When the London Government chose to stand by and watch, war became inevitable. The decision of Britain and France did not come as a surprise to the Sultan Government. After all, this time their enemies were Austria and Russia. Without sufficient benefits, why would Britain and France risk their lives for them?
According to the original plan, Abdulaziz I believed that the Prussians would keep the Russians tied down from behind, leaving them to face Austria alone. If Britain and France intervened, Austria would most likely back down if they surrendered some of their interests.
There was precedent for this. As early as ten years ago, the Vienna Government had proposed purchasing sovereignty over the Arabian Peninsula from the Sultan Government, and three years ago it had again proposed purchasing sovereignty over Palestine.
Naturally, neither deal was concluded. The Sultan Government feared that once Austria acquired those regions, it would develop even greater ambitions and continue nibbling away at the Ottoman Empire.
"Even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains" did not apply in politics. After its attempt to purchase the territories failed, the Vienna Government did not let the matter rest, continuously infiltrating those regions and forcing the Sultan Government to make concessions.
Because Jerusalem was involved, the deeply religious Sultan Government simply did not dare compromise, and relations between the two countries steadily deteriorated.
Ankara Palace. Ever since receiving the news of the diplomatic setback, Abdulaziz I had been burning with rage. Over the past two days, three maidservants had already lost their lives, while many others had been punished.
"Why have you all gone silent? Didn't you solemnly swear that the European nations did not wish to see Austria continue expanding?"
Hearing Abdulaziz I's mockery, everyone lowered their noble heads, assuming the appearance of humbly receiving instruction.