The latest website: www. Unlike St. Petersburg Ice and Snow, although the average temperature in January of Constantinople is only about 7 degrees, for Russians, it is like a cool and pleasant spring.
Since the fort was built, millions of Russians have moved to this city, which has also led to the rapid Russianization of this capital of the Roman Empire.
In less than twenty years, the Ottoman imprint disappeared from the city. The fountains and parks that disappeared during Ottoman rule reappeared in the city. The park was a favorite place for many Russians.
Especially this spring.
That’s right!
Because it was a weekend, many women with children were sitting on the grass in the park, playing with their children or having a picnic.
The men were playing chess or chatting in some corners. Of course, there were also people feeding the pigeons in the park.
Sergei Veidt, the finance minister of the Roman Empire, was sitting on a bench by the lake, feeding pigeons there. Sometimes, he would stay here alone for half a day.
"The weather seems to be very good today."
When the voice reached his ears, Sergey Witte raised his head and saw a tall Eastern man sitting next to him. His dress was not much different from that of a Russian. To outsiders, he might think
He is a Tatar.
"Yes! Such weather is impossible to see in St. Petersburg at this season, but here... even in the coldest season, it is as warm as spring. You see..."
Sergey Witte pointed to the people playing in the park, his expression became a little sighing.
"Twenty years ago, no Russian would have thought that one day this city would return to Christendom, let alone that it would become the capital of Russia."
Like many people, even now, Sergei Witte is still used to calling the Roman Empire Russia. After all, they prefer to be Russia. As for Rome... it is just a complex for them.
When they really realized the distant dream of the "Roman Empire" and realized the Russian savior complex of "Messiah", even if they talked about Rome, deep down in their hearts, they still identified more with Russia.
The man sat next to the bench and took out a chess box.
"Are you interested?"
“You can try it!”
Sergey Witte nodded.
The two people started playing chess like this, and both of them seemed to remain silent while playing chess.
"It is foreseeable that if the conditions offered by London are attractive enough, the palace's attitude may change!"
After playing more than a dozen moves, Sergey Witte broke the silence first. In fact, today's meeting was exactly his invitation. The person he was playing chess with was none other than the Embassy of the Ming Empire in the Russian Empire.
Second Counselor Shen Liwen, the two of them had had many contacts at banquets hosted by the Ministry of Finance.
"What?"
Shen Liwen's hand holding the chess piece couldn't help but pause. He even looked at the finance minister with some surprise. What was he talking about?
London offers conditions!
They want to negotiate...how is this possible?
"Yes, you heard it right. Although this war started because of us, the situation has changed now."
"Is it irreversible?"
"The progress of our army in Persia is not smooth, and in Constantinople, not everyone is different from the madman who advocates pushing the border to the South Asian subcontinent. The Indian population there is too large for us to digest.
, is also impossible to digest,”
In fact, Witte also did not support the occupation of the entire India. He only supported the occupation of Persia. After all, the oil there was very attractive. Of course, another reason was that the population there was not large and could be absorbed. But India was different.
There are too many Indians there.
"So, some people in the court agreed that Britain would withdraw from Persia as a condition for the armistice. And for the palace, this was not an unacceptable condition. After all, it meant that Russia could achieve the goal without paying any price.
our aim."
"So what are you worried about? I remember that you also disagreed with expansion to India."
Shen Liwen was a little curious as to why Werther would tell him the news. After all, Werther was opposed to the annexation of India.
"Mr. Shen, I am not against expansion to India, but I don't think we can absorb India. After all, it is a region with a population of more than 270 million. Annexing India... God bless, by then it will not be Russia that annexes India, but India
Annex Russia, then..."
Turning his gaze towards the park, Werther said with a sarcastic tone.
"Everyone here speaks with a curry smell! But this is not the reason why I am opposed to changing my stance."
I won’t know until then. Will it be Russia’s India, or India’s Russia?
Staring at Shen Liwen, Witte said.
"I think we all know that the reason why Britain is making concessions now is because the pressure they are facing is unprecedented. In order to defeat France and the Ming Dynasty, Persia is of course a victim that can be sacrificed, but when they defeat France and the Ming Dynasty, Persia will
What will happen after the Ming Dynasty?"
After asking a question, Witte said.
"At that time, Russia - Russia with its vast territory will be the imaginary enemy of the British. What we will face is not just British suppression. It may even be a war. Waiting for Russia's future will be a lonely and hopeless one.
Allies' war."
After expressing this point of view, after Werther made a move, his brows knitted together, and he seemed to be looking at the chessboard with a solemn expression, but in fact, he was thinking about the future of Russia.
The future situation is extremely unfavorable to Russia.
"Of course, we have another option, which is to join forces with the British. We can occupy the French colonies, or we can fight all the way to Africa and occupy your colonies. The rewards we will get will be very generous, but..."
"This does not change the future of Russia, Mr. Witte. We all know that whether you choose an armistice or join the British camp, the conflict between you and the British is inevitable. A strong Britain will not accept it.
A strong Russia!”
Picking up the chess piece, Shen Liwen made a move.
"Of course! You will definitely ask, will the Ming Empire and France accept a powerful Russia?"
"can you?"
Werther asked with a smile.
"Neither the Ming Dynasty, nor France, nor Russia will sit back and watch one side annex the other. Mr. Witte, we all know that the essence of the international political game is balance, and the three countries stand in harmony!"
While speaking, Shen Liwen captured one of Werther's chess pieces, and then he said.
"Only when the Three Kingdoms are in a state of coexistence can there be lasting peace between us. Any attempt by any party to break this balance is unacceptable and will lead to a war between the Three Kingdoms. So I believe that there is lasting peace between us.
"
"Yes."
Werther nodded,
"This is exactly why I chose to tell you this news. I hope you can send a special envoy as soon as possible so that we can fundamentally solve this problem for the sake of our friendship."
"Friendship...if you have made up your mind, it is impossible to maintain friendship between countries just by friendship!"
Werther nodded and then said nothing again. Both of them had a slightly worried look on their brows. At this moment, both of them knew very well that if there were not enough benefits, Russia would very likely betray the alliance!
Ten minutes later, after playing a game of chess, the thoughtful two people said goodbye casually like strangers and left the park. Although they walked in two directions, they felt heavy
The footsteps seem to represent that the two countries are parting ways.
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!