Chapter 1119: The Bold and Impetuous Paul I
As long as Russian troops appeared in Afghanistan, the British would react like a cat with its tail stepped on. They would drop everything and scramble to send forces to intercept them.
If Russia could bleed Britain dry in Afghanistan for a few more years, France's chances of victory in their eventual final showdown would naturally increase.
The Russian Foreign Minister was instantly overjoyed. He had expected the French to reject the plan without hesitation; after all, even he felt it was somewhat far-fetched. He hadn't expected the French Crown Prince to agree so readily.
This would be a monumental diplomatic achievement for him!
Count Ostermann nodded repeatedly. "You have made this plan even more perfect, Your Highness. I believe His Imperial Majesty will certainly concur with your perspective."
Joseph smiled and inclined his head in agreement. "I will have Archbishop Talleyrand proceed to the Ottoman Empire as soon as possible to negotiate the rights for our fleet to pass through the Bosphorus Strait."
Ostermann replied with a somewhat mysterious air, "Your Highness, perhaps in the future, your fleet will be able to pass through there at will—and that includes the Dardanelles."
Joseph narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
"The realm of the infidels shall be extinguished!" Ostermann declared. "His Imperial Majesty proposes that our two nations partition the Ottoman territories in the Balkans and Anatolia between us."
"Future generations, when they invoke the name of God, will remember the magnificent legacy we built in spreading the Holy Light!"
Joseph sighed inwardly. Paul I really was just as bold and impulsive as history suggested!
Seeing that Joseph didn't object, Ostermann continued, "Once your army lands in Syria, our nation will simultaneously launch an offensive from the direction of the Black Sea."
"The Ottomans are utterly incapable of fighting on two fronts. They will surrender quickly."
"Of course, the Austrians might have different opinions."
"But faced with the powerful combined forces of our two nations, they won't be able to change a thing."
"In fact, if you require it, our nation could launch an attack on Austria from the direction of Wallachia."
Joseph thought to himself that if Russia actually moved against Austria, France would likely have to send troops to defend Vienna.
No European nation wanted to share a direct border with Russia. If Russia were allowed to gain territory in Austria, there was no telling if the next Tsar might suddenly decide to cross the Rhine and declare war on France on a whim.
Nonetheless, he maintained an expression of great interest. "His Imperial Majesty is truly a rare strategic genius of this age!"
"In this way, our country would gain the Mediterranean, while you would secure the entire Black Sea. This would be a truly grand Crusade."
After their mutual flattery, he immediately shifted the topic. "However, considering we must commit a massive force to India, our war against the Ottomans might have to wait a few years to begin."
'Indeed, if Russia leaps into the Afghan trap, they won't have the national strength left to start a war in the Balkans.'
As for ten years later, when Russia might regain its strength and bring up the partition of the Ottoman Empire again?
First, Paul I would have to survive that long. In history, the Russian nobility would launch a coup in four years to dispose of this Tsar who loved making impulsive, half-baked decisions.
Once Count Ostermann finished discussing the Tsar's grand strategy, the ball was nearing its end. He then brought up a more casual subject. "Your Highness, His Imperial Majesty has also decided to invest one million rubles and relocate tens of thousands of people to fully develop the colony of Alaska."
Over a decade ago, Russia had sent an expedition to survey Alaska, but because the place was so desolate, they had never attempted large-scale colonization.
Only an eccentric Tsar like Paul I could make such a decision—Alaska was extremely remote from the Russian heartland, making effective governance impossible. Once the effort of development was finished, it would likely be swallowed up by either Canada or the United States.
However, Ostermann's next words piqued Joseph's interest. "His Imperial Majesty has granted the exclusive trading rights for Alaska to Count Bobrinsky."
Joseph took a glass of wine from a servant and gestured toward the Russian. "To the generous Emperor!"
Count Bobrinsky happened to be a partner in the Gemini Trading Company. If he held the trading monopoly for Alaska, it was essentially the same as the company holding it.
Aside from anything else, the fur trade in Alaska alone was worth over ten million francs annually.
Furthermore, there was another benefit: if French interests entered Alaska, France would never sit by and watch the Americans buy that 1.7 million square kilometers of land for a pittance in the future.
As the final dance of the ball began, Count Ostermann spoke very cautiously to Joseph. "Your Highness, you may have heard that His Imperial Majesty has been named the Protector of the Knights of Malta. His Majesty intends to send officials to manage the Order's headquarters and hopes to station a fleet there."
"You see, when we go to war with the Ottomans, this fleet could provide support. It could even join a combined fleet to resist the British threat."
This time, a glint of ice flickered in Joseph’s eyes.
This Tsar certainly had an active imagination, reaching his hands all the way into the Mediterranean.
He had forgotten who the true master of the Mediterranean was now. Even the British fleet had been forced to leave, yet a Russian fleet thought it could simply waltz in and take a slice of the pie?
Joseph couldn't help but chuckle, nodding his head. "Personally, I would be very happy to see more allied warships in the Mediterranean."
"However, I don't recall hearing that the Knights of Malta have a new Protector."
Talleyrand immediately interjected from the side, "If I remember correctly, such an appointment requires the Pope's personal signature. Ideally, a Cardinal should perform the investiture ceremony for him."
Ostermann was momentarily stunned.
The role of Protector of the Order wasn't strictly a religious office; it was usually held by high-ranking nobles—mainly to provide funding—but if one followed the rules strictly, it did indeed require papal approval.
However, His Imperial Majesty was Eastern Orthodox. How could the Catholic Pope ever agree to let him serve as the Protector of the Order?
Surely the Tsar couldn't be expected to convert just for this?
Joseph offered a very helpful suggestion. "How about this: His Imperial Majesty can send some officials first. I will have Archbishop Brienne write to the Pope to see if there is some room for negotiation."
"As for the warships, it would be best to wait until the Holy See confirms the appointment to avoid any unnecessary trouble."
Talleyrand added once more, "As you know, the countries surrounding Malta are all Catholic. His Highness is concerned they might cause a stir over this."
"Ah, thank you for the reminder. This is indeed the best option for now."
Joseph couldn't help but marvel inwardly. Religion was truly a useful tool at times.
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