At night in Liverpool, the sky is cloudless and starry.

In the inn next to the pier, Arthur pushed open the window and felt the salty sea breeze blowing from the Irish Sea.

The wharves are crowded with merchant ships from all over the world, and even though it's night, kerosene lamps are still lit on these ships.

The sailors who were confined to the ground on the ship held beer glasses in their hands, scolding the port authorities for the expensive but poor quality of the food, and complaining about the incompetence of the British Parliament.

Land was in sight, but they had to be locked in a sweat-stinking cabin for forty days.

Perhaps because of the riots at the dock some time ago, which made the Liverpool authorities nervous, or perhaps because of Arthur's series of titles that made them panic, there are obviously a lot more Liverpool military police on duty at the docks today than in the past.

Except for a small number of wharf workers who were loading and unloading goods and customs officials in charge of customs clearance, the rest of the idle people staying in the port were on their watchful side.

However, due to the cholera outbreak, Liverpool Docks are not as busy as they were two months ago.

Whether it is a hawker selling all kinds of goods or a girl who wants to attract customers, everyone is respectful of the dock, and everyone understands that not only will you not be able to do business when you come to the dock now, but you may also contract the terrible 'Blue Death'.

For most people in Britain, the fear of cholera is not just that it will cause death, but that they will not be able to get a decent death.

Compared with tuberculosis, a decent disease that makes people obsessed, cholera does not bring beautiful pale skin and rose-scented cheeks, nor does it imbue people with a gentle melancholy temperament, nor does it conjure you up with a beautiful woman or a handsome man to fall into their arms at any time.

Cholera will only make you vomit out of last night's meal, pull out rice soup-like stools, and when the water drains away, your skin will soon become saggy, wrinkled, and your complexion will start to turn blue and black as the water is lost. If you don't get good healing within 24 hours, you'll be a skinny, blue-black corpse.

Not to mention a beautiful and handsome guy in this state, even your family and friends will stay away from you.

In a country where the poor would spend most of their lives at funerals, such an undignified death was even more horrible than the fact of death.

Out of fear of cholera, a consensus was unusually swift and unusually reached on the divisive island of Britain.

Judging from the report received by Arthur today, the various committees under the Privy Council meet almost every day, and the "Cholera Prevention and Control Manual" that Arthur privately submitted to Mr. Chadwick to the Grand Paris Police Department has also been revised several times to formalize a "Cholera Prevention Act".

And they will vote on it as soon as the new parliament completes the elections.

According to the news coming out of the Chancery's Hall, everyone expressed optimism about the passage of this bill.

The Tories under Sir Peel's leadership had a long-standing stance that the government should be more regulated, so they had no intention of wrestling with the Whigs on cholera control.

Knock knock!

There was a sudden knock on the door of Arthur's room.

"Arthur, fuck it, open the door!"

As soon as Arthur opened the door, Alexandre Dumas rushed into the room with a shout, and just as he was about to celebrate, he saw Arthur leaning against the wall by the door, his revolver already loaded.

Dumas's eyes widened and he asked, "Damn! Arthur, are you going to shoot me with one shot? ”

Arthur poked his head out to see that there was no one in the dimly lit hallway, and then he slipped his revolver into his holster.

"Alexander, what time is it, you came in a hurry at night, I thought someone had surrounded the hotel. This is Liverpool, not London. In other words, this is not my field. And the work we did this time is not a popular thing, and the control of the port is to reduce the job opportunities of the poor people, and the livelihood of many people will be affected.

And for those big shipowners and trading companies, this is cutting off their financial routes. Although Britain is not as keen on political murder as France, we have also had the same storming of parliament, gunpowder plots, assassination of kings, shooting of prime ministers, and so on. You and I are obviously not as good as the Prime Minister and the King, so I advise you not to sleep too hard when you go to bed at night, otherwise you will wake up with an extra circle of light above your head, and you don't blame me for not reminding you. ”

Dumas raised the corners of his mouth disdainfully when he heard this: "Dead in your sleep? It's too much of a way to die. Don't worry, I, Alexandre Dumas, have seen a big scene. At the time of the July Revolution, I braved a hail of bullets and bullets to lead people to capture the arsenal. With so many bullets not killing me, could I still be knocked down by a cold shot? Besides, don't you know my dueling record in London? 5-0, do you know what the concept is? ”

Arthur returned to the table and poured a cup of coffee: "As the saying goes, whoever drowns knows water." If you say so, the Royal Navy wouldn't have a sailor drowned in training every year. Do you know General Codrington's youngest son? He was a promising young man, but he fell into the water and drowned while working as a cadet at sea, and was only thirteen years old when he died.

Every time Mrs. Codrington mentioned it, she shed tears and counted General Codrington. She said that she didn't know what was good about the Royal Navy, her father had been floating at sea all his life, but her three sons were still floating at sea, and if her life was gone, what would she do if she became an admiral? Isn't it good to choose a councillor on land with peace of mind, and play cards and watch the show when you are idle?

General Codrington was transferred home because of the Battle of Navarino, and she was probably the happiest in all of Britain. ”

When Dumas heard this, he couldn't help but whistle, and he laughed and said, "I can tell that the relationship between this lady and her husband should be quite harmonious." Although I understand her thoughts, I have to say that ladies see things from a different perspective than gentlemen.

In my opinion, if you want to die a heroic death, you should die on the march of the revolution. Of course, if you want to die a romantic death, you have to contract tuberculosis, and the posture of coughing up blood after every emotional excitement is too gorgeous. And this kind of romance is only limited to the age of 30, once you are past the age of 30, you can no longer make that kind of sick noble son posture. ”

Arthur took a sip of coffee and said sarcastically, "Then why don't you hurry up?" If I'm not mistaken, you're twenty-nine today, aren't you? In another year, the label of your son will leave you. But then again, aren't you guys who are engaged in literary creation a little bit more involved in that?

I remember that Lord Byron had openly expressed his wish to die of tuberculosis, and he fantasized that the ladies who came to his funeral would touch his cheeks and say, 'Look poor Byron, how amusement it is that he is dying.' ”

"Vulgar, Arthur, you are so vulgar!" Alexandre Dumas reproached with disdain: "Is there no place for romance and poetry in your dull disposition, which is full of documents and files?" ”

Arthur touched his chin: "Alexander, it seems to me that temperament and fate are two names of the same concept. My fate does not allow me to reserve too much romantic temperament for myself, and if you use romantic temperament to do the job of a policeman, you will die without a place to be buried. Believe me, a romantic person can write poetry and paint, he can go to the streets to give alms, but he can't hold authority. ”

Alexandre Dumas questioned: "According to you, is it possible that a boring fellow like a dry firewood can hold power?" ”

Arthur shrugged, "I didn't say that. But Alexander, you have to understand that humans are an extremely narrow and short-sighted species. Everyone says they're making new progress every day, but what they call progress is just replicating the trajectory of their first success. So everyone's first success experience will have a huge impact on his life, and he will feel that this is the only way to achieve success, and that ignoring his own success may just be a lucky coincidence. In other words, if one has the power of romance, then things really get interesting. I don't mean to criticize, but romantic people are usually very unrealistic. ”

When Dumas heard this, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Okay! Then our Mr. Hastings, allow me to bring you good news. It is my honour to inform you that I have just learned that Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, the major shareholder of our great British, the scrambled London fashion magnate, the Jewish kid who sneaks in a corset to shape his body, and the rising star of British politics with a pragmatic approach, has been declared victorious today in Maidstone, Kent. He will be one in 658 of the House of Commons, representing the Tory Party in the House of Commons, and speaking out in a spirit of compassion for the British people. ”

When Arthur heard this, his hand holding the coffee cup stopped, and his eyebrows jumped three times.

Although he had already guessed that Disraeli, who had been in the middle of the Tories party, had a high probability of winning, Arthur couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration when his friend really sat in this position.

Benjamin...... It really made him do it. Who would have thought? Just a year ago, this guy was a street rat that everyone in Britain shouted at. A year later, he had transformed himself into a glamorous member of the House of Commons. ”

Alexandre Dumas couldn't help but roll his eyes and said, "Can he not become a councilor?" In terms of campaign funds alone, he had prepared more than fifteen hundred pounds in advance. He basically took out all the money he made this year, and he borrowed a lot from us. If none of these are elected, it can only be said that Britain's political system is still too clean. ”

Arthur happily paced the room with his hands behind his back, his whole face full of smiles: "No, no, no, Alexander, you are a Frenchman, so you don't know much about Britain. Benjamin's ability to win the seat for just 1,500 pounds is a testament to his ability. Of course, money is essential for electing a councillor, but if you want to be elected to councillor with money alone, then fifteen hundred pounds is definitely not enough. Before I was born, in 1807 the seat of the Council of York was sold for a whopping £100,000. ”

When Dumas heard this, he almost didn't squirt out the tea in his mouth: "One hundred thousand pounds? Is that man crazy? When I was serving in the artillery unit, I received a second lieutenant's salary, which was only 120 francs a month. If it was an ordinary private, they would have had only 40 francs a month. At the rate of 20 francs and pounds, 100,000 pounds was enough to hire a few thousand French soldiers to fight him for a year. ”

"A hundred thousand pounds is not only enough to employ a few thousand French soldiers, but also more than a thousand Elder. Elder went to sea this time, even with the special subsidy for circumnavigating the world, he did not get more than 85 pounds a year. ”

Arthur smiled and replied, "So, how much is your money worth Benjamin's fifteen hundred pounds now?" ”

Alexandre Dumas shook his head: "Come on, I don't think Benjamin will be in this seat for long." You don't know what the hell he said in his victory speech today. Wasn't Charles brought over to help him in the election? He wrote to me that as soon as Benjamin stepped on stage today, it was as if he had just drunk two barrels of whiskey, red from head to toe, and his whole body was shaking with excitement. ”

Arthur nodded slightly: "It's the first time to be a councilor, it's normal to be excited, it's not a big deal." ”

Alexandre Dumas opened his eyes wide and said, "Of course excitement is inevitable. But he can't talk nonsense. Charles said that as soon as Benjamin opened his mouth, he burst into golden sentences. He said in front of thousands of people: 'A great nation is a country that produces great men, just as Rome gave birth to Caesar, ancient Greece gave birth to Homer, and Britain gave birth to Shakespeare.' And today, right today! Britain has also produced another illustrious man, and you have chosen his Augustus! My dear elect, God is bless this country! This is only a small step for me personally, but it is destined to be a big leap for the whole of Britain! ’”

When Arthur heard this, he slapped him on the forehead: "And then?" What was the reaction of the people who attended the meeting? ”

Alexandre Dumas said with a strange face: "The mood of the people is still quite stable, after all, the money has been put into the pockets, and listening to the emotional expression of two young people is nothing. You know, Benjamin is not only writing books, but also very professional in hiring people. ”

"That's right." Arthur breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and raised his hand to light his pipe: "I almost forgot about this stubble." ”

Alexandre Dumas asked, "Are you so relieved that Benjamin was elected?" I'm really surprised, where the hell did you see that he was politically talented? Are you really as discerning as a torch? ”

Arthur smiled and said, "What is this?" I also think Louis will be emperor in the future. ”

Dumas scoffed at this: "Arthur, it's almost right, the Bonapartes are already in the past of France, and I don't think there's any need to bring them back." Above all, France does not need an emperor, what we need is republicanism. ”

Arthur just smiled and replied, "It's okay, it's not a conflict, republican emperor." Moreover, the fact that you don't need it doesn't mean that all French people don't need it. So as I said before, this is the narrowness of human beings. ”

Alexandre Dumas asked, "Are you saying I'm narrow-minded?" ”

"Nope." Arthur replied, "You can also think that the narrow-minded ones are the ones who made him emperor." Alexander, you are my friend, and I absolutely support you in this regard. ”

"Arthur!" Alexandre Dumas looked really angry: "Are you taking the revolution as child's play?" ”

Arthur replied, "Humanity is all child's play by nature, whether it's Scotland Yard or the British Cabinet, you can see them to a certain extent as makeshift grass decks. The so-called rules and regulations just make us look formal, but as long as they fall on the implementation level, it is a different matter......"

Speaking of this, Arthur suddenly heard dense footsteps in the hallway.

A short time later, Louis appeared in front of Arthur's room with a group of people.

"Arthur, Mr. Mill has arrived."

John Mill, dressed in a neat tuxedo, hurriedly shook Arthur's hand.

"Arthur, after receiving your official letter, the company has very enthusiastically decided to accept the invitation to assist in the investigation. However, as we were in the midst of the East India Company's annual internal audit, our internal audit department was unable to draw too many suitable candidates. I can only reluctantly make up three auditors for you, including me.

However, given the current state of affairs in Liverpool, we have contacted several of our long-term partners in London on your behalf in the public interest. However, because the "Personal Bankruptcy Bill" has just been passed by Parliament this year, the business of accounting firms in London is relatively busy, and senior accountants have also been invited by the London Bankruptcy Court to be bankruptcy liquidators.

Thankfully, after asking around, we found out that our Bristol partner, Bradley Barnard, was still doing business. So I made a special trip to Bristol before coming to Liverpool, and arrived a little later than I had agreed with you. In order to apologize, the company has authorized me to pay the audit fee to the accounting firm in advance on behalf of the government, and I hope you will not pay too much attention to it. ”

Everyone knew that the East India Company had long been unhappy with Liverpool's import and export consortium, but it was still a bit unexpected for Arthur to hate it to this extent.

From the information revealed in Mill's words, it can be seen that the East India Company wished that Liverpool was occupied by the French.

Arthur smiled and said, "John, it's okay. It's enough to make me happy that you've arrived at Liverpool without fear. ”

Mill wasn't ambiguous either, and he turned around and began to introduce Arthur to the accountants behind him.

"This is ......"

However, as soon as Arthur's gaze turned to the group of accountants, his heart couldn't help but tighten.

For no other reason, these people look too young.

They can't even be called young, and it's not an exaggeration to say that they're a bunch of children who haven't even grown their hair.

The shortest of the accountants wasn't even as tall as Arthur's chest, and judging by his little red nose and childish freckled face, he was probably no bigger than Adam and Pinkerton.

Arthur couldn't help but ask, "John, are these accountants...... Is it an apprentice? ”

Mill nodded disapprovingly, "It's an apprentice." The profession of accountant is generally young, and the impact of this year's Personal Bankruptcy Act on the industry is too great. Accountants with a little bit of experience have been asked by the court to do the liquidation business, and these apprentices of 'Bradley Barnard' have also scraped together to find them for you. But Arthur, you don't have to worry about their business ability, I've already tested their mathematical ability on the train to Liverpool. Especially this one named Price, if he wasn't too young, I think he would have had his own office. ”

"Price?" Arthur followed Mill's direction, and he was talking about the youngest child.

Perhaps worried that the business would be yellow, the freckled face of the child was called by name and hurriedly stood up, took off his hat and greeted Arthur: "Greetings Samuel Price, sir." ”

Although he knew that child labor was the norm in these days, Arthur inevitably felt a little strange to let such a group of children stay up late to check their accounts.

Arthur pointed to the vast volume of books sent by the Customs Department on the table behind him, and asked, "Boy, how long will it take for you to get these things?" ”

Price looked up at the papers, and then at Mill beside him, "Sir, if Mr. Mill has it, I can give you a result by tomorrow evening." ”

(End of chapter)