The Shadow of Great Britain

At this moment, both Viscount Palmerston and Talleyrand realized something was amiss, so these two who refused to meet at any cost last year held an emergency meeting in London, and the next day dispatched messengers to inform the Osmanli and Egyptians, saying that Britain and France were willing to contribute their modest efforts for Near East peace."

Arthur leaned against the wall: "The Russian has already gone to the tolilet and had their pants halfway down, and to ask them hold back now, they probably won't agree, right?"

"Hmm... I like this metaphor, although it sounds a bit crude, it indeed reflects the situation."

Schneider spoke: "Although Ali from Egypt takes great care of the faces of London and Paris, and Mahmud II of the Osmanli is unwilling to quarrel with us, but the Russians have come all the way from the Crimea Peninsula by ship. If they are not given some compensation, Mahmud is also worried that the over ten thousand Russian soldiers would cause trouble directly in Constantinople.

Thus, though Egypt and Osman finally reached peace, in the "Küçüktaya Agreement" signed by both parties, in addition to recognizing Ali's sovereignty over Egypt, Hanzhi, and Crete, transferring Syria and Adana to Egyptian administration, and appointing Ali's son Ibrahim as governor of Jedra, Damascus, Aleppo, and Adana, the Ottoman Empire also made a compensation treaty to the Russians that we cannot tolerate."

"What did they give to the Russians?"

Schneider took a puff of smoke: "The Ottoman government agreed that when Russia was attacked by other countries, the Dardanelles Strait would be closed, and foreign warships would be banned from passing."

Upon hearing this, Arthur's originally calm expression also became quite vivid: "August, this isn't just a misjudgment, it's a complete blunder. If the Navy Department and the Mediterranean Fleet knew about this, wouldn't the generals of the Royal Navy be turning everything upside down?"

Schneider waved his hand: "This isn't an accident, it's just a mistake."

"If this isn't called an accident, then what kind of incident can be called an accident?"

"It's only an accident when everyone knows, otherwise it is just an unfortunate little mistake, a temporary setback."

Schneider added: "Besides, Arthur, didn't you mention it? The generals of the Navy Department would cause trouble if they knew, but the problem is, they don't know, and the supplementary agreement signed by the Russians and Ottomans is a secret treaty, not published in the newspapers."

At this point, Schneider couldn't help mocking: "Those old fogies in the Navy Department always believe the ocean is their territory, even if a bloke takes a piss, that piss belongs to the Royal Navy's free navigation range. If not for this, I wouldn't be sent to the European Continent!"

Arthur did not, as usual, agree with Schneider at this moment, after all, he had a good relationship with the 'Royal Navy' involved in the piss talks, and at this moment his two friends were even in hot water over it.

"August, I have a doubt, since the agreement between the Russians and Ottomans is a secret, how do you know about it?"

Schneider didn't shy away from this question, as most secrets for diplomats are open secrets, even if he didn't say it, Arthur could find out from others eventually. In that case, it's better to sell a favor to Arthur and show him the diplomat's true work.

"That of course was sent back from our embassy in Constantinople."

"And how did the embassy find out?"

Schneider glanced at Arthur, seemingly intentionally testing this diplomatic novice: "Take a guess? Friendly tip, the leak came from the Ottoman court."

"Did the Sultan send someone to inform the embassy?"

"Oh, my God!" Schneider clapped Arthur on the shoulder in surprise: "Brother, you are indeed suitable for this work. Beginners normally can't guess the truth, but you hit it right on your first try, just like a bullet under the Tower of London."

Arthur lit another one, savoring it carefully: "And also like the whip in the Nightingale Mansion."

The two glanced at each other, sharing a knowing smile.

Schneider explained: "Just as you guessed, though we can't confirm it was the Sultan personally, but following the usual practice, it's most likely Mahmud II. He was afraid of offending the Russians if he leaked the treaty, and feared offending us if he didn't leak, so he privately let his Grand Vizier, who is also the pro-British leader of Osman faction — Resid Pasha — slyly inform us."

"Then this intelligence was sent non-stop to the Foreign Office, and then quietly stuffed to the bottom of the table by Viscount Palmeston? In the entire cabinet, no one knows except for him, not even the Prime Minister?"

Schneider nodded affirmatively: "I think the Foreign Office should dig people from Scotland Yard in the future, detectives are not only good at investigating criminal crimes but also diplomatic crimes."

"Wouldn't that be a disaster for the diplomats?"

"No, quite the opposite, bringing you over is to help cover up, putting you at Scotland Yard would be too dangerous for the diplomats."

"Okay then." Arthur joked: "Now I understand what mess Viscount Palmeston has caused. But what are you doing in Paris? Are you really escaping, absconding in fear of crime?"

Schneider snorted through his nose disdainfully when Arthur mentioned Palmeston: "Even if running away is needed, it's the ministers who should run. I'm on the continent to patch things up for him, if nothing's done to his split pants, Viscount's proud equipment would be exposed to all of Europe, which is a big target. Even worse, the highly skilled Royal Navy could fire any time at this target."