April 22, 1848, 8 a.m.

A clipper ship laden with cargo and passengers sailed from Calais through the Strait of Rushman, breaking through the white mist that spread across the sea level and arriving in the waters near the London dockyard in the early morning.

Pier Watchtower.

The signalman responsible for reporting the entry of ships in the port signaled the permission to enter the port to the moving ships on the one hand, and reported the news of the ships entering the port to the people under the observation deck on the other, and the London dockyard, which had been silent all night, ushered in its first business of the day.

"You pigs, you shit! If you don't want to be fired right away, get me moving! ”

At the dock on the shore, the worn-out and dusty dock workers gathered their tired bodies that had just finished carrying and sorting the goods, but had not had time to rest for a while, and boarded the small boat prepared by the dock under the rough shouting and scolding of the dockmaster.

Although their faces were already full of numbness, their bodies still moved involuntarily.

Jobs in the 19th century weren't easy to find, let alone in extraordinary times. If there is a slight mistake, the only thing waiting for them is to lay off employees unreasonably.

Layoffs mean a slow death for a docker, who has seen many bodies floating down from the upper Thames in the days since the economic crisis.

Roommates who were laughing together the day may become part of the Wandering Army the next day because they are unemployed and can't pay their rent.

Not to mention them, even those well-dressed gentlemen are at risk of losing their jobs or even dying at any time.

These days, they have seen an unknown number of corpses floating on the Thames, wearing black jackets with their heads facing the water and their backs to the sky.

According to them, these people are those who like to be opportunistic on weekdays.

It must not be dismissed as the purest wish in the heart of every dock worker.

……

Under the guidance of the lookout, the dinghy docked on both sides of the London dock slowly sailed into the narrow diversion channel, and under the watchful eyes of the workers waiting to unload the cargo on the dinghy, the big ship entered the port smoothly, the iron anchor was slowly lowered, the bow girder was detached from the support cable, the main sail and the second sail were retracted one after another, and the ship continued to travel for a distance with the help of residual force, until the thick iron anchor completely sank underwater.

Several dinghys gradually approached the cargo ship sailboat, and a wooden ramp ladder descended from the sailboat to the dinghy.

The passengers on the plywood slide down the ramp to the dinghy under the direction of the sailors, and then go ashore in the dinghy.

The passengers left the ship in turn and boarded the dinghy until the last young man.

At this time, he shook hands with the sailors who surrounded him in turn with a smile on his face.

The sailors who were held by the young men were very excited, and their mouths kept muttering words such as "Long live the Emperor" and "Long live the Empire".

"Ahem...... Ahem......"

A short cough came from behind the sailors, almost all of whom knew that the owner of the voice was the captain of the ship, and then came the rough voice of the first mate: "How long are you going to surround the guests!" Have you all forgotten your duty? Don't get to work yet! ”

The sailors who had surrounded the young man scattered after hearing Daifuku's rough voice, and many sailors had regretful expressions on their faces.

The captain and the first mate came to the young man, looked respectful, and said, "I'm very sorry for what happened just now!" Your Royal Highness! ”

The young man, whom the captain called Prince, looked to be only twenty-three or fourteen years old, with a slender figure, his flowing golden hair swaying in the sea breeze, and his black pupils and angular face resembling that of the man.

"Sir!" The young man smiled and stretched out his hand, and said sincerely: "The empire has long ceased to exist for many years, and I am no longer a prince!" I prefer you to call me Napoleon to the title of Prince. Jérôme. Bonaparte [1]! ”

"Your Royal Highness, ......" the captain shook little Jerome's hand like a child seeing a new toy, "Oh no! Forgive me for calling you Jérôme, my father was originally part of the Imperial Guard, and I grew up listening to the stories of the Emperor......"

The captain told Jérôme Jr. how his father became a member of the Emperor's army, went through Leipzig with the Emperor, and was forced to retire after the Great War with a right foot injury......

"When I learned you were on the ship...... I really don't know how to face you...... My father used to teach me...... "The captain babbles like a flood with a tap turned on, and tells the history of their family's conquest for the emperor."

Jérôme listened silently to the captain's words, nodding his head from time to time.

The captain's words continued for nearly half an hour, until the first mate, who was standing nearby, lightly touched his body with his elbow.

The captain who reacted hurriedly apologized to Jérôme.

Jérôme nodded: "Thank you for everything you have done for the Empire, the Bonapartes will not forget his supporters!" ”

With that, Jérôme took out the pocket watch from his jacket pocket, and it was already a quarter past nine.

There are less than 2 hours left until the time of the meeting.

"I'm sorry! Please allow me to miss the company, I will meet my cousin! Breaking the contract rashly is not what a gentleman should do! Jérôme said apologetically.

"No...... No...... It's me who is abrupt! The captain also apologized.

In the presence of the captain, first mate and the entire crew, Jérôme. Bonaparte left the sailboat and jumped onto the dinghy that led to the London docks.

Little Jerome, who sat in the stern of the boat, looked at the countless boats that went back and forth on both sides of the river, and there was a hint of confusion in his eyes.

It has been nearly 4 months since he crossed over to now, and there is still a layer of estrangement between him and this world.

Everything in front of me seems to be so illusory, but it is really real.

The water of the Thames is many times dirtier than in the 21st century, and there is an indescribably pungent smell in the air.

It's time for the people who advocate fresh air to come here and take a look at the pure 19th-century fresh air.

Little Jérôme silently complained in his heart.

The dinghy continued to move forward, and the pungent smell became stronger.

Sitting in the dinghy and looking into the distance, you can see white smoke emitting from the rows of towering "chimneys" in the distance.

This smog is sulphur dioxide after coal is burned, and if it were to be the 21st century, emissions like this would only attract the attention of environmentalists and shut down in the near future.

In the 19th century, it was a symbol of the power of an empire.

The behemoth known as industry is spreading its ferocious fangs in a vain attempt to devour the entire world.

Notes: 1. Napoleon. Jérôme. Bonaparte (9 September 1822 – 17 March 1891), Jérôme. Bonaparte's son, Napoleon's nephew.