Rebirth of the Spanish Empire.

Chapter 48 The convening of Russian-British negotiations
  In the early morning of June 1876, 6, in the northeastern corner of the Black Sea.

The Combined Fleet and the Black Sea Fleet are already within visible distance of each other, and they will be within the range of their respective artillery if they take a step closer.

The speed of both fleets also slowly decreased to avoid closer contact.

On the Black Sea Fleet flagship, the Moskva, Ivanovich, holding a telescope, looked solemnly at the huge naval fleet in the distance.

"Send out a reconnaissance ship to send a message to the other party and ask them to stop advancing immediately. Otherwise, we will think that their behavior is a provocation against the Russian Empire."

Ivanovich spoke in a deep voice, giving orders to the guards beside him.

Because he knew very well that their Black Sea Fleet alone would face this combined fleet composed of Britain and Spain in a frontal battlefield.

There is absolutely no possibility of victory for them, so what Ivanovich can do is to delay the Russian Imperial Government as much time as possible.

On the flank of the Black Sea Fleet, a small fast reconnaissance ship quickly sailed towards the United Fleet in the distance.

Since the fleets of both sides cannot communicate by telegraph, they can only communicate and communicate through this relatively primitive method.

"They are here, tell the fleet to be on alert and see what they are going to do."

United Fleet Commander Wolfgang put down the telescope in his hand and said to the secretary beside him.

When a lion fights a rabbit, he also uses all his strength. At least, such a thing as underestimating the enemy will not happen to the experienced Navy Vice Admiral Wolfgang.

The soldiers of the combined fleet returned to their combat positions one after another, at the same speed as during previous training, with astonishing efficiency.

On the three ironclad ships belonging to the Royal Spanish Navy, the Royal Spanish Navy soldiers also showed a speed that was no weaker than the British Royal Navy soldiers.

Previously, the British training still showed results. The Spanish naval soldiers before this were far inferior to what they show today, both in terms of combat efficiency and spirit.

Now, for these soldiers, their primary purpose is to learn from the advanced experience of the British Royal Navy.

After absorbing the rich practical experience of the British, it quickly spread among the entire navy of the Kingdom of Spain, thereby improving the combat literacy of the entire navy.

The Invincible Fleet, which once belonged to the First Empire, had been completely sunk in the Seven Years' War in the 18th century.

Not only was the fleet itself lost, almost all of the surviving Armada soldiers died of scurvy after returning to the Kingdom of Spain.

Therefore, for the currently serving Spanish Navy soldiers, pursuing the glory of their ancestors is what they need to complete now.

As the distance between the Russian reconnaissance ships gradually narrowed, the outline of the combined fleet had completely shocked the several Russian naval soldiers on the small boat.

"Send a signal to them to stop them from moving forward."

The captain of the Russian reconnaissance ship gave the order.

The two armies fought without stopping. Even though they were shocked by the size of the combined fleet, this did not make them afraid of returning.

The soldiers quickly took out the naval flag and sent an international signal to the distant combined fleet.

"Your Excellency Commander, they asked us not to move forward after they asked us to do so. What should we do now?"

Ledesma, holding a telescope, turned to Wolfgang and said.

"Ignore the speed they sent, continue to move forward to the left sea area, bypass their Black Sea Fleet, and wait for orders from home.

Once they take the lead in launching an attack, they will sink the Black Sea Fleet they have worked so hard to build into the sea to let these Russians understand that our combined fleet cannot be provoked. "

Wolfgang gave Ledesma a direct order.

He didn't want to pay much attention to political matters. But when it comes to the military, he will not let those clamoring politicians interfere.

So under Wolfgang's order, the combined fleet issued a flag to advance to the sea area ahead on the left, paying no attention to the Russian reconnaissance ship on the side.

The direction of travel of the combined fleet gradually changed, and the huge fleet began to turn towards the left front of the original direction, avoiding the Russian Black Sea Fleet blocking the road.

The reconnaissance ship on the side saw the situation quickly and had to turn back quickly.

At the same time, Ivanovich watched the United Fleet in the distance bypassing the Black Sea Fleet.

In this regard, Ivanovic's face was very solemn.

"Inform the Black Sea Fleet that they must block their forward direction and cannot allow them to continue moving forward."

The Black Sea Fleet sailed directly in the direction of the United Fleet. After all, if you take a step back, you will not be far from the Russian Empire's homeland.

Today, even if Ivanovich died in battle, he could not bear the insult from the British.

The drama between the fleets of both sides gradually became more intense. Their respective artillery had all been set up and aimed at the other side's fleet.

As soon as domestic orders come, it is estimated that the artillery battle between the fleets of both sides will begin directly.    ………

The person who controls all of this is naturally located at the negotiating table in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg.

British Ambassador to Russia Dufferin attended this diplomatic note initiated by Russia on behalf of the British government.

Accompanying him was Salto, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Russia. The person participating in the negotiations on behalf of the Russian Empire was Russian Prime Minister Gorchakov.

“Your Excellency Dufferin, how do you explain your country’s unauthorized entry into our Black Sea?

Could it be that your British Empire is preparing to go to war with our Russian Empire? "

In this regard, Gorchakov went directly to the topic.

Ever since he learned the true purpose of the British from the Spanish Ambassador Salto, he already knew the bottom line of this negotiation in his heart.

"Please give us a reasonable explanation from your country, the Russian Empire, otherwise we will not be able to accept this insult."

At this time, Gorchakov's face had completely lost all expression, and his tone was more serious than before.

The most serious anger is actually the absence of emotional fluctuations. The Russian Prime Minister expressed his emotions perfectly.

“There is no international law in the world that demarcates the maritime boundary between your country and the Ottoman Empire.

As for your accusation of our country intruding into your territorial waters, our British Empire does not recognize it at all. "

At this time, Dufferin wore a calm smile and took an elegant sip of English black tea. The whole person perfectly displayed the appearance of a British gentleman.

(Note: He is indeed an old British gangster and a European shit-troublemaker.)
  In response, Gorchakov frowned.

The waters so close to Russia's southern territory have actually been regarded as Russia's territorial waters by European countries.

However, in terms of international law, there is indeed no treaty that stipulates the division of territorial waters of various countries.

“Are you British people so arrogant?
  I think who owns this sea area? All European countries have already acquiesced that this sea area belongs to our Russian Empire.

Previously, no country had signed a treaty on the demarcation of territorial waters. "

The purpose of the British trip was to prevent their Russian Empire from interfering in the affairs of the Ottoman Empire.

Even before the diplomatic notes began, the Kingdom of Spain had sold the British secrets down to their trousers.

Gorchakov's performance at this time was nothing more than wanting to end the conflict between the two countries decently. Quietly waiting for the second round of the crisis of the German-French war to break out.

“But we British have never admitted that this is the territorial waters of our Russian Empire.

Including the Kingdom of Spain, the German Empire and the Kingdom of Italy... No country has ever recognized this, so how can it be called a violation of your sovereignty? "

Dufferin said confidently, not caring at all about Gorchakov's defense.

This world is essentially a world where the strong speak. The British Royal Navy can be said to be invincible.

So, naturally they wouldn't let it go. Things that were almost done were lost on the negotiating table.

"Then your country is determined to challenge our country's bottom line?
  If this is the case, then I think there is nothing left to say between our two countries.

Our Russian Empire will not be afraid of challenges from any country. Even if you are the British Empire. "

At this time, Gorchakov was looking at the confident Dufferin.

After already knowing the other party's purpose, what Dufferin did at this time would not cause any emotional fluctuations in him.

It's as if you have seen all your opponent's cards at the card table, but your opponent is performing the show without knowing it.

"Of course not. Our British Empire will not easily provoke disputes between the two countries."

Dufferin put down the tea cup that was ready to be eaten, and slowly stated the purpose of their trip.

"We in the British Empire have never thought of being an enemy of your Russian Empire.

However, your country's recent actions against the Ottoman Empire have seriously violated the interests of our British Empire in the Near East.

Therefore, our country officially asks you, the Russian Empire, to abandon its territorial aggression against the Ottoman Empire and reach a settlement at the negotiating table. "

…………

(End of this chapter)