Chapter 1317: The Rise of the Tsarist Russian Empress

Tsarist Russia, Moscow.

Saint Petersburg is still the capital of Tsarist Russia, and the Imperial Palace is there too.

However, Elizabeth I has established her own Upper House in Moscow; in reality, all government decrees are already being issued from Moscow.

Saint Petersburg is merely an Imperial Palace display; the Envoy from Austria therefore did not go to the capital, Saint Petersburg, but went to Moscow instead.

Elizabeth I personally received the Envoy from her former sister, Grand Duke Theresa.

"Your Majesty, our Grand Duke wishes to form an alliance with you to jointly oppose Prussia and Longyan, those evil nations."

Elizabeth I did not answer at the time, only asking how her good sister from childhood was doing.

The Envoy answered one by one: "Grand Duke Theresa is very well, and is pushing Austria to implement monogamy."

"It has allowed women to gain immense power..."

They chatted and laughed, but Elizabeth I never once mentioned forming a war alliance with Austria.

Helpless, having chatted from dawn until dusk, the Envoy had no choice but to give up and withdraw in secret.

That same evening, Elizabeth I summoned Osilev and a group of Councilors to hold a meeting.

Speak of the devil.

War had broken out in Europe, and Elizabeth I was just worrying about having no opportunity to get involved.

Just as Theresa had anticipated, Elizabeth I now urgently needed a victory in a foreign war to let her grief-stricken citizens see her strength.

Only then could she better control Tsarist Russia.

Although there was the abdication edict of Peter II, in order to topple Menshikov, Elizabeth I had still borrowed the power of the Conservative Faction.

In a place like Tsarist Russia with multiple factions, if one faction's power is too great, it easily becomes uncontrollable.

Elizabeth looked at the Councilors she had urgently summoned, who all wore expressions of complaint, and she remained silent.

"Respected Empress, we do not know what urgent matter you have for seeking us out so late."

The person who spoke was from the Dolgorukov Family, a young Councilor with a very disdainful attitude.

But Elizabeth I did not show any dissatisfaction; instead, she said, "I have troubled you Councilors to wake from your dreams to attend this council."

Elizabeth I lowered her own stance significantly.

Perhaps even too low.

This caused the expressions of the Councilors to soften slightly, and they took their seats one after another.

Elizabeth then said, "The theme of today's council is only one: whether or not to form a wartime alliance with Austria to participate in the war against Prussia."

Upon hearing this proposal, the Councilors immediately frowned deeply.

The Conservative Faction really did not want to fight this war right now; Elizabeth I had only just ascended the throne.

The Conservative Faction had also only just seized power back from Menshikov not long ago, and his cronies had not yet been purged.

Plus, they had just fought a war with Longyan, and national strength was weak.

If they joined the war now, it would be ill-timed.

"Empress, I believe that participating in the war now will place a great burden on our citizens."

That Councilor from the Dolgorukov Family said straightforwardly.

Immediately, other Councilors echoed: "Correct, we cannot fight."

"The country currently has no ports for foreign export and is trapped in the north; if we fight a war, it will only increase meaningless consumption."

"Moreover, Longyan has already joined the battlefield; we cannot be on bad terms with Longyan at this moment."

Hearing this, the long-suppressed Elizabeth finally could not help but erupt.

"This Councilor, are you saying that our Tsarist Russia fears Longyan?"

That Councilor was scared out of his wits and immediately explained: "I did not mean that..."

He looked at the other Councilors, who were all dodging his gaze, and knew he had spoken wrongly.

He was still a Councilor from the Naryshkin Family.

As a leading family of the Conservative Faction, just like the Dolgorukov Family.

But now, no one dared to say a word for him.

He had offended the public anger!

Tsarist Russia could be weak, but it would absolutely not fear Longyan.

This concerned the honor of Tsarist Russia!

Elizabeth I's expression turned cold; she ignored that Councilor and instead pointed at the map of Europe, saying, "Look at our position in Europe now."

The Councilors did not look; everyone knew it clearly, ever since Liu Zheng created that Third Island Chain.

Tsarist Russia had been completely trapped in the freezing lands of the north; people could not get out, and vast areas of territory had been lost.

Strength was weak, and the citizens were even more mired in grief and indignation.

Seeing the Councilors respond with silence, Elizabeth I pointed to the places in Europe where the flames of war were spreading, her eyes flashing with brilliance.

"Now, throughout all of Europe, except for the Netherlands, the Ottoman, Britain, and us, Tsarist Russia, no one has declared war on Prussia. If we form a wartime alliance with Austria now, we can borrow paths from other European countries."

"We can even take back the Black Sea, take back our Ice-free Port, and make Tsarist Russia strong again!"

This proposal was very tempting; many Councilors were moved, and Elizabeth I took in all these actions of the Councilors.

"Alright, let us begin the vote now. Those who believe we should not participate in the war, raise your hands."

As a result, not a single person raised their hand.

Elizabeth I revealed a smile; it seemed these Councilors had already been persuaded by her. She said with great confidence, "Then, those Councilors who agree to participate in the war, please raise your hands."

The Councilors raised their hands one after another. Elizabeth I revealed a smile; this was the first time so many Councilors had supported her proposal.

Her gaze swept across them, and she was very satisfied to see that even that Councilor from the Naryshkin Family, who had been spouting nonsense, had raised his hand.

But when her gaze fell upon the Councilor from another leading Conservative Faction family, her expression turned dark.

The Councilor of the Dolgorukov Family fell into silence.

That was correct; Tsarist Russia did indeed urgently need a victory right now.

But did their Conservative Faction need one?

Their power came from the Empress, because the Empress still needed them to stabilize the situation in Tsarist Russia.

Elizabeth I noticed the hesitation of the Dolgorukov Family senator and smiled faintly: "I think no one will oppose this decision now, will they?"

"Although Prussia has the support of Britain and Longyan, Britain has not sent a single soldier to Prussia, providing only economic support."

"And as for Longyan, their so-called million-strong army has not yet landed; this is our last chance."

The Councilor of the Dolgorukov Family, looking at the surrounding councilors who had all cast their votes, knew that if he did not agree, he would incur public wrath just like the Naryshkin Family.

Ultimately submitting to the intelligence of this new Tsar, he raised his hand.

"I also agree."

On the evening the council concluded, Elizabeth I met with the Envoy of Austria to inform him of the council's result.

The Envoy was stunned, then immediately praised the wisdom of Elizabeth I, left Moscow that very night, and dared not delay, returning to Austria at once.

At the same time in Tsarist Russia, the entire country entered a high state of wartime readiness; Elizabeth I stood in Moscow, gazing out at the Russian army she had managed to pull together with great difficulty.

Marching toward the neighboring country of Poland, Elizabeth I felt filled with excitement and confidence.