The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 649 - 318: Talleyrand’s View on Diplomacy_2

And now Talleyrand was peddling his ’Russian threat theory’ right in front of him, which made Arthur tip his hat to the diplomats’ outstanding foresight.

However, before agreeing with Talleyrand, he planned to listen to the specifics of the lame man’s analysis.

Arthur asked, "Why do you say that?"

Talleyrand gave a nonchalant evaluation, "I say this of course on certain grounds. Although I don’t hold any grudges against Russia, and even had a rather good relationship with their former Tsar Alexander I, my personal feelings cannot override the facts.

In my view, Russia’s geopolitical position and traditional values ensure that, once Russia becomes powerful, it will be the most destabilizing factor not just in the Eurasian Continent, but for the entire world.

Due to its vast territories, and even more so because of its high latitudes, it is the only nation in the world that can threaten Nordic countries with its military presence in the Kola Peninsula, Central European German States through the Baltic Sea, launch an assault on the Ottoman Empire’s Dardanelles and Bosporus Strait by crossing the Caspian Sea, and attack the Persian Kingdom in Western Asia by surmounting the Caucasus Mountains.

If its powers are strong enough, then even the Central Asian region at the foot of the Altai Mountains and the Far Eastern region below Siberia will all be under its control. What’s worse, it controls Alaska through the Bering Strait. If it manages to develop that place, then Britain’s presence in North America would also be threatened."

Upon hearing this, Arthur simply let out a light laugh, "I can understand your concerns, but in my view, Viscount Palmerston is clearly more worried about the other end of the English Channel than Alaska in the Bering Strait."

Talleyrand nodded and said, "So that’s the problem. He is overly cautious of France to the extent that he forgets that we could actually cooperate. After the defeat of the Netherlands, France has completely lost the possibility to dominate Europe alone. The devastation of the Great Revolution and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars have left our terrestrial hegemony in Europe precarious.

As for Britain, you do not seek to rule the lands of Europe. Rather than bear arms and engage in close combat with continental nations, you are clearly more concerned with protecting your trade routes. So, you will ultimately need to find a reliable partner in Europe to cooperate with, in order to ensure that your influence in Europe does not continue to decline. But frankly, the risks of cooperating with Russia, especially with its current Tsar Nicholas I, are obviously greater than those of cooperating with France."

Arthur asked, "You’ve been mentioning His Imperial Majesty of the St. Petersburg court from the very beginning, but where does your anxiety actually stem from?"

Talleyrand picked up a napkin and wiped his hands, "Arthur, you’re a policeman from Scotland Yard, so it’s understandable if you’re not familiar with the notable personalities of Europe, but someone like me needs to have a complete grasp of those capable of influencing national policies. So, I believe Viscount Palmerston, your Foreign Secretary, does as well."

Nicholas I, compared to his brother Alexander I, has clearer goals, more resolute will, and firmer and more ruthless methods. In other words, he is more of a Tsar than Alexander I. Unfortunately, his reign began with the Decembrist revolt, adding a touch of sensitivity and suspicion to his character."

Both aspire to maintain absolute monarchy, but Metternich of Austria is far easier to deal with than the Tsar. If Britain does not intend to get involved in the Polish question, alright, I accept that. But here, I also want to share a little piece of information I’ve just received with you, which will help corroborate my views."

Arthur, with a smile, asked, "Would disclosing this information cause you any trouble?"

Talleyrand took a sip of his drink, "No, after all, even if I don’t say it, you’ll know in a couple of days anyway."

Arthur blinked, hinting, "Then please do tell, Your information might indeed help me in the subsequent Cabinet discussions about the assassination."

"That would be for the best."

Talleyrand began, "I just received news yesterday that Muhammad Ali, the Egyptian Pasha of the Ottoman Empire, dissatisfied that the Ottoman Sultan did not keep his promise to appoint him as the Governor of Syria and Crete, thus declared a holy war to rebuild the Arab Empire. He dispatched his son Ibrahim with an army of 30,000 from the Sinai Peninsula, directly targeting Palestine and Syria."

Now, the Egyptian Army has successively captured Arish and Gaza, and is currently surrounding Jaffa. The chiefs of Lebanon and Syria have welcomed the arrival of the Egyptian forces. It appears they are quite happy to get rid of Ottoman rule with Ali’s assistance. From the messages coming out from the Ottoman court, it seems that Sultan Mahmud II is not only mobilizing troops but also sending emissaries to negotiate with Ali.

If his negotiations with Ali fail, then a decisive battle in Anatolia is inevitable. Unfortunately, the most capable troops of the Ottoman Empire are Ali’s Egyptian forces. In addition, the Ottomans’ navy has been completely destroyed by your General Cordington, so I’m not optimistic about the Ottomans’ prospects in a decisive battle.

Clearly aware of this, Sultan Mahmud II sent out a distress call to Paris upon hearing about Ali’s rebellion. I believe Viscount Palmerston’s desk also holds a copy of that same call for help. Metternich and Tsar Nicholas I must certainly have one as well."

"Is that so?" Arthur pondered for a while, "Forgive my candor, but if what you say is true, why hasn’t there been a peep from the British media circles?"

Talleyrand’s mouth twitched, "That’s exactly what’s strange. No news to some extent means that Viscount Palmerston is not planning to intervene. But that’s to be expected, as not only does he not plan to get involved, we don’t either."

But, I can confidently tell you, the Tsar might intervene. I can understand if Viscount Palmerston chooses not to delve into the Polish issue, but if he remains inactive regarding the Ottomans and Ali’s issues, then that I cannot comprehend."

Upon hearing this, Arthur suddenly remembered General Napier, who had just departed from Liverpool.

Yet, in Talleyrand’s presence, he did not reveal the full truth.

Arthur spoke up, "Perhaps it’s due to the cholera outbreak and the matter of parliamentary reform, not to mention the recent assassination attempt in Liverpool. As you know, Britain is in quite a mess right now, truly unable to spare attention for other affairs."

"That’s not how it works," Talleyrand wagged a finger, "France only just went through the July Revolution not long ago, and we too are being extra vigilant against cholera. Internal affairs and diplomacy should not be tarred with the same brush. Moreover, have you not considered at all that some problems could be deliberately contrived?"

"Of course I have."

Arthur leaned back in his chair, "But firstly, I have no evidence, and secondly, if this issue is indeed manufactured, it’s beyond my authority to deal with. As you know, Viscount Palmerston has good relations with the Russians, and being of Irish descent, ’The Times’ even dubbed him ’Cupid from Ireland,’ so of course his intimate friendship with Lady Liven is perfectly understandable. If I tell Viscount Melbourne that the Foreign Secretary’s favorite wants to kill me, that would be far too melodramatic."

Upon hearing this, Talleyrand tapped his fingertips on the desk, "If you’re looking for evidence, I happen to have some. However, due to the delicate nature of the evidence’s source, how you choose to use it depends on your art of communication. Of course, if you’re worried about offending a minister who has no jurisdiction over you, you can pretend I never mentioned it."

At this, Arthur laughed, "Mr. Talleyrand, after what you’ve said, how could I possibly leave?"

Talleyrand, upon hearing this, also showed a cunning smile as he raised his glass to clink with Arthur’s, "Arthur, I knew you were not like the usual young men. Of course, if you succeed, consider today’s lesson in diplomacy a freebie."

"You were planning to charge me?"

"Of course," Talleyrand straightened his attire, speaking arrogantly, "Talleyrand’s personal guidance, even if I charged you ten thousand British Pounds, would that be considered expensive? Back in the day, Metternich spent millions of Francs to get some information from me. Young man, I’m giving you quite a bargain here."