On the deck of the Conqueror, General Codrington pointed to the city that emerged along the coastline ahead and enthusiastically introduced Arthur to its rich history.

That's where the Channel Fleet is located, and it's the oldest naval base in all of Great Britain, Portsmouth Naval Base.

As the birthplace of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Naval Base carries a fine tradition of foreign warfare.

Portsmouth was built as a castle as early as the Roman Empire, and the Pochester Castle on the north side of the harbor is one of the traces left by the Romans.

Later during the Viking Voyage, it was used as a frontline against Viking invasions.

During the Hundred Years' War between England and France in the 14th century, Portsmouth served as the base for the Plantagenet Dynasty's operations against France.

Naval tradition began with the founding of the Portsmouth Naval Dockyard in 1496 and was officially announced by the Royal Navy in 1540.

From the deck, Arthur looked out over Portsmouth and saw nothing but the Royal Navy's characteristic red brick buildings and white lighthouse.

In addition, there are the towering fortress walls that encompass almost the entire city, and the defensive batteries with shore guns.

Not far away, you can also see the legendary battleship 'Victory' of the Royal Navy.

The decorated battleship, which served as the flagship of Royal Navy Admirals John Jervis and Horatio Nelson, and which witnessed the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, was removed from active naval service in 1812 and was saved from demolition with special approval from the Admiralty.

Not only that, but the Admiralty also made a special grant for the aging Victory to be partially refurbished and converted at the Portsmouth Shipyard, so that it could continue to serve as the flagship of the Portsmouth Base Commander.

As the sun set, the Conqueror and the Reckless dragged the almost incapacitated Beagle and the Black Thorn, respectively, into the harbor.

On the docks of the harbor, there were already many Royal Navy sailors waiting for them, as well as British journalists who had gotten the news out of nowhere.

The Conqueror slowly rolled up its sails and sank the anchor, and the sailors stood one by one in front of the guardrail on the side of the ship, their expressions solemn and their heads held high.

As soon as the Conqueror came to a halt, the sailors of the garrison, who had been waiting on the shore, lifted their planks and erected a long staircase for the Conqueror to disembark.

And the sailors on the ship naturally took out the red carpet that had been prepared in the morning, and they grabbed one end and let the other end roll down the shipboard.

General Codrington, who had put on his red cloak, came to the shipboard and glanced at it, always feeling as if something was missing from him.

He turned his head to see Arthur standing behind him, with Colonel Fitzroy, the captain of the Beagle.

Codrington smiled and shook his head, then reached out and put his arm around the two men, pushing them to a position alongside his own.

Colonel Fitzroy was flattered and said: "General......"

Codrington smiled helplessly, "I don't have much hope, but you're still young." Besides, this is a well-deserved honor. Young people, what should be fought for is to fight, but you can't shrink back in everything. In the Royal Navy, people don't think you're being modest, they're just thinking that you can't use your brains. ”

Arthur said, "Your words are true to Colonel Fitzroy. But sir, I am not part of the Royal Navy. ”

Codrington shook his finger and smiled at Arthur.

"I've heard Fitzroy talk about you. I can tell you for sure that the Royal Navy is honoured to have an outstanding broadside general. But the crux of the matter was that Sir Peel persuaded First Sea Lord Thomas Hardy.

If one day Sir Peel is willing to let go, then I can assure you that the Royal Navy is ready to welcome you on board. I keep my promise to you, for I do lack a scientific secretary with both the mind and the strength. ”

As soon as General Codrington finished speaking, he heard a chorus of running on the docks.

Two columns of neatly dressed sailors lined up along the pier, and at the end of the pier was an old man with gray hair, walking with a cane, wearing a full uniform of senior officers, with medals on his chest, slightly hunched over, and even walking a little staggeringly.

It was the commander of the Portsmouth Naval Base - General Edward Pellet.

I saw the old man on crutches, with a clanging of medallions, walking slowly to the bottom of the Conqueror.

He slowly raised his head, and the sea breeze raised his white eyebrows.

The old man took a deep breath, trembled and lifted his staff, and then slammed the pestle down.

Immediately afterward, the old but full of breath voice spread throughout the port.

"Congratulations on the victorious return of the Royal Navy Channel Fleet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland!"

The old man gave the order, and the sound of cannons rang out from the fort fortress in Portsmouth Harbour one after another.

The sailors on the pier also carried their muskets in unison and fired their guns into the sky.

Codrington patted Arthur and Fitzroy slightly from behind, and the two understood.

Under the gaze of countless people, three white gloves stretched out from the deck of the Conqueror: "For Nelson!" ”

Led by General Codrington, Arthur and Fitzroy then stepped down the board, followed by the Marines of the Beagle and the rest of the Beagle's meritorious crew.

Admiral Codrington walked up to Admiral Pelle, saluted, and then said, "Channel Fleet, do not fail in your mission." ”

General Pelle nodded slightly, he patted Codrington on the shoulder and said, "I'm almost of age, and from now on, Portsmouth will be handed over to you." ”

As soon as Pelle finished speaking, the reporters who had been waiting for a long time rushed up, and they rushed to interview General Codrington.

"Your Excellency Codrington, can you tell us more about the occurrence and process of this diplomatic incident?"

"Who the hell is that person wanted by the French government?"

"After you have fallen to the Ottomans, do you think you will be reinstated by the Admiralty because of this opportunity? I heard that the Atlantic Fleet seems to be thinking about changing the commander. ”

However, when Codrington saw this, he only shook his head.

He didn't like to deal with these journalists, who had been attacked a few years earlier for being court-martial by the Admiralty.

When asked for an interview, General Coldrington refused all of them, saying to them: "As you reporters have said before, I am just a second-rate general who 'wins and loses.'"

So I didn't get too involved in this incident, I just fired at the Ottomans as usual.

If you want to ask, ask Officer Arthur Hastings, who is behind me in charge of the case, and Robert Fitzroy, the captain of the USS Beagle. They are the real heroes behind this diplomatic case against France. ”

With that, Codrington helped General Pelle to board the carriage in the harbor under the cover of the guards.

Having lost their goal, the reporters immediately turned their attention to Arthur and Fitzroy.

At this time, a reporter suddenly patted his head, and he seemed to remember something.

"Arthur Hastings? Isn't that the strongest note in that Scotland Yard? ”

"He did this case again?"

"Don't forget, the last large-scale murder and body theft case was also supervised by him."

"Hastings? Which one is Mr. Hastings? ”

When Arthur heard this, he quietly shrank back.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he took a step back, Elder's voice sounded behind him.

"Damn! Arthur, why is it you who are in the limelight every time? Even General Codrington has long admired your name. Do you have any special tips for this? You'll have to teach me another day. ”

Arthur looked up at Codrington, who was already submerged in reporters, and shook his head at Elder and said, "Do you envy this treatment?" ”

Elder scolded in a low voice, "Of course! Who doesn't love to be in the limelight? But every time I want to be in the limelight, something happens that doesn't give me the hang of it. ”

Arthur nodded slightly when he heard this: "Okay, then I will satisfy you today." ”

Elder was stunned when he heard this: "How can you satisfy me?" ”

Arthur didn't speak, he just pressed Elder on the back and pushed him forward.

Then he pointed at him and shouted, "Arthur Hastings is here!" ”

"What?!"

"Where?!"

The reporters turned their heads when they heard this, and they were like sharks smelling blood, and they ate Elder clean in an instant.

Arthur took his pipe out of his pocket and lit it gently, he shook his hand to extinguish the match, and then took a deep breath in his pipe.

Smoke rose from the ground, and behind him could only be heard Elder shouting in a frightened voice.

"Don't squeeze! Don't squeeze! What? What questions do you ask me? How did I go from being an ordinary cop to getting here?

This brings me to the inspiration and teaching of my friend Mr. Elder Carter. Do you know Elder Carter's name?

What? I don't know? Then let me tell you, he is a top student of the Department of Classics at the University of London, very cultivated and level, and is currently single and unmarried, so he urgently needs a lady of appropriate age to fill his deep soul and empty heart......"

Hearing this, Arthur couldn't help but shake his head.

Just as he was about to step out of here, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed his sleeve.

Arthur looked back, and it was a familiar face.

It was Charles Dickens, who had quit his job as a court clerk and was now doing full-time interviewing and reporting.

Arthur quipped, "Why are you here too?" Would you like to go to dinner with me and have some tea by the way? ”

When Dickens heard this, he just lowered the brim of his hat slightly, and he whispered, "Arthur, thank God for seeing you here." ”

"What's wrong?"

"You don't know yet, do you? At the opening ceremony of the Manchester-Liverpool passenger railway, something big happened! ”

(End of chapter)