??89: Chapter 49: The Fate of the King
89: Chapter 49: The Fate of the King
Arthur strolled leisurely on the streets of London, finally able to slow down and enjoy the scenery, unlike usual, as he was dressed in plain clothes today.
According to the latest directive issued by Sir Peel, in view of the escalating protests and large gatherings across London, Scotland Yard had selected a group of experienced officers to go undercover at these events for secret duty.
No wonder Sir Peel reacted so strongly, for activities like ‘demanding Parliant reform and expanded suffrage’ were not new.
The first large-scale movent demanding Parliant reform in Britain actually erupted during the Great Revolution in France in 1789.
As Sir Peel emphasized in Ho Office docunts, every French revolution had unexpected consequences in Britain.
The Great Revolution of 1789 ignited imnse political enthusiasm among the lower classes in Britain, altering many entrenched notions held since the Glorious Revolution and making them realize that politics was not solely the affair of elites; the common people had a rightful part in it too.
The first to challenge these old notions was Priest Richard Price, a key mber of the Sheffield Constitutional Society.
In a commorative activity honoring the 101st anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, he delivered a sermon titled “On Loving Our Country,” in which he introduced a crucial idea for subsequent reform movents—the most important legacy of the Glorious Revolution was that the people had the right to choose and replace their governnt at any ti.
But this perspective imdiately sparked fierce rebuttal from Edmond Burke of the Whig Party, who published a book titled “Reflections on the Revolution in France,” where he articulated his views.
— The principle of the Glorious Revolution was not to change, but to adhere to tradition.
Tradition maintained the existence of society, and thus was the foundation of it.
The Great Revolution led France to collapse by destroying its traditions; Britain must not follow France’s example but instead safeguard tradition to ensure national security.
While Burke held the upper hand, Thomas Paine published “Human Rights” to confront him.
Paine stressed in the book that each generation has the authority to choose the political system they prefer, without their ancestors making that decision for them.
Choosing a political system was an innate human right for the British, and they should fight to the death to defend this right.
However, under the existing system, workers were deprived of this right, resulting in their widespread poverty.
Only by restoring their rights could they be rescued from poverty.
Paine’s “Human Rights” broke through to 200,000 copies sold within a year of publication.
In such a social atmosphere, a series of grassroots organizations advocating for reform sprang up, entities like the Sheffield Constitutional Society and the London Corresponding Society, each boasting mberships of thousands, mushrood overnight.
All this left the British Governnt feeling extrely alard, believing these organizations were harbingers of a revolution.
Therefore, acting on the principle of striking first to avoid misfortune later, the authorities quickly arrested key mbers of the London Corresponding Society and the Sheffield Constitutional Society on charges of treason.
Chairman Margaret and Gerald of the London Corresponding Society were eventually sentenced to fourteen years of exile, but most of the mbers were acquitted by the jury due to insufficient evidence.
As the French Revolution failed, the movent for Parliantary reform also fell into a slump.
But the mories of the past still lingered in the minds of the mbers of Parliant, leaving Sir Peel with no choice but to approach cautiously.
After all, the Tory Party had proved over the decades that solely using violent ans only made matters worse.
Although the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel opposed Parliantary reform, they also firmly believed that issues should be resolved with as little force as possible.
Although this viewpoint seed paradoxical, it indeed represented the current policy of Wellington’s Cabinet.
They hoped that with ti, the British public would forget about the Parliantary reforms on their own, rather than forcibly suppressing the gatherings.
However, from Arthur’s observations over the past few days, it seed that the calculations of the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel were likely to fail.
Because those involved in Parliantary reform this ti included not just the insignificant workers, but also the Whig Party, a large number of Priests, and both the moderate and radical factions of the Tory Party.
From what Arthur had observed so far, almost every stratum in London was advocating for Parliant reform.
Although their reasons for wanting reform might differ, their actions were united.
“Whether for good or bad, reform is always sowhat helpful!”
“We demand expanded suffrage!”
“Wellington must step down, he’s just an old swindler from Ireland!”
Arthur blended into the protesting crowd, shouting slogans while holding signs for his companions.
“Overthrow the Tory Party!
Eliminate Wellington!”
When Agares saw this, he couldn’t help but glare and said, “Arthur, weren’t you supposed to be monitoring them?
Why are you mingling with them instead?”
Arthur touched the brim of his hat and found an opportunity to break away from the marching crowd.
It wasn’t because he was tired, but rather, he had followed the crowd to the police station in the Greenwich District.
He arrived at a vacant spot on the street corner and lit his pipe, taking a fierce puff.
“Agares, you don’t understand, the highest form of undercover work is to join them.
At least I’ve found out that this group seems to be sponsored by the Whig Party, and their actions are rely shouting slogans, without any plans for extre behavior, which saves
a lot of trouble.”
The Red Devil narrowed his eyes and said, “Arthur, what exactly are you thinking?
You are fed by the Tory Party’s Robert Peel on one hand, and on the other, you are quite close with the Duke of Sussex from the Whig Party.
Forgive my bluntness, but if you really intend to play politics, it’s better not to straddle the fence like this, it won’t benefit you.
You should know that for those dominant politicians, loyalty that isn’t absolute is the sa as absolute disloyalty.”
“Agares, that’s where you’re wrong, I never straddle the fence.”
Arthur exhaled a puff of smoke: “You know, I’m a police officer of Scotland Yard.
According to the Ho Office regulations, I must not hold any political stance.
Just like my view on religion that I shared with you before, I choose neither God nor the Devil, both are blindfolds that would cover my eyes.
In politics, I choose neither the Whig Party nor the Tory Party, both of whom are really the sa, exhibiting traits of justice only when they are out of power.
I only agree with them on certain issues.
I admire the Whig Party’s abolition of slavery, although most of them support it because they are factory owners.
They make no money from that aspect and need free workers in their factories.
On the other hand, I also appreciate the conservative restraint that the Tory Party is now promoting.
They love peace, although this is also because a significant portion of their supporters are bankers, and war would negatively impact the stocks and bonds they hold.
All in all, each has its rits, Agares, tis are changing, every party has its virtues, and we need to see their shining points.”
The Red Devil rubbed his hands and chuckled, “Co on, Arthur, you little villain.
Don’t tell
you don’t know that sotis having no stance is a stance in itself, and it’s a stance that pleases neither side.
Do you know why the Duke of Wellington has fallen into his current predicant, surrounded by enemies?
It’s because he tried to take a middle path, thus failing to gain favor from the liberals and getting expelled by the conservatives.
It’s only because he is Wellington that he can still manage to hold on for a while.
If it were soone else as pri minister, they would probably have already been overthrown.
Don’t be fooled by how loudly those protesters are shouting for freedom; they claim to love freedom, but they actually just hate their masters.
Their anger isn’t about injustice, but rather about their subordinate position in an unjust system.
Don’t let your insignificant conscience deceive you, the Parliantary reform is a great opportunity, and the choice is now in your hands.
You can use this chance to swear loyalty to Robert Peel or use your connection with the Duke of Sussex to formally align with the Whig Party.
Co on, Arthur, have you decided which side to support?
A promising young Police Superintendent from Scotland Yard might not seem important now, but you could imdiately make a difference using the information you have at your disposal.
Are you for or against reform, will you choose the Whigs or the Tories?
Don’t take the middle path, and don’t bother investigating that slave-trading case anymore; neither will benefit you.”
Arthur just glanced at him.
He extinguished the pipe in his hand and said, “Agares, haven’t you always been urging
to be their god?
I’ve been thinking, being a god is too difficult.
I’d rather be their king.”
At this, the Red Devil exclaid joyously, “Oh, my dear Arthur, have you co to your senses?”
Arthur nodded and said, “I’ll leave you with one thought.
Do you know what the fate of a king is?”
“What is it?”
Arthur pocketed his pipe and stepped into the police station.
“The fate of a king is to do good deeds and be maligned for them.”
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