"I will never shake hands with anyone who hates the Russian Empire!"
As soon as these words came out, a gap immediately appeared in the originally harmonious welcome ceremony. As the person involved, Foreign Minister Fouad Edifin retracted his hand in embarrassment.
Menshikov wanted to use this move to swear to every high-ranking Ottoman Empire present that even in the Sultan's court, any high-ranking minister who hated the Russian Empire would be humiliated and punished by the Russian Empire.
After achieving his goal, Menshikov did not care what Fuad Effendi thought. He walked forward on his own, not far enough from the Ottoman Sultan Emperor Abdulmecid I.
He stopped at the 10-meter step, bowed to Abdul Meguid I on the throne and said: "On behalf of His Majesty Nicholas I, Emperor of the Russian Empire, I extend my most sincere greetings to the great Sultan.
Greetings!”
Abdulmecid I looked at Menshikov on the steps, his heart filled with humiliation and anger.
In the view of Megid I, Menshikov's remarks just now were not directed at his foreign minister, but were meant to insult him.
As the king of a country, he has never endured humiliation. Now he can't wait to order his "loyal" subordinates to pull Menshikov out from the steps and chop him down.
Reason told Mecid I that if he really did this, the war between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire would break out the next day.
The Ottoman Empire was simply not prepared for war.
Therefore, Meged I could only suppress his anger and smile at the Menshikov envoy at the foot of the steps: "I am very happy that my brother Nicholas can think of me!"
"That's natural! Our Majesty misses you all the time!" Menshikov increased his voice, as if he meant something.
The high-ranking officials present had unnatural expressions on their faces. Menshikov's words were extremely offensive. They were really afraid that their Majesty would do something impulsive.
Fortunately, Meged I still did not lose his mind because of Menshikov's words. He kept telling himself to be lenient in his heart.
"Please take me to express my gratitude to Nicholas!" Mecid I responded to Menshikov while suppressing his anger.
"I will tell you the truth!" Menshikov, whose provocation plan failed, could only find another way.
Next, Mecid I introduced important figures in the Ottoman Principality to Menshikov, including Prime Minister (reduced version of Grand Vizia) Muhammad Ali, Navy Marshal Mahmoud, and Selask (Commander-in-Chief of the Army).
Reza Pasha, as well as the ministers of foreign affairs, interior affairs, industry and other departments.
Menshikov still greeted these high-ranking government officials in front of him with an arrogant attitude.
Menshikov's arrogant actions directly made everyone present unhappy. Even the factions close to Russia secretly cursed Menshikov's stupidity.
This welcome ceremony allowed all high-ranking officials to clearly understand Menshikov's attitude, and also the attitude of the Russian Empire behind Menshikov.
After the welcome ceremony, the only pro-Russian members in the palace were turned into anti-Russian members by Menshikov's manipulation.
Menshikov knows nothing about this, and he is still immersed in his diplomatic "victory".
In Menshikov's view, the Ottoman Empire has completely surrendered to the control of the Russian Empire from top to bottom, and all he has to do now is to pick the fruits of victory.
After the welcome ceremony, Menshikov made a report on the Ottoman Empire's attitude towards the welcome ceremony. The report was sent out of Constantinople in the early morning of the next day in the form of a document and headed for St. Petersburg.
In the next few days, Menshikov quietly waited for the Tsar's reply.
Within a week and a half, Menshikov received a personal letter from Nicholas I.
Credit Nicholas I expressed his approval for Menshikov's behavior of frustrating the Ottoman Empire, and told Menshikov that he could confidently and boldly put pressure on the Ottoman Empire, and he would definitely convince the British Kingdom to agree to join hands with the Russian Empire to maintain
Peace in the Near East.
After reading the letter, Menshikov thought that he had been affirmed by His Majesty the Tsar, and he couldn't help but work harder.
On March 25, the special envoy of the Russian Empire Menshikov went to the residence of Prime Minister Muhammad Ali.
This time the Prime Minister did not stay in a certain room to meet with Menshikov like the previous two times, but sat on the sofa in the living room on the first floor and chatted freely with Menshikov.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we hope that your country can replace a reasonable foreign minister in the next negotiations, and do not let some unqualified guys sit in that position, which will damage the friendship between our two countries!" Sitting Mohamed.
Menshikov, who was opposite Ali, said bluntly to Muhammad Ali.
After Mohamed Ali hesitated for a moment, he spread his hands pretending to be distressed and said: "Your Excellency, Special Envoy, according to what I know, Minister Fouad has not done anything extraordinary. If he is dismissed rashly, will it cause unnecessary consequences?"
arrive!"
"Fuad Edifin hates the Russian Empire, which is friendly to the Ottoman Empire. Isn't this enough reason?" Menshikov was obviously unwilling to reason with Muhammad Ali. He snorted coldly.
"Your Excellency Menshikov, we must at least have a suitable reason! Reasons like this are too far-fetched!" Muhammad Ali once again asked Menshikov Gu in a consultative tone.
"No! Minister Fuad must be dismissed!" Menshikov continued to maintain a tough stance.
After some push and pull, Muhammad Ali took Menshikov's back. The power of the Russian Empire and his own toughness reluctantly agreed to Menshikov's request to report to Fouad Effendi.
"Who will be the foreign minister after Fouad is dismissed?" Muhammad Ali asked Menshikov again.
"This is your problem!" Menshikov said to Muhammad Ali.
In terms of his understanding of Ottoman officials, Menshikov was far inferior to Muhammad Ali.
"What about Rifat Pasha?" Muhammad Ali suggested a candidate.
"It's up to you!" Menshikov responded lightly, and then added: "However, before he takes office, he must go through an interview with the translator I selected!"
"Of course there is no problem with this!" Muhammad Ali readily agreed to Menshikov's request.
"I don't have any other requests yet! If there are any, I will come back here!"
After saying that, Menshikov stood up and left.
Muhammad Ali also stood up and sent Menshikov out of the house.
Muhammad Ali's face immediately turned from sunny to gloomy as he watched Menshikov leave.
"What a complete bastard!" Muhammad Ali couldn't help but curse.
Muhammad Ali, who has been in politics for decades, has never seen a guy like Menshikov, and the two diplomats were completely trampled under his feet.
After finally calming down, Muhammad Ali called his Greek butler, and he gave the order to invite Fouad Effendi.
The housekeeper nodded and left the apartment. About half an hour later, Fuad Edifin appeared in the living room.
Muhammad Ali apologizes for not retaining Fouad Effendi's position.
"Nothing!" Fouad Efendi, who had already expected this outcome, faced it with an open-minded attitude. He said nonchalantly: "I almost understood myself from the time the Russian Empire announced its march towards the Danube Principality.
The ending! The most important thing now is to win over France. Only in this way can we compete with the Russian Empire."
"Don't worry! I understand!" Muhammad Ali nodded to express his understanding.
After Fuad Effendi left, Muhammad Ali called Rifat Pasha, who was about to become foreign minister.
"Why me?" Rifat Pasha looked at Muhammad Ali in confusion. He did not dare to be the foreign minister now. If he was not careful, he would be labeled as a traitor.
"Menshikov needs someone who is inclined to Russia to serve as minister in this position, and you are the most suitable person!" Muhammad Ali said euphemistically to the former "pro-Russian" person in front of him.
"But now I..." Rifat Pasha wanted to clarify his current political orientation, Muhammad Ali immediately interrupted: "I don't care what your current political orientation is, you must fight for the last time for the Ottoman Empire!"
The Ottoman Empire needs you!"
Muhammad Ali's words successfully blocked everything Rifat wanted to say in his throat.
After a while, Rifat Pasha spoke again: "Tell me! Let me delay it as long as you want!"
Muhammad Pasha once again had a smile on his face. He stretched out five fingers and said to Rifat Pasha: "You only need to wait until May, and leave the rest to me!!"
"Okay!" Rifat Pasha nodded in response.
On March 25, the Foreign Minister of the Ottoman Empire, Fouad Effendi, was unable to perform his job due to physical problems. Now, after discussions between the Ottoman Empire’s Grand Council and the cabinet, it was decided to remove Fouad Effendi from his position and replace him with Rifat.
Pasha succeeded him as Fouad Edifin.
When Menshikov received the news that Rifat Pasha had been succeeded as foreign minister, he immediately took the interpreter in the embassy to find Rifat Pasha to discuss the treaty.
After hearing the news from Muhammad Ali that Rifat Pasha was on a mission to Bulgaria, Menshikov could only bring the translator back to the embassy.
Fouad Effendi, who was reported by Muhammad Ali, was also not idle. He did not have to care about any diplomatic influence because he had no official position. He traveled between the British and French embassies all day long, persuading the British and French embassies.
