Iron Dynasty Chapter 1078

“Salid, that’s hardly amusing.”

Suleiman’s demeanor shifted to earnestness; he presumed Salid was jesting.

“Great Sultan, this is no jest. The Golden Tent Khanate’s incursions upon the Empire’s frontiers have appreciably waned over the years. We found this quite peculiar initially, but now, the reason appears evident,” Salid stated with circumspection.

Within the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Suleiman held a sovereign standing akin to a monarch, serving as both its supreme ruler and spiritual head, a position of unparalleled authority.

Beneath the Sultan's command, the Ottoman Empire comprised two viziers and a privy minister. Salid, one of these viziers, commanded Suleiman’s utmost confidence.

Suleiman’s brow furrowed upon hearing this. While unfamiliar with the Great Yu Empire, the Golden Tent Khanate remained a vivid memory. Over a decade prior, this formidable adversary perpetually menaced the Ottoman Empire’s borders. Yet, in recent times, mentions of this Khanate had receded dramatically.

If Salid’s account held truth, they had finally unearthed the cause behind the Golden Tent Khanate’s diminished influence.

“The ascendance of the Great Yu Empire seems advantageous to us. We are no longer troubled by issues along our northeastern frontier, are we?” Suleiman remarked with evident pleasure. “Furthermore, we might seize this opportunity to annex their territories.”

Like any ruler with grand ambitions, Suleiman harbored a deep desire for territorial expansion of the Ottoman Empire.

Salid’s expression turned uneasy. He conveyed, “However, the French envoy indicated that the former Great Yu Empire has undergone a dynastic change, now known as the Chinese Empire. Moreover, the lands relinquished by the defunct Golden Tent Khanate have been absorbed by them. Essentially, the Ottoman Empire now shares a contiguous border with the Chinese Empire.”

Suleiman’s elation began to dissipate, his earlier joy proving illusory. Possessing a ruler’s innate caution, he viewed any powerful nation sharing his borders with profound suspicion.

Tsarist Russia alone was a considerable burden; the prospect of confronting another seemingly more potent adversary now loomed.

“Under such circumstances, let us arrange a meeting with the French envoy. Perhaps they can offer valuable counsel. And as you suggested, the Europeans are currently engaged in conflict with this so-called Chinese Empire. We might potentially derive some benefit from this situation, considering the Ottoman Empire’s foundational strength lies in its position as a commercial conduit between East and West.”

“Very well, I shall summon them forthwith,” Salid replied, turning to depart. Moments later, he was followed into the chamber by two individuals clad in formal black attire.

“Sultan Suleiman, it is a distinct honor to make your acquaintance,” Henry declared, offering a deep, respectful bow to Suleiman.

Having recently returned to France from Qingzhou, Henry had been promptly assigned a new diplomatic mission to Istanbul, the esteemed capital of the Ottoman Empire.

The somewhat unusual justification for his assignment was his prior experience in the Chinese Empire, enabling him to provide the Ottoman Empire with a more lucid depiction of this Eastern realm.

Yet, in Henry’s professional assessment, this effort offered little practical value to the diplomatic engagement; the Ottoman Empire required tangible advantages.

“Are you the envoy representing France?” Suleiman inquired, his tone imbued with a subtle, underlying threat. In truth, his apprehension leaned more towards the Europeans than the Eastern Empire, given that Istanbul served as the vital nexus connecting Europe and Central Asia.

During the Ottoman Empire’s zenith, its domains stretched across Istanbul, encompassing even regions like Greece and Venice. However, subsequent military setbacks against European powers had resulted in the forfeiture of all its European territories.

“Indeed, I am Henry,” the envoy confirmed.

Suleiman posed a direct question: “Salid mentioned your willingness to return the Peloponnese Peninsula to our sovereignty?”

“Through our intercession, this outcome is attainable. However, this necessitates your cooperation, Sultan, in addressing the emergent crisis emanating from the East,” Henry responded. Diplomatic negotiations, he mused, could often be characterized by such straightforwardness, eschewing unnecessary prevarication.

Suleiman’s gaze intensified. For three centuries, the Peloponnese Peninsula, the cradle of Greece, had remained under Ottoman dominion. Yet, a decade prior, with the backing of various European nations, Greece initiated a revolutionary war for independence. Bolstered by military aid from European powers, the Greeks procured substantial quantities of advanced weaponry. Although Suleiman had managed to quell this uprising, the Ottoman Empire, armed with outdated firearms, ultimately succumbed to defeat, allowing Greece to break free from their rule.

Nevertheless, he remained convinced that if the European nations ceased their intervention in Greece's struggle for self-determination, he could reclaim the region. This would serve to restore the prestige tarnished by his past military failures.

“The crisis from the East?” Suleiman’s eyes scanned his surroundings, a burgeoning sense of opportunity dawning upon him – a potential return to a position where he could skillfully maneuver between opposing interests.

With a peculiar smile gracing his lips, Suleiman voiced, "Are you referring to the Chinese Empire from the East? Word has it that this burgeoning Eastern Empire holds considerable power. We are disinclined to invite trouble upon ourselves."

Henry scoffed inwardly, anticipating this very response. He then proposed, "Should the Sultan align with us to counter the Eastern Empire's expansion, in addition to facilitating the recapture of the Peloponnese Peninsula for your nation, we shall also exert pressure on Tsarist Russia to relinquish its claims on Crimea. The combined size of these two territories is far from insignificant."

Suleiman found this proposition more compelling. While the Peloponnese Peninsula in southern Greece held some appeal, his attention was more intensely focused on the Crimean port along the Black Sea. Tsarist Russia's designs on Crimea were intrinsically linked to its strategic importance as a Black Sea harbor.

"We shall not act rashly based solely on your words. Until the Peloponnese Peninsula is restored to Ottoman dominion and Tsarist Russia withdraws from Crimea, you will receive no commitment from us," Suleiman responded with cunning.

Having secured ample authority prior to his visit, Henry declared, "Sultan Suleiman, our sincerity is unwavering. If you are amenable, please dispatch an envoy to Greece. Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Tsarist Russia, and France will all send representatives to join him. We shall finalize a concrete treaty here, ensuring you achieve your desired outcome."

Suleiman's eyebrows ascended slightly. "This presents an ideal scenario. I shall dispatch my son to Greece to partake in the treaty's signing. Should my objectives be met, your own aspirations will likewise be fulfilled."

"May the treaty signing proceed with utmost smoothness," Henry intoned, bowing once more before departing the palace with Suleiman's assent.

Once Henry's form had vanished from sight, Suleiman instructed Salid, "Gather all available intelligence concerning the Chinese Empire without delay. The Europeans' willingness to offer such a substantial price for our support indicates they are likely confronting a severe crisis. We must refrain from impulsive actions until we possess a comprehensive understanding of the situation."

Salid acknowledged the directive and turned to leave.