CHAPTER 365: CHAPTER 360: YES, MINISTER!

On the foundation of the foreign policy of Britain being immune to ruin by pests, Lord Russell and Lord Palmerston forged a fragile yet firm political alliance.

As for why it is both fragile and firm! It’s because the two share the same goal of overthrowing the Aberdeen Cabinet, yet the position of Prime Minister has room for only one.

No matter which of the two becomes Prime Minister, the other will inevitably not appear in the Cabinet.

This is because they know each other too well; if one gains power, the other will undoubtedly find ways to bring him down.

Even if they continue to take joint action to coalesce the Cabinet, their strife will not cease.

The most effective method is to directly send the other to the Upper House to hold a respectable committee membership, or to the Lower House as a Speaker.

Only this way can the other’s influence be diminished, ensuring he rarely appears in the eyes of London’s citizens, thereby achieving the goal of "silencing" him.

"Minister Russell, since this alliance was your proposal, I presume you have a strategy to bring Aberdeen down?" Palmerston openly inquired of Russell.

"I do have some ideas!" Minister Russell replied with a cunning smile, calmly stating, "However, the time is not yet ripe! In the meantime, let me rely on you, Palmerston, to continue acting as the opposition within the Cabinet!"

"Minister Russell, I can agree to your conditions, but you’ve got to tell me what exactly you plan to do! Otherwise, how can I coordinate with your actions!" Palmerston shrugged, deliberately lowering his stance.

"Minister Palmerston, if we wish to take someone down, we must amplify their mistakes infinitely, guiding them into a pre-designed trap. The same applies to Lord Aberdeen and his colleagues. To replace the Aberdeen Cabinet, we must overturn Lord Aberdeen’s current political stance, magnify his mistakes, and sway public opinion toward us," Minister Russell expressed with a knowing demeanor, speaking inscrutable words.

Politically experienced, Palmerston instantly understood Minister Russell’s intention; it seemed Russell planned to make a move regarding the Russian Empire.

What exactly Russell planned to do, Palmerston hadn’t yet figured out.

However, Palmerston was confident that, just like a fox reveals its tail, he would ultimately emerge victorious.

"In that case, I’ll take my leave!" Palmerston inserted the last piece of his cigar into the ashtray, stood up, and bade farewell to Minister Russell.

Minister Russell quickly stood up to see Palmerston off to the door of the ministerial office.

"Minister Palmerston, good luck!" Minister Russell gave a farewell handshake to his temporary ally.

"You too!" Palmerston released Russell’s hand and left.

On December 21st, the United Kingdom Cabinet Council began.

Before the meeting started, Canning arrived at the door of Russell’s office and knocked.

"The door’s unlocked! Come in!" Minister Russell’s booming voice reached Canning’s ears.

Canning quickly opened the door and entered the minister’s office, where Prime Minister Russell was sorting through foreign-related documents. He would report Britain’s recent diplomatic situation to Lord Aberdeen after the Cabinet Council commenced, and by the way, hand over part of the dispatches from "frontline" diplomatic envoys to Lord Aberdeen so he could make decisions swiftly.

At present, Minister Russell was only missing Canning’s piece of foreign policy.

"Where are they?" Canning asked, pointing at the vacant chairs of the permanent and specialized secretaries.

"They’re in a meeting too!" Minister Russell said in a light tone, "Ours is the main meeting, and theirs is a smaller one! No need to guess; I know they’re surely pondering how to deal with us!"

"Seems rather harmonious!" Canning also smiled as he spoke to Minister Russell.

"Harmonious? Mr. Canning, this is anything but harmonious at all!" Minister Russell feigned an exasperated tone in response to Canning.

"Mr. Russell, here is my report!" Canning handed over the organized document to Minister Russell.

Taking the report, Minister Russell leafed through Canning’s meticulously detailed document, which was entirely aimed at the Russian Empire, claiming, "The Russian Empire is the true disruptor of peace in Europe!" Reading between the lines, Canning seemed indeed a pro-Ottoman and anti-Russian advocate.

Perhaps having been stationed in Constantinople for years, Canning’s rhetoric was entirely biased towards the Ottoman Empire.

Such opinions provided Russell, desperate for "weapons," with a "anti-Russian" opportunity. A tempting smile appeared on his face as he inquired, "Minister Canning, might you be interested in advancing further?"

Advance further!

Canning’s aging heart couldn’t help but beat a little faster. Born in 1786, Canning had witnessed the rise and fall of Napoleon and the awakening of nationalism.

Having reached the age of 66, he deemed himself indifferent to fame and gain yet couldn’t escape the pursuit of power.

Minister Russell seemed to imply he would soon become one of the cabinet ministers, with the role of plenipotentiary envoy to Constantinople leading further, likely to a post akin to that of Deputy Minister.

Although this position of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is far from the level of his late brother George Canning’s role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is still a step forward compared to his current role.

"I am already 66 years old, I’m afraid it will be hard to advance further!" He wished to tell Minister Russell that he dreamed of entering the Cabinet, but he still politely declined on the surface.

"Who says you can’t continue serving the United Kingdom at 66! Ability has nothing to do with age!" Minister Russell fed Canning with inspirational but toxic words, "Wasn’t the Duke of Wellington still serving the Kingdom at 66!"

"I..." Canning licked his somewhat dry lips. Minister Russell’s words indeed moved Canning, and his desire to resign gradually faded under Russell’s persuasion.

Despite being moved, the experienced Canning knew that in this world, there is no such thing as unmotivated ’love’. The reason Minister Russell acted this way was likely to overthrow the existing Cabinet structure.

How can the existing Cabinet structure be overthrown? Only if Lord Aberdeen’s political ideas are completely deadlocked will it be possible.

Previously, Russell indeed had no opportunity, but now it’s not so certain; the Russian Empire might make a move against the Ottoman Empire, and at that time, all that would be needed...

"Minister Russell, what do you want me to do?" Canning pretended not to understand and asked Minister Russell.

"I need you to continue to serve as the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire!" Minister Russell answered Canning.

"I am already old! This position should be left to someone else! You can’t let an old man occupy an important role for too long!" Canning replied modestly.

"Only you can accomplish this task!" Minister Russell said to Canning with a serious expression.

"Lord Russell, you don’t want me to stir up trouble, do you!" Canning questioned Minister Russell.

"No! You only need to do your utmost to safeguard the interests of the Ottoman Empire!" Minister Russell explained to Canning.

According to Russell’s understanding of the Russian Empire, once the Russian Empire makes a move, it will inevitably take something from the Ottomans.

As long as Canning works to protect the interests of the Ottoman Empire, it will surely lead to conflict between the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Britain.

In a situation where the pro-Russian Aberdeen cannot handle such a conflict, only he as the Minister of Foreign Affairs can resolve the issue.

At that time, he would be able to once again return to the position of Prime Minister.

Lord Palmerston should just be an active supporter at that point.

"I understand!" Canning nodded in response to Minister Russell.

"Alright! It’s getting late, I should also head to Downing Street for the ministerial meeting!" Minister Russell took out his pocket watch to check the time, then apologized to Canning.

Canning and Russell left Carlton Park together, with Russell heading to Downing Street, while Canning discreetly headed to Windsor Castle after parting with Russell, travelling by carriage.

After entering Windsor Castle, he met with Albert under the guidance of John Brown.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they quickly got down to business.

"You said Russell asked you to safeguard the interests of the Ottoman Empire?" Albert asked Canning.

"That’s right! Minister Russell said so!" Canning nodded and answered Albert.

"It seems Minister Russell is very informed about the situation with the Russian Empire!" Albert shook his head with a wry smile.

"Your Highness, what should I do?" Canning threw the question to Albert.

"Follow Lord Russell’s orders!" Albert sighed and told Canning.

"If so, it might lead to the Russian Empire..." Canning was worried that his "overprotection" of the Ottoman Empire’s integrity might push Britain to the brink of war.

"The Russian Empire has already seized more land!" Albert said with a cold smile, "If they demand more, then Britain will not hesitate to act against them!"

Albert had made his position clear, and Canning quickly responded, "Understood!"

"Alright! You don’t need to feel too pressured! If things truly become irreparable, going to war is always an option!" Albert reassured Canning, worried he might be under psychological pressure, "Besides, we have an ally on the continent! If Britain is willing to fight alongside them, the Russian Empire is no match for us."

"Your Highness, are you referring to the French Empire?" Canning asked Albert.

"Yes!" Albert nodded and added to Canning: "They have long wished to teach the Russian Empire a lesson! Also, when you return to Constantinople, be sure to communicate frequently with Palmerston!"