CHAPTER 515: CHAPTER 508: DIPLOMATIC ORPHAN RUSSIA

As soon as the second session of the four-power negotiations began, the Earl of Clarion emphatically stressed that the Kingdom of Britain would continue to insist on the three conditions proposed in the last meeting, and add another condition to the original three.

That is, Russia must relinquish its protection rights over Turkish Christians, and their safety will be guaranteed only after the four countries (Austria, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia) reach an agreement with the Turkish government.

Facing the four extremely harsh peace conditions presented by the Earl of Clarion on behalf of England and France to the Russian Empire, Count Orlov clearly could not accept them.

Once Count Orlov accepts these conditions, his political life will come to an end the moment he takes them on.

Neither His Majesty Nicholas I in the court nor the Pan-Slavist faction at home would tolerate him continuing to stay in the political arena of the Russian Empire.

It’s possible Count Orlov himself might even be assassinated by some radicals at his doorstep.

Although assassinations of national leaders are rarely reported in later times, in the 19th century, assassination can be said to have been a "required course" for a national leader.

Franz Joseph, Regent King William I, Nicholas I... which one of them has not faced assassination, not to mention the United States of America, where individuals who attempted to assassinate the president abound.

Even a national leader suffers such risks, let alone a political figure who has fallen out of favor.

All it takes is to bribe a drunkard, lay an ambush on Orlov’s usual path, and once he’s off his guard, complete the assassination.

It’s always said you can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can never guard against a thief for a thousand days.

Whether in terms of political life or physical life, Count Orlov simply cannot agree to these conditions.

"The Russian Empire severely doubts the sincerity of England and France in these peace talks!" Count Orlov shouted loudly and then threatened England and France: "We hope you will reconsider the conditions you have proposed! The Russian Empire is not a defeated nation; we still have more than a million troops! Have you considered the consequences of pushing a great power to the brink?"

If before the battle for the Silistra Fortress began, England and France might still have concerns about the millions of Slavic forces in the hands of the Russian Empire.

But after the battle for the Silistra Fortress, the two countries no longer had any worries about the Russian Empire’s army.

With four times the troops and half a year’s time, they still could not take over a fortress. How could such an army possibly be a match for England and France?

Orlov’s threat seemed particularly laughable to the Earl of Clarion and De Luy.

"If this is the attitude of the Russian Empire, then there is no need for these peace talks to continue!" The Earl of Clarion retorted sharply to Orlov.

Sitting beside him, De Luy also sarcastically remarked, "I honestly don’t know what kind of army it is that took eighteen hundred thousand men and more than half a year, and still failed to conquer a fortress! If I were the leader of such an army, I’d probably be ashamed enough to commit suicide!"

"You... you..." Count Orlov pointed at the Earl of Clarion and De Luy, unable to utter a complete sentence.

At this moment, Count Orlov finally realized that England and France’s purpose was not negotiations at all.

Thus, Count Orlov cast a hopeful glance at Count Baur, hoping to exert pressure on England and France through the Austrian Empire behind Count Baur, thus making negotiations possible.

As the host of the four-power talks, Count Baur saw the hopeful gaze Orlov cast upon him, sighed, and said to Orlov, "The Austrian Empire agrees to the four conditions put forward by the representatives of England and France and hopes that the Russian Empire will withdraw from the Danube Duchy at the earliest to avoid unnecessary friction!"

Traitor!

The words of Count Baur were like a bolt from the blue to Count Orlov, leaving him shocked.

At this moment, the words "traitor" echoed in Count Orlov’s mind for a long time.

"Oh God! What promises did Britain and France give you to sell out your conscience? Do you Austrians not have a complete heart in your chest?" Count Orlov shouted lowly at Count Baur.

Count Orlov did not resent England and France because they still maintained a state of war with them.

But the betrayal of the Austrian Empire, once the closest ally to the Russian Empire, was unbearable to Count Orlov.

Although Count Orlov understood that the intentions of the Austrian Empire in hosting the talks were not pure, he never expected Count Baur to so unabashedly stand against the Russian Empire.

"Your Excellency, the Austrian Empire did not receive bribes from England and France!" Count Baur flatly denied any dealings with the French Empire regarding the Danube Duchy: "We merely believe that whether it’s the control over the Danube Duchy and Serbia or the protection rights over Christians in Turkey... should all be handled in coordination with Europe’s Great Powers!"

The open alignment of the Austrian Empire with the camp of England and France, while chiding the Russian Empire for disrupting European peace, subjected Count Orlov to unprecedented humiliation.