The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 532 - 277 Busy Scotland Yard (4K6)_2

Actually, long before the cholera epidemic erupted in Britain, the British Government had already noticed this horrifying disease. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

As a lethal disease originating from the South Asian subcontinent, the British Army had already experienced the power of cholera as early as 1817.

At that time, during the Third Maratha War between Britain and India, just like the previous two wars, it seemed that the army was about to achieve another sweeping victory without external aid to the Indian Princes.

However, shortly after the outbreak of the war, cholera silently invaded Calcutta and, as soldiers became infected one after another, the combat effectiveness of the army was rapidly impacted, even making the frontline conflicts arduous.

Unfortunately, although cholera was an Indian disease, it infected without regard to nationality, clearly lacking patriotism.

Thus, cholera quickly extended its reach from the British Army to all soldiers on the battlefield.

Soon after, it followed the soldiers from both sides of the conflict to the borders of Nepal, Bengal, and Afghanistan.

By the time this outbreak of cholera had subsided in 1823, it had stretched its foothold to Muscat, Tehran, and Baghdad in Central Asia.

Later, due to the wars between Russia, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire from 1826 to 1829, cholera successfully crossed the Caucasus Mountains and followed Russian soldiers to St. Petersburg.

Even though Tsar Nicholas I put forth his steely will, it could not prevent the outbreak of cholera in Russia in 1829.

The infected Russian soldiers were soon dispatched to Warsaw to suppress the Polish uprising, and with the presence of Russian soldiers, the entire territory of Poland quickly became an epidemic zone.

With the conquest of Poland, it then followed the footsteps of refugees pushing westwards, rapidly sweeping through all of Europe.

Confronted with the data of thousands of deaths, the British Government had long been chilled to the spine, as no one wished to see a recurrence of the Black Death. Unfortunately, as an island nation reliant on trade, Britain nearly always could not escape from every global pandemic outbreak.

To prevent the outbreak of cholera, the British Government had already sent a detachment of internal medicine doctors to St. Petersburg to learn about cholera prevention and treatment at the start of the outbreak in Russia, leveraging the harmonious diplomatic relations between the two countries at the time.

These doctors had now become the main proponents of the germ theory of disease, presenting findings that were nearly the opposite of those from doctors stationed in India.

It is unclear why, but the experiences of medical personnel in Russia differed drastically from those of the doctors stationed in India. They were often infected with cholera while caring for patients, which had become a central issue in the skirmish between the miasma theory and the germ theory.

Each side accused the other of fabricating facts, disregarding the basic ethics expected of a doctor.

Faced with this situation, it was understandable that the non-expert Cabinet was indecisive.

After reading the report, Arthur took a deep breath and fastened his hat, saying, "I understand now. We will of course carry out the Home Office’s decision since they have said to continue as usual, so let us proceed as usual. However, based on the principle of utilitarianism, the primary duty of the Police Intelligence Department will temporarily change. Let’s put a pause on homicide investigations, and reallocate our surplus personnel to assist in various police districts."

Since it is currently uncertain which theory is correct, let’s be cautious. Notify our officers to wear scarves covering their mouths and noses while on duty, and not to consume local food and drinking water. Nowhere in London is safe, and during this critical period, their food supplies will be handled by the department. Also warn them that I’m not planning to budget for additional compensation funds in this year’s department budget, so they should not fall before the situation is resolved,"

"Understood, sir!"

Louis stood at attention and gave a salute, handed the documents he was holding to Arthur, and then hurriedly left.

Arthur casually flipped through the document, understood the backstory, and then placed his white gloves on the doorknob and pushed open the door of the conference room.

As his police baton and upright posture appeared in everyone’s line of sight, the inspectors sitting in the conference room, who were puffing smoke and banging on the table, suddenly paused.

"Inspector Hasting?"

"How did you get here?"

Arthur did not provide much of an explanation. He simply took off his hat, tossed it on the table, and sat down.

In the ensuing silence, Arthur struck a match, lit his pipe, and took a puff.

Behind the smoke were his eyes, glimmering with a reddish light.

"No need for surprise. It’s just a minor injury; I can still breathe,"

Sir Mayne, the assistant commissioner, nodded slightly after hearing this and turned his gaze to Commissioner Rowan, who was sinking into his chair and smoking.

Rowan slowly straightened his back and gently tapped his pipe into the teacup at his side. As the smoke cleared, his distinctively angular face and thinning hair became visible.

"Arthur, I’ll skip over the pleasantries. Flattery is empty, and I am a straightforward man. Scotland Yard needs you, and I am very glad you could rejoin us so timely. After this cholera outbreak is over, you can take as long a break as you want. If there is any comment from the Home Office, I will handle it, so don’t worry,"

Arthur, smiling, replied, "Sir, I’m a straightforward man as well. Since you’ve put it this way, let’s talk about how we might end this cholera outbreak?"