Gordon could be regarded as Benjamin's confidant. Generals like him were promoted step by step by virtue of their military exploits in the colonies. They made their fortune by combining colonies and wars, so naturally they were loyal supporters of the colonialists.
Gladstone's rhetoric about slowing down colonialism and focusing on domestic affairs was completely nonsense to Gordon, and he almost got upset after hearing it.
During this impeachment of the Prime Minister, Gordon even made up his mind. Once Benjamin loses power and steps down, he will immediately apply to the military department to serve in Africa or the Middle East. Based on his qualifications, he will go to Egypt to become a military governor. The number one leader will still be no problem.
British politics is like this, with ups and downs, and a change of office every five years. Gordon estimates that after a few years of leisurely recuperation in the colonies, the trend in London will change. Once the colonialists are in power again, who among those old friends will not use him?
During the voting process just now, Gordon was determined not to raise his hand. When he saw that Gladstone had completely gained the upper hand, he suddenly felt extremely regretful. If it hadn't been raining outside, and Emperor Tongzhi also When he arrived at the Congress, Gordon probably had already left in a hurry.
Today, the number of people in Parliament is several times larger than usual, so the kitchen is temporarily insufficiently prepared to prepare the most exquisite lunch for these big shots. Except for the Queen, the Prime Minister, the Head of State, Emperor Tongzhi and other big shots who can enjoy the small stove, the rest of the MPs You can only eat cold dishes from the buffet for lunch.
There are pre-cooked Atlantic purple shrimps, bread crabs, lobsters topped with cheese cut in half, as well as creamy mashed potatoes, French fries, fried cod pieces, sausage sandwiches... There are many varieties and the taste is okay, but Unfortunately, they are all cold and made in advance.
Gordon, who was born in the military, had never experienced any hardships. He did not have the bad habits of the pampered MPs in London. He picked up two sandwiches and some cod pieces on his dinner plate, and stood alone outside the window looking at the scenery.
To be honest, leaving the prosperous London to work in a difficult colony, even if you are a top officer, even if the salary and subsidies are generous, you still feel a little disappointed in your heart.
The congressmen present had just seen who raised their hands and who did not, so they were naturally divided into two groups at this moment. A large part of them were congressmen who supported Gladstone. They talked happily because they knew very well that there would be at least five meetings in the future. Their rights are worry-free during the year.
Only a few of the members of Congress who supported Benjamin stayed in Congress, and most of them left early in disappointment. Therefore, there were really not many people talking to Gordon in the banquet hall, and that window left him alone. Occupied, looking at the back is really a bit lonely.
At this moment, a secretary of Congress suddenly walked over and whispered a few words in Gordon's ear. Gordon's expression changed and he handed the secretary his plate, then turned and left.
After walking through the long corridor, he soon arrived at the lounge on the first floor where VIPs were entertained. He stood up straight, took a few deep breaths, knocked on the door three times, and then pushed it open.
"Dear Earl of Larendon, hello... huh?" Gordon said in mid-sentence when he felt as if his throat was pinched by someone, and he let out a surprised sound.
The attendant closed the door, and Gordon stared at Gladstone, who was enjoying a steak in front of him. His eyes carefully searched the lounge, and he realized that there was no shadow of Foreign Minister Laurenden in the whole room. They were the only two in the room. .
Gordon frowned and whispered, "What's going on? Am I lost?"
"Please sit down, Sir Gordon... Admiral General of the Qing Dynasty. You are not lost. I sent someone to find you. Let's have a drink together?"
Gordon shook his head, "Sorry, I learned a saying in China, don't agree with each other if you have different opinions. You and I have completely different political opinions. There seems to be nothing to talk about, and there is no need to drink... Goodbye!"
Gordon turned around and wanted to leave, but Gladstone behind him smiled, "Haha... different political opinions? Not necessarily. Don't you and I want the empire to be more prosperous and powerful? What I came to you to discuss is the future policy towards the Qing Empire. , you really don’t want to tell me your opinion?”
"Or are you willing to give up all rights to speak and let me make my own decisions?"
This sentence was on point. Gordon was shocked and said yes. Whether Gladstone listened to me or not was his problem, but whether I said it or not was my problem.
Thinking of that fertile land, Gordon felt as if grass had grown in his heart. After hesitating for a while, he turned back and sat on the chair.
He waved his hand and refused Gladstone to pour him wine and said coldly, "Let's be honest. To be honest, I am disgusted with you. This is not just because you and I have different political views, but also because you, as an elite of the empire, chose To cooperate with the Chinese..."
"Although I don't have that many sources of intelligence, I can use my heel analysis to know that you have a secret connection with Xiao Letian..."
"I know the Chinese, and I understand their rules of the game. They will give you bribes first, and they will be massive bribes. They will even think of your excuses for collecting bribes before they give them... Political donations, right?"
"It's so smart. I didn't bribe you alone, but bribed the entire Liberal Party, creating a situation where the law is not punished. This is the cleverness of the Chinese people!"
"After that, so many newspapers in London began to cooperate with the propaganda of the Chinese. You dare to say that without your contribution and influence, how could those newspapers make great efforts to report the Chinese series?"
"Even the landscape paintings that were previously flying on the streets of London were negotiated door to door by your Liberal Party, right? Otherwise, how could any citizen allow so many paintings to cover the windows..."
At this point, Gordon said with a gloomy face, "Even... I even suspect that the rebellion in Dublin yesterday has something to do with you. With your insidious character, I think you are capable of such a thing!"
"Don't let me find evidence. If I know that the Dublin riots are related to you, I swear that I will mobilize all the military generals to impeach you to Her Majesty the Queen... because that is treason!"
Gladstone was immersed in the political struggle. He had heard too many cruel words. Gordon's level of threats had no effect on him. The knife and fork in his hand was still stable, and the medium-ripe veal was still delicious. Incomparable.
"That's your right. You can do whatever you want. I won't use my rights to suppress you. Please don't worry..." Gladstone smiled and put down his knife and fork. "You can investigate me as you like, but for now you have to respect Congress. Member’s choice, so I came here to talk to you about the specific work..."
"Haha, not necessarily! Benjamin hasn't declared defeat yet and has not used his last trump card. Do you really think he is the prime minister of the empire now?"
"Dissolve Parliament? Hahaha... Do you really think this is Disraeli's trump card? Think clearly. You are very embarrassed at the level of the empire. You are neither good nor bad..."
"You middle-level people have some access to some of the empire's secrets, but you don't have the most complete access, so you use incomplete information to analyze the political situation..."
"The information is incomplete, and you still want to get the most correct result? Just worry about it... I tell you the truth, even if Disraeli initiates the process of dissolving Parliament, he will definitely fail in the end!"
"Do you really think you and I are the only ones in this room? Hahaha... Open the door in the side room and let my dear Sir see the real choice of the empire!"
While he was talking, the door to the lounge suite opened quietly, and the face revealed inside scared Gordon so much that he jumped up from his seat.
