At the British Embassy in Russia, Lord Hawkesbury, the United Kingdom's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stared gloomily out the window. "Those Persians are all worthless trash. The Empire gave them so much aid, yet they couldn't even hold out for two months!"
Charles Whitworth, the Minister to Russia, poured him a glass of Wine. "Clearly, Mirza thought he was still facing an incompetent fool like Zubov.
"I also heard that Erekle II is already at death's door. He may be planning to incorporate Georgia into Russia."
Lord Hawkesbury tipped back his head and poured the Wine into his mouth, saying resentfully, "This has completely thrown my plans into disarray. I'll have to prepare more chips to feed those greedy Russians."
He had originally intended to wait until Russia's war in Transcaucasia reached a stalemate, then use Persian interests to exchange for Russia's participation in the European war. He had never expected Gudovich to fight so smoothly.
Whitworth took the empty glass and asked, "So, Poland or the Balkans? Hmm, it should be Poland."
Lord Hawkesbury nodded. "That's right, Poland. I need to make a trip to Vienna as soon as possible. If the Russians take Poland themselves, then it won't count as a bargaining chip."
Paris.
Versailles Palace.
Accompanied by Count Vorontsov, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grand Duke Constantine of Russia presented Joseph with his credentials:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty Tsar Alexander Pavlovich has asked me to convey his most sincere respect to the Bourbon family—'The sunlight of Versailles has melted the ice fields of Karelia; no Russian can do without the elegance and civilization of France.'
"May God bless the great 'Suffering Savior' and the 'Child of Divine Grace.'
"His Majesty the Emperor hopes that Paris and Saint Petersburg may use a