Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1249 - 1154: George III’s Choice
Chapter 1249: Chapter 1154: George III’s Choice
William Pitt Junior appeared cautious and did not directly respond to Grenville’s suggestion of forming a cabinet.
That evening, as the outgoing Mr. Prime Minister dragged his weary body home, still thinking about how to handle the conflict between Duncan and Jervis, his wife Anna came forward to help him take off his coat, saying:
“I met Lady Melville at today’s charity bazaar. You know, we don’t usually associate much.”
Grenville sharply sensed that something was unusual. Lord Melville had served as Minister of the Interior and Logistics Officer of the Navy Board and was currently Chairman of the India Affairs Committee, an absolute power player in the political arena.
He quickly asked his wife, “What did she say to you?”
“Well, the weather, fashion,” Anna recalled, “Oh, she also mentioned that Portsmouth Shipyard had just built a new battleship ’Prince,’ using a lot of new technology, sails, ropes, and such, with the smallest cannon being 24 pounds…”
Grenville’s doubts were instantly resolved.
He had been wondering why Lord Duncan was aggressively attacking the issue at the Chat Han Shipyard, as he was a subordinate of Admiral Jervis.
It now seemed he was working for Lord Melville, whose qualifications were enough to serve as Sea War Minister, thereby needing Jervis to vacate his position.
Anna continued, “Oh, she also talked about Lord Melville and Lord Temple’s time in university.”
Grenville nodded slightly.
The meaning was already very clear, that the Temple Family had extreme influence on British political affairs, and having their support during a no-confidence vote would significantly increase the chances of overcoming it.
However, the problem he faced now was not limited to just one no-confidence vote. Continuing to stay in the position of Prime Minister, he also found it very difficult to make any significant progress.
He sat down with his wife and seriously advised her, “You need to meet Lady Melville tomorrow and tell her the corruption scandal will be thoroughly investigated, but I’ve decided to support your cousin, so I hope other members of Congress will remain consistent.”
…
When Sir Hui Pu’s body was retrieved from the Thames River, it was already swollen and deformed.
The police found a letter wrapped in oil paper in his pocket, mainly stating that he had embezzled a large amount of shipyard funds, which led to problems in the construction of the steam battleship, and he took full responsibility.
Bolton, Watt, and Forkner were all arrested, and the company was sealed by the Navy Board.
In the banquet hall of the Navy Board, Jervis stared at Lord Duncan with a sullen face, “What exactly do you want? Now that Hope is dead, everything is over.”
The latter took out a note and pushed it next to Jervis’s teacup, “I’ve been commissioning London Lloyds to investigate the Chat Han Shipyard since the beginning of the year. These are accounts involving you.
“By the way, Lord Middleton has already chosen to collaborate with us.”
In fact, London Lloyds hadn’t found much evidence but had suddenly received a letter not long ago, pointing out the problematic fund flows of the Chat Han Shipyard.
Yes, earlier when Bolton-Watt Company was “cooperating” with the shipyard, Frank often proactively bribed Jervis or Middleton on their behalf, and Sir Hui Pu was quite grateful to him.
Now these shady accounts had been handed over by the French Security Bureau to Lloyds.
Jervis was stunned for several seconds, then gritted his teeth with a fierce look, “State your terms.”
Lord Duncan nodded, “First, you apply to the Navy Board for funding for eight new battleships from Portsmouth Shipyard.”
Portsmouth Shipyard was within Lord Melville’s sphere of influence, and applying for funds required Jervis to use his political resources.
It seemed like a dispute between the British Navy about whether to improve wind-powered battleships or build new steam battleships, but the underlying essence was the tug-of-war over the flow of benefits.
“Second, you announce you will take responsibility for the defeat in the Mediterranean and resign from the position of Sea War Minister.”
Duncan revealed a gentle smile, “In return, all matters concerning the Chat Han Shipyard will be irrelevant to you. You can choose a leisurely post within the Sea Battle Committee and live out the rest of your life in peace.”
…
A court official made a chest salute to William Pitt Junior, “Mr. Pitt, His Majesty the King invites you to St. James’s Palace.”
William Pitt Junior was momentarily taken aback and asked, “Did you just say St. James’s Palace, not Windsor Castle?”
“Yes, Mr. Pitt. His Majesty has recovered and returned to St. James’s Palace two days ago.”
The court official whispered, “The Prince of Wales has been sent to Buckingham Palace. Sir Stuart asked me to tell you that His Majesty might want to entrust you with a heavy responsibility.”
The Prince of Wales, the eldest son of George III, was currently the Crown Prince of England. Two years ago, when George III had a bout of porphyria, the Prince of Wales began to govern as Regent.
However, George III greatly disliked his son, so after his condition improved, he immediately sent him to Buckingham Palace, which was used for the Queen’s living quarters.
The Prince of Wales supported the Whig Party, and Fox’s backing came from him.
George III, however, was a staunch supporter of William Pitt Junior and summoned him immediately upon regaining clarity.
That night, William Pitt Junior left St. James’s Palace with a heavy expression.
A few hours earlier, His Majesty had informed him that he decided to accept Grenville’s resignation, dissolve Congress next month, and hold re-elections, hoping he could come forward to form a cabinet—
Grenville was a Whig, whereas William Pitt Junior was a Tory, requiring a re-election to take up the position of Prime Minister.
Faced with the sincere request from the King, William Pitt Junior had no choice but to agree.
The helm of the Empire was placed back in his hands, but the once confident he, at this time, seemed unsure of steering this ship out of the storm.
Sir Stuart accompanied him to the palace gate, giving him a sympathetic hug.
William Pitt Junior returned a reassuring smile and turned resolutely, walking into the vast rain curtain.
Wiping the rainwater from his face, he was already pondering how to defeat Fox in the election.
First, he needed to attract Catholics, who numbered in the tens of thousands. Secondly, it would be best to push for the abolition of “rotten boroughs,” allowing new cities like Manchester to gain seats. The so-called “rotten boroughs” referred to the roughly 200 constituencies in Britain, established since the Glorious Revolution or even the Middle Ages.
Over many years of development and change, there were more than 50 constituencies with a population of less than 2000, with the Danweitz District even having sunk into the North Sea.
Those new cities that gained seats would become his voting base. This matter would require cooperation from Grenville to accomplish.
Yet what William Pitt Junior did not expect was that his election process went extraordinarily smoothly.
First, infighting within the Whig Party split off a large number of votes. Additionally, the Temple Family provided him with full support.
