Chapter 1139: Petersburg

Petersburg.

While Zhao Xu was experiencing the Silver Plate Camera with his ministers, the Great Song mission led by Commander Dong An arrived here after nearly four months of travel.

"Welcome!" A group of people stepped down from their carriages.

A Ross official walked up to greet them.

On both sides of the road stood two rows of soldiers.

These soldiers all rested their Rifled Muskets on their shoulders, wore dark blue military uniforms, and held their heads high.

This Ross official was none other than the Diplomatic Minister of Ross, Chester.

Ever since the Northern Di were defeated in Yongzhou, he had left the Far East and returned to Petersburg.

Over these past few months, because of the Coalition's defeat in Tianzhu, he had been rushing between the Xitu Guo, seeking ways to deal with Great Song.

When he returned to Petersburg, exhausted, Nikolai the Great suddenly informed him of the Great Song mission's arrival.

Thus, he came to the outskirts east of Petersburg to welcome the Great Song mission.

Although both Nikolai the Great and he were currently filled with apprehension, fear, and disgust toward Great Song.

Yet, they could not afford to ignore this visit by the Great Song mission.

They could not ignore a powerful empire that had already extended its influence deep into Zhongtu and was also lying in the Far East.

Especially since this Eastern Emperor had just wiped out the entire Western Lands Allied Forces.

And this was something they, the people of Ross, admitted they could not do themselves.

However, the Ross people were also proud.

They would not bow to Great Song because of this.

This was also the reason why he had the soldiers hold their heads high.

"Many thanks. It is also our honor to be able to come to Petersburg," Dong An said, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing.

Interpreters for both sides translated their words in a timely manner.

Chester nodded.

His gaze turned to the Great Song soldiers behind Dong An.

These Great Song soldiers wore neat, dark green military uniforms and black, polished leather shoes; both the uniforms and the boots were crafted with great precision and care.

The rifles carried by these soldiers also caught his eye.

The entire Western Lands was now imitating this type of breech-loading rifle.

But based on his observations while traveling through various countries during this time, although their imitations had made progress, the craftsmanship was still somewhat rough, the appearance still looked crude, and the performance was also a bit inferior.

"Sigh." After observing for only a few moments, Chester sighed inwardly.

These Ross soldiers welcoming the Great Song mission were already the elite guards of Emperor Nikolai.

But clearly, no matter how high they held their heads, they still lost in terms of image.

And this could simply illustrate the gap in national strength between the two countries.

As for the subsequent plan where Nikolai the Great deliberately had him guide the Great Song mission to tour Petersburg, he felt it was also a waste of effort.

Because Petersburg could not form a deterrent against the Great Song mission like it had once done to Wulanba.

It might even expose their weaknesses.

However, this was, after all, the order of Nikolai the Great.

So, for the next hour, under Chester's guidance, Dong An appeared at every important landmark in Petersburg.

Their appearance drew a crowd of onlookers among the Ross people.

These Ross people pointed at Dong An and his party, constantly saying something, their expressions not very friendly.

Dong An knew that nothing good would come out of their mouths.

After all, Great Song was now the enemy of the entire Western Lands, and Ross had also suffered losses at the hands of Great Song.

At the same time, he did not care.

Because the exchanges between the two countries did not depend on public opinion, but on the strategic considerations of the upper echelons.

"Petersburg is a beautiful city; I hope it can remain beautiful in the future," the group finally arrived outside the Winter Palace of Petersburg, and Dong An said with a smile.

Unlike the architectural style of Great Song, Petersburg was filled with spire-style buildings everywhere.

Of course, he knew the other party did not invite him to tour Petersburg to appreciate these buildings; the focus was on the factories in Petersburg belching thick smoke and the Steam Locomotive station.

If this had been a few years ago, he would certainly have been shocked out of his composure by these things.

But now, facing these things that were already a generation behind Great Song, he could only smile faintly.

"It will, of course, remain beautiful," Chester said, his heart trembling slightly.

He could not tell if Dong An's words were praise or a threat.

Dong An smiled lightly, then said, "When does Nikolai the Great plan to see us, or are you directly responsible for this negotiation mission?"

Having seen what he needed to see, Dong An got straight to the point.

"You may first explain your intentions to me, and I will report them to the Great Emperor; this is also the rule of diplomatic reciprocity," Chester said sternly.

If the Emperor were to negotiate directly with the opposing mission, it would make it appear that Ross was a step lower than Great Song in diplomatic relations.

They did not believe that Ross had become a weak nation in front of Great Song.

Dong An had already anticipated this; from the very beginning, he had sensed the strange emotions Ross held toward Great Song.

A mentality of fear, yet hatred, but an unwillingness to admit defeat.

Taking a document from a Great Song diplomatic official beside him, he handed it to Chester, "This is the purpose of our visit. I hope that this time, Great Song and Ross can reach an agreement that allows both countries to benefit."

Dear reader, click in and give a good review; the higher the score, the faster the updates. It is said that those who give a perfect score to the new book eventually find a beautiful wife!

The brand-new upgraded address for the mobile site: https: //, data and bookmarks are synchronized with the computer site, ad-free and refreshing reading!