## Chapter 97: I Want the Tories’ Lives
A stately townhouse with a sprawling garden stood on the outskirts of London’s West End.
The servant guarding the ornate black iron gates saw a carriage approaching slowly.
The wheels screeched to a halt, and a gentleman in a black suit and a wide-brimmed hat, carrying a beautifully wrapped gift, stepped out.
His back was broad, his posture straight, and his walk methodical, like a soldier marching in formation. This posture clearly indicated he had served in the military.
The servant recognized the man’s face and rushed forward with a smile. He took the gift from the gentleman’s hand and bowed slightly.
“Inspector Clemens, the Viscount has been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
Clemens adjusted his upright collar and nodded. “Please lead the way.”
Guided by the servant, they walked through the garden path and entered the townhouse’s drawing-room.
The drawing-room wasn’t particularly large, but it was exquisitely decorated and furnished. A stag’s head mounted on the fireplace caught their attention, with a label below it stating that the trophy was hunted in Brolands in 1811.
Across from the fireplace were several sofas and a round rug that looked exotic.
As Clemens was about to sit down, he awkwardly noticed a translucent lace-trimmed triangle of underwear tucked in the sofa seam.
From its style and design, it belonged to a lady of considerable status.
The servant, noticing his predicament, quickly retrieved the undergarment and tucked it into his pocket. He apologized to Clemens in a roundabout way.
“You know, the Viscount is quite charming. The ladies of the Olmack Club are quite fond of him, and they often hold their reading salons here. Occasionally, they leave some of their belongings behind, which is quite normal.”
Clemens, understanding the implication, played along. He nodded, “The Viscount was very kind to the Life Guards regiment I was in when he was at the War Office. You don’t need to explain so much to me. I’m considered an old subordinate of his…”
Although Clemens didn’t dare inquire further, his curiosity got the better of him.
He stealthily glanced at the staircase leading to the second floor and the door to the adjacent room, ensuring the Viscount hadn’t arrived yet. Then, he cautiously asked, “Although I know the Viscount is quite popular with the ladies, he is rather old, so I was wondering who this time…”
Seeing his curiosity, the servant glanced around cautiously and whispered, “Princess Liven, wife of the Russian ambassador…”
“Ah…” Clemens realized, “That explains it. I’ve heard of Princess Liven. My wife mentioned her. She said that the ladies of London secretly call her…”
Clemens stopped mid-sentence as the servant suddenly coughed, recognizing the implication and stopping himself.
As expected, a familiar voice came from behind.
“Clemens, what are you standing there for? Find a seat anywhere.”
Clemens turned to see a middle-aged man in civilian clothes, drying his wet hair with a towel.
The man finished drying his hair, handed the towel to the servant, and sat down on a nearby sofa, looking at the stunned Clemens with confusion. “Are you sick? You seem a bit out of sorts today. Would you like some gin?”
Clemens, seeing his freshly showered appearance, felt a pang of worry.
Could Princess Liven still be here?
He quickly found a sofa facing away from the room and the staircase, sat upright, and began to speak. “Scotland Yard has been swamped with work recently. You must have read about it in the newspapers? The murder and body-snatching case has turned Scotland Yard upside down.
Sir Peel was furious about it, and the Duke of Wellington even ordered the military and police to work together. We were all busy for a month, and it was only recently that things finally settled down.”
The Viscount, pouring tea from a teapot on the table, said, “Ha! Peel loves to make a fuss over these trivial matters. He grabs a hot topic, makes a big show of it, and tries to distract the public.
That young policeman who gave a speech in court is a prime example. This murder and body-snatching case is another. There are so many people dying in London every day. If he really wanted to crack down on these body-snatchers, why did he push for the repeal of the Bloody Code in the first place?
If I were in charge of this, I’d have those body-snatchers all slaughtered. I can’t touch the doctors, but can’t I touch those grave-robbing rats?
Humph! Peel is a contradiction. He’s soft-hearted on the one hand, yet he wants to establish a well-ordered society. Where in the world is there such a thing?”
Clemens couldn’t help but feel a tightness in his chest.
The Viscount, holding his teacup, was about to take a sip, but upon looking up, he noticed Clemens’ subtle change in expression.
He paused, holding his teacup, and asked, “Clemens, you haven’t gotten entangled in this case, have you?”
“No, of course not,” Clemens said, “As you know, I love wealth, but this is nothing compared to what I have.”
The Viscount stared at him for a moment before setting down his teacup. “Okay, I believe you. But I must remind you, you’re not that old, and you still have a bright future. The Tories are about to crumble. Once Wellington steps down, the Whigs will come to power.
Based on my observations within the party and my understanding of the situation, if the Whigs come to power, Charles Grey, Earl Grey, should become the next Prime Minister.
My relationship with Earl Grey is good, and my position in the party is secure. So, I may get a cabinet position from him, either the Treasury, the Home Office, or, of course, I personally hope for the Foreign Office.
But no matter what position I ultimately get, you should be promoted. It’s a reward for your loyalty and a recognition of your unwavering support during my time in opposition.
Clemens, you’ve done well. Since I left the cabinet, I’ve learned a lot of important information from you.”
The Viscount raised his teacup and clinked it with Clemens’. He smiled and said, “To our interests.”
Clemens, originally smiling and about to take a sip of his tea, suddenly froze at those words. He asked, “Viscount, you’re joking, right? Don’t you usually say ‘To our friendship’?”
The Viscount chuckled and shook his head. “Friendship is all an illusion. Only interests are real. Clemens, you’ve been with me for so long, why don’t you understand my nature yet? For me, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.
Why else would I have betrayed the Tories? Wellington, Peel, George Canning, William Huskisson, they’re all so inconsiderate. A true politician should do what’s beneficial, both to the country and to himself.
When they decided to challenge my seat in the House of Commons at Cambridge within the party, they should have thought about this outcome.
I have a very vengeful nature. If anyone offends me, I’ll make sure they don’t survive.”
Clemens forced a smile and agreed, “You’re right, Lord Palmerston. The reason I came here today is precisely because I want to help you solve your problems. I’ve found an opportunity that could help you defeat Wellington’s cabinet.”
“Oh? You’ve found a way to disrupt the reconciliation between Wellington and Huskisson?”
Palmerston took a sip of tea and shook his head slightly. “Frankly, that’s not a level you can participate in. I’ve recently tested Huskisson’s stance, and Wellington must have given him some kind of magic potion. He seems genuinely ready to return with his followers.”
“It’s not a matter of Mr. Huskisson. The reconciliation ceremony between him and the Duke of Wellington, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Manchester-Liverpool railway, and the security work were all handled by Sir Peel’s confidant, Inspector Hastings. I can’t get my hands on it, so I can’t create problems between them.”
Palmerston rested his arm on the sofa armrest and muttered to himself.
“Hastings? That Arthur Hastings? The young man is climbing fast. Peel is willing to entrust him with such an important task. If he continues like this for a few years, the position of Chief of the Metropolitan Police will be his, I’m sure.”
Clemens, hearing this, realized Palmerston was subtly warning him. He smiled and flattered him, “I’m not worried about that. He has Sir Peel, but I have you. I guarantee this information will be very valuable to you.”
Palmerston, intrigued, leaned forward and asked, “What have you found?”
Clemens pulled a document from his briefcase and presented it respectfully.
“Please take a look. This information came from Fred. It took me a lot of effort to pry it out of his iron mouth. This guy recently took a big job from the French government. He kidnapped a French Republican and is planning to transport him back.”
Palmerston took the document, glanced at it, and snapped his fingers with excitement. “Fred, that bastard, he can actually do something good. I should have known better than to order him to retire directly. If I had known he would be so successful now, I would have kept him on.”
Clemens smiled, “Your order wasn’t harsh. Fred brought it upon himself. Although discipline is necessary in the army, he directly whipped two recruits to death. That was too violent.”
Palmerston pursed his lips and nodded. “That’s true.”
He stood up and patted Clemens on the shoulder. “It’s alright without Fred. I have you, don’t I? Clemens, I want you to do everything in your power to ensure Fred transports that Frenchman to Paris.
As long as he succeeds in this mission, I guarantee that the next day, every newspaper in London will be filled with reports about it. Once Wellington’s cabinet collapses, no matter if I end up in the Foreign Office, the Home Office, or the Treasury, I can find a good position for you.
Hmm… maybe these positions are too stuffy for you. How about this, are you interested in taking charge of military affairs again? I’ll consider finding someone to transfer you to the Ordnance Department.
Although the Ordnance Department doesn’t manage cavalry or infantry, they do handle engineers and artillery, right?”
Clemens, hearing this, couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of joy in his eyes. He stood up, saluted, and said, “There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests!”
Palmerston, hearing this, leaned back on the sofa with his teacup and chuckled. “Clemens, I have high hopes for you.”
(End of Chapter)