Chapter 289: Another Deal
The sudden economic crisis made the already storm-tossed Sultan Government struggle even more desperately.
Although the Ottoman Empire was still an agricultural country, the withdrawal of British and French capital still dealt it a heavy blow.
Left with no choice, the Sultan Government was forced to make concessions. The only issue was money.
Fuad fought hard for better terms. "Your Excellency, your offer is far too low. Nowhere in the world is land this cheap!"
Johannes replied unhurriedly, "Please do not be anxious, Your Excellency. Our offer is based on the prices of large-scale land transactions on the international market.
"Not long ago, we negotiated with the Russians. They intended to sell Alaska—more than 1.5 million square kilometers of land—and the Tsarist Government only asked four million Divine Shields. Our offer is already very sincere."
That was correct. Russia's foreign minister had proposed selling Alaska. That land earned virtually no money, while they also had to worry about the British attacking it.
However, Nicholas I opposed it. His great Tsarist Majesty felt that selling territory would tarnish his glorious image, so the matter was shelved.
The affair had caused quite a stir internationally. As a diplomat concerned with international affairs, Fuad was naturally familiar with it.
"Your Excellency, Alaska is nothing but a giant block of ice. It is not worth anything at all!"
Johannes shook his head. "Alaska at least produces furs. The Bering Strait has abundant fishery resources, while its southeast and south-central regions have a temperate climate and produce plentiful timber.
"Moreover, there is an inland basin. We sent people to survey it, and the Matanuska Valley has fertile land exceptionally suited to agricultural production.
"Using Northern Europe as a reference, that stretch of land would have no trouble supporting tens of millions