The Shadow of Great Britain
Chapter 986 - 52, Year 37_2

Chapter 986: Chapter 52, Year 37_2

Then, on the 12th day, Prussia’s first batch of troops can disembark near the French border. On the 15th day, the combined forces of Bavaria’s 1st and 2nd Corps, totaling two corps, will arrive there. By the 20th day, the number of frontline troops will increase to 300,000. By the 24th day, Prussia’s logistical units will also gradually arrive, providing immediate supplies to the frontline troops.

If the Prussians choose to incorporate the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Corps into the 3rd Army Group, the force of this group will increase to 130,000, while Prussia’s total frontline strength would reach 400,000. Once the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Army Groups complete their concentration and advance to the frontline on the 30th day, even conservatively estimated, Prussia’s available combat troops will reach 550,000 to 600,000.

As for France, even if we estimate with the most optimistic attitude, no advocate within the military intelligence department truly believes that Napoleon III can gather a force exceeding 300,000 by the end of July. Although Paris newspapers are full of optimism regarding this war, claiming ’a French platoon can easily defeat a Prussian company’, our military staff clearly does not share this view."

Sir Arthur Hastings: "How is the situation at the Foreign Office? Our aging Foreign Secretary, the Earl of Clarendon, has just died in office. What is the new Foreign Secretary, Earl Granville’s, view on the Franco-Prussian War?"

Sir Auguste Schneider: "The new minister is still familiarizing himself with the work, but his stance aligns well with the Prime Minister, supporting a patient, friendly dialogue and non-alignment policy, as he is a pacifist from the Liberal Party. Additionally, Earl Granville’s accommodating nature fits very well with the current reform climate in Britain. From any perspective, his appointment as the leader of the Foreign Office is most fitting at this time of situation. All colleagues at the Foreign Office are very pleased to see the Prime Minister, after careful consideration, accept your suggestion and appoint Earl Granville as Clarendon’s successor."

Sir Arthur Hastings: "The Prime Minister’s foresight is remarkable."

All: "We agree."

Sir Auguste Schneider: "Sir, what is the Cabinet’s response to Napoleon III’s request for assistance?"

Sir Arthur Hastings: "The report from the military staff on the comparative strength of the Prussian and French military is very informative. However, for the Cabinet, such data holds no value. Even though in Paris, people chant ’To Berlin,’ and to boost morale, they play ’La Marseillaise,’ this country at war is not united in spirit.

The King of Prussia can afford to lose several battles, but for my old friend Louis, defeat means revolution. He wanted everyone to support him, but he did not consider that having everyone’s support to some extent also means no one’s support, and now he has no room for maneuver.

Although Britain currently follows a non-alignment policy, if France could truly become a sincere friend, I believe the Cabinet would not decidedly reject him, as we greatly need a strong continental ally to help us deal with Russia. But the imperiled Second French Empire would never be a suitable choice.

Louis has placed himself on the table of opportunists, so we can only judge him based on how much value he holds. But it’s evident that he now has very little value; 37 years later, the Bonaparte name has become worthless."

Sir Auguste Schneider: "Indeed, sir."

Sir Arthur Hastings: "However..."

Sir Auguste Schneider: "Sir?"

Sir Arthur Hastings: "Tell Louis that we have left a ship for him in Calais; the way he left in the past is the way he can leave in the future. Also, warn that bastard Bismarck that we are very clear about his attempts to spread false news in London. ’The Times’ has been utterly manipulated by him, willingly publishing news that France will invade Belgium, making the entire British public outrage over France’s non-existent atrocities. However, the fact that the press and the public are unaware does not mean that our Cabinet is oblivious to his underwater machinations.

His tactics were once employed by Lincoln in London during the American Civil War. British intelligence, even if they were donkeys, would not fall in the same place twice. Furthermore, if Prussia continues its obsession with sending industrial spies to London, we do not rule out the possibility of siding with France in the war. Indeed, I am not as young as I once was, but that doesn’t mean I can’t kick his ass as hard as I did back then."

"—Minutes from a 19th-century British Cabinet Office meeting"

The extraordinary energy and enthusiasm of the German line infantry are as striking as the British soldiers’ demeanor while participating in the siege work in Crimea. Although few believed in them before the war, they still managed to defeat their cap-wearing neighbors across the river with impressive fighting spirit.

According to our reporter at the front, on January 18, 1871, on this momentous day, the esteemed King of Prussia, William I, was crowned as Emperor of the German Empire at the Palace of Versailles on the outskirts of Paris, witnessed by tens of thousands of German soldiers.

"—The Times"

Breaux Detective Agency.

On the sofa by the window, Arthur was sipping tea while reading today’s headline from the "Constitutional Newspaper."

Today’s newspaper layout is very interesting, with no text, only a cartoon, which even the illiterate can easily understand.

The background of the cartoon is the Kaidao Sai Mansion in flames, with a carriage filled with explosives rushing towards the mansion gates, while the object being chased by the carriage is a pear dressed in a military uniform, holding an umbrella, fleeing in panic for its life.

Beside the pear stands a young man wearing Napoleon’s signature bicorne and draped in the imperial eagle flag. Needless to say, this young man is likely Louis.

Parisian artists have always been so imaginative, although the censorship in the French publishing world is far greater than in London, this does not hinder them from creatively maneuvering within the tight space.

In this regard, Arthur feels that the media on London Fleet Street should learn more, as their cartoon level seems naive compared to their Parisian counterparts.

On the table in front of Arthur, there is a neatly organized document.

It is Arthur’s labor achievement from last night, the police reform section of the "Kingdom of Hanover Constitution."

During his time in Paris, the Fouche memoirs and his correspondence retained at the Embassy in France provided Arthur with significant inspiration for police reform.

For Hanover, fully implementing the Scotland Yard model would seem too lenient, making it unacceptable for local conservatives, while fully implementing the French large police system would anger the Liberals.

Now, this version, combining British and French experiences, Arthur believes is absolutely well-suited for the Kingdom of Hanover’s constitution.

Since the Hanover police reform is completely unrelated to Arthur’s own interests, almost every part of his suggestions stems from public spirit, even including the provision that forbids police forces from engaging in commerce.

With such a track record, even if in the future Arthur achieves nothing else in his life, he could still boast to posterity in his old age, saying he mainly accomplished three things when he was young.

Firstly, established the basic structure of the Scotland Yard intelligence department.

Secondly, added the word "Royal" in front of the Greater London Police Department.

The third is the "Arthur Hastings Principles."

If there was another achievement, it was prescribing that Hanover Kingdom’s police must not engage in commerce, which has significant implications on the destiny of German police. And of course, the London riot in 1832 was also quite significant...

So ashamed, just made a little contribution, thanks everyone...

"Arthur, old chap!"

Just as Arthur thought of this, he suddenly heard the laughter of Victor and Great Dumas from the front.

The two cheerfully carried a painting up to the second floor of the agency, calling out as they walked: "Arthur, come lend a hand."