Chapter 371: British diplomatic resolution

Chapter 368 The Diplomatic Resolution of Britain
London, Westminster, 85 Downing Street, Foreign Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

The exquisite carvings on the facade, the grand portico and the majestic gate, in terms of architecture, its appearance alone is already enough to illustrate its splendor. But in reality, this is just the tip of the iceberg, the real breathtaking exquisite design and grand style are hidden underneath its already extraordinary appearance, just as the British gentleman likes to hang on the two words – low-key and luxury.

Exquisite frescoes, gilded ceilings and floors of genuine marble from the shores of Greece and Sicily.

The sun shone through the hollowed-out dome on the black-rimmed handrail of the Grand Staircase of State, and the slightly dry palms resting on it seemed to glow with the aquamarine of the ring.

Viscount Palmerston was accompanied by a flamboyant gentleman a few years his senior, clad in a crimson buckskin cloak and riding boots.

Judging by the brownish clay on the older gentleman’s boots, he must have just had a pleasant country hunt this morning.

Although Viscount Palmerston had always been arrogant, and his attitude when treating his subordinates at work could even be described as harsh, the attitude of His Excellency the Viscount today towards the old gentleman beside him could be completely described as polite.

The reason he did so was mainly due to the following.

First of all, this old gentleman came from a noble family, and both his father and uncle were famous generals of the British Army. More than that, his uncle even served as the Governor of Virginia and British North America before the independence of the United States.

Such unique conditions naturally won the old gentleman some inherent advantages in the British political arena. But what is even more remarkable is that he fully utilized these advantages.

Of course, the most enjoyable story is his visit to the Qing Dynasty in 1816 as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

This, coupled with the fact that he was himself a senior diplomat and still holds the title of Minister of the Bedchamber, made him a very close associate of the Crown. Therefore, Viscount Palmerston still had to give this senior face at least in terms of etiquette.

“Of course, not all of Bianchin’s ideas are bad. For example, the individual should enjoy his innate right to finance, free trade, freedom of speech and publication, and so on, and many of these ideas have been accepted by the government as well.

Not to mention the fact that Count Armistead had come to the Foreign Office today because Palmerston had taken the initiative to invite him.

As a close friend of the royal family, the British court liked to send him out on many outstanding matters.

For example, when the Napoleonic Wars were in full swing, he was sent as Minister to Naples to deal with Napoleon’s brother-in-law, King Mulla of Naples.

However, in my opinion, many of Bianchin’s initiatives still seem a bit too radical, such as the outright abolition of slavery, the banning of corporal punishment in the military, the separation of state religions and the legalization of homosexuality. Still, on the whole, I have great respect for him.

Although he didn’t love the military as much as the elders in his family, he showed a superhuman talent for socializing.

However, although Earl Armistead is now in semi-retirement and is not in the best of health, due to Earl Armistead’s longstanding and strong friendships with various Tory dignitaries, such as the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel.

“Since your departure as Viceroy of India in 1828, the office has been succeeded by Lord William Bentinck. Judging by the various documentary reports and statistics that have come back from India so far, Lord Bentinck has done his job very well, and our commercial profits in India have risen in line with the good level of governance there.

Hearing this, Earl Armistead’s cane, which he was leaning on, was pressed a little harder against the floor, and he said faintly, without turning his head, “Perhaps you should speak to our noble Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham, about this; I am afraid that when it comes to the supporters of Bentin, there are not many who wield more power than he does.”

Viscount Palmerston also heard the fire in the other’s words, and he smiled reassuringly.

At the beginning of his political career, the old gentleman had served as a minister of the bedchamber for nine years, and had gained the trust of the crown for the orderly conduct of the affairs of the inner court.

Palmerston accompanied Armistead, his neck curling slightly as he probed softly.

Though so many years had passed since the event, it was clear that this streak in Lord Bentinck’s bones had not changed. It now seems clear that his mind has been poisoned by these utilitarians of Bentinck’s more deeply than we had anticipated.”

Still, on the whole, not much went wrong in India during his tenure, and it helped to further solidify British rule in northern India. So, at the end of his term as Viceroy, he was officially created the first Earl of Amherst.

However, when I think about Lord Bentinck’s near-mutiny when he was Governor of Madras, India, when he forbade Indian soldiers to wear beards and turbans, it still makes me feel a little worried. At that time, if his father, the old Duke of Portland, was not serving as Prime Minister, and promptly recalled him to the country to do a cold treatment, Lord Bentinck’s political career will almost be buried in this way.

Although the result of that trip was not good, but for the old gentleman in the British political arena won the name of expert in the East. Therefore, after the Marquis of Hastings, the Governor-General of India, was recalled to the country to be tried for corruption scandal, the old gentleman, who was trusted by the royal family, was sent to India to correct the government.

During his tenure as Viceroy of India, although the colonial government did not perform well in the Anglo-Burmese War, it shelled out 13 million pounds in military expenses and more than 10,000 casualties to take this small Southeast Asian state.

Or perhaps he was elected to the Privy Council, Britain’s highest authority, as an advisory officer.

However, I have just recently learned from the Colonial Office that Lord Bentinck appears to have recently embarked on a bold experiment in reform in India. While it is true that the abolition of such barbaric practices as widow burning and burial is a step forward in civilization.

He was a champion of the French Revolution and was made an honorary citizen of France. But there is no doubt that he did want to think for the world and for the society of Britain, only that he was a little off in his way of thinking.”

Count Armistead let out a light laugh, “It seems that we still have some rare common ground between us, I also appreciate Mr. Bianchin, but the difference between us is that I don’t appreciate Bianchin’s viewpoints, I just appreciate his personality. Bian Qin this person speaks and does things childishly, but he lives a frank life, whether it is his views or behavior, it is consistent and traceable.

In contrast, I hate characters who, like George Canning, make a habit of betrayal and defection. While I don’t want to bash such behavior, these types of examples were extremely rare in the old days, yet in recent decades it seems to have become such an unwritten rule that even a student still in school randomly changes his face now.”

This might not be understandable to others, but Palmerston understood the old earl’s words exceptionally well.

As a follower of former Prime Minister George Canning, one of the jobs Viscount Palmerston had acquired when he first set foot in Parliament that year was as a lowly official under the Admiralty, who had ventured to formulate the battle plan for the shelling of Copenhagen and the overthrow of the Danish navy in accordance with Canning’s whims.

If we carefully analyze Palmerston’s political career, we can also find that his body is full of the shadow of the guide Canning.

They both danced between the Tories and the Whigs. Canning was introduced to several Whig leaders by his uncle when he was a student, but after graduation he chose to join the powerful Tories.

As for Palmerston, he had always been a staunch royalist, insisting on an absolutely iron-clad, hard-handed approach both internally and externally. However, when he was gradually marginalized in the Tory party, he transformed himself into a Whig who advocated parliamentary reform.

Moreover, both men were very flirtatious in their private lives, and three of the seven most distinguished ladies of the Ormac Club were fond of Palmerston’s wry sense of humor.

Canning, on the other hand, had an affair with Princess Caroline of Brunswick, the queen of George IV.

Equally adept at debating and oratory, he liked to force his opponents to concede with an aggressive and oppressive attitude, and often offended people as a result. Even more, they are similar in blood.

Viscount Palmerston was a genuine Irish nobleman, and Canning’s parents were also Irish.

It was because they were so much alike that the descriptions given by friends to Canning and describing Palmerston could be generalized in many instances.

–He regarded politics as a child’s play, and he had a total disregard for principle, if such principle prevented him from realizing his object of obtaining power.

Viscount Palmerston knew very well what a bad effect his betrayal of the Tories had had in the hearts of those pure old Tories.

But he always had reason to justify himself.

“Your Excellency, if you must use Sir Canning as an example. Yes, I am a liberal idealist who passionately believes in Great Britain’s historic mission to spread democratic values throughout the world, and I do not rule out the use of force if necessary. It’s like Sir Canning’s famous quote – I will have created a new world with which to change the balance of power in the old world.”

Unfortunately, Count Armistead wasn’t eating Palmerston’s words.

“Is that so? If that’s true, it should have been you who should have gone to Liverpool, not Sergeant Hastings who took a bullet. You should have been standing on the deck of a battleship in the old docks of Liverpool, holding a gun on the merchants who made their fortunes from slave-trading, and forcing them to spit out all that blood-stained money. And, if you’re really a liberal idealist, then you shouldn’t have a bone to pick with Lord Bentinck’s work in India; didn’t Bianchin and the others pretty much approve of those reforms he made in India? I read the first couple of issues of the Westminster Review, and they were singing Bentinck’s praises there.”

Palmerston squared his shoulders and said, “Of course, Your Excellency the Earl, I have made it clear from the beginning that I very much approve of Lord Bentinck’s work. However, I would like to consult you, an expert with extensive management experience in India, on specific minor details.”

Earl Armistead had no intention of disliking Palmerston on his turf, and the old earl pulled out a handkerchief from his breast pocket and blew his nose, “I presume you’re saying that he intends to revoke the right of the two provincial governors of Madras and Bombay to issue laws independently?”

Palmerston smiled and nodded, “Actually it’s more than that, there’s also the matter of his granting Indians promotions to senior officers in the colonies.”

Earl Armistead raised a white eyebrow, “So his reforms to raise the salaries and status of Indian judges and to promote English in the courts and institutions of higher learning are not important?”

“That is certainly important too, but ……”

Palmerston smiled back, “On that score, I think he’s doing a good job. Like I said before, I believe that Britain’s mission is to spread advanced civilization to the barbaric lands, and I have no problem at all if he intends to replicate Britain’s advanced system in India.”

Earl Armistead nodded slightly and said, “It seems that not all of our foreign minister’s views are flexible and changeable. However, on this point, I must remind you that India is not Britain, there is several times the land and population there, so not all systems can be copied wholesale.

Of all Bentinck’s reforms, only the removal of the right of the two provincial governorates of Madras and Bombay to issue laws independently was the most necessary. India needs a strong central government to be better governed, and it is detrimental to our commercial interests to have four or five separate sets of laws enacted exclusively in India that do not govern each other.”

Hearing this, Palmerston simply smiled and complimented, “It seems that I have more than just a little in common with you, and I actually agree with that. However, there are obviously some colleagues within the Whig Party who have different views from me. But in my position, I am not in a position to point this out to them in person. If you are willing to take the time to have a good talk with those three honorable gentlemen of the Indian Governing Council, I am sure that things will move forward.”

The fact that it took half a day’s conversation for Palmerston to reveal his real intentions somewhat displeased Count Armistead.

He spoke, “In fact, even if you don’t take the initiative to mention this matter, I will go and talk to the committee and His Excellencies of the Privy Council about this issue, because I am a person who has always been consistent, and I am not very likely to change my opinion at will.”

Speaking of this, Earl Armistead also gently patted Viscount Palmerston’s arm, “Henry, I sometimes think that if you were the one who went on the mission to China back then, then things must have been negotiated. Do you know why? Because you would have definitely agreed to kneel to the Chinese emperor.”

Viscount Palmerston instantly changed his face when he heard this.

It was for the sake of India today that he had invited Armistead to the foreign ministry for good cigarettes and tea, and incidentally said a load of good things.

Nay this semi-retired Tory old cadre just highlights a no desire, as you wish, want to do what you want to do, how you want to talk how you want to talk.

When Armistead saw Palmerston change his face, he suddenly laughed out loud and said, “Henry, don’t be angry, I’m not insulting you, I’m praising you. In fact, when I came back from China, I also paid a visit to Napoleon’s place of exile, St. Helena. After listening to me talk about the experience of my mission, Napoleon told me that if he were me, then he would definitely kneel down three times and kowtow respectfully to the Emperor of China, because this is the way of doing things in the local customs. He is very flexible and adaptable, just as you and Canning are.”

At these words, Count Armistead, without giving Palmerston a chance to speak, led his attendants out of the hall of the Foreign Office humming a merry little tune.

Looking at the old man’s brisk legs and feet, it was as if all the severe rheumatism he had contracted in India had healed at once.

Viscount Palmerston stared at the old man’s faraway back for a long time, continuous several deep breaths, his clenched fists which slowly stretched some.

The foreign ministry officials see the minister this appearance, one by one are as silent as a cicada, chicken pecking like low head quickly step from his side, afraid of casually make a little noise will cause him to anger.

In the silent hall, one could only hear Palmerston’s murmur full of anger: “If it wasn’t for the fact that you’re old, I’d definitely be looking for a duel with you!”

The old affairs officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looked at each other, and the group read a familiar flavor in each other’s eyes.

Ministerial dueling is also considered a traditional reserved program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the last cabinet minister who dueled ……

Oh, perhaps it’s inaccurate to use ‘the previous one’; more precisely, it was the previous pair of dueling ministers, namely Viscount Castlereagh, who established the principles of European coordination, and Sir Canning, who succeeded Viscount Castlereagh as the Foreign Minister.

When the group saw the minister in this state, they couldn’t help but also start worrying about whether they would be able to leave work on time today or not.

Just as they were thinking about how to get Palmerston off in time, an old face suddenly walked into the hall – Mr. Schneider, the assistant undersecretary of the Foreign Office, who had met Arthur in Liverpool.

Apparently unaware of the subtle change in the air, Schneider approached Viscount Palmerston with a smile on his face.

Just when the group thought that this boy was surely going to have bad luck today, a hint of surprise and a smile suddenly appeared on Viscount Palmerston’s face.

“Whoops? My sweetheart is here?”

Schneider sniffed and just coughed awkwardly and impolitely, “Your Excellency, at least today, it would be best if you don’t call Mrs. Levine that, after all, the Russian ambassador, Count Levine, has followed her to visit the residence as well.”

(End of chapter)