Several of my good friends have reconnected with their estranged feelings.”

As soon as Mrs. Levin finished speaking, she heard the sound of long skirts rubbing against the carpet, and the strong smell of perfume hit her nostrils. Several noble ladies were walking towards Mrs. Levin with smiles on their faces.

Arthur thought to himself: "It seems that these are her old sisters in Paris?" Sure enough, Mrs. Leven noticed someone approaching, and immediately smiled and said goodbye to Count Daramo: "Your Excellency, next is tea time for the ladies. ”

When Count Daramo heard this, he just smiled and joked: "I originally wanted to invite you to dance. Everyone said that at the Allmark Club, your German waltz was the most authentic and the most gorgeous. of."

Mrs. Levin blinked, her long eyelashes trembling: "Maybe there will be another opportunity in the future. Aren't you going to Petersburg to serve as ambassador to Russia soon? Soon, I also plan to go back to see my brother. sisters."

Count Daramo took off his hat and said goodbye: "Then we will see you in Petersburg. Madam, I hope you have a good time tonight."

Mrs. Levin nodded slightly, then raised her chin slightly and walked towards her friends in Paris.

Earl Dalamo saw Mrs. Leven walking away, and his smile gradually faded. He sat next to Arthur and chatted casually: "What do you think of Mrs. Leven?"

"Opinion? No."

"is it?"

"I'm just a little prejudiced."

The always straightforward Earl glanced at Arthur, took a puff on his cigar and asked with interest: "Did you pursue her? And then you were rejected? You are very brave, boy."

Arthur didn't understand why Count Durham had such an idea at first, but then he remembered Mrs. Levine's extensive 'social circle', including the former British Prime Minister Duke of Wellington, Austrian Prime Minister Metternich, and the British Foreign Secretary. Viscount Palmerston, etc...

When Arthur thought of this, he could only reply humbly: "For Mrs. Levine, my status is still too humble."

When Earl Daramo heard this, he immediately showed an expression that was indeed true. He encouraged: "Don't be discouraged, young man. When Mrs. Leven targeted the Duke of Wellington, he was already a big shot. But when When Metternich courted him, Metternich's status was not that high. As for Palmerston, when that guy was getting along with Levin, he could only be said to be slightly influential in British politics, and was far from being considered influential. Big shot, not to mention that he still owed a lot of foreign debt. As long as you work harder and be sweeter, you will eventually have a chance."

Arthur never expected that these words would come out of Count Daramo's mouth.

But if he can say this, it can at least show that the other party does treat Arthur as one of his own.

Since Earl Daramo was so open, Arthur could no longer hide it. He coughed softly: "Your Excellency, what I mean is that I have no intelligence value to her. Scotland Yard has always suspected her. She is a spy for the Tsar, and judging from her habit of getting close to important people, that seems to be the case.”

"Hahaha!" Count Dalamo laughed so much that tears came out when he heard this: "Young man, you are making such a fuss. What's the big deal? Everyone knows that among the ten foreign ladies who are in the social circle, Eight of them are responsible for spying on information. As long as you can control what you can and cannot say, sometimes we often use these ladies to deliver messages for us. If it’s not easy to say it openly, we usually leave it to them to help convey it.”

"Huh?" Arthur raised his eyebrows and said, "Is that so?"

Count Daramo swung his glass and said: "Yes, it's just like using informants at Scotland Yard. Of course you have to have a good relationship with the ladies, but you can't get too deep. Their words have an effect, but You can’t believe it all. Oh, by the way, what I’m talking about here is not about material things, but spiritual things.”

When Arthur heard this, he couldn't help but said in awe: "Sir, you have only been in Paris not long ago, and you have even learned the Parisian accent."

Count Daramo also joked: "My learning ability is still not as good as Mr. Boning, but he can speak more than a hundred languages."

Having said this, Count Dalamo said seriously: "Arthur, if you can really have a good relationship with Mrs. Leven, it will definitely be of great benefit to our future work in Petersburg. You should know that her brother Count Benkendorf is the highest-ranking official in the Third Chamber of the Russian Imperial Office, and her power in the European social circle is much higher than you can see. Of course, this is not an order, but a personal point of mine. A small suggestion, I just think that if young people like something, it is best not to give up easily, not to mention that you just have an opportunity to take advantage of it. "

"Taking advantage of the situation?" Arthur was confused by Count Durham: "Sir, you mean she kicked Viscount Palmerston?"

Count Daramo smiled and said: "No, kicking a man is too common for Mrs. Leven. Besides, Viscount Palmerston's relationship with her is still very good. I can't see the two of them being separated for the time being. Omen."

"Then what are you talking about?"

Count Dalamo glanced around to make sure that no one was watching them, then he leaned down and whispered: "You should know that Tsar Nicholas I was very opposed to the July Revolution, right? If it hadn't been for Metternich's hard persuasion later, He, he is not even willing to establish diplomatic relations with the current French government."

Arthur thought for a moment, nodded slightly and said, "But what does this have to do with Mrs. Leven?"

Count Daramo said: "Although the Tsar finally recognized the current government of France, when the July Revolution occurred, the Tsar's first reaction was to recall all Russian nobles in France. Russia's General Chichagov had already retired at that time , lived in Paris and Brighton in our country, so he wrote to the Tsar, hoping to be exempted from the regulations. However, Nicholas I's response to Chichagov was that he was deprived of all property and honors in Russia. , title, and even nationality.

Mrs. Levine was also in Paris at the time, and even now she often comes to Paris to stay. In other words, she also failed to comply with the Tsar's rules. Although she did not receive the same level of punishment as Chichagov, judging from the intelligence we have learned, she has been alienated by the Tsar, and even her brother took the initiative to sever ties with her..."

Connecting these things together, Arthur suddenly had a deeper understanding of the Liverpool bombing.

No wonder this old woman took such a big risk to do such a thing for the Tsar. It turned out that she wanted to please Nicholas I in order to regain her position in the Russian court.

Arthur held the tea cup and pondered slightly: "In other words, she looks calm on the surface, but in fact she is like a drowning person, trying to grab every rope she can as much as possible?"

"Maybe." Earl Dalamo took a sip of tea: "After all, the Tsar did not act as decently as Britain did, which angered him. Who knows that after the banquet, Mrs. Levin will be bombed into the sky one day? ? As far as I know, there are quite a few Russian spies in Paris. Those seemingly harmless Russian aristocrats who appear suddenly come and leave quietly. What do you think they do? "

(End of this chapter)