"Oh, Louis, isn't there a very suitable candidate right in front of us? You are so familiar with Asia, have extensive contacts, and are good at coordinating the interests of all parties." Edward Bridges was not confused.
Patton was confused by the clever words of a civil servant, and pointedly pointed out, "There may be no more suitable candidate in the British Empire than you."
"I can't." Mountbatten simply refused. His disinterest in British India was written all over his face. He had just expressed his affirmation of British India. Now he couldn't immediately overturn his previous words, so he thought quickly, "
The most important thing is the Mediterranean Fleet, which is the lifeblood that supports the British Empire's global strategy, and there must not be even the slightest problem."
"Any naval general can do anything in the Mediterranean. We do not lack professional naval generals, although the new general may not be more suitable than you, the general." Edward Bridges retorted calmly, "English
Things in India are just the opposite. We need a suitable candidate in all aspects. He must be dignified, upright, and compassionate..."
"The key is reliability." Prime Minister Attlee added while taking advantage of Edward Bridges' pause.
This almost interrupted Edward Bridges' train of thought, because this sentence was usually said by him, but it came out of someone else's mouth, making the Cabinet Secretary himself very uncomfortable.
"Yes, the key is reliability." At this time, Edward Bridges did not show dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister snatching the speech, "We can't find a more suitable candidate. Now the direction of the entire British India depends on you.
"
"No, no, there are so many talents in the empire, and we can definitely find a suitable candidate. To be fair, I have a lot of shortcomings." Mountbatten became rarely humble. This was a rare thing in his forty-six years of life.
It's a very rare thing, but it does happen. "For example, when dealing with emergencies, I need time to think. This is not helpful for the problems of British India."
"Lewis can rest assured that British India has a group of professional civil servants that are no less than local. They have rich experience and can help the Governor solve problems. Governor Wavell is a soldier, and there are no problems." Edward Bridges once again
Mountbatten's excuse was refuted.
Mountbatten himself grew up among the aristocracy. The people he met since childhood were either rich or noble, and he was very familiar with the speech skills of civil servants. Therefore, after a brief contact, he instantly realized that this was an attempt to target himself and get ahead of the other party.
Before you open your mouth, you start to express that you are not suitable.
But as the leader of the imperial civil servants, Edward Bridges took action personally. How could Mountbatten achieve his goal easily?
He has already seen that Mountbatten is also a master of words, which is useful for ordinary civil servants, but he is not an ordinary civil servant, he is the cabinet secretary and the leader of civil servants in the entire British Empire.
One foot higher than the other, one foot higher than the other, is a very appropriate way to describe the duel between Edward Bridges and Mountbatten at this time.
Mountbatten almost instantly thought of five different excuses, ten better candidates, and hundreds of excuses, indicating that the matter of British India was of great importance and that the Prime Minister should consider it carefully.
Such a prudent attitude was naturally very recognized. Edward Bridges pondered for a moment and said that similar excuses were not valid. Although there were seemingly good candidates, Mountbatten had more advantages.
Although Mountbatten did not have a high military rank, he was young and promising. Although Mountbatten said that he was born in a noble family and could not mingle with the lower class, he was more able to treat corporals with courtesy and achieve better results.
On the streets of London, Patricia was relaxing with her sister, Pamela Mountbatten. After returning to China this time, the biggest change she made to her sister was that Pamela Mountbatten seemed to be a different person in terms of consumption.
, the understanding of money seems to have become very indifferent, and it is completely different from the original frugality.
London has now partially abolished the rationing system, thanks to the end of the war and the return of colonial specialties to the country.
I happened to bump into Pamela Mountbatten who had a strong desire to consume. After a while, Pamela Mountbatten was carrying large and small bags, which also relieved her depressed mood.
"Pamela, it's enough. There's no need for this." Patricia looked at her sister helplessly, "I'm getting married next month, and I won't be able to take care of you in the future."
"That man named John? He was born in the same year as you, so you are a perfect match." Pamela Mountbatten was finally attracted by her sister's words, and commented like a little adult, "John Brabourne seems to be a good match soon."
He will become my brother-in-law. I wonder if he has any plans? The war is over, and it doesn’t look like he will stay in the army forever.”
"We haven't talked about it, but he is usually very interested in movies." Patricia followed her sister's words for a few words, then suddenly came back and said, "I'm talking about your problem. If you get married like this,
, your husband will also have a very hard time."
"My husband turned me into this, so he won't find it hard." Pamela Mountbatten raised her jade neck slightly and said proudly, "He said that he is not interested in money and can only serve more people."
To realize its value in life, he also said that all these external things should be left to me for safekeeping."
Here it comes again! Patricia held her smooth forehead and said helplessly, "How young are you, but you think about getting married every day. Are you two having trouble?"
"Which one?" My sister was caught off guard by the sharp turn of the car. Pamela Mountbatten looked confused. It took a few seconds to come back to her senses and said sheepishly, "Not yet, but there is a man outside.
It's true that it's not reassuring. Take your fiancé for example. Would a serious person go into movies? Aren't they all attracted to beautiful female stars? Sister, you have to be careful. This is a sentence for you as a sister.
advice."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! On this day, Alan Wilson, thousands of miles away, kept sneezing, which puzzled Vivien Leigh. With the current temperature in the subcontinent, how could she catch a cold?
After shopping for a while, sisters Patricia and Pamela were a little tired and decided to go home first.
At No. 10 Downing Street, the battle for magic has reached its final stage, and Edward Bridges has already gained the upper hand.
"It is hard to imagine that a noble who bravely enters the war, has made military exploits and is awarded a knighthood for it, his first reaction will be to refuse. You must know that nobles represent a series of behavioral models. A true nobleman must
He must be self-controlled and must have strong mental strength. If he is afraid of difficulties, even if he has the status of a noble, it will be unconvincing. Of course, I have no prejudice against the general, but everyone knows
The mediocre civilians in this world are the majority, and it’s hard to say what they think.”
"The spirit of nobility, first of all, means that a person must be self-restrained, self-denial, dedicate himself, and serve the country. Nobles should have a noble character." Prime Minister Attlee said seemingly unintentionally, "In fact, this time the knighthood,
It’s not that there is no controversy at all. Of course, we all believe that it is just some sensational remarks and will not be affected by it.”
"Edward, I heard you are an Earl, right? That is a very high title. I really hope I can also have the title of Earl." When Prime Minister Attlee spoke, there was a look of envy on his face.
Mountbatten's eyes glanced back and forth in front of the two people, "My eldest daughter will get married next month. It's not that I don't want to go to British India to take office, but there is something that really traps me. I can't delay my daughter's marriage.
"
"The knighthood date is scheduled to be after Patricia's wedding!" Edward Bridges said this and asked Prime Minister Attlee for his opinion. "I wonder what the Prime Minister thinks?"
"How can we let other things interfere with the grand wedding?" Prime Minister Attlee said with a look of embarrassment, "Of course, things have not been finalized. If the knighthood is postponed... the meritorious people during the war are indeed
There are a lot of things, and His Majesty is a bit busy, so there is always a process."
General Mountbatten left the Prime Minister's Residence in a not very happy mood. When Edwina Ashley saw her husband returning, her face was full of displeasure and asked, "Why do you go out and come back like this?"
"
"Edward and Attlee, they want me to go to British India to be the Governor-General." Mountbatten took a long breath and said with a look of reluctance, "They also threatened me with the matter of becoming a knight, saying that I was alone in Impa.
If the commander in the battle of Seoul refuses to go to Asia, he may criticize the knighthood. Many people are also very divided on my achievements, and they actually say such things..."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sudden noise in the bedroom upstairs. Pamela Mountbatten stepped on her slippers and walked down the stairs with a rich expression that she had never seen in seventeen years. She strained her face, but
I couldn't help showing my gums and shouting angrily, "My father is definitely not a person without responsibility. Your Majesty has entrusted such an important place to my father. My father will definitely be able to make great achievements and convince everyone."
Following Pamela Mountbatten's words, her sister Patricia came out of her room with an expression on her face as if something had happened and she still didn't quite understand the situation.
Mountbatten lowered his head slightly, looked at his little daughter from under his eyelids, and said in a long voice, "Pamela..."
"Father, I'm here." Pamela Mountbatten stood there with a well-behaved face, "It is true that the environment in British India is somewhat complex, and the locals may have misunderstandings about the British Empire, but overall
Consider the overall situation, not just micro-specific matters..."
Mountbatten listened to this set of civil servants' rhetoric and cursed in his heart, "Who did you learn this from..."