shadow of britain

Chapter 930 Sir Arthur! That's very rude of you!

When Arthur heard Victoria's question, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He was like a magician about to reveal his trick, already knowing that the young audience would be amazed and applaud him.

“Your Majesty, the previous laws, whether the original draft of 1829 or the revisions of 33 and 34, all addressed the same issue: ensuring the existence of the police system.”

Victoria blinked: "Exists?"

“Yes,” Arthur nodded. “Previously, London did not have a unified police force. Night watchmen and patrols were organized by magistrates and parishes themselves. Each district did its own thing and each family was busy with its own cases. The Act of 1829 brought together this scattered group and formed a unified force.”

"What about the amendments of 33 and 34?"

“They transformed the police from infants into teenagers who could walk independently.” Arthur slowly raised his hand, gesturing to an upward level: “The unit was established in 1829, and in 1833, patrol routes, logbooks, and assessment systems were specifically defined. In 1834, the detective department was granted legal status, police training subjects were stipulated, and for the first time, we were allowed to conduct formal cross-district cooperation.”

Victoria nodded gently: "Hmm...that means the foundation is solid."

“Absolutely right.” Arthur gave an approving look: “The old bill was to enable police officers to walk, while the new bill is to ensure that police officers don’t have to have their legs broken when they need to run.”

Victoria asked blankly, "Specifically? What is the core of the new bill?"

“There are actually two options for the new bill, one more radical and the other more conservative.” Arthur placed the document on the table but did not push it over: “Or, to use a more polite term that politicians like to use, one is a gradual version and the other is a leapfrog development.”

Victoria gave a soft "hmm," signaling him to continue.

“The first option is the one most readily accepted by both parties in Parliament.” Arthur leaned forward slightly. “Expand police training schools to provide more standardized training for patrol officers. Increase the staffing of the detective department while ensuring it remains within the main framework of Scotland Yard to avoid triggering political panic regarding the establishment of a national secret police system. Implement limited financial expansion, with a 5% annual increase in the police budget to guarantee basic equipment, patrol officer housing, and salary adjustments. Establish a formal system of compensation for those killed in the line of duty, jointly funded by the City of London, charitable foundations, and the Home Office.”

Arthur paused deliberately at this point: "Its advantage is that it's safe, it won't cause too much controversy, it won't alarm radicals, and it certainly won't anger the misers in the Treasury."

“And what about the downsides?” Victoria asked.

Arthur shrugged slightly: "The downsides are the same, of course. The reforms are not very thorough. Although the lives of the police officers have improved, it's only improved so-so."

"What about the radical version? Is there a lot of opposition to it?"

Arthur nodded: "The sheriffs, county officers, local councils... all of them might jump up in opposition."

Victoria frowned slightly: "Since there's such strong opposition, what exactly is the value of this radical version?"

"Value?" Arthur seemed to have anticipated her question. He smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty, its value lies in the fact that the police department can no longer be constrained by other departments in many aspects, and further clarify the powers and responsibilities of the police. Therefore, from now on, tragedies like the cold bath incident will be much less likely to occur."

Victoria pursed her lips slightly: "Are you saying that the current law gives the police too little power?"

“It’s too little and too scattered,” Arthur explained. “For example, the most vulnerable item in the radical version—expanding Scotland Yard’s legal jurisdiction and upgrading the detective service from a temporary agency to a nationally coordinated body. I’m sure that’s the one that MPs will criticize the most, but if it’s implemented, the real beneficiaries will be the patrol officers chasing criminals through the streets and the fearful citizens.”

Victoria still didn't understand the connection between the two: "How so?"

“For example,” Arthur explained, “a criminal from the East End fled to Surrey. Scotland Yard wanted to make a cross-border arrest, but the Surrey sheriff said, ‘This is not within Scotland Yard’s jurisdiction.’”

Victoria's eyes widened instantly: "What do we do?!"

"What can we do?" Arthur said with a wry smile. "The murderer just got away because the law doesn't allow us to hunt him down."

“This is absolutely absurd!” Victoria blurted out.

Seeing that Victoria was truly furious, Arthur quickly pressed his advantage, saying, "Your Majesty, this isn't the only absurd thing."

Victoria clutched her chest angrily: "What else?"

"For example... London transport."

Victoria initially thought he was going to talk about the muddy roads and narrow lanes, but Arthur's ambitions weren't big enough to compete with the municipal council for city planning projects. He had his eye on another project that would help expand intelligence sources.

“Your Majesty, you may know that Scotland Yard is fully responsible for London’s traffic, but we have no real power.”

“How could they not have the power?” Victoria asked incredulously. “Isn’t the police the ones who manage traffic in London?”

Arthur smiled wryly: "That's what everyone thinks. But the truth is... we can't even fine a coachman who obstructs traffic right now."

Victoria's eyes widened in shock: "Why?"

"Because all horse-drawn carriages in London are currently managed by the Horse-Driving Carriage Registry. This is an institution completely parallel to Scotland Yard, overseen by magistrates, staffed by officials appointed by the London government, and managed by a group of clerks who know nothing about transportation."

Victoria frowned: "Then what are they doing?"

"Register the carriages, issue licenses, and collect fees."

"Then... what about traffic management?"

Never.

Arthur paused: "Whenever a coachman drives recklessly and deliberately cuts through the road... the only thing our patrolmen can do is shout, 'Slow down!' before the carriage hits someone!"

Victoria was stunned: "And then?"

"Then?"

Arthur shrugged: "Most of the time, the coachman will just say, 'Oh, I'll be more careful next time.'"

Victoria's face turned pale: "Won't they be punished? Won't their licenses be revoked?"

“Your Majesty, the city government’s carriage registry won’t offend the carriage industry,” Arthur smiled. “Because carriage companies are one of the highest taxpayers in London.”

While everything Arthur said was true, it wasn't the whole truth.

While the police do not have the power to revoke the licenses of coachmen, they do have the power to close roads in stages to control traffic flow at various transportation hubs during peak hours and reduce traffic accidents.

However, a traffic policeman who cannot revoke a driver's license is ultimately incomplete.

Moreover, if Scotland Yard could control the issuance of carriage rental licenses, it would be tantamount to controlling all carriage companies in London.

If you were to ask who the most well-informed people in the world were in the early 21st century, it would definitely be taxi drivers, while in the 19th century, it would be coachmen.

With the help of the carriage company, the work of the Police Intelligence Bureau will surely be elevated to a higher level.

As for the previous cross-regional law enforcement power, in addition to facilitating Scotland Yard's capture of fugitive criminals, it also made it easier for Arthur, the Secretary General of the Commissioner for Police Affairs, to extend his reach abroad.

As is well known, although the Commissioner for Police nominally has oversight of policing nationwide, Arthur can only effectively act within London's borders. The police stations established independently by various municipalities in recent years, funded by local finances, are generally still largely subject to orders but not direct commands.

If Scotland Yard can make arrests across district boundaries, then the Commissioner of Police can intervene in local law enforcement through Scotland Yard, and at least exercise a certain degree of jurisdiction.

However, the best-case scenario would be if the Treasury and the Interior Ministry accepted Arthur's suggestion and passed the Local Subsidy Ordinance in the new bill, stipulating that if municipal police forces could meet the training and discipline standards set by the Commissioner for Police Affairs, the Interior Ministry would provide central subsidies of one-quarter of its annual budget.

Since ancient times, people have always believed that whoever provides the benefits is their mother, and no one will refuse money that is offered to them.

Of course, the premise is that they need to know that the money isn't given away for free, and that financial power is exchanged for jurisdiction.

Arthur, however, had a different explanation for his ulterior motives in front of Victoria.

Arthur sighed softly: "Your Majesty, there is one clause in this new Police Act that is the hardest for the cabinet to approve and the hardest for local governments to accept."

Victoria picked up the document and examined it carefully: "I know the difficulties, but I don't quite understand its significance yet."

Arthur looked at her and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, you may not understand the other points, but for your sake, you must understand this one today."

Victoria had initially dismissed this, but after hearing Arthur's words, she became more attentive.

After all, she knew that if the most knight in England said that, he must have had good intentions.

“Your Majesty, the budgets of local police forces almost entirely come from the city hall, from wealthy local businessmen, and from local councilors. In other words, they obey those who pay them, not the central government, much less you. In Manchester, textile factory owners can decide which streets the police patrol. In Leeds, a councilor can shift the police's focus from theft to strikes with a single word. And in Liverpool… without central government intervention, the city is almost entirely ruled by trading companies.” “You mean, make them accountable to the central government?”

“It’s not just about being accountable to the central government,” Arthur said solemnly. “It’s about making them accountable to you. Every police officer swears an oath of allegiance to you when they join the force. The police are not Whitehall’s administrative officers; we are only accountable to the Royal Family.”

Upon hearing this, Victoria unconsciously straightened her back a little more.

At this point, Arthur softened his tone: "Besides, Your Majesty... I know many people don't want to admit it, but it's true. Usually, the places that need police the most are also the places that can't afford them. Whether it's the slums of Manchester, the factory districts of Leeds, or the docks of Newcastle... people there are threatened by crime every day. Yet their city budgets... their annual security budget is less than a tenth of London's. If it relies solely on local autonomy, the richest areas will naturally have the strongest police force, while the poorest, most dangerous, and most in need of protection can only leave their security to God."

Arthur stared into her eyes: "But you can change that."

Victoria took a soft breath: "Can I... change it?"

“Yes,” Arthur affirmed. “As long as the central government is willing to provide subsidies, those cities will have sufficient police force, complete equipment, and good training, and will provide hundreds of jobs. Those municipalities that were hesitant to establish police stations may also establish their own police departments because the central government shares the costs. Most importantly, this will let the local citizens know that you have not forgotten them, and that Britain has not forgotten them. And the whole country will understand that you have made every street in Britain safer.”

"I……"

Victoria had been frowning, but how could her subtle emotional changes escape Arthur's eyes?

She didn't even realize that her fingertips had moved slightly on the table; after all, the grand vision of 'being able to do things for the people and change the country' truly excited Victoria.

But this excitement only lasted a few seconds.

Because she remembered her uncle Leopold's teaching—never make a decision on the first try.

“Sir Arthur…” Victoria’s voice still carried warmth: “I will seriously consider your suggestion. But I cannot give you an answer today, right now.”

Arthur paused for a moment.

This was somewhat unexpected for him. He could tell that Victoria was about 70% convinced and was just one step away from being convinced.

However, he wasn't too disappointed; on the contrary, he was quite pleased.

After all, if Victoria is too easily swayed, wouldn't she also blindly believe the Viscount of Melbourne's advice?

He bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, caution is a virtue. I am already very satisfied that you have listened to so much of what I have to say today."

Victoria looked at him. If she were refusing someone else, she usually wouldn't give an explanation, but she was refusing Sir Arthur Hastings, after all.

Victoria asked softly, "Don't you think... I'm being too hesitant?"

Arthur shook his head slightly, his words flowing smoothly: "On the contrary. If Your Majesty were to nod immediately today, I would worry that I would be saying too much or too fast, leaving you no time to think."

Victoria was relieved and nodded with a smile, "That's good. I'll take both of your copies back and read them line by line. I promise that tomorrow I will understand the significance of this bill for the country even better than I do today."

“Of course,” Arthur smiled. “I will await His Majesty’s judgment. Whatever the decision, I believe it will be the most correct one.”

Victoria couldn't explain why, but for a moment she suddenly felt a little relieved.

Her gaze lingered on the table for a moment before quickly shifting away, her fingers gently tracing the surface of her ivory dress, as if searching for a suitable entry point.

"Are you feeling any better lately?"

Her voice was so soft as if she was afraid of disturbing something.

Arthur was used to this tone. It wasn't a formal "Your Majesty's tone," nor was it a girl's temper. It was a tone he only used in private, when facing someone he trusted very much, a tone he was too embarrassed to speak in front of.

She probably needs Arthur's help with something.

"His Majesty?"

Victoria bit her lower lip, as if hesitating whether to continue.

“I…I’ve recently noticed…” Her eyes were fixed on the rim of her teacup, her voice so low it was almost swallowed: “There are some…unfriendly reports from Fleet Street.”

Arthur's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn't say anything.

Victoria continued, “I’m not saying… I’m not saying you didn’t manage it well. After all, you only oversee Imperial Publishing’s business, and… I know you’ve been ill lately and have had to handle so many things, so of course I’m not blaming you.”

As she spoke, she became increasingly agitated: "It's just that I...I..."

She paused.

Because she knew that continuing to speak would be tantamount to admitting that the tabloids were alluding to her and the Viscount Melbourne.

That was something she absolutely refused to say directly.

After a long pause, she changed to an even more tactful approach: "It's just that I... think those newspapers... wrote something outrageous."

Arthur outwardly showed extreme concern, but inwardly he only uttered an "oh."

But seeing Victoria like this, he couldn't resist teasing her. The old cop pretended not to know anything and asked, "Your Majesty, are you referring to...?"

Victoria's ears turned red instantly.

She didn't know whether Arthur genuinely didn't know or was pretending.

However, given that Sir Arthur was such an upright and kind man, Victoria did not believe that Arthur would ask a question he already knew the answer to.

She cleared her throat and forced herself to say, "It's just... some tabloids lately... have been writing... something that's not quite right."

Arthur asked earnestly yet with concern, "Is it a bit much? Are you referring to those articles where everyone's hurling insults at each other? Or those sarcastic political commentaries? I remember a newspaper attacked the cabinet's trade policy the day before yesterday..."

Victoria interrupted with a light cough, "Not those."

Arthur raised an eyebrow: "Is that a document on foreign policy? Belgian? Or French?"

Victoria was so nervous that she gripped the hem of her skirt with her fingers.

“It’s…written about the palace.” She emphasized each word, “and it’s…very irresponsible.”

Arthur nodded and analyzed seriously, "The articles about the palace... those are the ones that allude to your discord with the Duchess of Kent? Don't worry, I've already informed my friends on Fleet Street about the relevant reports, and they will pay attention in the future."

This completely hit Victoria's weak spot.

Her brows furrowed immediately: "Not those!"

Those blue eyes stared at Arthur with a resentful look, as if blaming him for being so naive.

She took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and said in the most vague way possible, "It's... those few articles that said I was overly reliant on the head of government... and were written in a very impolite way."

“Oh…” Arthur suddenly realized, as if he had finally been enlightened: “Those articles that wrote about your close relationship with the Viscount Melbourne?”

Victoria's face flushed red to the roots of her neck.

“Sir Arthur!” she glared at him, somewhat annoyed and embarrassed. “That’s very impolite of you!”

Arthur seemed startled by her, and suddenly clutched his heart, feigning pain.

This time, Victoria was startled. She quickly stepped forward to help her up, asking, "Are you...are you alright?"

"It's alright... I'll be fine after a while..." Arthur paused for a moment before speaking, "Actually..."

"actually?"

"Actually, those articles..."

(End of this chapter)