Chapter 349: Doubtful Clouds Grow Over Liverpool

Chapter 346 – Doubtful Clouds Growing Over Liverpool
Facing Mill’s inquiry, Arthur did not continue to hide his intentions.

He knew exactly how to deal with an intelligent scholar like Mill.

Unlike the kind of smooth officials who are deceitful and try to test each other, when dealing with young people like Mill who have been living in the ivory tower for a long time, honesty is the most important way to gain their trust.

After listening to Arthur’s introduction, Mir also roughly understood the context of the matter.

He muttered under his breath: ”Mr. Malthus will actually be sent to assist in clearing up the tariff problems in Liverpool? This …… is really something unusual ……”

Arthur asked, “I also think that with Mr. Malthus’ status and position, sending him to do this kind of work is really a big deal. Checking accounts is a task that tests the eye and physical strength, and in that regard, a sixty or seventy year old man may not be able to do a better job than the accountant’s apprentice under you.”

Mil nodded, “That’s right, in the accountant business, checking and doing accounts is the least technical ……”

“Is it? I don’t know much about the profession.” Arthur took a sip of tea and asked, “So what’s the most advanced job in this business?”

Hearing this, Mill even smiled as if laughing to himself, “Although it may not be a good idea to say this in front of a Scotland Yard police officer, but, Arthur, I don’t want to lie to you. The most respected guys in the accountant business are usually so good at fake accounts that they can make them look just like the real thing.”

Arthur smiled at that, “Don’t take it personally John, Scotland Yard doesn’t have an economic crime investigation department. So let’s leave it to the council and the courts to bother with. Well, not to ramble on so much. Both you and your father are members of the East India Company, and both of you, father and son, have been long active figures in British economics, and you yourself have trained at Haileybury College, so do you know much about Mr. Malthus?”

Mill had originally appeared a little resistant to the mention of Malthus, but Arthur’s so open and honest attitude was ultimately what kept him from wiping the slate clean.

He hesitated for half a day, but finally sighed and said, “Alright, since you want to hear it, I’ll say it. However, you have to promise me first that you can’t tell anyone else about everything I say here today.”

Arthur crossed his fingers and propped his elbows on the tabletop and smiled back, “Of course, this is the basic morality of being a police officer. Although Scotland Yard doesn’t have clear rules in this regard, as far as I myself am concerned, even if it’s a private conversation between a criminal and me, I won’t easily use it as evidence. I have quite a few secrets in my heart, and those secrets, I don’t even tell Director Rowan, the Home Secretary & the Prime Minister, I don’t tell them.”

After thinking about it, Mill nodded and said, “Well, after all, you are a graduate of the University of London, and Mr. Bianchin has praised you. For a graduate of the University of London, there are some sensitive points of view that you should be able to accept a little better than others.”

Speaking of which, after taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat Mill began to describe his relationship with Malthus, or rather the intricate relationship of the entire economics community in Britain.

In fact, half a century ago, economics, like law and the natural sciences and other disciplines, was not clearly divided into a separate discipline; they were all united under the umbrella of philosophy.

This division has led to the influx of many figures into the economics circle in Britain who seemingly should not have been in the field.

Malthus grew up under the influence of David Hume, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and others, and further developed his ‘One God’ beliefs and ‘Population Theory’ based on Hume’s skeptical and naturalistic views.

There is also a clearer order of transmission in the other major school of British economics.

If they were listed on a timeline, it would be a star-studded list of a different nature.

This is the line of development of classical economics in Britain with Adam Smith as the pioneer, Jeremy Bianchin as the second generation, Mill’s father James Mill as the inheritor, and David Ricardo as the mastermind.

Mr. Bianchin once proudly boasted to his audience when he gave a lecture at the University of London: “I am the spiritual father of James Mill, and Mill is the spiritual father of Ricardo, so Ricardo is my spiritual grandson.”

The scholars of this school are also the backbone of the University of London’s founding, and if we apply the concept of Oriental culture, this is the University of London engraved in the bones of the Shanmen Taoist tradition.

In the British society, where alumni relations are highly valued, whether Arthur admits it or not, from the moment he stepped into the door of the University of London he has been labeled with a classification.

Just as the East India Company tended to hire graduates of Balliol College, Oxford, so the ultra-conservative forces in Britain were consistent in their distaste for the University of London.

But as a longtime rival in the field of economics, Malthus was on good terms with a host of London university departments.

Although Ricardo often sang against him on his views on economics, particularly on the issue of the Grain Act, Ricardo was adamant that its repeal would be good for economic growth, while Malthus emphasized the importance of landowners to the nation, and was adamant in his defense of the Grain Act and the increase in the price limits of grain.

But this clash of views did not prevent the two from becoming a pair of affectionate and good friends.

And what’s even stranger is that no one knows exactly how these two economists got mixed up.

Malthus came from a typical upper-class British family, while Ricardo was a discriminated Jewish immigrant.

In terms of education, Malthus was a distinguished graduate of Cambridge, a master’s degree holder, and a Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge. Ricardo, on the other hand, had only two years of commercial schooling in Holland, and his knowledge of economics, apart from being self-taught, came from hands-on experience in trading on the London Stock Exchange with his father after the age of 14.

Even in terms of personality, the two men are very different.

Ricardo was an unabashed playboy, and as a stockbroker who retired with a £1.6 million fortune, he had a rich love life outside of work. While playing around with stocks, maneuvering between several ladies and young ladies is also a must for him.

Malthus, on the other hand, has a certain lack of self-confidence due to his congenital harelip and lisp, and he is also a pastor with a strong faith, so he has long lived a life of deep seclusion, and even at social gatherings, he behaves like a no-nonsense ethicist.

As for academics, Malthus leads a typical academician’s life, but his academic reports usually utilize a large number of observed real-life examples.

Ricardo, on the other hand, although he had a rich life experience and even served as a member of parliament for a few years, was a theorist as much as a fake.

In terms of social reputation, the two men were even more different.

Malthus was controversial after the publication of The Principle of Population, in which he was accused of justifying the evils of smallpox, slavery, and infant drowning. This wave of public opinion culminated in his announcement of his marriage, with everyone satirizing him for practicing fertility control after advocating it himself.

And although Ricardo was a Jewish MP, he was clearly much more popular than Mr. Disraeli in the House of Commons. Even though he didn’t really get much done in his time in the Commons, many MPs were still not shy about applauding his passionate speeches.

As for John Mill himself, because of his father’s good relationship with Ricardo, he had also received a lot of guidance from the classical economics master. He had been educated by the unsocialized Malthus before entering Haileybury College on Ricardo’s recommendation.

Arthur’s eyes changed when he heard this and looked at Mill.

Usually, there may not be many tutors of this level in an era, and to be taught by one of them would be a great fortune in life.

However, Mill had won four in one breath, and this kind of resume had already destined him to become the titan of the economics sector in Britain.

Arthur holding a cup of tea read: “have your father’s personal teaching, and Mr. Bianqin, David Ricardo, Thomas Malthus preaching, John, you really do not need to go to college, Oxford and Cambridge together are not able to put together this level of starting lineup for you. Have you considered quitting your job at the East India Company, I’ve heard that the University of London seems to be looking for a professor of political economy these days.”

Mil shook his head, “I have no interest in teaching, I still prefer to engage in some practical work than interacting with students. Besides, a job at the company is easier, and will give me more free time to write articles and do something I want to do.”

“Also.” Arthur snickered, “Look at me, I’m just on a Scotland Yard leash right now, like a dog being barked at. They didn’t even let me prepare too much mentally before they kicked me down to Liverpool.”

Mill laughed, “Come on Arthur, you’ve got a big future ahead of you. Even if you’re a pessimist, it’s times like these that you might as well look on the bright side; as a Scotland Yard superintendent, there aren’t many people left to kick your ass. You see, didn’t the company even send you Mr. Malthus to flatter you?”

Arthur returned, “I don’t think so, though I hold no bias against Mr. Malthus. But as you said before, a professor of political economy coming to Liverpool is far more symbolic than practical. Rather than the East India Company bringing him out to assist me, it is more likely that they want to severely humiliate the Liverpool authorities. And what puzzles me most of all is that the Home Office and the Customs Department agreed to the proposal.”

Mill asked, “Are you suggesting that they at the Home Office shouldn’t have accepted the company’s proposal?”

“That’s right.”

Arthur nodded, “Everyone knows what Malthus wrote in Principles of Population. Maybe he was just trying to make an objective statement about the role of disease in curbing population growth when he described the chapter on smallpox. But that didn’t stop the group from thinking he was a venomous killer who wanted to use disease to get rid of the poor.

Perhaps his team of students could assist in checking the accounts, but sending Mr. Malthus himself to Liverpool at this point in time was definitely an unwise choice. It’s not doing me a favor, it’s making trouble for me. Or rather, it’s making trouble for the already precarious public order in Liverpool.”

Given Mill’s status, Arthur didn’t make the issue too clear, but it was enough for Mill.

He understood that Arthur was trying to say that the East India Company had sent Malthus over with bad intentions.

If after the assassination of the commissioner, the poor people of Liverpool were sensitized by the name ‘Malthus’ and then broke out into a new round of riots, then the Liverpool authorities would be completely finished. Mill was silent for a while and suddenly spoke, ”Arthur, all I can say is that, at least from my sources, the Polish assassins who assassinated you should not have been sent by the company. Although I don’t want to show off my father’s work, it’s unlikely that the company would make a move on the son of a council member. You know, I was at the Golden Lion Hotel when the assassination took place.

However, with Mr. Malthus, I can’t rule out that someone at the top of the company has moved. But there’s only so much they can and will do. The Company is capable of exerting a certain degree of marginal influence over the Cabinet and Parliament, but the decision is always in the hands of the Cabinet. The East India Company is not as powerful as the group thinks, and we are ultimately under the leadership of His Majesty the King and Parliament.”

Arthur sniffed and extended his hand towards Mill, “John, thank you for your candor. However, as unreasonable as this request is, I would like you to send a message to the company on my behalf to ask if you can get them to retract their recommendation to send out Mr. Malthus. Although from what you’ve told me, Mr. Malthus isn’t particularly difficult to get along with, I’ll have a hard time doing so if the gentleman does come.”

Mill took Arthur’s outstretched hand, “No problem, I’ll do my best to try. However, I still want to ask, if the problem is not on the company’s side, what are you going to do?”

“If the problem isn’t on the company’s side ……”

Arthur laughed, “Then I’ll just have to hope that my boss, Viscount Melbourne, the Home Secretary, is really a loyal and kind gentleman as the ladies of London say. Seeing as how The Cockney has had the ending episodes of Pickwick Gaiden specially reprinted in his defense, I hope that he will take time out of his busy schedule to read the personal letter that I have sent to be delivered.”

Mill couldn’t help but frown at that, “Have things gotten this bad? Do you suspect the Home Office of deliberately sending officers under their command to Liverpool to die?”

“I don’t. But this case looks rough on the surface, but then again the operation under the surface is so delicate that it doesn’t look like an impromptu surprise attack at all.”

Arthur spoke up, “And Scotland Yard’s guidelines for cases are that we remain skeptical of all possibilities until we’ve completely ruled out suspicion. A lot of people had motive to do this, and unfortunately the Home Office, which is pushing for the County and City Police Bill, was one of them.”

Concerned, Mill asked, “With all due respect, if the Internal Affairs Department really did this, then wouldn’t you be shooting yourself in the foot by doing so? Arthur, while Mr. Malthus’ theories are a bit radical, both he and Hume were right about one thing, we can’t pin our solutions to problems on human morality.”

Arthur held his forehead and said, “Of course, I understand that, but one must always try first, mustn’t one?”

Mill pursed her lips at that, “God bless you, Arthur. I’m going to write to my father right now, I hope this will be of some help to your plans.”

With those words, Mil got up and left the room.

And almost at the same moment that Mill left the room, a carriage slowly pulled up in front of the Golden Lion Inn.

The carriage door opened, and the first thing that caught the group’s eyes was a colorful red and black dress, followed by lace black gloves embellished with a few lovely pearls.

It was a lady wearing a dark black women’s wide-brimmed sun hat, and there was a thin layer of black veil in front of her long eyelashes, so one could tell at a glance that a loved one must have just passed away in her family.

The lady stepped out of the carriage with the coachman’s assistance, and she first glanced up at the ivory-white marble bas-reliefs adorning the inn before her, and the heavily armed Scotland Yard police officers standing at attention around the perimeter, and then lifted her hand and pulled her long hair back behind her ear, and softly mumbled something under her breath.

“It’s really grand, living like a decorated ornate coffin, how can you live in a place like this without getting yourself killed? Nothing to come to Liverpool this kind of Irish people all over the place is really make a fool of yourself, hiding in the Scotland Yard specially built for you to create the No. 4 Whitehall Street baby room is not good?”

Just as her ladyship’s mouth was breaking, Mr. Schneider, the secretary of the Foreign Office, who had just finished his work with the others, came out of the hotel with the easy smile on his face that is characteristic of a job well done.

He caught a glimpse of the lady who looked like a flower in a meadow, and perhaps because he was in a good mood, Mr. Schneider gave her a playful wink and asked in an oily tone, “Ma’am, do you need help? I have a lot of time today, so don’t worry, just ask if you need any help.”

Fiona had seen a lot of this kind of accosting.

She just raised her black gloves with apologies and touched the black veil on the edge of her hat brim.

When Schneider saw her gesture, he immediately associated it with the previous assassination case that happened in front of the Golden Lion Inn.

This lady’s husband was perhaps tragically killed in that explosion?

At that thought, Mr. Schneider, who had German blood, hurriedly drew a line between himself and the Bavarians, and apologized, “I’m sorry, madam, I didn’t mean to overlook that. I’m sorry, I should have thought of it. Please accept my condolences. Please have faith in the government, we will certainly do your husband justice.”

For such a gentleman, Fiona certainly didn’t mince words in pulling out her old acting skills, as if tears were glistening in her big flashing eyes.

Fiona gave a polite smile that revealed a hint of sadness amidst the sickly, “May God keep you from being like my husband, sir.”

With those words, Fiona walked into the inn, assisted by the maid at her side.

Schneider watched her back disappear at the end of the corridor until she could no longer be seen, and only then whistled a flippant whistle.

“A widowed …… lady who has just lost her husband always has an unusual charm. If her husband had been able to leave her another handsome fortune, she would have become even more desirable …… No, no, Schneider, what are you thinking of? Calm down, you didn’t work so hard to get to this point just to turn onto a shortcut like a sheep’s footpath. But …… then again, is it possible for a shortcut to be smoother than a well-traveled road?
There are birds and flowers, colorful little dresses for the ladies, and a rich inheritance. LOL …… Just, just, just, I’d rather not have those unrealistic dreams. Schneider, recognize yourself, you do not have the life, nor that external conditions. You don’t want to? You just don’t have the ability! Don’t spend energy on fruitless things, your goal is already close at hand!”

Schneider mumbled to himself and cheered himself up, but didn’t notice an almost negligible additional weight on his shoulder, the arm that the Red Devil had put up.

Agareth nodded, “Yeah, yeah, that’s right, man, it’s not easy being able to recognize yourself. What’s that Arthur saying, don’t take on the china without that big drill. Seems to me it’s the same with the ladies’ jobs. It’s a tough business. Well …… no, is that what that Arthur kid said? Never mind, what the hell, it means the same thing anyway.”

Just as the Red Devil was opening his yellow mouth, Schneider, who was about to walk out of the hotel, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He hesitantly glanced back at the place where Fiona had just stood and muttered under his breath, “Wait, did someone die in the assassination? Or did her husband die of some other factor, cholera? If it was cholera, what’s a woman doing running to a place like this? And, haven’t I seen her somewhere before …… Why does she always look a bit familiar ……”

Schneider thought left and right for half a day, but still couldn’t find out exactly what was wrong.

“Who cares, let’s leave these things to others to bother about, I’ll just do my job well.”

After speaking, Schneider then pressed the doubts in his heart for the time being, humming a small song out of the hotel door.

And in a place he couldn’t see, in the room on the second floor of the inn, behind the window glass, a pair of light red eyes were flashing.

The Red Devil stood behind Arthur and spoke playfully, “Oh, my dear Arthur, what are you thinking? Tricked that young man named Mill with your seven parts true and three parts false words, so you’re starting to have a bad conscience?”

“A guilty conscience? Perhaps a little, but I usually only confess before I go to bed.”

“Is that so? That’s quite an improvement from before.” The red devil licked his lips, “But if that’s the case, what are you thinking about now?”

Arthur stared at Schneider’s distant back and spoke, holding his glass of red wine, “I’m thinking about what Mr. Schneider said to me. Maybe this government ship really is leaking from the top, but …… who can guarantee that the bottom of the ship is just intact?”

“You can’t trust anyone with this?”

“Of course, even I can’t trust myself.” Arthur winked, “I’ve lied to myself just as much.”

“Well, then I can only pray that you come to your senses in time. At the very latest, at the very latest, don’t make me wait until I attend your last farewell ceremony.”

Arthur returned nonchalantly, “You have a pretty loose concept of time then, there’s no telling when I’ll die.”

“Who said that?” The red devil bit into a juicy apple, “Isn’t it now?”

As soon as the red devil’s words fell, he heard the door of the house being slowly pushed open.

Fiona solemnly moved her pretty dress and padded into the room, curtseying slightly to Arthur’s back.

Her fingertips were then seen moving up her neck a little until she covered her mouth.

A female sob with a hint of false emotion in its pretense rang out in the quiet room, “I’ve come to mourn for you, my dear.”

(End of chapter)