Chapter 1107: A Dazzling Display

It was exactly as everyone expected.

Andongliefu was quickly dismissed from his post, and Peter the Great expressed his extreme anger regarding the progress on Kuye Island.

The parliament in Saint Petersburg likewise expressed their disappointment in Andongliefu, descending into a chaotic uproar.

This time, Andongliefu had originally intended to use a surprise attack on Kuye Island to create some military achievements for himself, thereby advancing further in the military. Unfortunately, due to his excessive caution, he missed the optimal window of opportunity and directly caused the loss of at least thirty thousand Tsarist Russia navy personnel!

An absolute failure!

This was an absolute failure that Tsarist Russia could not accept!

Peter directly appointed his top naval admiral, Ushakov, to take over command from Andongliefu.

It was clear how much importance he placed on Kuye Island.

Ushakov, the first naval admiral of the Tsarist Russia Empire in the true sense, declared by the Eastern Orthodox Church to be the guardian saint of the Tsarist Russia navy, was an absolutely world-class commander.

From this point on.

The war between Tsarist Russia and Longyan began to truly enter a white-hot stage.

Both sides jointly announced that the conflict had reached the level of war.

Both sides placed the focus of the war between the two countries. This, in turn, allowed Europe to breathe a sigh of relief. Especially the Ottoman.

Hamid.

At this moment, he sat on the throne in Istanbul, listening quietly.

"Your Majesty, at this time, we should quickly organize a great army to take back our lost territory!"

"Yes, we must take back our Salabiya region as soon as possible!"

"Your Majesty... this opportunity must not be lost!"

"Your Majesty... while Tsarist Russia is mired in the war with Longyan, we must strike them a heavy blow! Otherwise, the Black Sea will also be in jeopardy!"

Many of the Ottoman ministers had very sharp insights.

The powerful Tsarist Russia had brought enough humiliation to the Ottoman over these years. In the end, when Hamid took the throne, he even humiliatingly ceded much land to Tsarist Russia; everyone knew that the cruelty of this polar bear was something the Ottoman could not withstand. Yet, they had to withstand it!

The long-term war with Tsarist Russia dragged the Ottoman, with its rigid and increasingly corrupt system, into the abyss.

All of this was because of the Black Sea!

As long as it was a European country, no one wanted to let Tsarist Russia control the Black Sea! Once the Black Sea was controlled, what Tsarist Russia would bring them would be an endless nightmare. Therefore, regardless of whether it was Britain, France, the Poland-Lithuania United Kingdom, Sweden, or the Netherlands, none of them wished to see the Black Sea fall into the hands of Tsarist Russia.

The Heihai Haixia was the real reason Tsarist Russia had always been fighting the Ottoman.

Every time a war broke out, the European powers would once again stand behind the Ottoman, giving them strong support. This was why, even though the Ottoman was so powerful, the European powers' relationship with them had always been quite harmonious; it was because of the existence of Tsarist Russia, and the threat Tsarist Russia posed to the Heihai Haixia had always existed.

Therefore.

The current landscape of Europe was actually just this subtle.

It could also be said that the world landscape was just this subtle; there was no eternal justice, only eternal interests.

When the Ottoman threatened them, they would unite to strike the Ottoman, but when the Ottoman was now on the verge of death, they would support the Ottoman to confront Tsarist Russia.

Looking at it now, the Ottoman, whose territory was still vast, had actually become a puppet in the hands of the European powers.

A puppet on a string.

On one hand, they absolutely would not allow the Ottoman to continue to develop and remain strong. On the other hand, they also had to ensure the existence of the Ottoman and provide it with all kinds of support.

Hamid listened quietly.

He knew that his court officials were certainly more inclined toward the European powers. But at the same time, he was more inclined toward Liu Zheng.

This made everyone's stance actually remain consistent.

"I think, now

is not yet the time."

But Hamid still maintained his composure.

At this time, he had been the Ottoman Emperor for a long time; he no longer had the impetuousness and blind worship of Liu Zheng he once had. He knew the responsibility he bore, and he knew his mission; he had to be the one to hold up the entire aging Ottoman.

The path was fraught with difficulties.

Every step had to be carefully calculated.

This was what he needed to do.

He said calmly: "Whether Longyan can truly drag the Tsarist Russia Army into the interior cannot be seen for the time being... at least for now, Tsarist Russia is still in the initiative. We can no longer afford another great war..."

Hamid sighed deeply.

The current Ottoman, after the Janissary rebellion, had not yet truly recovered its vitality. However, the Industrial Revolution had already begun to make the Ottoman show signs of life.

Unfortunately...

Hamid was still a bit cautious; he had rejected Liu Zheng's suggestion of a constitutional monarchy.

This destined the Ottoman to never become a true great power.

At least not in the short term.

"This..."

"Your Majesty..."

"Peter's covetousness toward Longyan is certain. We must not give up this opportunity!"

"Your Majesty..."

"The Empire still has the strength for a battle! Besides, there is the support of other European countries for us... Britain has already indicated that as long as we..."

A group of people were all anxious.

Hamid sneered coldly in his heart.

Europe!

Europe again!

Among this group of people, quite a few had deep ties with those European powers!

He was certainly not willing to be a puppet in the hands of the European powers!

"That is all. Vigorously develop domestic industries, and as for Tsarist Russia, continue to keep a close watch!"

Hamid made a prompt decision.

A group of courtiers could not understand.

But facts proved that Hamid's decision today was correct.

The Ottoman of today had already seen some sentiments emerge domestically that were extremely eager to rely on Western countries, and this sentiment was growing stronger and stronger. Whether during the war or after the war, many merchants and high-ranking officials were running to the West. Hamid believed this was unhealthy.

The Ottoman was a sovereign state; they had once possessed glory and strength.

Why must they follow the West?

The current world landscape was extremely complex.

He only wanted to protect himself well, strengthen himself from within, recuperate and build up strength; when the time came, whether it was Tsarist Russia or the West, he would have the power to fight against either one.

It was precisely this decision of Hamid's that gave the Ottoman a real opportunity to become strong again.

Because.

At this moment, those countries of the Mediterranean Sea were worrying about one thing.

The Suez Canal was about to fall into the hands of Longyan!

The Mediterranean Sea!

This was the Mediterranean Sea!

This was much more important than any Black Sea. Once the Suez Canal was opened, the entire Europe would face the threat of the Longyan Navy!

This was the reason why they had been instigating the Ottoman to attack the rear of Tsarist Russia!

At the very least, they had to ensure that the Ottoman would not participate in the Bitter Remonstrance for Suez!

Europe at this time.

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