Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 399 A Chance to Counterattack!
(Seeking votes at the beginning of the month!)

This speculation, like wildfire, instantly ignited the nerves of the entire London press.

Reporters from all over the world, from major newspapers to tabloids, flocked to the offices of Good Words magazine.

And the temporary residence in Kensington that Norman McLeod provided for Lionel.

They were eager to confirm whether the "James Bond" who wrote "The Happy Prince" was really the same "James Bond" who wrote letters at the "Bent Pick" bar.

The oak doors of the Good Words magazine office were tightly shut, and no matter how much the reporters knocked and shouted, there was no response from inside.

This only fueled the enthusiasm of reporters and curious onlookers, and the crowd grew larger and larger in front of the magazine office, almost blocking traffic.

Just as the crowd was becoming restless and almost out of control, the tightly closed door creaked open.

Norman McLeod's obese figure appeared first, with a strangely peculiar expression on his face, a mixture of helplessness and smugness.

Following closely behind was Lionel Sorel.

His face remained as calm as ever, as if the dark mass of people at the door and the countless eyes staring at him had nothing to do with him.

The two stood on the stone steps in front of the magazine office, looking down from above.

The noisy crowd fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on them.

Norman McLeod raised his hands and pressed them down, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

—Even though it's quiet enough here now, you could hear a pin drop.

Norman McLeod’s voice boomed: “Ladies and gentlemen! I know why you’re all here! Yes, you guessed it!”

He turned to the side, pointed at Lionel beside him, and raised his voice:

"Mr. Lionel Sorel is the same 'James Bond' who recently published 'The Happy Prince' in 'Good Words' magazine!"
He is also the kind-hearted man you recently read about in the newspapers, the one who enthusiastically helped impoverished people write letters at the 'Wanhao' bar in the East District!

Although it was already suspected, a huge uproar still broke out in the crowd when the news was officially confirmed.

A chorus of gasps, gasps, and incredulous whispers filled the air.

Lionel took a small step forward, his gaze calmly sweeping over the faces below: "A name is just a label."

I am grateful for the peace that London has given me, and I am also grateful to the ordinary people who are willing to confide in me.

They showed me the most authentic and resilient side of this world.

Without saying much, he nodded slightly after speaking, turned around and went back into the building, leaving the scene to Norman McLeod.

Norman answered a few more trivial questions and then retreated back inside the magazine office, shutting out the noise once more.

------

This news was supposed to be explosive;

However, in stark contrast, this time, the vast majority of London media outlets fell into a strange "silence".

Aside from tabloids like the Star, which are dedicated to tracking celebrity gossip, and which provided detailed coverage and sensationalized the press conference—

The Times, The Daily Telegraph, and The Morning Post all reported the news in a brief and objective tone.

They are unusually free of any accompanying commentary, offering neither praise nor criticism.

This collective silence stems from unprecedented embarrassment and intractable contradictions.

If the author of "The Happy Prince" were British, then it could easily be interpreted as a reflection and advice from a citizen of his country on social phenomena.

It could even be described as a manifestation of patriotism—daring to expose flaws and hoping for national improvement. But unfortunately, Lionel Sorel is French.

In this way, the nature of "The Happy Prince" was fundamentally changed instantly.

It became a Frenchman's critique and ridicule of the current state of British society.

The city in the story, characterized by its stark wealth disparity, bureaucratic hypocrisy, and the struggles of the lower classes, is a reflection of London and the entire British Empire.

What gives an exile, who was just praised by the British media for "choosing a more civilized country," the right to criticize such a great empire?

Logically, such behavior should have drawn a strong and united backlash from London's public opinion, defending the inviolability of "imperial honor."

However, just a few days ago, these newspapers were still using Lionel as an example to ridicule France for being "unfree" and "narrow-minded".

They portrayed Britain as a beacon of freedom and civilized progress, while the persecuted Lionel was a French intellectual who admired British values.

If we were to turn our guns on him now, it would be tantamount to admitting that Britain's "freedom" also has its limits and that it cannot tolerate any criticism from outsiders.

What an embarrassing situation this will be!
As a result, the London media found themselves in a dilemma.

They cannot agree with Lionel's criticism of England in "The Happy Prince," as that would be tantamount to questioning the legitimacy of their own rule;
But they cannot openly criticize a “symbol of liberty” that they have just promoted, as the French authorities have done.

The only way out seems to be to remain silent, pretend that nothing happened, and let time heal the awkwardness.

However, the media's silence cannot conceal the undercurrents in upper-class society.

------

The White Club on St. James Street has always been a gathering place for conservative elites, and they have been arguing about this matter endlessly.

A banker, brandishing a cigar, angrily declared: "This is blatant ingratitude! We took him in and gave him shelter!"

Is this the kind of insidious story he's repaying us for?!

A retired colonial official chimed in: "I've said it before, these intellectuals from the continent, especially the French, are filled with hostility toward the Empire to the core!"

Of course, there are also different opinions.

A relatively enlightened scholar countered: "But what he said is true, isn't it? Can we deny the situation in the East District?"
The question is, why is it a Frenchman who's reminding us of this?

His words were quickly drowned out by a roar: "This is not a matter of fact, it is a matter of dignity and national dignity!"

We cannot allow a foreigner, especially a Frenchman, to lecture us! It would bring shame upon the entire empire!

------

Inside Windsor Castle, Queen Victoria looked at the brief news presented by her attendants, her serious face covered with a layer of frost.

She recalled the unpleasantness she felt when reading "The Happy Prince" not long ago, and the confused and sad eyes of Prince George.

At the time, she could still regard that story as the whining of some ignorant local writer, and easily attribute it to the author's lack of understanding.

But now, the author's identity is clear—a Frenchman, a Frenchman who wrote the "Sherlock Holmes" stories that she admires!
This infuriated her, making her feel deceived and even betrayed!

This French writer, taking advantage of Britain's and his own tolerance, recklessly offended his own dignity with his words!
She threw the newspaper aside heavily and said coldly to the maid, "Summon Henry!"

------

Just as London's public opinion fell into collective embarrassment and silence, French newspapers across the Channel finally seized this golden opportunity to strike back!

(End of this chapter)