Chapter 795: 373
Thus, the group decided to send a large number of experienced, skilled, and courageous unemployed industry veterans to the Financial City and protest sites, where there was a severe shortage of “labor force.”
These top talents in the industry perford miracles like Moses parting the sea; in just a few days, they not only managed to assault the major London banks enduring bank runs but also unleashed a dinsion-reducing blow from London’s top echelons of the criminal industry.
Many of the protesters who ca to run on the banks also suffered heavy losses; they not only failed to withdraw gold but even lost the banknotes in their pockets.
Although it wasn’t at the sa ti, it was at the sa place. In just five days, the elegant seats of Scotland Yard were filled with heroes from all corners of the world.
The officers at Scotland Yard were engrossed in intensive work for a week straight, and Commissioner Rowan, Deputy Commissioner Mayne, along with Arthur, couldn’t secure even five hours of sleep per day over several continous days.
In such difficult tis, only letters from Victor sent from Paris could bring so comfort to Arthur’s heart.
It was certainly not honorable for London and Scotland Yard to be second to last in this ti’s wave.
But Paris and the Paris Police Prefecture being last ans that, after all, Britain and the country across the sea were providing a cushion, right?
According to Victor, the situation in Paris had been plunging from the bottom of the valley into the abyss of Hell in recent tis.
Due to the French governnt’s inefficient pandemic response and the frequent violent incidents,
on May 22, thirty-nine Republicans in the French Parliant, along with so mbers disillusioned with the July Monarchy, issued an accusation against Casimir Pierre Perier, the French Pri Minister, after eting with forr Pri Minister Jacques Laffitte.
What concerned Victor more was that although the report did not directly condemn the monarchy, it did point out that the current social environnt in France was consistent with that of the eve of the Great Revolution in 1789, and it harshly accused the governnt of violating citizens’ democratic rights and igniting social unrest.
As a true Frenchman, Victor was acutely aware that, although not a word was ntioned, this report was implicitly inciting the public to overthrow the monarchy and move towards a republic.
Under the pressure of dostic public opinion, the July Monarchy governnt had to release so of the Republicans and Bonapartists detained at St. Pelagie Prison to show sincerity to the opposition.
Unfortunately, the influential young mathematician and Republican, Evariste Galois, had died in a duel shortly after his release from prison.
This sparked public outrage amongst the Republicans who accused the governnt of conspiring in Galois’s death, which they viewed as a long-preditated plot.
Although Galois ostensibly chose to duel over a love affair, his romance had blossod in prison with the daughter of a doctor, and the man he dueled with after his release was none other than the most famous sharpshooter in Paris.
The Republicans did not believe that Galois would indulge in such a duel that was akin to suicide, where no hope of victory could be seen, and so his death was not romantic but a blatant political murder.
In response to the Republicans’ accusations, the Paris Police Prefecture Commissioner Jusco did not choose to co forward to refute the rumors, having learned his lesson from the ‘poisoning rumors’; but such an action in the eyes of the Republicans was almost like an admission of guilt.
And on the next day, more bad news arrived.
The leader who enjoyed extrely high prestige among both the Bonapartists and the Republicans, a fad marshal during the Republic and the First Imperial Era, known as the Protector of the People for his pro-populace stance, General Jean-Maximilien Lamarck, who had served as chief of staff to Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, and to Mourel, his brother-in-law, contracted cholera during a visit to see patients at the hospital and passed away that sa night.
According to insiders, at his dying monts, Lamarck clutched to his chest a sword given to him by officers from the Hundred Days regi. “Army” was Napoleon’s last word, but “fatherland” were Lamarck’s.
When such news was released, it escalated the already tense situation in Paris by another level. If Paris was a powder keg, Lamarck’s death was the spark that ignited it.
Even in London, when the Great Dumas heard the news, he was so enraged that he slamd the table, preparing to return to Paris to start an uprising.
Of course, the boldly spirited French literary giant could not realize his idea. If he wished to return to Paris, first he had to deal with the British reactionary standing in his way.
Unfortunately for him, the reactionary’s actions were far quicker than Mr. Dumas could have imagined.
Just before the Great Dumas was about to board the ship leaving London, his carriage was urgently intercepted at the Thas River docks, and along with him, a mber of the Bonaparte family trying to take advantage of his public position to sneak out of London amidst the chaos was also intercepted.
Bound tightly, the Great Dumas sat in the shaky carriage and glanced at Louis, who was tied up beside him like a rice dumpling, feeling both infuriated and amused.
“Louis, I must say, I owe you an apology. I once doubted your revolutionary zeal because your talk of a republican emperor was utterly baffling, to the point where I thought you were a thief like your uncle, attempting to manipulate the revolution and steal the fruits of the republic. But today, I must say, sorry, you’re just like , a great, genuine, and pure revolutionary.”
Louis lay on the carriage floor, his expression ashen, but with a slightly defiant tone in his voice.
“Damn it! Alexander, I didn’t think you would think that of . You shouldn’t have been wary of , I’ve always considered you a friend. The person you should really be wary of is sitting right in front of you.”
Click!
A spark flew through the carriage, followed by a long sigh, as misty smoke slowly rose.
Arthur, with one foot on Louis’s back, tried to stabilize him so that he wouldn’t roll around the carriage: “What now? The grand unity of the French Revolution, united against a common enemy? Louis, Alexander, I told you earlier, don’t try to return to Paris, because it’s dangerous. You are smart n, so you should have thought that the danger doesn’t start when you reach Paris.”
Upon hearing this, the Great Dumas turned red with anger, his bushy hair seeming to explode: “Arthur, you damned British, I was utterly mistaken in you! I thought you were one of those who could be persuaded, but you’ve disappointed , look at what you’re doing now. It’s bad enough that you’re helping Wellington suppress the demonstrators, but now you’ve even gotten involved with the July Monarchy! Have you even t Louis Philippe? What boon has he offered to make you so devotedly serve him?”
“Boon?”
Arthur rested one hand on the carriage window, looking out at the scenery: “Alexander, whether you believe it or not, I haven’t taken any boon from the French. I just don’t want to see you two hotheads head back to Paris to die in vain. Moreover, if you want to participate in a revolution, why travel all the way back to France when London’s situation can give you a sense of involvent? Yes, I admit, all these things in Britain are learned from France, they are second-hand, fan-made, so they’re not as authentic as Paris’s. But I think not everything in the world needs to be enjoyed in its original flavor, and besides, you’ve already tasted the most authentic revolution in Paris, so I suggest you consider an exotic flavor once in a while.”
Most importantly, if you stir up revolution in London, I can tell you what you can and cannot do, not only can you express your emotions, but you can also be fully assured of your safety. Why insist on seeking thrills in Paris, do you agree with this logic?”
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