Shadow of great britain

He (Nicholas I) was a self-absorbed mediocre man whose vision could never surpass that of a company-level officer. He mistakenly regarded cruelty as a sign of perseverance and stubbornness as a sign of strength... The Tsarist government was Russia was embarrassed in front of the whole world. At the same time, he also embarrassed himself in front of Russia, and an unprecedented period of awakening began.

——Friedrich Engels, "On the Social Questions of Russia"

Arthur held his chin and asked Pushkin with great interest about the 'China Hands' translator from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Are you telling the truth? You are probably lying to me. Even if a priest is not good for his career, If you don’t even show off your heart, you won’t even end up being exiled to a barbaric land.”

Pushkin laughed and said: "You are not the first person to raise this question to me, but such people do exist in the world. God created all kinds of human races and gave them all kinds of strange personalities. Yakinf Bichulin is one of them. In my opinion, the fundamental reason for angering the tsar is because of his identity. He was the one who went there. The leader of BJ’s Orthodox missionary group turned out to be the most ungrateful among the entire missionary group. Instead of preaching, he became very interested in Chinese culture and hid in BJ’s residence all day long. After studying the Three-Character Sutra, if it had not been to such an extent, the tsar would not have been so angry that he was exiled to Valaam Island."

Having said this, Pushkin also introduced to Arthur: "Do you know the "Three Character Classic"? Voltaire may not have read this book. Bichulin should be the first scholar in Europe to translate this work. I I also have a Russian translation of the Three Character Classic that he gave me at home.”

Arthur opened his mouth and recited: "At the beginning of human beings, nature is good. Nature is similar, but habits are far apart?"

"What?" This time Pushkin scratched his head: "You speak English?"

"No, Chinese." Arthur said with ulterior motives: "I am also a lover of Chinese studies. I hired a tutor in London who had worked for the Guangzhou Committee of the East India Company, and he taught me all these things. "

Pushkin couldn't help but widen his eyes when he heard this: "It sounds like you and Bichulin must have a lot in common. Have you joined the British Club in Petersburg?"

Arthur had already heard about the British clubs in Petersburg and Moscow.

Although these clubs are given the prefix 'British', in fact such clubs have nothing to do with the UK. The reason why it is called a British club is mainly because such clubs often imitate British gentleman culture. The museum is decorated with a large number of British-style furniture, artworks, and even provides British tea. It also has a private library with various collections. Classes come from British books, newspapers and periodicals.

In addition, the British Club in Russia has always been known for its high threshold and strict membership requirements. Usually only the upper class of society can join, especially those who have a certain status in the aristocracy or high-ranking officials.

Arthur has naturally been salivating over such a place that is conducive for the old spy to flex his muscles.

However, he is very restrained in his attitude towards joining an English club.

As we all know, since the Decembrist uprising, the new Tsar Nicholas I was wary of all activities of a rally nature.

Although British clubs were at their core non-political socializing and entertainment, the tsarist government remained concerned that gatherings of any kind could become a venue for discussing opposing policies, spreading liberal ideas, or organizing action.

In particular, the members of the British Club are all very influential figures in Russia, including government officials, Guards officers, successful businessmen, and senior scholars. If these people hit it off, they may pose a serious threat to the tsarist regime at any time.

Therefore, every meeting held by a British club is closely monitored by the Third Directorate and the Ministry of Internal Affairs police.

In order to avoid trouble, the club naturally needs to maintain an open loyalty to the government, otherwise it may be severely punished.

Although the club does not say it explicitly, almost everyone knows that the candidate list of new members of the British Club will be handed over to the Tsar himself as soon as possible. If a proposed member has participated in something that is considered dangerous by the government, activities, such as support for liberal, nationalist or other anti-authoritarian movements, the government will of course put pressure on the club through secret police or other semi-public channels to prevent this person from joining.

And according to the information Arthur learned from the British Captain Richard Huett in the Third Bureau, these British clubs would also take the initiative to admit certain officials loyal to the government under the instruction of the Czar, so that these people could monitor the clubs. activities.

Engaging in intelligence work in British clubs is not only a high-yield activity, but also a high-risk activity.

Arthur expressed his difficulties to Pushkin tactfully: "I really hope to join the British Club. After all, there may be no place in Petersburg where you can enjoy British life better than the British Club. However, I heard that the British Club There is only one chance to be a candidate. If my application is rejected, I will not have a second chance.”

Pushkin winked at Arthur: "Rules? Maybe for other people, but you don't have to worry about this rule."

"Why?"

Pushkin shrugged helplessly: "Because Army Minister Count Chernyshov and Police Inspector Gradkov also lost the election in the first election, but were eventually re-elected with the support of the government. I came from Gogol I heard there, you are the cultural attaché of the United Kingdom, and you are also the author of "The Detectives of Hastings" The former identity will make the undecent people in the club dare not oppose you, while the latter identity will make the decent people in the club collectively support you, even if some idiots voted against you in the first election. , I believe that our government will consider supporting your second candidacy as appropriate.”

When Arthur heard this, he waved his hands in a confidential manner and said: "Mr. Pushkin, you don't know, what I am worried about is the influence from the government. Because I may mention some unpleasant things in front of His Majesty the Tsar today."

"You..." Pushkin couldn't restrain his curiosity and asked: "Forgive me for being rude, are you saying that you intend to anger His Majesty the Tsar?"

"No, I will never take the initiative to anger anyone, whether that person is the Tsar or the poor man on the roadside who is leaning on a cane and holding a broken bowl to beg for a living. You must know that I am a warm-hearted and honest person, no matter when I don’t want to be embarrassed by others.”

At this point, Arthur changed the subject: "However, you should also understand that some things are beyond my control. The work from above is on my head, and you have to do it if you don't want to do it. I am just an ordinary person." No one can stand up to our Foreign Secretary, Viscount Palmerston, on his own."

When Pushkin heard this, he couldn't help but sympathize with Arthur and said: "It seems that you have run into a bad job. Moreover, you should not understand what kind of person our monarch is."

Arthur asked: "Does he have a bad temper?"

Pushkin shook his head: "Rather than saying that he has a bad temper, it is better to say that he is a monarch who lacks imagination but is overly enthusiastic. He is often swayed by sudden hatred and impulse, and his ideas can change from one extreme very suddenly. Jump to the other extreme. And haven't you noticed that in other countries, such as your country, the king usually does not deal directly with representatives of other countries. As for the Tsar, on the contrary, he spontaneously acted as Russia's foreign minister, took a hands-on approach to all diplomatic issues, and was confident that he could solve the most complex international problems through his personal influence and charisma. It's hard for me to say, his. Is this a right choice or a wrong one? But according to my observation, the French charge d’affaires who came to see him this morning was completely irritated by his charisma.”

Arthur reminded: "You'd better learn English. Although I appreciate your warning to me, you'd better think about your own safety. Do you know how many Russian banned words were interspersed in what you just said? ?”

Pushkin looked at Arthur with a smile: "With what you just said, I think it won't be a problem for you to join the British Club. At least you understand the principle of caution. However, you don't have to worry about my personal safety, Tsar. Your Majesty knows what kind of person I am, and I have been careful enough with my words, especially those that fall on paper."

Arthur nodded slightly and put on his white gloves: "I had a great time chatting with you today. I should visit you another day and talk about the Three Character Sutra. If it doesn't bother you, it's best to call Bhikkhu Lin. Sir, and that little Russian. Where do you live?”

"Nevsky Prospekt 32." Pushkin stood up and saw Arthur off: "You can come the day after tomorrow. In fact, you could come tomorrow. But I have to go to a dance tomorrow in order to satisfy the emperor."

"Huh? Does His Majesty the Tsar even have to control where you dance?"

"Actually, most of the time he doesn't care, but a few days ago there was a ball at Prince Trubezki's house, and the emperor suddenly arrived and stayed there for half an hour. The emperor didn't see me anywhere, old Boblinskaya The Countess explained to me that I had not come because my uniform was unbuttoned. But the Emperor was obviously offended by this explanation. He asked my wife: 'Why did your husband not attend the last ball because his boots did not fit. Feet, it’s because the button on the tuxedo fell off!’”

Pushkin sighed and said: "Please forgive me for being rude, but I'm sorry, I really have to pay attention to it recently. Because last month Bezobrazov was exiled to the Caucasus for similar reasons, and his wife had to emigrate for this reason." Moscow. If I were alone, I wouldn’t care so much, but I have a family now.”

When Arthur heard this, he sympathized with Pushkin this time. He offended the Tsar because he could not join the British club and could not carry out diplomatic work in Russia normally. But on Pushkin's side, if the Tsar was really angry, it would be really fatal.

He patted Pushkin on the shoulder: "Friend, you don't have to worry so much. It's the same even if you don't have time to see me until next month. Besides, even if you don't have time at all, can't we still communicate through letters?"

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Pushkin heard this and quickly dissuaded him: "You can write to me, but you must pay attention to the wording in it, because whether it is the post office in Petersburg, the Third Bureau or the Ministry of Internal Affairs, my letterhead may be opened privately at any time. . Especially since you are the British Cultural Counselor, I dare say they will be very interested in your letter."

Of course Arthur understands this.

As a senior Scotland Yard sergeant, especially as he had benefited from Rothschild's private delivery business on several occasions, Arthur was well aware of the importance of conveying important information orally.

But it's not necessarily a bad thing if the letter is torn apart, because sometimes Arthur writes letters just to show them to the Military Police of the Third Bureau and the Internal Affairs Police.

However, Arthur still thanked Pushkin for his advice.

You see, they are also partially black, their ancestors were once generals, and they are also famous writers in Europe.

But it is obvious that Pushkin's mind is much brighter than Alexandre Dumas's.

As for what factors caused this difference?

Excluding the variable of black genes, Arthur was inclined to believe that this was mainly due to the French genes in his body contaminating the fat man's brain.

Writing, women, republicanism, there was simply no room for a fourth thing in Alexandre Dumas’s little mind.

As soon as Arthur opened the door to the smoking room, he saw Colonel Stewart and a Russian Guards officer walking towards here.

"Arthur, it's time to meet. Count Daramo has already taken the first step. You and I will follow Baron Dantes."

The Russian Guards officer came to stand in front of Arthur, suddenly took off his white gloves and stretched out his hand to Arthur, asking in French: "Are you Sir Arthur Hastings?"

"Are you Baron Dentes?" Arthur held his hand: "Nice to meet you."

Dantes squeezed Arthur's hand hard and said meaningfully: "I have admired you for a long time. I have heard of your name before I came to Russia."

Arthur thought that the other party was going to mention his 'glorious deeds' under the Tower of London again, so he quickly changed the subject: "Let's go to see His Majesty the Tsar as soon as possible."

Unexpectedly, Dantes called Arthur from behind him: "Are you free these days? The Marquis of Binard also wants to get to know you."

"Marquis Bina?" Arthur couldn't feel the other person's pulse: "Am I so famous?"

Dantes walked up to Arthur and guided the way as if nothing had happened. He said, "Maybe you are unknown in Europe, but among us, the French Juanists, you are already famous."