Chapter 1354 The world is about strength (first update, please subscribe)
"Who would have thought that the fate of the world would be decided by a syphilitic!"
If we were to ask what the most absurd scene was in the last decade of the 19th century, it would probably be this one, except that… who would have thought that a cunning spirochete virus could affect a person’s judgment?
In a palace outside Constantinople, cigar smoke filled the room. Randolph Churchill, the British negotiating representative, looked across at Lobanov, the Foreign Minister of the Roman Empire. He seemed a little annoyed, not because at the beginning of the negotiations, the other party refused to recognize Persia as Britain's sphere of influence, but because this guy was as annoying as all Russians.
"We all know very well that they are the enemy of the civilized world. Every Christian country has the responsibility to destroy them and ruin them, rather than indulge them. Under the protection of Persia, those people have attacked the borders of the Roman Empire again and again in the past few decades. Thousands of Roman soldiers have died as a result. Mr. Envoy, the Roman Empire's actions in Persia are now based entirely on the safety of the empire!"
Lobanov once again emphasized the legitimacy of Rome's military dispatch. In fact, at the beginning, when he learned that the Governor of the Caucasus had sent troops to Persia, he was also worried about the British resistance. However, His Majesty the Tsar and senior central officials believed that this was an opportunity, an opportunity for Rome to extend its hand to Persia. As for Britain's attitude.
"Britain is a weak empire. They are no longer as strong as they were decades ago. In front of the Four Emperors Alliance, they are simply vulnerable."
Indeed, Britain was weak and the Boer War brought shame to them!
Of course, it also allowed the Roman Empire to see Britain’s weakness, see opportunities, and gain confidence.
Britain...is just a lame giant.
Without the Navy, they are nothing!
Although the British decision to send a fleet made Constantinople a little nervous, they were not so nervous after obtaining a lot of intelligence related to it, because... the British were bluffing.
"We are discussing the British sphere of influence now. Your Excellency, the interests of the United Kingdom must be respected. You must understand one thing - the world does not belong to you, and you cannot occupy it just because you want to. The world... I mean the interests of the world!"
Taking a deep breath, Randolph Churchill calmed himself down a little and then spoke.
"The interests of the world need to be coordinated. We can work out a plan on the Persian issue that is acceptable to our two countries and can maintain lasting peace..."
Before he could finish, Lobanov interrupted him.
"What? Maintaining a lasting peace? My God, are you threatening war? A threat of war against the Roman Empire?"
What?
Churchill was stunned by Lobanov's reaction, and then he said.
"Is this a threat of war? No, Your Excellency, this is a concession from the British Empire. I came here with sincerity to discuss peace between us. We can even accept certain concessions on the Persian issue. But what about you? You have no desire for peace at all. Do you really think that the British Empire is weak and can be bullied?"
Perhaps because he was too excited, Randolph's prematurely aged face was trembling, his hands were shaking, and he was even excited by the other party's disregard for the British Empire.
"We allowed you to establish your colonies in India. We even tolerated it. Is this your reward for our kindness?"
What is so-called tolerance?
The British tolerated the "New Moscow" colony opened by the Roman Empire in Juno Bay on the east coast of Africa, which later became Djibouti. They obtained the colony from France, but in the eyes of the British, they made a great "sacrifice" because it was tantamount to watching Russia gain a forward base to enter the Indian Ocean, and even threaten the passage of British merchant ships in and out of the Red Sea. However, the British made "concessions", endured and accepted this reality.
In the eyes of Randolph and many British politicians, all this was a huge sacrifice made by Britain, and they believed that it was Britain's "goodwill."
But for the Roman Empire, they had no intention of paying attention to this "goodwill" at all.
"What? What?"
Lobanov said,
"Mr. Envoy, what are you talking about? This is your goodwill. The New Moscow Colony is an agreement between us and the French. What does it have to do with the British or you?"
After a pause, Lobanov said in a slightly dissatisfied tone.
"You British people believe that the whole world should follow the rules you set, or in other words, the whole world...all countries must submit to you! Is this what you call the 'British order'?"
"British Order" This was a "view" put forward by the British at the negotiating table in Paris in 1856 when Russia was defeated in the Crimean War. They used the excuse that Russia's war against Turkey had destroyed the "British Order."
It can be said that every Russian hates this "British order" and it is definitely a scar on them.
But for the British, that was their highlight moment. In response to Lobanov's question, Randall answered in an arrogant tone.
"What is the purpose of establishing the "British Order"? It is for lasting world peace, which is what the British Empire aspires to bring to the world. Your Excellency, we have never thought of making that country surrender. What we aspire for is only peace..."
"It's you who made the peace!"
Lobanov said directly.
"Your so-called peace is achieved at the cost of other countries sacrificing their own interests. Take back your high-handed English arrogance! Your Excellency, this world talks based on strength. Your high-handed attitude has no meaning any more!"
After that, he stood up and said.
"Now, I can tell you clearly - we, the Roman Empire, will never make any concessions on the Persian issue, and we will not hold any talks with you on the Persian issue!"
"Damn it, are you trying to challenge the British Empire?"
Randolph stood up and spoke in a petulant tone.
"Do you know what this means? It means war and destruction!"
Randolph exploded not only because the other side ignored the interests of the British Empire, but also because it was the only choice he could make.
Threat of war!
In the past, when negotiating with other countries, Britain did not need to directly threaten war because everyone knew that the British Empire was powerful and inviolable.
But now the British Empire was deeply offended, so Randolph threatened war directly, whether in anger or in spite of his rash words.
"destroy……"
Lobanov looked at the guy in front of him and asked back.
"Is this your threat of war?"
The tone was indifferent, with a tone that was not worth mentioning. It seemed that he didn't even pay attention to his threat...
"Do you think that just a sentence like this will bring the Roman Empire to its knees?"
Lobanov looked at the other person with contempt.
"Do you think you can still speak to us from a superior position like in the past and then achieve your wishes? The British Empire may be powerful. But you must understand that the Roman Empire is also not to be offended."
This world values strength, and strength is always the root of everything. The reason why Lobanov responded to the other party with a contemptuous tone was because the current British Empire was nothing more than a paper tiger.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
Of course another reason is that they have figured out the British bottom line - the British dare not go to war with Persia and Rome!
The old group is down, so I created a new book club group: 739209015. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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