Novel Full Chapter 1282 - 1187: Bargaining Chips and Asking Price
Chapter 1282: Chapter 1187: Bargaining Chips and Asking Price
In the British embassy in Russia, the British Foreign Minister, Lord Hawkesburg, glared gloomily out the window: “These Persians are all useless. The Empire gave them so much aid, yet they couldn’t hold out for even two months!”
Beside him, the British ambassador to Russia, Charles Whitworth, poured him a glass of wine: “It seems Mirza thought he was still dealing with someone as incompetent as Zubov.
“I’ve also heard that Elkher II is on his deathbed and he might be planning to annex Georgia into Russia.”
Lord Hawkesburg tossed the wine into his mouth, frustrated: “This completely disrupts my plans. I’ll need to come up with bigger stakes to satisfy the greedy Russians.”
He originally planned to exchange Persian interests for Russian involvement in European affairs once Russia’s campaign in Transcaucasia reached a stalemate. But he didn’t expect Good维奇 to fight so smoothly.
Whitworth took the empty glass and asked: “So, Poland or the Balkans? Hmm, it should be Poland.”
Lord Hawkesburg nodded: “That’s right, Poland. I must make a trip to Vienna soon. If the Russians take Poland themselves, it won’t be a bargaining chip.”
…
Paris.
Palace of Versailles.
In the company of the newly appointed Foreign Minister, Count Voronzo, the Russian Prince Grand Duke Constantine presented Joseph with a state letter:
“Esteemed Crown Prince, His Majesty Emperor Alexander Pavlovich asked me to convey his sincerest regards to the House of Bourbon—’The sunlight of Versailles melts the icy plains of Karelia; every Russian relies on the elegance and civilization of France.’
“May Jesus bless the great ’Savior of Sorrows’ and the ’Son of Divine Favor.’
“His Majesty the Emperor hopes Paris and Saint Petersburg will be eternally bound by a sacred union of mutual destiny and trust without reservation and cooperation.”
Joseph, from this lengthy introduction, already discerned the subtext of the new Tsar.
He responded with a standard diplomatic smile and nodded: “Your Highness, please convey to His Majesty the Emperor that my father and I have never forgotten our closest partner in Eastern Europe.”
After some formal pleasantries, Joseph invited the two Russian envoys to sit. Constantine, with a genuine smile, then looked at the Russian Foreign Minister next to him.
Count Voronzo cleared his throat and said: “Crown Prince, we all know the European Continent may be heading for a tumultuous period.”
He gestured towards the state letter: “Based on the great friendship between our two countries, His Majesty the Emperor promises you that our country will provide no support to any alliance against France, nor consider participating in wars in Central and Western Europe. We will also ensure the stability and continuation of Franco-Russian trade.”
Joseph was surprised that the Russians were proactively “taking sides,” but he showed no joy, simply nodding. Alexander I was an ambitious and speculative person; his “taking sides” certainly wasn’t simple.
Sure enough, Count Voronzo continued: “Crown Prince, His Majesty the Emperor hopes you can assist our country in restoring effective control over Malta Island. You know, it was a gift from the Malta Knight Order to Tsar Paul.”
Joseph smirked to himself; Alexander I had the audacity to use his father’s name for diplomacy.
But he merely replied calmly: “I am quite pleased with this.”
If the Russians want to extend their influence to the Mediterranean Sea, then they are welcome to try. Even if France does nothing, the Ottoman Empire and various Italian countries, including Naples, would not stand idly by.
By then, we’ll see if Russia dares to venture its Black Sea Fleet into the Mediterranean—the Ottoman Navy would surely be eager to fill any vacuum left in the Black Sea.
Voronzo smiled: “Thank you very much for your understanding.
“Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor has noticed that in recent years, your country and the Ottoman Empire have a certain level of cooperation, such as helping them combat the Mamluks.
“Our country has deep-seated enmity with the Ottoman People. If you can sever ties with Constantinople, it will further promote trust and friendship between us.”
Joseph nodded again.
The Russians continued: “On this basis, at some future appropriate time, our Marine Corps plans to land from the Levant. This may require you to provide appropriate logistical support. Of course, we will pay the full amount.
“You see, His Majesty the Emperor advances along the southern bank of the Danube River, and you secure victory in the wars against Prussia and Austria. Isn’t that fair?”
The Levant is in the eastern Mediterranean, making it a direct strike to the Ottoman Empire’s soft underbelly. If Russia wants to stir trouble here, it must obtain France’s tacit approval—now the Mediterranean is a “little pond” in France’s backyard.
The current situation is very clear, Alexander I seems to be “taking sides,” in reality, he sent someone to negotiate terms.
If you want Russia not to support the Anti-French Alliance, you must accept his exorbitant demands.
Joseph posed as if he was listening attentively and frequently nodded: “You are absolutely right, I will certainly give serious consideration to His Majesty the Emperor’s proposals.”
Indeed, although Russia’s asking price is high, it won’t be easily fulfilled.
If the Russian fleet wants to enter the Mediterranean, it definitely can’t go via the Bosphorus Strait—unless the Ottoman has lost its mind, they won’t allow it. So, it has to go through the Baltic Sea, across the Atlantic Ocean, and into the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Such a large-scale remote military deployment would first require extensive preparations and then a circumnavigation of all of Europe, taking at least a year to reach the Mediterranean.
By the time it arrives, if the European battlefield remains deadlocked, letting Russia make a mess in the Ottoman isn’t a big deal. The Ottoman is such a large entity that Russia would need a decade or more to tackle.
Two days later, Joseph held a grand farewell banquet for the Russian envoys to celebrate the brilliant diplomatic achievements reached between the two sides.
Alexandra, the Russian Princess, did not attend. She harbors deep hatred for Alexander I at the moment and hence doesn’t want to dine with his envoys.
Once Joseph saw off Grand Duke Constantine and Voronzo and returned to his bedchamber, he saw his brother Charles whispering discreetly with Camellia.
Seeing his brother return, Charles nervously turned and greeted him, then exchanged glances with Camellia before lowering his head and leaving.
Joseph, puzzled, watched his brother’s retreating figure: “What was that about?”
The maid smiled and shook her head: “I promised him I’d keep it secret.”
Joseph looked at her with his blue eyes, “longingly.”
“Alright, alright.” Camellia couldn’t resist and quickly “confessed,” “Prince Charles came to borrow money from me. He originally wanted to borrow it from The Crown Princess, but you know, she hasn’t been in the best condition recently.”
“Borrow money? How much does he want?”
“300,000 francs.” Camellia pointed to her collar area, “To replace this with gold.”