Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 548: Rebel against Tiangang!

The Times published an editorial on its front page the following day, titled: "The Responsibility of Publication and the Cost of Deception."

The article begins by stating only the facts—

Richard Everard issued a statement in this newspaper yesterday, stating that he was deceived by Conan Doyle when he published "1984".

The latter used a new Sherlock Holmes manuscript as bait, forcing him to publish it without prior review. Mr. Everard admitted his negligence but emphasized that his patriotic stance had never wavered.

However, the final conclusion carefully avoided the controversy surrounding "1984," instead focusing the debate on the "editor's dereliction of duty."

This incident exposes the fragility of certain aspects of the publishing industry. The editor-in-chief's responsibility is not only to acquire manuscripts, but also to ensure the final quality control of the content.

When an editor-in-chief abandons the review process in his eagerness to obtain a bestseller, he betrays the trust of readers and the industry.

As for whether the deceiver should bear greater responsibility—that should be left to the law to decide.

But readers interpreted it in a completely different way.

In the café, a scholar put down his newspaper and said to his companion, "Do you see now? The government is looking for a scapegoat."

His companion lowered his voice: "Everard sold Conan Doyle out."

"They also betrayed Sorel. They called it a 'conspiracy'."

"So what? The book has already spread. I heard at the club last night that the original copy of '1984' is selling for five pounds on the black market."

Five pounds? Are you crazy?

"You're not even going to haggle over this price!"

"The more the government bans a book, the more valuable it becomes. That's an old saying."

"Yes, do you remember that banned book from France three years ago? 'The Decadent City'."

"I remember now... that book wasn't finished, and I'm still looking forward to the second part."

"That's right, they were selling for 20 francs a book in Paris back then!"

How can you compare 1984 to The Decadent City?

"Yes, that's Lionel Sorel!"

In the corner, two other young people were also discussing something.

The younger one said, "I went to the library yesterday to borrow 'Good Words' to read, but the librarian said they had all been taken away. Even the index cards were removed."

The older man sneered: "The library? I heard that the book in the British Museum's reading room is also missing. Even the borrowing record in the register has been crossed out."

"Are they really that scared?"

"Just imagine—'Old Lady Is Watching You'—what would the government do if all the children in the streets were saying that to the Queen's portrait?"

The younger one thought for a moment and laughed: "Now look what's happened. Originally, hardly anyone knew this saying. But now that the government has banned it, all of Britain knows about it."

This is the aura of banned books!

The more you forbid it, the more curious people become. The more you say it's dangerous, the more people want to see just how dangerous it is.

Fear arises when you start investigating the holder—but fear always breeds resistance.

Of course, there has also been considerable discussion about the three cabinet statements and Richard Everard's personal statement.

"Everd is truly shameless."

"He's trying to save his life! If you had to choose between a rat gnawing at your face and betraying your friend, which would you choose?"

"I won't let myself come to that point."

"Don't speak too soon. But did the Scotland Yard police really make a 'rat mask'?"

"Who knows?"

After a long silence, someone finally remembered the key figure in Everard's statement—

"Conan Doyle was just a medical student who helped Sorel organize his data. Even if he were convicted, how serious would the charges be?"

"Sorel himself is in France and can't be touched. So someone has to take the blame in the country."

"You mean, the government needs the image of a 'domestic accomplice'?"

"Yes. A British man colluding with a foreign writer to insult the Queen—that's more like a 'conspiracy'."

"Then why choose Conan Doyle? He's young and doesn't have much of a background."

"Precisely because he has no background, taking action against him would be the least costly."

The discussion quieted down, and many people started to think about themselves, wondering if they had some kind of powerful connections.
After a while, someone said, "Greston did a really bad job this time."

No one responded, but everyone understood what he meant.

The Liberal government has always touted itself as upholding the "rule of law" and "procedure." And now? First, a politically motivated statement is issued to convict, then evidence is sought, and then witnesses are coerced—

This doesn't sound like the Liberal Party's approach; it sounds more like the work of the Tory hardliners.

Why would they do this? Unless the pressure comes from somewhere higher up than the government!
------------

Windsor Castle, the Queen's Study.

Victoria sat at her desk with the newspapers from the past two days in front of her, including Richard Everard's statement and an editorial from The Times.

After reading it, she pushed the newspaper aside, her face ashen.

John Brown, the private secretary standing to the side, asked softly, "Your Majesty?"

"despicable!"

John Brown didn't understand: "You mean Everard, or..."

The Queen stood up and walked to the window: "It's all of them. The editor-in-chief betrayed the writer to protect himself; the cabinet forced him to give false testimony to meet their quota. They're all despicable!"

She looked out the window at the garden. Autumn rain had dampened the lawn, and the leaves were beginning to turn yellow.

After a long while, the Queen turned her head and said, "Now all of Europe is laughing at us."

"Does this clown issuing a statement saying he was deceived really salvage the Empire's dignity?" John Brown cautiously replied, "Perhaps it's a necessary step before enforcing the law, Your Majesty."

Victoria shook her head and said, “Tell Gladstone I don’t want to see this kind of shoddy performance again.”

If he wants to uphold the dignity of the royal family, he should take concrete actions instead of letting a clown perform on stage!

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Queen sat back down in her chair and looked out the window. The rain was still falling, seemingly without end.

She knew that the cabinet was in a difficult position, public opinion was in an uproar, and the whole of Europe was watching the matter closely.

After the turmoil, Gladstone will likely lead the rest of the cabinet in a mass resignation—but what does it matter? It's just a change of prime minister.

To date, she has "appointed" thirteen prime ministers. Gladstone had served as prime minister once before, but resigned this time. He might be the prime minister again in two years.

She wants those who humiliated her to pay the price.

At that moment, she suddenly realized the most terrifying aspect of 1984—

When "Old Lady" becomes a symbol, she is no longer a person, no longer has will, and no longer can decide her own image.

She was merely a tool to be used, to intimidate, to defend herself, and to bear the brunt of the criticism.

And now, she is quietly sliding towards that position in the public eye!
“OLD LADY IS WATCHING YOU…” she murmured again.

Then she ordered, "Have Heinrich come over tomorrow."

John Brown knew the Queen was referring to Heinrich von Angell, the Austrian-born painter.

After Sir Francis Grant's death, he became one of the Queen's most trusted portrait painters.

He quickly bowed his head and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

--------

At the same time, at 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris.

Lionel sat in his study with three or four newspapers spread out in front of him.

There were British newspapers such as The Times and The Daily Telegraph, and French newspapers such as Le Figaro and Le Aurora.

Conan Doyle sat opposite him, his face pale.

Conan Doyle's voice trembled slightly: "Are they really going to sue me?"

Lionel put down the newspaper: "That's what Everard's statement said. He said you deceived him, leading to the publication of '1984'."

If the government adopts this argument, you could be prosecuted.

"But I—I asked him twice if he wanted to look at the contents first, and he said no both times! I reminded him!"

“A warning and deception are two different things. In court, his testimony is detrimental to you. In the current situation, the judge is more likely to ‘believe’ him.”

Conan Doyle stood up and paced around the room. "What should I do? Go back to London and turn myself in? Or stay in Paris?"

Lionel looked at him: "Go back to London, and you'll definitely be arrested. Stay in Paris, and you'll be a fugitive; the British government will certainly try to extradite you."

But don't worry, France won't hand you over. They're currently enjoying seeing Britain make a fool of itself and won't cooperate.

Conan Doyle breathed a sigh of relief: "You mean, I'm safe?"

Lionel nodded: "However, you may not be able to return to England for a long time."

Conan Doyle sat back in his chair and covered his face with his hands.

After a long pause, he finally looked up: "What about those people in London? Norman MacLeod? Alexander Strand? Could they be in trouble?"

Lionel thought for a moment: "Strand is rich and powerful, he can get away with losing a little money; McLeod has already resigned, so theoretically he has nothing to do with this."

My only concern is that Everard mentioned 'Sorel and his associates' in his statement, and this 'association' could refer to many people.

The study fell silent. Outside the window came the rumble of a carriage passing along the cobblestone street, the noise of a distant café, and the occasional bark of a dog.

Conan Doyle looked at Lionel: "You don't seem worried at all."

Lionel laughed: "What's the use of worrying? It's already happened. 1984 has been published, the British government is furious, and Europe is laughing."

What we need to do now is not worry, but think about the next step.

"Next step?"

Lionel stood up: "Yes. 1984 is now a banned book. But banned books never truly disappear."

It will circulate, be copied by hand, and be discussed in private. Our task is to ensure its wider dissemination.

----------

On September 15, 1882, at 9 a.m., newsstands in Paris were packed with people.

The headline on the front page of Le Figaro was particularly striking: "The Republic opens its arms to offer asylum to persecuted British citizens."

The article published in detail the joint statement from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice, which was carefully worded but had a clear intention:
Based on the unwavering principles of freedom of the press and freedom of thought of the French Republic, and the defense of fundamental human rights, the French government solemnly declares:

Any British citizen who faces legal action or political pressure from the British government for publishing, disseminating, possessing, or discussing the literary work "1984" can apply for asylum from the French government or French embassies and consulates abroad.

The French Republic will, in accordance with legal procedures, provide protection for those persecuted for their thoughts and expressions…

The statement was quickly transmitted across Europe by telegram, causing an uproar.

For two hundred years, it has always been the French who have fled to England for refuge; now the tables have turned and the British are coming to France for refuge?
It is simply contrary to Tiangang!

British Home Secretary Harcourt slammed his fist on the table in anger: "How dare they? This is blatant interference in British domestic affairs!"

Prime Minister Gladstone, however, looked grim, his mind still replaying the Queen's decree delivered by John Brown the day before:

"To uphold the dignity of the royal family, we must take concrete actions!"

He stopped Harcourt, who was still roaring: "That Conan Doyle is gone? Then who is he? Norman McLeod?"
Or are they still those sympathizers of Sorel from the East End? Don't delay, get some of them into legal proceedings as soon as possible!

Scotland, Ireland, and India are all making a huge fuss about this! We must deter them!

(Only one update tonight, I can't keep up with writing all night.)
(End of this chapter)