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Chapter 1424: The Grand Plan

As autumn set in, good news poured into 10 Downing Street as abundantly as the wheat harvested from the fields.

And what Jenkinson, President of the Board of Trade, had to say when he arrived at Pitt's office earliest today was directly related to wheat.

"Prime Minister, the Ottomans have agreed to sell us 39,000 metric tons of wheat," Jenkinson announced, his face beaming. "The price is only 12% above the market rate in the Levant."

With Joseph halting wheat exports from North Africa to Britain, and Russia's harvests declining due to war, grain prices in the British market had remained stubbornly high for over a year.

Previously, the Ottomans, advised by French diplomacy, had also significantly inflated the prices of grain sold to Britain.

In truth, they didn't even need French advice; the Ottomans were shrewd traders who wouldn't hesitate to charge exorbitant prices when they could.

The British Treasury had to inject hundreds of thousands of Pound Sterling in subsidies each year just to stabilize bread prices in London. Even so, the average price of bread in Britain had still risen by a full 15% over the past year and a half.

Pitt excitedly rose from behind his desk. "Now Earl Temple will finally have an easier time submitting his subsidy request to Parliament.

"It seems the war in Transcaucasia isn't entirely to our disadvantage after all."

Clearly, the Ottomans were willing to sell a large quantity of grain at a 'fair price' to quickly acquire funds and offset the massive financial deficit caused by their war against Russia.

"Indeed," Jenkinson nodded, continuing, "Additionally, the wheat we ordered from the Two Sicilies will arrive in the Levant next month, about 10,000 metric tons."

He frowned. "However, to avoid potential interference from France and Spain, these grains will be loaded onto ships at Suez Port and won't reach London until March next year."

Yes, the Mediterranean Sea was currently dominated by French steam frigates.

While France's stated policy was not to interfere with other nations' trade with Britain, there was no guarantee they wouldn't discover contraband or even wanted criminals on a grain ship, thus giving them reason to impound it.

The British themselves were well-versed in such tactics, so taking precautionary measures was certainly wise.

Therefore, the wheat from Southern Italy and the Ottoman Empire first had to be transported to Suez, then shipped from a Red Sea port, circumnavigating the entire African continent before finally reaching Britain. The total journey was more than three times the distance from America to Britain.

Pitt's smile faded, and he stated calmly but resolutely, "We will reclaim the Mediterranean Sea, sooner or later."

The day before yesterday, the Admiralty had submitted a report on shipbuilding progress: seven of the newest "Prince-class" third-rate battleships had already been completed, and construction speed would continue to accelerate as the artisans' skills improved.

As long as funding remained ample, the plan to build 30 ships in three years should be completed on schedule.

Furthermore, the Admiralty was preparing to repair 26 unusable "Avenger-class" and "Comet-class" steam frigates. These vessels had been entirely mothballed due to frequent steam engine malfunctions and even several explosions.

However, the newly manufactured Engine70 steam engine had regained the Admiralty's trust. Lord Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty, requested a "mere" 100,000 Pound Sterling investment to restore these ships to combat readiness.

Shortly after the President of the Board of Trade departed, George Hammond, British Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, arrived at 10 Downing Street. He saluted Pitt and reported, "Prime Minister, Sir Liston sent back a report yesterday: Philadelphia has officially confirmed its plan to act next summer."

Sir Liston was the former British minister to America. However, under the influence of pro-French movements within America, he had since been demoted to consul but still managed diplomatic affairs between Britain and America.

Pitt naturally understood what Hammond meant by 'act,' and quickly asked, "What about Rio de Janeiro?"

"That's also been coordinated. Their 'timing' is a bit earlier, around next April."

Pitt still felt a flicker of unease. "What's the status of their army?"

His question was understandable, especially given how embarrassingly ineffective the last attack by the Portuguese-Brazilian United Kingdom on New Granada had been.

"Crown Prince João has pledged to commit at least 13,000 soldiers."

"Excellent," Pitt declared, clearly pleased with the number. "Please convey my wishes for victory to His Highness João."

This "grand plan" in America was truly his masterpiece, having absorbed considerable funds and diplomatic capital.

If successful, it would not only cripple the French and Spanish colonies but also significantly boost British influence in America.

That would mean Britain's market in America would expand severalfold, and it would once again dominate trade in the Caribbean Sea.

At that point, the nations established by former slaves would be forced to lower their sugar prices to a tenth, or even less, of what they currently charged, and still beg Britain to buy!

Hammond continued, "Prime Minister, Sir Liston's report mentions that the Americans are demanding the 'advance payment' percentage be raised to 25%."

Pitt immediately frowned.

The 'advance payment' referred to Britain's estimation of the total value of all smuggled sugar it would purchase from America the following year, with a portion of the payment made to America upfront.

Essentially, it was about locking in the sugar price in advance. However, America also needed a substantial sum of cash to push forward with their "grand plan."

Previously, the agreed advance payment ratio was 18%, but now, raising it by seven percentage points would amount to over 1.3 million Pound Sterling!

British sugar merchants might be able to bear a portion of this, but the British Treasury would likely have to front at least 800,000 to 900,000 Pound Sterling.

'These greedy Yankees...'

Pitt cursed under his breath, then quickly cleared his throat to cover his impropriety. "Ahem, please have Sir Liston negotiate with the Americans again... ideally, keep it under one million Pound Sterling."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

...

Saint Petersburg.

The Winter Palace.

In the Tsar's study, Alexander I looked at Foreign Minister Vorontsov, frowning. "These stingy British, do they think this little offering is enough to appease me?"

The latter quickly replied, "Your Majesty, fortunately, Selim has not refused the British mediation."

Count Arakcheyev, standing nearby, immediately reminded him, "Your Majesty, the Gudovich Legion is currently under immense pressure, and Tbilisi could fall at any moment..."

Alexander I raised a hand, cutting him off. Without a moment's hesitation, he instructed Vorontsov, "You must seize this opportunity to secure a ceasefire in Transcaucasia."

The Foreign Minister bowed in assent, but then looked troubled. "Your Majesty, the Turks hold the advantage and are surely unwilling to relinquish Tbilisi."

Alexander I declared decisively, "Then give them Tbilisi."

He smirked coldly. "Not just Tbilisi, but Telavi, Gori, and even the Imereti region."