A townhouse with a garden on the outskirts of London's West End.

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

The wheels stopped suddenly, and out of the car came a gentleman with a large-brimmed hat, a black gown, and a beautiful gift in his hand.

His back looked broad, his waist was straight, and he walked with a straight face, as if he was walking in an array of marches, a posture that he knew at first glance that he had served in the army.

The servant saw the face of the person who came, 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 a long time."

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

Led by the servant, the two walked through the garden walkway and into the living room of the villa.

The parlor is not very large, but it is very delicately decorated, and there is a specimen of a deer's head hanging from the fireplace, and a line of tags affixed to it, which records that the deer's head was hunted in Blolands in 1811.

Directly opposite the fireplace, there are several sofas and a round carpet that looks exotic.

Just as Clemens was about to sit down, he was suddenly embarrassed to find a pair of translucent briefs with lace trim hidden in the gap of the sofa.

From this style and design, it should belong to a lady of no low status.

Seeing this, the servant hurriedly stepped forward and put his underwear in his pocket, and he apologized to Clemens in embarrassment.

"You know, Mr. Viscount has always been very charming, and the ladies of the Olmark Club are very fond of him, and it is normal to hold a reading salon here often, and it is normal to leave some belongings with them once in a while."

When Clemens heard the servant say this, he could only pretend to be confused, and he nodded: "When His Excellency the Viscount was serving in the War Department, he took more care of my Guards Cavalry Regiment. You don't need to explain so much to me, I'm his old subordinate......"

Although Clemens didn't dare to inquire too much, he couldn't help but gossip after all.

He stole a glance at the staircase leading to the second floor and the door to the next room, and only after confirming that the viscount had not yet arrived, did he have the audacity to ask cautiously.

"However, although I know that His Excellency the Viscount is very popular with noble ladies, but after all, he is so old, and I don't know if it is ...... this time."

Seeing that he was so curious, the servant had to look around mysteriously, and then whispered, "Princess Livin, wife of the Russian ambassador......"

"Ah......" Clemens suddenly realized, "then it makes sense, I have heard of Princess Levine, and my wife mentioned it to me, and she said that the ladies of London privately call her ......"

As soon as Clemens said this, the servant suddenly coughed violently, and the discerning inspector hurriedly stopped his mouth.

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

"Clemens, what are you doing standing? Feel free to find a place to sit. ”

Clemens turned his head to see that it was a middle-aged man in civilian clothes who was wiping his wet hair with a bath towel.

The man wiped his head, handed the bath towel in his hand to the servant on the side, found a sofa to sit down, looked at the stunned Clemens and asked, "Are you sick?" How do you feel like you're not in the right mood today? Would you like some gin? ”

Clemens's heart sank slightly when he looked like he had just finished taking a shower.

Princess Levine isn't gone yet, right?

He hurriedly found a sofa with his back to the room and the stairs and sat upright, and then said: "There are so many jobs in Scotland Yard lately, you should have seen it in the newspapers, right?" The murder and body robbery case turned Scotland Yard upside down.

Sir Peel was furious about this, and the Duke of Wellington ordered the military and police to participate in the operation. The big guy has been busy for a month, and it was completely over a while ago. ”

While lifting the teapot on the table and pouring tea, the viscount said, "Huh! Peel just likes to compete over such inconsequential trivialities, seizing a hot spot and trying to distract the public.

The little policeman who gave a speech in court before was, this murder and body theft case is also the case, there are more people dying every day in the city of London, if he really wants to crack down on this gang of corpse sellers, why did he push for the repeal of the "Blood Act" before?

If I had to do this, I'd be able to slaughter all those corpse thieves. I can't move the doctors, can't I move the gravediggers?

Hum! Peel is a contradictory combination of soft-heartedness and a desire to establish order. Where in the world is there such a good thing? ”

When Clemens heard this, he couldn't help but feel his heart tighten.

The Viscount was about to take a sip from his teacup, but when he raised his eyes, he noticed a subtle change in Clemens's expression.

So, he drank tea for a while, held the teacup and asked, "Clemens, you are not involved in this case, are you?" ”

"No, of course not." Clemens said, "You know, although I like wealth, I don't like this thing yet. ”

The viscount stared at him for a moment, then put down the teacup and said, "Okay, I believe in you." But I still have to remind you that you're not very old, and you're still very promising. The Tories were running out, and when Wellington went down, the Whigs would be able to come to power.

From my observations of the party and my knowledge of the situation, once the Whigs come to power, it will be Earl Charles Grey who will succeed as Prime Minister.

I have a good relationship with Earl Grey, and I have a fairly solid position in the party, so I may get a cabinet position from him, either the Ministry of Finance, or the Ministry of the Interior, and of course, I personally hope to get the Foreign Office.

But no matter which position I get in the end, you should be promoted, which is a reward for your loyalty, and an affirmation of your perseverance during my time in the opposition.

Clemens, you've done a great job, and I've learned a lot of important information from your mouth since I left the Cabinet. ”

The Viscount picked up the teacup and touched it with Clemens, and he smiled and said, "I wish our benefit." ”

Clemens was about to drink tea with a smile, but when he heard this, his smile suddenly froze, and he asked, "Your Excellency, you are really fond of jokes, don't you usually say, 'I wish our friendship'?" ”

The viscount smiled lightly, he shook his head and said, "Friendship is all false, only interests are real." Clemens, you've been with me for so long, why don't you understand my personality? For me, there are no permanent friends, only eternal interests.

If it weren't for my personality, why would I defect from the Tories? Wellington, Peel, George Canning, William Huskison, they were all too ignorant. To be a qualified politician is to do what is beneficial, both for the country and for oneself.

When they were going to choose someone from the party to challenge me for a seat at Cambridge University, they should have thought of this outcome in advance.

My revenge is very heavy, and if anyone offends me, I promise that he will not survive. ”

Clemens reluctantly laughed, and he chimed in, "You're talking about it, Lord Palmerston. I'm here today precisely because I want to help you out of your troubles, and I've found an opportunity to help you defeat Wellington's Cabinet. ”

"Oh? Have you found a way to sabotage the reconciliation between Wellington and Huskison? ”

Palmerston took a sip of tea and shook his head slightly, "With all due respect, that level is not something you can participate in. I had tried Huskison's tone some time ago, and Wellington didn't know what ecstasy soup he had given him, and he really seemed to be planning to go back with his men. ”

"Not Mr. Huskison's problem. The reconciliation between him and the Duke of Wellington, and the ribbon-cutting of the Manchester-Liverpool railway, were the responsibility of Sir Peel's confidant, Superintendent Hastings, and I couldn't intervene to create a problem between them. ”

Palmerston propped one arm on the arm of the couch and read to himself.

"Hastings? That Arthur Hastings? The young man climbed very fast, and Peel was willing to entrust him with such an important task. If he is allowed to continue to work for a few more years, I am afraid that he will be the director of the Metropolitan Police Department in Greater London, right? ”

When Clemens heard this, he knew that Palmerston was beating himself, and he smiled and complimented: "I'm not worried about that, he has Sir Peel, don't I still have you on my side?" I can assure you that this thing will be very valuable to you. ”

Palmerston was immediately intrigued when he heard this, and he leaned over and asked, "What did you find?" ”

Clemens pulled out a document from the leather bag he was carrying with him and handed it over respectfully.

"Please, this is the information I got from Fred. It took me a lot of effort to pry his iron mouth open, this kid had recently taken over a big job from the French government, and tied up a French republican to be shipped back. ”

Palmerston took the document and glanced at it, and couldn't help but snap his fingers happily: "Fred, this bastard, I can't imagine that I can do such a good thing." It seems that the order I ordered him to retire directly back then was still a bit harsh, and I knew that this kid was so good now, so I kept him. ”

Clemens smiled and said, "Your order is not harsh, and Fred also brought it on himself. Although leading soldiers should be strict, he directly whipped two recruits to death, which was still too violent. ”

Palmerston pursed his lips and nodded, "That's right." ”

He stood up and patted Clemens on the shoulder: "It's nothing without Fred, don't I still have you?" Clemens, I want you to make sure at all costs that Fred can get that Frenchman to Paris.

As long as he succeeds in this order, I guarantee that the next day the whole London newspaper will cover it. As soon as Wellington's cabinet falls, whether I end up in the Foreign Office, the Home Office, or the Ministry of Finance, I will be able to get you a good job.

Well...... Perhaps these positions are too civil for you. Well, if you are interested in re-taking charge of military affairs, I will consider finding someone to transfer you to the General Ordnance Bureau.

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

When Clemens heard this, he couldn't help but have a trace of joy floating on his eyebrows, he stood up and saluted: "There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests!" ”

Hearing this, Palmerston leaned back on the sofa with his teacup, and he smiled lightly: "Clemens, I am optimistic about you." ”

(End of chapter)