CHAPTER 1045: CHAPTER 76: DIPLOMACY IS A DANGEROUS PROFESSION

The smoking room on the east wing of the DelaSalle mansion is secluded and comfortable, designed specifically for gentlemen to enjoy a cigar or a glass of spirits after dinner.

However, since most people’s attention was focused on the ball, the smoking room, which was crowded not long ago, was now deserted.

Arthur leaned his back against the heavy walnut door, a faint scent of tobacco mixed with the woody aroma hit him, instantly evoking a sense of calm and relaxation.

Standing opposite him, Schneider was admiring a pastoral painting hanging on the deep green velvet wallpaper, holding a glass of amber Scotch Whisky.

Only after quietly listening to Arthur’s account did he slowly begin to speak.

"An expedition to Italy? Sounds interesting, but can you find out which city they specifically intend to incite an uprising in? Even if the exact city is unclear, at least we need to know in which country they plan to act. Is it in the Two Sicilies Kingdom, the Duchy of Tuscany, the Papal States, or the Kingdom of Sardinia?"

Arthur stubbed out the cigar in the silver ashtray, leaned back in the leather armchair, and said.

"Although we don’t yet know their destination, I think it’s not difficult to find out. If they’ve made up their minds to start an uprising, they need to gather forces, purchase weapons, and amass supplies. Ultimately, they need to solve the money problem first. When I handled cases at Scotland Yard, it was the same. If the case lacked direction, I’d check the involved party’s bank accounts and recent bills, always discovering surprises."

"Hmm, very reasonable."

Schneider nodded slightly and said, "But the difference between diplomatic work and police work is that detectives can openly investigate a subject’s financial accounts by simply filing a request with the Magistrates’ Court. Unfortunately, diplomatic incidents usually aren’t domestic, so in most cases, we have to resort to underhanded methods. Stealing, extorting, deceiving—the means punishable by hanging domestically can be used in diplomacy. Of course, the premise is not to be discovered."

Arthur suddenly spoke, "Fred thought so, too, back then."

"Who’s Fred?"

"The little thief-general from the East District, whom I sank to the bottom of the sea."

"Arthur." Schneider looked quizzically at this young friend: "Are you insinuating that the Foreign Office is actually a lair for organized crime?"

"No, I have absolutely no such intention." Arthur loosened his collar, "Though both the Foreign Office and Fred pursued a certain degree of control and influence, Fred and his cronies’ existence and activities aren’t safeguarded by law."

With that, Arthur raised his glass towards Schneider: "Here’s to the French Government."

Schneider cheerfully replied, "And to the Austrian Government."

Arthur took a sip of the spicy whisky, set down the glass, and continued introducing his grand plan to Schneider: "As you previously mentioned, we can’t directly investigate Mazzini’s private affairs abroad. We neither have the authority nor the ability. After all, we can’t simply burst into every bank in Paris, brandishing guns, and demand to know if Mazzini has an account there..."

"No, no, no."

Before Arthur could finish, Schneider interrupted: "We indeed can’t do such things, as it does not adhere to diplomatic etiquette, nor does it align with the Foreign Office’s upright style. But just because we can’t doesn’t mean others can’t. The thugs in Paris share the same fondness for violence as those in London, and they are cheaper than their London counterparts."

Schneider thought his little diplomatic tip would make Arthur admire him greatly. Unexpectedly, Arthur impulsively grabbed his hand with a look of sudden kinship.

"August, you and I truly share a connection. Perhaps it’s because we soaked in the same pool at the Nightingale Mansion, so even our thoughts merge."

"You’ve already hired thugs?" Schneider, hearing Arthur’s words, quickly stuffed the half-extracted business card back into his pocket: "No wonder you worked as a cop! Arthur, your brain is far more agile than those youths freshly out of the Lawyers’ Association or university education. You know, freshly graduated young people, always talking legal clauses. You try to guide them, and they might just turn around and sell you out to your superior. Not until they hit a brick wall themselves will they realize what’s truly useful."

Arthur initially thought explaining the bank fraud matter to Schneider would require careful wording.

Unexpectedly, this German Briton understood ’flexibility’ more than most, even more so than genuine British officials.

Plus, being a long-term client of the Nightingale Mansion, Arthur has always been forthright with this kind of emotionally stable, benefit-driven friend.

Thus, he quickly laid out Victor’s fraud plan.

Of course, the part about contacting the French Royalists was deliberately omitted by Arthur. After all, escorting the Royalists out of the city was different from monitoring Young Italy; the former held no benefit for Schneider, hence his stance on the matter was unreliable.

Schneider tapped his fingers on the coffee table surface, his wandering eyes suggesting he was calculating something in his mind.