Empire Rising: Spain

The famous No. 10 Downing Street residence of the British Empire.

Originally the residence of the Minister of Finance of the British Cabinet Government, after the position was defaultingly taken by the Prime Minister, No. 10 Downing Street became the recognized Prime Minister’s Residence of the United Kingdom.

The current Prime Minister of the British Empire, Benjamin Disraeli, resides at the Prime Minister’s Residence, No. 10 Downing Street, surrounded by homes of high-ranking British Cabinet officials.

In the meeting room of the residence, members of the British Cabinet had already gathered. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli scanned the room with a somber expression, and then spoke: "Everyone, let’s hear your thoughts, how should we handle the Balkan Peninsula war?"

During the three years of Benjamin Disraeli’s term as Prime Minister, he has vigorously pursued policies of foreign aggression and colonial expansion, making the British Empire more prosperous and stronger.

It is precisely due to his colonial expansion strategy that the British have been tightly gripping the Balkan Peninsula situation, which is a key reason for the United Kingdom’s focus on the area.

The Ottoman Empire is currently on the brink of collapse, and if the United Kingdom doesn’t deploy troops to support them, the war could end within months.

This is unacceptable to the British Empire; if Russia takes control of Constantinople and the Marmara Sea, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet could easily reach the Mediterranean.

This would greatly strengthen Russia’s influence in Central Asia, which is absolutely intolerable for the British.

The then Foreign Secretary, Earl of Derby, first stood up, looked at Benjamin Disraeli, and said: "The Ottoman Empire has already informed us that if we cannot deploy troops to support them within a month, they will initiate negotiations with Russia."

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli nodded, unchanged in expression. The current situation in the Balkan Peninsula was very clear; if the British do not firmly support the Ottoman Empire, the latter would indeed face defeat.

Surrender early to enter negotiations could preserve more territory; if delayed until the Ottoman Army is completely defeated, then the Ottoman Empire would become a lamb to the slaughter.

"What’s the opinion of the Army Ministry? If we intervene in the Balkan war, can the Army Ministry win a confrontation with Russia?" Benjamin Disraeli turned his gaze toward the British Secretary of State for War, voicing his query.

To stop Russia’s advance, a land confrontation with Russia is inevitable, unless the United Kingdom can ally other nations to exert pressure on Russia, otherwise, Russia will not independently retreat from the United Kingdom.

"According to the data we hold, Russia’s troops in the Balkan Peninsula have already exceeded 350,000, and continue to increase.

If we wish to repel the Russians’ advance, we would need to organize at least 200,000 troops, and must also have the cooperation of the Navy," replied the Secretary of State for War.

Although Russia’s weaponry is inferior, they have already gained an advantage in the war. It’s difficult for the United Kingdom to block the Russian troops’ advance, not to mention fighting in a foreign land.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I think to stop the Russians’ advance, we must deepen our cooperation with the Austrians," the Foreign Secretary Earl of Derby continued standing up and said: "The Austrians have strong armed forces and can confront Russia on land.

At the same time, the Austrians would also be concerned about Russia’s expansion in the Balkan Peninsula, I believe they would be interested in our proposal.

For us, as long as we prevent Russia from monopolizing the Balkan Peninsula, and ensure Constantinople and surrounding lands are safe, we can meet our objectives.

We can even make the Balkan Peninsula more chaotic by allying with Austria-Hungary, letting the Austrians and Russians compete themselves."

Benjamin Disraeli nodded. The British Government’s foreign policy emphasizes regional balance, and currently, in the Balkan Peninsula, only Austria-Hungary can counter Russia.

Moreover, there are no intense hostilities between Austria-Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it a suitable target for alliance.

Additionally, creating competition between Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Balkan region could disrupt the Triple Alliance among Germany, Russia, and Austria.

The Triple Alliance poses a substantial threat to the United Kingdom; disrupting it would be a welcomed outcome for the British Government.

"Then contact the Austrians, if they also want to prevent Russia from monopolizing the Balkan Peninsula, we are willing to help them jointly repel the Russians’ advance," Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said with a smile.

Thus, both the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire turned their focus to Austria-Hungary.

On the side of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph I was also holding an emergency meeting.

"The Russians have dispatched over 500,000 troops, and the forces on the Balkan front continue to increase. It seems clear that the Russians are determined to defeat the Ottoman Empire in this war," Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary said calmly.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, if the Russians achieve a comprehensive victory in this war, they may not easily hand over Bosnia and Serbia to us," Julo Andrássy, the Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary and also the Chairman of the Ministerial Council with powers of a Prime Minister, stood up and said.

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