I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1188 Bargains and Asking Prices

Inside the British Embassy in Russia, Foreign Secretary Lord Hawkesburg stared grimly out the window: "These Persians are all useless. The Empire gave them so much aid, and they couldn't even last two months!"

Charles Whitworth, the ambassador to Russia, poured him a glass of wine: "Clearly, Mirza thought he was still dealing with a good-for-nothing like Zubov."

"I have also heard that Erkel II is on his deathbed and may be planning to annex Georgia into Russia."

Lord Hawkesburg tilted his head back and downed the wine in one gulp, saying angrily, "This has completely ruined my plans. I have to prepare more chips to feed the greedy Russians."

He originally planned to use Persian interests to gain Russia's participation in the European war after Russia's war in the Transcaucasus became stalemate, but he did not expect that Gudvich would fight so smoothly.

Whitworth took the empty glass and asked, "So, Poland or the Balkans? Hmm, it should be Poland."

Lord Hawkesburg nodded. "Yes, Poland. I need to go to Vienna as soon as possible. If the Russians take Poland on their own, it won't be a bargaining chip."

……

Paris.

Palace of Versailles.

Grand Prince Constantine of Russia, accompanied by the newly appointed Foreign Minister Count Vorontsov, presented Joseph with his credentials:
"Your Highness, Tsar Alexander Pavlovich has asked me to convey his sincerest respect to the Bourbon family: 'The sun at Versailles melts the ice fields of Karelia, and every Russian is inseparable from the elegance and civilization of France.'"

May God bless the great 'Savior from Suffering' and the 'Son of God'.

"His Majesty the Emperor desires that Paris and St. Petersburg, based on a sacred marriage, forever link their destinies closely together, and trust and cooperate without reservation."

Joseph had already discerned the new Tsar's unspoken message from this lengthy opening.

He responded with a standard diplomatic smile and a nod: "Your Highness, please convey to His Majesty the Tsar that my father and I have never forgotten our closest partners in Eastern Europe."

After exchanging pleasantries, Joseph invited the two Russian envoys to sit down, and Constantine, with a straightforward smile, looked at the Russian Foreign Minister standing to the side.

Count Vorontsov coughed lightly and said, "Your Highness, we all know that the European continent is likely to face a period of turmoil."

He gestured toward the letter of state: "His Majesty the Tsar, based on the great friendship between our two countries, promises you that our country will never provide assistance to any alliance against France, nor will it consider participating in any war in Central or Western Europe. Furthermore, it will ensure the stability and continuation of Franco-Russian trade."

Joseph was surprised that the Russians would take the initiative to "choose sides," but he showed no delight, simply nodding in agreement. Alexander I was an ambitious and opportunistic man, and his "choosing sides" was certainly not so simple.

Sure enough, Count Vorontsov continued, “Your Highness, His Majesty the Tsar hopes that you can assist our country in restoring effective control over the island of Malta. You know, that was a gift that Tsar Paul received from the Knights of Malta.”

Joseph sneered inwardly; Alexander I really had the nerve to use his father's name for diplomacy.

However, he simply said calmly, "I would be happy to see it happen."

If the Russians want to expand their influence into the Mediterranean, they are welcome to try—even if France doesn't intervene, the Ottoman and Italian states, including Naples, will not stand idly by.

At that time, it will be a matter of whether Russia dares to risk sending its Black Sea Fleet into the Mediterranean – the Ottoman Navy would certainly be very willing to fill the power gap in the Black Sea.

Vorontsov smiled. "Thank you very much for your understanding. Furthermore, His Majesty the Tsar has noted that in recent years your country has cooperated to some extent with the Ottomans, for example, by helping them fight against the Mamluks."

"Our country has a very deep-seated hatred with the Ottomans. If you can sever ties with Constantinople, it will further promote our friendship and mutual trust."

Joseph nodded again.

The Russian continued, "Based on this, at some appropriate time in the future, our marines plan to land in the Levant. This may require you to provide appropriate logistical support. Of course, our country will also pay the full amount."

"You see, His Majesty the Tsar marched to the south bank of the Danube, while you won the war against Prussia and Austria. Isn't that fair?"

The Levant lies in the eastern Mediterranean, and a landing there would allow for a direct attack on the Ottoman defensive midfield. For Russia to cause trouble here, it needed France's tacit approval—at that time, the Mediterranean was essentially a "pond" in France's backyard.

The situation is now very clear: Alexander I's apparent "choosing sides" is actually a ruse to set a price.

If Russia doesn't support the anti-French coalition, it has to accept his exorbitant demands.

Joseph listened attentively and nodded frequently: "You are absolutely right. I will certainly give His Majesty the Tsar's suggestion serious consideration."

Yes, Russia's demands are high, but they are not so easy to meet.

The Russian fleet, wanting to enter the Mediterranean, certainly couldn't pass through the Bosphorus Strait—the Ottomans would have to be crazy to allow it. Therefore, the only option was to travel via the Baltic Sea, across the Atlantic, and through the Strait of Gibraltar to reach the Mediterranean.

Such a large-scale troop movement over long distances requires extensive preparation, and it would take at least a year to reach the Mediterranean after circling around the entire continent.

If the European theater remains stagnant, it wouldn't matter if Russia meddles in the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire is so vast; Russia couldn't possibly conquer it in less than a decade.

Two days later, Joseph hosted a grand farewell dinner for the Russian envoy to celebrate the remarkable diplomatic achievements reached by both sides.

Princess Alexandra of Russia did not attend. She now harbored intense hatred for Alexander I and therefore did not wish to dine with his envoys.

After Joseph saw off Grand Duke Constantine and Vorontsov, he returned to his own palace and saw his younger brother Charles whispering something to Camellia.

When Charles saw his brother return, he hurriedly turned around and bowed, then winked at Cameria before leaving with his head down.

Joseph watched his retreating figure and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with him?"

The maid smiled and shook her head: "I promised His Highness I would keep it a secret."

Joseph then looked at her with his blue eyes with a "resentful" gaze.

“Alright, alright.” Cameria couldn’t handle it at all and immediately “confessed,” “His Highness Charles came to borrow money from me. He originally wanted to borrow from the Crown Princess, but as you know, she hasn’t been feeling too well lately.”

"Borrow money? How much does he want to borrow?"

“30 francs,” Cameria said, pointing to her collar. “So I can change this to gold.”

(End of this chapter)