Chapter 1644 - 1550: Diplomatic Obligations

Chapter 1644: Chapter 1550: Diplomatic Obligations

Joseph couldn’t help but frown.

This time, France indeed didn’t send troops to South America. If the British are allowed to "exert influence," it will inevitably severely impact France’s prestige in the eyes of European countries—Spain is, after all, a member of the Mediterranean Security Organization.

Of course, the inner details cannot be publicly disclosed.

But if there is no counterattack, it would seem to validate what the British have said.

The originally grand celebration that brought diplomatic benefits to France can’t be easily disrupted like this.

Joseph’s mind raced, and he signaled the Spanish Foreign Minister sitting not far away to come closer, whispering a few instructions.

Urquijo immediately stood up and glared at Sir O’Leary, saying, "Were you speaking on behalf of His Majesty George III just now?"

The British hesitated for half a second but nodded and said, "Without a doubt, I am the envoy of His Majesty."

Urquijo’s voice was icy: "Is this how the King of England humiliates our country?"

Joseph commended the recently appointed Spanish minister, as his presence was indeed formidable.

Sir O’Leary was somewhat bewildered: "I didn’t mean that..."

Urquijo turned to the representatives of other countries and proudly said, "The performance of the Spanish Army on the Iberian Peninsula says it all, which is our country is not afraid of any challenge!

"His Majesty the King has long mobilized for war in New Granada and Mexico, where there are over 6 million colonial residents and several tens of millions of escudos in fiscal revenue. Our country can solve any troubles in the colonies on our own!"

He then looked at O’Leary: "Yet you publicly slandered that our country is unable to handle the affairs in America!"

The latter was stunned again and simply gritted his teeth: "That’s indeed what I think. At present, Regent King Noan’s army is already approaching Bogota, and has even occupied it. Meanwhile, you and your French allies can only watch in Europe."

Urquijo smiled: "No, you are wrong. The Brazilian army is retreating under the siege of the New Granada militia, and the situation is completely under our country’s control."

As news from the Americas hasn’t returned yet, no one can falsify that, so he said as much as he could in his favor.

Moreover, he had great confidence in the Regent of France’s deployment—the ability to defeat Portugal and reclaim Gibraltar were results of following His Highness’s strategy.

Sir O’Leary exclaimed loudly: "That is impossible!"

Urquijo provocatively looked at him: "If what I say is true, will London send an expeditionary force to South America to support its Brazilian allies?"

He emphasized the word "Brazil," implying that Portugal has been expelled from Europe’s ranks.

O’Leary hesitated. The British Caribbean fleet did indeed provide assistance to the Portuguese, but sending a large-scale expeditionary force was clearly not in line with British strategy.

Urquijo waved to everyone, sneering: "Behold, this is what Britain calls diplomatic commitment."

O’Leary stammered: "I, my country will never abandon its obligations to our allies..."

The Spaniard pressed onward: "Then you will send an expeditionary force?"

"This is beyond my authority."

Urquijo once again signaled to the representatives of various countries: "I believe everyone is very much looking forward to the British Parliament’s decision.

"Oh, I almost forgot, His Majesty George III’s North American allies are also facing great troubles. I think the British expeditionary force will soon appear at Norfolk Port."

In doing so, it was tantamount to "representing" Britain and solidifying their "resolution" to send an expeditionary force to America in public.

If Britain does not send troops later, it will be ridiculed by the entire Europe, and even its international status will be somewhat diminished—as representatives of all European countries were present in this hall.

O’Leary suddenly realized he couldn’t keep following the Spaniard’s lead and immediately counterattacked loudly:

"Perhaps you have forgotten, we are discussing France abandoning its allies."

"Let me repeat, our country is winning the war!"

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt the continuing entanglement of O’Leary, speaking calmly: "If there is an accident in Spain’s American colonies, our country will strictly adhere to the Mediterranean Security Organization agreement to provide all assistance."

He said this with ample confidence.

In North America, the likelihood of Napoleon being defeated by American novices is nearly zero. Even if the Americans temporarily gain the upper hand, he had prepared Jourdan as a move, ready to constrain at any time in the Southern United States.

That is to say, Napoleon has at least one chance to rally the army and make a comeback.

It would take eight Dukes of Wellington to defeat "Napoleon" twice—given the quality of American soldiers, one or two Wellingtons would certainly not suffice.

As for New Granada, Joseph was absolutely confident in the South American people’s passion for autonomy.

Even if the Portuguese army performed beyond expectations, it was entirely possible to wait until the end of the war in North America before Napoleon would take a hard journey to South America. No one can say that France did not fulfill its allied obligations.

The Prince of Parma immediately stood up, raised his glass, and shouted: "To the Mediterranean Security Organization!"

First, the representative of the various Italian countries, followed by the German States, and finally, everyone in the hall raised their glasses, "To the Mediterranean Security Organization!"

"To the great France!"

Joseph, with a smile on his face, whispered to Eman: "Tell Baron Denico to have the Paris News Agency write up today’s events into a news release as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness."

...

The next day, Talleyrand received the Ottoman envoy Jalal in the banquet hall of the Foreign Ministry.

The latter, adhering to the style of the Ottoman People, immediately had his servants bring out several exquisite boxes and open them one by one.

The banquet hall was instantly filled with jewels and glittering brilliance.

"These are personal gifts from His Majesty the Sultan to Your Excellency."

Talleyrand was also an expert in this regard, quickly assessing the value of these few boxes at over 150,000 francs.

He immediately beamed with joy: "Thank His Majesty for his generosity. Since I left Constantinople, there hasn’t been a moment I haven’t missed His Majesty."

Who wouldn’t miss a tycoon casually gifting hundreds of thousands of francs?

With such a good start, Jalal quickly brought the topic to the Haniz issue: "Your Excellency should have heard, the rebel forces in Diriyah have been driven back to the desert by His Majesty the Sultan’s provincial army.

"According to tradition, His Majesty is prepared to appoint a provincial governor to oversee the Haniz Region. Oh, His Majesty’s generosity and kindness are well known."

Talleyrand just listened silently.

Jalal leaned in a little closer, smiling: "However, you see, the Holy Cities of Medina and Mecca are both in Haniz. His Majesty the Sultan must consider the pilgrimage route for tens of millions of citizens of the Empire.

"And this requires a devout and managerial governor to handle it."

Talleyrand immediately frowned and shook his head: "Frankly speaking, Ali Pasha’s army might not leave Haniz so easily."