Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 567 Expulsion Order! (Second Update)
Norman McLeod stood smiling in front of Lionel: "Lion, it's been a long time!"

Lionel sat on the edge of the bed and shook hands with his old friend: "Norman, I'm sorry, Pirates of the Caribbean cost you your job as editor-in-chief of Good Words."

Norman McLeod shrugged nonchalantly: "Never mind, Leon. If it weren't for Pirates of the Caribbean, I would be the one publishing 1984."

After chatting for a while, Norman McLeod opened the paper bag he had brought and took out a long, exquisite box tied with a ribbon.

“A small gift,” he said, handing the box to Lionel. “I hope it will help with your recovery.”

Lionel took the box, untied the ribbon, and opened the lid—inside was a gentleman's cane.

The cane is made of high-quality Indian rosewood, with a purplish-black base and rose stripes. It is polished very smoothly and looks shiny.

The staff has a curved handle and is carved from a single piece of ivory into the shape of a lion. The carving is exquisite, with even the texture of the mane clearly visible. The lion's eyes are two rubies.

Near the head of the staff is a silver decorative ring engraved with Baroque scroll patterns, symbolizing "continuous life".

Lionel took the cane out of the box. It was the perfect length and weight, and felt comfortable in his hand.

"This is too valuable." With an ivory head and silver decorations, this is clearly not an ordinary cane.

Norman McLeod shook his head: "Please accept this. I had it custom-made for me. And it's more than just a walking stick."

He took the cane from Lionel, gripped the head, and twisted it hard, making a soft "click" sound.

Then he pulled a thin, long steel blade from the cane, which gleamed coldly under the hospital room lights.

It was a rapier, with a narrow and straight blade, about seventy centimeters long, with a blood groove, and the hilt was the head of a staff.

Lionel was stunned.

Norman McLeod brandished the sword to show him: "The staff is hollow, and the sword is hidden inside. Twist the head of the staff to unlock it, and you can draw it out."

He handed the sword back to Lionel. Lionel took it and examined it closely, finding that the blade was very sharp and clearly not just for decoration.

“And one more thing.” Norman MacLeod gripped the silver Baroque scrollwork on his cane and twirled it once more—

The tip of the staff, which was originally covered in brass, now revealed a dark hole; at the same time, a leaf on the scroll pattern bounced up.

"The leaf is the trigger. When you press it, it fires a .22 caliber bullet. It's not very powerful, but it's enough for self-defense. However, there's only one bullet, and once it's used, it's gone."

He handed the cane to Lionel as well: "You can unscrew the end of the cane to load a cartridge, but the process is rather complicated. I suggest you don't use it unless absolutely necessary."

Lionel, holding the sword and staff, was speechless for a moment. This was not merely a symbol of gentlemanly status; it was a weapon, a weapon disguised as a cane.

Norman McLeod sat back in his chair: “I hope you never need it. But if one day you need to protect yourself, I hope it will help.”

Lionel looked at the sword in his cane, recalling the moment he was shot, the excruciating pain of the bullet entering his leg, the screams of the crowd, and the shouts of the police.

He also recalled Sir Charles Warren's words: "Jean-Pierre may have been instructed by Villemorian, but he insists that he wanted to do it himself."

Some things may never have a truth, because the truth is often more dangerous than guns and cannons.

Lionel sheathed the sword back into the staff and tightened the staff head; he then screwed the Baroque scrollwork back into place.

The cane was restored to its original state, looking like a fine, expensive gentleman's walking stick.

Lionel patted his cane: "Thank you. I appreciate this gift."

Norman McLeod nodded and stood up. "I'm leaving now. Take care, Leon, and get well soon."

Soon, only Lionel was left in the ward; Sophie and Alice had gone outside and hadn't returned yet.

He held the cane in his hand, the lion's eyes on the top of the cane seeming to be looking at him, cold and majestic.

He recalled a line from 1984: "War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is power."

He also recalled the phrase, "Old Lady is watching you."

Now, Old Lady has been attacked and has a scar on her forehead; while the wound on her leg is slowly healing.

Nineteenth-century Europe was more complex and more dangerous than many people imagine.

No one can control everything; accidents are always happening, even if she is a queen.

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December 22, 1882, House of Commons.

The atmosphere was so heavy it felt like it was about to freeze. The parliamentary seats were full, but no one was talking, no one was moving around, and even coughs were hushed.

Everyone looked at the podium, at Prime Minister William Yurt Gladstone standing there.

Gladstone looked ten years older today; his wrinkles were deeper, his eye bags were heavy, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Just a day earlier, a motion to amend Ireland’s land reform was rejected with 312 votes against and 287 votes in favor.

The motion itself was insignificant, but the outcome signaled a loss of confidence in the cabinet from Parliament and foreshadowed the end of Gladstone's second term as prime minister. He held a prepared speech but didn't look at it, instead beginning: "My lords, the past week has brought us together through a national crisis."

Her Majesty the Queen was attacked in Windsor. Although she is unharmed, the nature and severity of this incident are unprecedented.

He paused, glancing around the room. Everyone was looking at him, their expressions varied—concern, sympathy, indifference, and undisguised schadenfreude.

"As Prime Minister, I bear an undeniable responsibility for this, and I must take full account of it. Therefore, I formally announce—"

He took a deep breath and said the words everyone had been waiting for:
“I, William Eulter Gladstone, resign as Prime Minister in my capacity as First Chancellor of the Exchequer to Her Majesty the Queen. My resignation has been submitted to Buckingham Palace.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the members of parliament stirred up a bit, but quickly calmed down.

This outcome was expected; now people are more concerned about the distribution of benefits and who will be the next prime minister.

After the uproar subsided slightly, Gladstone continued, "I will continue to perform my duties until a new prime minister is appointed. But I hope Parliament can reach a consensus on the Irish issue as soon as possible, whatever that consensus may be—"

Whether it's peace or war, a nation needs a clear direction, not endless debate.

He picked up his speech notes and said one last thing:
"God bless the Queen, God bless Great Britain."

Then he turned, stepped down from the podium, walked past the councilors' seats, and headed for the door. No one applauded, no one cheered, only silent stares.

After the Queen's assassination, the cabinet split, Parliament split, and public opinion split. Hardliners demanded war, while moderates demanded negotiations, but no one was willing to listen to the other.

Anyone who tries to mediate will become a target for everyone.

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On the same day Gladstone resigned, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Victoria had accepted his resignation.

Subsequently, based on the results of parliamentary deliberations, the Queen invited Robert Gascoigne-Cecil, the third Marquess of Salisbury, to form a new government.

Robert Gascoigne-Cecil, 52, is the leader of the Conservative Party and a representative of the hardliners.

In his first public speech after accepting his appointment, the Marquess of Salisbury said:
"The British Empire will not bow to terrorism. Those who attempt to divide the country through violence will face severe legal punishment."

I assure the entire nation that the new government will take all necessary measures to ensure national security and safeguard national unity.

In the following days, a series of orders were issued from London:
Two additional regiments were deployed to Northern Ireland; a curfew was imposed in Dublin; 37 "known Irish nationalist activists" were arrested; three newspapers deemed "inciting division" were shut down; and some powers of the Irish local council were suspended...

These measures quickly sparked protests across Ireland. Demonstrations took place in Dublin, riots broke out in Belfast, clashes occurred between police and demonstrators, and some people were injured and arrested.

All of this, in turn, triggered a reaction in the UK.

London workers’ organizations issued a statement condemning the government’s “repressive policies”; Manchester unions held a small rally calling for a peaceful resolution to the Irish question.

Even some Conservative newspapers have begun to question whether such a hardline approach might backfire...

But the Marquess of Salisbury's government remained unmoved, with the Minister of War stating publicly, "If necessary, we will send more troops!"

The situation continued to deteriorate, and news from other colonies made the atmosphere in London even more tense.

In Cairo, Egypt, a group of locals attacked a British military outpost at night with improvised explosive devices. Although there were no casualties, this was a dangerous sign.

Egypt has been a country in constant rebellion since it came under British control in July 1882, and this attack occurred just after the Queen's assassination.

In Mumbai, India, a group of students and intellectuals gathered in the streets, chanting slogans such as "India for Indians." Police dispersed the gathering and arrested more than a dozen people.

In Transvaal, South Africa, the Boers, who had just signed an armistice with Britain in 1881, began to regroup their militia.

Although there were no open acts of hostility, Boer leader Paul Kruger mentioned “the current weaknesses of Britain” in a meeting with tribal chiefs.

For a time, the British Empire appeared to be fraught with crisis and war.

Egypt, India, South Africa, Ireland—everywhere is in turmoil. And all of this is happening after the Queen's assassination.

Public opinion began to connect all these events. Newspaper headlines appeared with headlines like:

From Windsor to Cairo, the Flames of Resistance Spread

How a Novel Ignited an Empire's Crisis

Is the Victorian myth crumbling?

These articles do not directly criticize Lionel Sorel, but they all imply:
The film 1984 and the symbol "OLD LADY" changed people's perception of Queen Victoria and the attitudes of the rebels towards the empire.

All of this ultimately led to a series of chain reactions, resulting in the situation we see today.

Then, an order from the Marquess of Salisbury's government arrived at the ward of St. Thomas' Hospital:

Lionel Sorel, a Frenchman who entered the country illegally, has been expelled and given seven days to leave the UK!

(One more chapter is coming, please vote with your monthly tickets!)

(End of this chapter)