In the lobby of the Greenwich Police Station, Arthur and Alexandre Dumas sat on a makeshift podium made up of two desks, while a group of carefully screened journalists sat off.

As for how to define the formal and the informal, Arthur adopted the standard of the Home Office and Scotland Yard, which is that any newspaper that pays stamp duty in accordance with the law and has a fixed office address can be counted as a regular newspaper.

Arthur had another set of criteria for which newspaper reporters were selected to ask, and only news outlets with their headquarters in Scotland Yard, or more specifically, their headquarters in London's Fleet Street, were allowed to conduct interviews.

This is not that Arthur discriminates against the various tabloids on the streets of London, he believes from the bottom of his heart that all kinds of tabloids are the soul of the London newspaper industry, but he is also clearly aware of the embarrassing questions that tabloid reporters will ask in order to win circulation.

In such diplomatic matters, only by inviting newspapers with large circulation and long-term business objectives to conduct interviews will there be no trouble that Scotland Yard and the Home Office do not want to see.

Seeing that everything was ready, Arthur smiled and said, "It seems that Mr. Reporter can't wait." I know that time is of the essence for journalism. So let's get started. ”

His gaze swept across the stage, his gaze swept over every reporter present.

Eventually, his gaze stopped with Officer Tom's pace, and he smiled and pointed to the reporter next to Tom, "Please ask this gentleman a question." ”

The reporter was called by name, and he couldn't wait to stand up, and he said: "Good morning, Superintendent Hastings, Mr. Dumas, I am a special correspondent from The Times.

As we all know, the abduction of Mr. Dumas in London has aroused widespread concern from all walks of life in Britain. The public was shocked and outraged by the French government's disregard for the sovereignty of other countries and the unauthorized hiring of lawless individuals on their land to infringe on the lives of others.

I would like to know what Mr. Dumas thinks about the differences in government between England and France. Is the new king of France, Louis Philippe, really as he boasts, a king who advocates a constitutional monarchy and can represent the interests of the French people? ”

When Arthur heard this, he only knocked on the table twice, seemingly inadvertently.

Alexandre Dumas also understood what he meant, which was the code he had agreed with Arthur.

Knocking twice on the table meant that he would say two nice words about the British, and preferably two Tories cabinet if he didn't mind.

Of course, it would be difficult for Alexandre Dumas to praise the Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon.

But if it's just a boast of Scotland Yard, then he can barely bear it.

Alexandre Dumas almost pinched his nose and said something against his will: "First of all, I would like to thank the British police for their efforts and the British public for their concern for me. It was the enduring righteousness in the hearts of the public at large that inspired me to stand up to the French tyrant Louis Philippe.

Whether it is the French people or the English people, we are fighting for our rights, no matter what the price is to be paid for them......"

When Arthur heard this, he tasted something was wrong in three or two clicks.

It is not that there is anything wrong with Alexandre Dumas's impassioned statement, but that such a statement cannot be mentioned now, and that Sir Peel agreed to his rescue of Alexandre Dumas in order to use this 'diplomatic victory over France' to divert the attention of the British public from the 'parliamentary reform movement'.

If Alexandre Dumas were allowed to talk so aggressively, it would not only fail to divert attention, but would also provoke the British public to empathize with the July Revolution in France.

In this case, isn't it equivalent to a vain shift of attention?

Arthur hurriedly coughed, and he spoke, "Mr. Dumas, time is limited, let's hurry to the next topic." ”

With that, his gaze fell on Officer Tony again.

I saw Tony pacing to a reporter, quietly glancing at the reporter's notebook, and then nodded slightly.

Arthur took the opportunity to point out by name: "I would like to invite this gentleman to speak and ask questions." ”

"Hello, I'm a journalist from the Observer, my question is ......"

The time of the press conference passed little by little, and under the cover of Arthur, Tom, Tony and others, Dumas finally survived this trial without danger.

Arthur glanced down at the transcript of his notes, a little flattery to the British public, a little affirmation to boost Tory support, and a little back-and-forth, pointless talk about the democratic differences between France and England.

Arthur closed his notebook satisfied, and it was a perfect press conference for him.

But Alexandre Dumas beside him was clearly not satisfied.

After sending off the reporters who had gained a lot, the French fat man said unhappily: "I really don't understand the thinking of you Brits, you claim to have the most advanced, democratic, and free system in the world, but when you look up, there is a king on your head, don't you think it's ironic?" ”

Arthur sorted through the papers on his desk as he spoke, "Mr. Dumas, I've told you many times. A constitutional monarchy and a monarchy are two different things. ”

"But if there is no monarch, wouldn't it be possible to build a more perfect constitutional state?"

Hearing this, Arthur put down the document in his hand and shook his finger at Alexandre Dumas: "Sir, if England did not have a king, it would not be a constitutional state, but four!" They are England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

I know the French have always been concerned about dividing Great Britain, but you can say it bluntly, and you don't have to beat around the bush. We will not arrest you for such reasons anyway, because your thoughts are only ordinary even among the British.

Many English, and even Scots, wanted to kick Ireland out, and the Irish themselves were not happy to stay under the British system. If it weren't for the Duke of Wellington and other big names who have been struggling to maintain themselves, I guess we would have broken up a long time ago. ”

Dumas also took a deep breath when he heard this, and he shook his head and said, "To be honest, I really can't understand the British guys sometimes. If you are more serious, you were the first place in Europe to achieve religious tolerance, the first to abolish the slave trade, and sometimes indeed the star of Europe. But you will always look petty in some inexplicable places, such as your attitude towards Ireland, which is very typical. ”

Hearing this, Arthur raised his eyebrows and said, "I said before, this is the difference between Britain and France. Britain has always admired individualism, and even if a father and son are put together, they will divide their property quite clearly. What you may not know is that the oldest law in England is the Property Law system, which deals with the separation of fathers and sons, and there are so many articles in it that it can drive you crazy.

If the British treat their children and brothers like this, how can you expect them to accept the Irish so quickly? After all, Scotland and England have been united for so many years, and so far the hostility between the two sides has only slightly decreased. So, even if some of the best politicians see Ireland's value, it will not happen overnight to change public perceptions. ”

Speaking of this, Arthur's words suddenly paused.

He saw Elder standing outside the police station with a grin, swinging a check at him with two fingers.

Arthur frowned, and was about to go out to ask him, but before he could go out, Elder had already come in first.

Elder glanced around and saw that no one was paying attention to them, so he quickly slipped the check into Arthur's pocket.

"Take this, a little thank you from Colonel Fitzroy."

(End of chapter)