novelSusiti Chapter 316 Variations at the Negotiation Table
Chapter 316 Variations at the Negotiation Table
Chapter 316 Variations at the Negotiation Table
Buckingham Palace, Diplomatic Conference Room.
As the new round of negotiations began, the Marquess of Salisbury, with his sharp, hawk-like eyes hidden beneath thick eyebrows, keenly sensed something amiss.
The atmosphere has changed.
The Greek delegation opposite seemed to have changed overnight.
The young Crown Prince Constantine, who had lost his composure in public just days before due to mental stress, now sat calmly in the main seat. His back was ramrod straight, his shoulders relaxed, and he exuded an air of unhurried ease. His fingers tapped lightly on the table in a silent rhythm. A faint smile even played at the corners of his lips.
He was no longer the exhausted defender struggling in the quagmire, passively parrying attacks.
He was more like a true dealer who had already seen through all the cards in the game.
Sitting beside him, Venizelos was a completely different person. He was no longer the defense attorney with a furrowed brow, racking his brains over the wording of a clause. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze behind his glasses cold yet filled with excitement.
For no apparent reason, a sense of foreboding rose in the Marquess of Salisbury's heart.
Negotiations begin.
Sir Charles Harding, Britain's chief representative, failed to notice this subtle shift. He maintained his standard diplomatic facade, opened the documents before him, and prepared to repeat his old arguments.
"Regarding the administrative division of the southern slopes of the Drino Valley," his voice was smooth and arrogant, full of formulaic tone, "in order to maintain lasting peace in the region, the British Empire insists that an 'International Commission' composed of the major powers must be established to conduct—"
He didn't finish his sentence.
Venizelos stood up.
His movements were not abrupt; in fact, they carried a certain elegance. He gestured to Sir Harding, "Please wait a moment." Then, to everyone's astonishment, he took a thick, neatly bound report from his briefcase.
He did not refute a single word of Sir Harding's argument.
He simply placed the report gently in the center of the table and pushed it toward the British delegation.
"Your Excellency, Sir Harding."
Venizelos spoke, his voice gentle yet clear, carrying an undeniable power throughout the entire conference hall.
Before discussing the lofty principle of international co-governance, perhaps we should first take some time to explore what constitutes a truly "fair international order."
The Marquess of Salisbury's gaze fell on the cover of the report.
A survey and analysis of Britain's monopoly in the Egyptian cotton trade since 1882 and its impact on the textile industry of Mediterranean countries.
The Marquess of Salisbury's pupils suddenly contracted!
This decisive blow came so suddenly, so precisely, and so fatal!
Sir Harding's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
The entire British delegation felt as if they had been slapped hard across the face, their cheeks burning with embarrassment.
What are they doing?
This is a blatant threat!
This is using the most core and sensitive colonial interests of the British Empire to turn the tables on them!
The Marquess of Salisbury's eyes turned ashen. He looked up, past the stunned Harding, and stared intently at Constantine, who had remained an outsider throughout.
The Greek crown prince simply raised his coffee cup in a gesture of respect towards him.
Those blue eyes were full of mockery.
The Marquess of Salisbury understood.
He understood completely.
The Greeks no longer intend to abide by any of the rules he set.
They're going to play a different game today.
Before the British could recover from this heavy blow, Constantine spoke up himself.
He no longer dwelled on Epirus and Macedonia, those trivial details. His voice was not loud, but it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a storm in everyone's hearts.
"Your Excellency Marquis, gentlemen."
"In order to resolve the disputes in the Balkans completely and permanently, and to establish a truly prosperous and stable Eastern Mediterranean."
Constantine stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: the French, the Italians, the Austro-Hungarians, the Russians—
"On behalf of the Kingdom of Greece, I hereby propose a comprehensive solution."
"First, Greece proposes the establishment of a free trade zone in the Eastern Mediterranean, centered on the port of Piraeus." All merchant ships and goods from signatory countries joining the agreement will enjoy completely zero-tariff treatment in all ports within the zone.
As soon as the words were spoken, an uncontrollable commotion erupted in the seats of the French and Italian delegations—the eyes of the two representatives lit up instantly!
Zero tariffs!
This means that their goods can bypass the British-controlled Gibraltar and Malta and be dumped directly into the vast Ottoman and Balkan markets at a lower cost!
This means they can legitimately extend their naval power into the eastern Mediterranean, breaking the absolute monopoly of the British Royal Navy there!
This is a fatal, irresistible temptation!
For the first time, the Marquess of Salisbury's face turned ashen.
His hand, which was under the table, was clenched into a fist so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.
Constantine is undermining the very foundation of the British Empire! He's using the hegemony of the British Empire to buy off his enemies!
Constantine ignored Salisbury's murderous glare.
He continued to present his proposals.
"Secondly, in reciprocity, the Kingdom of Greece will guarantee, with its national credit, the absolute freedom of navigation for all signatory states in the Mediterranean. No state may, for any reason, blockade or intercept the legitimate merchant ships of other signatory states."
This was said to the Russians. The Tsar's Black Sea Fleet dreamed of freely passing through the Turkish Straits.
"Third, all territorial disputes will be demarcated once and for all, based on the supreme principle of national self-determination. Once the demarcation is completed, all signatory states must jointly recognize and permanently maintain the new borders."
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One after another, each link connected to the next.
This is a grand, comprehensive, and incredibly enticing blueprint.
It brought all countries into the fold, giving the French a market, the Italians a status, the Russians hope, and even the defeated Ottomans were able to obtain a relatively equal trading position within this framework.
The only loser is the British Empire, which has always tried to maintain an "offshore balance" here, acting as an arbitrator and the biggest beneficiary!
Constantine walked up to the huge map.
His figure cast a vast shadow on the map.
His voice echoed clearly throughout the hall.
"Gentlemen, the old order is collapsing, and a new era is about to begin."
"You can choose to continue clinging to that decaying, rigid, contradictory, and war-ridden past."
"Alternatively, you can choose to join me in embracing a more prosperous and equitable future."
He turned around, opened his arms, and like a true king, showed his subjects a whole new world.
"This is an offer you can't refuse."
His voice carried a resolute and unwavering tone.
"Because the future cannot be refused."