A group of Russia's senior ministers all widened their eyes, completely unable to follow His Majesty the Tsar's train of thought.
Paul I continued, "As long as we return the lands east of Tabriz to the Persians, they will surely weep with gratitude and sign a Ceasefire Agreement with us."
Count Osterman grew anxious. "Your Majesty, but this brings us no benefit at all..."
Paul I raised a hand to cut him off. "Of course it does. Compared with worthless Persia, India is the place truly overflowing with wealth!" Osterman and the others felt their minds becoming even less sufficient.
Arakcheyev said cautiously, "Your Majesty, do you mean to ally with Persia, then attack India from the west?"
"Exactly! The Persians must have long had their eyes fixed on wealthy India as well."
Arakcheyev hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but given the Persians' strength, it will be difficult for them to offer us any substantive support. And India lies extremely far from our country; relying on our strength alone, we would most likely be drawn into a bitter struggle.
"Moreover, once we begin attacking India, it will invite fierce retaliation from England..."
Paul said confidently, "You have keenly identified the crux of the matter.
"That is why we need another powerful ally: France.
"The French Royal Family and I are related by marriage, and the French are also under enormous pressure from England. They will surely be more than willing to dispatch an Expeditionary Force and weaken English power through the Partition of India.
"At that time, our vast army, combined with France's superb weapons and the endless stream of logistical supplies transported from Persian territory into India, will leave neither the English nor the Indian Princely States able to halt our march!"
Indeed, Catherine II had always