I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1138 People Who Dislike the Tsar

The cold spring rain in St. Petersburg pounded incessantly on Fuchs's carriage. Each pattering sound intensified his irritation.

His assistant, unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere any longer, cautiously broke the ice: "Sir, we haven't come away empty-handed. Ah, for example, we've learned that the Russians are mobilizing large quantities of supplies..."

Fox interrupted him with a dark expression: "They want to go to war with the Ottomans, which is something every Tsar would do. Are you suggesting I use this to explain myself to His Excellency the Prime Minister?"

The assistant shrank back, not daring to utter another sound.

Just then, the carriage suddenly slowed down, and the attendant beside the carriage knocked on the window, pointed to a black carriage in the rain, and said to Fox, "Sir, there is someone there who wants to see you."

A moment later, when the man outside the car folded his umbrella, Fox immediately showed a surprised expression: "Count Zubov? Oh, please come in."

Then, he gave his assistant a wink, and the latter quickly got up and got out of the car.

The carriage started moving again.

Fox pushed a cup of hot tea toward Zubov: "It's really unexpected to meet you here."

“I’ve been waiting for you for a while.” Zubov wiped the rain off his face with a handkerchief and picked up his teacup. “Oh, this warms me up a lot. You’ve saved my life.”

In return, please allow me to tell you some news.

Fox knew that he must have something important to say by waiting for him in the rain on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, so he leaned forward slightly and said, "I'm really looking forward to it."

"Do you know where all the oats, tents, and gunpowder from Moscow and Novgorod have gone these past few months?"

Fox shook his head.

“Orenburg,” Zubov said quickly, “His Majesty the Tsar’s envoy is holding peace talks with Alisha. In fact, they are preparing to forge some kind of alliance.”

Fox's expression instantly turned serious.

After confirming that Russian influence had withdrawn from the South Caucasus, Britain immediately stopped aiding Persia, not expecting the Russians to fill the strategic gap so quickly.

Combined with the fact that Orenburg is stockpiling supplies, it is clear that Russia intends to use Persia as a route to launch an attack on Afghanistan.

Once the Russian army occupies Kabul, their next objective will be obvious.

At that moment, he suddenly felt that the absurdity the Russian Tsar had previously displayed was likely all an act, intended to lull Britain into a false sense of security so that he could secretly gather forces and launch a surprise attack on India.

"Is everything you're saying true?"

“Of course, I can swear in the name of God.” Zubov, holding his teacup, leaned forward. “General Nikolai Bakhov has already gathered more than 20,000 Cossack cavalry, and they will be on the move within three months. The war will be personally overseen by Count Kutaisov.”

Fox was startled, but then narrowed his eyes: "Why are you telling me this?"

Zubov grinned dryly: "You're my best friend, aren't you?"

He certainly has no connection with Fox News; he's here today because he's embroiled in a political crisis.

Paul I's withdrawal from Persia wiped out his brother's military achievements, but that was the least of his worries.

With Russia and Persia now in the midst of peace talks, Valerian Zubov, who had previously wreaked havoc on the Persian army, became the biggest obstacle. To appease the Persians, he was likely to be dismissed from his post.

In fact, Paul I had long disliked Zubov, his "stepfather" who was younger than himself, and was taking this opportunity to severely weaken the power of the Zubov family.

Previously, Zubov had tried to persuade Paul I by joining forces with military leaders such as Suvorov, but the Tsar unexpectedly sent him back to his hometown of Konchanskoye.

This visit by the British Foreign Secretary gave Zubov a last glimmer of hope.

“Yes, we are best friends.” Fox, a seasoned diplomat, nodded sincerely and then looked at Zubov. “So, do you think our country should resume providing support to Persia?”

Zubov smiled and said, "I heard that you are trying to persuade His Majesty the Emperor to turn his attention to the West. Then you must completely thwart his unrealistic ideas in the Far East."

What is your suggestion?

"General Bakhov will pass through Khiva and enter Afghanistan along the northern border of Persia. He certainly won't be on very high alert along the way."

"If a Persian army were to launch a sudden attack, he would have no choice but to retreat."

"Then the Persian army can launch an attack on Georgia. You know, the forces in the South Caucasus are currently weak, and they can easily achieve victory."

“You don’t even need to provide the Persians with any support; you just need to persuade them to take action.”

Zubov's goal was simple: to show the whole of Russia that the situation in the Caucasus would become a mess after his brother's troops withdrew from the country.

At that time, he could launch a public opinion campaign, such as "for the security of the eastern Black Sea coast" or "to wash away the humiliation inflicted by the Persians," and Valerian Zubov would most likely regain military power and continue the war against the Persians.

Fox was all smiles: "Your friendship is the most precious thing I have in St. Petersburg."

This time, his words came from the bottom of his heart. Zubov's appearance allowed him to successfully complete his trip to St. Petersburg.

……

Paris.

The Crown Prince's motorcade stopped in front of an inconspicuous little courtyard on the east side of the San Antonio district. The owner of the courtyard saw the emblem of a golden iris and a dolphin and hurriedly led all his servants and staff out to greet them.

Joseph got out of the car and continued to instruct Leroy, the president of the French Academy of Sciences: "Bring all kinds of equipment, including a complete set of chemical experimental equipment, a printing press, an astronomical telescope, and so on. I will have the navy allocate two transport ships for you. If that's not enough, just let me know."

“Yes, Your Highness, I guarantee that the scientific equipment will be very complete.” Leroy bowed, then said somewhat uncertainly in a low voice, “Is there really so much worth studying there? Ah, I mean, the Egypt described in the books is just an uncivilized wilderness.”

“No, no, you mustn’t succumb to prejudice,” Joseph shook his head. “Egypt has a great history, a wealth of practical crafts, and most importantly…”

Leroy quickly replied, “Geological exploration. I will draw the top experts from the Geological Institute of the University of Paris, Your Highness.”

Seeing that he still seemed somewhat unconvinced, Joseph smiled and said, "Do you know 'Egyptian Blue'?"

“This… I have never heard of it, Your Highness.”

"It's a dye extracted from water lilies. It has a very beautiful color, but the cost is very low. Just a small fraction of what you get from this is enough to cover all your expenses for this trip."

(End of this chapter)