The State Secretary who rushed in said in a panic: "Your Majesty, Prince Menshikov has sent an urgent letter. The Turkish side has officially rejected our request and officially announced the end of all negotiations on Bulgaria, saying that its sovereignty and dignity are not enough."
Allowed to be violated!”
Count Kleinmicher really didn't think there was any need to be so panicked by the news, because it was almost the consensus of the entire Russian government to teach these infidels a lesson in a showdown with Turkey, and the war was probably settled.
What's more, all the army generals are impatient and wish to start fighting as soon as possible. What's all the fuss about?
Nicholas I also had the same idea. He felt that the State Secretary was really startled and lacked any determination and tolerance. He was also flustered over such trivial matters. It seemed necessary to replace him with a new State Secretary.
However, the two monarchs and ministers were immediately taught how to behave, because the State Secretary immediately said: "Then almost at the same time, the French and British ministers to Turkey issued public declarations, claiming that they would do everything possible to safeguard Turkey's legitimate rights and interests.
Warn us to pull back from the brink!”
Well, this news is a bit interesting, but it doesn't require a fuss. After all, Britain and France have warned many times before, and any warnings are just pretentious.
Nicholas I directly expressed his contempt with a chuckle, but before he could express his "high opinion", the State Secretary continued: "According to the report of Prince Menshikov, the British and French fleets have arrived in Istanbul.
We will immediately launch military exercises with the Turkish Navy in the Black Sea!"
Well, now Nicholas I finally changed his mind, because 10,000 diplomatic rhetoric is no better than actually sending warships for a stroll. Britain and France sent fleets to Istanbul at the same time, and they also had to carry out military operations with Turkey in the Black Sea.
Exercise, the amount of information displayed here is too great.
It was so big that even he had to be cautious. After all, Turkey had not conducted any form of military exercises with Britain and France before, and no British and French fleets could openly appear in the Black Sea.
Two exceptions were broken at once. This signal is too strong!
After a moment of reflection, Nicholas I immediately asked: "Are there any other situations?"
It seems that he was also annoyed that the Secretary of State did not finish what he said, for fear that Britain and France would take action later. But this time, after he finished speaking, the Secretary of State immediately said that there was only so much news for the time being, and the reactions of Britain and France needed to be further observed.
However, these were enough for Nicholas I to drink a pot. He had to weigh it carefully and distinguish whether this was a bluff from Britain and France or a real last warning.
Of course, he personally prefers the former. After all, Britain and France have been bickering for too long. He probably feels that there is no use in continuing to bicker. He might as well send a fleet to scare him. If he can be frightened, everything will be fine!
It's just that Nicholas I was not someone who was easy to bluff. On the contrary, he was very stubborn and must do what he was determined to do. Even if Britain and France strongly opposed it, he would still try it.
He immediately ordered: "Please invite the Prime Minister, the Minister of War, Counts Rostovtsev, Uvarov, and Duke Ordov to have a meeting in the royal study immediately!"
After sending away the State Secretary, he turned to Count Kleinmicher and asked: "My friend, what do you think Britain and France want to do?"
Count Kleinmicher thought for a moment and replied seriously: "Intimidation!"
Nicholas I nodded heavily. He also thought this was intimidation. He felt that Britain and France should not have the guts to really fall out with him. After all, with Russia's current strong military power, at least on land, it has no rivals in Europe. Only the British Army
And how dare a cowardly French greenhorn dare to stab him!
So what is the best way to face intimidation? Nicholas I felt that even if he threatened to go back, he would also scare the British and French to let them know how powerful he was. But before doing so, it is still necessary to listen to the opinions of his ministers.
It's not that he thinks it's important, but that he thinks it's necessary to take a look at the true stance of these people.
Soon Neserrode and others were invited into the imperial study. To be honest, this caught them off guard. After all, they had only left not long ago. What happened?
When Nicholas I explained the whole story clearly, Neserrode breathed a sigh of relief and then immediately said: "Your Majesty, I think this is a dangerous signal. We cannot continue to risk war with Britain and France.
Extreme pressure is being exerted. Once something unexpected happens, the consequences are unpredictable! It’s too dangerous!”
Nicholas I was not surprised by Neserrodie's attitude. This old guy just liked to scaremonger, and he had always opposed extreme pressure and was always timid.
However, as soon as Neserrodie finished speaking, Chernyshev was the first to retort: "This is just a posturing by Britain and France. They do not have any land power in the Balkans and cannot affect the overall situation at all. Now they hope to use
Some broken boats scare us, but in the final analysis, they still dare not take action against us!"
Nicholas I nodded secretly in his heart, thinking that Chernyshev was worthy of being his minister of war, and he could see the truth of the matter at a glance.
Neserrodie was naturally unconvinced and immediately retorted: "Please note that Britain and France have never sent a fleet into the Black Sea before, nor have they conducted military exercises with Turkey. This is a clear signal that we cannot turn a blind eye to! Then he deceived himself and said
They dare not do anything!"
Just when Chernyshev was about to fight back, who would have thought that Nicholas I would get ahead of him and ask: "Prime Minister, how do you think we should respond?"
Neserrode replied without hesitation: "Stop the pressure, communicate with Britain and France through diplomatic channels, and try to resolve this issue peacefully!"
Needless to say, Nicholas I would definitely not accept this. He immediately glared at Neserrodie angrily and asked: "You mean, we retreated like frightened rabbits, and then like a cat that encountered a cat?"
Are you hiding in a mouse hole like a mouse and letting them laugh? What's the difference between doing this and directly announcing that we are timid? It's basically surrendering!"
Neserrodie could not explain. Nicholas I slammed the table angrily and roared: "Russia must not be so weak, it is simply embarrassing. In the face of threats, we must first stand firm and clear our position, and use the toughest attitude
Tell them that we are not afraid and cannot be scared! This is the attitude that Russia should have!"
Neserrodie was about to speak, but before he could speak, Count Rostovtsev spoke...