"I would like to hear your opinion!"
Minister Russell asked with a calm yet authoritative tone, smiling at Canning for his views.
Canning instantly realized that this forr Pri Minister, now Minister of Foreign Affairs, already had his own ideas. The reason for politely asking for his opinion was probably to add so persuasive power when reporting to Lord Aberdeen.
So Pri Minister Russell... no, it should be Minister Russell’s attitude towards the French Empire that is the most crucial elent!
Grasping the essence of the matter, Canning carefully pondered Russell’s attitude towards the French Empire during his tenure as Pri Minister, convinced that a competent politician would not change their governing philosophy just because of a different position.
Those who can beco Pri Ministers are often the most obstinate people!
Canning suddenly recalled a "rumor" he had heard from a civil servant.
During Russell’s ti as Pri Minister, the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Palrston, had a eting with a secret envoy from the French side. After that eting, both parties seed to have reached so form of agreent.
Perhaps the rumors were true? Did Minister Russell indeed have any agreents with France?
Canning had a vague judgnt in his heart and held a mindset of trying to take a guess.
"Your Excellency, I personally believe that the Ottoman Empire High Gate issued this order based on the consideration of the French Fleet!" Canning cautiously probed.
"Oh?" Minister Russell uttered an intrigued "oh" and then said, "Please, continue."
"In terms of overall power in the diterranean, the United Kingdom is undoubtedly the first!" Canning began with a bit of self-praise, then continued, "The fleet anchored in Marseille Port, though much weaker than ours, is still a formidable force. I believe that with the strength of France’s own fleet, it is sufficient to annihilate the Russian Imperial Navy in the Black Sea Region as well as the Ottoman Empire’s fleet!"
The French Empire’s fleet in the diterranean Region did indeed cause so concerns among the Francophobic individuals in Britain, but overall, it still couldn’t threaten Britain’s mariti hegemony.
Regarding the French Empire’s naval power, Canning felt more of a sense of vigilance rather than hostility.
Only when the French Fleet’s strength is seventy percent of the United Kingdom’s, and possesses qualified naval personnel, would the United Kingdom take the French Navy seriously.
Currently, the United Kingdom is fully capable of winning at sea against the joint forces of the world’s second (France) and third (Russia) powers.
"What attitude do you think Britain should adopt in this arbitration?" Russell posed a tricky question to Canning, a question that should have been within Russell’s scope of contemplation.
"I believe the Kingdom of Britain’s best approach is to remain unchanged and respond to all changes!" Canning answered to Pri Minister Russell.
Translated, this ans that Britain does not need to do anything in this upheaval.
Russell’s mouth slightly upturned, Canning’s response was exactly what Russell had in mind.
Even so, Minister Russell still wanted to inquire why Canning had this thought.
"Your Excellency!" Canning shrugged, pointing his index finger to the map of Europe hanging behind Russell and said, "The Russian Empire will absolutely not allow this kind of thing to happen; they will definitely act! Whether from military or diplomatic levels! Once they start taking action, the whole of Europe will have to get moving! At that ti, it wouldn’t be too late for the United Kingdom to consider entering the scene!"
"Very good!" Minister Russell applauded and praised Canning’s answer: "Mr. Canning, you are a qualified diplomatic envoy! Britain is proud to have an envoy like you!"
"You flatter !" Canning still maintained a modest smile on his face.
"Could you please put the content we just discussed into a report and submit it to ?" Minister Russell asked Canning in a tone that seed consultative but was actually a command.
"Of course!" Canning naturally had no power to refuse Russell’s task.
"Alright! Mr. Canning, I suppose you must be very tired from returning to London by ship from Constantinople! I will not keep you here any longer!" Minister Russell politely issued a dismissal order to Canning.
"Your Excellency, take care!"
Canning got up and left the Minister’s office, leaving Russell alone in thought.
After a while, the Chief Permanent Secretary and the Special Secretary entered the room, sitting in their respective positions to assist Minister of Foreign Affairs Russell in handling foreign-related docunts.
The office was filled with the sound of leafing through docunts, and after an unknown period, Minister Russell, in a state of contemplation, spoke again: "When will the Minister of Internal Affairs arrive?"
The Chief Permanent Secretary and Special Secretary simultaneously paused their work, exchanged a look, and then the Special Secretary stood up from his workstation and reported to Minister Russell: "Your Excellency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ schedule does not include a eting with the Minister of Internal Affairs!"
"Then add it!" Minister Russell said to the Special Secretary with a strong stance.
"Yes!" The Special Secretary cautiously asked, "Do you know when you would like to et with the Minister of Internal Affairs?"
"Now! Imdiately!" Minister Russell emphasized with a harsh tone.
"I’ll arrange it for you right away!" The dedicated secretary didn’t dare to delay a mont and quickly left the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ office.
The chief executive secretary, feeling uneasy, organized the docunts carefully, afraid of incurring Minister Russell’s displeasure over a small mistake.
This period still belonged to the age of nobility; civil servants hadn’t reached the apex of their power, so they had to cautiously kneel at the feet of noble ministers, following their orders.
About half an hour later, the dedicated secretary returned to the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ office to report to Russell: "Your Excellency, Lord Palrston, the Minister of Internal Affairs, is arriving soon!"
Minister Russell gently nodded, waiting for Palrston’s arrival.
Ten minutes later, the door of the minister’s office sounded again, and the dedicated secretary near the door quickly stood up to open it.
Lord Palrston, the Minister of Internal Affairs, stood outside the door.
"Your Lordship!" The dedicated secretary respectfully bowed to Palrston.
Facing a dedicated secretary without a title, Palrston rely nodded slightly.
Sitting in the minister’s seat, Russell also stood up to greet Palrston when he saw him.
Palrston and Russell, once "enemies," now managed to coexist harmoniously in a third party’s cabinet.
"Co! Let’s talk inside!" Russell invited Palrston to the inner room for a discussion.
Before the two entered the inner room, Russell specifically ordered the chief executive secretary and the dedicated secretary to leave the minister’s office.
Watching the executive and dedicated secretaries close the office door, Russell and Palrston then entered the inner room and closed its door.
Sitting on a black wool-padded sofa, Russell first opened the cigar box on the table, took out a cigar for Palrston, and lit it for him.
He then took out another cigar and lit it for himself. Monts later, the entire room was as hazy as an "immortal realm".
Palrston and Russell began discussing the matter concerning the Ottoman Empire.
"You must be quite aware of the Ottoman Empire’s situation! I won’t elaborate too much!" Minister Russell said to Palrston.
"I’ve roughly understood the situation! Napoleon III of the French Empire really is quite restless!" Palrston spoke with a hint of sarcasm, having no particular liking for Jero Bonaparte despite supporting an alliance with France, though he bore no malice either.
However, France’s actions this ti indeed displeased Palrston sowhat.
"Indeed!" Russell nodded empathetically and said, "His Majesty the Emperor always promotes peace in Europe, yet it seems he is the least peaceful of all!"
Palrston took a deep puff of his cigar, then exhaled a cloud of smoke audaciously, saying, "The situation is now very clear, the Russian Empire will absolutely not let this matter slide! They will undoubtedly take action!"
"I think so too!" Minister Russell nodded once more in agreent with Palrston’s view: "The question is whether the Russian Empire will resort to military ans or diplomatic maneuvering!"
"I estimate they are likely to do both! To take military action and at the sa ti diplomatically pressure the Ottoman Empire while courting the United Kingdom!" Palrston replied to Minister Russell.
Then, a trace of disdain crossed Palrston’s lips: "Our Pri Minister is quite soone who leans towards the Russian Empire! Who knows what kind of agreent the Kingdom of Britain might reach with the Russian Empire!"
"Indeed!" Minister Russell sighed and said, "Now the entire cabinet, except for a few ministers, is predominantly close to the Russian Empire! Not to ntion them, even those outside Downing Street are the sa!"
What Russell referred to as those outside Downing Street was the London press circle.
Since the establishnt of the French Empire, the British press have always held a certain hostility towards the French Empire. To curb the French Empire, they are even willing to compromise with the Russian Empire.
After recognizing the threat from the Russian Empire to Britain’s interests in the Near East, Palrston and Russell chose to ally with the French Empire against the Russian Empire.
"In the end, our Pri Minister is hardly a competent statesman! He just sways along with public opinion!" Palrston continued his unreserved critique of Lord Aberdeen.
"Now, we are a Foreign Affairs Minister and a Minister of Internal Affairs, yet have no decision-making power over national policy; all authority is concentrated around Aberdeen and his allies!" Russell sought to form another alliance with Palrston.
"Indeed! For Britain’s sake, we must do sothing!"
Palrston likewise subtly expressed his desire for an alliance.
Reviews
All reviews (0)