shadow of britain

Chapter 800 Strong alliance
Although both are renowned detectives, Victor, compared to a man as adept at navigating social situations as Sir Arthur Hastings, clearly lacks the "wisdom" to be kind to others. Or perhaps, because he has had it too easy in the last two years, he has forgotten the importance of caution.

In just two years, the Breok Detective Agency changed its office location twice. The first year, they moved from a cramped little office to a brand new office building on the Left Bank of the Seine. The second year, they moved directly from the Left Bank to 39 Rue de la Hortache, even ostentatiously displaying on their business cards that the street in front could accommodate eight horse-drawn carriages at the same time.

The new offices are like a maze, and even the office door signs are numbered like government departments: Office 1, Office 2, Office 3, Office 4.

Yes, four departments, even two more than the security department of the Paris Police Prefecture where Vidocq worked.

Although the luxurious furnishings in the reception room cannot compare to those of a royal palace, they are enough to make one mistakenly believe that the owner of this place is a wealthy mine owner who has become rich overnight.

Compared to the rudimentary reception procedures in "The Englishman," Victor's detective agency is much more elaborate.

When a guest arrives at the firm's reception room, a clerk will first ask about his purpose before deciding whether to let him pass through security. After passing security, he will be questioned by a servant, and finally, the servant will ask whether the boss will grant him an audience.

It must be said that Vidocq's process, while full of ritual and giving people a sense of absolute power, was quite impressive.

However, to Arthur, his actions all seemed to be a death wish.

If Victor's firm were located in London, he might not have faced such intense pressure, because even if Scotland Yard disliked him, they couldn't really do anything about it.

However, Vidocq's business was located in Paris, where he faced a police force just as vengeful as Scotland Yard, and even more powerful. Furthermore, Vidocq had also offended the Paris courts, so it's not entirely surprising that he was targeted.

“It sounds like you’re in quite a bad situation, Mr. Vidocq,” Arthur earnestly advised the veteran. “Even in London, going against the government usually doesn’t end well.”

“Of course I know that.” Vidock knew his behavior was somewhat inappropriate, but the enormous success he had achieved in the past two years had indeed made him quite arrogant. “But you also understand that even if I don’t actively provoke them, as long as my detective agency is still operating, they will always be seen as idiots. For the past two years, they have been openly and secretly collecting dirt on me every day, but how could I let them have their way? Don’t worry, my hands are clean.”

Seeing Vidocq's confidence, Arthur didn't bother to make a fool of himself. He simply gave Vidocq a final nudge: "Ordinary people like us rely on evidence when handling cases, but the Paris police might not. If they want, they can easily find a suitable trap to put you in. If the judge doesn't help you, then no matter how ridiculous the trap is, it will still hold true in the end. Besides, in our line of work, we inevitably leave some loose ends. If they really put their mind to it, they'll definitely find them eventually."

Vidoc knew Arthur was right. After all, he had worked for the Paris police for over twenty years. How could he not know the methods of the Paris police?
What is like:
They send personnel to lure the target into committing a crime, and then arrest them based on that information.

They infiltrated political groups, literary societies, newspapers, and brothels to obtain information or deliberately instigate infighting.

They framed others by fabricating witness statements, falsifying ledgers, and using misleading letters.

They secretly dropped documents such as riot plans into the victims' residences as a pretext for searching them.

Detaining suspects for weeks or even months without a formal trial is intended to destroy their social networks and mental state.

They deliberately allowed the opposition to grow stronger, and then arrested them all at once in a coordinated effort to eliminate them...

If Vidocq were to elaborate on the special skills of the Paris police, he could practically write a book.

In fact, he did come today for the sake of his research.

However, he didn't come to expose the crimes of the French police, but to satisfy his vanity of being remembered for posterity and to fill his pockets.

"What do you think of this book?"

Arthur took the thick manuscript from Vidocq's hands, his fingertips involuntarily feeling the texture of the leather cover. It was expensive and extravagant, and the cover was specially embossed with a large title in gold foil: "The Memoirs of Vidocq" - A legendary detective in Paris, former head of the Greater Paris Police Department, current director of a detective agency, and a legend on the streets of Paris.

“I originally wanted to call it ‘From Criminal to Gentleman,’” Vidocq said, sitting on the sofa, his tone smug. “But the publisher said the name was too bland and not eye-catching enough. So I changed it, and now it’s catchy enough, isn’t it?”

Arthur opened the manuscript, examining the autobiography as he replied, "Has this book been published in Paris?"

“It’s been published, and it’s selling quite well.” Vidocq grinned from ear to ear. “The copy you have here is a revised version. I specifically asked Mr. Balzac to help me with the revisions before I came to London.”

Arthur knew the book was of good quality after only a few glances. This was not only because Balzac had helped to correct it, but also because Vidocq's life story was legendary enough. In addition, he used exaggeration in many parts of the story. This kind of detective story, which was half true and half false, was exactly what London readers wanted.

Arthur closed the manuscript, roughly understanding Victor's purpose: "So, after all this time, you came to London today to discuss publishing business with me." Victor, seeing Arthur's expression, knew that the publishing deal must be settled. He chuckled and said, "I'm not just interested in this one book. I plan to publish another new book in the second half of the year. The title is very fashionable and eye-catching: 'Criminals: A Physiological Analysis of Life and Language.' In it, I will expose all the notorious criminals of the Parisian underworld over the past century, detailing their methods and the various coded language and slang used in the trade."

Upon hearing this, Arthur couldn't help but laugh and said, "When did you decide to become a writer? If you really intend to do so, let me be frank with you: you may be the best detective in the world, but you certainly are not the best detective novelist. Your main profession is already quite lucrative, so there's no need to compete with Balzac and Dumas for a living, right? You are different from them. If they can't write books, they are just good-for-nothings, but if you don't write books, you are still François Vidocq."

Vidocq was clearly pleased with Arthur's compliment, but he still didn't intend to change his mind. He replied with a smile, "Perhaps that's true. I don't expect to be as good as Balzac and Dumas in writing, much less compete with them in sales. But, my friend, my purpose in writing is different from theirs. I don't just write to make money."

"Is it to criticize current affairs and express your determination not to compromise with evil forces?" Arthur was amused by Vidocq's statement: "If that's the case, then I suggest you go to Russia. Only by doing so in Moscow and St. Petersburg can you truly demonstrate your courage."

Vidoc grinned, and twirled the pipe between his fingers.

"Going to Russia is unnecessary. After all, the Russians haven't tried to smear me or ruin my reputation. My friend, I don't write books to be pretentious, to attract attention, or to steal writers' jobs. Over the past twenty years, due to the nature of my profession and my complicated early experiences, many people have become interested in me. Unfortunately, their interest has mostly been used to slander me."

For so many years, the slander and defamation against me have never stopped. Every time this happens, I always try to console myself by saying that they slander me because they don't understand me. But my magnanimity has not only failed to stop them, but has emboldened them. I am not a self-destructive psychopath, nor am I one of those extraordinary giants from mythology. I have a temper, and I also have the ability to speak.

I didn't fight back before because I didn't have the time or the ability. But now everything is different. Now I not only have money, but also plenty of free time, so I intend to let them see me for who I really am—not just a normal person, but a good person, a flesh-and-blood hero like Prometheus. I know what kind of praise will please me, and I've decided that from now on I will never give in to those petty people again.

Since I established my detective agency, I've been in complete control, and I've gradually learned how to wield the devilish power in my hands. Do you know how many businessmen in Paris have suffered financial losses because they disregarded my existence, failing to seek my advice after being cheated? How many of them were swindled out of a large sum of money? Sometimes I really don't understand these fools. Perhaps they're blind, or perhaps that's why they can't see that Vidocq's name is clearly displayed on my office door.

Arthur listened quietly as Vidocq went on and on about his "heroic narrative," a subtle smile always on his face.

He ultimately didn't dampen the spirits.

Because he understood that Vidocq had come today to seek applause, not to receive advice.

Although he felt that if things continued this way, Vidocq would inevitably suffer a major setback sooner or later.

However, he also knew that if he pointed it out to his face now, it would only make him seem like he was being too talkative.

Then Arthur changed his smile, leaned forward slightly, and said in an almost approving tone, "You're right, Mr. Vidocq. Over the years, so many people have talked about you and slandered you behind your back, but how many of them really know who you are? The 'Memoirs of Vidocq' may be an opportunity for the world to get to know you again, and compared to Parisians, British readers have no prejudice against you. In fact, I think they will really like a person like you."

Vidocq's face wrinkled as he listened: "You're absolutely right, brother! You really do understand me!"

Arthur's tone shifted subtly, and he casually offered a side suggestion: "However, Mr. Vidocq, have you considered that if 'The Memoirs of Vidocq' were to become a bestseller in London, it might create a wonderful chain reaction? The British would start talking about you, imitating you, and even trusting you... and the most direct result would be that they would want to work with you, or even seek your help, just like the Parisians do?"

Vidoc was taken aback: "You mean..."

“I was just saying,” Arthur said with a smile. “After all, I can’t guarantee that the Vidocq Memoirs will serve as advertising for the Breok Detective Agency in London.”

Victor hadn't thought of that, but Arthur's words stirred something in his mind: "Well...brother, do you think the British would be willing to hire...a Frenchman as their detective?"

“It’s hard to say.” Arthur stroked his chin thoughtfully. “But as you know, back in the day, there were even people here who wanted Napoleon to rule Britain. They just hired a French detective. I don’t find that strange. Besides, so many noble families had French cooks. They probably wouldn’t care what nationality their private detective was.”

“That makes sense…” Vidocq muttered to himself, “On a closer look, doing business in London isn’t entirely impossible after all…”

Seeing that Victor was wavering, Arthur immediately pressed his advantage, saying, "It's quite a coincidence, Mr. Victor. Actually, I'm really looking forward to you opening a branch in London. If that day ever comes, I'll probably be the first to show my support."

Victor's eyes lit up, and his eyebrows rose: "Oh? You have a case that needs manpower? Brother, don't try to fool me. In London, what can't you handle?"

“You overestimate me. While I do have my own methods, when it comes to investigative abilities, I can’t compare to you.” Arthur shook his head slightly exaggeratedly. “To be honest, I’ve recently run into several cases, each more troublesome than the last. I’m caught in a dilemma, unsure which professional to consult. I know the people at Scotland Yard, of course, but they have too many rules and are very particular about procedures, which means they can’t get involved in certain peripheral issues.”

Arthur paused here, then added deliberately, "But if you come, things will change."

“Oh?” Vidocq raised his eyebrows high. “Tell me, what could possibly stump my brother Arthur? I thought the one who could stump you hadn’t been born yet.”

(End of this chapter)