- Location
- London, England
The Sun Never Sets
The news of the Wade Agreement, as the series of diplomatic, mercantile and territorial agreements were rapidly titled in the breathless voices of those who carried word of them to London, took the Empire by some considerable storm. The sheer wealth and local influence that they offered was mind-boggling to be sure, but while merchants and gentlemen rubbed their hands together and called for their accountants, the common man on the street cared about only one thing - the glory of it all.
Here was the triumph of the new age, here was the promise of cordite made manifest! An Empire, ancient and proud, come to Her Majesty's Throne as a willing supplicant, all rivals in the Asian sphere apparently banished in but a moment. Toasts were made in every public house and sitting room across the country, to the Queen and to Sir Thomas Wade, to a new era of unquestioned British dominance upon the seas and in the skies. The Royal Victorian Order was commissioned and awarded, a new form of honour bestowed solely at the discretion of the Crown upon its most worthy servants, and none were surprised that Sir Wade was the first recipient (though a few were heard to wryly remark on the difficulty of following in his footsteps, the world not being replete with all too many Empires to sway in such fashion).
As for the declarations of war and threats of annexation, the British officers and representatives in Hong Kong broadly declined to comment, more than content to allow the Qing to take the lead in such matters; the Empire was, after all, their new and most valued ally, and Her Majesty's servants were only too prepared to see their nation's honour upheld.
HMS Victory was ready to sail.
The news of the Wade Agreement, as the series of diplomatic, mercantile and territorial agreements were rapidly titled in the breathless voices of those who carried word of them to London, took the Empire by some considerable storm. The sheer wealth and local influence that they offered was mind-boggling to be sure, but while merchants and gentlemen rubbed their hands together and called for their accountants, the common man on the street cared about only one thing - the glory of it all.
Here was the triumph of the new age, here was the promise of cordite made manifest! An Empire, ancient and proud, come to Her Majesty's Throne as a willing supplicant, all rivals in the Asian sphere apparently banished in but a moment. Toasts were made in every public house and sitting room across the country, to the Queen and to Sir Thomas Wade, to a new era of unquestioned British dominance upon the seas and in the skies. The Royal Victorian Order was commissioned and awarded, a new form of honour bestowed solely at the discretion of the Crown upon its most worthy servants, and none were surprised that Sir Wade was the first recipient (though a few were heard to wryly remark on the difficulty of following in his footsteps, the world not being replete with all too many Empires to sway in such fashion).
As for the declarations of war and threats of annexation, the British officers and representatives in Hong Kong broadly declined to comment, more than content to allow the Qing to take the lead in such matters; the Empire was, after all, their new and most valued ally, and Her Majesty's servants were only too prepared to see their nation's honour upheld.
HMS Victory was ready to sail.
