Disraeli was holding the document and was about to open it, but before he could do anything, Arthur stood up and held his arm.

"Benjamin, you can just take this thing back and look at it. It's better to do what editors should do in the newsroom. ”

When Disraeli heard this, he grinned, "Isn't this what I'm supposed to do as an editor?" Arthur, can't you just let me review the manuscript? ”

Arthur shook his head slightly: "I advise you that it is better not to." ”

"Okay then."

Disraeli lifted his ass and sank towards the desk, he glanced at the document in his hand, and finally couldn't help asking, "Then you can at least tell me what is in it?" ”

The French fat man with a keen sense of smell was also suspicious: "Yes! Although you usually do some shady things every day, there is no need to hide it from your brothers, right? ”

And Tennyson, who was on the side, was also worried and said, "Why don't I go out first?" ”

Arthur raised his hand and pressed him back into his chair: "No need, Alfred, you are not treated as an outsider. Since everyone is interested, it is not a big deal for me to tell you. ”

Dumas pinched his chin and squinted and asked, "What's in there?" ”

Arthur lifted the teapot and poured water into the teacup: "Nothing, just some comparative studies of English and Russian literature." Didn't we recently set aside a column for the Literary Association of Friends of Poland? In order to promote exchanges between the two sides, I would like to deepen Benjamin's impression of Eastern European literature as a major shareholder. ”

When Tennyson heard this, he suddenly became enthusiastic: "Really? It turns out that this is about the study of Russian literature? Then again, I do know a little bit about Russian poetry, do you know Mr. Pushkin? If life deceives you, don't be sad, don't be anxious! Calm is needed on a gloomy day. Believe it, happy days will come! Although this song "If Life Deceives You" is short, it is really a catchy masterpiece. In the difficult days of my father's death, it was this little poem that inspired me. ”

When Arthur heard this, he couldn't help but mention: "If you like Mr. Pushkin's works very much, you can go and communicate with our new columnist, the Polish poet Mr. Mickiewicz, who is a close friend of Mr. Pushkin." At the same time, he was also a close comrade-in-arms of the Russian poet Mr. Ryleyev. ”

"Ryleyev?" Tennyson couldn't help but ask, "Is it Mr. Ryleyev, the leader of the Decembrists?" ”

Alexandre Dumas nodded, "That's right, it's the great republican who died generously after writing 'Narivaiko'. ”

When Alexandre Dumas said this, he could not help singing: "If anyone rises first and rebels against those who oppress the people, I know that destruction awaits him." Fate has predestined you to die. But tell me, where, when, was once free without sacrifice? Ryleyev, what a masterpiece! Whether it's his poems or his short life. ”

Tennyson could not help but recall: "I heard that Mr. Ryleyev did not confess to any of the insurrectionists during his interrogation, and that he also applied to the commission of inquiry to execute only one of him, is this true?" ”

Arthur leaned back on his desk with his hands folded: "It's not a secret, so I can confirm to you that it's true." He did have a sense of heroism, and from what I have received, what Ryleyev said during his interrogation was that if a man's death was good for Russia, then that person should be me. I have always hoped that death would stop with me, and that they would return to their families, to their homeland, to their Tsars in God's mercy. ”

When Dumas heard this, he couldn't help but slap the table excitedly: "Great soul, great Ryleyev, he really said everything from my heart!" ”

Arthur spoke again: "By the way, I have heard that when Mr. Ryleyev went to the execution ground, he still had a copy of Lord Byron's poems in his hand, and he did not let go of it until he died. ”

When Tennyson heard this, he couldn't help but cover his forehead: "God! Why would you punish such a devout ascetic? Arthur, you're right, maybe I should really go and talk to Mr. Mickiewicz, Poland is in the same situation at the moment, and I'm a little worried about whether he will be next. ”

Arthur saw that the atmosphere was almost foreshadowed, so he took his teacup and walked to Disraeli: "Then again, I heard Mr. Thomas Campbell say that a few days ago he went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Association of Friends of Polish Literature to ask Viscount Palmerston for a certain amount of humanitarian aid to the Polish exiles, do you know what they were talking about?" ”

Disraeli was also a little sad in his heart, but when he heard this, he immediately understood what he was holding in his hand.

He was sad and stunned at first, and then he saw the corners of his mouth pulling up little by little: "Ah...... Yes...... Oh that! I have heard that Viscount Palmerston was very sympathetic to the plight of the Polish people, and invited the representatives of the Polish exiles to dine with him, and even shed a few tears in their presence. ”

When Dumas heard this, he couldn't help frowning, and he snorted softly: "Since the tears have flowed, that is, he doesn't plan to allocate a penny, does he?" ”

Disraeli sighed: "Or else? Alexander, you probably don't understand the hypocritical old fool, who is not only deaf and blind, but also wears dentures. None of the words that came out of his mouth were credible.

From what I've seen and known about him over time, if he claims to be his friend, then he must want something out of you, or maybe he's ready to attack you. And now, Poland is clearly in the position of friends. ”

Alexandre Dumas paced back and forth in his office: "No, we should do something for Poland." Perhaps I should also go and talk to Mr. Mickiewicz and make a small voice on behalf of the Polish people in dire straits? Arthur, leave me an edition for the next issue of The Economist, can you read it? ”

"Absolutely." Arthur warmed his hands with his cup and asked, "But ...... Alexander, do you understand economics? While I don't think it's okay to add some personal perspectives to The Economist, at least you have to talk a little bit about economics and wrap a professional coat on its appearance, right? For example, the theory of value, the theory of money, or whatever. ”

Alexandre Dumas disagreed: "I don't understand, but my stockbroker does!" I'll ask him to write something about economics for me, and I'll just add political commentary later. ”

"Stockbroker?" Arthur asked, "You used all the manuscript fees to speculate in stocks?" Alexander, although you are rich now, you can't throw money into the water! Even if you want to speculate in stocks, at least go and talk to our major shareholders the Rothschilds. ”

Alexandre Dumas nodded, "Yes! The stockbroker I was introduced to by Lionel, and he said that the guy's trading ability was not lost to him at all. ”

When Disraeli heard this, he immediately knew who Alexandre Dumas was talking about: "You can't be talking about Jacob, right?" ”

Alexandre Dumas was stunned, "How do you know?" ”

"It's really Jacob?!" Disraeli pouted, "Jacob, like me, grew up on King Street, and their family is also Jewish, so of course we know each other." ”

Arthur asked, "What is the origin of this Jacob?" ”

Disraeli's tone sounded a little unconvinced, but with a hint of jealousy: "Jacob has no origin, but he has a surname that is quite resounding in the whole of Britain and even the whole of European economics." ”

Tennyson was also puzzled: "What's his last name?" ”

Disraeli sighed, "His surname is Ricardo, and his father is the spiritual successor of that Mr. Adam Smith - David Ricardo. ”

When Dumas heard this, his mouth grew into a circle, and he was stunned for a long time before straightening his neckline, puffing out his chest and speaking to Arthur: "Now I can publish an article in The Economist?" Our Economist review editor, Mr. Arthur Hastings. ”

Arthur shrugged: "Of course it's fine. If this is the case, I am very afraid that the supporters of Mr. Ricardo will slap the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation in the face. But, Alexander, I would like you to ask Mr. Ricardo on my behalf whether I would be allowed to include Jacob Ricardo's name when the Economist published that article. Forgive me for being rude, the surname Ricardo is to economics what the surname Dumas is to popular literature. ”

When Dumas heard this, he gladly agreed: "Of course, I understand what you mean." This is for the sales of The Economist and, more importantly, for the Polish people. ”

As soon as Alexander finished speaking, he saw Arthur leaning against the table and muttering as he calculated: "Mill and Ricardo, I don't think anyone would dare to question the professionalism of The Economist." ”

Alexandre Dumas laughed and said, "Not just the two of them, don't we have a Louis Bonaparte and a Polish prince?" ”

Arthur corrected, "Alexander, you have to figure it out that The Economist is being questioned because of the two of them. ”

Speaking of this, Arthur reached out and brought Disraeli to the side again, he gently patted the document in Disraeli's hand, and asked in a low voice: "Benjamin, you should know." The council is about to be dissolved, and it doesn't make sense for you to chase Lord Russell of the Whigs for more than a month. Lord Russell was important in the Whigs, but he was not on the same level as Viscount Palmerston. Whether you can secure your position as a Tory candidate for parliament depends on this wave. The more ugly his expression is, the more secure your position will be in the Tory Caucus. ”

"Arthur, of course, this is for the Polish people! As a politician who aspires to defend freedom, and an aspiring young man in Britain, I have an unshirkable responsibility for this! ”

Disraeli first shouted two sentences in an excited voice, coaxed Alexandre Dumas and Tennyson out to discuss the next issue of the Englishman's article, then gently closed the office door, walked up with a smile on his face, and patted Arthur's chest with the back of his hand.

"I have to say, Arthur, you really gave me charcoal this time. In case you didn't know, there's been another shining star in the Tories lately. Fuck, if I hadn't been in the party for a while in advance, maybe I would have been pushed down by him. ”

Arthur leaned against the window and smoked a cigarette, "Another new star? So Bernie Harrison is completely hopeless? ”

"I can't say that."

Disraeli whispered: "Earl Elden was obviously a ruthless character when he was a justice, but maybe he has become old over the years, or he has become sensitive to public opinion attacks, and he is actually quite nostalgic." Bernie Harrison has been with him for so many years, and it may be a little difficult for him to suddenly let go of Harrison. I've heard that even if the caucus doesn't allocate seats to Harrison, Earl Elden may be able to hand over a pocket district he controls to Harrison. After all, he also knew that Harrison still had a case on his back, and if he wasn't given the status of a councillor, Scotland Yard would definitely not let him go easily. Unless ......"

"Unless what?"

Disraeli covered his mouth with one hand and said, "Unless we can give him some more negative news in the near future." You should know that Earl Elden, Mr. Drummond, and Mr. John Crocker, former Secretary of the Admiralty, are all in one group. And all of these people have one thing in common, they're all extremely devout Christians, so you know, Harrison has made them very unhappy right now, and if Scotland Yard can give him another moral defect, then he's completely ruined. ”

Arthur couldn't help but smile when he heard this, and he stared at Disraeli for a long time.

Disraeli was furious by him, and couldn't help but say, "Arthur, what are you doing here?" ”

Arthur simply reached down and took off the hat that was on the coat rack and put it on his head, the Scotland Yard badge shining above his head.

Arthur patted him lightly on the shoulder: "Benjamin, the proud man is really good!" ”

Disraeli blinked and smirked, "Of course, I said that sooner or later I will climb to the top of this oil slider in Britain." Arthur, you see, I have prepared for you the position of permanent secretary of the Ministry of Finance. ”

Arthur put on a tuxedo and dusted off the St. Edward's crown badge: "By the way, what is the origin of that Tory star you are talking about?" ”

Disraeli pursed his lips and shook his head, "That's not going to be easy." An outstanding graduate of Eton College, who graduated first class from Oxford University, and was president of the Oxford Debate Society for many years, I heard from the Oxford graduates at the banquet that the professors at Oxford were full of praise for him, calling him 'the next Robert Peele'.

In addition, he also gave a sensational speech against parliamentary reform in Oxford last year, so he received a lot of attention from the Tories Party as soon as he graduated. When the Duke of Newcastle attended the Oxford graduation ceremony not long ago, he personally threw an olive branch to him and invited him to join the Tory Party. Arthur, you now understand how stressed I really are, right? ”

Arthur touched his chin and said, "Benjamin, why are you talking the same as the characters?" ”

"Characters?" Disraeli rolled his eyes: "It's a pity that there is another such figure in the Tory Party." ”

"Who are you talking about?"

"Who else could it be, of course, our party leader, Sir Robert Peele."

Disraeli complained: "When Sir Peel was studying at Oxford, he was more exaggerated than this new kid. The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford at the time bluntly stated that Sir Peel would definitely be elected Prime Minister in the future, and Sir Peel lived up to expectations, his first speech in the House of Commons won a full house, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Charles Abbott, gave a standing ovation and praised Sir Peel's debut in the House of Commons as the best since former Prime Minister William Pitt Jr. You know, William Pitt Jr. was a strong contender for Britain's greatest prime minister of the 18th century, what an honor to receive such an evaluation! ”

Arthur looked at Disraeli's worried face, and just joked: "Benjamin, you don't need to worry so much. Your first House of Commons speech doesn't need to be better than Sir Peel's, you just need to be able to overpower the new kid. ”

"You're saying it easy, but there's really no better way. Fuck, excellent, I was born to be better than others! ”

Disraeli took a deep breath as he cheered himself up: "I, Benjamin, must overpower Gladstone, a woodcutter who can only chop wood!" ”

"Gladstone? Woodcutter? Arthur was stunned for a moment when he heard these two words: "Benjamin, what are you talking about?" ”

"Arthur, you don't know how hellish that new guy is!"

Disraeli complained: "The guy didn't see a trace of a nineteenth-century English gentleman from head to toe, but rather a medieval corpse that had just been dug out of a church graveyard." I've tried to deal with him, after all, we're all new, and although we are in a competitive relationship, it's always right to have a good relationship.

But that guy doesn't know how to make friends at all, and his biggest hobby besides work is chopping wood! I asked him to go to the theater before, but he actually turned me down, and you can't imagine the reason for the refusal. He fucking said that he was going to the streets to persuade prostitutes to be good!

And he's been doing this for months. When he was a student in Oxford, he advised the prostitutes near Oxford, and now he has brought this habit to London. In my opinion, he should not have come to elect a councilor, but should have found a church to be a pastor. ”

When Arthur heard this, he immediately understood why Disraeli had such a sense of crisis.

The new Mr. Gladstone's actions were almost perfectly in line with the demands of the hardliners of the Tories for parliamentarians, who not only opposed parliamentary reform, but whose morals were clearly in line with the most modest and conservative of state religions.

Such a person is obviously better than a guy like Disraeli who just shouts 'miss the good life in the country' and 'reinvigorates the spirit of British nobility'.

"Gladstone......" Arthur muttered the name, always feeling as if he had heard it somewhere, and suddenly, he chuckled in his heart, "Benjamin, what is the full name of that Mr. Gladstone, do you know?" ”

"Full name?" Disraeli pondered for a moment, and replied, "William Jurte Gladstone, his father was a great slave trader in the West Indies. Later, after Britain declared the abolition of slavery, he turned to industry and finance. ”

Arthur muttered, "It's really him...... But I didn't expect that his family would still have a relationship with Alexander......"

"Oh! That's right! Disraeli's eyes rolled: "Maybe we should dress up Alexander and get it to the council to complain about their business?" ”

When Arthur heard this, he half-opened his mouth and stopped, and after a long time he had to pat Disraeli on the shoulder: "You better go and talk to Alexander about this matter yourself." As you know, he recently bought a flintlock pistol, so it's good for you to try it with him. ”

When Disraeli saw that Arthur was not going, he was also empty: "Do you have any other arrangements?" ”

Arthur nodded slightly, gently raised his hat and said goodbye to him, "Didn't you just say that?" Mr. Bernie Harrison's side, I'm getting ready to close the net. ”

When Disraeli heard this, he hurriedly stopped: "Arthur, don't act rashly. Have you forgotten what I said, if you want to close the net, you have to push him again. ”

"Of course I do."

Arthur took out a business card that Fiona had given him from the inside pocket of his tuxedo and raised it gently, "You probably don't know, I heard that Mr. Bernie Harrison usually likes to go out and go to some Fengyue places. Lately, he has clearly not been in a good mood, so the frequency of wandering outside has increased significantly. Originally, I didn't think that such a trivial matter was worth putting on the table, but since the Earl Elden and his Excellency cared so much about personal morality, I had to reluctantly drag him out of the gentle country. Benjamin, you should have told me this information sooner, and then I wouldn't have waited so long. ”

With that, the corners of Arthur's mouth lifted slightly, and his narrowed eyes covered his black eyes that emitted a red shimmer, and only a charming and gentle smile could be seen on his lips.

Arthur puffed out his chest and grabbed the officer's knife hanging from the coat rack, and pulled open the door to his office, his dark and shiny riding boots on the wooden floor, only a dull crunch could be heard.

Disraeli leaned against the window, and a breeze blew through him, blowing beads of sweat off his forehead.

He stared at Arthur's back and disappeared outside the door of the editorial office, just shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I hope you don't bump into that old Gladstone antique when you act, he likes to go to the Fengyue place as much as Harrison when he is fine." Of course, the difference between him and most men is that the purpose for which he went there was a little too peculiar. ”

(End of chapter)