CHAPTER 514: CHAPTER 507 VIENNA CONGRESS (2)

Faced with the sarcasm of Minister De Luyiss, Count Orlov showed not the slightest shame, but instead sidestepped and said to Minister De Luyiss: "The Russian Empire’s military action against the Ottoman Empire is aimed at helping the Ottoman Empire eliminate extremism. To uphold the rights of our Slavic brethren within the Ottoman Empire. Our first phase of action is to punish the extremist forces in the Danube Duchy and maintain peace on the European Continent. To prevent the Ottoman Empire from making a surprise attack during the Russian Imperial Army’s action to eliminate the extremist forces in the Danube, our army has had to proceed to Silestra Fortress to closely monitor its movements."

"What a high-sounding reason!" De Luyiss once again said in an exaggerated and sarcastic tone: "I’ve never seen a country like the Russian Empire blatantly invade the territory of others, ignoring the sovereignty of other countries."

"Minister De Luyiss, the Russian Empire’s purpose is only to protect our Slav compatriots in the Ottoman Empire from the oppression of the Ottoman government! You are distorting the policies of the Russian Imperial Government!" Count Orlov said righteously.

"Fine! If, according to what you say, Count Orlov, the Russian Empire’s military action against the Ottoman Empire is to protect the rights of the Slavic nations from oppression in the Ottoman Empire, then I want to ask, what if one day other countries..." De Luyiss paused and gave Count Baur an apologetic smile: "Let me give an example, the Austrian Empire... As we all know, there are a considerable number of Slavic nations within the Austrian Empire. If one day, there is also oppression of Slavs within the Austrian Empire, and the Slavs in the Austrian Empire, unable to bear the oppression, seek aid from the Russian Empire, would the Russian Empire treat the Austrian Empire the same way it treats the Ottoman Empire?

After all, as Your Excellency the Count just said, the Russian Empire could take action for the Slavs within the Ottoman Empire, completely disregarding this as a matter of a sovereign state’s internal affairs."

De Luyiss’s words left Orlov without an excuse for rebuttal.

The reason being that the legal basis Orlov found for the Russian Empire’s invasion of the Ottoman Empire was simply too far-fetched.

Of course, considering that Count Orlov himself is not a truly trained diplomat, but a temporary diplomat from a secret service background.

Additionally, the Russian Empire’s understanding of diplomacy still remains at "I’m strong and therefore right!" "Austrian Empire, you must learn gratitude."

So Count Orlov’s broad-strokes commentary is not surprising, in the Russian Empire’s conception, there have never been true allies, only enemies, protectors (currently Prussia and the French Republic during World War I), and sons (Austrian Empire).

[PS: If you’re interested, you can take a look at a recent article published by RIA Novosti: What Should Russia Do About Ukraine?

The article is full of 19th-century chauvinistic concepts, and reading through it, the author somewhat suspects that this manifesto by the Russian Empire should most fittingly appear on the eve of the Crimean War, rather than in the 21st century.

Or perhaps, could it be possible that Russia’s foreign policy has not changed at all since its inception.]

"These two issues cannot be generalized! The Ottoman Empire is the Ottoman Empire, the Austrian Empire is the Austrian Empire!" Count Orlov attempted to dissolve Minister De Luyiss’s sharp questions with vague words.

Count Baur, who was the host of the conference, frowned to show his displeasure.

If the Russian Empire could invade the Ottoman Empire this way, then why wouldn’t they use the same method to invade the Austrian Empire?

Seeing the situation gradually develop against the interests of the Russian Empire, Count Orlov hurriedly assured Count Baur: "The Russian Empire would never act against its friends! The Russian Empire cherishes its friendship with the Austrian Empire and hopes that the Austrian Empire can stand together with the Russian Empire to jointly maintain the peace and stability of the Danube!"

Idiot!

Count Baur’s remaining goodwill towards the Russian Empire diminished further due to Count Orlov’s assurance made in public.

The Austrian Empire’s role in this four-party meeting was originally that of a mediator (the Austrian Empire leaned more towards England and France), a neutral party, and Orlov’s speech undoubtedly aimed to draw the Austrian Empire into their camp, making the Austrian Empire lose its leading position in this conference.

"Your Excellency the Count, by the order of His Majesty, I invited you and the ambassadors of England and France here, not to declare which side the Austrian Empire will take, but to take advantage of this opportunity to bridge the differences between you, to return the European Continent to peace!" Count Baur said coolly.

"Fine! Since Count Baur has already stated this is a peace conference, then we are also willing to sincerely exchange views with the Russian Empire for the sake of European peace!" Earl of Clarion said strategically.

"And France’s view?" Count Baur asked De Luyiss in a calm tone.

"The opinion of the Kingdom of Britain is the opinion of the whole Allies!" De Luyiss responded to Count Baur.

"Then does the Russian Empire still want to continue the talks?" Count Baur asked Count Orlov.

"Yes!" Count Orlov nodded approvingly.

Count Clarion immediately posed the first opinion to Count Orlov: "We hope the Russian Imperial Army will renounce its territorial claims over Serbia and the two Danube Principalities; these territories will be once again placed under the protection of the Ottoman Empire High Gate Government!"

"No! I disagree!" Orlov immediately opposed Count Clarion: "Once the Ottoman Empire returns to the Danube Duchy, it will inevitably turn its butcher knife towards the people of the Danube Duchy. I don’t want to see a barbaric slaughter take place in the Danube Duchy!"

Regarding Orlov’s opposition, Count Baur spoke up: "Earl of Clarendon, on this issue, the Austrian Empire agrees with the Russian Empire’s view!"

Seeing Count Baur support him, a hint of joy appeared on Count Orlov’s face.

Fully believing that the Austrian Empire was still aligned with the Russian Empire, he had no idea that the condition proposed by the Earl of Clarendon had been pre-arranged.

Count Orlov’s opposition was also anticipated by the Earl of Clarendon. After hesitating for a moment, the Earl of Clarendon said, "Then our side will modify the proposal. These territories will be placed under the joint protection of the European Great Powers and the High Gate Government, and the High Gate Government is not allowed to wantonly massacre the Danube populace. How about this!"

Before Count Orlov could speak, Count Baur nodded and said, "Agreed!"

"Agreed!" Count Orlov could only echo.

"Second clause, the Danube River is to be open for all commercial navigation!"

"I oppose!" Orlov shouted loudly in opposition.

For a long time, the Russian Empire had monopolized commercial trade on the Danube River.

Now, with the Danube’s commercial navigation opening up, it was clearly targeting the Russian Empire for downfall.

"Then we shall set this clause aside for now!" The Earl of Clarendon did not entangle much with this clause and directly moved on, saying in surprise: "Our side wishes to aim for a ’European Balance of Power’, and to amend the ’Strait Convention’ (the Russian Empire’s dominance in the Black Sea will be terminated)"

"Oppose!" Count Orlov said without hesitation, "Since you mention ’European Balance’, we hope England and France will reduce their naval presence in the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean for that balance!"

"This issue is not within today’s discussion range!" The Earl of Clarendon responded assertively.

"Since that’s the case, please allow me to leave first!" Count Orlov said to the Earl of Clarendon, indicating that he would express his protest against the England and France’s "unequal" treaty in this way.

Subsequently, Count Orlov turned and left Mei Quan Palace.

After Count Orlov left, the Earl of Clarendon and Minister De Luyss also departed one after another.

In the following week, Count Orlov began seeking external support. He first visited the Prussian Kingdom Embassy, hoping they would stand with the Russian Empire, just as they had supported the Kingdom of Prussia in 1851.

The Prussian ambassador regretfully told Orlov that he was just an ordinary ambassador of the Prussian Kingdom to Austria and had no authority to privately agree to Orlov’s request.

However, he would send a telegram to inquire about the attitude of the Prussian Kingdom.

Count Orlov, immensely grateful, left the Prussian Kingdom Embassy and then visited the Belgian Embassy (not knowing who else would stand with them).

The Belgian ambassador similarly expressed to Orlov that there was no way to help, as the strength of England and France far surpassed them, making any desire to assist the Russian Empire futile.

On the suggestion of the Belgian ambassador, Orlov sought out the United States of America ambassador.

The United States of America ambassador also casually brushed Orlov off and stated that the United States had no capacity to meddle in the quarrels of Old Europe.

A series of rebuffs made Count Orlov realize that the Russian Empire seemed to be isolated from the world.

When Orlov once again found Count Baur to restart the interrupted conference, Count Baur decisively agreed to Orlov’s request.

The four-party talks resumed once more on April 15.

This time, the talks would truly decide the fate of the Russian Empire.