In accordance with the instructions of Nicholas I, the British and French ambassadors to Russia immediately received a stern note from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warning them that collaborating with the heretics was a betrayal of Christ and would be punished in the most severe way.
In addition, an urgent order was sent to the Black Sea Fleet all night long. According to Nicholas I's order, the Black Sea Fleet must come out in full force to confront the British and French combined fleets head-on to demonstrate Russia's fearless momentum.
As a result, the situation along the Black Sea coast has naturally become increasingly tense, and a war seems imminent.
It's just that neither Russia nor Britain and France are really ready to turn against each other and start a fight. In a sense, Nicholas I's guess is right. Britain and France are just pretending, and sending fleets is just to cheer Turkey up.
, let Turkey strengthen its will to the end.
The so-called joint exercises were just a show, more of a situation. However, their purpose was basically achieved. Turkey had taken such a boost. After the British and French combined fleets arrived in Istanbul, the whole country was boiling.
Sudan, who had some egg shrinkage at one time, felt as if he had taken Dali Pills. His waist and legs no longer ached and he dared to stare at the polar bear.
More importantly, although the Russian side responded in a targeted manner and looked scary, the Russians did not really choose to have their own way. After a lot of arrogance, they returned to the negotiation table and seemed to be quite rational.
.
Anyway, Britain and France judge that Russia may not be ready for war, and they still intend to gain a vote at the negotiation table. Since we can talk, let's continue to have a good talk. Anyway, it is always good if we can use force.
After Nicholas I discovered that Britain and France were also willing to negotiate, he further believed that he had seen through their zoetrope and felt that Britain and France were just putting up smoke bombs to scare people. As long as he took a step to put pressure on the negotiating table, it might be possible.
Frighten them, and then the goal is achieved!
It should be said that both sides made correct predictions, but at the same time they both made wrong predictions. Both misjudged the other's psychology and thought the other was bluffing.
In this way, even if we return to the negotiation table, there will naturally be nothing to discuss.
Li Xiao personally went to Istanbul again, and after having a detailed discussion with David Leboeuf, he immediately discovered that the new negotiations would definitely not lead to results. The only purpose was to kill time, so he immediately returned to Bucharest to tell Al
Lexey and Demirit don't think too much, hurry up and get ready for war!
January 1853 passed so uneventfully. While Britain, France, Russia and Turkey were wasting time meaninglessly at the negotiation table, Wallachia's preparations for war also entered the final sprint stage.
First of all, the new volunteer army was officially announced as an army. The formation of this 40,000-person force can only be described as rapid.
In just two months, this army was fully equipped from scratch, as if it had grown overnight.
Not only did it form an army quickly, but more importantly, the combat effectiveness of this unit is not bad, and may even be stronger than the average Russian army. The main reason is that the officers of this unit are almost all veterans who have been on the battlefield.
Especially the officers, almost everyone has participated in more than one battle, and many of them are famous battle heroes.
The problem of strong officers is easy to deal with. Under the supervision of these elite officers, even serf soldiers can become extraordinary. What's more, most of the soldiers in the volunteer army are veterans who have been on the battlefield. They only need a little running-in to take shape.
Anyway, Leonid was very satisfied with his soldiers. At first, when Duke Mikhail sent him to the volunteer army, he was full of opinions. At one time, he didn't want to come at all. Later, Duke Mikhail gave him the order.
Strict orders ordered him to go, so he reluctantly took office.
He originally thought that his unit would be a ragtag group of stragglers. Who would have thought that on the first day he arrived in the new unit, he would receive an unexpected surprise. Almost all the officers from his original unit were transferred over. These officers who were advancing and retreating with him instantly
It made most of his resentment disappear.
Then when he discovered that all his soldiers were veterans, and their equipment was almost the same as that of the original troops, all his resentment naturally disappeared.
Instantly resurrected with full health, he immediately rolled up his sleeves and started working, retraining his soldiers and refining his tactics. He made use of every minute and every second, wishing that one day could be used as two days.
Normally Leonid should be happy and satisfied, and Duke Mikhail should be happy, but when he personally went to inspect the volunteers, he immediately found Alexei and Li Xiao and asked them to accuse him:
"Why is Leonid's army equipment so much worse than other volunteers? You are just blatantly fooling me!"
To be honest, Li Xiao and Alexei did not expect that Duke Mikhail was so angry because of this. If they had known earlier, they would have told the old man that it was completely unnecessary, because it had nothing to do with them!
"Duke, this is really not a distinction between us!" Li Xiao explained patiently, "It is a strong request from your nephew Leonid! He doesn't like new weapons!"
"Bullshit!" Duke Mikhail snorted coldly, not believing it at all: "How could Leonid be so stupid, showing off new weapons instead of using rags? Do you think I'm stupid?"
Li Xiao replied dumbfounded: "Of course you are not stupid, but I really don't know whether Leonid is stupid or not. Anyway, when we equipped his troops with new weapons before, he strongly opposed it and was very disdainful.
It was completely unnecessary, and he also said that Alexei and I were prodigal sons! Alexei, tell the Duke whether what I said is the truth!"
Duke Mikhail immediately turned to Alexei, who nodded quickly: "Andrei didn't lie, Leonid did say that."
Now Duke Mikhail suddenly became depressed, because he couldn't figure out why Leonid was so stupid? Couldn't he see the benefits of the new rifle? If it were him, he would definitely want the new rifle, the more
The better.
But looking at the expressions of Li Xiao and Alexei, it doesn't look like they were lying. And considering that his nephew does have a strange mind sometimes, it's possible to say this.
Duke Mikhail immediately sighed and said sadly: "Okay, I won't pursue this matter. But you must provide me with 100,000 of your new rifles. I will be of great use!"
Hearing this, Li Xiao and Alexey almost vomited blood. Not to mention 100,000 new rifles, they didn't even have 50,000!