For the Ottoman Turkish Empire, the sale of the island of Cyprus to the Chinese Empire was indeed a serious mistake. Although I regret it now, there is no way to do it. The use of the island by the Chinese Empire was enough to pose a great threat to the Ottoman Turkish Empire. And this bitter fruit can only be tasted by the Ottoman Turkish Empire itself.

The reason why the island was agreed to be sold to the Chinese Empire was partly because the island was small and barren, which was simply a chicken rib for the Ottoman Turkish Empire. On the other hand, because of the close relationship between the two countries at that time, the Imperial Chinese Navy wanted to establish a naval base in the eastern Mediterranean, and the island of Cyprus was a good choice. The Ottoman Turkish Empire, in order to bring the two countries closer together, agreed. They simply did not expect that the two countries would now become enemies. In addition, the Ottoman Turkish Empire also believed that the island of Cyprus was too small, and the Chinese Empire could not deploy many troops there, at most tens of thousands of troops. Later, the Chinese Empire only deployed a marine brigade and some naval officers and men, with a total strength of only more than 10,000 men. The Ottoman Turkish Empire was so powerful that it naturally did not take these tens of thousands of imperial navies and marines into account.

"Your Excellency, we have fallen for the hands of the Chinese, and this qiē is all a conspiracy of the Chinese, just like the Persian Gulf." Mustafa. Lester. Pasha said. In order to cover up their incompetence, they can only attribute everything to the conspiracy of the Chinese Empire.

Albrech. Feng. Count Ron nodded, indeed, he also thought that the Chinese Empire was greedy. Don't say anything else. The island of Cyprus alone has become an indispensable strategic stronghold of the Chinese Empire in the Mediterranean. Plus Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily in the western Mediterranean, as well as the Maltese Islands and Crete, among others. The Chinese Empire had built a strong chain in the Mediterranean, separating all of Europe from Africa. Meantime. He also locked the beast of the German Empire firmly in a cage.

"Your Excellency Pasha, I'm afraid this negotiation won't be too smooth, you have to be mentally prepared!" Albrech. Feng. Earl Ron said.

Mustafa. Lester. Pasha nodded, the Kingdom of Afghanistan, Egypt and the Kingdom of Najd have the support of the Chinese behind them, and they will definitely make a lot of undesirable demands. And the Ottoman Turkish armies were defeated again and again on the battlefield, making them simply not qualified to refute. This meeting was a fundamental shame for the Ottoman Empire, and it cost the Ottoman Empire a lot of benefits. At the same time, they lost their faces cleanly. However, in order for the Ottoman Empire to survive, they had to participate in this meeting and pin their hopes on this meeting. Only in this way, perhaps, will it be possible to ensure that the Ottoman Turkish Empire will not pay for greater benefits. Otherwise, it is very difficult to say whether the Ottoman Turkish Empire would survive.

Guided by a destroyer of the Chinese Navy, the Sultan entered the military port of Limassol. With the main forces of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy going to the North Sea, there were no more large warships here, only one light cruiser and two destroyers remained here. Other than that. Two Spanish-flagged 'Chutang-class' battleships were also moored in the port, putting a lot of pressure on the Ottoman Turkish navy. Although the powerful Chinese navy withdrew from the Mediterranean, the Spanish navy entered the eastern Mediterranean from the western Mediterranean, and continued to oppress the Ottoman Turkish navy. The naval bases of the Chinese Empire and Spain were shared. This allowed them to fight against the Ottoman Imperial Navy here. It can be said that now the sphere of activity of the Ottoman Turkish Imperial Navy is also compressed in the waters around the Aegean Sea.

Imperial Foreign Minister Wei Yuan. and the early arrival of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Afghanistan, Ahmed. Desno, Egyptian Governor Azam and Crown Prince Elsir of Najd greeted Mustafa at the docks. Lester. Pasha and Albrech. Feng. The arrival of Earl Ron. Although, soon they will be arguing at the negotiating table. But on the pier. Everyone was smiling, like old friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time. Of course. This is undoubtedly a must-have for diplomats.

After some pleasantries, the group returned to the hotel. Although, the condition of the hotel is not too good. However, no one cares about any of this. The representatives of the kingdom of Afghanistan, Egypt and the kingdom of Najd treated the Ottoman Turkish Empire as a fat sheep and planned to slaughter it fiercely. The Ottoman Empire, on the other hand, was worried and hoped that it would not lose much in this meeting. The Chinese Empire and the German Empire each helped their respective allies. So, everyone comes with a certain purpose.

"Ladies and gentlemen, when will the negotiations begin? The soldiers in front are still bleeding and dying, let's start negotiations earlier! "Mustafa. Lester. Pasha said. Despite the decision to hold the Six-Party Talks, the war on the front line did not stop, and the Ottoman Turkish Empire suffered huge losses every day. Therefore, they hope that the talks will end as soon as possible.

"Your Excellency Wei Yuan, the German Empire believes that since the two sides have agreed to negotiate. Well, during the negotiations, it would be better to be able to achieve a ceasefire. That way, we'll have more time to negotiate! "Albrech. Feng. Earl Ron said.

The Count said, "The Chinese Empire is only the host of this meeting, and we cannot represent the three of them. Therefore, it is up to the Ottoman Turks and the Kingdom of Afghanistan, Egypt and Najd to discuss this issue themselves. Wei Yuan said with a smile. Although, the Chinese Empire was the backer behind the Kingdom of Afghanistan, Egypt and the Kingdom of Najd. However, the Chinese Empire will never recognize it.

Albrech. Feng. Count Ron nodded, then looked at the representatives of the three kingdoms and said, "Gentlemen, what do you think of my mention?" A ceasefire during the peace talks undoubtedly shows the sincerity of all parties! ”

"Your Excellency, I'm sorry, but we will not cease fire until peace talks are agreed. If the Ottoman Empire wanted to end the war sooner, then it should try not to waste time in peace talks! "Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Afghanistan. DeSnow said. Among the three kingdoms of Afghanistan, Egypt and Najd, the Kingdom of Afghanistan was relatively stronger, and their armies were also the main force on the battlefield. Therefore, the Chinese Empire proposed that the Kingdom of Afghanistan represent each country in the negotiations.

Ahmed. Desnow's opposition made Mustafa. Lester. Pasha and Albrech. Feng. Count Ron's face was not very good. At the same time, they also realized that this time the negotiations may be more difficult than they imagined.

In the afternoon of the same day, Wei Yuan was the head of Mustafa. Lester. Pasha and Albrech. Feng. The arrival of the Earl of Ron held a small banquet. In addition to the delegations of various countries, the meeting was attended by the generals of the Empire's garrison here. However, for Mustafa. Lester. For Pasha, such a banquet was a complete waste of time, and he preferred to start peace talks now. However, the enemies of the Ottoman Turkish Empire would not give him this opportunity. Anyway, the longer it dragged on, the more unfavorable it would be for the Ottoman Turkish Empire.

The next day, October 11, 1861, the Six-Party Talks officially began. A meeting room in the hotel that serves as a place for negotiations. At a long table, Wei Yuan and Albrech. Feng. Earl Ron sat on the narrow side of the long table. And Ahmed. Crown Prince Desnow, Azam and El Fasir, as well as Mustafa. Lester. The Pasha sat on the other two sides of the long table. Translators and recorders from various countries sit in other places, which can be described as distinct.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the peace talks have officially begun. This time the peace talks are aimed at achieving peace in the Middle East. The Chinese Empire hoped that this time the crisis in the Middle East could be resolved through peace talks. I hope you can do your best to reach an agreement! Wei Yuan smiled.

"The Ottoman Turkish Empire was willing to stop the war. In addition, we propose to establish a ceasefire line based on the areas currently under control in each country. Wait for the end of the peace talks, and then end the war once and for all! "Mustafa. Lester. Pasha said.

"We are against a ceasefire, and yesterday we made it very clear that unless the Ottoman Turkish Empire agrees to our conditions and the peace talks are successful, our army will not stop attacking!" Ahmed. DeSnow said.

"So, what exactly are your conditions?" Mustafa. Lester. Pasha was annoyed. What is it that the Ottoman Empire is a world-class power, but it is threatened by a few small countries?

"First of all, in view of the losses inflicted on our countries by the Ottoman Empire, the Ottoman Empire must compensate our three countries for the war reparations of 300 million Chinese dollars. Second, the Ottoman Empire was to give up the eastern part of the peninsula in Asia Minor and the territories east of the 36th parallel, including Palestine and other parts of Asia. Third, the Ottoman Empire had to recognize the independence of the Kingdom of Egypt and allow them to secede from the Ottoman Empire. This is the condition after the negotiation of our three countries, and the Ottoman Turkish Empire can only answer yes or no, there is no room for bargaining! "Ahmed. DeSnow said. There is no doubt that such conditions are too far from what the Ottoman Turkish Empire had previously envisioned. (To be continued......)

PS: The first update arrives, asking for subscriptions, monthly passes and recommended tickets! Thank you for the reward from book friend Mo Qin Mo Qin! Thank you to book friends rrzz, 8812156, Hua 0529, and FUN for the monthly pass!