Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 397 Great Britain is the beacon of freedom!

(Seeking votes at the beginning of the month!)

The sharp sound of police whistles shattered the evening tranquility as several London police officers wearing pointed helmets pushed through the crowd and rushed to the apartment door.

The sheriff in charge was burly and had a stern face. He first scanned the reporters warily, then fixed his gaze on Lionel.

The sergeant asked, "What happened here? A resident reported that a group of 'dangerous Indians' surrounded a gentleman!"

Lionel straightened his coat, which had been slightly disheveled by the reporters, and replied calmly, "Sheriff, it's just a small misunderstanding."

Several young gentlemen from India had a lively exchange of literary views with me, and they have now left.

The sheriff raised his thick eyebrows: "A warm exchange? We received reports that they attempted to harass you and that violence was involved."

Sir, please rest assured that in London, especially in a neighborhood like this, we would never tolerate anyone harassing a respectable gentleman.

Especially since it was a group of unidentified 'Indians.' We'll find them and give them a good reminder of the rules they should follow in London.”

The sheriff's words were full of contempt for the people from the colony, but Lionel had no intention of arguing and simply nodded slightly: "Thank you for your diligence, Sheriff."

I think the matter is over, and they should have received enough warnings.

While the police turned their attention to dispersing the reporters who were still trying to ask questions, Lionel quickly turned around, unlocked the apartment door with his key, and slipped inside.

Although the moment the door closed, all the noise was shut out, Lionel knew that his peaceful life in London had come to an end.

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Indeed, London's media machine is incredibly efficient.

The next day, almost the entire London newspaper industry was in an uproar.

The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Morning Post, The Daily News...

Regardless of whether one's political leanings are conservative or liberal, and regardless of previous praise or criticism of Lionel—

Without exception, all reports prominently featured his secret arrival in London and the "duel incident" with the young Indian nobleman.

The report details how Vikram Singh threw the glove, how Lionel refused to pick it up, and the ensuing shocking conversation.

Lionel's series of questions about "representative qualifications" were quoted verbatim and became the core of all the reports.

British public opinion reacted with mixed feelings.

Some conservative newspapers, such as The Morning Post, accused Lionel of being "arrogant and rude" and of "maliciously sowing discord between the empire and its loyal Indian subjects through sophistry."

They believe his remarks exposed ignorance and prejudice regarding the structure of imperial governance.

Liberal newspapers, such as the Manchester Guardian and the Daily News, saw a deeper problem in this.

A commentary in the Daily News stated:
Mr. Sorel's question actually points sharply to a paradox in our imperial policy—

We expect the elites of the colonies to accept our civilization and values and become partners in the imperial cause.
Yet, they erected an invisible glass wall for them in the realm of political rights.

This disconnect between "glory" and "substance" may be the root of future problems.

However, despite their differing stances, almost all British media outlets reached a remarkable consensus:

Lionel Sorel's choice to go into exile in Britain is itself the best endorsement of the superiority of the British system!
In a representative editorial, The Times declared:
A writer, imprisoned and threatened by thugs in his homeland for his words, ultimately chose to cross the Channel to London in search of peace and the freedom to continue speaking out.

Despite Mr. Sorel’s firm opposition to any country’s colonial policies, his feet and his reason led him to this land that truly cherishes freedom.

This precisely demonstrates that Great Britain's civilization and freedom are not merely slogans, but are rooted in law and practice. In contrast, our mainland neighbors, despite constantly spouting "liberty, equality, and fraternity," cannot even tolerate a writer with dissenting political views.

Isn't this a wonderful irony?
The level of civilization of a nation is clearly not determined by whether it is under the rule of a king or emperor;
The key lies in whether or not a truly inclusive and tolerant mindset, coupled with an advanced system that guarantees freedom, is in place!

This merciless mockery of France instantly ignited public opinion in Paris, even creating a tsunami.

France's pride was severely wounded.

The French have always regarded themselves as a beacon of civilization in Europe and the world, a symbol of freedom, democracy, and progress.

This sense of moral superiority was even stronger after the overthrow of the imperial system and the establishment of a republic.

Now, they are being openly ridiculed by the very "small shopkeeper nation" they have always looked down upon—conservative and hypocritical Britain!
Moreover, the charges of "lack of freedom" and "uncivilized behavior" are utterly disgraceful!
From right-wing publications like Le Gallic and Act de France, to centrist media outlets like Le Figaro and Le Temps, and then to left-wing organizations like Le Republic and Le Unoso…

This time, almost all factions of the French media are unusually united in their condemnation, pointing the finger at the root cause of all this.
—The Jules Ferry cabinet and those radical "Youth Guards".

The front-page editorial of Le Figaro was filled with grief and indignation:

[The biggest scandal in a decade! We not only drove away a talented writer from within the country, but also brought an indelible shame upon the entire French Republic in front of Europe and the world!]

The British mockery lashed at our faces like a whip, a whip we ourselves had handed to them!

The commentary in *La Repubblica* was even more vehement:
What do the actions of those military academy students who call themselves 'patriots,' and the authorities who condone such behavior, prove?
This proves that some people who wear the cloak of a republic still harbor a despotic and tyrannical 'emperor' deep in their hearts!
How is their treatment of dissent—burning books, besieging private homes, and persecuting people in the courts—no different from that of the imperial era?
It was they who caused us to lose this public opinion war with Britain, a war concerning our national image!

The public's emotions were completely ignited.

In cafes, salons, and on the streets, people angrily discussed Britain's mockery and the government's incompetence.

Many ordinary French people who initially considered Lionel "unpatriotic" because of his opposition to colonial policies began to change their attitudes.

The colonies are too far away, Great Britain is very close.

When "France" became a laughing stock across the English Channel, internal divisions seemed to become less important.

Coupled with a series of French defeats in Tunisia and Cochinchina, this sentiment quickly rose to a new level.

New voices began to brew, converge, and then erupt in the city.

Tens of thousands of Parisians, students, intellectuals, workers, and others took to the streets, holding banners and chanting slogans.

The slogan read:

"shame!"

Where is freedom?

"Oppose judicial persecution!"

The loudest and most consistent slogans converged into two powerful waves of sound:

"Withdraw the lawsuit!"

"Let Sorel go back to France!"