Chapter 465: Liquidity in the Upper Class

While the ladies in the lounge were enthusiastically discussing the tycoon Earl Daramore and the good students he trained at the University of London, Arthur, who had finally got a moment of leisure, finally had time to do something he liked.

Although his position in the diplomatic system was not high, due to the particularity of his work tasks and the fact that his work was highly valued by His Majesty the King and the Duke of Wellington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to a certain extent, gave Arthur intelligence authority that did not match his rank.

In other words, he could freely select historical documents that suited his taste from the pile of old papers in the British embassy in France. In order to help Arthur do a good job in the police reform research work of the new constitution of the Kingdom of Hanover, Arthur was even more unreserved about the documents related to police affairs.

And the accompanying reading material Arthur chose today was a memorandum written by Joseph Fouché, the French Minister of Police during the former Napoleonic Empire and the early Restoration of the Monarchy, to the Duke of Wellington after the Battle of Waterloo.

——If someone can truly safeguard the interests of the masses, without undermining their self-confidence, challenging their inherent prejudices, making them lose the ability to think and act, or manipulating their ignorance and credulity, then the masses will remain calm. At present, our civilization has undergone tremendous changes, which contain many progressive elements, but also give rise to some new evil forces. Today, the old tradition of obedience is outdated, and the method of following the rules can no longer tame people.

——The reason why Napoleon Bonaparte easily seized power is inseparable from the mistakes made by the Bourbon royal family themselves. These people stubbornly believe that the reason why the royal power was overthrown is because of a huge conspiracy. This fatal prejudice is extremely stupid. They always use informants indiscriminately and do not discern when handling intelligence, let alone pay more attention.

——According to my experience in my work, police informants have to submit reports every day in exchange for rewards and affirmation of his enthusiasm. If they have nothing to write, they will make it up. If he discovers something unexpectedly, he will exaggerate it to highlight his presence. This kind of wrong intelligence often causes the government to misjudge and elevate some trivial things to the perspective of coup and uprising.

——When the fear of coup and uprising spreads, more and more troops and police will make the atmosphere in society become more irritable, which will affect the normal order of life and breed dissatisfaction among all social classes. This smell of uneasiness makes those dissidents know it at a sniff. They begin to connect and organize with each other, and then, those coups and uprisings that should not exist really grow in such an atmosphere.

——Of course, these conspiracies that do not actually exist are not always useless. If the government can seize the dangerous opportunities that are fabricated, raising a conspiracy is enough for the government to take the opportunity to gain more strength and power. But the premise of all this is that the government itself should be sober, and he should understand that the conspiracy is false or within the controllable range, rather than being influenced by the fear of conspiracy theory.

And below the memorandum, there is a line of reading notes left by previous British ambassadors to France.

As diplomatic intelligence personnel, they gave different opinions on Fouché's views. But in Arthur's view, those were all comments from outsiders.

Perhaps his opinions were not authoritative enough in natural philosophy, but Arthur had some experience in police management and intelligence.

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

- In fact, the biggest mistake of the restored Bourbon dynasty was that they did not pay attention to Fouché's advice, and removed his position and appointed Elie Decazes as the new Minister of Police. According to historical documents, there was no large-scale, organized subversive activities in France in the first few years of the restoration of the monarchy, but Decazes' police were addicted to arresting people.

- Some people were arrested for shouting "Long live the emperor!" or "Down with the Bourbon royal family!", and others were imprisoned for being drunk and angry after losing their jobs, or getting angry with their wives, being angry about tax rates or bread prices, or even just expressing frustration and dissatisfaction.

——These arrested people were forced to admit that their drunken behavior in the tavern was actually insulting the royal family, insulting royalists, and being a hooligan, and that they themselves were extreme republicans or Bonapartists. The taverns they frequented became the base camp of opposition elements in the eyes of the police. These ordinary people who usually worked hard in the docks and factories did not know why they had been to Berlin, London or New York.

——During this period, the French people had to pay great attention to their dress. Mr. François Vidocq, a well-known detective in Paris, told me that during the police period when Decazes was in charge, some people were questioned because of the buttons with the "Eagle of the Empire" on their clothes, and a jewelry store apprentice was arrested for wearing pink, white and purple clothes because the police suspected that the apprentice dressed like this 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 1830, on the eve of the July Revolution, a total of 704 riots were recorded against the authorities, of which only about 6%, or 43, had political demands.

——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.

——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 1989 was originally a protest against the newly introduced printing machines.

——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 prisoners arrested 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. .

——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.

——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 understand the reason. Citizens who are disorganized and just criticize the government out of dissatisfaction.

——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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.”

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.

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: "So these are her old sisters in Paris?"

Sure enough, Mrs. Levin noticed someone approaching, and immediately smiled and excused herself to Earl Daramo: "Your Excellency, it's 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."

"Yeah?"

"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 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."

Speaking of this, Earl 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 Daramo 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.

And Mrs. Leven was also in Paris at the time, and she often comes to Paris to stay even now. In other words, she also did not abide by the Tsar's rules. Although she did not receive the same degree of punishment as Chichagov, from the information we have learned, she has been alienated by the Tsar, and even her brother has taken the initiative to break off relations with her..."

Putting 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 teacup and pondered for a while: "In other words, she looks calm on the surface, but in fact she is like a drowning person, trying to grab all the ropes she can grab as much as possible? "

"Maybe." Earl Daramo drank a sip of tea: "After all, the Tsar does not do things as decently as Britain. If you anger him, who knows when the banquet will end and Mrs. Leven will be sent to the sky by a bomb? As far as I know, there are quite a few Russian spies in Paris. Those seemingly harmless Russian nobles who suddenly appeared came and left quietly. What do you think they do?"