Chapter 1440: Chapter 1346: Playing Both Sides
Voronzo sent the new conditions from the French back to Saint Petersburg overnight.
Several days later, Alexander I received the report and imdiately convened the ministers for discussion. As Voronzo had anticipated, the opinion in favor of continuing the ceasefire negotiations held the majority.
After the eting, the always pro-British Prince Bagration promptly inford the British Foreign Minister of this developnt.
Lord Hawkesburg, upon learning that the French intended to make an all-out effort to win over Russia, was also extrely anxious. He hastily requested an audience with the Tsar and simultaneously sent soone to London to apply for more leverage.
Winter Palace.
Alexander I squinted at the British: “You are saying, a 900,000-pound low-interest loan, and a three-month supply of ammunition for the Kutuzov Corps?”
Lord Hawkesburg nodded: “Including 10,000 of the latest model caplock guns.”
The Tsar leaned back in his chair and smiled: “You know, our nation’s financial situation has beco very tense due to the war with France. Oh, to a large extent, it was at your country’s request that we participated in the war.”
He raised a hand to interrupt the British Foreign Minister, who was about to argue: “So, if we are to continue fighting, I hope that one-third of this money can be converted into a grant.”
At this mont, he realized the British were extrely unwilling to see a reconciliation between Russia and France, so he would surely seize this opportunity to extract as much benefit as possible.
Lord Hawkesburg’s face turned dark, cursing the Russians for their greed internally.
But he quickly thought of the severe consequences of failing to obtain supplies from Russia. Not to ntion that the Navy’s current focus, the large-scale shipbuilding plan, relies on 35% of Russian timber, even the inability to obtain grease and ropes from Russia would drive the Navy Departnt crazy.
He gritted his teeth and said, “Your Majesty, such a substantial financial aid would certainly not pass through Congress. I can at most promise to add another 5,000 caplock guns.”
Alexander I nodded: “Very well, perhaps I should wait until Voronzo finalizes the ceasefire terms before making a decision. In the anti, I need to write a letter to my dear sister.”
“Wait, Your Majesty.” Of course, Lord Hawkesburg didn’t know that the person in Paris most eager to see Alexander abdicate was the Crown Princess of France. He compromised, “I can report this matter to London. But I estimate that military aid funding will not exceed 150,000 pounds.”
The Tsar smiled and nodded: “Coincidentally, the ceasefire negotiations will also take so ti.”
…
A week later, at the negotiation table in Milan, Voronzo again changed his stance and outright demanded the unconditional signing of the ceasefire agreent, threatening to withdraw from negotiations otherwise.
Watching the Russians leave arrogantly, Count Saigul angrily waved his fist and said, “This is a threat and insult to all Security Organization mber states! We absolutely cannot accept such terms!”
Representatives from various countries imdiately followed up, angrily denunciating, “Russia must pay for their arrogance!”
“There must be no compromise with the Russians!”
“Stop the negotiations and see who will regret it first!”
Once the commotion was settled, Saigul turned around to et with Voronzo.
He feigned anxiety and asked, “Why have you suddenly beco so assertive?”
“This is a decision of the Military Committee, and I am also sorry.”
“Alright.” Saigul “struggled” a bit and then pulled the Russian aside, “Please tell His Majesty the Tsar that if your country stops supplying military materials to Britain, Riga will not require inspections. I will also persuade the Common Market mber countries to grant you most-favored-nation treatnt, even sending a reinforcent fleet towards the Black Sea!”
Voronzo did not expect that Russia, defeated on the battlefield, could still play both sides in negotiations.
He imdiately stated that he might not withdraw from negotiations yet and would try to fight for sothing within his country.
…
Saint Petersburg.
The British Foreign Minister was practically going mad.
He had already received news that those damned French were not accepting Russian surrender but outright bribing the Russians!
Indeed, as soon as Alexander I received the news from Milan, he had soone “quietly” leak it to Lord Hawkesburg.
Fortunately, London’s reply arrived just in ti, with William Pitt Junior deciding to spare no effort to stop France’s Eastern European strategy, providing Lord Hawkesburg with more aid leverage.
“…That is the gist of it.” The British Foreign Minister bowed to the Tsar before speaking with emphasis, “Your Majesty, I have staked my own future on this matter. You must assure that all negotiations with France are imdiately interrupted.”
Alexander I adopted a serious expression: “Rest assured, I will never abandon the deep friendship between Russia and Britain!”
Previously, the British agreed to maintain a 900,000-pound loan, providing an additional 200,000 pounds in military aid to Russia and continuous supply support to Kutuzov until he “recaptures” all of Eastern Poland.
Moreover, the British promised to pressure Poland and the Ottoman Empire to end wars against Russia.
However, the British also increased certain demands, such as cooperation from Russia in future ground offensives against France.
…
In the negotiation hall of Marino Palace in Milan, Voronzo did not appear at all, instead sending an assistant to announce Russia’s complete withdrawal from the ceasefire negotiations.
The hall was imdiately filled with angry denunciations.
The Milan Foreign Minister slamd the table and said, “Milan will provide 2 million francs in military aid to Poland to help teach the Russians a lesson!”
The Prince of Parma stood up, “Our country will send 800 soldiers to Minsk.”
Other countries also expressed their positions, “Our country will provide 2 million francs in aid to Poland…”
“Modena’s soldiers will fight in Eastern Europe!”
“We must severely punish the Russians, our country will also send troops to Poland…”
Saigul did not expect such an unexpected gain. In just a few minutes, various countries promised Poland nearly 10 million francs in military expenses, over 3,000 soldiers, and a large amount of military supplies.
It could be said that even if France ceased aiding Poland, the enraged Northern Italian countries alone could support the Poles in fighting Russia for a year and a half.
By the roadside in the outskirts of Milan, Voronzo stood for over half an hour amid the Milan citizens’ curses and thrown dirt, never seeing the French negotiation representatives.
Finally, after the fifth urging from the guard, he regretfully boarded the carriage.
Only Sir Greg, who was sent to liaise with him, breathed a sigh of relief and began to lie in the carriage writing a report to William Pitt Junior.
…
Poland.
Southwest of Minsk.
Lieutenant Colonel Yanik, the deputy commander of the 12th Infantry Brigade of the King of Poland, peered through his telescope at the soldiers continually assaulting the Russian defense line on the distant high ground, frowning with irritation.
According to intelligence from the French Security Bureau, the Russians had already received their first batch of logistics supplies from the Baltic Sea, and more British transport ships would arrive in five days.
If he couldn’t breach Minsk by then, the Russian defense lines would beco even more solid.
He impatiently turned his head to the staff officer and asked, “Has that Sergeant Waldemar not arrived yet?”
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