The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1157 Shameless

The Ottoman Empire’s opposition was of course ineffective, after all, those present were all European countries.

Before Reshid Pasha could finish his words, someone was ready to overturn the table, but Viscount Stratford would certainly not let that happen.

So the latter almost repeated what the former said, and the noise of shouting and killing suddenly decreased.

Prince Uvarov had witnessed what true shamelessness was, but he was much calmer than the first time. However, he still had to put a big hat on the other party.

"Lord Stratford, are you defending the pagans?"

"No, I am only defending the truth."

Viscount Stratford's words almost made Duke Uvarov angry to death, and Prince Schwarzenberg had no choice but to smooth things over.

"Why don't we put aside the dispute and move on to the next topic."

In fact, it is unrealistic to expect results on the first day of the conference, so the parties are not worried about it.

After Austria and Russia, it should have been Britain's turn to speak, but Viscount Stratford was prepared to stay until the end to provide a backup.

The situation Tocqueville faced was very embarrassing. On the one hand, he needed to abide by the secret agreement with Britain, and on the other hand, he had to find ways to gain benefits for France.

What's even more disgusting is that these so-called benefits will only become Louis Napoleon's political capital, and once he fails to gain enough benefits and satisfy the national sentiment at home, the Order Party will become the scapegoat.

"We will return the island of Cyprus to the Ottoman Empire, but the latter must pay a compensation of 500 million francs, and open all ports to allow French merchants to trade freely and enjoy most-favored-nation treatment.

Furthermore, our country needs to reaffirm a right it has enjoyed since the time of Francis I: the protection of Christians in the Holy Land.”

The five million francs was agreed upon by Britain and France long ago. As for the opening of trade and most-favored-nation treatment, they were no longer a problem for the Ottomans.

France raised the issue again, mainly because it was afraid that the Ottoman Empire would not recognize the new French Second Republic in the future.

Third, in fact, the French have enjoyed this right for hundreds of years, so it has not attracted the attention of other countries, but Franz is very clear that the issue of the Holy Land will drag the entire world into war in the future.

However, others did not understand the seriousness of this, and there seemed to be no reason to refute it, so this was ignored by the diplomats present.

Then it was Egypt's turn. Muhammad Ali's personal attendance still surprised everyone. People were curious about what this hero who had stirred up the Middle East for nearly 20 years looked like.

However, the demands it put forward were so small that they made the participating countries laugh. It only wanted to claim part of the land in the Transjordan region.

But Reshid Pasha knew what this meant, and he stood up again to object.

"Mohammed Ali, you are the hereditary Pasha of the Ottoman Empire. How can you be qualified to call yourself a winner when you are just a shameless traitor?"

This was approved by Viscount Stratford.

"As a vassal state betrays its suzerain state, you really have no right to sit here!"

Viscount Stratford's words were very damaging. Egypt was not strong enough to continue the war unilaterally, so it had to take advantage of the ceasefire to secure the plundered land.

Otherwise, not only will all your previous efforts be wasted, but you may even end up losing more than you gain.

Viscount Stratford changed the subject.

"If Egypt can retreat to the Sinai Peninsula, then the Ottoman Empire can forgive its past mistakes."

Viscount Stratford has a very good grasp of people's hearts, especially the psychology of the weak who want to avoid getting into trouble.

Egypt and the Ottoman Empire were both pagans in the eyes of Europeans, and with Britain taking the lead, the sense of superiority in some people's hearts burst out at this time.

However, all this pressure and rhetoric obviously had no effect on old Ali. After all, he often used this kind of delaying tactic. As for intimidation, he had seen scarier ones.

"I am loyal to Sultan Mejid. It was the Sultan's will that Egypt got Transjordan." "You're talking nonsense!"

Reshid Pasha couldn't help cursing.

"Transjordan originally belonged to Egypt, and taking it back now is just a reward from the Sultan for Egypt's loyalty."

"Loyalty? Taking advantage of the Sultan's critical illness to launch a surprise attack on the suzerain state is loyalty?"

"I am leading my troops north to quell the rebellion, but why did you, Grand Vizier, send troops to stop me? Are you in cahoots with Abdul Aziz?"

(Previous article: The Ottoman Empire's civil unrest.)
"You're talking nonsense!"

Reshid Pasha was so angry that if he had a weapon, he would rush up and kill the crazy old man.

"I'm talking nonsense? I think you are guilty! Emperor Magid's secret decree is here! You can't deny it!"

"Amna koyaym!" (Ottoman swear word)
Seeing that the venue was about to turn into a vegetable market again, Prince Schwarzenberg rang the alarm bell on the table.

"Shut up! What do you think this is? A mosque? If you don't want to talk, get out!"

It was obvious that Prince Schwarzenberg had no fear of Egypt and the Ottoman Empire. It was also the first time he presided over a peace conference. He did not expect that negotiations would be such an annoying thing, so he took out his anger on the two secondary powers.

"Your Excellency, calm down. Let's move on to the next topic."

This time it was the turn of the British and Russian ambassadors to smooth things over. After all, no side really wanted the war to continue, so Prince Schwarzenberg had to back off.

The Greek ambassador Andronikos was an ardent Magna Hellenist and student, and he spoke out Otto I's thoughts.

"Thessaly, Macedonia, Thrace, I want all of Greece!"

The representatives of various countries in the conference hall were all shocked as if they had seen a ghost. Viscount Stratford and Duke Uvarov were even laughing so hard as if they had heard the funniest joke.

"What are you laughing at?"

Andronikos knew that the other party was laughing at him, but he could not lose his temper in this situation.

"Haha, kid, you're quite humorous. I'm beginning to like you Greeks."

Viscount Stratford openly teased the serious Greek in front of him. Although Uvarov on the other side did not say it directly, his eyes were full of ridicule and contempt for Greece's arrogant ambitions.

"We Greeks are just taking back what we lost in the past. What's so funny about that?"

Andronikos' righteous speech made the representatives of various countries laugh even harder. Prince Schwarzenberg knew the Greek plan in advance and was full of contempt in his heart, but due to his status as an ally, he still came out to smooth things over.

"Everyone, let's put aside the dispute and move on to the next topic."

"Okay, or I'll really die of laughter."

Viscount Stratford also agreed.

Reshid Pasha stared at Andronikos with his eyes fixed, and the latter stared back without avoiding.

"We should show the most basic respect to the members present at this meeting."

Prince Schwarzenberg once again jumped out to reiterate his position, but at this time Greece's ambitions were too huge, and it was not easy for Austria to take sides. It would be better to let other countries digest it first.

So he solemnly announced.

"Our country proposes the formation of a Europa Monetary Union."

(End of this chapter)