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Chapter 1344: The Open Scheme and the Milan Festival

London.

Sir Charles Grey, Assistant to the British Foreign Secretary, was enjoying his afternoon tea in the backyard when his butler approached swiftly, bowing deeply as he announced, "Sir, Mr. Clary has brought a stranger to see you."

Sir Grey frowned involuntarily. He detested having his leisure time interrupted by such rude individuals.

But when he glimpsed the nearly pure white liquid in his teacup, his desire to savor it vanished instantly. To cope with the soaring prices of tea leaves, even his afternoon tea had to be heavily diluted with milk, leaving it with almost no flavor.

He rose and gestured, "Have them wait for me in the drawing-room."

However, he soon reconciled himself to Mr. Clary's unannounced visit.

For the "French Merchant" the latter had brought imparted a crucial piece of intelligence.

"Are you certain the information is reliable?" he asked the Frenchman.

"I swear it upon God."

The "French Merchant," rubbing his hands with a fawning smile, prompted, "You see, that thousand Pound Sterling?"

"Five hundred Pound Sterling, at most."

"Then I'll have no choice but to sell it to Lloyd's of London. They've offered a thousand Pound Sterling."

Grey looked at Mr. Clary, and seeing him nod, immediately relented, "Very well then, a thousand Pound Sterling. But you are not to leave London until I can confirm this information."

If even Lloyd's of London was willing to pay for this information, it undoubtedly meant it was true.

The "French Merchant" nodded. "Quite reasonable, Sir.

"Specifically, the negotiations are scheduled for the 10th of next month in Milan. Judging by the current attitude displayed by the Russians, they are extremely eager to conclude a truce with Paris..."

The next day.

Sir Grey and Lord Hawkesbury, the Foreign Secretary, arrived together at 10 Downing Street.

"That man's brother-in-law is an attendant to an official in the North Italy Liaison Office of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Grey reported to the Prime Minister. "Naval Intelligence has also confirmed that Saint Petersburg has been frequently dispatching envoys to Paris recently."

"You've done well," Pitt nodded, then turned to Lord Hawkesbury. "Why do the French insist on holding the negotiations in Milan?"

"Prime Minister," he replied, "I believe they intend to involve more nations, thereby exerting greater pressure on Russia."

In reality, even if Joseph had told them he was involving so many nations in the negotiations simply to slow the process and provide Britain with an opportunity to 'intervene,' the British would still send people to obstruct Russia, just as he desired.

Because it was an "Open Scheme."

Britain could never stand by and watch Russia fall into France's embrace—after all, Britain was extremely reliant on Russia for its raw materials and markets.

Nor could the British government anticipate that, even if Russia and France signed an agreement targeting Britain, the Russians would still do business with Britain at all costs through smuggling.

Pitt continued, "What compromises do you believe Saint Petersburg will be willing to make?"

"That's difficult to ascertain," the Foreign Secretary said. "Currently, Russia's situation is dire. Kutuzov's army has not received timely logistical supplies and is forced to defend itself in Minsk.

"Polish forces have already surrounded a 3,000-strong Cossack corps in Vilnius, and the battle could conclude at any moment.

"The situation in Transcaucasia is equally grim.

"It's rumored that an Ottoman army suddenly attacked southwest of Tabriz, numbering at least 50,000 men. If this intelligence proves true, the Russian army will likely withdraw from the Georgian region within two to three months. You know that would leave the garrison in Zanjan without any logistical support."

Pitt's brows furrowed deeply. "So, even if the French demand an interruption of Baltic Sea trade, the Tsar would likely accept?"

"It could be even more severe," Lord Hawkesbury replied. "For instance, a Franco-Russian alliance could form, declaring war on our nation. Both countries, after all, have marital ties."

Pitt looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath. "Good heavens, we must prevent such a situation from arising."

He instructed the Foreign Secretary, "First, we must help the Russians fend off the Polish army's offensive. You are to depart immediately for Saint Petersburg and offer the Tsar a loan, along with essential military supplies.

"Concurrently, send envoys to mediate the Russo-Polish War. You can promise the Poles certain benefits, as long as it buys us time.

"As for Persia, utilize our existing network of contacts to encourage them to reach an armistice with Russia."

The Foreign Secretary cautiously reminded him, "Prime Minister, this will likely require a substantial investment of funds."

Whether it was aiding Russia or enticing Poland and Persia, Pound Sterling would speak the loudest.

"I know," Pitt nodded resignedly. "You may make your own decisions within the limit of one million Pound Sterling. Furthermore, I grant you the authority to allocate supplies for the Baltic Sea and the Middle East."

He wasn't entirely certain if one million Pound Sterling would suffice, but with domestic prices soaring and the financial situation being precarious, this was the absolute limit of foreign aid Britain could offer.

...

February 10th, 1800.

Milan.

Colorful flags fluttered everywhere in the streets and alleys, and music was incessant.

From time to time, foreign diplomatic retinues, dressed in various attires, would pass through the streets, escorted by honor guards. Milanese citizens would immediately gather to watch the spectacle, and sometimes, gratuities would be tossed from the carriages, instantly eliciting cheers.

Anyone unaware of the circumstances would surely assume a major festival was being celebrated.

However, the reality was simply that the member states of the Mediterranean Security Organization were about to hold armistice negotiations with Russia there.

Yet, for the various North Italian states, this was more exhilarating than any festival—this time, they were the victorious nations, accepting the request for an armistice from mighty Russia.

Moreover, Paris's message was clear: they were all free to propose their own terms!

In truth, they would willingly pay to experience the sensation of dictating terms to a great power, just this once.

Milan, in particular, was celebrating as if its own army had routed the Russians, having begun its festivities days earlier.

When Count Segur, Deputy Minister of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Milan, the revelry reached its zenith.

In the square outside Palazzo Marino, diplomatic representatives from various nations followed Count Segur, striding towards the negotiation hall with high spirits and energetic resolve.

The immense respect France demonstrated for the member states of the Security Organization on this occasion further strengthened the organization's internal cohesion.

Soon, negotiating representatives from each nation took their seats in succession along the sides of the long, red-carpeted table.

Moments later, Russia's Foreign Minister, Vorontsov, appeared at the doorway, his expression solemn.

After a series of customary formalities, Milan's Foreign Minister, acting as host, first read aloud the extensive destruction Russia had inflicted upon France, Venice, Milan, and other nations during the war. He then gestured for Count Segur to be the first to present France's armistice demands.

"Russia shall pay Venice 12 million Francs in war reparations." Count Segur's first declaration astonished everyone.