CHAPTER 382: CHAPTER 376 THE RECKLESS MENSHIKOV

"I absolutely will not shake hands with anyone hostile to the Russian Empire!"

As soon as these words were spoken, an initially cordial welcome ceremony instantly erected a barrier. As the involved party, Foreign Minister Fuad Edifen awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Menshikov intended to use this gesture to declare to every member of the Ottoman Empire High Gate present that even in the Sultan’s court, any High Gate minister hostile to the Russian Empire would be subjected to humiliation and punishment by the Russian Empire.

Having achieved his goal, Menshikov did not care about Fuad Effendi’s own thoughts. He continued forward on his own, stopping at the steps less than 10 meters away from the Ottoman Empire Sultan Emperor Abdul Majid I. He bowed towards Abdul Majid I on the steps throne and said, "On behalf of His Majesty Nicholas I, Emperor of the Russian Empire, I extend my most sincere greetings to Your Majesty the great Sultan!"

Abdul Majid I looked at Menshikov on the steps, his heart filled with humiliation and anger.

In Abdulmejid I’s view, Menshikov’s earlier remarks were not aimed at his foreign minister but were veiled insults directed at himself.

As a monarch of a nation, how could he tolerate such humiliation? He was now eager to order his "loyal" subordinates to drag Menshikov from the steps and execute him immediately.

Reason told Abdulmejid I that if he indeed acted in such a manner, a war between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire would erupt the next day.

The Ottoman Empire was not at all prepared for war.

Therefore, Abdulmejid I could only suppress his rage and forced a smile at the Menshikov envoy below the steps and said, "I am delighted that my brother, the monarch, Nicholas, could think of me!"

"Of course! Our Majesty is thinking of you at all times!" Menshikov raised his voice, his words carrying a hint of implication.

The officials present at the High Gate displayed awkward expressions on their faces, as Menshikov’s words were extremely provocative. They truly feared that their own Majesty might do something impulsive.

Fortunately, Abdulmejid I still didn’t lose his composure due to Menshikov’s words. He kept telling himself in his heart to be magnanimous.

"Please convey my thanks to Nicholas!" Abdulmejid I responded to Menshikov, struggling to suppress his anger.

"I will certainly convey it truthfully!" With the provocation plan failing, Menshikov had to seek other methods.

Subsequently, Abdulmejid I introduced important figures of the Ottoman Duchy to Menshikov, including Prime Minister Muhammad Ali (a diminished version of the Grand Vizier), Grand Admiral Mahmud, Selask (the army commander-in-chief) Reza Pasha, and ministers of foreign affairs, internal affairs, industry, etc.

Menshikov continued to greet these High Gate government officials in front of him with arrogance.

Menshikov’s arrogant actions directly irritated everyone present, even the pro-Russian factions silently cursed Menshikov’s stupidity.

This welcome ceremony made all High Gate officials recognize Menshikov’s attitude, and also see clearly the attitude of the Russian Empire behind Menshikov.

After the welcome ceremony, even the limited number of pro-Russian members of the court became opponents of Russia due to Menshikov’s antics.

Menshikov was utterly unaware of this, still immersed in his so-called diplomatic "victory."

In Menshikov’s view, the Ottoman Empire, from top to bottom, had completely succumbed to the control of the Russian Empire. What he needed to do now was to pick the fruits of victory.

After the welcome ceremony, Menshikov prepared a report regarding the Ottoman Empire’s attitude during the ceremony. The report was sent from Constantinople to St. Petersburg in document form at dawn the next day.

In the following days, Menshikov quietly awaited the Tsar’s reply.

A week and a half later, Menshikov received a letter personally written by Nicholas I.

In the letter, Nicholas I praised Menshikov’s actions in undermining the Ottoman Empire and informed Menshikov that he could confidently and boldly continue to press the Ottoman Empire, as he would promptly persuade the Kingdom of Britain to agree to join forces with the Russian Empire to maintain peace in the Near East region.

After reading the letter, Menshikov felt affirmative support from His Majesty the Tsar, which motivated him to work even more diligently.

On March 25th, the Russian Empire envoy Menshikov went to the residence of Prime Minister Muhammad Ali.

This time, the Prime Minister did not meet Menshikov in a specific room as he did the previous two times but sat on the sofa in the first-floor living room to chat with Menshikov.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we hope that your country can appoint a more reasonable foreign minister for the upcoming negotiations. Do not let some unqualified person sit in that position; it will damage the friendship between our two countries!" Sitting opposite Muhammad Ali, Menshikov straightforwardly said.

Muhammad Ali hesitated for a moment before pretending to be troubled, spreading his hands and saying, "Your Excellency Envoy, based on the information I have, Minister Fuad has not committed any outrageous acts. Arbitrary dismissal could cause unnecessary trouble!"

"Fuad Edifen harbors hostility towards the friendly Russian Empire to the Ottoman Empire; isn’t such a reason sufficient?" Menshikov clearly did not want to reason with Muhammad Ali, snorting coldly.

"Your Excellency Menshikov, at the very least, we need a reasonable justification! Such a reason is far too far-fetched!" Muhammad Ali once again inquired of Menshikov with a consultative tone.

"No! Minister Fuad must be dismissed!" Menshikov maintained his tough stance.

After some tug of war, Muhammad Ali, intimidated by the power of the Russian Empire behind Menshikov and his own firmness, reluctantly agreed to Menshikov’s request to report Fuad Effendi.

"After Fuad is dismissed, who will take on the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs?" Muhammad Ali once again asked Menshikov.

"That is your issue!" Menshikov said to Muhammad Ali.

In terms of familiarity with Ottoman Empire officials, Menshikov was far less knowledgeable than Muhammad Ali.

"How about Rifat Pasha?" Muhammad Ali proposed a candidate.

"It’s up to you!" Menshikov replied indifferently, then added, "However, before he takes office, he must be interviewed by the interpreter I select!"

"That is naturally not an issue!" Muhammad Ali readily agreed to Menshikov’s demand.

"I presently have no other demands! If I do, I will return here!"

After saying that, Menshikov rose and left.

Muhammad Ali also stood up to see Menshikov out the door.

Watching Menshikov leave, Muhammad Ali’s expression immediately went from clear to cloudy.

"What an utter bastard!" Muhammad Ali couldn’t help but curse.

In his decades of political life, Muhammad Ali had never encountered someone like Menshikov, who completely trampled two diplomats underfoot.

Finally calming himself, Muhammad Ali called for his Greek housekeeper and ordered him to invite Fuad Effendi.

The housekeeper nodded and left the apartment, and about half an hour later, Fuad Edifen appeared in the living room.

Muhammad Ali felt apologetic for not being able to keep Fuad Effendi in his position.

"It’s nothing!" Fuad Effendi, who had long expected this outcome, faced it with an open-minded attitude, saying carelessly, "Ever since the Russian Empire announced its advance towards the Danube Duchy, I had pretty much understood my fate! The most important thing now is to win over France; only in this way can we counter the Russian Empire."

"Don’t worry! I understand!" Muhammad Ali nodded, indicating his understanding.

After Fuad Effendi left, Muhammad Ali called in Rifat Pasha, who was about to become Foreign Minister.

"Why me?" Rifat Pasha looked at Muhammad Ali in confusion; this role of Foreign Minister was not one he dared to assume lightly, as even the slightest misstep could have him branded as a traitor.

"Menshikov wants someone sympathetic to Russia to fill this role, and you are the most suitable person!" Muhammad Ali diplomatically told the formerly "Pro-Russian" individual before him.

"But now I..." Rifat Pasha wanted to clarify his current political stance, but Muhammad Ali immediately interrupted: "I don’t care what your current political stance is; you must win the last bit of time for the Ottoman Empire! The Ottoman Empire needs you!"

Muhammad Ali’s words successfully choked all the words Rifat wanted to say in his throat.

After a while, Rifat Pasha spoke once more: "Tell me! For how long should I delay?"

Muhammad Ali’s face broke into a smile again as he held up five fingers to Rifat Pasha and said, "You only need to delay until May, and leave the rest to me!"

"Alright!" Rifat Pasha nodded in response.

On March 25, the Ottoman Empire’s Foreign Minister Fuad Effendi was unable to fulfill his duties due to health issues. After discussions by the Ottoman Empire’s grand assembly and cabinet, it was decided to dismiss Fuad Effendi from his position, to be succeeded by Rifat Pasha taking Fuad Edifen’s position.

When Menshikov received the news of Rifat Pasha taking over as Foreign Minister, he immediately grabbed the embassy’s interpreter to seek out Rifat Pasha to negotiate a treaty.

Upon hearing from Muhammad Ali that Rifat Pasha was on a mission to the Bulgarian Region, Menshikov had no choice but to bring the interpreter back to the embassy.

Reported by Muhammad Ali, Fuad Effendi was also not idle. Without official duties, he did not have to worry about diplomatic influence and spent his days shuttling between the British and French embassies, persuading Britain and France to provide limited support to the Ottoman Empire.