Ebel critically examined the article before him.
As one of Louis Napoleon's friends, Ebel regretted Louis Napoleon's departure, so he felt it necessary to safeguard Louis Napoleon's posthumous reputation.
"... Today, a follower of Saint-Simonism, a senior Republican, a Prince has left us... His arrival was like a meteor streaking across the sky, but it opened a new chapter for the whole of Europe! Just like Emperor Napoleon decades ago... History has proven that Prince Louis Napoleon's judgment of the July Monarchy was undoubtedly correct. The Sword of Austerlitz in the hands of the Orléans Government was undoubtedly a disaster... Louis Napoleon once said that the sovereignty of the people means establishing the principle of equal rights for the people and organizing democracy through merit, so that in the new social hierarchy, everyone has their own place, rights, and responsibilities..." Ebel quickly scanned the manuscript from top to bottom.
[The Sword of Austerlitz was the sword of Emperor Napoleon, and when the July Monarchy welcomed back Emperor Napoleon's body in 1840, it handed the sword as a trophy to Louis Philippe. Here it represents the French regime.]
The entire article, besides praising Napoleon and Napoleon III, also depicted Louis Napoleon as a Republican who, despite being in the aristocratic class, never forgot his concern for the country and the people, always seeking happiness for France, while also expounding on Louis Napoleon's political ideas. Of course, there was also regret for the United Kingdom Government's inaction during the economic crisis.
"Your Highness the Prince!" Ebel put down the manuscript and turned his gaze to Jerome, exclaiming, "Your writing skills and accomplishments are in no way inferior to Prince Louis."
"However..." Ebel's tone shifted, and he said with a bitter smile, "This article is unlikely to get a chance to be published!"
"Why?" Percy was taken aback, then immediately retorted, "Isn't 'The Times' claiming that there's nothing it dares not report?"
Ebel spread his hands and responded helplessly, "Mr. Earl, the current situation is not what it used to be, and 'The Times' also needs to be constrained from above."
Jerome Bonaparte instantly understood Ebel's meaning; a newspaper like 'The Times' with a circulation of 30,000 copies could not possibly avoid the attention of the United Kingdom Government.
A circulation of 30,000 is equivalent to 30,000 loyal supporters from the middle class, gathered together to influence the entire United Kingdom's decisions.
Not to mention that 'The Times' also has a host of loyal readers in France overseas.
At this critical juncture of the 1848 European revolutions, even the United Kingdom, known for its democracy and freedom, had to carry out limited censorship to ensure that influential newspapers would not publish incendiary articles or manipulate public opinion to do something harmful to the United Kingdom...
Of course, the 'Polaris' newspaper is an exception. This newspaper favored by the Britain Chartists would not stop its advocacy due to the United Kingdom's censorship, and the United Kingdom likewise dared not shut it down without any reason, otherwise British liberty would become a mere empty slogan.
"We won't certainly let your newspaper be embarrassed!" Jerome Bonaparte politely said to Ebel, "Mr. Ebel, please allow me to talk with your editor-in-chief!"
Seeing Jerome Bonaparte's confident demeanor, Ebel had no choice but to lead him to the office of the editor-in-chief responsible for review on the second floor of The Times Building.
Percy's arrival surprised the reviewing editor-in-chief. Upon hearing the news of Louis Bonaparte's death, the reviewing editor-in-chief also showed a look of regret and said, "God really favored Prince Louis too much, allowing him to enter Heaven so early!"
"Look at this!" Ebel handed the manuscript "From Bonaparte to Bonaparte, an Evaluation of Louis Bonaparte's Life" to the review editor-in-chief.
After carefully examining the content of the manuscript, the reviewing editor-in-chief shook his head and said, "Sorry, 'The Times' cannot publish such articles at the moment!"
Ebel gave Jerome Bonaparte and Percy a look that said, "I knew it."
"Isn't 'The Times' establishing its influence in the United Kingdom based on freedom of speech and daring to tell the truth? When did it become the mouthpiece of the United Kingdom Government?" Jerome Bonaparte sneakily criticized, "Or is it that 'The Times' is ready to become an official lapdog of the United Kingdom again?"
"Your Highness the Prince!" The reviewing editor-in-chief clearly picked up on Jerome Bonaparte's insinuation, "We are quite helpless in this situation. The government has repeatedly instructed us not to publish politically inclined articles in recent times!"
"Sir, this is just an article narrating the life of Prince Louis!" Jerome Bonaparte substituted the concept, "I merely want the world to know my cousin's political views and philosophies; the democratic and free Bonaparte ideas should not quietly follow him into the grave."
"Your Highness, as you see, this already involves politics!" The reviewing editor-in-chief stood up and went to his desk, pulling a package of opened cigarettes from it, lighting it with flint, as white smoke wafted through the office from the lit cigarette, causing the reviewing editor-in-chief to cough twice from the pungent tobacco.
"What if this article has tacit approval from the United Kingdom Government?" Jerome Bonaparte spoke again.
"What... cough... cough" The reviewing editor-in-chief couldn't finish his words before the pungent smell had him coughing twice.
"I mean, what if this article got the United Kingdom Government's permission?" Jerome repeated his previous words.
"Mr. Prince Wang, I doubt the government would go to such lengths to specially review it!" The reviewing editor-in-chief seemed unwilling to believe it.
Percy, understanding Jerome Bonaparte's reason for riding the Royal Family's carriage, immediately chimed in, "Sir, you probably don't know who just sent us here!"
"Who?" The reviewing editor-in-chief asked, puzzled.
"Mr. John Brown!" Percy believed that as the editor-in-chief of 'The Times', he must know the Royal Family's chief steward.
"Are you saying..." The reviewing editor-in-chief seemed to conjure up some indescribable backdoor dealings.
"Sir, I advise you against meddling in politics!" Jerome Bonaparte offered a reminder.
"I understand! I understand!" The editor-in-chief showed an understanding expression and promised Jerome Bonaparte that the article would certainly appear on the front page of the newspaper.
After politely expressing his thanks to the editor-in-chief and Ebel, Jerome Bonaparte left The Times Building with Percy.