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Chapter 1425: The Tsar's Counterattack

Vorontsov and the other Russian ministers immediately bowed their heads and stood aside, not daring to breathe a word.

Emperor Alexander I, however, waved his hand dismissively. "Why are you all so tense? I'm serious."

He rose from his wide, plush armchair and looked at Count Arakcheyev. "Currently, near Tbilisi, whose military strength is greater, the Ottomans or the Persians?"

As the most diligent official on the War Committee, Arakcheyev had all the frontline reports memorized. He immediately responded, "Your Majesty, it's the Turkic army in Tsalka, numbering over 30,000 men. Furthermore, a few months ago, they received a batch of advanced artillery from Europe.

"Now, only the last defensive line remains on the southwestern flank of Tbilisi."

Emperor Alexander I nodded and instructed Vorontsov, "Hand Tbilisi over to the Ottomans. Then, give the entire region from Kartli to Imereti to the Persians.

"However, we must retain control of the area north of Gori."

Upon hearing this, Vorontsov was momentarily stunned, but then his eyes lit up.

Tbilisi was located in central Transcaucasia, the largest and most prosperous city there, and it controlled vital military routes. It could be said to be the heart of Transcaucasia.

Kartli and Imereti were in western Georgia, part of West Georgia—they ostensibly submitted to East Georgia, also known as the Kingdom of Kakheti, but their hearts had always leaned towards the Ottomans.

The Tsar was giving Tbilisi, a city the Persians were determined to get, to the Ottomans, yet he was allowing the Persians to control West Georgia, a territory the Ottomans claimed sovereignty over.

Once Russian forces withdrew from Transcaucasia, a war would quickly erupt between Persia and the Ottoman Empire.

Regardless of who emerged victorious, first, they wouldn't harass Russian territory again for a short period, and second, the victor would surely have expended significant military strength. When Russia next advanced into Transcaucasia after resolving its western issues, it would face a weakened enemy.

As for Gori, it was a city at the southern foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, and the Zhvali Pass to its north was the only route from Russia into Transcaucasia.

Since Russia had so generously abandoned almost all of Georgia, neither Persia nor the Ottoman Empire should bother with the small area of Gori.

Vorontsov bowed respectfully, genuinely convinced. "Your Majesty, your strategic wisdom truly rivals that of Peter the Great! This will effortlessly resolve our nation's predicament in Transcaucasia and lay a solid foundation for ultimately securing Georgia!"

Emperor Alexander I narrowed his eyes, basking in the adoration of his subordinates, but he conveniently ignored the fact that the strategy of 'cross-abandonment of Transcaucasia' had first been proposed to him by British Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, George Canning.

After discussing matters concerning Transcaucasia, the Tsar then looked at his ministers. "Next, we can concentrate our forces against the Poles.

"How many men can the Gudovich Legion spare for the western front?"

Gudovich, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Southern Army, quickly responded, "Your Majesty, approximately 10,000 infantrymen and around 2,000 Cossack cavalry."

"So few?"

Emperor Alexander I frowned but wasn't surprised.

The Russian army had already suffered heavy casualties in the battles around Tbilisi, and many legions required extensive rest to regain their combat effectiveness. Additionally, sufficient troops had to be left to garrison Gori—no one could guarantee that the Ottoman Empire would uphold a truce agreement.

Deploying 12,000 soldiers was the absolute limit.

Arakcheyev continued, "Your Majesty, the over 30,000 new recruits we conscripted from the Urals and Moscow have completed their training and will reach the vicinity of the Dnieper River before the end of the year."

Emperor Alexander I's expression softened somewhat.

If Kutuzov could receive over 40,000 fresh troops, including more than 10,000 experienced veterans, the western defense line would become extremely stable.

He immediately thought of another problem. "What about logistics? Can supplies be guaranteed?"

Arakcheyev and Minister of Finance Vasilyev exchanged glances, hesitating. "If we include the supplies the British will deliver next month, we can sustain operations on the western front for about a year."

The Tsar pressed, "Can we ensure the Poles sign a truce within a year?"

Silence fell over the study.

Whether from spy reports from Poland or descriptions from frontline officers, all high-ranking Russian officials knew that Poland was currently in a state of military fervor. No one could guarantee when they would be willing to make peace.

Emperor Alexander I said coldly, "I am waiting for an answer."

Count Arakcheyev gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Your Majesty, unless we can swiftly defeat Kościuszko's main force, with France's aid to Poland, the war could very likely drag on for several years."

"Do you have any suggestions?"

"Actually, this is an operational plan that my staff and I devised two months ago," Arakcheyev took a deep breath and continued, "but it requires us to first abandon the defense line from Vitebsk to Mstislavl..."

Upon hearing this, all the Russian ministers in the room secretly took a sharp breath.

The two places Arakcheyev mentioned were forward defense lines on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River. If they were entirely abandoned, the Polish army would reach the Smolensk fortress directly.

Should that medieval fortress fall, Moscow would be in grave danger.

Moreover, after occupying Vitebsk, the Polish army could also split their forces north. Kutuzov's legion would have almost no defensible terrain until they reached the Novgorod fortress.

And Novgorod was only 180 kilometers from Saint Petersburg.

Emperor Alexander I, however, calmly looked at Arakcheyev. "Please continue."

...

Paris.

Versailles Palace.

In the Crown Prince's reception room, the Countess of Debeninac curtsied respectfully to Joseph, but her eyes darted to Talleyrand, who was speaking voluminously. She deliberately raised her voice. "Your Highness, your guest is ready to depart."

Joseph nodded apologetically. "Please tell her... er, him, that I'll be right there."

According to the pre-arranged schedule, he was supposed to leave for Brest today, and Queen Mary would also be traveling with him in disguise.

However, many significant events had recently occurred. Talleyrand and General Berthier had arrived early that morning to report, and it was now nearly half past ten, yet they had only just begun their briefing.

Joseph gestured towards the door for Talleyrand and the others. "Let's discuss this in the carriage."

Talleyrand limped beside the Crown Prince, continuing the earlier conversation. "Your Highness, given Ziyauddin's apparent attitude, I believe that if our nation can offer Constantinople a loan of 3 million Francs, they are highly likely to cease their grain exports to Britain. At the very least, they will raise prices to the level we desire."

Joseph, however, smiled faintly. "Why should we make them stop? I think this transaction is excellent."