The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 547 - 283: Liverpool: A Major Commercial Port_2

Arthur had just finished speaking when another officer from the Liverpool Customs asked, "But such an administrative order, we estimate it will be hard to convince the City Hall to accept."

Arthur raised his hand to interrupt him, "If the City Hall has any objections to the Cabinet’s orders, they can completely send someone to London to communicate with the Lord Chancellor’s office and the Central Health Committee. That’s not within my responsibility. I’ve already emphasized that I am here in Liverpool to do one thing, and that is to ensure that during the cholera outbreak, we minimize the cases imported into Britain due to smuggling as much as possible. Those present might not know, but the Cabinet is very determined to crack down on smuggling this time."

Over half a month ago, the Navy Department had already ordered two fast warships fighting against the slave trade off the West African Ivory Coast—Black Joker and Rosamond Beauty—to immediately return to Britain proper and to be officially incorporated into Liverpool’s anti-smuggling operations waiting for deployment. Some of you might have learned from the newspapers over these past few years just how much those two ships have contributed to the abolitionist movement.

If you’re not aware, then I can introduce to you here. Black Joker and Rosamond Beauty, in their recent activities against the slave trade, have captured a total of 9 slave ships, freeing nearly 3000 slaves. Liverpool may have started with the slave trade, but when the abolitionist movement began in Britain, Liverpool was also at the forefront, and I believe you gentlemen would be pleased to know this information."

The officers present all changed their expressions upon hearing this; some looked slightly worried, others held an attitude of watching the fun, while some revealed excited expressions.

The Royal Navy officers were all elated, "Black Joker and Rosamond are back? So, does this mean the Navy Department is serious this time? Mr. Hastings, may I ask if the Navy Department issued a fire prohibition order regarding interceptions on the high seas?"

Arthur looked at this group of sharks who already smelled blood, knowing these reserve officers stationed on land had long been itching for action.

He began, "For merchant ships flying other countries’ flags, they cannot open fire without confirming smuggling activities first."

"Uh..." The officers deflated upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Arthur added, "However, if the Royal Navy has already communicated the boarding search request and the merchant ship still refuses to comply after three warnings, the Navy Department will allow the anti-smuggling fleet to use a certain degree of force. If it’s just using the ram bow to open a hole in their hull, I think that would still be considered reasonable."

The officers’ moods went through several changes, their once drooping mouths now turned upwards again, "Mr. Hastings, you say you’re really catching your breath with that remark. But we understand your meaning."

The officials from the Customs and Liverpool City Hall, upon hearing this, finally understood the Cabinet’s determination.

They originally thought that just like previous times, this cholera quarantine could be managed with a lax approach, but it seems now that the Cabinet is truly fired up due to the emergency outbreaks all over the country.

Especially since there was a recent dock riot in Liverpool, at this juncture, they also didn’t have sufficient reason to refute the Cabinet’s decision.

The officials rose and said, "Since the Cabinet’s will is so firm, we have nothing more to say. However, Mr. Hastings, concerning the City Hall, you might need to ponder over it quite a bit."

Arthur nodded slightly, "Thank you all. But before we adjourn, I hope to get a list of all import and export trading companies in Liverpool tonight. It would be even better if the Customs could attach all their ’Import and Export Goods Declaration Forms’ of this year."

"Declaration forms?" An official from Customs said in surprise, "Are you bringing an auditor with you this time?"

Arthur took out a pocket watch and looked down, "Because it was a last-minute notification, he didn’t travel with me, expected to arrive later this afternoon."

The officer in charge of duty carefully asked, "If he hasn’t worked in Customs for a while, he most likely won’t understand the declaration forms. If you have hired someone from an accounting firm, I think providing a business inventory would be sufficient. Liverpool’s yearly import and export trade volume is enormous, and this is probably not something you can handle in a short while."

Arthur smiled and began, "I appreciate your enthusiastic suggestion, but you needn’t worry about that on my behalf. This time, the auditor is a professional, Mr. John Stuart Mill from the East India Company’s headquarters in London, and he will bring a small team with him."

"Someone from the East India Company?"

Upon hearing this, the officials immediately understood the gravity of the situation.

As Britain’s largest commercial trade company, the East India Company had often clashed with Liverpool in Far Eastern trade in recent years.

In 1813, when the East India Company renewed its royal charter, they spent a great deal of money lobbying Parliament to maintain their monopoly rights in the Far East. Even so, they were ultimately deprived of their monopoly in India by Parliament and only retained monopoly rights over the tea trade.

In this regard, Liverpool’s major companies, which had long been eager to expand into Far Eastern trade, had exerted significant effort.

Just these incidents alone were enough to cement a deep-seated enmity between the East India Company and Liverpool.

The mysterious suicide of a director and shareholder of the East India Company the night before a parliamentary vote added a layer of conspiracy theory to the story, leading many to speculate that it was the work of those envious of the East India Company’s substantial profits.

Liverpool’s major companies, as stakeholders, were naturally also within the scope of suspicion.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the officials quickly bid farewell to Arthur and hurriedly left the meeting room, seemingly desperate to warn the major companies that winter was coming.

Looking at the empty meeting room, Arthur picked up his teacup and approached the window, which overlooked Liverpool’s old dock, built in 1715.

Flanking the dock were rows of red brick buildings and a busy procession of delivery carts and porters carrying heavy loads back and forth.

Suddenly, Arthur heard the sound of a door opening behind him; turning around, he saw that it was Great Dumas, now dressed in a standard police uniform.

Although Arthur had picked an extra-large size for him, Great Dumas’s stomach clearly far exceeded the worst-case scenario the uniform’s design had anticipated.

Given the situation, Arthur could only reluctantly compliment him, "Alexander, it suits you well!"

Great Dumas just rolled his eyes and said, "I never thought that I would one day wear a uniform like this in my life."

Heine emerged from behind him, lifting his hat with his Civilization Cane and said, "Who could have thought, wearing a police uniform feels like this."

Louis asked with a smile, "So, you two came all the way here just to mock the uniform?"

"Not exactly, we are here on serious business," Great Dumas gestured to Arthur and continued, "Arthur, a middle-aged man arrived at the Customs office. He claims to be a merchant dealing in imports and exports from a company called Schwaiger & Sons. He seems to know something about smuggling; do you want to meet him?"