novelSusiti Chapter 23 Extorting the British? This is just the first step!
Chapter 23 Extorting the British? This is just the first step!
The first direct confrontation ended in a "friendly and fruitful" atmosphere.
When Sir Harding rose to take his leave, his demeanor was completely different from when he arrived.
When he arrived, he was a condescending inspector, exuding imperial arrogance and reserve.
As he left, his back leaned slightly forward, and when he shook hands with Constantine, he even displayed a sense of solemnity and respect befitting a peer.
"Your Highness, I look forward to our next meeting." Sir Harding even managed a stiff smile. "And please... make sure not to keep our French friends waiting too long."
This is a pun.
This was both a reminder to Constantine not to forget their agreement and an implication that he should deal with the Frenchman and then quickly send him away.
Constantine smiled and nodded: "Of course, Sir. I will convey the British Empire's 'greetings' to Mr. Pierre."
Constantine personally escorted Sir Harding to the steps of the palace gate.
The two shook hands again, their eyes meeting in the air, both understanding each other's unspoken agreement.
This is just the beginning.
Following that, there were countless rounds of arduous negotiations regarding bond details, order terms, and cooperation agreements.
But the most difficult first step has already been taken.
Greece has transformed from a "trouble" in the eyes of the British into a "partner" worth investing in.
Constantine stood on the high steps, watching Sir Harding's carriage slowly disappear into the sunset until it vanished at the end of the street.
The evening breeze from Athens ruffled his golden hair, carrying the fresh scent of earth after the rain, mixed with the faint salty smell of the distant Aegean Sea.
He could clearly hear his heart beating strongly and steadily in his chest.
Blood rushes through the veins, bringing an unprecedented, surging feeling of being in control of one's own destiny, and even the destiny of the nation.
He was no longer the history enthusiast who had just traveled through time and was filled with anxiety about the future.
He is now Constantine, the Crown Prince of Greece.
A player at the poker table who just bluffed his strongest opponent with a terrible hand.
"Your Highness...you...you succeeded!"
The squire Alexandros strode forward, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, his eyes filled with fervent worship.
He witnessed the entire thrilling confrontation.
He witnessed Sir Harding's entire journey from arrogance to anger, from shock to solemnity, and finally to seriousness.
He also witnessed how his Crown Prince gradually manipulated this British envoy.
That wisdom, that spirit, that precise grasp of people's hearts—it was simply a miracle!
In his eyes, His Highness Constantine had single-handedly secured aid from the British Empire for Greece, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, and saved the entire country!
This is success!
However, Constantine merely glanced at the excited attendant and then shook his head.
The setting sun sculpted his young face into a striking silhouette of light and shadow.
"No, Alexandros."
His voice was calm, yet carried a penetrating clarity.
"We did not succeed."
"We've simply gone from being beggars kneeling on the ground, who could be kicked away at any moment, to... the weakest of the weak players who have the right to sit tremblingly at the poker table."
"We simply fought for ourselves the right not to die immediately."
The fervor on Alexandros's face froze instantly.
He looked into the Crown Prince's deep eyes and couldn't understand the meaning of those words for a moment.
Constantine offered no further explanation.
He turned and walked back into the depths of the palace.
The golden afterglow cast his shadow long and thin on the long steps, carrying a loneliness and heaviness that seemed out of place for his age.
He knew that extorting the British and obtaining the right to issue the "National Recovery Bonds" was only the first step in a long journey.
This money was practically pulled from the jaws of death.
It's not for enjoyment, but for... fighting!
He intended to use the money to deal with an enemy that was more dangerous and more deeply entrenched than the Ottoman Empire or the Balkan states.
Those oligarchic groups that are entrenched in Greece, sucking the lifeblood of the nation, controlling the economic lifeline, and hindering all reforms!
Financial oligarchs, land oligarchs, shipping oligarchs...
They are like a giant spider web, tightly binding the entire country.
Without dismantling this network, any reforms are just empty talk, and Greece will never truly become strong.
That will be a war that is bloodier and more brutal than diplomatic maneuvering.
A fierce, bloody battle raged within Greece.
Constantine walked with firm steps through the deep corridor.
In a side room, French Ambassador Pierre was still sipping his Bordeaux wine, plotting how to extract benefits from Greece.
He was unaware that he was about to face a hunter who had just acquired new weapons from the British.
He will be the first whetstone Constantine uses as a sacrificial offering to demonstrate his power to the oligarchs in the country.
A new game has begun.