The Shadow of Great Britain
Chapter 366 - 366 221 The Emperor of Police 4K2

366: Chapter 221: The Emperor of Police (4K2) 366: Chapter 221: The Emperor of Police (4K2) In the prison cells of Scotland Yard, all was quiet.

The prisoners waiting to stand trial shifted uncomfortably in their cramped cells, the damp yet somewhat warm environment making them feel sticky all over.

Hardly anyone locked up there could get a good night’s sleep.

Just as the inmates were beginning to feel a bit drowsy, suddenly, a passionate and loud voice echoed through the cells.

“Across the vast lands of Europa, the people’s lack of confidence in their monarchs has led to visible widespread unease.

And how sad it is for them, the monarchs who fail to align their interests with those of the public!”

How sad it is when the glory of one side cannot bring glory to the other, when protecting one side causes harm to the other, and when one side cannot trust the promises and oaths of the other!

Indeed, as an upright French citizen and a republican, I ought to oppose monarchy, but my opposition is not to all monarchy, only to that which fails to align with the interests of the people!

A full ten years have passed since Napoleon’s death!

And yet, the land of France, beautiful and rich, still echoes with his bad reputation.

But today, here, I must make a call to all!

People of France!

Be just!

Show gratitude to the one who came from the people and served the people!”

When France plunged into darkness, who spread the light of human intellect?

It was he, Napoleon Bonaparte!

When France’s political landscape was fragmented, who consolidated all the thoughts and brought us strength?

It was he, Napoleon Bonaparte!

When the nations of the whole of Europe were attacking France, when the whole world sought to erase France from existence, who protected the dignity and independence of the French nation?

Still, it was he, the great Napoleon Bonaparte!

If one day, people are free, and the happiness of the life we’ve longed for—of independence, freedom, stability, fairness, and equality—spreads, it will all be thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte!

It was he who accustomed the people to virtue, which is the only reliable foundation of the Republic.

Do not blame him for his dictatorial power, for it has led us toward freedom, just as the iron plough breaks the soil, bringing us a bountiful harvest.

And his only misfortune in rule was that he could not reap all the seeds he had sown.

He had freed France, yet he fell just short of final success.

People of France, please believe me, our motherland, France, will ultimately be free; freedom and glory belong to France!”

Louis Bonaparte, holding his speech manuscript, was passionately polishing his oratorical skills.

However, such an emotionally charged speech not only failed to earn a single round of applause, it even stirred up a barrage of curses throughout the cells.

“Will you let us sleep, you damned Frenchman?”

“Where is the Duke of Wellington?

Save us, I think I hear Napoleon coming back.”

“Weren’t you locked up here for smashing the Duke’s household windows?

Why bring him up now?”

“I smashed windows because he opposed Parliamentary reform, but if he turns around and fights the French, I’d still support him!”

In the midst of the curses, Louis Bonaparte felt a bit disheartened, but almost instantly, the young man’s pride flared up again, and he couldn’t help but retort.

He leaned on the prison cell window, grasping the iron bars and yelled, “You bunch of British scoundrels know nothing, deserving to be locked up here!

If my uncle were here, would you dare speak to a noble Frenchman like that?

Do you understand what a record of 65 battles and 58 victories means, with its echoes through ancient and modern times?”

The inmates, each banging on the cell’s bed boards, retorted mockingly, “Oh!

Our Duke of Wellington may not have fought as many battles in Europe as Napoleon, only 23 indeed, but he won 22 of those.

Sadly, the only one he lost wasn’t the Battle of Waterloo.”

“Oh oh oh!!!”

The ruffians cheered, their brief joy making them forget for a moment that they were about to face trial.

The officer patrolling the cells couldn’t help but interject after hearing this, “That’s enough, it’s just beating the French, what’s there to be so happy about?

Sit down now, those who should sleep, sleep; those who should eat, eat.

Bill, you’ve got a trial coming up soon, you’d be better off thinking about how to defend the window-smashing incident.”

The prisoner named Bill, disgruntled, said, “Mr.

Officer, how many times do I have to tell you?

It wasn’t just me who smashed the windows.

I just didn’t run as fast as a Frenchman, that’s all.”

“I…” Louis Bonaparte, reaching through the bars, wished he could strangle them, “If one day the French people are willing to follow my lead, I’ll make sure you experience what it is to fear the continent.”

Louis Bonaparte was muttering to himself, when suddenly he caught a glimpse of Arthur leaning against the cell’s outer window wall from the corner of his eye.

He started with surprise, “Ha…Inspector Hasting, when did you arrive?”

Arthur lifted the Civilization Cane to tip back the hat covering his eyes, “I’ve been here a while.”

“What are you doing here?”

Arthur pulled out a large ring of keys from his belt, and as he unlocked the door he replied, “Your personal protection order has come through, so of course, I’m here to release you.

But seeing as you were in full swing with your speech, I didn’t have the heart to interrupt, so I stood here and listened quietly.”