Chapter 280: The Three Musketeers (K4)
Chapter 279 The Three Musketeers (5K4)
In the vegetable garden outside the residence, Arthur was looking at the several pistols laid out on the table in front of him.
Dumas, who was an arms expert and firearms enthusiast, was rushing to Arthur to eloquently introduce these collections that he was so proud of.
“British M1796 Heavy Dragoon Pistol, is the standard sidearm equipped by British heavy cavalry during the Napoleonic wars, in order to pursue extreme power, it uses the same caliber of ammunition as the Heavy Dragoon Carbine. Because of this, the gun was often overloaded and had accidents such as blowing up. But if you’re looking for the ultimate in destruction, then it’s definitely the one for you.”
Speaking of this, Dumas suddenly copied this pistol against his side belly position, he pulled the trigger violently, only to hear a bang, the onion head in the vegetable field was instantly blown to pieces by him.
Seeing this, Arthur just shook his head and said, “No, Alexander, this is just too violent. And I’m not mentally prepared to break a few fingers in case of a blowout or something like that.”
Dumas wasn’t in a hurry when he heard this, he just juggled the gun and put it back where it belonged.
In an instant, he introduced the other pistol next to him, “What about these two? Both of these were the main equipment of the light cavalry during the Napoleonic Wars.
The left this is the British New World type pistol, mainly listed in the British light cavalry, caliber 0.65 inches, the length of the gun is 14 inches, of which the barrel is 8 inches, the weight of the whole gun is 2.6 pounds. The British East India Company’s Bureau of Arms Manufacturing specializes in excellent stability, and it comes with a rotating push rod mounting.
The one on the right is the Light Cavalry Pistol of the King’s German Legion, the German Legion of Britain you know, right? This legion was recruited from the Hanoverian Kingdom, the commonwealth confederation of your Brits, and in addition to the Hanoverians, it was mixed with some mercenaries from the Hessian region of Germany, and the fighting strength was very strong.
This unit fought alongside you Brits from the time it was called up in 1805 until it was disbanded in 1816. Whether you want to admit it or not, at least in my opinion as a Frenchman, the cavalry of this unit fought extremely fiercely, and it can even be said without any hesitation that they were far superior to the native British cavalry.
During the Battle of Garissa Hernandez in the Iberian Peninsula War, the cavalry of the German Legion under the command of the Duke of Wellington had once broken through two French infantry squares from the front, and although they had made great sacrifices, such a success was still extremely rare. Although I am a Frenchman, I still have to pay tribute to their valor in battle.
The cavalrymen of the German Legion were armed with this 0.66-inch caliber pistol, which I don’t think was any better than the New World pistol produced by the East India Company. But after all, this type of pistol has a much better record than the British cavalrymen equipped with the New World pistol, so you may be able to gain the strength and courage to match if you choose it.”
When Arthur heard this, it was not the strength of the guns that concerned him the most, but the King’s German Legion of England that Dumas was talking about.
He spoke, “A legion of Hanoverians and Hessians? In that case, the clerk I met at the Foreign Office earlier, his father might have served in this troop at one time or another. Well …… it’s possible that their family immigrated to Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.”
Dumas shrugged his shoulders, “Who knows? However, after the Battle of Waterloo, the Kingdom of Hanover was rebuilt, so the German Army Corps was disbanded, and only part of these soldiers and officers were integrated into the Hanoverian Kingdom’s standing army, and most of the rest of the part of the just took a severance pay home. The fact that some of them simply emigrated to Britain was no cause for alarm. Isn’t that how the Germans and the English are related? Your ancestors all came from the same place, counting back dozens of generations, maybe even relatives, to say the least, the English are only a thousand or eight hundred years earlier than they arrived on this island.”
Said here, Dumas suddenly turned to say: “However, Arthur, you in the end intend to choose which one, you said you want to find a handful of weapons, I’m this is the inventory are moved out for you.”
Arthur just gently shook his finger when he heard this, he pointed at the pistol that was placed at the top of the table and spoke, “These three pistols you showed me are all produced in Britain, if I really wanted to get them, I could get them myself. But this gun, I’ve never seen it before, is it any good?”
When Dumas heard that Arthur had actually taken a fancy to that one, he was so shocked that he clutched the gun in his arms as if his wife had been looked at, and the fat Frenchman spat loudly, “Damn it! This gun was put out there for you to see, but don’t even think about hitting on it, it was, is, and always will be mine only.”
Arthur struck a match to light his pipe and exhaled a smoke ring, “What? Is it something special?”
“Special? Of course it’s special!”
Dumas exclaimed, “Do you know what kind of gun it is? It’s a French Republican ’13! Didn’t I tell you? During the July Revolution last year, after I led the opening of the arsenal and was the first to storm the Tuileries, I was given a special audience by General Lafayette. In recognition of my bravery, he gave me his sidearm, the one you see here.
General Lafayette added that this gun had accompanied him for countless years since its production in 1804, that it had witnessed the end of the Republic, the rise of the Empire, the restoration of the King’s government, and now the July Revolution. He is too old to accompany this gun any longer, and only a hero like me deserves to continue to own it!”
Arthur nodded at his words and said, “If you say so, then this gun is still quite significant. But since you don’t want to give it to me to use, what are you doing with it?”
Dumas emphasized, “Arthur, can’t you use your brilliant mind? If you found a virtuous and beautiful lady as a lover, wouldn’t you hide her? Of course you would take her out! When the people see that you can find such a good lover, they will naturally understand your strength. But let you appreciate it, if you set your eyes on her, then don’t blame me for opening a few holes in your head.”
Arthur took a sip of his cigarette and puffed out a puff of white air in front of him, “The analogy of the French literati is still as marvelous as ever, Alexander, every time, I don’t know whether to spit out whether you’re affected by the French blood or are miserably poisoned because of your status as a literati.”
Dumas raised an eyebrow, “What is it?”
“Nothing, I just think that the French and the literati are still quite similar in some ways.”
“Like what?”
Arthur sipped his cigarette, “In short, both identities are generally quite tawdry.”
Dumas sniffed and snorted, “Arthur, look what you’re saying, you’re one of the pillars of our Cockney. You don’t have to be modest about it. You may be a bit far from me, but you’ve barely scratched the threshold of literary greatness. That episode you suggested Charles add at the end of “The Flag of St. George Is Always Rising” earlier was a nice touch.
A depressed Elder spends an insomniac night of silence after seeing the light of St. Elmo’s descending from God.
When he discovers a large shark attacking his crew, he resolutely chooses to jump into the sea to fight the shark, and after a grueling tug-of-war, he finally defeats the ruthless shark.
Early the next morning, sightseers at the Pier Terrace Hotel pointed to the large shark tethered to the stern of the Beagle and dragged along, looking out over the thick, long, white spine and large dorsal fin.
They exclaimed, ‘What is that?’
The restaurant waiter said blandly as he wiped his plate, ‘It’s a shark.’
The lady gently pressed her visor as she murmured in fascination, ‘I didn’t know sharks had such majestic and beautifully shaped tails.’
The tourists’ gasps of amazement rose, while Elder lay face down in a deep sleep in the crew’s lounge of the cabin, while Mr. Charles Darwin sat guarding his side.
Suddenly, a vague smile suddenly appeared on Elder’s face, and the gloom of depression had disappeared as he squeezed the cross tightly in his hand. At this moment he was dreaming of lions.”
Speaking here, Dumas couldn’t help but laugh out loud and walked up to give Arthur a punch in the chest, “Arthur, damn you! The first time I read this paragraph I simply laughed while reading it, and my stomach was turning with laughter. If I didn’t know Elder, I would have thought he was some kind of American tough guy or a loyal and pious crusader. On reflection, though, it’s a damn good bit of writing, and you see, I’ve almost memorized it now.”
Arthur, with a calm face, said, “Alexander, you’re really overstating the case, just as you did with the personification of Mr. Vidocq’s experiences in The Count of Monte Cristo. I, too, did no more than somewhat artistically manipulate Elder’s portrayal in ‘The Flag of St. George is Raised as Usual’. You must know, Alexander, that art comes from life, but is above life.”
“Yes, of course I know that.” Dumas laughed with tears in his eyes, “Only I think you’ve gone a little too far with this processing, so much so that it makes me feel that there’s not much life in it, it’s all fucking art.”
Arthur took a sip of his cigarette and spoke, “Alexander, for a moment I can’t tell if you’re complimenting me or putting me down with that.”
Dumas hooked up with Arthur and said, “Don’t take it too much to heart, man, just think of it as French and literary, you’re slutty now too. For the sake of us being slutty together, pick any one you want, except for that French Republican Thirteen Years, and consider it a gift from me. But then again, didn’t you say you had gotten yourself a rotary pistol? In that case, what were you looking for me to look at the goods for?”
Arthur said helplessly, “The technology of that rotary pistol is still immature, and the failure rate is really a bit high. Although I’ve already pushed for it a few times, there’s no rush for this, and Mr. Colt is already doing his best to improve it. Most importantly, his gun is only a trial piece, and there is no production line in London, so every time he improves it, he needs to find a factory to order the parts separately, and with this back and forth, isn’t the time all delayed?”
While playing with his precious gun, Dumas asked, “But wasn’t the duel between you and François Bertrand a fencing match? What are you doing with a gun all of a sudden?”
Arthur shook his head and said, “The duel between me and him is, to be precise, a soldier-striking match, and it’s also the unlimited kind. To be honest, I think it’s already polite to just get a gun, I was going to bring a dung fork to the battle. But now the problem is that the dung fork is harder to borrow than I thought, and some guys are just overly cheap.”
Arthur couldn’t help but glance at the red devil riding in the tree as he spoke.
Agares keenly captured Arthur’s eyes, and he broke out in anger, “Arthur, let me emphasize again, that’s not a dung fork I have, but the devil’s trident! You uneducated country bumpkin, do you know about the Lance of Longinus that stabbed Jesus? In the days of the Roman Empire, holding the Lance of Longinus meant holding the power of the empire and the fate of the world. And that trident of mine is made of the same material as the Lance of Longinus! The only difference between them is that my trident has never thirsted for the blood of a savior prophet until now! Don’t you fucking dare try to make me lend it to you.”
Arthur sniffed, just glancing at the thirteen years of the Republic in Dumas’ hand, and then at the trident cradled in Agareth’s arms, before shrugging his shoulders regretfully, “It seems the Devil’s a little more possessive than the Franks, so perhaps at times like this I really can only count on Colt, the American lad.”
Hearing this, Dumas simply said in relief, “Arthur, you must have faith in yourself. You are a character who can take down thirteen Barbary pirates on your own, so how can Francois Bertrand’s swordsmanship be a threat to you?”
Arthur shook his head as he sniffed, “I was originally thinking the same thing as you, but since I read that book by Master Michaëlle Hunter, my confidence is not quite as strong now. I’m always worried that during a fight, Mr. Bertrand will suddenly call up dozens of his brothers from offstage. Alexander, remember to bring your gun with you on the day you go to the game, and if we can’t, we’ll fight them. Since Britain can have German legions, it shouldn’t be a problem for me to fight side by side with you, a French man of letters.”
Arthur had just said this when he suddenly saw Disraeli humming a little tune and pushing open the fence gate and walking into the vegetable garden.
He glanced at the rows of arms on the table and asked with a tight frown, “Arthur, have you finally started the business of dumping arms from Scotland Yard as well?”
Arthur sipped his cigarette, “Sorry, Benjamin, I don’t have the guts to meddle in the Royal Navy’s field of business just yet. These guns are from Alexander’s collection, would you be interested in accompanying him to try a couple?”
Dumas nodded in agreement, “Benjamin, trust me, I’m a pretty good shot.”
“So trying two means making me a target?”
Disraeli rolled his eyes, “Alexander, I’ve dedicated my life to the people of all of Britannia, if you want to find me to test a gun, you can consider getting a British citizenship first. No more jokes with you guys. That said, Arthur, I have a favor to ask of you.”
Arthur leaned over the table and asked, “Let me guess, is it something to do with Mr. Gladstone, the rising Tory star who’s giving you a hard time?”
Disraeli pointed at Arthur and laughed, “Arthur, you really do know me. And yes, I’m going to give him a hard time.”
“Awesome?” Dumas copied a pistol and threw it at him, “This one is of the largest caliber, guaranteed to blow his head off in one shot. Make things clean and I’m sure Arthur, with his abilities, will be able to get you clemency in the form of exile from Australia.”
Disraeli bristled, “Alexander, this is Britain, can you not always apply your French political logic, I have no intention of taking his life. Besides, I’m not a very good shot, if Gladstone, the wood chopping enthusiast, spins up his open axe, I may not be able to beat him.”
Arthur returned, “Then you might want to consider getting some special training in marksmanship from Alexander, and by the way, if you still can’t hit it right, you might want to get a lesson in cannonball firing from him. Don’t forget, he was a deputy company commander of the French artillery.”
Dumas proudly said, “That’s right, whether it’s howitzers, mortars, or cannons, I master all their firing techniques. The calibers range from 8-pound, 12-pound, 24-pound all the way up to 36-pound, depending on which one you find more comfortable to use.”
Disraeli couldn’t help cursing when he heard this, “Alexander, you really are wanted by the French for a reason. And you, Arthur, look at all the bad ideas you’ve given me. I told you, I don’t intend to take Gladstone’s life, I just want to crush him, this kid has been really arrogant in the party lately, all those windfalls he made should have been mine!”
“Well well well, my dear Benjamin, who made you Prime Minister? I can’t argue with a little Scotland Yard constable like you.”
Arthur spoke up and asked, “So what exactly is it that you want to embarrass Gladstone at?”
Disraeli coughed, “Arthur, didn’t I mention to you before about Gladstone and I going to Scotland Yard to do prostitute counseling? That what, aren’t you in close contact with Miss Fiona in the East End? She should have quite a few professionals in this field under her hand, right?”
Arthur raised an eyebrow at that, “You mean, you want me to go and grab all of Fiona’s people for you to persuade?”
“No, no, no, how can you call this an arrest?”
Disraeli said playfully, “Treat the ladies gently, we’re just inviting. And we don’t have to invite them all, just a few. These invited ladies, please tell them, when Gladstone comes to persuade them, please try to act disdainful, and when I come to persuade them, then immediately be greatly touched, and if they can weep and enact some drama, that would be great!
In short, make it look like Gladstone and I are two very different people. Of course, I didn’t invite these ladies over for nothing, and I’m willing to pay them a certain amount of remuneration and gratitude.”
When Dumas heard this, he just tsked and said, “Benjamin, I thought your habit of inviting actors had changed since I first saw you in Hyde Park. How come the old habit is back now?”
Disraeli sniffed and scolded with a red face, “Alexander, this is not hiring actors, this is politics, politics do you understand. Deception is also one of the manifestations of politics, and I’m willing to offer these ladies an honorarium, isn’t that more comfortable than them earning money outside? It’s only a matter of shedding a few tears, the money has come very easily!”
Hearing this, Arthur did not refute Disraeli’s words, and after pondering for a while, he suddenly spoke, “Benjamin, if you really want to move on this matter. I would suggest that you can also go and get in touch with Charles, he had previously talked about getting a Urania House that specializes in helping out-of-place ladies learn skills. If you can get in touch with him, you might even get in the papers along the way.”
(End of chapter)