"Damn! Little Pete is really too deceitful, these hypocritical robbers, who act like gentlemen all day long, and I don't know how many shady things they have done in private! The enraged Prince of Wales roared angrily, his overweight face revealing an unnatural red, not knowing whether it was because of agitation or excessive drinking.

A middle-aged man, who was dressed very fashionably, but was also as obese as the Prince of Wales, took a sip of the wine in his glass and said in a mocking tone: "I didn't expect this old fellow Pitt to be so interested in the marriage of young people, maybe he is more suitable to go to the parish to be a priest who sends blessings to the newlyweds, rather than stay in the position of chief minister of the cabinet." ”

This man was none other than Charles James Fox, the leader of the Whigs in the House of Commons. Fox has always dreamed of becoming prime minister, but unfortunately this wish has never been realized, because in front of him is a little Pete, a political genius who is trusted by George III and is rare in British history!

The Prince of Wales glared at Fox who was talking coldly with dissatisfaction: "Charles, now is not the time to say cool things, hurry up and think of a way!" I didn't want to marry Cousin Charlotte, who was so bored with Germanic boredom that she even danced with a stiff face. The thought of marrying him made me feel like I had lost the courage to live. ”

The Prince of Wales, a recognized prodigal son in London's high society, secretly married a Catholic widow nine years ago, and it would be a catastrophe if this marriage was clearly forbidden by law! If he had agreed to marry his cousin from Braunschweig, the secret would have been lost, and no one knew better than him about the fiery temper of his secret wife!

Fox didn't take the Prince of Wales' displeasure to heart at all, and compared to the young and frizzy Royal Highness the Crown Prince, his old fritter of ups and downs in politics seemed very calm: "Are you worried about Maria?" Your Royal Highness, if you deny it, who will believe that you married Mary nine years ago? Don't people believe in His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and believe in a pagan widow whose husband has died? Besides, there is nothing wrong with marrying Princess Charlotte, and if you marry her, you don't have to worry about your debts, but His Majesty has made a promise to help you pay off your debts as soon as you get married. ”

In Fawkes's view, women are just an accessory, just a pastime when they are bored, and it is really not a good idea for the Prince of Wales to affect his future and status for the sake of women. The widow Mary wanted too much, and what he hated most was insatiable people, and people still had to be self-aware.

The Prince of Wales had nothing to do with his close friend Fawkes, he knew that what he said was right, but he loved Mary, and he had fallen in love with him from the first sight, and there was no reason to say: "Fawkes, you merry fellow doesn't know what love is, and my love for Mary will never change, even if she is a married Catholic." ”

Sometimes the Prince of Wales thinks that it would be nice if he wasn't His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom of Britain, so that he could become a comedian as he wished and make his marriage to Maria public.

Fawkes almost choked to death with the wine in his mouth, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the most debauched and debauched prince in the history of England, actually said to him with a sincere face: "Fawkes, you are just a prodigal son, you don't understand love!" ”

Well, Fox admits that he really doesn't understand what love is. As the most romantic and playful gentleman in London, Fox went from an innocent poor girl, to a duchess with a dignified appearance and a wild heart, and then to a coquettish and fiery courtesan, what kind of woman has he not played? But the only thing he just didn't feel was this damn love.

Fawkes was thinking that maybe he would have to find a chance to get that damn widow away in the future, or sooner or later he and the Whigs would be ruined!

Fox thought that the last time Prince Frederick proposed a civil service reform plan, this was a good opportunity, so he said to the Prince of Wales: "Your Royal Highness, do you remember what your brother His Royal Highness Prince Frederick said about the civil service reform plan?" This is really a genius idea, and I think we should introduce this reform bill in parliament as soon as possible, it will definitely cause a political storm! Perhaps, in order to avoid the storm, little Pete and His Majesty will forget about marrying you. ”

The first time he heard this proposal from Frederick's mouth, Fox's first reaction was that this would definitely not be Frederick's idea, because a soldier would not have such sophisticated political skills! After asking, Fox learned that it was the handiwork of a young officer named George Wickham, which shocked and made Fox look forward to and curious about this young man he had never met.

When the Prince of Wales heard the method of not getting married, he immediately came to his senses, and asked Prince Frederick, who was trying to reduce his presence in the corner: "My dear brother, didn't you say that your major friend wrote a book on the reform of the civil service system, and let him sort it out and publish it quickly, so as to prepare public opinion for the reform of the civil service system." If your friend can get this done, Fawkes and I will help him get a knighthood. ”

The Prince of Wales was not stupid, on the contrary, he was one of the few intelligent people in the Hanover royal family, and he understood the importance of public opinion. It's just a pity that his cleverness is rarely used on the right path.

Frederick laughed dryly, "My dear brother, I'll do it right away." Frederick was sure that he would leave for Europe at once, and it would be uncomfortable to be caught between his father and his brother. Moreover, he had a hunch that the struggle between the two parties would definitely be white-hot this time, and the wise way was to avoid the political maelstrom of London and stay in the army honestly.

…………

Wickham practiced calligraphy in the study with great interest, and through years of perseverance, Wickham's thin gold body has become more and more stylish, and it is absolutely no problem to write Spring Festival couplets for others in later generations.

At this time, William Edward walked in quickly, and said in a slightly excited voice: "Young master, His Royal Highness Prince Frederick's carriage is now parked outside the door of the mansion, accompanied by an old gentleman named Walter. ”

For the first time in his life, William had such close contact with a member of the royal family, and his heart was stirred, and now William Edward wanted to shout "godblesstheking" a few times to express his loyalty and love for the royal family.

"What?" Wickham shook his hand, and a cloud of black ink dripped onto the white rice paper, destroying the overall beauty of the word. Wickham didn't care about the rice paper on the table, wiped his hands with a silk handkerchief, and asked William to gather all the servants to meet Prince Frederick at the door of the mansion.

Before he reached the door, Wickham saw Prince Frederick's luxurious carriage, which was simply extremely stylish.

Frederick got out of the carriage and said with a smile, "George, I have a very urgent matter to discuss with you, and I hope you will forgive me and John Walter for our presumptuous visit." ”

Wickham knew what Prince Frederick was talking about, and smiled knowingly: "Your Royal Highness and Mr. Walter are so kind, I feel very honored to have your visit. So, let's go to the study and talk. ”

After the three of them were seated in the study, Frederick couldn't wait to speak: "George, my brother Prince of Wales and Lord Fox have decided to do it at the Prime Minister's Inquiry in Parliament next month!" I don't know if the Chinese book you translated is ready, but now that time is in a hurry, Mr. Walter will arrange this matter as soon as possible. ”

Old Walter looked serious and said in a cautious tone: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is too anxious, especially that prodigal Fox, maybe he has been suppressed by Little Pitt for too long, and urgently needs a beautiful counterattack to stabilize his position." ”

Old Walter and Fox's father, the former Lord Nolan, were very good friends, so they didn't have a good impression of the prodigal Fox who his old friend, and his words were very polite.

Prince Frederick sighed and said, "Mr. Walter, do you know about His Majesty the King forcing His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to marry?" That's why my brother is so unhurried, and you have to help me anyway, Mr. Walter. As soon as this was over, I left London for Europe! ”

Frederick already sees Wickham as his own, so when it comes to his follow-up plans, he doesn't shy away from Wickham.

Old Walter nodded helplessly and agreed: "Well, if it weren't for that civil service reform bill, I wouldn't have gotten involved with Fox, a prodigal!" George, are you ready? ”

Hearing this, Wickham hurriedly took out a pile of neat and orderly manuscript paper from the desk drawer, and said: "Mr. Walter, they are all here, the manuscript of the Confucian History in the front is the manuscript, and the manuscript in the English version of the Analects is in the back. ”

Originally, these manuscripts were very chaotic, and Wickham's nerves were really big, if it weren't for Ye Shihan's help, he wouldn't have been able to tell that the manuscript paper was the manuscript of the book.

Mr. Walter took the manuscript, looked through it for a while, and then nodded: "If the publishing house works overtime for typesetting and printing, the sample book will be produced in four days at the earliest, and it will be placed on the shelves of major bookstores in London in ten days." ”

Walter's publishing house is ranked in the top five in the UK, and it does have the strength to publish a book with a small word count in a matter of days.

"It's just wonderful." Prince Frederick patted his thigh excitedly, "When the time comes, I will find a few critic friends and say something good about your new book in the newspaper, and by the way, build momentum for the reform of the civil service system!" ”

Wickham suddenly remembered something, and then took out a piece of manuscript paper from the bottom of the drawer, which he had written about the shortcomings of the current British civil service, as well as some targeted reforms.

This was originally the entrance card he was going to use to break into British high society, but now this article has become a hot potato! People who are not strong enough really can't pick it up, at least for now, Wickham doesn't have this strength.

Now, Wickham is ready to hand over this article to Prince Frederick, and only these big names will be able to stand tall in the political storm of the future: "Your Royal Highness, this is a clumsy piece of mine. But from now on, the article has nothing to do with me, you understand? ”

Prince Frederick looked at the manuscript paper in his hand, and was immediately frightened into a cold sweat. But he thought of a suitable person, and that was Lord Fawkes. This guy is notoriously radical in the Parliament, and he is sure that Fawkes, who is eager to expand his influence in the Parliament, will not refuse this big gift.

Thinking of this, Frederick put away the manuscript paper and said solemnly: "George, don't worry, from now on this article has nothing to do with you." ”