British civil servant

However, compared with the depression in London, the cities of continental Europe are now truly gloomy. For many people, life after the war is no easier than during the war.The only country that has not been affected by the world war may be the United States, whose homeland has not been attacked.

Alan Wilson had just returned home, stored the delivered boxes, and started his messenger work non-stop.On the list of delivery letters, Prime Minister Churchill, India Secretary Leo Emery, if going to Whitehall, may also meet the Cabinet Secretary Edward Bridges.Edward Bridges steered the Cabinet Office brilliantly through the Second World War.

Whitehall is a street in London, England.It connects the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street.In this street and its vicinity, some British government agencies such as the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of the Navy are located here.Therefore, people use Whitehall as the name of the British executive branch.

This does not include that he still has to accept the conversation of MI[-]. After all, it is a time of war, and whether he is loyal to the British Empire is a very important issue, not to mention that Alan Wilson himself is an informant stationed abroad.

Of course, the letter from Pamela Mountbatten was at the top of the list. After temporarily settling these empty boxes, he went to Mountbatten's residence in London according to the address.

Not repeating the mistake of sending documents for the first time, Mountbatten's wife Edwina Ashley and eldest daughter Patricia Mountbatten are both at home, which is even easier than in New Delhi, at least not on guard So strict.

But the level of luxury is no less than that of a villa in New Delhi. The family background of Mountbatten's wife Edwina Ashley can be seen. Her marriage with Mountbatten can be described as a strong alliance.

"I'm from the Indian colony, and Pamela asked me to deliver the letter." After expressing that he had no malice, Alan Wilson entered the living room and introduced himself.

"You work in British India? How's the situation there? Is Pamela okay?" Patricia Mountbatten asked questions with great interest when she heard the purpose of her visit.

"It's okay, it's okay! British India is generally calm." Alan Wilson was quite helpless, and he was a little tired of asking this kind of soul question three times now.I don't know if it is the sequelae of Pamela Mountbatten.

Chapter 29 India is a good place

"I'm also worried that Pamela is not used to living in British India." Patricia Mountbatten walked to the sofa and sat down, and then there was a crisp spring sound, which can only be made when oppressed.

When he was very young in his previous life, Alan Wilson had seen this kind of spring sofa, but he didn't expect to see it again in London.

"At present, the war in Asia is still unclear. General Mountbatten is still busy, and Pamela is very comfortable." Alan Wilson organized the language, talked a little about life in British India, and then said, "Pamela and I are My friend, this time she came back to London from British India, she asked me to bring a letter after she found out, I believe this letter is full of her longing for the two ladies."

"As a mother, I should actually be by her side to take care of her. But ambulance duty prevents me from going to India now." Edwina Ashley read the letter helplessly.

Edwina Ashley is responsible for training the British ambulance force to carry out battlefield rescue.It is now during the World War, and there are 6 doctors and nurses in this team!That's what Alan Wilson said, and he certainly couldn't understand the Mountbatten's approachability.

"Madam, when I disembarked, I heard that a decisive battle had been achieved in the European battlefield. I believe that the citizens of the British Empire will usher in the news of the final victory in a short time. By then, you may not be so busy." Alan Wilson slightly He bowed his head and said politely.

"I hope so!" Edwina Ashley nodded with a smile. Because of her daughter's letter, she was in a pretty good mood. She chatted with Alan Wilson and asked about the situation in British India. I have been working in India for a long time, what kind of place is that.”

In fact, Edwina Ashley didn't know much about British India, which surprised Alan Wilson. In other words, the other party might not know Nehru yet?

cough cough!How could you think of Nehru?But so what?He returned to Europe because of Nehru, so?

Alan Wilson, who cleared his throat, frowned slightly, as if there was something unspeakable, and said with an ugly face, "Actually, the environment in British India is not as peaceful as the telegram said. Of course it is not like this in New Delhi, and I I used to work in Hyderabad, South India, so I can introduce a little bit of Indian society outside of New Delhi."

"Is the situation in British India very bad?" Patricia Mountbatten asked with some concern when she saw this expression.

"The British residential area in New Delhi is very good, and the upper class people in India are very good, but from the perspective of India as a whole, it is really a very divided society. There are people everywhere without clothes and food. Because of religion The reason is that there will be frequent vendettas, and the upper class in India will appear to be suave, but they will turn a blind eye to the misery of the wider people."

As soon as Alan Wilson opened his mouth to speak, he had a tendency to keep his mouth shut, which made the whole of British India down, especially in front of Edwina Ashley. A big latrine, this is not a metaphor, it is.

Who told him to do well in Hyderabad as a state commissioner, but Nehru had nothing to do, so he could only return to London with a pile of iron boxes in disgrace?This hatred is irreconcilable, even if there is no self, the wealth of the Indian people will be squandered. Alan Wilson feels that it is better to give to others than to himself.

"Even in the area where Indians live in Delhi, there is no order. According to the words of the Chief Executive of Bangladesh, Indians will reproduce like cockroaches at any time, even if they don't know where they are for their next meal."

Alan Wilson, adhering to the idea that this hatred cannot be shared, directly told Pamela Mountbatten's sister and mother the most authentic side of British India.

"It turned out to be such a place, and my father still had a hard time working there." Patricia Mountbatten looked at his mother with some surprise, "Fortunately, my father and sister live in the British residential area, otherwise it would be unimaginable."

"Everything said in the telegram is good." Edwina Ashley was also a little frightened, "I didn't expect British India to be such a place, I thought it was a good place."

"Dear Madam, it is true that British India is important to the British Empire, because British India has a large population, uses cheap labor to produce local agricultural products, and serves as a sales place for local industries. But this is not bad It is supported by an unimaginable population. It can be imagined that the population of British India is ten times that of the local people. With only half of the local tax data, you can know what kind of life the local people live. Because I have worked in British India, I I don’t want to speak out about the life of the people at the bottom.”

After Alan Wilson scolded British India, he said that this was not his purpose, and he shirked responsibility.

"I'm really worried about my husband and daughter now." Edwina Ashley smiled and thanked Alan Wilson, "Pamela mentioned you in the letter, you are friends. You It's amazing that a district commissioner has been made."

"It's just work." Alan Wilson is not humble. Compared with Mountbatten's big hero, he has nothing to expand.

As long as Edwina Ashley made a first impression in front of the other party before Edwina Ashley went to India, and stigmatized British India, with this mentality, even if Edwina Ashley arrived later India will also go to verify the real situation in British India.

Even so, Alan Wilson still felt that it was not enough, almost forgot the most important thing, and said seriously, "According to our statistics, the social environment in British India was especially unfriendly to women, Indian men would stare at light-skinned women Look, the average Indian man is extremely narcissistic, feels good about himself, exaggerates when talking to women, behaves very flirtatiously, crimes against women are too common, Pamela lives in a British residential area and doesn't feel this, similar to me I've told her that too."

"It turned out to be like this!" Edwina Ashley frowned tightly, her perception of British India was already extremely bad.Even with Patricia Mountbatten, both of them are women, and they are extremely disgusted by this environment.

According to Alan Wilson, British India was a poor, smelly, hellish place that treated women like hell.

Before the two went to British India and joined Mountbatten, who was about to become the Governor of India, they first stigmatized India.

Alan Wilson, who had done all this, was so happy that he even wanted to raise his middle finger in the direction of India, especially Nehru.

Chapter 30 MI[-]

Whitehall is a street in London, England.It connects the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street.In this street and its vicinity, some British government agencies such as the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of the Navy are located here.

Therefore, people use Whitehall as the name of the British executive branch.The southwest corner of Whitehall is No. [-] Downing Street, the symbol of the British government.

The long wartime system is slowly being dismantled, at least for the civil servants in Whitehall, who are used to running around various departments every day, processing information from various battlefields.

Edward Bridges, rubbing his eyes with one hand, had just finished a stylized meeting as Cabinet Secretary.Asked his secretary to invite Norman Brooke, who was the nominal chief of staff, to come over. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Edward Bridges lit a cigarette.

In the current civil service system, the Cabinet Secretary and the Chief of Civil Service are not held by the same person. Edward Bridges and Norman Brooke jointly lead the Whitehall civil servants to assist Prime Minister Churchill in dealing with the world war that is drawing to a close.

However, as the head of the Cabinet Office committee, the cabinet secretary Edward Bridges is significantly busier than the secretary.

"Edward, have you finished the meeting with the various departments?" Before Norman Brooke came in, the voice had already entered the cabinet office of Edward Bridges first, and when he walked in, he saw the cabinet secretary thinking about life. .

"Norman, you also know that unlike the Prime Minister and ministers, those of us who do things are always very busy." Edward Bridges squeezed out a smile, then stubbed out the cigarette butt in his hand, motioned for a seat and then Said, "It seems that there is news from the front that Berlin seems to be captured by the Soviet Red Army."

"It's reasonable for the Soviet Union to face the loss of the invasion of Germany." Norman Brook said disapprovingly, "And the Americans seem unwilling to oppose this. We have great influence in this matter." limited."

"Americans? The Americans are humiliating us on purpose!" Edward Bridges said with an unwavering expression. "It's hard to imagine that the Americans are more willing to listen to the opinions of the Soviets than us."

Norman Brooke shrugged. He knew that what the cabinet secretary said was true, and said instead, "After the war, things in Whitehall are no less than during the war. Think about the huge number of recovered soldiers returning to the mainland, and some The question of the status of the colonies, and even how to divide the German occupation area, can be regarded as a trivial matter in front of these questions."

Scratching his itchy scalp, Edward Bridges had to admit that what the other party said made sense.

Just as Norman Brook was about to express his relief, he saw the letter on the table and asked, "What is this?"

"It was a letter from Mountbatten to the Prime Minister, sent by my secretary, and a commissioner of British India came back to bring this letter to the Prime Minister. We have gone through the necessary checks. Another letter is addressed to the Colonial Secretary of India. Leo Emery’s, I have sent someone to the Ministry of Indian Affairs.” Edward Bridges explained, “The commissioner who came back to report, I have sent him to MI[-].”

"It just so happens that when he comes back, we can know the first-hand situation of British India, and ask MI[-] to ask about this." Norman Brook slapped his thigh and said, "The current situation of the colonies around the world, originally a post-war The big problem, we'll have to settle sooner or later, and the parties are quarreling, and I have a feeling that there will be a big quarrel in Congress right after the war is over."

"That's right, I was negligent. By the way, since we came back from India, we will find a senior MI[-] official who knows the local area to verify. It just so happens that I still have such a person in my heart." Edward said Bridges picked up the phone. The headquarters of MI[-] was on the same street, so it was convenient to pass information.

Alan Wilson was doing nothing in a huge [-]-story building, looking at the scenery outside through the window. It was hard to imagine that this building belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the current headquarters of MI[-].

But having said that, spies and diplomats do have some things in common. Some people say that diplomats are legal spies, and they do roughly similar things.

Not long after, a 30-year-old man with thick hair on top of his head came in, and he said politely, "It's the returning Hyderabad commissioner, Alan Wilson, right? I'm sorry for being late. Well, the higher authorities sent me to understand some situations, we just need to talk casually, by the way, my name is Harold King Philby, you can just call me Harold."

"The reason I was asked to talk about the situation in India is because I was born in British India." Philby sat in front of Alan Wilson and said with a smile, and Alan Wilson relaxed.

Harold King Philby was born in Ambala, India. His father was a civilian official in the Indian government and a well-known scholar of Arabic language in Britain.Parents had high expectations for young Philby, and when he reached school age, he was sent back to school in England.

"It turns out that Mr. Philby was born in British India!" Alan Wilson nodded clearly, introduced the current situation in British India, focused on the things in Hyderabad, and finally added, "Believe the Philippine Mr. Birby also has a certain understanding of British India, in fact, it is hard for me to believe that someone as gentle as you is actually engaged in intelligence work."

"It's nothing surprising. Intelligence work especially likes to find backup forces from Oxford University and Cambridge University." Philby looked down at Alan Wilson's file, explained something casually, and then changed the subject in surprise, " You are a student of the Oriental College of Oxford University? The entrance age is so young, for you, the outbreak of war may be regarded as bad news, which will delay your studies."

"Actually, it's not a bad thing to work early." Alan Wilson looked at Philby's face and asked in his heart, "I didn't know that intelligence agencies like to recruit personnel from well-known universities. It turns out that is the case. Where did Mr. Philby finish it?" studies."

Philby looked up at Alan Wilson and smiled in a peaceful voice, "I was at Cambridge University and Trinity College when I was in school. If I also finish my studies at Oxford University, I can be regarded as your senior."

oh?When Alan Wilson heard this, his face didn't change but he suddenly realized, Trinity College, Cambridge University?Born in British India?It seems that there is such a person among the five elites of Cambridge.

"Okay, Whitehall wants to get first-hand information about British India, so I'm talking to you." Philby, who had been smiling since entering the room, said that the questioning was over.

"I just came back from British India, and I'm a bit unfamiliar with London. If I have the chance, I really want to go around with Mr. Philby." Alan Wilson opened the invitation. He is very interested in the Cambridge Five.

Chapter 31 Work Arrangement

Alan Wilson didn't think so about taking all the five elites of Cambridge in exchange for advancement, and he wasn't very tight.Of course, it would be best if it can be exchanged for a certain amount of room for improvement, but considering the age, this kind of hope does not seem to be too great.

As a realistic person like him, he would not do such a risky thing before seeing the benefits.

So for the Cambridge Five, the masterpieces in the history of the Soviet KGB, he just wants to get in touch with them.

The only communication he had with Philby was living in British India for a while, so he could only think of a way from this aspect.

After returning to London, Alan Wilson was actually very complicated. Anti-Soviet in the British civil service system is naturally politically correct. People like the Cambridge Five who have a good impression of the Soviet Union are very rare.

His idea is quite special, anti-Soviet is for personal interests, but at the same time anti-Soviet, he is also anti-American.

After the war, the empire on which the sun never sets seems to have to make way for the United States and the Soviet Union. But at this moment, strictly speaking, it is not sunset, but it is just dusk. During this process, the relationship between Britain and the United States is definitely not a special ally. .

In the process of the disintegration of the empire on which the sun never sets, the United States and the Soviet Union were actually the same. Even on the issue of colonies, the United States contributed more to the disintegration of the British Empire than the Soviet Union.

After the war, the Soviet Union lost a large number of people and wealth. Even if it wanted to do something, it was powerless in a short period of time.It will take time to digest the influence of Eastern Europe after the war, and it is not as arrogant as it was with the United States after the 60s.

So in the first period of time after the war, the British Empire will undoubtedly face the pressure of the United States. In terms of colonies, Britain and France are allies. .

After the conversation, Alan Wilson invited Philby to find a place for a drink after get off work.The proposal was not rejected, and Philby readily agreed.

"Then I'll go first, and I'll see you when you get off work." Alan Wilson shook hands with Philby, "You know, there are not many people with civil servant experience in British India. I just returned to London to do something. Still relatively unfamiliar."

"I am very willing to help." Philby responded equally friendly, "As you said, it is good to have friends to help."

It wasn't until Alan Wilson left the MI[-] headquarters building that Philby restrained his smile and thought for a moment before leaving.

Philby is fundamentally different from other members. His other friends have more or less idealized imaginations about the Soviet Union, but he, who works in the intelligence department, has no beautiful illusions about the Soviet Union.I don't think that a country that starts all over again and establishes a brand new system will be able to solve all the current problems.

Philby believes that it is very normal for a country to face various difficulties when it is just established, and for mankind as a whole, it is better to have one more choice than only one choice, just like the UK has the Conservative Party and the Labor Party. The field of vision is placed in the whole world, and people can choose whichever system they want.

Although he served the Soviet Union, Philby did not have other people's simple and beautiful illusions about the Soviet Union. This is one of the reasons why he is the most destructive member of the Cambridge Five.

"Back to London, I believe your work is being arranged. But then again, it is a good thing for you to come back earlier. If British India must be independent, you will face great competition when you come back at that time. Come back now Once, even if you are going to work in British India, you won’t be caught off guard.” Philby, holding a wine glass in his hand, carefully analyzed the pros and cons for Alan Wilson.

"Harold also thinks that British India must be independent?" Alan Wilson asked with a sip of whiskey.

"It's very difficult to keep it, and we have to pay attention to the views of other countries. Especially the other two big players." Philby shrugged, "Do you think we can withstand the pressure of the other two countries and keep India Is it?"

"It's impossible without the United States!" Alan Wilson thought for a while, and couldn't help but droop his head. "Actually, it is now obvious that the Americans can be regarded as a suspicious ally. The damage to the British Empire may even be greater than that of the Soviet Union."

oh?How do you know each other?Philby's face was cloudy, and he took a sip from his glass to hide his gaze.

"I admit that what you said makes sense." Putting down his glass, Philby agreed, "Sometimes enemies and allies are not so easy to define."

Especially for spies!Alan Wilson raised his eyebrows and said, "I agree, you are right."

In the Whitehall Foreign Office Building, Leo Emery, the Minister of Indian Affairs, threw out a letter and placed it in front of the Foreign Secretary Robert Anthony Eden, "I would like to second you from the Ministry of Indian Affairs to let you alone, For the time being, it will be returned to the establishment of the Ministry of Indian Affairs, what do you think?"

"Leo? What's going on?" Anthony Eden asked confusedly, "Why bother?"

"I also want to know this question." Leo Emery sat down and smiled wryly, "This is a letter from Mountbatten to me, except for some personal social interactions and the current situation in British India, that's all. The civil servants who sent the letter back were assigned to the Ministry of Indian Affairs, but temporarily went to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that was the situation.”

"Is this considered? A normal transfer!" Anthony Eden hesitated at first, but suddenly made a sharp turn. The right country is different. I will let the Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrange this matter."

"I don't think it's difficult. Even the prime minister has received Mountbatten's letter. I also heard from the cabinet secretary!" Leo Emery said in surprise, "This civil servant is the same as Mountbatten. what relationship?"

"Could it be the son-in-law? It seems that the age is not right." Anthony Eden said with a smile, "but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very busy now, and we have to listen to Mountbatten's own opinions, especially for you."

The Ministry of Indian Affairs is in charge of the work of British India, so we must attach great importance to the opinions of the Governor-General of British India and India. Who made British India a colony to support the work of the Ministry of Indian Affairs.

Knowing that Mountbatten had also written a letter to Prime Minister Churchill, Anthony Eden felt that he should have hoped that this civil servant would have a gilded job, not that he did not.For example, now, when Berlin is conquered, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be required to do a series of subsequent divisions of occupied areas. It is easy to accumulate experience in these tasks.

Anthony Eden, as foreign minister, now knows what he should do.

Chapter 32 Friends out of thin air

Find a way to send this civil servant that Mountbatten valued to Germany that is about to be defeated, follow the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and distribute post-war jobs in Germany with the Americans. These jobs will definitely add a lot of color to Alan Wilson's resume a sum.

For Mountbatten, the noble-born commander of the Southeast Asia theater, the wartime cabinet had an astonishing consistency in understanding.Both the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believed that Mountbatten was irreplaceable in coordinating joint operations of multinational forces.

Mountbatten's popularity, no matter among ministers or civil servants, is only good or better. Anthony Eden is also willing to make a favor and arrange this young civil servant to work suitable for gilding.

Alan Wilson was very busy. He had just returned to London, came out of Mountbatten's home, reported to the Ministry of Indian Affairs, and became a liaison between the Ministry of Indian Affairs and the Governor's Office of British India.

But this was exactly what he wanted, and he just needed to keep in touch with British India frequently, so he readily accepted the job.In his spare time, he went directly to the Oriental College of Oxford University and got back his student status. Although he has not yet determined when he will be able to graduate, as the calm of the European battlefield is coming, he believes that day is not far away.

After busying himself with his academic problems, Alan Wilson found an opportunity to exchange some pounds at the Royal Bank of Scotland, and then went to Mountbatten's home and introduced that he is currently the liaison officer of British India. If the mother and daughter If you want to contact your relatives in New Delhi, you can help.

With the gratitude of Mountbatten's wife and daughter, Alan Wilson still maintained his usual politeness and calmness, leaving a good impression on the mother and daughter.

A week after his return to London, Philby, still MI[-], informed Alan Wilson that the Indian Office had decided to second him to the Foreign Office. I am currently in a busy state, so I am not working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the time being.

"This is really unexpected." Alan Wilson asked pretending not to know, "Is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs very busy?"

"I heard that the Red Army of the Soviet Union is attacking very violently. Maybe Germany will surrender at some point. I heard that there are indeed Germans who contacted the Allies in private to surrender." Philby continued after a moment of pondering, "Once Germany surrenders, maybe It will be more busy, order in the occupied area, communication with local Germans, etc., and many other things.”

Pound is down!Alan Wilson heard that the war has reached this point, Germany has run out of fuel, and the national economy has already collapsed. If it does not rely on external food, it may be a problem to eat now.

Although the main participating countries in the world war, except for the United States, did not have a prosperous day, but it still depends on how miserable it is. The depression in London is much stronger than the devastated European continent.

"This is a great tragedy." Alan Wilson said solemnly with a solemn face, "Europe, the center of world civilization, has been devastated by two wars. I can imagine the great difficulties the Germans are facing now , if I have the chance to help them, of course I am willing to set off right away."