Enough Is Enough? (Part 2)
At the number five hundred thousand, Nicholas I was truly taken aback. Fortunately, after so many years as Tsar, he had long mastered the ability to control his expression before foreign envoys.
"The Holy Alliance has already deployed an army of one million. It is not impossible for them to deploy another million.
"And the Ottomans? They do not even have the capacity to arm a million men!"
George Villiers nodded, then said unhurriedly.
"Your Majesty, it seems you have done your research. While the Ottomans may lack the ability to arm an army of a million, we in Britain do not.
"At this very moment, twenty ships loaded with weapons and equipment are docked at Varna. The equipment aboard is enough to arm ten divisions.
"Moreover, as far as we know, the Greeks have reached the point of making women plow the fields in spring, while the Austrians have requisitioned nearly every civilian vessel on the Danube to keep their supplies flowing.
"I imagine Russia's situation must be somewhat better."
Nicholas I flew into a rage at once and thundered, "You actually support heathens!?"
George Villiers looked straight into the Tsar's eyes and slowly replied, "For Europe's peace, we are willing to sacrifice even more."
"Shameless!"
Nicholas I forced out those words through gritted teeth.
"Please consider our proposal carefully. For the peace of Europe—and indeed, the world—we believe Your Majesty will make the right choice."
The conversation between Nicholas I and George Villiers did not last long before the former sank into deep thought.
The situation at the Russian front was far from encouraging. On one hand, they had been unable to break into Bulgaria for a long time; on the other, Britain's entry into the war had brought far too many uncertainties.