The Shadow of Great Britain

Disraeli was not foolish. He briefly connected their past collaborations with Arthur and quickly understood his meaning.

Still, he had to say, "Arthur, although you've been like this for a long time, you seem to have become more cautious since you got someone shot."

Arthur smiled and took a sip of wine. "Not only that, but my attitude towards all radicals has become even worse. Whether they are radical Conservatives or radical Liberals, they better not fall into my hands, or they'll be in for a good show."

Disraeli couldn't help but smile too. "On this point, I fully support you, and I'm honored to inform you that our old friend Charles Dickens feels the same way. Since Charles saw the draft of the New Poor Law, he's almost at the breaking point as a former Whig Party supporter. Charles naively thought that the Whig Party was a better choice than the Tory Party, but now he realizes he was wrong.

If the New Poor Law passes, not only will wage supplements be eliminated, but outdoor relief will also be gone. All the poor will be sent to the Poorhouse for forced labor, whether they detest it or not. This is great, they helped the Whig Party make a fuss during the Parliamentary reform, getting you shot at the foot of the Tower of London. What for? To send themselves to the Poorhouse for forced labor!"

Arthur sighed softly. "Can't the bill really be stopped?"

"Although I'm a staunch opponent of the New Poor Law, I can't distort reality because of my personal feelings. I must honestly say, the current situation is very bad. Since the parliamentary reform, the middle class has the most voting power, and their support for the 'New Poor Law' is also the strongest. If we put it in their words, the government can't take out six or seven million pounds every year to support idlers, and taxpayers' money shouldn't be spent in such a place."

Disraeli fanned himself with his hat, feeling dejected. "But although the overall trend can't be stopped, we still plan to do something. Arthur, I seldom praise anyone, but I must say, your actions last year at the Tower of London inspired us. Charles, Alfred, and I plan to emulate you, like Don Quixote charging at windmills, to fight against this bill.

The three of us are preparing to serialize new works. Charles has already gone ahead to the Poorhouses around to conduct research. According to him, he plans to write a novel with an orphan from the Poorhouse as the protagonist, tentatively titled 'Oliver Twist.' Alfred intends to serialize a collection of pastoral poems condemning the evils of large-scale industrialization.

As for me, my new work 'Coningsby, or the Next Generation,' will detail the long-standing political tolerance within the British nobility, highlighting the consistent moderation, conservatism, and compromise of the Tory Party. If I had published this book before the parliamentary reform, I would've been scolded by everyone. But once the New Poor Law is passed, those people will know that everything I said was true."

Saying this, Disraeli also suggested, "Arthur, your 'Hastings Case Files' is almost finished too. Would you like to join us in uniting our stance on the Poor Law issue?"

Disraeli thought Arthur would readily agree, but unexpectedly he saw Arthur gently shake his head.

Disraeli asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Arthur stood up, pacing with his hands behind his back. "Because someone always has to stab from the back. Besides, my reputation in the literary world is far below that of Charles, Alfred, and you, so I don't need to get involved. Most importantly, I think such an important matter as the New Poor Law might even bring 'Blackwood's' and us 'Britons' onto the same stance.

After all, if even the three moderates like you can't tolerate this bill, how could the three Lake Poets, Sosse, Coleridge, and Wordsworth endure it? From what I know of 'Blackwood's,' once the New Poor Law is enacted, they will definitely start firing at White Hall."

"Oh, Arthur, you're wrong there."

Disraeli rested his hand on the back of the chair. "They're already firing. Your assessment of them is quite correct. Sosse, Coleridge, and Wordsworth have gone mad with rage, openly calling the Whig Party a bunch of robbers. I seldom support 'Blackwood's' actively, but this time I have to applaud them."

Arthur nodded slightly. "I think most of the British literary world wouldn't agree with the New Poor Law. Judging by the bill's content, those pushing this proposal are probably political economists who believe in utilitarianism. I've already envisioned the scene of Malthus's followers collectively cheering in the House of Commons."

Disraeli pinched his nose in distaste. "Arthur, you really should run for Parliament. You're absolutely right; the 'Abolition Act,' 'Factory Law,' and 'New Poor Law' are the Holy Trinity of the British economics community. Followers of Adam Smith, Jeremy Bentham, David Ricardo, and Thomas Malthus have reached a consensus on these three bills; they have completely merged.

What's worse is that this group, together, almost controls the entire banking, import, export trade, and industrial production of Britain. There's nothing that can shake their immense power once they merge. I can't say I entirely oppose their views, but if I had to choose, I would rather not pass the 'Abolition Act' than have the 'New Poor Law.'"