Chapter 373: Restless Air

Chapter 370 The Restless Air

Amidst the gentle melody, Viscount Palmerston enjoyed a small gathering with his lover after a long absence.

But even trying to enjoy a few moments of pleasure in idleness was almost impossible in the busy Foreign Ministry.

Before the waltz was finished, Assistant Undersecretary Schneider knocked on the door of the parlor, tapping the papers in his hand and winking at his superior.

“Your Excellency, there are some urgent documents that require your immediate attention.”

Seeing this, Palmerston could only let go of Mrs. Levine’s hand with apologies, “I’m sorry, my dear, but let’s wait until we continue the rest of that part at the salon of the Ormac Club tonight.”

Mrs. Levine looked as if she was a little dissatisfied, “Henry, is there anything we can’t talk about here?”

As dainty and lovely as the beauty was, it certainly hadn’t escaped Parmesan’s attention as to what this beauty really was.

Although His Excellency the Viscount didn’t mind trading some diplomatic information with this daughter of the Third Chamber of the Russian Imperial Office, he first had to make sure that the newly arrived information could be traded or not.

Even if it could be traded, he had to find out whether it would be beneficial or detrimental to his future.

“Dorothea, we have a long day ahead of us, we can spend all night together, it’s not that bad.”

It was obvious from Stratford Canning’s surname that he came from the same family as the former Prime Minister, Sir George Canning, and were close cousins.

“Your Excellency, just now Mr. Stratford Canning has formally replied that he is willing to accept the appointment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve as Britain’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire for the second time. However, the Prime Minister’s side ……”

Thirdly, naturally, it was also to give an example to his successors, to set an example. If one day Palmerston also after a hundred years, then you can not break this unspoken rule passed from generation to generation, also have to mention mention my descendants.

Now, who else can say that Viscount Palmerston is not a generous person?

If things go on like this, then enabling little Canning to become ambassador to Russia would have been a happy thing for all.

After making a vague and perfunctory speech to his lover, Viscount Palmerston, who had managed to get rid of the troublesome Russian woman, finally slipped out of the parlor.

And in the process of this exchange of benefits, he certainly did not forget to take care of his old boss Sir Canning’s cousin.

However, perhaps because of living under his cousin’s wing for a long time, and his father is a banker, he grew up with a rich life, and never had to worry about promotion, so the young Canning also developed a strong character, lack of patience and always outspoken temper.

Palmerston took over as foreign secretary last year and began the customary return to his former supporters.

As soon as Palmerston heard this, he immediately understood what had gone wrong.

As for the second, it was due to the fact that Palmerston was more or less attached to the old boss who had done so much for him. Moreover, this would also give himself a good reputation of knowing how to return favors, proving that he, Parmeston, was not a person who forgot his roots.

Relying on this relationship, Sir Canning had always taken good care of his cousin during his lifetime. When his cousin had just graduated from Cambridge University, Sir Canning, who was serving as Foreign Secretary at the time, used the power at his disposal to appoint his cousin, who was 24 years old at the time, as Britain’s plenipotentiary in Constantinople of the Ottoman Empire.

George Canning had been sent to be raised by his uncle, whose son Stratford Canning was, after his parents had separated.

When Schneider, who was waiting outside, saw him finally come out, he didn’t dare to be slow in reporting the latest news.

And it was not only that Canning Jr. had been re-instated as ambassador, but that he was one of the top three ambassadors to Russia.

This kind of straight temper might not even be considered a fault if he went to any other job, but if he came to work as a diplomat, it would obviously cause a lot of problems.

Palmerston did so because, for one thing, although Sir Canning had died after a long illness, the power of the Canning faction in Parliament was still not to be underestimated, and the tea was not cold when Sir Canning died.

But the problem is bad in the little Mr. Canning’s broken mouth.

Once upon a time, when he was ambassador to the Ottomans, Mr. Canning used to write to his cousin with all sorts of sarcastic and insulting remarks about the Ottomans.

For example, this time Palmerston changed Mr. Canning Jr. from the position of Ambassador to Russia to Ambassador to Constantinople because of his temper.

At the outset of his appointment he claimed that the object of his trip was to prevent the self-destruction of the depraved state of the Ottomans. And upon arriving in Constantinople, his distaste for the region continued to soar.

This is reflected in his family letterhead to his cousin.

–My secret wish is for these Ottoman Turks to take everything and get the hell out of Europe.

–I curse the Foreign Office’s policy of continental balancing, which, because of it, is what gives these wretched Turks the protection they don’t deserve.

But it’s reassuring to know that young Canning isn’t alone in his hatred of the Turks either; his hatred of the Russians is as consistent, if not more so.

He used to make anti-Russian remarks at Cambridge when he was a student, and when he got older, he was more likely to run hateful editorials against the Russians in the newspapers whenever he could.

Unfortunately, however, the Russians were apparently not as well-informed as the Ottomans, and the Tsar was not as magnanimous as the Sultan.

So when Palmerston appointed Canning Jr. as ambassador to Russia, Canning Jr. had been in St. Petersburg for three or four months and had never even seen Tsar Nicholas I. He had been in St. Petersburg for three or four months.

If he could not see the Tsar, then he naturally could not fulfill his duties as ambassador. So Parmesan had no choice but to give little Canning a different place to stay, let him return to Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

As for why not somewhere else, naturally, because the Sultan had previously proved his tolerance for people, and Palmerston was also worried that other countries besides the Ottomans might not be able to accept the mouthy little Canning.

After all, God only knows how many countries the guy has actually cursed.

If the rulers of other countries did not meet with Canning Jr. in the same way as the tsar, would he have to try to find a new position for him?

Changing an ambassador in a short period of time could be explained as a normal transfer.

Replacement of two ambassadors in a short period of time can be interpreted as an inadvertent mistake.

But if three ambassadors are replaced within a short period of time, this can no longer be explained if it is not due to a lack of understanding, right?
Moreover, from the analysis of the message brought by Schneider, this is only the second transfer, and it has already attracted the attention of the Prime Minister, Earl Grey.

After all, the ambassador to a few months, but even the tsar’s dandruff did not see, this is really a bit outrageous.

Earl Grey must be worried about the character of the small Canning, even if he went to the Ottoman also not be able to perform their duties well, so want to advise Palmerston to find a suitable candidate.

But the prime minister’s advice is only a reference, as foreign minister, Palmerston is the one who has the right to decide.

He spoke, “You tell Earl Grey for me that I fully understand his concerns. But Mr. Stratford Canning is definitely the right choice to be the ambassador to Ottoman.

The Ottomans are currently fighting Ali’s Egyptian army, and the situation in the country is quite complicated. That is why we need to send someone who is familiar with the Ottoman situation, who has served there before, and who does not need a lot of time to build up a network to help us get information. Mr. Canning Jr. may be straight-talking, but this character is very much to the liking of the locals, and as he has many friends in Constantinople and is well respected by the current Sultan, Mahmoud II, I really can’t think of a second more suitable candidate for ambassador.”

Schneider smiled and sweated, “That’s how we explained it to the Prime Minister before, but he always thought that with Mr. Canning’s fiery temper, I’m afraid that more than just not being able to help the Sultan solve the conflict with Ali, it might make the problem worse.

And Earl Grey also said that if the Ottoman military conflict intensifies, then the Cabinet’s plan to reduce the army is bound to suffer great resistance, as we may need to send troops to support the Ottomans at any time.”

Hearing this, Palmerston finally found the central focus of the Prime Minister’s concern.

Earl Grey didn’t care who the Ottoman ambassador was, but he needed assurances from the Foreign Office that there would be no need to send more troops to the Ottomans, thereby giving lip service to the generals who opposed disarmament.

The reason why Earl Grey was determined to disarm was to fulfill his grand plan for parliamentary reform.

Because no matter which era, which country, the army and the church has always been a natural conservative power base. Britain is naturally not exempt from this.

And of all the branches of the military, the army is the most stubbornly conservative. The generals of the army were all landed aristocrats, led by the Duke of Wellington and the old Waterloo troops who looked up to him.

It can be said that Earl Grey said on the surface that the reason for disarmament is because the mainland does not need to maintain a large-scale army in peacetime, in order to reduce the financial burden to control government spending, but in reality it is to combat the resistance of the Tory conservatives, forcing them to compromise on the issue of parliamentary reform.

Parliamentary reform is the primary task and ultimate goal of the current Grey Cabinet, any issue in front of the reform must give way, this is the bottom line of the Earl of Grey, any minister who dares to waver from the bottom line will be removed by his thunderous means.

And in a host of means, the most effective is the cabinet reorganization.

Can this be done? No, I’ll replace it with a foreign minister!

Earl Grey’s words were few, but the hidden meaning forced Palmerston to be careful.

Although he has been in politics for many years, but into the cabinet or the first time, he does not intend to let out so quickly has not been warmed up the throne of foreign minister.

After much deliberation, he finally decided to go to 10 Downing Street.

“Get a car ready for me at once, I want to explain this to the Prime Minister in person. The appointment of Canning Jr. as ambassador to Constantinople will not affect the original disarmament program.”

“Understood, Your Excellency. And …… earlier our people noted that the French Ambassador Talleyrand had been in contact with Mr. Hastings …… Today Scotland Yard submitted a report of its investigation to the Home Office.”

“Hmm?”

Viscount Palmerston asked as he opened his arms and allowed his servant to put his coat on him, “Is there anything unusual in the report?”

“No.”

Schneider smiled and shook his head, “The Scotland Yard investigation report and the House of Commons Commission of Inquiry report are almost identical, and they all identify Bernie Harrison as the real culprit behind the crime.”

Palmerston squared his lapels, “Clever lad, it’s not for nothing that Peel appreciated him so much. However, now that the loss has been sustained, you should consider getting something for it. Merely keeping quiet serves no purpose other than to make people think you’re stupid.”

“It’s not as if Superintendent Hastings has made no noise at all.”

Schneider chuckled, “He also made a trip to Chancery Hall earlier when Viscount Melbourne and Lord Brougham were there. When Viscount Melbourne went back, he updated the draft of the Municipal Police Act the next day, making quite a few adjustments to the section dealing with Scotland Yard. Based on the criteria of the new draft, it is estimated that Mr. Hastings should be promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police before too long.”

“Hmmm ……”

Viscount Palmerston’s eyes narrowed as he snapped his hat, “Unfortunate, but fortunate.”

Schneider asked softly, “Where is it a pity, Your Excellency, and where is it fortunate?”

Palmerston spoke, “It’s a pity that he didn’t accept my invitation to come and work in the Foreign Ministry’s intelligence department before. Fortunately, Mr. Hastings managed to dodge a bullet in Liverpool, so there will be opportunities later. Of course, there was another stroke of luck.”

Palmerston stared at Schneider and spoke, “Lucky for me, August, at least you’re doing a good job with the intelligence now as well.”

With that, Palmerston took a quick step and rushed towards the carriage on the street outside the hall.

Schneider saw the minister off at the door, and couldn’t help but feel relieved as he looked at the distant carriage and skimmed his lips, “Your Excellency, it’s no use coming at me like that. I’m not one of those emotional ladies who will thank you for a few compliments. Men, they still prefer something tangible.”

At this point, Schneider leaned against the door and pulled out his pocket watch.

Four-thirty in the afternoon.

“Figuring that His Excellency the Viscount’s return from No. 10 should also be close to closing time, why don’t we go ahead? Recently all the theaters in London have closed down due to cholera, and it’s hard to have a few reopen today, so I’m afraid I won’t even be able to get in by then if I don’t go and buy a ticket in advance……. But what’s the best play to see today? After being closed for so long, the Astley Theater’s Act VII of The Count of Monte Cristo should have finished rehearsing, right?”

Just as Schneider was pondering about leaving work early to relieve his addiction to theater, he suddenly felt as if there was someone staring at him.

He looked up, and it turned out that there was an old acquaintance of his standing across the street – Mr. Hastings, who had just finished his debriefing from the Ministry of the Interior.

Arthur took off his hat and shook it at him, “Nice day, Mr. Schneider.”

Schneider looked up at the sparse, wind-swept drizzle in the sky and joked, “Mr. Hastings, you’ve probably worked so hard that your eyes are failing. Where’s the nice weather in that?”

“Well ……”

Arthur pondered for a while, and suddenly rubbed the corner of his eyes that had not yet been removed from the stitches, “Perhaps you are right, I have overworked myself, look at the corners of my eyes, they have all become lacy. But even if today’s weather is bad, it’s better than Russia’s, isn’t it? I used to talk to the military attachés at the Russian embassy, and the weather there is as good as hell, all ice and snow.”

When Schneider heard Arthur’s words, he first gave a start, and then a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He knew what Arthur was talking about, and he guessed that Arthur definitely understood what he was talking about as well.

“Mr. Hastings, how can you say that about our friendly country? While it is true that Russia is freezing, as a diplomat I must remind you that Britain’s export trade to Russia accounts for forty-two percent of our total exports, while Russia’s exports to Britain account for seventy-three percent of their total exports. Russia is an untouchable economic partner and an important ally of ours.”

Arthur held his pipe in his mouth and puffed out a curtain of smoke from the tip of his nose, “If you put it that way, well, I can barely understand it. But a Russian blizzard is still too cool for humans.”

Schneider sniffed and owed a slight bow as he smiled back, “I’m sorry, Mr. Hastings, but all of this is God’s will.”

“You’re right.”

Arthur knocked his hat back on, “I can only pray, but hopefully, one day, we too will be God.”

(End of chapter)