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

Chapter 1660 John Russell's Determination

However, many courtiers actually placed their hopes on the British, who, at this time, were considering whether to spare no effort in participating in this war of life and death.

"Tsar Nicholas I of Russia is a tyrant who calls himself the gendarmerie! His ambitions are boundless, and if we cannot stop him this time, he will only want more next time!"

Russia's presence has already disrupted the balance of power in Europe, and if they were to gain control of the Near East, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The speaker at this moment was John Russell. Although he and Palmerston had always been at odds, they shared a very similar view on dealing with Russia.

They all firmly believed that Russia was Britain's biggest rival, and that allowing Russia to expand unchecked would sooner or later lead to the collapse of the European and even the international order.

However, with the Holy Alliance still in existence and the French attitude unclear, these remarks did not have as many supporters as expected, and were even met with boos from opponents.

"Lord Russell, are you trying to drag Britain back into war and then destroy it?"

Despite facing criticism, John Russell, who had experienced many ups and downs, remained quite calm.

"Gentlemen! Ask yourselves, would you like to see the Ottoman Empire annexed by Russia? Imagine if the Russians controlled the Bosphorus Strait, then their army could freely enter and exit the Mediterranean Sea."

The Russians will directly threaten our interests in the Mediterranean and completely drive Britain out of the Near East.

George Hamilton Gordon, however, did not think so; he had no desire to fight the Holy Alliance in the Near East.

"My Lord, I think you should know better than us how corrupt and incompetent the Ottoman Empire is. It's like a patient with epilepsy, who could lose control of his limbs at any moment."

Is this internally divided, financially depleted, and uncontrollable "sick man of West Asia" really worth such a great sacrifice from us?

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gladstone echoed this sentiment.

"Our domestic economic crisis is not over yet, are we going to launch another war that will cost astronomical sums?"
The combined armies of Russia and Austria number nearly two million, while their total population exceeds one hundred million. Faced with such a behemoth, do we really have a chance of victory?

A Whig MP immediately stood up to retort.

“Mr. Gladstone, do you mean we should stand by and watch Russia trample on the lives and rights of the weak and innocent?”

Where is the honor of our British Empire? Where is our responsibility as a world superpower? Can't you see the voice of the people?

Moreover, it's not like we British haven't defeated enemies far stronger than this! At its peak, the Napoleonic Empire had over 1.3 million people, and the Qing Dynasty in the Far East had over 4 million. What is the Holy Alliance compared to that?
They were nothing more than two corrupt and decadent feudal states!

Sir James Graham, First Lord of the Navy, said.

"This is completely different. What makes Britain strong is its navy, while the Holy Alliance has only a small stretch of coastline. We cannot possibly defeat such a large army on land."

Moreover, defeating these two land powers would require venturing deep into the interior, which would be a disaster for our logistics.

What if the Russians resorted to scorched earth tactics again? That would undoubtedly be a bottomless pit. And attacking the Austrian capital would require traversing mountains and rivers.

Are we really prepared to face such a brutal war? The Secretary of War, Henry Pelham Faines Pelham-Clinton, the 5th Duke of Newcastle, was very displeased with the First Lord of the Admiralty’s statement, but he was helpless because his military strength and power were too weak.

"That's right! Honor and morality can't put food on the table! Why should we bear the responsibility for the whole world? Wouldn't it be better to let the Holy Alliance annex the Ottoman Empire and then watch them fight like dogs?"

Why should we help the Ottomans solve their own problems? Will our efforts earn their gratitude?
Putting aside this unnecessary sentiment of helping others, why don't we join the Holy Alliance in dividing up the Ottoman legacy?

The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, is the only truth in this world!

Although the congressman spoke very bluntly, his words resonated with people in this era and immediately won him applause.

John Russell, however, didn't see it that way; he even felt a pang of sadness. He couldn't help but think to himself, "How did this kind of scum become a congressman?"

"You bunch of short-sighted fools!"

John Russell unconsciously swore, perhaps because he had been suppressing it for too long, so he didn't realize it and continued speaking.

"Do you think the Holy Alliance is just about dividing up the legacy of the Ottoman Empire? Let me tell you, the Austrians have been digging the Suez Canal for a long time. Do you think the Austrians are just digging an ordinary waterway?"
I'm telling you, they're digging up your graves!

After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Suez Canal will be opened, and no matter how much we invest, the Suez Canal will fall into the hands of the Holy Alliance!

At that time, the Holy Alliance will break free from our shackles, and they will have access to the Indian Ocean from the Mediterranean Sea, directly to our lifeline in the Indian Ocean!
This would undoubtedly be the greatest threat to the British Empire since the Anti-French War! The Holy Alliance might even facilitate another shift in the center of world trade; how would you all react then?

This time, Parliament remained silent, and the consequences were too severe for anyone to bear.

Only George Hamilton Gordon stubbornly insisted.

"But we lack allies and sufficient strength. This is an indisputable fact. Even a gambler like Napoleon III did not place his bet. Should we venture into the Near East with such an unclear enemy situation?"

"Can't we safeguard the interests of the British Empire in a safer way?"

"The Prime Minister is right. The fact that the French are backing down precisely shows that this war is extremely risky. We should consider this carefully and bring in as many allies as possible before making any plans."

"That's right! The Ottomans took so much money and equipment from us, they should do something about it!"

George Hamilton Gordon's views were very popular in Britain at the time, given that Britain's situation was far from good.

John Russell reiterated.

"Your Excellency, the greatness of the British Empire should not be built on the support of others; we should trust in and rely on our own strength."

It is an undeniable fact that we possess the world's most powerful navy, and we can curb Russia's ambitions and prevent anything from happening in the first place!
If we back down, the whole world will see us as a paper tiger. Releasing the Mediterranean nations out of the Mediterranean is a price we cannot afford.

Furthermore, Your Excellency, shouldn't we ask you why we lack allies? Is it your hesitation that has led to a lack of confidence among our potential allies?