The guarantee given by Edmond Dantès can be described as unequivocal.
This is not just random talk, in fact he is conveying the will of the monarch to whom he is loyal - Aiglon had no intention of seeking the crown of Greece from the beginning. According to his own words, this small and poor country has no intention of seeking the crown of Greece.
He doesn't want to rule a country that is in chaos and full of disputes. Once he gets what he wants, the sooner he can get out, the better. Letting himself and his followers get stuck here will only waste his good time for no reason.
Perhaps for many people, Greece is an extremely valuable treasure that they are afraid of others getting involved with, but for Aigron, it is just a chess piece that he can throw away casually. Once it loses its use value, or the risks outweigh the benefits, it will be completely lost.
There is no need to linger.
So he can give this sincere guarantee.
Precisely because Edmond Dantes' attitude was so sincere, Panos Colokotronis was slightly shaken.
He knew from the beginning that the Bonaparte family had absolutely no good intentions in extending a helping hand to Greece. They must have their own agenda - especially considering that they have always been pursuing the restoration of the family, it is even more dangerous.
However, the situation in Greece is already precarious now, and there is really no spare energy to worry about so many future dangers.
Although he stayed away from the independent army, he certainly understood that the independent Greek government was at its most critical stage at the moment. It was almost impossible for them to maintain themselves after a complete defeat. Under such circumstances, they must do their best to delay time and wait.
The situation changes in one's favor.
Therefore, under the current situation, as long as we can continue to survive, even swallowing poison is a wise move.
After all, we have very few chips left, and we are extremely hungry for external assistance, so we don’t have much bargaining power. As long as His Majesty does not seek the throne of Greece and does not have the dream of ruling Greece for generations, other conditions
It seems that everyone can agree to it, or at least negotiate.
When a consensus is reached on this issue, there will be a basis for continued negotiations.
"Can you make a more formal guarantee?" Panos hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "I think this is the basis of our consensus and the prerequisite for all cooperation."
"For a king, what he has said is a guarantee, an iron law that cannot be broken. Since he has made such a promise, he will definitely do it." Edmond Dantès replied proudly, and then did a little more.
He gave in, "However, if you insist, we can formally list this item when signing the agreement, so you can rest assured, right?"
Seeing the other party's reply, Panos Colokotronis finally felt relieved.
As long as this didn't change, he didn't care much about other things.
So, he stretched out his right hand to the Count of Monte Cristo opposite.
"Well, sir, I recognize your negotiating position, and I promise that I will tell my father about our negotiations."
This was the moment he had been waiting for... Edmond Dantes felt relieved.
After the setback on the Greek government's side, they urgently needed to find a gap on the opposition side, and now that he has finally found that gap, it is easier to handle.
He also stretched out his hand and held it tightly with the other person.
"How much can you pay now?" After shaking hands, Panos Kolokotronis asked directly. "In a word, to what extent can you help us?"
"His Majesty will call on his supporters to form a volunteer army to help you, and he now has huge funds, so he can provide you with a steady stream of support -" Edmond Dantès replied calmly, "If there is
If necessary, he can even invest tens of millions of francs to achieve this goal."
"It's really shocking." Panos was slightly stunned. "No matter what his purpose is, at least this desperate attitude makes me very fond of him. Maybe he can really achieve something great."
Edmond Dantès didn't take the other party's compliment to heart. He just frowned slightly and looked at the other party seriously, "From the beginning of our meeting, you have always been assessing us and making conditions for us.
, although I answered them one by one in order to show sincerity, but I think this is unfair. So, it is my turn to ask you next."
The Count of Monte Cristo's unintentional awe-inspiring attitude made Panos, who was originally looking relaxed, become serious.
"Excuse me." He replied quietly.
"We are happy to help you, but we also need to see that our friends are capable and qualified to get our help." Edmond Dantès looked at the other party unceremoniously, "Since your Majesty plans to make such a large investment,
, then he definitely doesn’t want to let his investment go to waste—if he shows sincerity, then he also wants to see you show sincerity. This kind of reciprocal investment is the basis of cooperation.”
"So how do you want us to invest?" Panos asked.
"First of all, you should find a way to become a representative of the Greek government." Edmond Dantès asked calmly, "His Majesty certainly hopes to deal with the same government, and he needs this government to issue a formal invitation to him.
.”
Although Edmond Dantès' words were cryptic, Panos understood the meaning almost immediately.
"You want us to overthrow the current government?"
"This is good for both of us, isn't it?" Edmond Dantès shrugged, "The current government and parliament have a grudge against you. They massacred your former comrades, and even imprisoned your father. What's more,
By bringing your motherland to such a desperate state, they have proven how decadent and incompetent they are. In this case, why can't they all be wiped out? This is a good thing for you, and it is good for you.
It’s even better for the nation and the country!”
Panos-Colokotronis's chest heaved violently.
"It turns out that your so-called aid is just here to incite civil strife in us!"
"There has been civil strife here for a long time. You Greeks have already started fighting each other without us coming. You are the losers in the fighting - but now it is just the opposite. It is us who are trying to help this poor country end the civil strife and let it...
Be reborn and regain the strength to fight against the hateful enemy and seize the freedom and independence it deserves!" Edmond Dantès shouted back at the other party, and then lowered his voice, "Besides, as long as there is victory,
Hands, you don’t have to bear the reputation of civil strife. You clean up these scum, and then unite the remaining people. Then it is time to recover the country - except for those rubbish that should have been swept away long ago, who else is
Where are the victims!”
Edmond Dantes' questioning made Panos calm down a little.
He was so excited just now, but it was just a subconscious reaction. In fact, he has absolutely no favorable impression of the current Greek government.
It can even be said that he hopes more than anyone else that all the executioners who wielded butcher knives against his own people will be finished and receive the punishment they deserve.
However, things don’t just come true just by talking about them.
Launching a coup is definitely not as easy as imagined. It is full of variables from planning to implementation. If you are not careful, it may further deteriorate the already precarious situation and ruin all the hopes of the nation. Therefore, even if he has hatred in his heart, he will
I dare not really think about it like this...
But there seems to be nothing wrong with what the count opposite said.
If the country is to be saved now, it is necessary for those who are most loyal to the motherland - that is, he and his decorated comrades - to stand up and fight as they did in 1821 when the War of Independence was in full swing.
And if we want to stand up to our own fighters who have already failed in the internal strife, we must reorganize the current government and use the most severe means to stop internal disputes, and then cooperate with the outside world and accept their help.
In his opinion, this is the only way to save the country at present.
He has been in exile in various places in the past few years, watching the flames of the War of Independence dim day by day. Naturally, he has accumulated too much resentment in his heart. Deep in his heart, he has thought countless times about the victory of those internal strife.
They conduct a reckoning.
Before, I just thought about it in my mind, but now I seem to have a chance.
However, is it really an opportunity?
If you make the wrong bet on something like this, there will be no chance to recover.
"Is this an unchangeable condition?" He hesitated for a long time and then asked again.
"Of course." Edmond Dantès replied decisively, "We have to deal with a person who has the authority to represent Greece, and I think your father is the best candidate - so please go and convince your father.
, with his prestige and his current position as commander-in-chief, he can have the power to launch a coup, and he should do so. Don't forget how he was treated by those people before."
"It's not that easy." Panos shook his head, "He may not be able to make up his mind."
"If we were there, it would be completely different. We would give you financial support and bear all the infamy from the outside world. All you have to do is just use your hands. I believe this is very simple for you, because
You once fought so bravely against the Turks." Edmond Dantès encouraged the other party, "This is the only way you can save the country, isn't it? It's time to end all this and let the innocent comrades who were killed
Rest in peace, I think this is the best outcome."
Panos-Kolokotronis did not answer.
In fact, he was so distraught that he could hardly think coherently.
He never expected that the first condition put forward by the other party was to incite his father and son to stage a coup and overthrow the current independent government. While he was shocked and disgusted, he was also moved.
Because this is what he had always wanted to do.
If someone is willing to stand up now, provide assistance, and bear the pressure from the outside world, then why not do it? There was a voice in his heart that kept asking him.
"I can't make a decision right away. I need to think it over with my people." After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke.
"Did you include your father?" Edmond Dantès grasped the key point.
"I can report to him." Panos answered directly without hesitation.
Very good, this is enough. Edmond Dantès knows that the other party has already reached the limit of what he can do now.
As long as both parties agree on the general direction and are willing to make compromises with each other, then everything that follows will be easy to negotiate.
There may be some bargaining in the process, or even asking for more help, but there is no problem, everything can be discussed - His Majesty is not afraid to pay a higher price in order to achieve his goals.
"By the way, Count, I have a question that I need to confirm with you." Panos seemed to suddenly think of something, and then raised his head and said to Edmund.
"Please tell me." Edmond Dantès nodded.
"For diplomatic and other reasons, we... we can only recognize his title of Duke of Lechstadt for the time being, and cannot call him His Majesty the Emperor." Panos Colokotronis said with a smile.
Feeling a little ashamed, he whispered to the other party, "You also know that France has a very good relationship with Ali Pasha of Egypt, and even sent people to train his army and navy - and the French royal family has always regarded the Bonaparte family as a thorn in their side. If
If we rashly regard him as an emperor and recognize his title, then the French government may become angry and increase its assistance to the Egyptians, which will ultimately expose us to even more terrible risks."
Huh, I thought about it very carefully. Edmond Dantès sneered in his heart.
But he also admitted that what the other party thought was indeed reasonable.
If they only cooperate with the Duke of Lechstadt, the French government really has nothing to blame the Greeks, and its anger can only be directed at the Bonaparte family; but if they cooperate with Emperor Napoleon II, then they are equivalent to participating in the internal disputes in France.
, they absolutely cannot afford the price.
"You mean to ask His Majesty to recognize the title bestowed by the Austrians and demean his dignity?" Edmond Dantès replied solemnly, "I'm afraid this is difficult to accept."
"If you find it difficult, how about we adopt some kind of compromise?" Panos-Colokotronis suggested.
"What's the meaning?"
"He initially used the title of Duke of Lechstadt. If he really proves his ability and helps us regain the country, then just like the hero Bolivar, we are willing to pay tribute to the noble man with unparalleled respect.
The King of Rome presented the glorious title of "Liberator", and his descendants will always remember his achievements." Panos Colocotronis looked at the Count of Monte Cristo sincerely, "I think such an honor is
The highest courtesy we can give."
Upon hearing this, Edmond Dantès was not moved, but secretly scolded the other party for being cunning.
He pretended to be so grateful, but in fact he was just verbally offering benefits - he didn't need to pay much for his reputation, so he could give it as he pleased.
Of course Edmond Dantès was not such an easy person to fool, so he sneered in his heart.
But this issue does not require a conclusion now, and it is not too late to have a good discussion later. The most important thing now is to get the other party on board. As long as everyone is in the same boat, many things will be easier to handle - or in other words, they will not
It has to be done.
"You have made a very unexpected suggestion. It is difficult for me to make a decision on my own. I will report it to His Majesty and let him make his own decision." After a moment, Edmond Dantès replied.
Then, this time he took the initiative to extend his hand and said, "We will have a happy cooperation in the future."
"I hope so." Panos Colokotronis sighed, and then also held his hand.