Chapter 602: Can they influence France? (3rd update, please subscribe)
The Winter Palace, St. George's Hall.
St. George Hall is also known as the "Throne Hall". As the name suggests, it is where the Tsar's throne is placed. At this time, the person sitting on the throne is none other than Tsar Alexander II Nikolayevich of the Russian Empire.
In 1855, facing the defeat in Crimea, his father Nicholas I suffered a stroke. He took on the task and accepted humiliating conditions through negotiations, thus ending the Crimean War.
From that day on, Alexander II had a hidden desire in his heart - to avenge his humiliation!
It was also from that day that he began his vigorous reforms, from liberating serfs, to promoting industry and commerce, to setting up factories and purchasing weapons and equipment from all over the world. All of this was for one purpose - to wash away the shame of Crimea!
But Russia... is really poor!
Although Alexander was ambitious, the problem was that Russia's financial resources were insufficient, which limited his ambitions. He had been patient for 17 years, so how many more years would he have to endure?
The long journey is still on the way!
At this time, Alexander II was sitting on the Tsar's throne, with an expressionless face, listening to Alexei and the naval generals and technical officials explaining the advancement of the "Nanhua-class battleship" and analyzing the various benefits that would come to Russia after purchasing the ship.
"I really didn't expect that the Ming Dynasty in South America could build such an excellent warship!"
In the view of Alexander II, the country with the best shipbuilding capabilities in the world today is Britain, followed by France.
But now there is another Ming Dynasty... Just look at the "Nanhua-class battleships" they brought!
Not only France, but also Britain does not have such advanced combat ships.
Even though Britain and France have built ironclad ships of more than 10,000 tons, they are still not as good as the "Nanhua-class battleship"!
The biggest gap is the low industrial standards.
From advanced steel plates to advanced steam engines, and the technology to produce them, these are what Russia needs.
However, Alexander II needed more than just this.
Why did Russia lose the Crimean War?
It is because Britain and France have formed an alliance that no matter how powerful Russia is, how can it defeat them?
So for the past decade or so, he has been trying to break this situation.
He repeatedly extended an olive branch to France, but to no avail.
Now that the Ming envoy has arrived, he sees an opportunity. Perhaps he can ask the Ming Dynasty to mediate!
At first glance, it seems that we can seek help from the Ming Dynasty. After all, the Ming Dynasty is an ally of France!
But can they convince France?
"So, they are not only willing to transfer the technology for manufacturing the Nanhua-class battleships, but are also willing to invest the proceeds of the transaction in Russia, right?"
Alexander II was really curious now. How could he not be curious?
Is there anyone in the world who does business like this?
Isn't the purpose of doing business to make money?
But they are willing to invest all the money they earn in Russia, which is simply... doing a good deed!
But, is there such a good thing in this world?
There is no such thing as a free lunch!
“He did say that he would keep all the money in Russian banks and then invest it in Russia.”
Alexei thought for a moment and said,
"It is well known that the Ming emperor is very good at doing business, and investing in Russia will never lose money."
“Is it really that simple?”
Tsar Alexander II's frown deepened.
“Do you have any ambitions?”
"Ambition?"
Taking up the Tsar's question, War Minister Dmitri Alexeevich Milyutin said:
"What kind of ambitions could they have? They are so far away from us, Your Majesty. Over the past years, the Ming Dynasty has always been a reputable supplier, and the weapons we purchased from them are also very good."
Milyutin, the Minister of the Army, was one of those who were conquered by Ming weapons. Not to mention the high-performance Type 71 rifle, the 280mm siege gun alone, as soon as it arrived in Russia, its powerful power blinded everyone.
Milyutin, the Minister of War, exclaimed in joy.
"This is what I need, nothing else!"
It was then decided to manufacture 60 guns for future attacks on Turkish fortresses.
"Their weapons are indeed excellent!"
Tsar Alexander II immediately looked at the Minister of War and said,
"But what I want to know is what their real purpose is!"
"Your Majesty, it is well known that the alliance between France and Ming Dynasty is in conflict of interest with Britain."
The Emperor's younger brother, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich, lowered his voice and spoke in a tentative tone.
"Perhaps, for the Ming Dynasty, what they need to find is a broad alliance."
"What? Broad alliance?"
The Tsar was greatly surprised.
"Are you saying they want to form an alliance with us?"
"I don't know," Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich shook his head.
"But one thing is certain: the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty understands the essence of the game of international politics much better than the Emperor of France: interests! Napoleon III never knew that we were France's best ally in blocking the rise of Prussia, but how did he treat the olive branch we extended? He treated it with disdain!"
Having said this, the tone of the emperor's brother, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich, was full of sarcasm.
"But the Ming Emperor can easily use interests to win over friends, even enemies, such as Brazil, in the game of international politics. When the British used Brazil to contain him, he won over Brazil by sacrificing Uruguay. Your Majesty, I think it is very necessary for you to meet with Mr. Buffett. Perhaps he has a secret mission, although he has not expressed it!"
Buffett, as the secret envoy, did not reveal his identity!
In fact, both Buffett and Zhu Xianhai know very well what Russia wants. The key is how to stimulate their ambitions. It is not important to reveal their identity. The important thing is to make them take the initiative to lick us.
Countries like the Russian Empire have always been dismissive of allies who come to them on their own initiative, so it is better for the Ming Dynasty to be a little arrogant. Besides, it is Russia that is more eager to have an ally now!
"There is absolutely no problem in summoning him. After all, this is a big business worth 18 million yuan,"
There is no problem in purchasing warships from the Ming Dynasty. Russia will certainly not miss such powerful warships.
Tsar Alexander II said:
"It's just that we are not sure whether they want to form an alliance with Russia, and this alliance is against the UK. Otherwise, this alliance will have no meaning. This is the first point!"
In fact, Russia was not willing to be an enemy of Britain. They had hoped many times to dismember and divide the Ottoman Empire together with the British, but were rejected by the latter. Because for Britain, they needed to use Turkey to keep Russia within the Boporus Strait, rather than rushing out of the Boporus Strait and then threatening Britain's overseas interests.
Because of the fundamental conflict of interests, Russia had to confront Britain. At least on the issue of Türkiye, there was no second choice.
After thinking for a while, he said again.
"More importantly, can they influence the decision of France? That is the most important thing."
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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