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

Chapter 1680 Nicholas I's Revenge
After the ceremonial meeting ended, Nicholas I waited until everyone had left before bursting into laughter.

Nicholas I's fingers gently traced the unfolded map, his palm landing on the location of Constantinople, as if he could already feel the pulse of that city.

The Romanov family's centuries-old dream, the glory of the Third Rome, the sacred mission of the Patriarch, an outlet to the sea that never freezes, and hegemony over the Black Sea.

Everything that was once out of reach is now within reach. He has been preparing for this day for a long time, and all of Russia has been waiting for it for far too long.

Nicholas I lay sprawled on the conference table, waving his limbs wildly, a sense of unprecedented satisfaction welling up within him.

Suddenly his body stiffened, and Nicholas I suddenly remembered something—Neserlov was dead.

Regardless of his abilities, the fact that Neserlov served as Russia's Foreign Minister for over thirty years demonstrates the deep trust Nicholas I placed in him.

An indescribable emotion instantly enveloped Nicholas I's heart, a mixture of sadness, anger, and a hint of surprise.

Nicholas I did not actually believe that the Ottomans would dare to assassinate his minister, which is why he was so angry.

"No, this must have been done by the British."

Nicholas I remarked to himself that his idea was largely due to Franz, who had never stopped revealing the "truth" about Britain.

Unlike in history, Nicholas I now viewed the British government in a very poor light. Although the British wanted to change Nicholas I's opinion, simply having a monarch in name only was considered an unforgivable crime in the Tsar's eyes.

No matter how hard the British tried, they couldn't get Nicholas I out of his stereotypes about the British government; in fact, their efforts often backfired.

Nicholas I was known for his vengeful nature, and he wouldn't let Neserlov's death go unpunished. He then summoned Prince Lyubey.

"The British assassinated our Foreign Minister, and we Russians must retaliate!"

Nicholas I's words made Duke Lyubay's eyes widen.

"Your Majesty, we have no evidence."

The Duke of Lyubey's discouraging words infuriated Nicholas I.

"Idiot! How could an assassination leave evidence? Does Special Third Division leave a note after every operation?"

Duke Lyubey understood that Nicholas I was in a bad mood, and there was no point in saying anything now; he just had to listen obediently.

"Yes, ma'am, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Just as Duke Lyubey was about to turn and leave, Nicholas I called him back.

"Remember to make it clean."

"clear."

Duke Lyubey nodded in agreement. Nicholas I waved his hand and said...

"Go."

Neserlov, as the last influential traditional politician in Europe, may not necessarily have had a bad outcome for Russia. In fact, Neserlov's abilities were quite limited; although he was diligent throughout his career, his contributions to Russian diplomacy were minimal.

He lacked foresight and judgment of the situation, and often his judgments about the future would in turn influence the Tsar and the judgments of Russia as a whole.

Historically, this old gentleman's judgments were consistently wildly wrong. Fortunately, he had Nicholas I as a scapegoat, otherwise he would have truly ruined his reputation in his later years.

Neserlov was politically extremely conservative and also very weak. He always had endless fantasies about the British, so he always seemed rather unwise when facing them.

Despite being a diplomat who frequently came into contact with foreign affairs, Neserlov opposed all reforms and new things, and on the issue of serfdom, he was even more reactionary than Nicholas I.

The Straits Convention, advocated by Neserlov, has a high historical reputation, but for Russia it was a complete loss.

He believed that if Russia laid down its guns, Britain and France would become friends with Russia. Little did he know that Russia would also relinquish its own rights while laying down its guns.

However, his death at this time was just right for Nicholas I, giving Russia a legitimate reason that no one could deny.

Nicholas I had decided to give Neserlov a grand funeral, but now everything took a backseat to the recapture of Constantinople.

Istanbul.

Although the Ottoman Empire had not yet received Nicholas I's strong diplomatic statement, almost all Ottomans knew that the Russians would not give up easily, and their appetite was far more than just the life of an assassin.

However, Queen Mother Shevkefza was still very interested in the peace talks and reparations proposed by the British. The Ottoman nobles, bureaucrats and Ullimas also supported peace talks and reparations.

After all, the money comes from the sheep. Since they are not sheep, whoever is willing to pay can pay. They might even be able to take advantage of the situation. Why not?

As long as they have money, power, and property, they will always be superior to others. Even the Russians always need someone to help them rule over the common people; it's just a matter of converting to a different religion.

However, Murad V would not allow Russia to hollow out the Ottoman Empire, so with the help of Afdalpasha, he began to unite radicals within the Ottoman Empire and spread the message of fighting to the death.

Murad V even praised Zabtiye, who killed Neserlov, as a hero of the Ottoman Empire, and the young man named Omarta became an idol admired by many.

Omarta was upgraded from the Water Tower Prison, which initially held serious criminals, to the Pera Hotel (at that time, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world), which was used to house important figures.

Although Omarta could not leave his room, he enjoyed a life he never dared to imagine before. He was served by servants every day, and had plenty of lamb chops, fermented fruit juice, and opium. He even had a brand-new uniform and an entire bathroom.

Everything made Omarta feel like he was in a dream. Even though he might not live much longer, he was fearless under the influence of high concentrations of opium.

Many people would visit him outside the hotel, calling his name, and some would even ask him to demonstrate the stick technique he used to kill the Russian.

Omarta meets with her fans on her balcony every day and demonstrates her "secret techniques".

Initially, Murad V's unruly behavior led Viscount Stratford to consider deposing the Sultan. However, after a strongly worded and exaggeratedly assertive diplomatic statement arrived in Istanbul, Viscount Stratford's attitude underwent a complete 180-degree turn.

Compared to Nicholas I's recklessness, Viscount Stratford suddenly felt that Murad V wasn't so crazy after all, and even seemed to have some foresight.

The Russian ultimatum was so barbaric that it extinguished the last vestige of peace in Viscount Stratford's heart.