The conspiracy between Louis Bonaparte and Jérôme Bonaparte was in full swing.
A secret meeting is also about to take place at Buckingham Palace in Piccadilly, East London. (Buckingham Palace is not far from the residence of Napoleon III in the UK. I am afraid Napoleon himself did not expect that 27 years after his death, the "dead enemies" of the Bonaparte family and the Hanover family would become "neighbors")
A black carriage slowly drove into the intersection on the left side of Dika Geographic Street. The carriage driver stopped the carriage, tapped his fingers on the box behind him and said honestly: "Sir, I can only deliver you here!" "
After hearing the coachman's response, the people in the box opened the door and lowered the steps to get out of the car. This person was Dr. James who was coming from Louis Bonaparte's mansion.
"How much?" Dr. James lowered his head and fumbled for the few silver coins in his pocket while asking the coachman the price.
"Sir, a total of 2 shillings! [Note 1]" the coachman responded softly.
Dr. James raised his head and shouted with wide eyes: "What? I am charged two shillings for such a short distance. Is your carriage inlaid with gold?"
"Sir, I'm really sorry! London is still in turmoil and prices continue to rise, so we have to raise prices to cope with the crisis. I hope you can understand!"
"Understand? I forgive you, who will forgive us! God! Such a short distance costs 2 shillings. It is easier for you than robbery."
Although the coachman apologized to James, the coachman still refused to budge on the price.
After the scene fell into a brief stalemate, Dr. James, who was unwilling to waste time, was defeated. He cursed and took out a silver coin with the image of Queen Victoria on it from his pocket and handed it to the coachman.
"Thank you! Mr. Generosity!" The coachman who took the silver coin instantly beamed and thanked Dr. James cheerfully.
"Go to hell! You are really a bunch of vampires! I swear I will never be your car again!" Dr. James cursed and entered the same alleyway of Buckingham Palace.
The coachman also drove the carriage away. As for the oath that he would never drive a carriage again, it was just a joke to the coachman. How could decent people like them go out on foot.
After passing through the narrow path, there is an open area.
In front of the open space is James' Park, and looking in from the open space you can see Buckingham Palace in the center of St. James's Park.
Dr. James strode along the road leading to Buckingham Palace without coveting the scenery along the way. He soon came to the main entrance of Buckingham Palace.
"This is Buckingham Palace! Do you have an invitation?" Two soldiers wearing bright red military uniforms and tall military hats blocked Dr. James's progress. They were the soldiers guarding Buckingham Palace.
These are turbulent times, and they must carefully examine everyone who goes to Buckingham Palace.
Dr. James slightly adjusted his tie and jacket and said hurriedly: "Please inform Albert that Dr. James has important information to report to him!"
"Are you Dr. James?" The soldier looked up and down at the unattractive guy in front of him.
"I am James, an academician of the Royal Society's School of Medicine!" Dr. James straightened his back proudly and responded. Being able to join the Royal Society is something that every scholar is proud of, especially now that the threshold for entering the Royal Society is getting higher and higher. , the Royal Society has almost become a gathering place for the British elite and upper class.
"Then go in!" The soldier rearranged the crossed muzzleloaders and opened the path that could only accommodate one person.
Dr. James finally stepped into the inner courtyard of St. James' Park.
After a while, a burly man wearing a kilt appeared.
"Mr. Brown!" Dr. James was a little flattered by the arrival of the strong man, and he quickly greeted the strong man in front of him.
John Brown was born in 1826, the son of Scottish tenant farmers, and worked as a groom at Balmoral Castle. When Prince Albert bought the castle, John became Prince Albert's personal servant with his outstanding ability and loyal attitude.
After Albert married Victoria, John Brown, who was 14 years younger, naturally became the butler of the Hanover royal family. He served as the butler for 8 years.
Although John Brown looks like he is in his 30s, his actual age is only 22 years old.
John Brown, who served as the royal family's butler at the age of 22, said calmly with unique arrogance: "Follow me! Prince, I am talking to the Prime Minister now!"
"Yes! Yes!" Facing the proud royal steward, Dr. James no longer had the pride he had before. He could only follow John Brown obediently.
Under the leadership of Dr. James, John Brown came to the main hall of Buckingham Palace.
Brown velvet carpets were laid throughout the hall, and each arch was inlaid with golden edges. Gold-plated chandeliers hung directly above the living room. Sunlight shone in from the windows, and the entire room seemed to be enveloped in gold.
"I will take you to the lounge first, and then I will call you after the conversation between the prince and the prime minister is over!" John Brown said to Dr. James in his unique Scottish rough accent.
"Yes!" Dr. James responded quickly.
Under the leadership of John Brown, Dr. James passed through the arch of the main hall and entered a room in the side hall.
Compared to the splendid main hall, the layout of the side rooms seems so simple.
A portrait of Victoria and Albert inlaid with gold edges, a sofa with exquisite carvings, and oil paintings covering the entire wall are all in this room.
Dr. James was restlessly waiting for Prince Albert's arrival.
About an hour later, a pleasant sound of pushing the door appeared in Dr. James' ears.
Dr. James, who had just sat down, quickly stood up to greet him.
"I hope I'm not late!" Albert said apologetically to Dr. James.
"No... no... I took the liberty of disturbing you! I'm very sorry!" James said excitedly as he looked at the bearded Albert in front of him.
PS: 1. Under the gold standard system in the 19th century, each ounce (31.103 grams) of gold with a fineness of 11/12 could be minted at 3 pounds, 17 shillings and 10.5 pence. Each pound was equal to 20 shillings, and each shilling was equal to 12 pence. Two shillings is roughly equivalent to $70 today.
