Chapter 425: Chapter 225: Defeat Spreads Like a Collapsing Mountain (Part 2)
Both the European part and the Asian part are very important to the Ottoman Empire; both are indispensable.
But the deadly issue is that to transport troops to the Balkan Peninsula, the Ottoman Empire must pass through the Marmara Sea. Whoever controls the Marmara Sea and the Aegean Sea can directly split the Ottoman Empire into two.
What the Ottoman Empire fears most domestically is the Russians marching all the way to Constantinople, driving the Ottoman Empire directly out of the Balkan Peninsula.
Unfortunately, the Russians currently have such a tendency. If the Russian attack cannot be stopped, the Ottoman Empire might be left with only the Asia Minor Peninsula.
"Gentlemen, do you have any other methods? The Empire is at a moment of life and death. If we cannot repel the Russian attack, perhaps the Ottoman Empire will cease to exist." The newly appointed Sultan Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire said with a face full of grief.
Originally, the throne of the Ottoman Empire was inherited by Abdul Hamid II’s brother Murad V. But Murad V was overly close to France and instead loathed Russia, which was very near the Balkan Peninsula.
This led to Murad V being deposed after only 93 days of reigning on the grounds of mental illness, and the throne was inherited by Murad V’s brother Abdul Hamid II.
Abdul Hamid II was not previously groomed as an heir, and he was only a 35-year-old young king. Facing the crisis of the Empire’s survival, his mind was filled with panic, and he could only turn his gaze to his ministers.
The front-line army commander Muhammad Ali Pasha shook his head helplessly and said to the expectant Sultan Abdul Hamid II: "Our front-line troops are already unable to resist. Unless we are willing to give up all the land north of Plovdiv, we can only rely on the British assistance."
The financial situation of the Ottoman Empire itself was extremely poor, and even if they wanted to organize reinforcements to support the Balkan Peninsula, they would have to wait until the British assistance arrived.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Ottoman Empire has persisted up to this point thanks to British assistance. As soon as British assistance ceases, the Ottoman Empire will immediately fall into a financial crisis, and this war will no longer be necessary.
Upon hearing this, Abdul Hamid II turned his gaze to his Foreign Secretary and asked: "Are the British willing to help us win this war? If we lose this war, Istanbul will belong to the Russians."
The Ottoman Empire certainly understands the reason for the British support, which is to prevent the Russians from gaining control of Istanbul and the straits.
However, although the British have verbally promised to support the Ottoman Empire, apart from financial and material support, not a single British soldier has been seen on the battlefield.
Relying solely on the Ottoman Empire’s troop strength is no longer able to stop the Russian attack. If the British are not prepared to assist in the battle, then the Ottoman Empire can only seek peace.
"It has been half a month since our last contact with the British. Their attitude last time was unwilling to join the war, but they were willing to provide more financial and food support." The Ottoman Foreign Secretary shook his head helplessly in response.
It is clear that Britain is not yet prepared to fight a war with Russia; their support is more in terms of weapons, equipment, money, and food.
This assistance is indeed very useful to the Ottoman Empire, but it does not change the situation on the front lines at all.
"Contact the British again, I need to know their specific attitude." Abdul Hamid II ordered: "Tell those Brits that if they are unwilling to assist us in this war, considering preserving the Empire, I will start peace negotiations with the Russians a month later."
A month is the deadline Abdul Hamid II gave to the British. If within a month the British do not take any action, the Ottoman Empire will have to surrender to Russia.
This is both a reminder and a threat to the British: if they cannot provide stronger support, Constantinople and the straits will be under Russian control.
The Ottoman Foreign Secretary nodded, indicating that he understood.
Then, Abdul Hamid II turned his gaze to the front-line commander Muhammad Ali Pasha and instructed: "General Muhammad, I hope that within this month, the army can hold the Russians north of Plovdiv.
If a month later we can expect British reinforcements, it will be our chance to recapture Sofia and the Plevna Fortress.
But if the British are unwilling to join this war, we can at least ensure that the capital Istanbul will not be captured by the Russians, and we will still have a way out."
As long as Istanbul remains, the Ottoman Empire can still continually dispatch troops and supplies from the Asia Minor Peninsula to the Balkan Peninsula.
But if Istanbul is conquered, the Ottoman Empire government will be forced to retreat to the Asia Minor Peninsula, and the Empire will completely lose control of the Balkan Peninsula.
Leaving the Balkan Peninsula is easy; returning is not.
Once the Ottoman Empire loses control of the Balkan Peninsula, countries like Serbia and Bulgaria will certainly seek independence with Russian support, and each will divide the occupation of the Balkan Peninsula.
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