Shadow of great britain

On the outskirts of London's West End, a townhouse with an outdoor garden.

The servant on duty outside the carved black iron door saw a carriage slowly approaching.

The wheel suddenly stopped, and a gentleman got out of the car wearing a big-brimmed hat, a black dress, and holding a beautiful gift in his hand.

His back looks very broad and his waist is straight. He walks in a serious manner, as if he is walking in a marching formation. This posture shows that he has served in the army.

The servant saw the visitor's face clearly and hurriedly greeted him with a smile. He first took the gift from the other person's hand, and then bowed slightly.

"Superintendent Clemens, Mr. Viscount has been waiting for you for a long time."

Clemens straightened his straight collar, nodded and said, "Please take me there."

Under the leadership of the servant, the two walked through the garden path and walked into the living room of the villa.

The living room is not particularly large, but the decoration is very exquisite and substantial. A deer head specimen hangs on the fireplace that you see in front of you. There is also a line of labels attached below. The label records that this deer head was hunted in Broadlands in 1811. .

Directly opposite the fireplace, there are several sofas and an exotic-looking round rug.

Just as Clemens was about to sit down, he suddenly discovered to his embarrassment that there was a pair of translucent briefs with lace trim hidden in the gap of the sofa.

Judging from the style and design, it should belong to a lady of high status.

When the servant saw this, he hurried forward and put his underwear into his pocket. He apologized to Clemens in an embarrassed manner.

"You know, Mr. Viscount has always been very charming. The ladies of the Allmark Club like him very much. He often holds reading salons here. It is normal to leave some personal belongings occasionally."

When Clemens heard what the servant said, he could only pretend to be confused. He nodded and said: "When your Excellency the Viscount was serving in the War Department, he took great care of my Cavalry Guards Regiment. You don't need to tell me I have explained so much, and I can be considered his old subordinate..."

Although Clemens didn't dare to ask too much, he still couldn't help but gossip.

He secretly glanced at the stairs leading to the second floor and the door of the next room. After confirming that the Viscount had not arrived yet, he boldly asked carefully.

"However, although I know that His Excellency the Viscount is very popular with ladies, he is still so old after all. I don't know what happened this time..."

Seeing how curious he was, the servant could only look around mysteriously, and then whispered: "Princess Leven, the wife of the Russian ambassador..."

"Ah..." Clemens suddenly realized: "Then this makes sense. I have heard of Princess Leven. My wife mentioned it to me. She said that the ladies in London privately call her..."

Just as Clemens said this, the servant suddenly coughed violently, and the sensible police inspector hurriedly stopped.

Sure enough, as soon as he shut up, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Clemens, what are you standing for? Sit anywhere you like."

Clemens turned around and saw a middle-aged man in casual clothes, wiping his wet hair with a towel.

After wiping his head, the man handed the bath towel in his hand to the servant beside him. He found a sofa and sat down casually. He looked at the stunned Clemens in puzzlement and asked, "Are you sick? Why do you feel so energetic today?" Something's not right? Would you like some gin?"

Clemens' heart sank slightly when he saw him looking like he had just taken a shower.

Could it be that Princess Li Wen hasn’t left yet?

He hurriedly found a sofa with his back to the room and the stairs and sat upright. Then he said: "Scotland Yard has been busy with too much work recently. You must have seen it in the newspaper, right? The murder and body theft case has disturbed Scotland Yard." Everything turned upside down.

Sir Peel was furious about this, and the Duke of Wellington also ordered the military and police to participate in the operation. Everyone has been busy for a month, and it was finally over a while ago. "

While lifting the teapot on the table to pour tea, the Viscount said: "Ha! Pierre just likes to compete on such trivial matters. He seizes a hot spot and builds momentum to try to distract the public.

The little policeman who gave a speech in court before was the same as this case of murder and body theft. Many people died every day in London. If he really wanted to crack down on these corpse sellers, why did he push for the "Blood Act" before? What about the abolition of ?

If I were asked to do this, I would definitely kill all the corpse thieves. If I can’t move the doctors, why can’t I move those grave-digging rats?

snort! Peel is a combination of contradictions. On the one hand, he is soft-hearted, but on the other hand, he wants to establish order. Where in the world can such a good thing exist? "

Clemens couldn't help but feel his heart tightening when he heard this.

The Viscount was holding the tea cup and was about to take a sip, but when he raised his eyes, he noticed a subtle change in Clemens's expression.

So, he stopped drinking tea, held the tea cup and asked: "Clemens, you are not involved in this case, are you?"

"No, of course not." Clemens said: "As you know, although I like wealth, I don't despise this thing."

The Viscount stared at him for a while, then put down the tea cup and said: "Okay, I believe you. But I still have to remind you that you are not particularly old and you still have a lot of future. The Tories can't hold on any longer. , after Wellington went down, the Whigs would come to power.

From what I have observed within the party and my understanding of the situation, once the Whigs come to power, the person who will take over as Prime Minister should be Earl Charles Grey.

My relationship with Earl Gray is pretty good, and my position within the party is pretty solid, so I might get a cabinet position from him, either in the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of the Interior. Of course, I personally hope to get it. We arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

But no matter which position I get in the end, you should be promoted. This is a reward for your loyalty and an affirmation of your persistence when I was in opposition.

Clemens, you have done a great job and I have learned a lot of important information from you since I left the Cabinet. "

The Viscount picked up the teacup and touched it with Clemens. He smiled and said, "Wish us the best."

Clemens was originally smiling and was about to drink tea, but when he heard this, his smile suddenly froze. He asked: "Your Majesty the Viscount, you really love to joke. Don't you usually say 'wish us friendship'?"

The Viscount smiled softly, shook his head and said: "Friendship is fictitious, only interests are real. Clemens, you have been with me for so long, how come you still don't understand my personality? For me, No permanent friends, only permanent interests.

Why would I defect from the Tories if it weren't for my personality? Wellington, Peale, George Canning, William Huskisson, they all were too ignorant. A qualified politician should do what is beneficial, whether it is for the country or for himself.

When they planned to select someone within the party to challenge my seat at Cambridge University, they should have thought of this outcome in advance.

I am a very vindictive person. If anyone offends me, I guarantee that he will not be able to survive. "

Clemens smiled reluctantly, and he echoed: "You are talking about it, Lord Palmerston. The reason why I am here today is precisely because I want to help you solve your problems. I found a person who can help you." A chance to defeat Wellington’s cabinet.”

"Oh? Have you found a way to ruin the reconciliation between Wellington and Huskisson?"

Palmerston took a sip of tea, shook his head slightly and said: "With all due respect, that level is not something you can participate in. I tried Huskisson's mouth some time ago, and Wellington didn't know what he was given. Ecstasy, he seems to be really planning to go back with his gang."

"It's not Mr. Huskison's problem. The reconciliation ceremony between him and the Duke of Wellington, and the ribbon-cutting and security work for the opening of the Manchester-Liverpool Railway were handled by Lord Peel's cronies, Inspector Hastings. I couldn't get involved. So there’s no way to create problems between them.”

Palmerston rested one arm on the armrest of the sofa and muttered to himself.

"Hastings? That Arthur Hastings? The young man climbed up very fast. Peel was actually willing to entrust him with such an important job. If he were allowed to continue working for a few more years, I'm afraid the Metropolitan Police would He must be the director of the department, right?"

When Clemens heard this, he knew that Palmerston was knocking himself. He smiled and complimented: "I'm not worried about this. He has Sir Peel, don't I have you here? I can guarantee it." , this thing must be very valuable to you."

Palmerston immediately became interested when he heard this. He leaned forward and asked, "What did you find?"

Clemens took out a document from the leather bag he carried with him and handed it over respectfully.

"Please take a look. This is the information I got from Fred. It took me a lot of effort to pry open his iron mouth. This kid recently took over a big job from the French government. He tied up A French republican is preparing to transport it back."

Palmerston took the document and glanced at it, and couldn't help but snap his fingers happily: "Fred, this bastard, never thought he could do such a good thing. It seems that under my order that he should retire directly, It's still a bit harsh. If I had known that this kid was so promising now, I would have kept him."

Clemens smiled and said: "Your order is not strict, and Fred asked for it. Although leading soldiers should be stricter, he directly whipped two recruits to death. Such behavior is still Too violent."

Palmerston pursed his lips and nodded: "That's true."

He stood up and patted Clemens on the shoulder: "It's okay without Fred. Don't I still have you? Clemens, I want you to make sure that Fred can transport the Frenchman at all costs." Arrive in Paris.

As long as he can successfully complete this order, I guarantee that the entire London newspapers will cover this matter the next day. As soon as Wellington's cabinet falls, I can get you a good job, whether I end up in the Foreign Office, the Home Office, or the Treasury.

Hmm... maybe these positions are too formal for you. Well, if you are interested in taking over matters related to military affairs, I will consider finding someone to transfer you to the General Administration of Ordnance.

Although the Ordnance General Administration does not care about cavalry and infantry, they are also responsible for engineers and artillery. "

When Clemens heard this, he couldn't help but feel a hint of joy on his brows. He stood up and stood at attention and saluted: "There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests!"

After hearing this, Palmerston leaned on the sofa with a teacup in hand. He smiled softly: "Clemens, I'm optimistic about you."