Chapter 2382 - 309: Spreading Hasting’s Scandal? He Did It Himself! (Part 2)

But those in the know understand that receiving funding and being influenced are not the same thing.

If it weren’t the case, why haven’t citizens seen any satire about Sir Arthur once getting shot at under the Tower of London in recent years?

I know that some might say it’s normal for mainstream newspapers, which focus on timely reporting, to be influenced, but do those tabloids that rely on sensationalism to boost sales really yield to Arthur Hastings?

Underground tabloids certainly don’t yield to him, or rather, those untaxed illegal publications disregard anyone.

Precisely for this reason, partnering with the Treasury to combat tax evasion in the publishing industry has been a routine task for Scotland Yard.

In dealing with unfavorable public opinion about Sir Arthur, the England Electromagnetic Telegraph Company tackles the symptoms, Scotland Yard tackles the root cause; with both methods combined in one course, can the effect not be good?

Of course, Sir Arthur, who always takes up the cause of safeguarding press freedom, rarely abuses his influence over public opinion.

He never expects peers to agree with his views.

Regarding public opinion, he has some insignificant wishes, namely hoping that his colleagues refrain from opposing major issues concerning national welfare.

If you insist on opposing, it’s not entirely impossible, but it’s best not to oppose too vehemently.

If you must oppose too vehemently, then please consider not just yourself.

But if you don’t even consider that, then either you’re an unscrupulous vendor who hasn’t paid stamp duty, or you’ve taken bribes from the Frenchman to maliciously slander.

You now have only two choices: either be immediately escorted to Scotland Yard’s detention room to await trial in the Magistrates’ Court, or let West District Chief Police Officer Ledley King take you to Yellow Chrysanthemum Street to witness London’s magical world.

Imperial Publishing’s partiality in swaying public opinion, combined with Scotland Yard’s small tricks on election day, and Disraeli’s excellent oratorial skills and unique political views, resulted in two commendable victories against the Whig Party in Tower Hamlets.

"Now, Hastings has clearly expressed his hostility towards us. If we continue to let him hold the position in the Home Office, when the next election arrives, regardless of whether he runs, he won’t need to shake our hold in London entirely, as long as he causes us to lose half the seats, whether to the Radical Party or the Conservative Party, our situation will be extremely dangerous!"

Although Palmerston repeatedly insisted, Viscount Melbourne seemed very unwilling to continue the discussion.

"Henry, of course I know you’re right, but have you considered Her Majesty the Queen?"

As Melbourne said, his reluctance to act against Arthur wasn’t due to sentimentality, but because of Arthur’s standing in Victoria’s mind.

The Whig Party can still stand as the ruling party partly due to the support from the Irish Autonomy Party, and partly due to Victoria’s complete trust in them.

Even though letting Arthur remain in his position might lead to a loss in the next election, that’s still some years away.

But if we recklessly remove Arthur now, causing dissatisfaction with Victoria, the Whig Party might collapse immediately.

Because, even though Britain operates under a monarchic constitution, there are a considerable number of Royalists present in both the Whig Party and the Conservative Party.

Moreover, some party members are already dissatisfied with the Cabinet, and Victoria’s public image is very appealing, thus, if the Queen expresses her stance now, those members can easily change their position and immediately break the Whig Party’s slight majority in the Lower House.

Additionally, everyone knows Melbourne always adheres to his life philosophy: it’s best not to do anything, thus, you won’t get into any trouble.

Clearly, he currently doesn’t want to uncover the Home Office’s affairs, even though he knows quite well that there are a bunch of insects clustering under the stone.

But, since Palmerston took the initiative to visit Melbourne today to discuss this matter, he certainly wouldn’t have come empty-handed.

He opened the conversation, asking, "William, are you afraid of causing trouble?"

"Perhaps, but the Prime Minister’s position itself is a nuisance to me." Viscount Melbourne leaned back on his sofa, appearing indifferent: "Just solved the Ireland Church issue, now comes an even trickier Scotland Church problem. The Scotland Church issue isn’t finished yet, but the coronation ceremony needed handling. After the coronation, I just caught my breath, and now you place Hastings before me."

Saying that, Viscount Melbourne took a sip of wine and smiled wryly: "William, I’m almost forgetting why I took on the burden of Prime Minister in the first place. This position is so tedious."

"Tedious?" Palmerston glanced at his empty wine glass: "William, as your friend, I must advise you, learn to find joy in life. Every day, you spend at least eight hours in Buckingham Palace, and for the rest of the time, either sleeping, traveling, in the House of Lords, or at Downing Street. How long has it been since you attended a private ball?"

"Don’t talk about those, it’s too dispiriting." Viscount Melbourne sighed: "William, how are you progressing with Emily’s wedding preparations?"

Palmerston clearly didn’t expect Viscount Melbourne to suddenly mention his wedding with Lady Cooper.

In fact, he himself is just as unprepared for this marriage.

Or rather, he never considered he would actually marry in his lifetime.

After all, he has been a bachelor for 54 years, and Lady Cooper, having just lost her husband last year, is already 51.

For a long time, this "Cupid from Ireland" has always regarded his relationship with Lady Cooper as an aristocratic indulgence.

After all, it’s not strange for nobles to have a lover. Conversely, if he didn’t, that would indeed be peculiar.

But lovers and spouses are two entirely different relationships; the former requires no responsibility, while the latter is about shared progress.

So, when Lady Cooper hinted to Palmerston about marriage, it truly frightened this Foreign Secretary, who commands and dictates with ease to other countries.

If anyone else proposed this, Palmerston could easily brush aside the matter like he always had, but Lady Cooper...

She is Viscount Melbourne’s own sister!

If she were to be hurt in terms of dignity, even if Viscount Melbourne didn’t say anything, he surely would harbor some resentment, perhaps even suspect Palmerston’s unwillingness to share progress with him.

Palmerston originally planned to lightly dismiss the matter, waiting for Lady Cooper’s enthusiasm to wane, then pretend nothing happened.

But unexpectedly, when he visited today, Viscount Melbourne actually asked about the matter directly.

Moreover, his manner of questioning was quite subtle.

Not gently asking "How are things going with Emily lately," but instead directly asking "How are your wedding preparations with Emily going."

Speaking that way implies a predetermined stance.

This marriage is happening whether you want it to or not!

"I’m still considering how best to handle the matter," Palmerston smoothly replied: "After all, we’re no longer young, and such matters naturally require careful handling."

Viscount Melbourne’s response was low-key, as he merely stayed nestled in the sofa and said, "William, you’re too cautious in everything, which is why you’ve remained cautious for 54 years."

Palmerston seized the opportunity and said with a smile, "Cautious is better than careless, right? If I were to get into the situation that young Arthur Hastings and Miss Flora Hastings are in, how would I ever have the face to mingle in Britain’s social circles anymore? Her Majesty trusts him, but isn’t using Royal trust like that inappropriate?"

"Hmm?" Viscount Melbourne yawned: "What’s happened with them?"

Palmerston leaned closer, placing a hand next to Viscount Melbourne’s ear: "Do you know? I heard that Miss Flora Hastings is expecting."