Chapter 825: Chapter 733: The Terrifying Fleet

William Pitt Junior merely frowned slightly, gesturing for the court officials to close the enormous white windows before turning around to continue his discussion with George III on ensuring that the opposition party would not obstruct proceedings in Congress.

As for potential protests or even riots among the populace, he had long made the necessary arrangements and had no cause for worry.

In fact, the Security Committee had already mobilized 5,000 militia two months prior, stationed around London and awaiting orders.

The British militia was far from being a ragtag force — the militia in wealthy places such as London were equipped better than even the British Army.

During the early days of the United States, they emulated their old suzerain, disbanding the Continental Army and relying solely on their militia to wage their wars.

Sure enough, barely ten minutes later, rhythmic drumbeats could be heard from the north side of Downing Street.

A large contingent of militia marched in orderly formation to the front of St. James’s Palace, a dense array of flintlock guns standing upright behind them, resembling a forest of steel.

The army halted, and a mounted officer rode forward, shouting loudly for the protesting crowd to disperse immediately.

Meanwhile, the struggling workers began to burn effigies bearing the names of politicians and factory owners, while shouting even louder:

“Lower the price of sugar!”

“Prohibit arbitrary wage cuts!”

“We have the right to live!”

“We demand the Prime Minister come out to meet us!”

After waiting for a moment and having their statements announced several more times, the officer found that the protesting crowd not only refused to leave but began surging forward. He decisively signaled to those behind him:

“Disperse them!”

“Yes, Sir!”

The frontmost ranks of over a hundred militia immediately advanced in sync with the drumbeat, forming ranks and moving forward. Under the officer’s command, they swung their long wooden batons fiercely at the crowd ahead.

The protesters immediately grabbed sticks, shovels, and similar objects to fight back, while workers from further away hurled stones at the militia.

Chaos instantly engulfed the street outside St. James’s Palace.

George III glanced out the direction of the window and said to William Pitt Junior:

“You must defeat our enemies swiftly; otherwise, this situation will become unbearable sooner or later.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Rest assured.”

The King nodded, picking up the “Principle of Population” and remarking:

“Remember, you likely only have one chance.”

The clashes on Downing Street grew increasingly fierce. When a fist-sized stone struck the shield of the militia officer, his expression turned grim as he drew his pistol from his waistband.

With a gunshot into the air, the soldiers behind him immediately raised their flintlock guns with bayonets attached.

The militia in the front with wooden batons dispersed to both sides, exposing the protesting crowd to the gun barrels.

Several lead protesters gritted their teeth and continued stepping forward, shouting as they waved their arms:

“Don’t be afraid! We’re only asking to see the Prime Minister. They won’t shoot!”

“Everyone, follow us! For affordable sugar…”

However, after barely taking ten steps, the flintlock guns on the other side erupted with fire.

Three lead protesters and more than a dozen workers behind them collapsed into pools of blood on the spot. The one remaining leader, who had miraculously avoided being hit, glanced in horror at the corpses beside him before turning and running frantically away.

The protesting crowd, stunned by the unexpected gunfire, immediately scattered in panic.

A large number of police officers emerged from all directions, blowing whistles and starting to arrest protesters.

Screams, whistles, and curses became the dominant sounds echoing through St. James’s Palace at this moment.

The next day.

The front pages of every major London newspaper featured the news headline: “Illegal riots erupt at Downing Street, but rioters are dispersed in short order. Police arrest dozens.”

Additionally, the papers reported on Congress’s decision to suspend the “Personal Protection Law” and pass the “Prevention of Illegal Workers’ Combination Regulations,” urging citizens not to participate in any assemblies or demonstrations.

Not a single newspaper extended any sympathy toward the protesters.

Because, throughout England, news censorship had begun.

…

North shore of the English Channel.

Plymouth Port.

The stirring sounds of music filled every corner of the port, as a band of over 80 musicians sat upright on the stage at the southern side of the harbor, exerting their utmost effort to perform at their best.

The towering soldiers of Britain’s Second Guards Grenadier Battalion, dressed in vibrant red uniforms and holding flintlock guns, formed rows of red human walls stretching from the port entrance to the fleet’s mooring site.

Under the solemn and awe-inspiring gaze of these soldiers, British Foreign Minister Lord Grenville walked toward the outer harbor while smiling and conversing with diplomats from Prussia, Austria, the Netherlands, and Hanover, accompanied by the music.

Behind him trailed a group of senior officers from the British Navy and Army, along with several executives from Plymouth Shipyard.

“Thank you all for coming to this fleet review. Oh, everyone, see here — this is already the most magnificent fleet in British history.”

Grenville motioned toward the southeast: “It stands ready at all times to defend Great Britain and the interests of our allies!”

The diplomats from Prussia, Austria, the Netherlands, and other nations raised their eyes to gaze ahead, their expressions all showing shock.

In the expansive military port in the distance, over 50 colossal battleships floated silently on the water.

These enormous forms, akin to beasts capable of tearing anything apart, emanated an overwhelming sense of oppression.

Yet at this moment, these “beasts” were arrayed in neat formations, seemingly under divine command, ready at any moment to devour the enemies of their gods.

Bear in mind, these were all fourth-class battleships or higher! In the distance, there were countless cruisers and escort ships as well, with the total number estimated to be around a hundred.

And yet, this was only the Mediterranean Fleet and Biscay Bay Fleet’s complement of ships.

This made it apparent how terrifying the power of this maritime empire truly was.

As the group made their way closer to the military port, the shapes of those beasts became even clearer.

The densely packed masts looked as though a vast forest had sprouted from the ocean, obscuring the majority of the harbor. A full-grown adult was not even as tall as a single wooden plank from the ship’s railing.

Any two ships coupled together could almost rival the size of their nation’s royal palace!

Ten minutes later, Grenville and his entourage crossed an extraordinarily wide gangway to board the flagship vessel of the British Mediterranean Fleet, the “Victory,” docked at the quay.

Once everyone had boarded the ship, British Sea War Minister Admiral Jervis came forward, proudly introducing the world’s most powerful first-class battleship beneath their feet.

“She measures 227 feet in length, and her mainmast stands at 205 feet tall…

“In the Atlantic Ocean, under favorable winds, she can achieve a top speed of 8 knots…

“She has three gun decks and is equipped with over 100 cannons! Her firepower is capable of obliterating any enemy ship, even a small fleet.

“Her hull is a full 2 feet thick, capable of resisting direct hits from 24-pound cannons at a range of 100 yards, and 32-pound cannons at 300 yards!”