There is no peace for kings.

- Shakespeare, Henry VIII

When your head sinks into the dirty muddy water, when your ears get on the straw on the side of the road, when the boiling blood in your heart flows down the wound, what do you think of when such a moment comes?

Whether it's fear, it's manic depression, it's sadness that you're about to part with your family and friends, or whether you want to see the world again.

No, neither.

Arthur just felt an eerily serenity.

He was serene, so quiet that he could make out every sound that came into his ears.

It was the ticking of the rain, the landing of the horse's hooves, the beating of the rod of civilization on the skull, the hoarse roar of Tom and Tony, like the roar of a locomotive on a railroad.

He was peaceful, so quiet that he could see or remember many things. He saw all the twenty-one riots that had erupted in various parts of London that night, and saw much of what had preceded them.

What could be more peculiar in this world than the initial riots before the riots?

Cut everything, at the same moment, in full burst.

Was this predictable?

Yes.

Is this ready?

No.

Where did this originate?

The heart of the street.

From what ground did it fall from?

Cloud.

The riots that took place here were conspiratorial, and in that place they were improvised.

The first to discover this can grasp the common tendency of the masses and lead them with him.

At first, their hearts were full of horror, and at the same time, they were mixed with a terrifying sense of pride.

Initially, there was a lot of noise, shops were closed, and the goods on display were put in the hands of the rioting crowd and then disappeared.

Then, there were scattered gunshots, pedestrians running, and the sound of gun butts hitting the doors of large cars in the streets.

Some maids were heard laughing in the courtyard behind the gate, saying, "It's going to be lively." ”

At Covent Garden Market, twenty or so bearded and haired young men came out of the café again, holding a three-striped flag and a three-color cockade on their hats. All three of their leaders were armed, one with a command knife, one with a rifle on his back, and the other with a spear.

In the alleys of Taul Hamletz there was a rather neatly dressed bourgeoisie, with a shy belly and a gold watch in his arms, his voice sounding loud, his hair sparse and thin, his black beard parting to the right and right like a seal, and he took out of his pocket a roll of what looked like banknotes, and boxes of bullets and gunpowder piled up beside him, which the servants were openly distributing to the young men passing by.

On Greenwich's central street, shirtless blacksmiths walk down the street with a black flag, the afterglow of the setting sun shining on their banners, illuminating the slogan they write on the flag: "If you don't give us freedom, then we will choose death." ”

An antique shop on Regent Street was broken by a crowd that took away several Turkish cutlass and flintlock muskets that were on the table. Through the bright glass of the shop, the body of a mason who had been killed could be seen lying there.

On the south and north banks of the Thames, at St. James's Palace and Buckingham Palace, at the gates of the Houses of Parliament and the Court of Chancery, at the town halls and police stations, in the surrounding township markets and stations, countless breathless people, workers, students, small businessmen, and illiterate people who could not read all twenty-six letters, held aloft the Times today and read out their slogan: "We want parliamentary reform to pass." ”

Everyone is shouting that, even if some of them don't even know what parliamentary reform is about. They don't understand it, and they don't need to understand it, but they want the reform to pass.

They smashed street lamps, untied their horses, dug up stones for paving, pried down the doors of houses, uprooted trees, searched cellars, rolled wine barrels, and piled up stones, stones, furniture, and planks as barricades to stop the army and the officers of Scotland Yard who were coming to suppress them.

"Arthur, Arthur!"

Arthur turned his head, and he saw the red-eyed Tom and Tony pushing through the chaotic crowd and lunging at him like two out-of-control beasts.

In the midst of this pointless struggle, almost everyone hung up their lottery, and the two of them were no exception. It's just that, fortunately, their wounds are shallower than Arthur's.

The bruised face, the swollen back of the hand that was hit by the stick, the blood spilling from the abrasions at the corners of the eyes. For the two Scotland Yard patrol officers, they were used to such minor injuries for a long time.

Because they knew that no matter how badly they were beaten by the thugs in the alleys, if they could hold out until the new college officer named 'Arthur Hastings' arrived on the scene, he would definitely stretch out his reading hand and save them from the darkest abyss.

"Arthur!" Tom's eyes were red and bloodshot inside, and he gasped and yelled, as if he wanted to lift Arthur's breath through his own voice: "You lie down and don't move, we will send someone to find the car immediately, and we will take you to the doctor immediately." ”

"Don't be stupid, Tom."

Arthur's face was pressed against the cold stone bricks, and he felt something warm spreading from his chest to his jaw: "It's not a big deal, there will always be people falling down on the way forward." It's just that this time I was unlucky, and it happened to be me who fell. ”

Tony couldn't hold back his emotions anymore when he saw the blood on Arthur's uniform that was spreading more and more, and the water droplets dripped down his chin, and he fell to his knees beside Arthur and roared, "You bastard! Do you know what you're talking about? You're fucking dying! ”

Arthur wanted to turn his head to look at Tony, but he didn't even have the strength to turn his head, he could only smile: "I'm not dead, I'm just living in a different way." Born to die, do you know what it means? When you are infinitely close to death, you can deeply appreciate the meaning of life. If I'm dying, it's because I want you all to live. Tom, Tony......"

Tom and Tony fell to their knees, and they lay on the ground, trying to get Arthur to see their faces.

Seeing the faces of these two old friends, Arthur couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth, revealing a heartfelt smile: "Please live in the kindest way you know." I died in the darkness, but I hope that when we meet again, we will open our eyes and see the light......"

Heavy eyelids slowly fell, like a bronze door in a desert temple that was forever closed. No one can appreciate the glorious past of the temple's Chinese beauty, and it will eventually be only a dusty memory that will be erased and smoothed over time.

"Arthur, Arthur!"

Tony embraced Arthur into his arms, the warm blood, the gradually cold body, and the howl of pain startled the ravens at the top of the Tower of London: "Ah!!!!!!! ”

Not far away, in the alley, the old duke on horseback and in a cloak was watching the place. Behind him, there were countless cavalry guards.

The Marquis of Anglesey, who was accompanying him, only took a deep breath when he saw this scene: "Scotland Yard has suffered a lot tonight, and unfortunately, they have just lost a general. ”

The Duke of Wellington, who had witnessed the cause and effect, was silent, and he looked at the wounded and the streets that had long been unrecognizable, and on the other side of the Thames, there was a raging fire.

The Duke suddenly spoke, "I have often told you that there is no more painful thing in this world than to lose a war. But do you know what the second most painful thing in the world is? ”

The Marquis of Anglesey and Viscount Hardin looked at each other, and neither of them knew the answer.

The old duke tugged on the reins, turned his horse's head and said, "The second most painful thing in the world is to win a battlefield victory. ”

When the generals saw the Duke of Wellington turning his horse's head, they couldn't help but be stunned and said, "Your Excellency, what are you...... Want to retreat? ”

The Duke of Wellington rode his horse and waved his hand with his back to the generals: "Not to retreat, but as Officer Hastings said, I intend to move in a different direction." He proved his loyalty to the country with his life, and it was a well-deserved honor for him to take the reasonable advice of loyal men. ”

When the generals heard this, they couldn't help but look at each other, they hesitated for a while, but when they saw that the duke's figure had gradually faded away, they finally followed with a loud roar.

"Just give up the pursuit and help the officers drive this mob away!"

The gunmen who were ambushed in the hotel room couldn't help but be stunned when they saw this scene, they scratched their heads, and finally could only spit at the mouth and curse in a low voice: "Damn! Actually let him escape. ”

And in the alley next to the hotel, a gospel book crashed to the ground.

John Newman looked at the weeping officers around Arthur in front of him and the wounded and corpses all over the ground, and his body trembled. Every word seemed to have exhausted all his life's strength, and this was the gospel he was about to preach.

"Who has believed what we preach? To whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

He grows up like a tender shoot before the LORD, and like a root out of dry ground. He has no form and beauty; When we see Him, there is no beauty that we should envy Him.

He was despised and rejected by men. Afflicted with sorrow, and full of sorrows. He is despised as if his face was hidden, and we have no respect for Him.

Surely He bears our griefs and carries our pains. But we think He was punished by God, smitten by God.

He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities. Because of His punishment we have peace. Because of His stripes, we are healed.

We are all gone astray as sheep, every man has turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid upon him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and did not open his mouth in the midst of suffering. He was like a lamb being led to the slaughter, and like a sheep being silent by a shearer, so He did not open his mouth.

He was taken away by oppression and judgment, and as for his contemporaries, who thinks that he was scourged and cut off from the land of the living because of the sins of my people?

Though he did not commit violence, nor did he deceit in his mouth, they buried him with the wicked, and with the rich man.

But the LORD determined to bruise him and afflict him. The LORD made Him a sacrifice for sins. He will see the Seed and prolong the days. and the things that are pleasing to the LORD will prosper in his hand.

He will see the effect of his labor, and he will be satisfied. Many are justified by the knowledge of His righteous servants, and He will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will divide him equally with the great, and with the strong. Because He poured out his soul unto death, He was numbered among the transgressors. He bore the sins of many, but He interceded for the criminals.

Holy! Holy! The Lord Almighty!

Holy! Holy! The Savior's Great Prophet, Messiah! ”

At a carriage on the corner of the street, Tennyson, who had just witnessed this shocking scene, could not help but burst into tears. It was only then that he understood the meaning of what Arthur had said to him.

- I would rather you not be a great poet, because the poems of heaven have been written by the clergy, so poets can only write about hell.

And now, here and now, is his hell.

Emotions filled Tennyson's brain, and inspiration, which had been belonging for more than a year without an answer, resonated warmly at this moment.

Tennyson only felt a myriad of suppressed emotions accumulating in his chest, as if at any moment he could open his intestines and lead him to the most painful hell.

"Many worlds, many things to do,

The chasing wind in this world is destined,

How do I know it's not the other world that needs you?

Because you are strong, as you are innocent.

The fame that I foresaw was thy own is gone,

Your head has missed the earthly corolla,

But I do not curse nature, nor death,

Because nothing deviates from the laws of nature.

We are just passing by, the path of human life

Overgrown, or thorns,

In the endless years,

What kind of fame can be left to human behavior?

It's up to God.

Oh, the hollow phantom of fame,

The moment is completely faded, and the soul is ecstatic,

It strives to gather great power,

It is this power that has the potential to forge the name of humanity. ”

A mouthful of blood vomited, Tennyson's eyes were still with tears, he looked at Arthur, who had closed his eyes quietly, and just wanted to stop at this time, wanting to look at his friend again, but he couldn't refuse a sentence.

"In the eyes of those who obsessively watch,

On the face of the deceased, sometimes presented,

A previously imperceptible,

Similarities of Families:

Likewise, my dear, now your brow is cold,

I also discern what you are,

I understand that you are similar to those wise men who have passed away,

And with the ancient masters.

But there's something beyond my sight,

And where I see clearly, I want to say and stop,

I don't talk about it, because I know,

Death will use you to make his darkness beautiful. ”

Dickens leaned limply beside the carriage, his legs so weak that he could not even stand, his brain was in a state of confusion, and the tears almost suffocated him.

"To the first benefactor of the early years, the creator of good fortune in life is ungrateful and deserves to be retributed. Never break four things in your life: trust, relationships, promises, and hearts. Because when they break, they don't make any sound, but they are extremely painful. Now, I see trust, relationships, promises reunited, but my heart is broken.

It is true that there are dark shadows on the earth, but the light should have been stronger in comparison. People should be kind, but not stupid enough to let people fool at will, and when encountering things, they should analyze and discuss in detail with the most trustworthy people. Arthur, you're right, life is a story, and now, how I hope you can continue to write it. ”

Dickens fell to the ground weakly, his whole body weak, and the hat he had treasured for so long fell into a puddle, soaked with water and covered with mud.

Louis, who stood beside him, was silent, and the noble Bonaparte only turned his head to look at Alexandre Dumas beside him.

He saw Alexandre Dumas insert his pistol into the holster, no expression on his face, only memories in his eyes, and he heard Dumas's hoarse voice.

"In politics, there is no one, only thoughts, no feelings, only interests. Therefore, even if you kill someone politically, you can't say that you killed someone, you are only removing an obstacle. Arthur, you're right, even practice it yourself. ”

Louis felt a tightness in his chest, and wanted to say something but felt like he didn't want to say anything.

So, he could only throw the question to his friend, and he opened his mouth at Alexandre Dumas and asked, "Alexander, ...... No, are we going to seek revenge on him? ”

Alexandre Dumas glanced at Louis: "There is no point in revenge. Because what I see is neither a standard hero nor a standard reactionary. Most importantly, he has made a self-reckoning for his wrongdoing. Although he is not a republican, I still appreciate his behavior even if he has a different position. Because, I saw a real man. ”

Louis took a deep breath when he heard this, and he took a sharp puff on the fire, and along with the smoke rose his raised voice and arms.

Louis raised his hand and saluted, "Sir, although I have been ordered to retire from active duty. But I still want to report to you, and I'm glad to see that you have executed the Tactical Manual and Police Instructions perfectly. ”

……

At the French Legation in Westminster, Talleyrand continued his game.

Suddenly, the door to the recreation room was pushed open.

The military attache leaned down with one hand on his chest and reported: "Mr. Talleyrand, we have just been informed that the riot in the Tower of London has been quelled. But...... Your poker friend, Officer Arthur Hastings, was shot in the chest, maybe ......"

Mrs. Jersey, who was sitting opposite Talleyrand, covered her mouth when she heard this, she looked a little uneasy and a little frightened, and she couldn't help but ask Talleyrand, "That young officer Hastings, he ...... Isn't this a crime, Mr. Talleyrand? ”

Talleyrand said calmly: "No, it's worse than a crime. ”

"Worse?"

Talleyrand gently put his hand together and said, "That's right, it's not a crime, it's a mistake, an irreparable one. ”

……

It's still raining in London, but it's calming down compared to the stormy rain at the beginning.

And at the spire of the Tower of London, where no one could see, Agares was standing.

Within the range of his scarlet vision, he could see sporadic lights rising from the crowd below, and among these rays, six stars were the brightest.

They gradually rise and float until they hang high above the canvas-like dome, forming the mysterious six-pointed spire.

"A battle-hardened leader of the nation, an apostle of sainthood, a poet of the ages, a successor of Shakespeare, a French writer who dominated the continent, and a destined emperor......"

Agareth looked up at the dazzling six-pointed star, and his words sounded a little angry, but also like a little jealousy: "People cannot be resurrected after death, this is an irreversible law of nature. But, I have to say, Arthur, you're in good luck because you've got so much. ”

His wings stretched out against the pale full moon, and countless ravens with scarlet eyes flew out from behind him, placing the six-pointed star hanging high in the sky in the palm of Agareth's hand.

Agareth looked down at the land and stared into the chariot with Arthur's body in the distance: "The only question now, though, is why do I have to do this for you?" ”

(End of chapter)