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

Chapter 1801 Treaty of Constantine
Ancient Canaan truly deserved its promise of flowing milk and honey. It was once a region with thriving agriculture and animal husbandry, especially for the local ancient people who survived in the desert.

But how could a crossroads of civilization not be a battleground?
First came the repeated struggles between the Crusaders and the Arabs, and then it was ruled by the Ottomans for hundreds of years. Canaan had long since transformed from the Promised Land into a forgotten land.

It must be said that the Ottoman Empire truly lived up to its reputation as the "Sick Man of Europe." Apart from the few decades of Suleiman the Magnificent's reign, it was not a place for a single person to stay.

Of course, this does not mean that Suleiman the Magnificent truly improved the lives of the local people; on the contrary, the amount of forced labor under his rule was the heaviest in history.

However, the situation was relatively stable during Suleiman's time, and the large-scale construction projects did indeed boost commerce to some extent, and even led to a brief increase in population.

However, in the later years of his reign, political corruption increased, and local separatist forces began to stir. After Suleiman the Magnificent's death, local Pashas and large landowners gradually seized power in the regions.

Soon these families became like warlords, levying exorbitant taxes and even sending troops to fight each other.

The Ottoman government chose to turn a blind eye, ignoring what those families did as long as they paid their taxes.

Even worse, in order to maintain their rule and prevent the emergence of a single dominant power, Ottoman envoys often instigated local conflicts.

Faced with raids by nomadic tribes, the Ottoman Empire remained indifferent, caring only about local tax revenue.

It was precisely because of the inaction of the Ottoman government, coupled with the fact that various families fought their own battles, that the local security situation deteriorated rapidly.

At first, the nomads only dared to attack lone pilgrims and civilians, but gradually they became more daring to attack caravans and large groups of pilgrims. After getting a taste of success, they even dared to attack villages and relay stations.

The chaos and the start of the Age of Exploration led to a sharp decline in local trade routes, along with the destruction of local agriculture.

Large tracts of farmland were abandoned due to raids by nomadic herders and heavy taxes. The decrease in merchants led to reduced yields of cash crops, further impoverishing the region.

The ensuing collapse of infrastructure led to the destruction of numerous irrigation systems established during the Roman era, and roads fell into disrepair due to years of neglect.

After hundreds of years of Ottoman rule, the local population was reduced from 250 million during the Byzantine period to less than 30 at this time.

Not long ago, there was a war between Turkey and Egypt. Muhammad Ali can be considered a great ruler in the Arab world, but his rule was also known for its harshness.

All of the above factors combined to create the forgotten land we know today, but the Austrian Empire's demands were met with strong opposition from the Ottoman Empire.

This time, Alma Pasha was really getting restless. It wasn't that the Canaan region was so great, but Jerusalem, as the third holiest city, held a pivotal position in the Islamic world.

(The three holy cities of Islam are Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.)
After Olma Pasha's impassioned speech, General Makarov deliberately coughed twice, which startled him so much that he quickly changed his words.

"We've already ceded enough territory, even the capital. What more could you possibly want?"

Olma Pasha paused and then said.

"Ceasement of Jerusalem would be a betrayal of hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world, and even the Sultan has no right to do so."

“No Muslim has such a right.”

Olma Pasha added.

"Hundreds of millions? That's a lot!"

Lord Haberscu said with a cold laugh, "The Austrian Empire has always been very attentive to intelligence work on hostile countries, and he naturally knows that the other party is just bluffing."

Is the Austrian Empire going to declare war on the entire Islamic world?

Olma Pasha wanted to escalate the conflict between nations to the level of a clash of civilizations, a statement that Lord Habescu naturally wouldn't accept.

"Your country is suspected of attacking our Empress's carriage. What should be done about this?"

Olma Pasha knew the other party was talking nonsense, but unfortunately, his fists were indeed not as big as the other party's.

Now it was the Ottoman Empire's turn to be troubled, since any answer seemed to be wrong at this point. A hardline approach wouldn't work, but a weak one risked the Ottomans taking further advantage.

Moreover, once the Ottoman Empire was burdened with this stigma, it would be difficult for it to shake off the blame.

Just as Olma Pasha was struggling with his decision, Lord Palmerston spoke up.

"It is really going too far to allow other countries to seize territory before it has been actually occupied."

Olma Pasha's eyes widened immediately; he didn't understand why Palmerston would say that.

Lord Habescu said with a disdainful look.

"Does war really have to happen?"

Olma Pasha's expression became even more awkward. If a real war broke out, the Ottoman Empire would be 100% indefensible, and might even suffer greater losses.

However, signing a peace treaty and ceding the Holy City? He really couldn't bear that responsibility. Not to mention him, a convert, even the Ottoman Sultan didn't have that right.

Olma Pasha swallowed hard and said.

"The issue of the holy city also involves many countries and many parties, such as France's interests."

At this moment, Alexander Corona Valevsky felt a chill run down his spine; he really didn't want to get involved in this mess.

The situation in France now is not much different from that of the Ottoman Empire; once something is on the table, it's considered a dish.

However, at this time the French government was heavily reliant on the church to win people's hearts, and Olma Pasha's words effectively put him in a difficult position.

Alexander Corona Valevsky was now somewhat regretful, as he had assumed that the six major sects would besiege Bright Peak.

The British invited many countries, but the problem was that no one dared to step forward and no one was capable of doing so.

"I'm asking you now! Don't change the subject."

Makarov's words, however, saved Alexander Kolona Varevsky from a difficult situation; at this point, he harbored deep hatred for the Ottoman Empire.

It would indeed be troublesome to let the Austrian Empire control the Holy City, but given Wallewsky's understanding of the Austrian Empire, they would not do something so foolish.

Of course, if the Austrians did this, then France would have another reason to go to war with the Austrian Empire.

He just didn't know when these reasons for starting a war would come in handy.

"This matter has far-reaching implications, and I need to consult with my superiors."

Olma Pasha was truly at his wit's end; this job was simply impossible to do. He could only privately discuss with the Austrian Empire's ambassador whether they could exchange land from other regions or reparations for the task.

However, Lord Haberscu could not possibly win, since the conditions had been negotiated between Austria and Russia.

If the Austrian Empire chose to relinquish its claim voluntarily, then it would be none of Russia's business.

Moreover, the Ottoman Empire simply couldn't afford the price at that time, and the Austrian Empire could only receive some worthless checks that couldn't be cashed.

Palmerston actually thought it was a good thing that the Austrian Empire occupied the land near the Holy City, because the Holy City was a powder keg, and those superstitious feudalists loved to fight over it. The ownership of the Holy City was naturally the best pretext for war.

Furthermore, the Holy City was an exclave of the Austrian Empire, and it would not be easy for Austria to fully incorporate it into its territory.

Moreover, most of the Canaan region is now wasteland, which to some extent can drag down Austria's economy.

In conclusion, Palmerston felt that it was acceptable for the Austrian Empire to receive the Canaan region, excluding the Sinai Peninsula.

As for the Sinai Peninsula, which is connected to the Suez Canal, the British certainly didn't want it to fall into Austrian hands.

However, Olma Pasha had no desire to do such dirty work and dared not offend Britain.

Thus, a reformist leader was pushed forward. Mehdi, as a thorough reformer, had long wanted to separate the European part of the Ottoman Empire, but he dared not make a decision on the issue of the Holy City.

Although Mehdi disliked religion and even despised the so-called Ulimahs, he could not deny the power of religion in the Ottoman Empire at that time.

Fortunately, the Austrian Empire proposed a middle ground: international co-management. However, this only applied to a specific area of ​​Jerusalem, but it was still a concession to all parties involved.

The problem with the Ottomans was also easily resolved by changing the cession to a lease (99 years).

Mehdi readily agreed to the Austrian Empire's conditions, but the Ottoman Empire itself had very little control over the Canaan region and could only rely on the Austrian Empire to make its own demands.

Palmerston's plan completely fell through. Whether or not he could seize the Sinai Peninsula depended entirely on the strength and mood of the Austrian Empire, and he knew the outcome without even having to think about it.

If the local nomads had actually repelled the Austrian Empire's army, they might as well have organized a gang and wiped out the Austrian Empire.

With the land divided, what remained was reparations. Britain was required to pay a total of £1000 million in war expenses and losses.

The Ottoman Empire fared much worse, as they were required to pay a total of 20 billion florins in reparations to the Holy Alliance nations.

It was merely a formality, as the Ottoman Empire couldn't afford to pay it back anyway. Therefore, the Ottoman Empire needed to use 30% of its annual customs revenue to repay interest.

Furthermore, the Ottoman Empire was required to completely emancipate slaves, completely prohibit slavery, and achieve equality of power among all ethnic groups.

The final terms of the agreement are as follows:
1. The Ottoman Empire ceded Eastern Rumelia, the region east of the Merich River in Eastern Thrace, and Constantinople to Russia.

2. The Ottoman Empire ceded East Macedonia to the Kingdom of Greece.

3. The Ottoman Empire leased the Canaan region to the Austrian Empire for 99 years.

4. The Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles Strait will be permanently open to all ships (including warships) of all countries, both in peacetime and wartime.

5. The Ottoman Empire must dismantle all fortifications and coastal defenses, and is prohibited from charging tolls to ships along the route.

6. ① Russia will be designated as the "sole legal protector" of Russian Orthodox Christians within the Ottoman Empire.

② Greece will be designated as the "sole legitimate protector" of Greek Orthodox Christians within the Ottoman Empire.

③The Austrian Empire was designated as the "sole legal protector" of Catholics within the Ottoman Empire.

④ Britain was designated as the "sole legal protector" of Protestants within the Ottoman Empire.

7. The number of Ottoman army personnel shall not exceed 20.

8. The Ottoman Navy was not allowed to possess warships of more than 3000 tons, and no more than 20 offensive vessels of more than 1000 tons were permitted.

9. The Ottoman Empire must immediately cease all acts of enslavement and is prohibited from purchasing slaves.

10. The Ottoman Empire was not allowed to determine its own customs tariffs; any changes required the consent of the Holy Alliance and Great Britain.

11. Austria and Russia enjoy permanent most-favored-nation status.

12. Austrian and Russian missionaries enjoyed the right to preach freely in the Ottoman Empire.

13. ① Britain is required to pay the Austrian Empire £450 million in war reparations, the Russian Empire £500 million, and the Kingdom of Greece £50, to be paid off within ten years.

②The Ottoman Empire was required to pay the Holy League a total of 20 billion florins, to be settled over 50 years.

14. 30% of the annual customs duties of the Ottoman Empire were to be used to pay interest first.

15. The Holy Alliance was required to return prisoners of war to Britain within five years.

This marked the complete end of the Near East War, and Britain's losses were undoubtedly devastating.

Except for a small number that surrendered to Russia, the vast majority of the new Mediterranean fleet was captured or sunk by the Austrian Empire, and the entire fleet was completely dismantled.

More than half of the navy's personnel were killed in action, while the survivors were all sent to Russia.

Nicholas I naturally wanted to learn something from these people, after all, he had always wanted a powerful navy.

Nicholas I asked Franz for people, and Franz was naturally happy to oblige. To be honest, Franz was too lazy to keep these British men around.

The £350 million in reparations from the British weren't enough to support this group for ten years, so what could they do?

Of course, these British men had to be made to support themselves. At this point, the Austrian Empire was no longer afraid of Britain, and the British prisoners of war no longer needed to be treated like royalty.

British prisoners of war, like Ottoman prisoners of war, would perform hard labor to earn a living. Although it was hard labor, the working conditions and wages were still better than those of their previous jobs.

Of course, spiritual pollution/spiritual baptism is still indispensable. A few days ago, the Prussian side captured two bearded men who had been driven out by the British.

The Prussian authorities quickly transferred them to Vienna through the Confederation system. Franz couldn't let the two of them be idle, so he simply had them preach to the prisoners of war.

As for how much of what those prisoners of war could understand, that was entirely up to fate.

Franz actually wanted to keep the two of them in Vienna to debate, since some things become clearer through debate.

However, the reality is that some people don't like reasoning; they prefer talking about "physics." For their safety, Franz decided to send them to a labor camp to preach.

The Austrian Empire was always very tolerant of academics, and real fallacies and heresies were everywhere. As a result, the two men's theories did not cause much of a stir.

The labor camps did not mistreat the scholars; on the contrary, they were responsible for their protection and care.

As for the British officers, most of the prominent figures and nobles were immediately sent back by Austria.

Even the lower-ranking officers were not required to perform hard labor; they had relatively easy jobs. Some of the more unruly ones were imprisoned.

Once the British reparations arrive, these people will be sent back first.

The situation was quite different for the Russians, who were still keen to win over the British. The Russian government wanted both officers and soldiers to remain in Russia permanently.