1885, I came to save Greece

Chapter 124 Speaking the words of Great Britain left Great Britain speechless.

Sophia's voice was clear and crisp, yet it was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pool, creating ripples throughout the banquet hall.

"Because a poor, backward Greece, riddled with internal conflicts, is the most dangerous spark in the Balkans, a house full of dry tinder, isn't it?"

This rhetorical question was like a silent slap across Sir Charles Harding's face, which was adorned with a standard smile.

For the first time, his smile became stiff.

The air seemed to freeze.

The surrounding guests, whether they were old Greek nobles or envoys from various countries, all stopped talking and focused their attention on the center of this sudden confrontation.

Prince William's brow relaxed, and he turned his head to look at his sister with great interest. He had never seen Sofia so sharp and assertive.

Sir Harding, being a seasoned diplomat, quickly adjusted his expression, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes behind his glasses, but more so, wariness.

"Your Highness, your kindness and foresight are admirable." He bowed slightly, trying to defuse the sharp edge with flattery. "But you also know that growth takes time, and even more so, a peaceful environment. Any overly radical changes may attract unnecessary attention."

He emphasized the words "radical" and "concerned".

This is yet another warning disguised as a sugarcoat.

Sofia was not swayed by him; the serene smile on her face remained unchanged.

"Your Excellency, you are quite right." She nodded slightly in agreement, then changed the subject, "The best way to maintain balance is not to let one side on the chessboard remain weak and passive forever, but to make all peace-loving forces strong and work together to safeguard this hard-won stability."

Her voice was gentle, but her logic was like a scalpel, precisely dissecting the traps in Sir Harding's words.

"Did the British Empire really want a Greece that would forever need 'protection' and be perpetually at risk of war due to internal turmoil?"

Sir Harding’s throat moved.

He couldn't answer "yes".

That would be tantamount to openly admitting that the British Empire pursued a policy of weakening its neighbors and hoped that the Balkans would remain in perpetual chaos so that they could manipulate them.

He couldn't answer "no" either.

That would be tantamount to endorsing all of Constantine's great power initiatives.

Sofia gave him no chance to catch his breath.

She turned her gaze to her brother, Prince William, beside her, whose blue eyes gleamed with wisdom.

"I believe that a prosperous and stable Greece will only be a 'stabilizer' for peace in the Mediterranean. Our merchant ships will bring more vitality to Mediterranean trade. Our ports will provide a friendly supply station for the fleets of all nations."

She paused, then looked back at Sir Harding.

"This is entirely consistent with the British Empire's goal of maintaining the smooth flow of the Suez Canal to Gibraltar. It is also entirely consistent with the German Empire's desire to expand peaceful trade."

“A strong Greece is a friend to all, not a threat. Unless…” she drawled, “someone wants this place to never be at peace.”

These words were spoken flawlessly.

She cleverly linked Greece's rise with the core interests of Britain and Germany.

Prince William's expression of admiration deepened. He picked up his glass, took a sip, and showed his support for his sister's words.

A fine bead of sweat appeared on Sir Harding's forehead.

He found himself completely outmaneuvered. The seemingly delicate Prussian princess before him possessed a sharpness of speech and a rigor of logic that far exceeded his expectations.

All his prepared arguments seemed so pale and powerless in the face of such a cunning and manipulative rhetoric.

Just as he was about to end the conversation with a dry toast, Sofia delivered the most devastating blow.

Her face even carried a hint of girlish innocence and curiosity.

“Speaking of balance, Your Excellency,” she tilted her head, her tone as casual as if discussing the weather, “I’ve been hearing my brother talk about the navy quite often lately. He says that a powerful navy is the ultimate key to maintaining the balance of the world.”

"navy"!

These two words, like a thunderclap, resounded simultaneously in the ears of Prince William and Sir Harding.

In the banquet hall, the expressions of some German and British diplomats who were near them changed.

This was the most sensitive and taboo topic in Europe at the time.

The German Empire was frantically expanding its navy, intending to challenge the British Empire's maritime supremacy. The naval competition between the two countries had reached a point of extreme tension.

Prince William himself is one of the most fervent advocates of "naval supremacy".

Sofia's question was like throwing a lit match directly into a powder keg.

Prince William's expression instantly turned serious. He straightened his back, his gaze sharp as he stared directly at Sir Harding.

Sir Harding's face turned extremely ugly at this moment.

What could he say?

Could he, in front of the German Crown Prince, speak at length about the "two-power standard" and advocate that the British Imperial Navy must maintain absolute superiority over Germany?

That would be tantamount to a diplomatic declaration of war.

Can he say that the navy is not important?

That would be tantamount to negating the national policy upon which the British Empire depended for its survival.

He was cornered.

A blind spot that Sofia meticulously constructed for him in the most innocent tone.

This veteran British diplomat stationed in the Balkans experienced for the first time what it meant to be speechless.

"Heh..." He let out a dry laugh. "Your Highness, the navy is... a very vast and complex topic. I think, on such a beautiful night, perhaps we can discuss something lighter."

He raised his glass in a toast to Sofia and Prince William, then turned and left, almost embarrassed, saying he needed to "go and greet the Russian ambassador."

Watching Sir Harding's hurried departure, Prince William could no longer contain himself.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

He let out a loud, hearty laugh.

He stretched out his strong arm, put a heavy arm around Constantine's shoulder, and whispered a loud praise in his ear in German:

"Constantine! You, the jewel of Prussia, are more than just beautiful!"

"She has a sharp blade!"

Constantine looked at Sophia beside him, her face flushed but still maintaining her elegant demeanor, his eyes filled with tenderness and admiration.

He knew that from this night onward, his Crown Princess would be more than just a queen.

She will be Greece's most outstanding and most unexpected diplomat.

In a corner, Alexius Mavrokodatos quietly slipped out of the banquet hall.

His back was soaked with cold sweat.

He realized a terrible truth.

He is not just fighting against a visionary crown prince.

There was also a queen who was equally intelligent.

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