Restart Spain

July 25, 1876

Britain and Spain formally and publicly condemn the Russians.

"The aggressive Russian Empire is now looking at the Balkans again. As a major power in the world, it is necessary for us to contribute to maintaining regional peace."

"The Ottoman Empire is an independent country. Our ships will be on standby in the Black Sea. The Russians have invaded the Ottomans nine times, and their actions now indicate that they are about to start the next time."

"We hope that Russia will stop its aggressive preparations, otherwise we will not rule out the possibility of directly participating in the war."

Disraeli issued a public speech in London in protest of the Russians' behavior, while Spain made similar remarks at the same time, and the two countries were once again on the same page.

The Spaniards and the British were surprised to find that the two countries that had had countless confrontations at sea were now standing on the same front.

The French, however, remained silent. If Berlin's goal was to achieve coordination between Russia and Austria, France's goal was naturally to break the Three Emperors' Alliance once again, to disintegrate Germany's foreign aid, and to increase its own allies.

For France, keeping silent without speaking out is the best solution.

The Ottoman Empire + Spain + Britain, the lineup against Russia has been established. Spain and Russia, one is in the easternmost part of Europe and the other is in the westernmost part, they can be said to be two countries that have no relationship at all, but at this time they have hostile thoughts.

On July 26, the Ottoman Empire once again announced a heavyweight news.

Spain will sell to the Ottoman Empire a large number of Maxim machine guns, ESP rapid-fire guns, and ironclad ships of the Spanish Navy. The Ottoman Empire will pay Kuwait and raw materials to trade these materials.

Weapons and ammunition, naval warships, the scale of this transaction in Spain is not too big. The ironclad escorted the transport ship directly from Barcelona. This transaction even brought its own escort.

The large-scale deal between the two sides can be said to have shocked European countries, but the Russians felt only anger. Originally, their army had a huge advantage over the Ottomans, but now they don't know how much is left.

The use of the Maxim rifle in the Spanish Army made European countries realize the power of this powerful weapon decades in advance. The scene of people falling like wheat at the beginning still shocked the armies of various countries.

Even many military experts have publicly stated that the Maxim machine gun can almost ignore the numerical superiority of both sides, and the army's reliance on courage to launch a charge will only turn into suicide.

Alfonso doesn't know whether this is good or bad. After people generally realize the usefulness of this weapon, they are bound to increase research efforts, which will make world wars more cruel in advance.

After receiving the news, Tsar Alexander II of St. Petersburg threw down countless vases in the palace in anger.

He didn't care about the order of the army at all. This emperor, known as the liberator, died in depression after Nicholas I was defeated in the Crimean War.

Whether to fulfill his father's regret or to wash away the humiliation of the Russian Empire, the ambitious emperor will not allow this heaven-sent opportunity to slip away.

"Inform Count Ignatyev that he is ready to start negotiations with Britain and Spain, relax their vigilance, and if possible, bring back a batch of weapons from the Spaniards."

Count Nikolai Pavlovich Ignatyev, a staunch proponent of Pan-Slavism, the number two under Gorchakov, now serving as ambassador to Istanbul, is deeply The importance of the Tsar.

"In addition, the British can be promised that they will not establish a Slavic state controlled by the Russians, and their territory will not expand to the Mediterranean Sea."

It was also promised in history, but the reputation of the Russians has not been very good. In the end, the British drove the warships to force Russia to withdraw from the Ottomans.

"Yes."

The subordinates agreed and withdrew. Only Alexander II was left in the meeting room in St. Petersburg. The 58-year-old Russian tsar had vicissitudes beyond ordinary people.

In between, he touched the location of Constantinople on the map with his hand, and whispered:

"Constantinople, success or failure is here..."

After the joint condemnation by the UK and Spain, Gorchakov, who was urged by the country, also officially started the tripartite talks.

With German Prime Minister Bismarck as the mediator and Count Andrashi of Austria-Hungary as Gorchakov's opponent, the three parties sat at the negotiating table at one time.

This is a direct conflict of interest within the Three Emperors Alliance. In order to maintain this alliance, Bismarck even went out personally to maintain the balance between the two sides.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire will not allow the Russians to encroach on its own expansion territory. The Russians' Pan-Slavism is destined to have opposite opinions.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen, I represent the German Empire in this negotiation, helping the two sides reach an agreement where they have differences, and I hope both sides can exercise restraint."

As soon as the negotiations began, Bismarck emphasized calmness.

"We have already promised the Austro-Hungarian Empire that we will not build a big Slavic state. I don't know what else we need to pay to get the support of Austria-Hungary?"

Gorchakov's words are true, and the Russian Empire's words are false. In the original trajectory, the Russians also promised to do the same. The Ottomans established the Great Bulgarian Republic right after the defeat.

"No matter what kind of country is established, it will increase our threat to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the words of the Russian Empire make us not feel a trace of sincerity."

Andrashi asked rhetorically, in fact, negotiating Zhuo, in the end, is nothing more than wrangling each other in order to obtain greater benefits or reduce smaller losses.

"And if we're going to support the Russians, we need to get real territorial control of the Balkan countries."

This condition is clearly not wanting to support the Russians. If this condition is accepted, the actions of the Russians will become meaningless.

The development of things did not go as expected by Andrássy and Bismarck. Gorchakov slammed his hands on the negotiator and was angry at the attitude of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

"It's better for Austria-Hungary to act on its own. How about we support Austria-Hungary's occupation of the Balkans?"

Gorchakov stared at Andrássy with wide eyes. It was indeed that Austria-Hungary's words were too outrageous.

"In this way, the interests of the Austro-Hungarian Empire will not be violated. I hope your country can understand."

Andrashi took a sip of tea from China and answered calmly.

Looking at the two countries that had already gone to a dead end at the beginning, Bismarck sighed involuntarily, and tapped the table lightly to show silence.

"Count Andrashi, your country's conditions are indeed difficult for a strong man. I think it is expected that the Russian Empire will not accept it. I think your country can come up with more convincing conditions."

Bismarck looked at Andrássy and expressed his attitude. Germany supports Austria-Hungary, but it does not mean that Austria-Hungary is insatiable.

......