Chapter 411: Chapter 405: The Ottoman Empire Compromises
In the grand hall, the Sultan Emperor of the Ottoman Empire, Abdul Majid I, magnanimously pardoned the Duchy of Moldova and the Duchy of Wallachia, leaving the envoys of both duchies utterly astonished.
"Merciful Your Majesty, your benevolence is as blazing as the sun..." The Moldovan Envoy immediately lavished praise on the Sultan, while the Wallachian Envoy similarly flattered the "benevolence" of Abdulmejid I in the style of the Moldovan Envoy.
The ministers and the Emperor present exchanged knowing smiles in response to the flattery from the Moldovan and Wallachian Envoys.
After the two envoys finished their sycophantic praises, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire spoke again in a soothing tone: "The fact that the Grand Dukes of your two countries went through the trouble of sending you here to explain the course of events proves your countries’ loyalty to the Empire.
This loyalty is something money cannot buy! If the Russian Empire even covets such money, then you hand it over to them! All that matters is that you continue to remain loyal to the Ottoman Empire!"
"Rest assured! Even if we are forced to join the Russian camp, our hearts will still be with the Ottoman Empire!" The envoys of both duchies repeatedly assured the Ottoman Sultan.
"In that case, I feel relieved!" Abdul Majid I smiled, then lightly clapped his hands. Six dancers dressed in belly dance costumes with black veils on their faces appeared in the palace, each holding a delicately carved small box.
"Your Majesty, what is this..." The Moldovan Envoy asked in confusion.
"Open them!" Abdul Majid I authoritatively ordered the dancers holding the small boxes.
The dancers came before the envoys of the two duchies and opened the boxes, revealing sparkling gold bricks and dazzling sapphires to the envoys’ eyes.
"The two gems in the box are gifts from me to your Grand Dukes, while the two gold bricks in the other box are gifts from me to you." Abdul Majid I’s voice resonated from the throne to the ears of the envoys.
"Your Majesty, these gifts are simply too extravagant! We simply dare not accept them!"
Despite the Moldovan Envoy’s righteous declaration to Abdul Majid I that he would definitely not accept the Sultan’s gifts, his gaze never left the gold bricks in the dancers’ hands.
Judging by the appearance and thickness of the gold bricks, they ought to weigh at least 2 kilograms each.
The gifts presented by Abdulmejid I were undeniably lavish.
However, both the Moldovan and Wallachian Envoys understood that the more precious the gifts, the harder the tasks they would be required to perform.
"Accept them! If you don’t, I’ll have someone throw all these things away!" Abdul Majid I responded domineeringly: "There is absolutely no chance of anything I’ve given away being taken back!"
"In that case, shall we accept them?" The Wallachian Envoy, unable to resist the temptation, looked at the Moldovan Envoy and asked.
The Moldovan Envoy also swallowed and said, "Let’s accept them! Let’s accept them!"
"That’s more like it!" Abdul Majid I laughed heartily, and the ministers and envoys in the palace laughed along.
"Your Majesty, what would you like us to do?"
Having accepted the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire’s gifts, the Moldovan Envoy naturally needed to understand how he could assist the Sultan.
"I hope you can, upon returning, truthfully report on the number, units, and equipment status of the Russian troops stationed in the Duchies of Moldova and Wallachia! We need detailed information about these troops!"
It’s embarrassing to say, but the Russian Empire had been stationed in Wallachia for half a year, yet the Ottoman Empire still hadn’t figured out the types of forces and exact numbers of the Russian Imperial Army. The arrival of the envoys from Moldova and Wallachia provided the Ottoman Empire a better understanding of the Russian Empire!
"Yes!" The Wallachian Envoy immediately responded.
Given that the Russian Imperial Army was stationed within Wallachian territory, obtaining the information the Ottoman Court desired could be achieved with some effort.
"It would be best to also have the list of Russian Empire’s agents who have infiltrated the Ottoman Empire’s territories! I want to know who is colluding with Russia in an attempt to destroy the Empire!" Abdul Majid I suddenly remembered Valerovsky had once told him, the Russian Empire had sent agents to contact rebels within the Ottoman Empire, and he exclaimed with a fierce anger.
"Your Majesty, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain the list of agents, but I assure you, I will do my utmost!" The Moldovan Envoy replied to Abdul Majid I.
"As long as you diligently serve the Empire, your merits will not be forgotten by me!" Abdul Majid I nodded slightly to the envoys of the two duchies.
Abdul Majid I then discussed with the Wallachian Envoy whether there had been any recent movements of the Russian Imperial Army, such as the transportation of large logistical supplies to Wallachia!
After receiving a negative response from the Wallachia Duchy, Abdul Majid I breathed a sigh of relief.
From the current situation, it seems impossible for the Russian Empire to initiate a large-scale military mobilization.
Before every military mobilization, there must be adequate preparations, otherwise, they would face the embarrassing situation of being unable to sustain logistical support.
If it were the era of cold weapons, this situation would merely be a matter of sustenance.
Just like the Mongolians, who would plunder along the way, in the age of firearms, bullets, solid shells, and grapeshot are the key elements of a war.
Since the Russian Empire is not executing large-scale logistical mobilization, they can’t possibly start any action either.
Honestly, the Ottoman Empire court is also puzzled by the current actions of the Russian Empire. The negotiations have already collapsed, and the threat of war has been issued, yet the Russian Empire has not begun their action, which indeed seems quite incomprehensible.
After inquiring the envoys of the two duchies about many matters related to the Russian Empire, Abdul Majid I ordered his attendants to escort these envoys out of the court and find a place for them to settle.
After the envoys left, Abdul Majid I gradually withdrew his broad smile and, adopting a dignified expression, said: "Minister Aifendi, how was my performance just now?"
"Your Majesty, you did very well! There was no sense of incongruity throughout!" Fuad Effendi said, bowing towards Abdul Majid I.
"Excellent!" Abdul Majid I also nodded at his own perfect performance and then, showing a contemptuous expression, said: "Those two fools and their Grand Duke behind them are still thinking about finding a balance between the Empire and Russia, they don’t even realize what time it is!"
"You’re absolutely right! Those who attempt to play both sides will surely face severe punishment!" Fuad Effendi nodded in agreement to Abdul Majid I.
At this point, Abdul Majid I’s face showed an unnatural expression, as if he had been harshly pinched.
After a while, Abdul Majid I spoke again, asking: "Minister Aifendi, in the coming questions, I hope you can answer truthfully!"
"Your Majesty, please ask!" Fuad Effendi responded to Abdul Majid I with a serious expression.
"Does the Empire really need to cede the Danube Duchy in order to survive?" Abdul Majid I asked with a stern expression.
Fuad Effendi was silent for a moment and then reorganized his words to respond: "Your Majesty, whether the Ottoman Empire retains the Danube Duchy does not depend on the Ottoman Empire itself, but on the French Empire. If the French Empire wishes for the Ottoman Empire to continue holding the Danube Duchy, then the Danube Duchy can remain within the Ottoman Empire.
If they think the Danube should not stay with the Ottoman Empire..."
At this point, Fuad Effendi said no more, believing that Abdul Majid I understood what he intended to convey.
"So, does this mean we should prepare for the loss of the Danube Duchy?" Abdul Majid I spoke without any emotion, as if stating something irrelevant to himself.
"I can only say that we should be prepared for its loss..." Fuad Effendi affirmed with a determined tone.
"Alas!" Abdul Majid I sighed, got up, glanced at the portraits of the past monarchs hanging behind him, and shook his head.
The reason Fuad Effendi advised Abdul Majid I to relinquish sovereignty over the Danube Duchy was because of a conversation two days ago.
The conversation was between Valerovsky and Fuad Effendi.
Two days before the Danube Duchy reached Constantinople, Valerovsky received a telegram from France.
The content of the telegram was about the agreement reached between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire.
The telegram detailed the allocation plan regarding the Danube Duchy between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire and instructed Valerovsky to persuade the Ottoman Empire to accept this decision.
Faced with the demand from Paris which was akin to giving away something generous, Valerovsky could only brace himself to accept it.
Summoning Fuad Bey Effendi to the embassy, Valerovsky explained the current situation to Fuad Effendi and emphasized the importance of aligning with the Austrian Empire.
After hearing Valerovsky’s opinion, Fuad Effendi agreed with him greatly and asserted that he would persuade Abdul Majid I to accept this condition.