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Chapter 1346: Profiting from Both Sides

Vorontsov immediately sent the French new conditions back to Saint Petersburg overnight.

Days later, Alexander I received the report and immediately summoned his ministers for discussion. As Vorontsov had anticipated, the majority favored continuing the armistice negotiations.

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

Lord Hawkesbury was gravely anxious upon learning that the French were making a desperate attempt to win over Russia. He hastily requested an audience with the Tsar and, at the same time, dispatched a messenger to London to request more bargaining chips.

The Winter Palace.

Alexander I narrowed his eyes at the Briton. "Are you saying, a low-interest loan of 900,000 Pounds Sterling, and three months' worth of ammunition and supplies for Kutuzov's army?"

Lord Hawkesbury nodded. "That includes 10,000 of the latest model percussion cap muskets."

The Tsar leaned back in his chair, a smile on his face. "You know, our nation's financial situation has become very strained due to the war with France. Oh, to a great extent, we entered the war at your country's request."

He raised a hand, interrupting the British Foreign Secretary who was about to object. "Therefore, if the war is to continue, I hope that one-third of this sum can be converted into a non-repayable grant."

He now realized that the British were extremely reluctant for Russia and France to reach a settlement, so he was determined to seize this opportunity to extract the maximum benefits.

Lord Hawkesbury's face darkened, and he cursed the greedy Russians under his breath.

However, he immediately thought of the severe consequences of failing to obtain supplies from Russia. Aside from the navy's current large-scale shipbuilding program relying on Russia for as much as 35% of its timber, the inability to acquire oils and ropes from Russia alone would drive the Admiralty mad._sëβöŇa_r

He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, financial aid of this magnitude certainly won't pass through Parliament. At most, I can promise to add another 5,000 percussion cap muskets."

Alexander I nodded. "Very well then, perhaps I should wait until Vorontsov has negotiated the final armistice conditions before making a decision. Before that, I must first write a letter to my dear sister."

"Wait, Your Majesty." Lord Hawkesbury, of course, had no idea that the person in all of Paris who most wanted to see Alexander deposed was the French Crown Princess. He conceded, "I can report this to London. But I estimate the military aid amount cannot exceed 150,000 Pounds Sterling at most."

The Tsar smiled and nodded. "The armistice negotiations will take some time anyway."

...

A week later, at the negotiation table in Milan, Vorontsov once again changed his tune, directly demanding an unconditional signing of the armistice agreement, threatening to withdraw from the talks otherwise.

Watching the Russian's proud departure, Count Segur angrily clenched his fist. "This is a threat and an insult to all member states of the Security Organization! We absolutely cannot accept such terms!"

Representatives from various nations followed, condemning furiously, "The Russians must pay for their arrogance!"

"No compromises whatsoever with the Russians!"

"Stop the negotiations, and let's see who regrets it more!"

Having set the tone, Segur turned and arranged a meeting with Vorontsov.

He feigned an anxious expression. "Why have you suddenly become so unyielding?"

"This was the decision of the military council; I regret it as well."

"Alright." Segur "struggled" for a moment, then held the Russian's arm. "Please inform His Majesty the Tsar that as long as your country ceases providing military supplies to Britain, the Riga checkpoint can be waived. I will also persuade the Common Market member states to grant you Most Favored Nation status. We'll even dispatch a reinforcement fleet towards the Black Sea!"

Vorontsov hadn't expected Russia, despite its crushing defeat on the battlefield, to be able to profit from both sides during negotiations.

He immediately stated that he could refrain from withdrawing from the negotiations for now and would try to advocate for this domestically.

...

Saint Petersburg.

The British Foreign Secretary was practically losing his mind.

He had received intelligence that those damned French weren't accepting Russia's surrender at all; they were bribing the Russians!

Indeed, after Alexander I received the news from Milan, he immediately had it "discreetly" leaked to Lord Hawkesbury.

Fortunately, the reply from London arrived promptly. William Pitt Junior had decided to thwart France's Eastern European strategy at all costs and provided Lord Hawkesbury with additional aid as bargaining chips.

"...That's essentially the situation." The British Foreign Secretary bowed to the Tsar, then emphasized, "Your Majesty, I have staked my entire future on this matter. You must promise me to immediately cease all negotiations with France."

Alexander I adopted a solemn expression. "Please rest assured, I will never abandon the profound friendship between Russia and Britain!"

Just now, the British had agreed to provide Russia with an additional 200,000 Pounds Sterling in military aid, on top of the 900,000 Pounds Sterling loan, and to continuously supply Kutuzov with provisions until he had "reclaimed" all the territories in eastern Poland.

Furthermore, Britain also pledged to pressure Poland and the Ottoman Empire to cease their war against Russia.

However, the British also added some demands, such as Russia cooperating with Britain in the future to launch ground offensives against France.

...

At the negotiation venue in Milan's Palazzo Marino, Vorontsov did not appear at all, instead sending an assistant to announce Russia's complete withdrawal from the armistice negotiations.

A chorus of angry condemnations immediately erupted in the hall.

Milan's Foreign Minister slammed his hand on the table. "Milan will provide 2,000,000 Francs in military aid to Poland to help them teach the Russians a lesson!"

The Prince of Parma rose next. "My country will dispatch 800 soldiers to Minsk."

Other nations also declared their positions. "Our country will also provide 2,000,000 Francs in aid to Poland..."

"Modena's soldiers will fight in Eastern Europe!"

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

Count Segur hadn't anticipated such an unexpected harvest. In just a few minutes, various nations had pledged nearly 10,000,000 Francs in military funds, over 3,000 soldiers, and a substantial amount of military supplies to Poland.

It could be said that even if France ceased providing aid to Poland, the furious Northern Italian states alone would enable the Poles to fight Russia for at least a year.

By the roadside in the outskirts of Milan, Vorontsov endured the curses and mud-slinging from Milanese citizens, waiting for over half an hour, yet he never saw the French negotiation representative appear.

Finally, after his guards urged him for the fifth time, he reluctantly boarded his carriage.

Only Sir Grey, who had been assigned to liaise with him, let out a sigh of relief and began writing his report to William Pitt Junior inside the carriage.

...

Poland.

Southwest of Minsk.

Lieutenant Colonel Janik, deputy commander of the Polish Royal 12th Infantry Brigade, watched through his telescope as his soldiers repeatedly assaulted the Russian defensive line on a distant high ground, frowning in irritation.

According to intelligence provided by the French Security Bureau, the Russians had already received their first batch of logistical supplies from the Baltic Sea direction, with more British transport ships set to arrive consecutively in five days.

If Minsk could not be breached before then, the Russian defenses would become even stronger in the future.

He turned his head impatiently and asked his chief of staff:

"Has Sergeant Waldemar not arrived yet?"