I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1346 Playing Both Sides
Vorontsov sent the new French terms back to St. Petersburg overnight.

A few days later, Alexander I received the report and immediately convened his ministers for discussion. As Vorontsov had predicted, the majority of the opinions supported continuing the armistice negotiations.

After the meeting, Prince Bagration, who was always pro-British, immediately informed the British Foreign Secretary of the news.

Lord Hawkesburg was extremely anxious when he learned that the French were going to make a desperate attempt to win over Russia. He immediately requested an audience with the Tsar and sent people to London to ask for more leverage.

The Winter Palace.

Alexander I squinted at the British: "You mean, a low-interest loan of £90, and three months' worth of ammunition and supplies for Kutuzov's army?"

Lord Hawkesburg nodded: "This includes 1 of the latest model percussion caps."

The Tsar leaned back in his chair and smiled. "As you know, our country's finances are in dire straits due to the war with France. Oh, to a large extent, we entered the war at your country's request."

He raised his hand to interrupt the British Foreign Secretary who was trying to explain: "So, if the war is to continue, I would like to convert one-third of this money into grants."

He had realized that the British were extremely reluctant to see Russia and France reach a reconciliation, so he was determined to seize this opportunity to extract the most benefits.

Lord Hawkesburg's face darkened, and he cursed the Russians inwardly for their insatiable greed.

But he immediately thought of the serious consequences of not being able to obtain supplies from Russia. Not to mention that the Navy's current large-scale shipbuilding program, which is of utmost importance, relies on Russia for as much as 35% of its timber, the inability to obtain grease and rope from Russia alone would drive the Admiralty crazy.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, such a large-scale financial aid will certainly not pass through Parliament. At most, I can promise to add another 5 muskets."

Alexander I nodded: "Very well, perhaps I should wait until Vorontsov has finalized the terms of the armistice before making a decision. In the meantime, I need to write a letter to my dear sister."

“Wait, Your Majesty.” Lord Hawkesburg, of course, was unaware that the person in all of Paris who most wanted Alexander to step down was the French Crown Princess. He conceded, “I can report this to London. But I estimate that the amount of military aid will not exceed £15 at most.”

The Tsar smiled and nodded: "It just so happens that the armistice negotiations will also take some time."

……

A week later, at the negotiating table in Milan, Vorontsov changed his tune again, demanding an unconditional ceasefire agreement or he would withdraw from the negotiations.

Watching the Russians' arrogant departure, Count Segur angrily clenched his fist and shouted, "This is a threat and an insult to all member states of the security organization! We absolutely cannot accept such conditions!"

Representatives from various countries echoed the sentiment, declaring, "The Russians must pay the price for their arrogance!"

"We must not compromise with the Russians in any way!"

"Stop negotiating and see who regrets it!"

Having set the tone, Segül immediately arranged a meeting with Vorontsov.

He feigned anxiety: "Why have you suddenly become so tough?"

"This is a decision made by the Military Commission, and I am also very sorry."

“Alright.” Segur hesitated for a moment, then pulled the Russian back, saying, “Please tell His Majesty the Tsar that as long as your country stops supplying military supplies to Britain, the Riga checkpoint will not be necessary. I will also persuade the Common Market member states to grant you most-favored-nation status. I might even send a reinforcement fleet to the Black Sea!”

Vorontsov never expected that Russia, despite suffering a crushing defeat on the battlefield, would be able to win both sides in the negotiations.

He immediately suggested that they could stay in the negotiations and try to appeal to the domestic authorities.

……

St. Petersburg.

The British Foreign Secretary was absolutely furious. He had received word that those damned French weren't accepting Russia's surrender at all; they were bribing the Russians!

Yes, after receiving the news from Milan, Alexander I immediately had it "secretly" leaked to Lord Hawkesburg.

Fortunately, a timely reply came from London: Pitt Jr. decided to stop France's Eastern European strategy at all costs, giving Lord Hawkesburg more leverage for assistance.

“…That’s roughly it.” The British Foreign Secretary bowed to the Tsar, then emphasized, “Your Majesty, I have already risked my future for this matter. You must assure me that all negotiations with France will be immediately suspended.”

Alexander I put on a serious expression: "Please rest assured, I will never abandon the deep friendship between Russia and England!"

Just now, the British agreed to provide Russia with an additional £90 in military aid, on top of the existing £20 loan, as well as continued supplies to Kutuzov until he "recaptures" all of eastern Poland.

In addition, Britain pledged to pressure Poland and the Ottoman Empire to halt their war against Russia.

However, the British also added some demands, such as Russia cooperating with Britain in launching a ground offensive against France.

……

At the negotiation venue in the Marino Palace in Milan, Vorontsov did not appear in person, but sent his assistant to announce that Russia had completely withdrawn from the armistice negotiations.

An angry outburst of rebukes erupted in the hall.

Milan's foreign minister slammed his fist on the table and declared, "Milan will provide Poland with 200 million francs in military aid to help them teach the Russians a lesson!"

The prince of Parma then stood up: "Our country will send 800 soldiers to Minsk."

Other countries also expressed their support: "Our country will also provide Poland with 200 million francs in aid..."

"The soldiers of Modena will be fighting in Eastern Europe!"

"The Russians must be severely punished, and our country will also send troops to Poland..."

Segur hadn't expected such an unexpected gain. In just a few minutes, various countries provided Poland with nearly ten million francs in military spending, more than 3 soldiers, and a large amount of military supplies.

It could be argued that even if France stopped providing aid to Poland, the Polish people, fueled by the anger of the northern Italian states, could fight Russia for a year and a half.

On a roadside on the outskirts of Milan, Vorontsov waited for more than half an hour amidst the curses of Milanese citizens and the constant throwing of mud, but he still did not see the French negotiators.

Finally, after the guards urged him for the fifth time, he boarded the carriage with some regret.

Only Sir Grey, who had been assigned to liaise with him, breathed a sigh of relief and began to lie down in the carriage to report to Little Pygmalion.

……

Poland.

Southwest of Minsk.

Lieutenant Colonel Yannick, deputy commander of the Polish Royal 12th Infantry Brigade, frowned with some annoyance as he watched his soldiers relentlessly charge the Russian lines on the distant high ground through his binoculars.

According to intelligence from the French security services, the Russians have received the first batch of logistical supplies from the Baltic Sea, and more British transport ships will arrive in five days.

If Minsk cannot be breached before then, the Russian defenses will become even stronger.

He turned his head impatiently and asked the staff officer:
"Hasn't Sergeant Waldemar arrived yet?"

(End of this chapter)