bookrebus Chapter 1323 This Duke is someone we can't afford to offend.
Chapter 1323 This Duke is someone we can't afford to offend.
The situation in Hong Kong is becoming increasingly chaotic, with more and more people protesting. There are sit-ins in front of Government House 24 hours a day. The matter has escalated to the House of Lords in London, which has ordered the Governor and the Secretary for Security to return to London for a briefing.
Everything in Hong Kong is now being overseen by Chief Secretary for Administration Robert and Financial Secretary Seacrow. Robert, clutching his blond hair, is completely helpless.
The number of protesters is growing, and no one would believe there's no one pulling the strings behind the scenes. Robert sighed, looking at Chief Justice Steve, Police Commissioner Andrew, and Fire Chief Vanvis sitting at the conference table.
He slammed his hands on the conference table and spoke loudly.
"Gentlemen, please pull yourselves together. If you don't find a way to quell this incident soon, do you really want to go back to London to stand trial?"
Chief Justice Steve, with his silver hair tied in a ponytail and wearing thick glasses, is the most aloof person here. He is judicially independent and only accounts with the Queen.
Steve clasped his hands together and said in a deep voice.
“I must remind you all that Hong Kong law is independent. No matter what method you come up with to resolve this matter, the first thing is not to break the law, otherwise my judges will come knocking on your door.”
Andrew and Vanvis were furious. "Don't break the law? How do we disperse the protesters? By kneeling and begging? Or by patiently persuading them?"
Andrew said seriously,
"The only solution now is to cancel the Star Ferry's fare increase, or even offer some additional discounts. I believe this matter can be easily resolved."
Robert almost spat a big wad of phlegm in his face. This isn't just hindsight; it's blatant nonsense. If it could be canceled, would he even need to hold this meeting?
"No, absolutely not. The Star Ferry is owned by Jardine Matheson, as you know. Who controls Jardine Matheson? We can't afford to offend them."
Founded in 1880, Jardine Matheson has long controlled Hong Kong's economy. Although its influence has declined, its owners are the Berrett family, the Speaker of the House of Lords in London.
Robert and his associates were like trolls in Hong Kong, capable of causing earthquakes with a single stomp of their feet. But if they returned to London, they were nothing, easily dealt with even by an ordinary member of parliament.
Several people sighed in unison. The key problem was that the Governor of Hong Kong was too incompetent. He was the Prime Minister's man. You didn't strongly refuse Jardine Matheson's fare increase for the Star Ferry. You even went along with their announcement. Now that something has happened, you just pack up and run away, leaving a mess for Robert to clean up. Robert is so angry that he curses in his dreams.
At that moment, the secretary came in and placed a telegram in front of Robert.
"Sir, here is a telegram from London, addressed to you."
Robert took the telegram with a puzzled look and opened it, but was startled, as if the telegram was electrified, and his whole body trembled.
He read it carefully and then felt relieved. He handed the telegram to Chief Justice Steve and said...
"Ladies and gentlemen, the House of Lords has issued an appointment, appointing Duke Charlotte Chin as the Director of Security. His private plane will arrive at 3 p.m. tomorrow."
"What? Duke Charlotte Qin? Never heard of her. But shouldn't the Duke be a member of the House of Lords? How come he's in Hong Kong as the Secretary for Security?"
And a private jet? What private jet? As far as I know, only Her Majesty the Queen has a private jet.
Robert was also completely bewildered. He looked at Chief Justice Steve, who was the most high-society figure among them. With his connections in high society, even if he returned to London, he could still apply to become a Chief Justice.
Steve shrugged, beckoned Robert's secretary over, wrote a telegram by hand, handed it to the secretary, and then said.
"I sent a telegram to Congressman Worcester to inquire about him. I don't know much about this Duke Charlotte Chin, but regardless, he's a duke. I'm afraid that from now on, Robert, as the Chief Secretary for Administration, will have to listen to the Security Department."
As you know, His Excellency the Duke will naturally become a member of the Senate. If he wants you to go to New Jersey to milk cows and shovel cow dung, it's just a matter of a word.
Robert was a man who was very aware of his own position. He pondered deeply: why should London send a duke to serve as the Commissioner of Security?
Just as he was frowning in distress, his secretary rushed in in a panic, holding a telegram. He had clearly already read the telegram, and the secretary placed it in front of Steve.
Steve picked up the telegram, adjusted his glasses, and after reading it, he was also shocked. It took him a while to speak.
"Gentlemen, prepare to welcome Hong Kong's new master. We cannot afford to offend this Duke Charlotte Qin."
Robert asked quickly.
"Mr. Steve, could you tell me more about this Duke?"
Steve glanced at Robert; after all, it wasn't a secret, and the Duke wouldn't punish him even if he found out.
"Duke Charlotte Chin is a First Class Duke of Denmark, Grand Master of the Royal Knights, a First Class Duke of the British Empire, and Member of Parliament Worcester says that Duke Charlotte is the Queen's godson."
This string of titles left everyone present stunned, and a question arose in everyone's mind: what would such an important person do in a colony?
Robert's eyes lit up. He seemed to understand that this was London's warning to them not to continue being weak. It seemed that this Duke was just like the Chinese saying goes, wielding two big axes and ready to strike three times as soon as he met them.
Robert is truly brilliant; his guess about London is very close to the truth. The grouper has remained silent. He is the financial magistrate of Hong Kong, only responsible for collecting and disbursing money. He doesn't meddle in these political matters.
However, Stonefish was extremely ambitious. When he heard Steve introduce the new Security Chief's title, his eyes lit up. This was a very powerful patron, and he had to cling to him tightly.
The grouper quickly said,
"I feel it's an honor for Hong Kong that Commander Charlotte has taken office. I propose we hold a reception to welcome her, what do you say?"
Who would dare refuse such a proposal? If they did, wouldn't they be offending the Duke terribly?
"Are any of you fools here?" Robert quickly replied.
"Yes, we must do it, and we must do it big. We'll do it right here at the Peninsula Hotel."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately agreed. After all, the party wasn't costing them any money, so why not?