1836: I Became a Literary Giant in Great Britain

Chapter 139 The British Conspiracy

Upon seeing this, readers throughout New York were stunned.

That's all?

That's it?

What method did the killer use to commit the murder?

Did the trap set by that guy named Sherlock Holmes ultimately succeed?

Countless questions swirled in the minds of everyone in New York, like a hundred claws scratching at their hearts.

If readers in London see this, they should be very familiar with this scene.

Yes, it's finally the American people's turn to experience this feeling of being cut off from the narrative.

At first, people thought it was a printing error or that the newspaper had accidentally missed a page.

But even after searching the entire newspaper, they couldn't find a single word about the Scarlet Case.

An ominous premonition welled up inside me.

It turns out there really isn't any left.

In every corner of New York, another wailing erupted.

The next morning, the latest issue of the New York Herald was published.

The sensational case headlines of the past few days were no longer on the front page of the newspaper.

Instead, a letter of donation was published in huge font.

To our readers:

"It is with profound sorrow and anger that we inform you that the publication of the 'London Murders in Blood' files in this newspaper has touched upon the privacy and scandals of some members of the British aristocracy, provoking strong dissatisfaction from the British authorities."

"Yesterday, the British Consulate in New York issued its strongest warning to this newspaper and threatened diplomatic pressure, demanding that we immediately cease publishing any follow-up content related to the case."

"We know that freedom of the press is the foundation of the United States, but faced with strong interference from the hegemony of the Old World, we, as a small newspaper, are powerless to resist."

"We extend our sincerest apologies to all readers who have followed this case. The truth behind 'The Scarlet Letter' may forever remain buried in the fog of London."

66

The editorial office of the New York Herald

This letter was written with heartfelt emotion, filled with grievances, resentment, and a silent indictment of hegemony.

It looks incredibly real.

If the missing chapters only drive readers crazy...

This apology letter, then, completely ignited the powder keg of New York.

In fact, the modern diplomatic system had already begun to take shape in 1837.

Generally, it is divided into three levels: embassy, ​​legation, and consulate.

Britain does not have an embassy in the United States, but it does have a legation in Washington, D.C.

As for New York, there is only one consulate.

As for the claim that they could control public opinion in newspapers, that's even more of a fabrication.

Anyone familiar with diplomacy knows that consulates only have the authority to protect British nationals and handle trade and documents.

New York newspapers published British documents...

The consulate might be annoyed, but they won't even bother to lodge a protest.

Because it's pointless to bring it up.

However, those who hold this view are destined to be a very small minority.

Many more people were filled with anger.

After all, this fits their stereotype of the British.

"Damn! These British guys are meddling way too much!"

A worker carrying sacks at the dock slammed the newspaper in his hand to the ground, his face turning red with anger.

He was still not satisfied and stomped on it a few more times.

"Why can't they let us see it?"

"This is America, not their colony!"

"Exactly! I've already taken my pants off, and you're telling me the Duke won't let me see?"

"To hell with the Duke!"

The deep-seated resentment towards the former colonial power that runs deep in the American soul was fully unleashed at this moment.

What was originally just a morbidly curious murder story has now suddenly risen to the level of national dignity and national sentiment.

On what grounds?

We Americans read our own newspapers, what's it to you British!

No matter how powerful you British are, can you control us Americans?

Anger spread like wildfire throughout New York.

That afternoon, hundreds of readers spontaneously gathered in front of the New York Herald and the British Consulate.

They raised their fists and shouted angry slogans.

We want the truth!

"Give me back Sherlock Holmes!"

"Down with British hegemony!"

"Bennett, get out here!"

As the crowd grew larger, their emotions became increasingly agitated, and some even began throwing rotten fruit and stones.

British Consulate: ? ? ?

I didn't provoke anyone...

Bennett looked down at the dense crowd below, but instead of being afraid, he was trembling with excitement.

The angrier the crowd, the greater the influence.

Today's sales of the New York Herald are destined to explode.

"Well done, Harper! You're a genius, you bastard!"

He clenched his fist in excitement.

This scene was more spectacular than any fake news he had ever fabricated!

Bennett had absolutely no concern about fabricating a fake news story involving the British consulate.

After all, the legal system in the United States is currently extremely flawed.

Newspapers can basically write whatever they want as long as they don't directly incite violence or treason.

Nobody cares about this little thing at the Herald.

Historically, Bennett's Herald compiled far more sensational gossip about the British royal family.

Take William IV and Victoria as examples.

The Herald not only spread rumors that William IV was extravagant and had millions of pounds in private debt, but also claimed that these debts were being paid by the national treasury, implying that "British taxpayers are being bleed dry by the royal family."

They also fabricated the Victoria's Secret affair scandal...

It is claimed that the Queen had a secret affair with a young nobleman from Saxe-Coburg before her accession to the throne, resulting in her pregnancy, and that she hastily became engaged to Prince Albert to cover up the scandal.

Albert: ? ? ? How come I didn't know I was cheated on and became a father unexpectedly?

The most outrageous claim was that William IV and the Duke of Kent had a same-sex lover, with the details described in vivid detail.

These reports perfectly catered to Americans' stereotypes of "hypocrisy in monarchy and debauchery in royalty," and sales skyrocketed.

Even at this point, the British consulate never once caused him any trouble.

So don't say that gossip reporters of later generations are ruthless.

Their ancestor was far more wild than they were...

Just as public outrage was reaching its peak, and the anger of the entire city of New York was about to reach its climax.

Fletcher Harper, the executive director behind Michelle, has finally made his move.

The following day, a huge GG appeared on every decent-selling newspaper in New York, including the New York Sun and the New York Tribune.

GG's layout is extremely simple, with only one line of text printed in large white letters on a black background, which is full of provocation and power.

"The truth the British Empire tried to cover up, revealed by the Harper brothers!"

There was also a line of smaller text at the bottom.

"The complete and uncut version of A Study in Scarlet includes the final outcome of the case and the killer's untold revenge story."

""

"Available nationwide in the US tomorrow! First print run of 100,000 copies, while supplies last!"

This GG was like a bombshell.

This has once again ignited a fire in the already boiling public opinion.

"How dare someone publish a blood-written archive! No matter the price, I have to buy a copy and read it."

"Good job, I'm going to buy ten copies. Let those sons of bitches of Englishmen see them."

"The Harper brothers were truly brilliant. They exposed the British plot."

"Countless New Yorkers were immersed in this complex mix of emotions—a desire to keep up with the latest chapters and patriotism."

After a brief silence, the entire city of New York descended into an unprecedented frenzy.

Those readers whose curiosity had been thoroughly piqued finally had an outlet for their pent-up emotions.

On the day of release, before dawn, long lines had already formed outside bookstores in major East Coast cities such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.