Constantinople
Ever since the negotiations began, Abdulmejid I had not been in a good mood. He had just been threatened by the Russians, and now the Austrian representative had taken the stage.
Mestece was a pure diplomat, not as aggressively overbearing as Menshikov. Austria's appetite was not as great as the Russians', so there was still room for talks.
Abdulmejid I said firmly, "Mr. Mestece, your country's demands are excessive. The Principality of Moldavia and the Principality of Wallachia are both sacred and inseparable parts of the Ottoman Empire. They absolutely cannot be ceded!"
(Note: The Principality of Wallachia lay in what is now southern Romania; the Principality of Moldavia encompassed what is now northern Romania, Moldova, and parts of Ukraine.)
Yet when he said this, he lacked confidence somewhat. After all, they were being eyed by both the Russians and the Austrians at once.
Facing either one alone, with British and French support, they could still put up a show of strength. But against two at once—not only would Abdulmejid I lose his nerve, even the United Kingdom and France themselves would not have much confidence.
Dividing Russia and Austria had therefore become their most urgent task. Otherwise, once war broke out, the Ottoman Empire would be more or less finished.
Mestece calmly explained, "Your Majesty, these two small principalities are not originally your country's territories. They are merely vassal states. Why can they not be transferred?
"Judging from the current situation, your country simply has no ability to hold on to these two principalities. If you sell them to the Austrian Empire, you can also shorten the line of defense along your border with Russia."
Caring about face was not the Qing Empire's monopoly; the Ottoman Empire was no less so. "Transfer" and "sell"—Mestece was doing his utmost