In the face of Mill's inquiry, Arthur did not continue to hide his intentions.

He knew exactly how to deal with a brilliant scholar like Mill.

Unlike the slick officials who deceive and test each other, honesty is an important way to gain the trust of young people like Mill, who have lived in ivory towers for a long time.

After listening to Arthur's introduction, Mill also roughly understood the ins and outs of the matter.

He muttered, "Mr. Malthus would be sent to assist in the investigation of Liverpool's tariffs?" This...... It's a bit unusual......"

Arthur asked, "I also think that it would be overkill to send him to do this kind of work in his capacity as Mr. Malthus." Auditing is a task that tests the eye and physical strength, and in this regard, an old man in his sixties and seventies may not be able to do it better than your apprentice accountant. ”

Mill nodded: "That's right, in the accountant industry, auditing and bookkeeping are the least technical......"

"Really? I don't know much about the industry. Arthur took a sip of tea and asked, "And what is the highest level of work in this business?" ”

Hearing this, Mill smiled self-deprecatingly, "Although it may not be good to say this in front of a Scottish Yard officer, but, Arthur, I don't want to lie to you. In the profession of accountant, the most respected guys are usually very good at making false accounts, and they can make fake accounts just like the real thing. ”

Arthur smiled when he heard this: "Don't worry too much, John, Scotland Yard doesn't have an economic crime department. So, leave this matter to the parliament and the courts. Okay, don't talk so much. You and your father were both members of the East India Company, and both of you were long-time figures in British economics, and you yourself had been trained at Hylibery College, so do you know much about Mr. Malthus? ”

Mill was initially a little resistant to mentioning Malthus, but Arthur's open and honest attitude still made him lose face after all.

He hesitated for a long time, but finally sighed and said, "Okay, since you want to hear it, I'll say it." But you have to assure me that you can't tell anyone else what I'm saying here today. ”

Arthur crossed his fingers and propped his elbows on the table and replied with a smile: "Of course, this is the basic morality of a police officer. Although Scotland Yard does not explicitly state this aspect, as far as I am concerned, I would not easily use it as evidence even if it was a private conversation between a criminal and me. I have a lot of secrets in my heart, and I don't even tell them about Minister Rowan, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Prime Minister. ”

Mill thought for a moment and nodded, "Well, after all, you graduated from the University of London, and Mr. Bentham also praises you." For graduates of the University of London, there are some sensitive points that you should be a little more comfortable with than others. ”

At this point, Mill took a sip of tea and moistened his throat before introducing his relationship with Malthus, or the intricate relationship of British economics as a whole.

In fact, half a century ago, economics, like law and natural science, were not clearly divided into a single discipline, and they were all unified under the category of philosophy.

And this division has led to an influx of people in British economics circles who seem to be not supposed to be in this field.

Malthus was deeply influenced by David Hume, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and others when he grew up, and further developed his 'monist' belief and 'population theory' based on Hume's skepticism and naturalism.

There is also a clear order of succession in the other major faction of British economics.

If you list them in chronological order, it is another kind of starry light.

This is the development of British classical economics with Adam Smith as the founder, Jeremy Bentham as the second generation, Mill's father James Mill as the inheritor, and David Ricardo as the master.

When Mr. Bentham gave a lecture at the University of London, he proudly boasted to the audience: "I am the spiritual father of James Mill, and Mill is the spiritual father of Ricardo, so Ricardo is my spiritual grandson." ”

The scholars of this school are also the backbone of the establishment of the University of London, and if we apply the concept of oriental culture, this is the mountain gate system engraved in the bones of the University of London.

In a British society that values alumni relationships very much, Arthur admits it or not, and he has been labeled as a classifier from the moment he steps inside the gates of the University of London.

Just as the East India Company preferred to hire graduates of Oxford's Balliol College, so too did the ultra-conservative forces in Britain have a consistent dislike for the University of London.

However, as a long-time rival in the field of economics, Malthus has a good relationship with the rest of the people in the University of London.

Although Ricardo often contradicted him on economic points, especially on the issue of the Corn Laws, Ricardo was adamant that the repeal of the Corn Laws would be good for economic growth, while Malthus emphasized the importance of the landlords to the state, and insisted on upholding the Corn Laws and raising the price limit for grain.

But this clash of views does not prevent the two of them from becoming a pair of good friends with deep feelings.

What's even more strange is that no one knows how these two economists got together.

By origin, Malthus came from a typical British upper-class family, while Ricardo was a discriminated Jewish immigrant.

On Education, Malthus is a Cambridge Distinguished Graduate, Master's Degree Holder, and Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge. Ricardo, on the other hand, had only studied business school in the Netherlands for two years, and his knowledge of economics came from his hands-on experience with his father on the London Stock Exchange at the age of 14.

Even in terms of personality, the two are very different.

Ricardo was a playboy through and through, and as a stockbroker who had a fortune of £1.6 million in retirement, he also had a rich emotional life outside of work. While playing with stocks, maneuvering between several ladies and ladies is also a compulsory course for him.

Malthus, on the other hand, suffered a certain lack of self-confidence due to his congenital clumped lips and slurred speech, and he was also a priest with a strong faith, so he lived a secluded life for a long time, even at social banquets, and behaved like an out-and-out ethicist.

On the academic side, Malthus lived a typical academic life, but his academic reports usually draw on a large number of real-world observations.

Although Ricardo had a rich life experience and even served as a parliamentarian for a few years, he was a false theorist.

As for social reputation, the two are even more of a heaven and a place.

Malthus was controversial after the publication of The Principle of Population, in which Malthus was accused of defending smallpox, slavery, and infanticidism. And this wave of public opinion reached a climax after he announced his marriage, and everyone was sarcastic that he had practiced this vice after advocating birth control.

And Ricardo, though a Jewish parliamentarian, was clearly much more popular in the House of Commons than Mr. Disraeli. Even though he didn't really accomplish much during his time in the House of Commons, many MPs still applauded his passionate speech.

As for John Mill himself, because of his father's good relationship with Ricardo, he also received a lot of guidance from the master of classical economics. At Ricardo's recommendation, he had already been educated by Malthus, who was not very social, before entering Highberry College.

When Arthur heard this, the way he looked at Mill changed.

Usually, a teacher of this level may not be able to produce much in an era, and it is a great fortune in life to be taught by one of them.

However, Mill won four people in one go, and such a resume was already destined for him to become the Taishan Beidou of British economics.

Arthur held his teacup and said, "With your father's own teaching, and the preaching of Mr. Bentham, David Ricardo, and Thomas Malthus, John, you really don't need to go to college, and Oxford and Cambridge together can't put together a starting lineup of this level for you." Have you ever considered quitting your job at the East India Company, I've heard that the University of London seems to be looking for a professor of political economy lately. ”

Mill shook his head and said, "I'm not interested in teaching, and I'd rather engage in some practical work than communicate with students." In addition, the work in the company is relatively easy, which allows me to have more free time to write articles and do things I want to do. ”

"Yes." Arthur quipped, "Look at me, I'm chained to Scotland Yard right now, like a dog being called around." They didn't even prepare me too much and kicked me to Liverpool. ”

Mill laughed, "Come on, Arthur, you have a great future. Even if you are a pessimistic person, but at this time, it is better to think about the good thing, as a superintendent of Scotland Yard, there are not many people who can kick you. You see, didn't the company even send you Mr. Malthus in order to appease you? ”

Arthur replied, "I don't think so, though I am not biased towards Mr. Malthus. But as you said before, the symbolism of a professor of political economy coming to Liverpool is far greater than the actual meaning. It was not so much that the East India Company had brought him out to assist me, but rather that they wanted to humiliate the Liverpool authorities. And what puzzled me the most was that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Administration of Customs actually agreed to this proposal. ”

Mill asked, "Do you think the Home Office should not have accepted the company's proposal?" ”

"That's right."

Arthur nodded, "Everyone knows what Malthus wrote in The Principle of Population. Perhaps he was writing about smallpox only to objectively state the role of disease in curbing population growth. But that doesn't stop everyone from thinking he's a vicious killer who wants to rid the poor of the poor with disease.

Perhaps his team of students could assist with the audit, but it would be unwise to send Mr. Malthus himself to Liverpool at this moment. It's not helping me, it's getting me in trouble. Or rather, to make trouble for Liverpool's already precarious public order. ”

Given Mill's status, Arthur didn't make the problem too clear, but it was enough for Mill.

He understood that Arthur was trying to say that the East India Company had sent Malthus over to make him uneasy.

If, after the assassination of the Commissioner, the poor of Liverpool are sensitized by the name 'Malthus' and a new riot breaks out, then the Liverpool authorities are completely finished.

Mill was silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke: "Arthur, I can only say that, at least from my sources, the Polish killers who assassinated you should not have been sent by the company. While I don't want to put my father's work on display, there's no way the company can do it to the son of a board member. You know, I was at the Golden Lion Hotel when the assassination happened.

However, in the case of Mr. Malthus, I cannot rule out that there are people in the upper echelons of the company who have moved their minds. But that's all they can and will do, and companies have the ability to exert a degree of marginal influence over the Cabinet and Parliament, but the decision is always in the hands of the Cabinet. The East India Company was not as strong as everyone thought, and we were under the leadership of His Majesty the King and the Parliament. ”

Arthur reached out to Mill when he heard this, "John, thank you for your candor. However, as unreasonable as this request may be, I would like you to send a message to the company on my behalf to ask if they can withdraw their offer to send Mr. Malthus. Although Mr. Malthus is not particularly difficult to get along with, it will be difficult for me to do it if he does come. ”

Mill shook Arthur's outstretched hand: "No problem, I'll try my best." Still, I would like to ask, what are you going to do if the problem is not on the company's side? ”

"If the problem is not in the company......

Arthur laughed, "Then I can only hope that my superior, the Viscount of Melbourne, the Secretary of State for the Interior, is really a loyal and kind gentleman, as the ladies of London say." For the sake of "The British" who specially printed the ending plot of "The Pickwick Papers" in order to defend him, I hope he can take time out of his busy schedule to take a look at the handwritten letter I sent someone to deliver it. ”

Mill couldn't help frowning when he heard this: "Is it already so bad?" Do you suspect that the Home Office deliberately sent its officers to Liverpool to die? ”

"I don't know. However, the case looks rough on the surface, but the operation under the surface is very delicate, and it does not look like a sudden attack on the fly. ”

Arthur began: "And the principle of Scotland Yard is that we remain suspicious of all possibilities until the suspicion is completely ruled out. A lot of people have an incentive to do this, and unfortunately, the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is pushing for the County and City Police Act, is also one of them. ”

Mill asked worriedly, "With all due respect, if it was really the Ministry of Internal Affairs who did it, wouldn't you be throwing yourself into the net by doing this?" Arthur, although Mr. Malthus's theory is a bit extreme, he and Hume are right about one thing, we can't expect the solution to the problem to be based on human morality. ”

Arthur cupped his forehead and said, "Of course, I understand this truth, but you have to try it first, don't you?" ”

Mill pursed her lips at this, "God bless you, Arthur. I'm going to write to my father now, and I hope it will help you in your plans. ”

With that, Mill got up and left the room.

And almost at the same moment that Mill left the room, a carriage came to a slow stop in front of the Golden Lion Hotel.

When the door opened, the first thing that caught everyone's eyes was a bright red and black dress, followed by lace black gloves embellished with a few lovely pearls.

It was a lady wearing a dark black women's wide-brimmed sunhat, and her long eyelashes were covered with a thin black veil, so that one could tell at a glance that a relative in the family must have just died.

The lady stepped out of the carriage with the help of the coachman, and first looked up at the hotel in front of her, which was decorated with ivory white marble reliefs, and the heavily armed officers of Scotland Yard around her, and then raised her hand to pull the long hair behind her ear, and whispered a sentence in her mouth.

"It's really magnificent, living like a richly decorated coffin, living in a place like this, how can you not die? It's a shame to come to a place like Liverpool where the Irish are all around, wouldn't it be nice to hide in the baby room at 4 Whitehall Street, which was built for you at Scotland Yard? ”

Just as the lady was thinking about it, Mr. Schneider, the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had just finished working with others, walked out of the hotel with a relaxed smile on his face that was characteristic of when work was going well.

He saw at a glance the lady who was like a flower in the meadow, and perhaps because he was in a good mood, Mr. Schneider winked playfully at her, and asked in a smooth tone, "Ma'am, do you need help?" I have a lot of time today, so don't worry, if you need help, just ask. ”

Fiona has seen a lot of such accompaniments.

She just lifted her black glove apologetically and touched the black gauze on the brim of her hat.

When Schneider saw her posture, he immediately thought of the previous assassination that happened in front of the Golden Lion Hotel.

This lady's husband may have unfortunately died in that explosion, right?

At the thought of this, Mr. Schneider, who was of German descent, hastened to make a clear distinction between himself and the Bavarians, and apologized: "Sorry, ma'am, I did not mean to ignore this. I'm sorry, I should have thought of it, but please be happy. Trust the government, and we will definitely do justice to your husband. ”

For such a gentleman, Fiona of course did not hesitate to show her old and spicy acting skills, and her big flashing eyes seemed to be flashing with tears.

Fiona smiled politely with a hint of sadness in her sickness: "May God bless you not to be like my husband, sir." ”

With that, Fiona walked into the hotel with the help of the maid beside her.

Schneider watched her back disappear into the end of the hallway, until she could no longer be seen, and then whistled flirtatiously.

"A widow...... Husbands who have just lost their husbands always have an unusual charm. If her husband could leave her another handsome fortune, she would surely become even more sought-after...... No, no, Schneider, what are you thinking? Calm down, you've worked hard until now, not to get on a shortcut like a sheep's intestine trail. But...... Then again, is it possible that the shortcut will be smoother than the road?

There are birds singing and flowers there, there are ladies with colorful little dresses, and there is a rich heritage. Alas...... That's it, I still don't have those unrealistic dreams. Schneider, recognize yourself, you don't have this life, and you don't have that external condition. Don't you want to? You just don't have that ability! Don't spend energy on things that don't come to fruition, your goal is already at hand! ”

Schneider cheered himself on, but didn't notice the almost negligible extra weight on his shoulder, which was the arm of the Red Devil.

Agareth nodded, "Yes, yes, man, it's not easy to recognize yourself." Arthur's words, without that big drill, don't work on porcelain. It seems to me that the work of the ladies is the same. It's not a good business. Well...... No, that's what Arthur kid said? Forget it, whatever, the meaning is the same anyway. ”

Just as the Red Devil was opening his mouth, Schneider, who was about to walk out of the hotel, suddenly stopped.

He hesitantly glanced back at the place where Fiona was standing just now, and muttered, "Wait, did anyone die in the assassination?" Or did her husband die of cholera? If it's cholera, what does a woman do in such a place? And, have I seen her somewhere...... Why do you always feel familiar......"

Schneider thought about it for a long time, but he still couldn't find out what was wrong.

"Whatever, leave these things to the rest of the people, I'll just do my job well."

After speaking, Schneider put down the doubt in his heart for the time being, and walked out of the hotel door humming a little tune.

And where he couldn't see, in the room on the second floor of the hotel, behind the window glass, a pair of pale red eyes were flashing.

The Red Devil stood behind Arthur and said with a hippie smile, "Oh, my dear Arthur, what are you thinking?" You deceived that young man named Mill with your words that are seven points true and three points false, so you are starting to have a troubled conscience? ”

"Troubled conscience? Maybe it's a little, but I usually only confess before I go to bed. ”

"Really? That's a lot of progress from before. The Red Devil licked his lips: "But, if that's the case, what are you thinking now?" ”

Arthur stared at Schneider's distant back, held his red wine glass and said, "I was thinking about what Mr. Schneider said to me. Maybe the government ship really started to leak from the top, but ...... Who can guarantee that the bottom of the ship is intact? ”

"You can't trust anyone?"

"Of course, I can't even trust myself." Arthur blinked, "I've deceived myself just as much. ”

"Well, then I can only pray that you wake up in time. At the latest, at the latest, don't let me wait until it's time to attend the farewell ceremony for your remains. ”

Arthur replied nonchalantly: "Then your concept of time is really relaxed, when I will die, this is really uncertain." ”

"Who said that?" The Red Devil took a bite of the juicy apple: "Isn't that now?" ”

As soon as the Red Devil finished speaking, he heard the door slowly pushed open.

Fiona solemnly moved her beautiful dress into the room, bowing slightly to Arthur's back.

Then, I saw her fingertips move up her neck a little bit, until she covered her mouth.

A pretentious female voice with a hint of false emotion sounded in the quiet room: "Honey, I'm here to mourn for you." ”

(End of chapter)