Chapter 419: Chapter 413 Drinking Poison to Quench Thirst
Given the current material and financial resources of the Ottoman Empire, not to mention supporting the joint forces of Britain and France, even solely supporting the 150,000 French Expeditionary Army mentioned by Jerome Bonaparte is an impossible task.
"If the Ottoman Empire cannot guarantee the logistical support for the expeditionary army, then the French Empire cannot guarantee victory over the Russian Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte gently rubbed his fingers, replying stiffly to Rifat Pasha: "Surely you know, the success of a war depends not only on the front lines but also on the rear lines.
If the Ottoman Empire cannot even ensure this, I cannot persuade my soldiers to go to a country that cannot even guarantee logistics for the war!"
"But, the French Empire..." Seeing that Jerome Bonaparte wanted to withdraw from the Near East, Rifat Pasha was immediately agitated.
After all, relying solely on the strength of the Ottoman Empire, there’s no way to confront the Russian Empire. They must cling tightly to the legs of Britain and France to survive in the Near East.
One could say that the continued existence of the Ottoman Empire is entirely dependent on the support of the imperialist Great Powers.
With the situation at hand, Rifat Pasha could only humbly say to Jerome Bonaparte, "Although the Ottoman Empire cannot fully guarantee the interests of the expeditionary forces, we will do our utmost to provide everything that the expeditionary forces need..."
Before Rifat Pasha could finish, Jerome Bonaparte raised his hand to interrupt Rifat Pasha, saying, "Pardon me for being blunt, but can the Ottoman Empire’s current financial situation really support a fight with the Russian Empire?"
Rifat Pasha immediately pursed his lips, speechless.
Based on the current financial situation of the Ottoman Empire, it is utterly incapable of sustaining a prolonged war, let alone supporting the French Empire.
If the war with the Russian Empire reaches a stalemate, financial collapse is the only path left for the Ottoman Empire.
Even if they are lucky enough to win against the Russian Empire, what then? The greedy Tsar will definitely not pay compensation for this war, and the Ottoman Empire will have to bear all the bitter consequences on its own.
Thinking of this, Rifat Pasha’s mood grew heavier.
After a while, Rifat Pasha spoke with difficulty, "Indeed, there have been some fluctuations in the empire’s finances, but these fluctuations are only temporary crises. It won’t be long before the Ottoman Empire can alleviate them!"
"A temporary crisis?" Jerome Bonaparte spread his hands, speaking frankly, "How many years does a temporary crisis last? 10 years? 20 years? Does the Ottoman Empire need to wait twenty years before it can declare war on the Russian Empire?
Of course, I do not intentionally belittle the Ottoman Empire. However, I believe the Ottoman Empire should first carefully consider its priorities."
"I am merely a diplomat and only have a slight understanding of the empire’s finances. However, I believe that the Ministry of Finance will surely come up with a solution to this issue." Rifat Pasha could only pass the problem to the Ministry of Finance and then continued to assure Jerome Bonaparte, "However, I can assure you that even if the empire is currently facing financial difficulties, I will use my utmost efforts to provide quality service to the French Empire’s army, ensuring they receive the most comprehensive logistical support."
"Assurance?" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and said to Rifat Pasha, "Mr. Rifat, what I need is not your assurance! Assurance is the most useless thing in the world; I need to see the Ottoman Empire’s actual ability to fulfill its promises!
If the Ottoman Empire does not even have this capability, I find it hard to persuade the Legislative Corps and all French citizens to support the empire’s involvement in the war against the Russian Empire.
In the French Empire, the rights of the Legislative Corps and all French citizens far surpass mine as Emperor. The French citizens have entrusted me with this power, and I must exercise it responsibly."
"Your Majesty, we..." Rifat Pasha lightly bit his lip, unable to speak.
"Mr. Rifat, think carefully!" Jerome Bonaparte patted Rifat’s shoulder and then turned to leave.
After Jerome Bonaparte left the castle, the French Empire’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, De Luyis, appeared in front of Rifat Pasha.
"Mr. Rifat, your conversation with His Majesty..." De Luyis looked at Rifat Pasha with confusion; from his expression, he seemed unaware of the content of the conversation.
"Alas!" Rifat Pasha shook his head in response to De Luyis.
"Can you tell me what happened?!" De Luyis inquired with concern.
"His Majesty the Emperor just told me..." Rifat Pasha thoroughly recounted to De Luyis what Jerome Bonaparte had just told him.
Originally planning to put on a calm face, De Luyis felt a headache coming on after hearing Rifat Pasha’s description.
At this moment, De Luyis truly didn’t know whether he should praise Jerome Bonaparte for his dedicated portrayal of a hotheaded character or criticize the Emperor for "overdoing it."
Diplomacy is inherently a place that leaves room for maneuver for both parties. Such a strategy that directly exposes the other without mercy might only have been possible during the time of the First Empire.
In a certain sense, Jerome Bonaparte indeed inherited some of his uncle’s "fine" diplomatic traditions.
Thinking of this, De Luyis hurriedly remedied, "Mr. Rifat, I think His Majesty probably hopes for a closer cooperation between the Ottoman Empire and France!"
"What do you mean?" Rifat Pasha asked De Luyis.
"The Ottoman Empire’s finances aren’t really a big issue; it can be alleviated with some measures!" Fei Luyis proposed a solution to Rifat Pasha, "The Ottoman Empire itself is a valuable asset. Many of our nation’s bankers hope to have deep exchanges with the Ottoman Empire."
Translated, De Luyis’ words meant that as long as the Ottoman Empire issued bonds, the French Empire could take over those bonds for the Ottoman Empire.
"But the Ottoman Empire has already accumulated a large amount of external debt!" Rifat Pasha replied to De Luyis.
Back then, in order to quickly implement the Tanzimat Reforms, the Ottoman Empire was forced to borrow from the Kingdom of Britain. Under the instruction of the British Government, Barings Bank, one of the banking giants in Britain, "gladly" accepted the debts issued by the Ottoman Empire and placed them on the secondary market.
As the "reforms" gradually proceeded, the frequency of collusion between old and new bureaucrats increased, leading to higher and higher debts for the Ottoman Empire, to the point where they were incapable of repaying them.
In response to Rifat Pasha’s reply, De Luyis was clearly prepared. He immediately shook his head and said, "Mr. Rifat, the territories of the Ottoman Empire themselves are a wealth. As long as the Ottoman Empire is willing to make some sacrifices, our country’s bankers are more than willing to bear the Ottoman Empire’s debts!"
"You want us to cede land? No, absolutely not!" Rifat Pasha understood De Luyis’ implication and immediately shook his head in fear, saying to De Luyis, "If I agree to your conditions, those guys in Constantinople will definitely not spare me."
The people Rifat Pasha referred to were the extreme doctrinal Imams.
"Hmph!" De Luyis snorted coldly, showing disdain, "Those people don’t understand the difficulties of their country. If you’re just a bit tougher on them, they wouldn’t dare to say anything!"
Then, a cold smile appeared at the corner of De Luyis’ mouth, "Aren’t those guys who boast of their love for the Ottoman Empire willing to die for it? Then send them to the frontlines and let them die honorably for the Ottoman Empire."
De Luyis’ method was indeed ruthless. In Constantinople, those with extreme nationalistic and militant sentiments were usually middle-class citizens/Imams of Constantinople. Sending them to the battlefield was entirely meant to break the nascent winds of democracy in the Ottoman Empire, forcing it back into a state of barbaric autocracy.
"This..." Rifat Pasha was somewhat tempted.
"Mr. Rifat, the most urgent task now is to defeat the Russian Empire! If the soldiers of the Russian Empire enter Constantinople, then the situation the entire Ottoman Empire would face is something I don’t need to elaborate on!" De Luyis once again emphasized the "Russian threat" to Rifat, "In the eyes of those Balkan nations, the Ottoman Empire is an evil empire that has oppressed them for hundreds of years! Once the Russian Empire breaks into Constantinople, who knows if they won’t orchestrate a massacre there.
At that time, the whole of Constantinople might become an empty city."
"The Russian Empire wouldn’t do that, would they? They’re considered a nation stepping into the civilized ranks!" Rifat Pasha was increasingly shaken.
"The Russian Empire doesn’t need to make a move! They only need to take over an empty city! Those in the Balkans would likely be very willing to do some unsavory tasks for the Russian Empire!" De Luyis discreetly reminded.
Rifat Pasha’s face was extremely grim.
Undoubtedly, De Luyis’ intimidation was effective. Rifat Pasha didn’t dare gamble on whether, without France, the combined forces of England and Austria (Ottoman) could withstand the Russian Empire’s attack.
Not to mention, there was also the equally covetous Austrian Empire.
If France bore any grudges and sabotaged them from behind, the Ottoman Empire might indeed face the risk of order collapse.
In this Great Powers’ friendship, the Ottoman Empire simply had no bargaining power.