CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 359 OPPOSITION ALLIANCE

"I would like to hear your opinion!"

Minister Russell asked with a calm yet authoritative tone, smiling at Canning for his views.

Canning instantly realized that this former Prime Minister, now Minister of Foreign Affairs, already had his own ideas. The reason for politely asking for his opinion was probably to add some persuasive power when reporting to Lord Aberdeen.

So Prime Minister Russell... no, it should be Minister Russell’s attitude towards the French Empire that is the most crucial element!

Grasping the essence of the matter, Canning carefully pondered Russell’s attitude towards the French Empire during his tenure as Prime Minister, convinced that a competent politician would not change their governing philosophy just because of a different position.

Those who can become Prime Ministers are often the most obstinate people!

Canning suddenly recalled a "rumor" he had heard from a civil servant.

During Russell’s time as Prime Minister, the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Palmerston, had a meeting with a secret envoy from the French side. After that meeting, both parties seemed to have reached some form of agreement.

Perhaps the rumors were true? Did Minister Russell indeed have any agreements with France?

Canning had a vague judgment in his heart and held a mindset of trying to take a guess.

"Your Excellency, I personally believe that the Ottoman Empire High Gate issued this order based on the consideration of the French Fleet!" Canning cautiously probed.

"Oh?" Minister Russell uttered an intrigued "oh" and then said, "Please, continue."

"In terms of overall power in the Mediterranean, the United Kingdom is undoubtedly the first!" Canning began with a bit of self-praise, then continued, "The fleet anchored in Marseille Port, though much weaker than ours, is still a formidable force. I believe that with the strength of France’s own fleet, it is sufficient to annihilate the Russian Imperial Navy in the Black Sea Region as well as the Ottoman Empire’s fleet!"

The French Empire’s fleet in the Mediterranean Region did indeed cause some concerns among the Francophobic individuals in Britain, but overall, it still couldn’t threaten Britain’s maritime hegemony.

Regarding the French Empire’s naval power, Canning felt more of a sense of vigilance rather than hostility.

Only when the French Fleet’s strength is seventy percent of the United Kingdom’s, and possesses qualified naval personnel, would the United Kingdom take the French Navy seriously.

Currently, the United Kingdom is fully capable of winning at sea against the joint forces of the world’s second (France) and third (Russia) powers.

"What attitude do you think Britain should adopt in this arbitration?" Russell posed a tricky question to Canning, a question that should have been within Russell’s scope of contemplation.

"I believe the Kingdom of Britain’s best approach is to remain unchanged and respond to all changes!" Canning answered to Prime Minister Russell.

Translated, this means that Britain does not need to do anything in this upheaval.

Russell’s mouth slightly upturned, Canning’s response was exactly what Russell had in mind.

Even so, Minister Russell still wanted to inquire why Canning had this thought.

"Your Excellency!" Canning shrugged, pointing his index finger to the map of Europe hanging behind Russell and said, "The Russian Empire will absolutely not allow this kind of thing to happen; they will definitely act! Whether from military or diplomatic levels! Once they start taking action, the whole of Europe will have to get moving! At that time, it wouldn’t be too late for the United Kingdom to consider entering the scene!"

"Very good!" Minister Russell applauded and praised Canning’s answer: "Mr. Canning, you are a qualified diplomatic envoy! Britain is proud to have an envoy like you!"

"You flatter me!" Canning still maintained a modest smile on his face.

"Could you please put the content we just discussed into a report and submit it to me?" Minister Russell asked Canning in a tone that seemed consultative but was actually a command.

"Of course!" Canning naturally had no power to refuse Russell’s task.

"Alright! Mr. Canning, I suppose you must be very tired from returning to London by ship from Constantinople! I will not keep you here any longer!" Minister Russell politely issued a dismissal order to Canning.

"Your Excellency, take care!"

Canning got up and left the Minister’s office, leaving Russell alone in thought.

After a while, the Chief Permanent Secretary and the Special Secretary entered the room, sitting in their respective positions to assist Minister of Foreign Affairs Russell in handling foreign-related documents.

The office was filled with the sound of leafing through documents, and after an unknown period, Minister Russell, in a state of contemplation, spoke again: "When will the Minister of Internal Affairs arrive?"

The Chief Permanent Secretary and Special Secretary simultaneously paused their work, exchanged a look, and then the Special Secretary stood up from his workstation and reported to Minister Russell: "Your Excellency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ schedule does not include a meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs!"

"Then add it!" Minister Russell said to the Special Secretary with a strong stance.

"Yes!" The Special Secretary cautiously asked, "Do you know when you would like to meet with the Minister of Internal Affairs?"

"Now! Immediately!" Minister Russell emphasized with a harsh tone.

"I’ll arrange it for you right away!" The dedicated secretary didn’t dare to delay a moment and quickly left the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ office.

The chief executive secretary, feeling uneasy, organized the documents carefully, afraid of incurring Minister Russell’s displeasure over a small mistake.

This period still belonged to the age of nobility; civil servants hadn’t reached the apex of their power, so they had to cautiously kneel at the feet of noble ministers, following their orders.

About half an hour later, the dedicated secretary returned to the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ office to report to Russell: "Your Excellency, Lord Palmerston, the Minister of Internal Affairs, is arriving soon!"

Minister Russell gently nodded, waiting for Palmerston’s arrival.

Ten minutes later, the door of the minister’s office sounded again, and the dedicated secretary near the door quickly stood up to open it.

Lord Palmerston, the Minister of Internal Affairs, stood outside the door.

"Your Lordship!" The dedicated secretary respectfully bowed to Palmerston.

Facing a dedicated secretary without a title, Palmerston merely nodded slightly.

Sitting in the minister’s seat, Russell also stood up to greet Palmerston when he saw him.

Palmerston and Russell, once "enemies," now managed to coexist harmoniously in a third party’s cabinet.

"Come! Let’s talk inside!" Russell invited Palmerston to the inner room for a discussion.

Before the two entered the inner room, Russell specifically ordered the chief executive secretary and the dedicated secretary to leave the minister’s office.

Watching the executive and dedicated secretaries close the office door, Russell and Palmerston then entered the inner room and closed its door.

Sitting on a black wool-padded sofa, Russell first opened the cigar box on the table, took out a cigar for Palmerston, and lit it for him.

He then took out another cigar and lit it for himself. Moments later, the entire room was as hazy as an "immortal realm".

Palmerston and Russell began discussing the matter concerning the Ottoman Empire.

"You must be quite aware of the Ottoman Empire’s situation! I won’t elaborate too much!" Minister Russell said to Palmerston.

"I’ve roughly understood the situation! Napoleon III of the French Empire really is quite restless!" Palmerston spoke with a hint of sarcasm, having no particular liking for Jerome Bonaparte despite supporting an alliance with France, though he bore no malice either.

However, France’s actions this time indeed displeased Palmerston somewhat.

"Indeed!" Russell nodded empathetically and said, "His Majesty the Emperor always promotes peace in Europe, yet it seems he is the least peaceful of all!"

Palmerston took a deep puff of his cigar, then exhaled a cloud of smoke audaciously, saying, "The situation is now very clear, the Russian Empire will absolutely not let this matter slide! They will undoubtedly take action!"

"I think so too!" Minister Russell nodded once more in agreement with Palmerston’s view: "The question is whether the Russian Empire will resort to military means or diplomatic maneuvering!"

"I estimate they are likely to do both! To take military action and at the same time diplomatically pressure the Ottoman Empire while courting the United Kingdom!" Palmerston replied to Minister Russell.

Then, a trace of disdain crossed Palmerston’s lips: "Our Prime Minister is quite someone who leans towards the Russian Empire! Who knows what kind of agreement the Kingdom of Britain might reach with the Russian Empire!"

"Indeed!" Minister Russell sighed and said, "Now the entire cabinet, except for a few ministers, is predominantly close to the Russian Empire! Not to mention them, even those outside Downing Street are the same!"

What Russell referred to as those outside Downing Street was the London press circle.

Since the establishment of the French Empire, the British press have always held a certain hostility towards the French Empire. To curb the French Empire, they are even willing to compromise with the Russian Empire.

After recognizing the threat from the Russian Empire to Britain’s interests in the Near East, Palmerston and Russell chose to ally with the French Empire against the Russian Empire.

"In the end, our Prime Minister is hardly a competent statesman! He just sways along with public opinion!" Palmerston continued his unreserved critique of Lord Aberdeen.

"Now, we are a Foreign Affairs Minister and a Minister of Internal Affairs, yet have no decision-making power over national policy; all authority is concentrated around Aberdeen and his allies!" Russell sought to form another alliance with Palmerston.

"Indeed! For Britain’s sake, we must do something!"

Palmerston likewise subtly expressed his desire for an alliance.