Chapter 1439: Each Harboring Their Own Schemes
Meter Ani, a small town in central Transcaucasia.
Chandler Halil, the Ottoman ambassador for the negotiations, watched the Persian delegation's retreating backs and lazily yawned. Turning to Semiz, the deputy envoy beside him, he said, "Come eat dinner at my place. My chef has finally arrived. Tonight, we won't have to endure that nauseating burnt stench and bread hard as stone anymore."
Semiz first expressed his sincere gratitude, then looked at the negotiation minutes on the table and said cautiously, "My lord, according to the Rustavi Treaty, the Persians have the right to enter Imereti, while our Guard Corps in Kaspi..."
Chandler waved a dismissive hand. "No need to take it so seriously, young man. Oh, I should remind Hussein, or that idiot might bring two Heathen women again tonight."
Semiz said carefully, "But, my lord, the Grand Vizier ordered us to negotiate a land exchange with the Persians. The negotiations have already gone on for a month and a half without any results. If the Grand Vizier holds us accountable..."
Chandler laughed. "No, no, you've got it wrong.
"Do you really think the Grand Vizier wants to trade Telavi and Tbilisi for West Georgia?"
"Isn't that... the case?"
"Ha ha, of course not." Chandler motioned for his attendants to put away the negotiation documents, then walked out of the hall with his deputy envoy. "Our task is to stall for time."
He lowered his voice. "Let me tell you—Ahmed Pasha is now building defensive lines along the Alazani Valley, while Mustafa Pasha will personally hold the Erevan-to-Razdan line.
"The longer the negotiations here drag on, the stronger their defenses will become.
"If we can keep the Persians tied up until the end of the year, then the great Sultan will possess all