"Report!"

"Enter."

London, Westminster, Greater London Metropolitan Police, Office of the Director of Police Intelligence.

Arthur looked at the man sitting upright in front of him, with a scar in the corner of his eye, and the wound in the same part made him feel a trace of inexplicable kindness.

For senior officers at Scotland Yard, it was not unusual to have served in the Army.

The officer sitting across from Arthur was also a retired Army officer, but unlike those who had retired from the Guards Cavalry Regiment or the Grenadier Regiment, his presence at Scotland Yard was very thin.

Even......

His old unit was also looked down upon by some of the officers at Scotland Yard, even though they had a successful record.

The 95th Royal Rifle Regiment, a unit born in 1800, was the first unit in the British Army to be armed with a Baker rifle.

As Marines, they participated in the Copenhagen Expedition led by General Horatio Nelson, helping the Royal Navy to wipe out all the forces of the Danish Navy.

In the Peninsula War, during the most difficult period of the British Army's trial when the Duke of Wellington returned to China for trial, the 95th Royal Rifle Regiment was used by the new commander Sir John Moore as a rearguard to cover the retreat of the main army to Corunna.

At that time, French Marshal Ney ordered the light cavalry brigade of the Sixth Army under his command to pursue the fleeing British, while the soldiers of the 95th Royal Ryuke Regiment in green jackets, who were in charge of the broken rear, responded with a dense network of crossfire.

Not only did they succeed in repelling the pursuing French cavalry, but the regiment's marksman, Thomas Plunkitt, also managed to kill the commander of the French cavalry, General Auguste de Corbe, from a distance of 300 yards.

What's even more dramatic is that this guy, in order to prove that he was not blind with this shot, immediately followed up with another shot to knock down the French trumpeter who had gone to the rescue of General Colbe.

Both shots were shot in the head, which is enough to prove Plunkitt's strength.

Perhaps for a modern sniper, two guns at a distance of 300 yards is just the basics.

However, in the 19th century, due to the technical conditions of the time, most countries only required a qualified soldier to be able to shoot within 70 yards in good conditions of firearms and weather, and a good marksman should be able to hit within 100 yards.

If a soldier can still shoot at a distance of 150 yards, it means that he is probably very respectful of God, which is why he is so lucky in battle.

And if there are soldiers firing at a distance of 200 yards......

According to the general opinion of the generals: this behavior is almost no different from shooting at the moon.

It is precisely because of the poor accuracy of firearms that countries will generally use the line tactics of three rows of soldiers, with dense firepower to make up for the lack of accuracy, they pursue the speed of shooting more than accuracy, and the courage and discipline of soldiers not flinching in the face of bullets.

The 95th Royal Rifle Regiment formed in Yorkshire, nicknamed the 'Green Jackets', was a strange force that went against the trend, and they rarely marched in formation, but preferred to disperse and occupy high points and ambush the favorable terrain.

If it were placed in other countries, such troops would certainly not be reused.

But fortunately, this combat habit of theirs was very much against the temper of the Duke of Wellington, who was good at defensive warfare.

In the Battle of Waterloo, the 95th Royal Rifle Regiment took part in the battles that broke out at the village of Four Arms and then at Lahaisheng, and after paying 35 officers and 482 soldiers in casualties, they successfully completed their defensive mission.

After the Battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington, in recognition of their achievements, officially changed the name of the 95th Royal Ruse Regiment to the Revolving Rifle Brigade of the Army of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

But even though this force was successful and highly valued by the Duke of Wellington, they were never treated well by the other brothers of the army.

Because in the eyes of other troops, queuing up to shoot and confronting each other is the romance of soldiers, and hiding in the pit at the top of the mountain and putting black guns is simply a villainous behavior.

The Battle of Fontenoy, in 1745, when Britain and France faced off, is the best proof of such thinking.

Sir Charles Hay, the commander of the British army at that time, politely said to the French commander, the Count of Antroches, before the start of the war: "French gentlemen, please fire the first shot." “

And the Count of Antroches also responded very gentlemanly: "We French people never do this, let's go first with English gentlemen." ”

In this way, the two armies fought for half an hour over who would shoot first.

In the end, the British could not temper the enthusiasm of the French, accepted the invitation of the enemy gentlemen, and fired first.

The French gentleman's first response to the British bullets was that 500 of the French army fell to the ground in response.

However, this did not affect the final outcome of the Battle of Fontenoy, which the French gentlemen won anyway.

And the British journalist who learned about this wrote in the newspaper with great sorrow - whether it is from a military point of view or a spiritual point of view, the French have won a big victory over Britain this time.

And with such a classic case as the Battle of Fontenoy in front of you, it is no wonder that the 95th Royal Rifle Regiment will be notorious.

Not only will they be attacked by enemy fire, but they will also be covered by the 'firepower' of their own people.

The Army has always ridiculed the way they fight, and an upright person will not stealthily approach the enemy in a green jacket and stealthily approach the enemy with precise sniping, like a hunter. The 95th Royal Rifle Regiment is a unit that can only survive on the battlefield, a dirty and undisciplined unit, a unit with a record but no honor.

Even Mr. Thomas Plunkitt, the sharpshooter who killed the French General Colbe, was not honored for his exploits.

After the sniper incident, the generals of the British Army even came forward many times to deny that the Army intended to shoot General Colbe, and also expressed regret for his death.

General Charles Stevens publicly stated: "It is very sad for all of us who witnessed this, and Colbe is a man of extraordinary courage." Alas...... But that's what war is doomed. ”

Few people in Britain cared about the achievements of the 95th rifle regiment, and no one affirmed their honor.

There was one exception, however, and that was their fellow Yorkist, Mr. Arthur Hastings.

As far as Mr. Hastings knows, sharpshooter Thomas Plunkett officially retired eight years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

After retiring, he first started a small business with a bounty from killing Kolbe, but due to poor management, he couldn't sustain it for long.

After the establishment of Scotland Yard in 1828, he served in the Metropolitan Police of Greater London, and currently serves in the Paddington Branch of the West End of London.

All in all, the title was within Arthur's power transfer.

So, today he showed up in Arthur's office.

If no one else said it, no one would associate the middle-aged man in his forties, who had already shown signs of collapse, with a red wine halo on his face, and a slightly disfigured figure, with the famous sharpshooter Plunkit.

But in Arthur's mind, it was the standard sharpshooter's size, like his friend Alexandre Dumas.

Plunkitt looked at the young man in front of him, and didn't know what to say.

Arthur Hastings, a man of the year in Scotland Yard, was a police star who climbed to the position of assistant superintendent at the age of 22.

But what does this have to do with him?

Plunkitt asked, "Sir, the Paddington branch hasn't been doing well lately, but it's not as bad as expected, at least our situation is much more stable than in the East End. If you're looking for me for the rioters who attacked the homes of the councillors, we're currently investigating, and we've deployed additional police patrols to key areas.

With the resources we have at hand, there's only so much we can do. I had applied for assistance from the department, but the Criminal Investigation Department said that it was not a criminal case, so it was not under their control. What else do they say, subordinate police departments should not always think about asking for resources from the department. If you are fair, you can't always think of getting into trouble with us. ”

Arthur heard Plunkitt's complaints, smiled and waved his hand, "Thomas, don't get me wrong, I'm no longer in charge of criminal investigations. And I don't mean to trouble you. Public security issues are now handled directly by Director Rowan. However, I have received your feedback, and I will convey it to him tactfully at the next high-level police meeting. After all, I'm also a front-line patrolman, and I know your difficulties. ”

When Plunkett heard this, he first expressed his gratitude, and then couldn't help but spit bitterness: "Sir, just like you said, you are from a first-line background, so you should know how difficult it is for us to work." The former sheriff found out that something was wrong, and it was simply common for him to use his guns.

And now? Not to mention the guns, they usually don't even let us carry knives. If we're unlucky enough to come across a gangster committing a crime, we'll only have a stick to use to keep us around. They gave the stick a good name, the Staff of Civilization, which is indeed a weapon that can only be used on civilized people, but most of the gangsters are not very civilized. ”

Arthur raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and asked with a smile: "In other words, you want to use a gun?" ”

"I ......"

Plunkitt realized something was wrong in the middle of his sentence, and he sneered, "Don't take it personally, sir, I'm just whining." As for the house regulations, the officers of our Paddington substation still implement them carefully. ”

Arthur got up and took out the glasses and bottles from the wine cabinet: "No, Thomas, I don't mean to be harsh on your words, Scotland Yard has no rules for punishing you by words, and in a sense, I don't think you're wrong." However, it is also important to note that when Sir Robert Peel established Scotland Yard, his original intention was to maintain social order while reducing violence in the enforcement process. High levels of force must be used against vicious gangsters, but the people who use this firepower against them should not be the police, but something else. ”

As soon as he said this, Plunkitt's heart suddenly rose to his throat.

He also thought that Arthur was trying to fire his squid by saying this.

Plunkitt hurriedly stood up and saluted: "Sir, I absolutely support the decision of the hall. Some of the words are just complaints during small talk, which is not true! ”

Arthur smiled and handed him a glass of wine, then paced open the display case behind his desk.

Before Plunkett could figure out what was going on, he saw a rifle snap in front of him.

Arthur took a sip of wine and raised his head to signal him to take a look: "Thomas, I have heard about your deeds for a long time, you are an expert in this area, help evaluate this gun." ”

Plunkitt's eyes widened and he looked at the gun, then at Arthur, and then picked it up in disbelief.

He first checked whether the gun was charged, and then put the barrel upright, and his eyes were on the muzzle: "Rifled gun?" It's the same as the Baker rifle I used to make. The advantage of this gun is that it is accurate, but the disadvantage is that it takes longer to reload than standard smoothbore guns, and it is also cumbersome to clean up. If it is not cleaned for a long time, the groove in the barrel will be blocked by dirt, and the bullet will not be able to hit the right part, and it will have to explode at every turn. ”

Arthur leaned against the corner of his desk with a wine glass and asked, "Then if you had to choose, would you prefer a rifled gun or a smoothbore gun?" ”

Plunkitt almost blurted out: "That's still a rifled gun, and whether it can't be cleaned up is not a problem with the gun, but a problem with people." Take, for example, the Baker rifles equipped with the 95th Regiment and the brown Bess smoothbore rifles that other units of the Army were equipped with on a large scale.

If I were to use a brown shell smoothbore gun, I wouldn't be able to guarantee an accurate head beyond 100 yards. But if I'm given a Baker, sir, I'm not bragging, within 200 yards, I can hit any target, and here the target includes a cavalryman on the run. Although 300 yards is slightly more difficult than 200 yards, it is not too problematic.

Only 400 to 500 yards is the most challenging. At this distance, I'll only shoot at targets that have enough value, and to hit him, I'll need a good weather, not too much wind, and plenty of sunlight for me to see clearly. Also, my target should be stationary and facing me head-on. ”

Being able to explain the difficulty of shooting at targets at various distances in such detail is enough to show Plunkitt's strength.

Besides, his words were not nonsense, he really killed a moving cavalry at a distance of 300 yards, and he was also a cavalry general.

Arthur asked, "Of course, the Baker is an outstanding firearm, but if you compare it to the gun you have in hand, do you think it is superior or inferior?" ”

Plunkitt looked up and down with the gun, dismantled and unloaded the hammer, and only shook his head after a long time: "Sir, to be honest, I don't think this gun can compare to the Baker type. I haven't tested this gun yet, but I've never seen a revolver drum mounted on a rifle, and I guess this gun must not be very well sealed, so it can easily explode, and such a structure will also affect its shooting stability.

What's more, as a full-fledged firearm, the Baker has many accessories that can be loaded and unloaded independently, such as adjustable light doors or something. At that time, almost all the brothers of our 95th regiment were equipped with ornaments according to their own habits, and you may think that these gadgets are of little use, but for me, without the assistance of these ornaments, it is impossible for me to hit the enemy at such a distance. ”

Arthur nodded slightly when he heard this, "No, Thomas, what you said makes a lot of sense. I'm starting to be glad I've talked to you about these things today, after all, you're the sharpshooter who has actually been on the battlefield, and you don't get this valuable experience from other people's mouths. ”

Plunkitt scratched his head, "Then again, sir, what the hell are you trying to do with these guns?" The Ministry of the Interior is so strict with the guns in our Scotland Yard, and from last year to this year, a total of 300 guns have been approved, and they are all old products retired from the army. Even if you get it right, there's no way they'll approve Scotland Yard's own guns! ”

Arthur waved his hand slightly: "Thomas, this is not a plan for Scotland Yard, but a little thing that I have tinkered with myself. And I didn't expect the Home Office to approve the mass loading of guns in Scotland Yard, I just wanted to have a special unit within the Police Intelligence Service to deal with some tricky situations. ”

"Special Division?"

Plunkitt took a deep breath: "You mean to say that this division is massively equipped with guns?" ”

"It's not a large-scale gun, it's a full-staff gun." Arthur smiled and said, "In special cases, I will use a rifled rifle with a long range, but in general, I can use this one in my waist." ”

Speaking of which, Arthur also took off the Colt M-1831 Hastings revolver from the holster and handed it to Plunkit.

Plunkitt's eyes just fixed on the gun, and he suddenly couldn't move: "You mean, such a gun...... One hand? O my God! This hammer is gold-plated, right? How much does such a gun cost? ”

Arthur smiled and replied, "It's not very expensive, and the Police Intelligence Bureau has always treated our agents preferentially, just a twenty-pound custom revolver." ”

"Twenty pounds?"

Plunkitt's head was dizzy when he heard this price, which was worth more than half a year's salary of an ordinary police officer.

Arthur spoke, "Don't be surprised, Thomas, it's not because the Intelligence Bureau is generous that we equip a rifle like you with such a high standard, but because you're worth the price. ”

"Repeaters like us?"

When Plunkitt heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little excited, and at the same time he was even a little moved.

It was the first time in his life that he had received such courtesy.

When confronted by the enemy, they often find themselves impaled with bayonets, as they are not considered to have any right to a decent death.

And when faced with those friendly forces, cynicism has become the norm.

He chose to retire because he couldn't stand it, and when Scotland Yard was established, those guys who had far less track record and credit than them could rightfully occupy a position as a police inspector at Scotland Yard.

And a legendary repeater like him can only get a sergeant position.

The famous Plunkitt is still like this, not to mention the other brothers who have retired from the rifle regiment.

"You...... What do you mean...... If I'm not mistaken, do you want us to work for the Police Intelligence Agency? ”

"Not a want, but an invitation." Arthur smiled and said, "You have the right to refuse, but for the sake of the citizens of London, I still hope that you and the other sharpshooters will agree to work for the Eighth Division of the Police Intelligence Bureau." In the meantime, I'd like you to help improve your rifle, which you'll be using in the future. ”

"The eighth?" Plunkitt was stunned for a moment: "But don't I remember that there are only seven divisions in the Police Intelligence Bureau?" ”

Arthur and Plunkett clinked glasses slightly: "From the official documents, it is like this. There is no eighth place, so your position and rank will be attached to the other seven. But it's precisely because it doesn't exist that I prefer to call the eighth place Ghost, the ghost, which doesn't exist, but it's everywhere. At least it should be there when we need it. ”

"Ghost Team?"

Plunkitt savored it, but before he could come to his senses, he heard Arthur speak again.

"Thomas, are you willing to take on the responsibility of leading the Spectres?"

Plunkitt barely hesitated, he stood up and saluted, and said excitedly: "I...... Sir, I do! However, I still have a question! ”

"What's the problem?"

Plunkitt pondered for a moment, and suddenly said, "I want to know, what are your requirements for us?" ”

"Requirements? For the most part, you will have to cooperate with the actions of the Fifth Division. ”

Arthur shook his glass and said, "In this regard, you go and connect with Ridley King, the head of the Fifth Division, and he will tell you the details." ”

Plunkitt nodded, and then asked, "What about the special case?" ”

"Special circumstances?" Arthur chuckled softly, and he pointed to the scar in the corner of his eye and said, "I hope you have to do at least a little more professional than this." ”

Arthur thought that Plunkitt would hesitate, but the sharpshooter was not only not afraid, but pulled the corners of his mouth and grinned: "Sir, if it's just this, then you can rest assured." The 95th Regiment is all about stealth, precision and efficiency. We are not professional, but professional. ”

(End of chapter)

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