Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Discussion

Anyway I did self-introduction to Colonel Ludwig.

Then he briefly thought deeply about something and soon clapped with a thud.

"Jean-Paul Durand... Jean-Paul Durand... Aha! I remembered! I heard a lot of talk about the teacher from my daughter. This, no matter how coincidence to think I'd meet at such a place! First I have to say deep thanks for helping my daughter..."

Talk?! What talk did he hear? And daughter is another sound?!

"Ah, my explanation was insufficient. It's the talk at Windsor Castle."

Windsor Castle? Surely...?

That surely was correct! Looking into it the father of Princess Alice I saved at the Windsor Castle hut was exactly this Colonel Ludwig that talk!

British navy colonel but the name is German-style so I thought it was unique, but lately there are so many naturalized Europeans in London it wasn't such a strange matter so inference didn't reach up to there. Right now my name is also French-style.

It was an era when many nobles of Britain went out for expedition childbirth.

Not only the royal family but high nobles also tried to maintain bloodline through marriage alliances with overseas royals, and there were many cases of even educating in France or Germany saying early foreign language education. Right now Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert was also German what.

Colonel Ludwig Alexander von Battenberg.

German Hessian Grand Duchy origin, father was an Austrian military officer, and he himself naturalized to Britain and enlisted in the navy a unique career.

There he even succeeded in marrying Princess Victoria the granddaughter of Queen Victoria so the remaining life ahead was a person of a solid road.

"Anyway I'll end my introduction there, how would the teacher's title be good? If calling Sir Durand would it be fine? I heard at Windsor Castle you were called that."

"No, still since I haven't officially proceeded with the investiture ceremony for now I'd like to decline a bit... Please do as convenient. I don't care about titles or such."

"Since you're my daughter's benefactor I'll continue calling teacher."

"Then by any chance on the colonel's side how the title...? Whether there's a title..."

"Although small there was a count title but I discarded it while naturalizing to Britain. Since there's no title in Britain yet just Colonel Ludwig is enough."

"Understood, Colonel."

He was a man with a very refreshing personality. As expected if a person faces sea wind long the heart also widens like the ocean.

Even if remaining in Germany life would have been a solid road, but just looking at naturalizing to distant British land and enlisting in the military the adventurous spirit and action power were considerable.

Moreover the fact that the place I met him was in front of St. Thomas' Hospital was also quite meaningful.

Treatment fee support foundation for disabled soldiers.

Conclusively it was coming to do good work, and that much good people with matching intentions gathered that talk. That is this person is also a good person.

Because there seemed nothing bad about getting close I also nodded warmly.

"This, the two already had a connection! Life is full of such unknowable fun matters. Somehow today I had the feeling of having to bring Mr. Durand here without fail, it seems I predicted such a meeting in advance. Then let's go inside for now! Let's go in and share the remaining talk!"

###

Mr. Doyle is also a participant of the Boer War, and Colonel Ludwig is also a high-ranking officer of the military so interest in the welfare of disabled soldiers seemed natural.

But it wasn't even that a contribution was carried in the newspaper, I didn't know so many people would have interest in a foundation that hasn't even been founded yet.

For now establishing a foundation means one group obtains legal influence.

So according to the Charitable Trusts Acts or Companies Act the process of promoters signing legal documents and going through legal procedures and receiving approval was needed.

The people who need to sign are at least two.

But considering the reliability and social influence of the foundation usually five or more promoters participate was Mr. Doyle's explanation.

And signing legal documents is a matter of taking responsibility hanging one's name, so gathering in one place to sufficiently discuss so misunderstandings don't arise was also a natural procedure.

That was exactly today's matter.

Along with that I also received introduction to the other three promoters excluding Mr. Doyle and Colonel Ludwig.

And that celebrities of considerable career.

"You're the person who made London's peanut butter? That friend Dr. Kellogg said the absurd talk of making recovery food for patients with peanuts so I tried eating one bite of the prototype and it was really the worst and spat all, but when coming to Britain it was unbelievably delicious so I was about to look into it out of curiosity! Seeing like this is glad! I have something curious can you spare some time later?"

This person is a medical doctor called William Osler, the founder of that famous Johns Hopkins Hospital in America and currently also serving as a professor he said.

Even if I've heard the names of famous great people like Nightingale, honestly knowing up to celebrities of the medical world was excessive. So he was a person I didn't know at all.

But from the name 'Johns Hopkins Hospital' I've heard even in my previous life, I immediately recognized how great this person is.

The presence was also no joke. He was an old grandfather, but the two gazes were very sharp and seemed to pierce even my insides.

Usually he goes back and forth between Canada and America and exerts effort in medical activities and educating juniors, but as an expert in public medical and welfare fields he was specially invited as an advisory committee?

"Peanut butter is effective for patients! I also used it as recovery food for trial and the prognosis was very good! Especially it showed good effect on patients with joint disease! I don't know the reason, but I set up a hypothesis that peanuts contain anti-inflammatory components! By any chance do you have no thought of increasing production a bit more? It seems our hospital will need a lot ahead!"

This person is Sir Joseph Lister. As one can know from the title a person who even received knighthood.

He was a grandfather who looked sharp differently from Dr. Osler, and in fact the voice was also quite rough.

As expected a famous surgeon, and the dean of King's College London medical school he said.

I don't know that university name well, but since he's the founder of the aseptic method I just nodded thinking so.

Disinfecting all medical tools to avoid bacterial infection was common sense even in modern times, and that was the idea this person introduced?!

And the last remaining one promoter.

His name is Sir Thomas Barlow.

He had a completely different appearance from the two doctors, this side really looked like a scientist who majored in some physics.

Half of the face was white beard! Even Sir Crookes didn't grow beard to this extent, but just looking at the amount of beard density he was 1st among current participants!

He kept silence throughout while we exchanged greetings and suddenly conveyed news that everyone was surprised.

"Here His Majesty Edward VII also sent a support letter. Despite several requests there were no particular words but this time suddenly I don't know what matter but it seems a change occurred in the mind so I quickly brought it. What matter did he experience..."

His Majesty Edward VII?! Why does that name come out here?!

Whether he saw my surprised expression, he glanced at me.

What relationship is this grandfather with His Majesty?!

Looking into it, he was a person who worked as a royal physician from Queen Victoria's time. He was a person who watched the queen's deathbed, and had a deep connection with the royal family he said.

Anyway His Majesty Edward VII plus the angel in white supporting the foundation establishment!

Including even me the unofficial knight great career people gathered well in this narrow room. Where on earth did Mr. Doyle find all such people? As expected befitting the British Empire's best influencer.

Then even by this era standards it's a considerable group, right? How, shall I also slightly insert a spoon?

When the commotion somewhat subsided, Mr. Doyle cleared his throat and took out one bundle of thick documents.

"Funds are also sufficient. It seems we can proceed with the establishment announcement right away in The Times soon. I'm thinking of entrusting part of the operating expenses to St. Thomas' Hospital. Thankfully there are many people who sponsored. All thanks to Mr. Durand here. Please clap in thanks."

"Yes?! No wait...!"

What on earth?!

Clap clap clap.

"Although I'm the main promoter of this foundation, in fact there is also that this matter proceeded thanks to the connection Mr. Durand made. Although busy and couldn't invite to this place, Mr. Pitton and Mr. Henry the joint managers of Electric & Imperial Spreadworks sponsored 1/5 of the initial funds. Taking this place I give thanks, and please Mr. Durand definitely convey this news to the two."

Mr. Pitton and Mr. Henry?! No, when did Mr. Doyle meet those people and even go around persuading?!

While giving thanks and winking eyes, it also feels like he slightly sold my name? If another person it's fine but at least Mr. Pitton if just hearing my name it seems he'll even pretend to die of fear so it's scary!

Not only that. When hurriedly unfolding the documents Mr. Henry handed over, a name one absolutely couldn't just pass was specified!

[ Frederick Arthur Stanley: 15,000 pounds sponsorship ]

The Earl of Derby?! Moreover 15,000 pounds?! This is really not a joke amount? I knew the Earl is rich, but he was to the point of readily donating such a large amount?

Earl! Didn't you entrust the checkbook all to me?!

"However there is a problem. As you saw in the newspaper, the war compensation law was rejected in the House of Commons this time too. The social club people also supported in various aspects but gathering the Liberal Party's opinions was quite difficult. Therefore it seems not easy to receive government support for foundation operation."

"Hmm... In the end is there no method."

The atmosphere that became gloomy in an instant at his one word.

The moment I instantly understood why Mr. Doyle told me to become a House of Commons member who doesn't work.

It was just irony. He sublimated that into his own joke. And the fact that he went around social parties so diligently was to gather sponsors. I just thought he was going around to get delicious cooking.

Anyway war compensation law.

It was content of differentially paying pensions according to the physical defects of disabled soldiers, right?

Certainly no matter how much money one gathers, in the situation where numerous wounded continue to pour out from South Africa even now it couldn't be handled.

No matter how much Mr. Henry or the Earl of Derby sponsor money, even if Nurse Flo puts out all her pension, even if offering all the publication contract money of the new Holmes series it's an amount that doesn't even come close.

In the end what was needed was taxes that talk.

Just if that war ends quickly everyone would be comfortable. Because pouring taxes into useless places the money for welfare is insufficient and struggling, right?

Moreover isn't this originally a role the government should do? At the point civilians are worrying about such things Britain is already done! Done!

But while listening to Mr. Doyle's words a slight question arose.

"Aren't there tremendously many disabled soldier families from the Crimean War too? There are also many Boer War participants. They ignore their opinions right away in the House of Commons? At least the families won't stay still I think?"

Still only men could have suffrage, but anyway it was an era one could participate in politics. There was voting rights that talk.

If something goes wrong one can even wage a fall campaign as much as one wants the situation, right?

If a hundred years ago it's fine, but now the power of the people wasn't that weak.

Especially after the republican revolution succeeded in France it was an era when politicians or nobles diligently did pretense not to show gaps to citizens.

Because if slightly wrong even their own necks could be caught in the guillotine.

The counterargument Sir Barlow brought out.

"A group that does such activities... Until now there wasn't?"

"You said you'll support disabled soldiers here? Then can't you also represent their will?"

"We just for the purpose of medical fee support only..."

"Why not? If just changing the government's stance more people can receive benefits?"

It's strange? Why really isn't there? Even just modern times groups related to soldier welfare overflow?

This time Sir Lister answered.

"A group that gathers the opinions of discharged soldiers into one? The moment making such a thing the government won't stay still?"

"Why?"

"They're soldiers? They might hold guns and swords backwards?"

"I'm saying discharged soldiers? Where do they have guns and swords? They would have all returned."

"Hmm..."

"And I don't think the government would want to have the image of oppressing people who got hurt serving the country? Now because there's no group that officially represents them it passes vaguely, but if just one line is carried in the newspaper politicians will all be startled?"

While pouring so much money their passive attitude was very frustrating.

If it was me I absolutely wouldn't use precious money penny by penny like that! Especially the fact that money related to me flows, it's not my money but somehow it hurt the stomach very much!

Like the feeling of removing all fat from roast beef and eating, a feeling of the throat choking and blocked!

"Sir Durand, no, Teacher Durand. That part is really a difficult problem to solve... There's also the issue of representativeness."

"Wait, Colonel. Mr. Durand's opinion also has considerable reason. If we gather voices and act the government will be flustered. The opinion of using that as leverage and negotiating again?"

I didn't talk up to there?! But it was just about to say exactly those words. As expected Mr. Doyle's insight was sharp.

"Right. It's not up to really necessarily representing. It's putting the player back on the negotiation table. By shaking the bait."

Like Mr. Escoffier's course dish!

I don't know why I'm saying even such words, but anyway when coming up to here the remaining people also started nodding while making groans.

Somehow it was certain they didn't think up to that side at all.

Was it a bit radical? They say even General MacArthur pushed with tanks saying he doesn't want to give money to soldiers in the Bonus Army incident or something? Such ruthless things are also anecdotes after the First World War so now when the First World War hasn't even started it was natural that no one tries to represent soldiers' positions because they're scared of the government.

At least the people here are awake so this level of words get through.

"It's an opinion worth considering. However deciding right now would be difficult, so after organizing thoughts... How about meeting again about three days later, doctors."

"Understood. I also understood what thoughts you have. I'll have to ponder. Anyway thank you, Jean-Paul Durand. You're a friend with quite extraordinary head."

Seeing such simple logic and saying extraordinary, these people clearly had no interest in politics at all usually because they only do medical research!

Like that the meeting ended vaguely and I was about to catch my breath now, but Colonel Ludwig caught us again.

"Wait a moment, teacher! Since you came up to here would you like to look around this hospital's treatment center? Recently expanded and full of latest medical equipment. Even wounded soldiers injured in South Africa if coming here about half are cured and go out!"

Latest medical equipment? Is it okay to use the expression 'latest' at a 1901 hospital?!

But I was curious. I decided to follow Colonel Ludwig.