CHAPTER 381: CHAPTER 375: THE NEARLY BROKEN NEGOTIATIONS

"During this period, stay here and try not to move around!"

Valvesky said to Constantin Klein, who had been drawn into his fold.

"What is my identity now?" Suddenly switching camps, Constantin Klein quickly adapted to his current role and asked Valvesky.

"You are now the third-level secretary of the embassy!" Valvesky said to Constantin Klein immediately.

Being a third-level secretary is akin to being the lowest tier in the entire embassy, with only the servants residing in the embassy ranking below.

Considering that the servants themselves are personnel from the National Intelligence Bureau, Constantin Klein’s status is indeed possibly the lowest in the entire embassy.

Of course, not every embassy servant is from the National Intelligence Bureau.

Ever since Jerome Bonaparte assumed the presidency and repeatedly emphasized paying attention to the Near East, Marcel Yale had been particularly attentive to the Near East.

It now seems that this attentiveness was indeed necessary; one never knows when a silent elimination of a traitor might occur at a critical moment.

Even though Constantin Klein’s identity is that of a "lowly" third-level secretary, he is still very happy.

Just as Valvesky mentioned, he finally has some backing.

With backing, others must be more careful when they wish to bully him.

Although Constantin does not know what exactly Valvesky wants him to do, he is unwilling to inquire too much, trusting that Valvesky will naturally inform him when the time comes.

After recruiting Constantin, Valvesky returned to the telegraph room and instructed the telegraph operators to inform the Paris side of the military attaché’s betrayal of France.

Early the next morning, a telegram from Paris was rushed out in the telegraph room.

The content of the telegram, besides acknowledging the knowledge of the military attaché’s betrayal and instructing Valvesky to continue searching, expressed a hope that Valvesky could maintain the balance between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire.

Through the telegram, Valvesky speculated that the death of the military attaché was likely orchestrated by Paris.

If it indeed was orchestrated by Paris, he would have to be more cautious in the future.

Just after Valvesky finished reading the telegram, a servant informed him of Menshikov’s request to meet.

"Menshikov? Shouldn’t he be attending the welcoming ceremony? Why did he suddenly come here?" Valvesky muttered to himself with a victorious tone.

Upon hearing Valvesky’s voice, the telegrapher explained, "Sir, the welcoming ceremony is scheduled for the evening!"

"My memory!" Valvesky couldn’t help but smack his own forehead.

Immediately, Valvesky urged the servant, "What are you standing around for!? Quickly invite Prince Menshikov in!"

"Yes!" The servant, upon receiving the order, quickly went downstairs, while Valvesky leisurely followed.

Menshikov and Valvesky, two men with almost 30 years of age difference, met in the embassy’s drawing room.

After they shook hands, they each sat on differently colored sofas; Valvesky seemingly on a maroon plush cushion sofa, and Menshikov on a blue plush cushion sofa.

"I deeply regret the recent events in France!" As soon as he sat down, Menshikov immediately distanced himself from the military attaché.

"Hmm? The Russian Empire has some pretty insightful information!" Valvesky displayed a playful smile and said somewhat sardonically, "I seriously suspect that our embassy has your country’s informant!"

"How could that be! Our Russian Empire would never do anything like that!" Menshikov forced a smile, quickly dismissing Valvesky’s suspicion.

Sending spies to someone else’s embassy would indeed become a diplomatic crisis if exposed.

Besides, Menshikov did not believe that those internally adept yet externally inept members of the "Third Department" could plant an informant inside the French Embassy.

"Then what recent events is the Russian Empire referring to?" Valvesky pressed Menshikov step by step.

Not being skilled in diplomacy, Menshikov soon admitted under Valvesky’s pressure, "I did indeed learn some things about France from other channels."

Then, as if covering his ears while stealing a bell, he hastily added, "But definitely not from inside the embassy!"

"Then the Russian Empire should also be aware of France’s foreign policy in the Near East!" Valerovsky decided not to beat around the bush and asked directly.

"Indeed! I have heard of it!" Menshikov nodded and then continued, "I personally believe that the French Empire should stand with the Russian Empire. Let us join hands to uphold the glory of the Holy Land. I can assure you that your interests in the Holy Land will not be infringed upon in any way. The Russian Empire will fight to protect the interests of both the Eastern Orthodox Church and Catholicism!"

"If the Russian Empire’s concerns are solely religious, then the French Empire welcomes discussions between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire to address these differences!" Valerovsky first expressed agreement with Nicholas I’s stance on protecting the rights of the Eastern Orthodox Church, then shifted and said, "However, if the Russian Empire uses religion as a pretext for occupation, then the French Empire must consider taking action against the Russian Empire!"

The French Empire’s open intention to intervene in the Ottoman Empire made Menshikov somewhat cautious, as he was not afraid of the Ottoman Empire but greatly feared the French Empire.

"Envoy Valerovsky, with all due respect!" Menshikov emphasized to Valerovsky, "A clash between two ’land powers’ will result in significant casualties. It will not benefit either of our countries!"

"Indeed, it will not benefit anyone!" Valerovsky nodded in agreement and replied, "But this is not a justification for strong countries to bully weaker ones. If all the Great Powers act this way, peace and order in Europe will be lost in no time."

"The Russian Empire is only here to liberate the Slavic nations. The Slavs have endured enough humiliation under Ottoman subjugation! We must protect the interests of the Slavs!" Menshikov asserted forcefully.

Valerovsky countered, "What your country calls liberation seems to me nothing more than an act of aggression!"

Looking at the unyielding envoy of the French Empire before him, Menshikov almost lost his temper and declared war on France.

Recalling the fleet that Valerovsky could mobilize at any moment, Menshikov suppressed his urge once again.

"What should the Russian Empire do to convince the French Empire that we come with peaceful intentions!" Menshikov asked Valerovsky, word by word.

"We hope that Prince Paskevich stationed in the Duchy of Wallachia can retreat to Bessarabia. The Russian Empire’s occupation of the Duchy of the Danube is already considered an act of aggression!" Valerovsky told Menshikov.

"The Russian Imperial Army withdrawing to Bessarabia?" Menshikov could hardly believe his ears.

"That’s right! The Russian Imperial Army must withdraw! Only then will France believe that the Russian Empire comes with sincerity!" Valerovsky responded once again with firmness.

"Impossible! His Majesty the Tsar will never agree to withdraw!" Menshikov shook his head and replied to Valerovsky.

"In that case, let’s see which is more formidable, the Russian Empire’s fleet or the French Empire’s fleet!" Valerovsky directly threatened Menshikov.

"Do not forget! The Kingdom of Britain is the true maritime hegemon of this world!" Menshikov counter-threatened Valerovsky as well.

"I admit that Britain’s naval power far exceeds that of the French Empire, but they, like the French Empire, will surely fight to uphold peace in Europe!" In Valerovsky’s words, the Second French Empire had loved peace since its inception.

"The British Cabinet probably wants to dismember the Ottoman Empire just like the Russian Empire!" Menshikov responded to Valerovsky.

"Then we shall wait and see!" Valerovsky did not offer further explanation but responded with a smile.

Undoubtedly, when it comes to issues concerning the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire and the French Empire are truly at odds, neither willing to concede an inch.

After Menshikov left, Valerovsky went to the office of the Minister of Internal Affairs and told him that there was no need to look for an acting military officer, as France would not pursue the matter of the acting military officer who went missing in Constantinople.

Amidst the Minister of Internal Affairs’ profuse thanks, Valerovsky left his office.

On the other hand, Menshikov, returning from the French Embassy, was also brimming with unexpressed anger.

When the Russian envoy to the Ottoman Empire asked Menshikov if he should wear formal attire to the welcome ceremony, Menshikov rudely interrupted him, "I will never stoop for a decaying empire, never!"

The envoy remained silent, inwardly believing that Menshikov had been overwhelmed by his own anger.

That evening, dressed in somewhat inappropriate attire, Menshikov took the embassy carriage to the palace where the Caliph Sultan of the Ottoman Empire resided and governed.

The carriage stopped slowly at the bottom of the onion-shaped steps, and Menshikov walked step by step from the steps to the palace interior.

At that moment, all members of the High Gate, including Ottoman Sultan Abdul Majid I and religious leaders, were dressed in proper attire.

Menshikov’s outfit appeared out of place in this solemn court.

"Prince Menshikov, greetings! I am Fuad Effendi, the Foreign Minister of the Ottoman Empire!" Fuad Effendi stood to the side of Menshikov, extending his hand for a customary handshake.

Menshikov cast a disdainful look and did not shake Fuad Effendi’s hand.

"I shall never shake hands with anyone harboring hostility toward the Russian Empire!"