The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1381 Why not add fuel to the fire and raise wages
Franz and Olga had just left the secret room of the throne room, the latter still with a blush of embarrassment on her face. They both knew that their biggest task at this time was to obtain an heir.

This was important to both of them, but especially to Olga, whose age had caused her to be criticized, a criticism that would have been more blatant if she had not been a Romanov.

A letter was placed on Franz's desk, it was a handwritten letter from Tsar Nicholas I. Olga was a little excited about the long-awaited letter from her homeland, but she also knew that she would not be mentioned in such official documents, so she leaned against Franz's side.

Franz did not avoid it either. After all, Olga was already the Empress of the Austrian Empire at that time, and given Nicholas I's personality, it was unlikely that he would mention anything other than official business.

After reading the letter from Nicholas I, Franz's face became solemn. Nicholas I wanted to drag Franz into the water, which was within the latter's expectations.

The Russian vanguard suffered a setback in Dobruja, and reinforcements and supplies from the rear have been slow to arrive, and now the country has reached the end of its rope.

It has to be said that the commander of the Russian vanguard was a tough guy. Even in such a desperate situation, he still did not choose to surrender, which somewhat subverted Franz's cognition.

By the standards of the era, the surrender of this Russian vanguard was blameless.

Franz also thought that Nicholas I's behavior was somewhat abnormal. Once the Austrian Empire joined the war, Russia would lose the opportunity to enjoy the benefits alone.

Even if Franz was willing to give up, the people and bureaucracy of the Austrian Empire would not accept it. Moreover, this opportunity to "eat alone" was something that Nicholas I had fought hard for.
But it may be precisely because of Nicholas I's character that the commanders on the front line chose to fight to the end.

Of course, it is also possible that Russia really cannot accept the loss of 50,000 troops. The loss of 50,000 standing troops would be a serious blow even for a behemoth like Russia.

But putting all this aside, the conditions offered by Nicholas I were attractive enough that Russia was willing to recognize Moldavia as the sphere of influence of the Austrian Empire.

Although it was just a big promise and although Ottoman land was used to bribe Austria, Franz felt that he could give it a try.

Olga felt a little unbelievable when she saw the content of the letter. After all, in her heart, her arrogant father seemed to never bow his head. It seemed that Russia was really in big trouble this time.

Olga instinctively wanted to speak, but she held back. After all, from what she had gotten to know Franz over the past few days, she knew that although Franz was gentle, he was not weak, or to be more precise, he was extremely tough in his bones.

Franz could clearly feel the changes in Olga's breathing and heartbeat.

"Smart woman. Don't worry, I won't leave my father-in-law to die. The alliance between Russia and Austria should be unbreakable."

"Is this what you mean?"

Olga tossed her hair and put her arms around Franz's neck.

"Of course it is true, and I hope it always is."

Dobruja, Ottoman front headquarters.

Olma Pasha was worried in the face of the favorable situation on his side. Young officers led by Ahmed Yilmaz kept asking for battle and demanded to completely destroy the Russian vanguard.

In fact, the Russians had been trapped in the makeshift fortress for more than a month. Olma Pasha had always adopted the strategy of "three missing one", but the Russians did not seem to give him face and had no intention of escaping. This gave Olma Pasha a headache. The top leaders of the Ottoman Empire unanimously believed that invading Russian territory would likely lead to the Austrian Empire joining the war to divide the Ottoman Empire's land.

Another consensus is that even with the support of Britain, the Ottoman Empire could not defeat the combined forces of Russia and the Austrian Empire.

Mejid's Tanzimat reforms greatly intensified ethnic and religious conflicts within the Ottoman Empire, leading to the rampant extremism.

Why was the original intention of the Tanzimat Reform to achieve national liberation, but ended up exacerbating conflicts?
Francis Bacon once said: "What is truly terrible is not the kind of erroneous thoughts that are difficult for everyone to avoid, but the fallacies and prejudices that are deeply rooted in customs and entrenched in the depths of people's hearts."

The Ottoman Empire's thousand-year-old traditional concepts were overturned overnight and would inevitably bring backlash. How could the son of a slave owner be willing to sit at the same table and share the same boat with the son of a slave?

In addition to the prejudices in people's minds, there is also the huge mountain of religion. The power of the Ottoman Empire's religion is unimaginable to later Oriental people. It is by no means a straw hut that can be destroyed in one breath.

Moreover, the so-called equality of Magid was not true equality. Non-Muslims still suffered from discrimination and oppression. Coupled with more defeats and foreign interventions than in history, the Ottoman family finally succeeded in angering everyone.

In addition, the remnant of Muhammad Ali's bad example is still eroding the entire Ottoman Empire, first in Najd and then in Tunisia. The Sultan's rule is no longer sacred and inviolable.

Olma Pasha and Queen Mother Shefkefza knew very well that once the Ottoman Empire declined, the Ottoman family would most likely follow in the footsteps of the Bourbon dynasty of France, or even be even more miserable.

After all, they knew very well that the rules of the desert were more cruel, and the loser might not even leave behind his bones.

However, Colin Campbell, the British army adviser sent to the Ottoman Empire, did not think so. General Colin Campbell, 58 years old this year, participated in the Valhorn Island Expedition, the Iberian Peninsula War, the Anglo-American War, fought against the natives in the West Indies, chased slave traders in Africa, and even invaded the Far East. He can be said to have made outstanding contributions.

Colin Campbell believed that this was the best chance to defeat Russia, so he kept urging Olma Pasha to take the initiative to attack the Russian army and fight a war of annihilation.

"This war of annihilation will bring ten years of peace to the Ottoman Empire."

The young officers of the Ottoman Empire highly agreed with Colin Campbell's words. To be honest, Orma Pasha was also very tempted by this. He even said that if he were not the commander-in-chief of the Ottoman Army, he would have chosen the same strategy as Colin Campbell.

However, in Orma Pasha's current position, he has a lot to consider. In order to prevent the worst situation from happening, he can only choose this frustrating way.

At this time, Orma Pasha's most trusted aide Zaganos had just returned from Istanbul and found him.

"Pasha, why don't you choose to attack?"

"Attack? Don't be ridiculous! Zaganos, you know that this country is in a critical situation! The Sultan is young, and the Queen Mother is a woman after all.

If the Austrian Empire is really involved, then this country will be finished!"

Olma Pasha complained bitterly about his friend still teasing him at this time, but Zaganos just smiled, showing his white teeth.

"Why not make the fire bigger?"