CHAPTER 377: CHAPTER 372: PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE NAVAL BATTLE

"Finally arrived!"

Standing in the fine drizzle, Prince Menshikov held a naval telescope, observing the misty city ahead. Through the telescope, Constantinople seemed as if it were right before him, close enough to touch with a mere stretch of his hand.

We must conquer this place, allowing Rome’s flag to once again flutter over Constantinople.

Gazing at the distant Constantinople, Menshikov silently vowed to restore Rome and fulfill the dreams of past Tsars.

No one had ever been this close to this dreamlike city before.

However, Menshikov seemed to have forgotten that the Rome he envisioned wasn’t coveted by the Russian Empire alone.

In the distant lands, the Ottoman Empire also declared itself to be the Roman Empire.

Despite the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Metternich continued to proclaim in London that the Austrian Empire inherited the universal values of the Roman Empire.

Of all the Romes, the third Rome of the Russian Empire had the least legitimacy, merely claiming it by marrying a fallen Byzantine Empire princess.

Yet, now it was the era of 19th-century imperialism where all legalities had to give way to the naked force of rifles and cannons.

The title of the Roman Empire was no exception; those with stronger military power were considered Rome, a consensus among late-stage dreamers of Rome.

After observing Constantinople for a long time through the telescope, Prince Menshikov redirected the telescope towards a nearby port and, putting it down, pointed to the port and said to the Black Sea Fleet Chief of Staff, Admiral Vladimir Korolev beside him, "Do you see that? That’s the target you need to destroy! You must understand it thoroughly."

Admiral Korolev, just like Prince Menshikov, picked up the telescope, and after careful observation, revealed a defiant face, saying, "Your Highness, with due respect! The warships in that port hardly pose a threat to the mighty Russian Empire."

"Of course, I understand the level of the Ottoman Empire Navy. I am asking you to destroy the warships in the port and the port’s structures as much as possible, weakening the Ottoman Empire Navy’s potential strength. Only then can we complete the landing mission at minimal cost!" Prince Menshikov stated while walking slowly into the ship’s cabin.

Korolev followed Prince Menshikov into the cabin.

Under Menshikov’s leadership, Korolev arrived at his room within the ship.

Upon entering the room, a conspicuous map was hung near the porthole, showing the Ottoman Empire.

Menshikov took the map down and placed it on the table, while Korolev leaned closer to the wooden table.

"Look, the Ottoman Empire Navy is here and here!" Menshikov pointed to the locations of the ports where the warships near Constantinople and Sipuno Port were stationed on the map and said to Korolev with a serious tone, "These two locations are where the Ottoman Empire ships are anchored, especially Sipuno Port, where a large number of the Ottoman Empire’s ships are parked. Once war breaks out, the Imperial Fleet must destroy Sipuno Port first, thus crippling most of the Ottoman Empire’s naval forces to prepare for our landing!"

"Understood!" Korolev replied meticulously to Menshikov, "The fleet is already equipped with the latest model shells. Even against naval powers like Britain and France, we have confidence to defeat them!"

The new shells Korolev referred to were explosive shells, which could significantly enhance the fleet’s destructive capabilities.

Previously, naval battles mainly involved cannon shooting, with ship crews occasionally using rifles to shoot at each other.

Ship-to-ship attacks were far inferior to the bombardment of port cities.

Now, with explosive shells, the lagging Russian Empire’s ships had more destructive power over the Ottoman Empire’s outdated ships and could inflict greater damage on port cities.

"Your fleet must conclude the battle quickly! Don’t leave time for either the British or French fleets to intervene!" Menshikov reiterated to Korolev.

Although negotiations were still ongoing, Menshikov needed to pre-arrange for the potential breakdown of talks.

Menskikov was well aware of the gap between the Russian Empire’s fleet and the Anglo-French fleet.

He wished to avoid large-scale conflict with Britain and France unless absolutely necessary.

The Russian Empire was currently harboring contradictory diplomatic messages.

It wanted to secure control over Constantinople and the Balkan Region, yet did not want to excessively offend Britain and France.

Under such conflicting thoughts, Menshikov even adopted the mindset of a Showa Staff Officer.

Menshikov believed that Britain and France would concede to the conditions proposed by the Russian Empire and that the Ottoman Empire would agree to his terms.

Once the Ottoman Empire agreed to his terms, it would no longer concern Britain and France.

This would be a matter between Russia and Turkey alone.

Even if the negotiations break down, as long as Russia can quickly eliminate the Ottoman Empire’s fleet and land in Constantinople, Britain and France will certainly recognize the Russian Empire.

In Prince Menshikov’s script, the Russian Empire will march from one victory to another, ultimately advancing into Constantinople.

"Understood!" Admiral Korolev responded with equal gravitas.

Just as Menshikov wanted to discuss unexpected issues facing their surprise attack on Sipuno Port with Korolev, a warship appeared through the porthole of the steamship.

Seeing this, Menshikov hurriedly put away the map and headed to the deck.

Korolev followed Menshikov to the deck.

"I am Grand Admiral Mahmoud of the Ottoman Empire Navy! Is Prince Menshikov onboard?" a fluent French voice came from the warship on the left side of the Russian Imperial steamship.

"I am the Tsar’s Envoy Menshikov!" Menshikov also responded in French.

"Then please, let the envoy of the Russian Empire come aboard our ship! I will lead the envoy to Constantinople!" Mahmoud shouted to Menshikov.

"No need!" Prince Menshikov glanced at the crew beside him and said to Mahmoud on the Ottoman warship, "I trust my crew to safely take me to the port!"

The Ottoman Empire warship Mahmoud was on fell silent for a moment, then continued to call out, "Since the envoy is unwilling to come to our fleet, we shall personally escort the envoy into the port!"

"Old fox!" Menshikov muttered, understanding that Pasha Mahmoud did not want them to see the situation at the Ottoman Empire’s port.

"Thank you very much!" Menshikov, even though he understood Mahmoud’s intentions, had to agree to Mahmoud’s escort request.

As the Russian Fleet, which had unruly demands that nearly led to war, entered the port, the covert battle between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire had already begun.

Under the escort of the Ottoman Empire warships, Menshikov entered a port near Constantinople.

Menshikov and his team carefully disembarked from the Russian Imperial steamship fleet.

Although a light rain still fell over Constantinople today, the crowded port was filled with people welcoming Prince Menshikov’s arrival, including Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbs, and others.

Among these people, some were motivated by their Eastern Orthodox faith, while others sought independence for their nations...

Though detested by the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire was welcomed by many Balkan nations.

These people sincerely hoped for the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, so they could finally embrace liberation.

However, despite the warm welcome, their fundamental demand for independence remained unchanged.

If the Russian Empire sought to replace the Ottoman Empire’s ecological position with its own occupation, these people, who welcomed the Russian Empire, would immediately turn into the vanguard against it.

Seeing the scene before him, Menshikov couldn’t help but smile. He gently waved his hand, and the cheers from the Balkan nations for Menshikov grew louder.

Surrounded by the Balkan ethnic communities, Menshikov entered the Russian Embassy in the Ottoman Empire.

Having already received the news of Menshikov’s arrival in Constantinople, the Ottoman High Gate couldn’t help but feel nervous after seeing Prince Menshikov warmly welcomed.

The Ottoman Cabinet convened once more, with all members, including the religious leader of the Peace Sect, attending the meeting.

During the meeting, they debated whether to take action against the Russian Empire’s demands, which split into three factions. The hardline faction included the religious leader of the Peace Sect, former Prime Minister Rechid, among others. The appeasement faction, opposing the hardliners, was represented by Muhammad Ali and Rifat Pasha, among others. Lastly, the moderate faction included Grand Admiral Mahmoud Pasha, Rumiliwa’s highest officer Omar Pasha, and Commander-in-Chief Reza Pasha.

The hardliners proposed rejecting all requirements imposed by the Russian Empire, asserting that as long as the Ottoman Empire maintained a firm stance, Britain and France would not sit idly by.

The appeasement faction advocated for reasonable concessions to Russia, stalling if possible. If the Russian Empire’s demands were excessive, they could relay the conditions to Britain and France and then deliberate on other matters.

The moderates did not favor the hardliners’ warmongering but also showed approval for appeasement.

As long as they weren’t held accountable, they were content.

After nearly a day of discussion, the appeasement faction, led by Muhammad Ali, suppressed the hardliners led by Rechid.

After the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Effendi, following the Prime Minister’s orders, invited Menshikov to attend a welcoming ceremony specially prepared for him two days later.

Menshikov did not meet with Fuad; instead, the ambassador in the embassy accepted the Foreign Minister’s invitation on Menshikov’s behalf.