The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 657 - 321 Honorary Knighthood_3

Arthur pondered a moment, then suddenly remembered a fellow from York he had met in Liverpool. At times like these, he could only hope this professional young man would be able to devise some convincing explanations on his behalf.

If even he proved inadequate, then Arthur would have no choice but to make a sidelong inquiry at University of London’s teaching hospital to Professor Masden, to see if he could coax any information out of him.

"It’s quite normal for the committee members to have concerns, which actually reflects their responsible attitude towards public health. Since I’ve advocated the necessity of saline therapy to the Lord Chancellor’s office, it’s naturally my duty to dispel their doubts. After I return today, I will send a letter to Liverpool, and they will soon send experts over."

Chadwick also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, "That would be best. Frankly, Arthur, if saline therapy is as miraculous as you claim, then the alarmingly high mortality rate of cholera will quickly decrease. Then, the priests will have to shut their mouths obediently."

"Priests?" Louis frowned, "Are those fellows spouting nonsense again?"

The mere thought agitated Chadwick, his tone tinged with anger, "Indeed they are. And it’s not just the priests, some thoughtless fools are causing a commotion along with them. The priests claim cholera is God’s punishment for a morally depraved society, while those idle, well-fed individuals living in the West District go further, proclaiming that only the poor will contract cholera, as if gentlemen and ladies of their noble and chaste standing could never be infected."

"And is that really the case?"

"Of course not."

Chadwick said with scorn, "One brainless individual, to prove he was immune to cholera, deliberately roamed the East District. He went in the morning, showed symptoms at noon, and his body was carried out at night, having infected his entire family as well. If we hadn’t discovered it in time and urgently quarantined that family, it would have caused a major epidemic in the West District. In my view, cholera doesn’t just infect the poor; it targets those with a lower intelligence."

Arthur asked, "A blessing in disguise then. At least after this incident, that bunch should quiet down, right?"

Quiet down? Chadwick replied with a mix of anger and laughter, "Arthur, you give them too much credit. Their current claim is that the man fell ill solely because he wasn’t devout enough. True believers wouldn’t contract cholera at all."

On hearing this, Arthur could only helplessly shake his head, "Why is it always so? Whenever something happens, it must be attributed to the divine, even though humanity is already capable of committing every conceivable sin."

"What else?" Chadwick sighed, "Do you really expect them to blame themselves?" freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

At this point, Chadwick suddenly looked up at the sky, "It’s getting late, and I have a meeting with the Central Health Committee. You’re here to see Lord Brougham, right? He’s inside. Oh, and Viscount Melbourne from the Home Office is here too. If you haven’t reported to him yet, this saves you another trip to the Home Office."

"What’s Viscount Melbourne doing here?"

Laughing, Chadwick patted Arthur’s shoulder, "It’s good news, of course. Regarding the preparations for establishing the London Area Prosecution Service, congratulations, Arthur. The position of Deputy Prosecutor has pretty much been confirmed for you. But I’m not sure if it’s good or bad news for you..."

"What do you mean?"

Chadwick answered, "Because your work, once appointed, won’t be light. The prosecution of the Swin riot criminals, the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor’s office plan to entrust to you entirely. But, as a consideration for our friendship, let me give you a heads up...

Because Lord Brougham and Viscount Melbourne also know it’s a difficult job and easily ruins one’s reputation if mishandled, and considering you were recently shot at in Liverpool, they’re also thinking of compensating you in other ways."

Arthur sensed something off from Chadwick’s words, "You mean..."

Chadwick nodded slowly, his face revealing a deep, meaningful smile, "Exactly, they’re planning to apply to the Prime Minister for a knighthood for you, a lower grade of the Knight’s Cross. Perhaps soon, you’ll need to reprint your business cards, with the prefix—Sir Arthur Hastings."

Upon hearing this, Arthur felt not the slighest joy, but instead pressed a hand to his forehead and muttered, "It seems you’re right; this job really must not be an easy one."