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On September 15, 1847, the Ottoman Empire formally declared war on Russia under the pretext of Russia's invasion of the Ottoman Turkish Empire's vassals along the Danube. In fact, the Ottoman Empire began to prepare for war even after the Russian army suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Eastern Siberia. It's just that Sultan Abdul. Mejid I didn't make up his mind. In fact, the army of the Ottoman Turkish Empire had long been prepared. Now, as soon as the Sultan's order arrived, the troops of the Ottoman Turkish Empire immediately launched an offensive against the Russian army.

At the very moment when the Ottoman Empire officially declared war, the first batch of more than 300,000 Ottoman Turkish troops crossed the border and disputed areas and launched an offensive against the Russian army. The Ottoman Turkish Empire's attack was still in the Balkans. In this direction there is Omar of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Lutfi. The 200,000-strong army led by Pasha launched a surprise attack on the Russian army in the Balkans. The Russian army was caught off guard and suffered heavy losses.

On the other hand, the Ottoman Turkish Empire also sent 100,000 troops in the direction of the Caucasus to attack the Russian army. On this battlefield, the Russian army also has no defense. In other words, the army they are deploying now, neither in strength nor morale, can compare with the Ottoman Turkish Empire. At the very beginning of the war, the Russian army was completely at a disadvantage.

300,000 troops, this was only the first army sent by the Ottoman Turkish Empire. There is also a steady stream of troops being sent from the country to the border areas. Although the Ottoman Turkish Empire has declined very much over the years, but. They remain a powerful country that straddles three continents: Asia, Europe and Africa. Mobilize millions of troops, and there will be no pressure at all.

Russia, on the other hand, had already lost 1.3 million troops under the Chinese Empire. Although there are still millions of troops left. However, in order to guard against the attack of the Chinese Empire, they had to deploy hundreds of thousands of troops in the Western Siberian Plain. There are very few troops left in other directions. The Balkan Peninsula and the Caucasus, which were originally the key defense areas of the Russian army, have also been emptied in defense due to several transfers of troops. This gave the Ottoman Turkish Empire a great opportunity.

In the previous eight Russo-Turkish wars, the Ottoman Empire had mostly failed. Now, they've finally got their chance to fight back. Naturally, I won't let it go. Although, the strength of the land forces of the Ottoman Turkish Empire is generally inferior to that of the Russian army, but. That's relative to the standing army of the Russian army. As far as the recruits who had not been to the battlefield were concerned, they were no match for the Ottoman Imperial Turkish Army. From the very beginning, the war was almost one-sided. Large swaths of land, which had been seized from the Ottoman Turkish Empire, began to fall.

Even stricter is that. With the Ottoman Turkish Empire going to war against Russia. And the victory was won, and the other forces began to stir up. The countries and peoples that had been destroyed by Russia and then enslaved also began to act actively. On the Russian border, it can be described as full of smoke. The greatest crisis since the accession of Tsar Alexander II to the throne arose. If Russia does not survive this crisis, they risk falling apart. And at this juncture. The armistice negotiations between the Chinese Empire and Russia were all the more important.

If Russia can come to an agreement with the Chinese Empire. An armistice will be achieved, which will allow Russia to reduce one of its great enemies. At the same time, the large army deployed in the West Siberian Plain can also be quickly withdrawn to the country and then thrown into other theaters of operations. Among these armies, there is no shortage of elite troops. At least it is much stronger than those newly formed units.

When the Russian negotiator plenipotentiary, Minister Putiyatin, sent back to St. Petersburg the terms of the Chinese Empire, Tsar Alexander II was furious. The Chinese actually demanded that the border between the two countries be advanced 600 kilometers westward again, from the Ob River to the Ergiz. This is already the hinterland of the Western Siberian Plain. In the event of another war between the two countries in the future, the powerful Chinese* army could use Omsk as a base and advance westward to attack the important Russian cities of Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg in the Western Siberian Plain. Or even over the Ural Mountains and into the Eastern European Plain. In addition, the huge war reparations of up to 200 million pounds made Alexander II smash several beautiful vases in a fit of rage.

"Damn, those yellow-skinned monkeys don't have the slightest sincerity in peace talks, they obviously want to continue the war!" Tsar Alexander II said furiously.

"Your Majesty, the conditions put forward by the Chinese are indeed too harsh. However, we are in a very dangerous situation now, and if we continue to drag it out, it will be even more disadvantageous to us! Zhukovsky said bitterly. In this case, only he, as a teacher of Tsar Alexander II, could open his mouth to persuade. If it were someone else, they wouldn't have the guts.

"However, the Chinese not only want us so much territory, but also a full 200 million pounds of war reparations!" What do we pay them for? The Treasury was already empty enough to starve rats. Tsar Alexander II said. Obviously, he knew that the Chinese were fighting for the wealth of the Russian imperial family. That's the wealth that the Russian royal family has accumulated over hundreds of years! How is it possible to hand it over to the Chinese like this?

"Your Majesty, although the Chinese forcibly occupied a large amount of land in Siberia. However, the land is only a vast area, and in fact it is of little use at all. Our focus is still on Europe. Keeping the European part, that's the most important thing. As for the 200 million pounds in war reparations, that is only a condition for the Chinese, and we can still bargain. Zhukovsky continued.

Alexander II did not speak, he knew that Zhukovsky was telling the truth. The current situation is very dangerous for Russia. They seem to have reached the point of desperation.

"Your Excellency Duke Volkonsky, the Chinese threaten us to continue their attacks on us if we do not agree to an armistice. I wonder, did the Chinese Empire have such strength? Alexander II asked.

"Your Majesty, though, winter is coming soon. However, in terms of the strength of the Chinese Empire, although their logistical supply is difficult, if they save up for a while, they can fully prepare the materials for launching an attack. Especially the cavalry of the Chinese, who could well continue to advance towards the Siberian plain. Our Cossack cavalry suffered heavy losses and could no longer stop the attack of the Chinese cavalry. Volkonsky said.

Alexander II frowned, he knew what Volkonsky meant. That is, if Russia does not bow its head, it is difficult for the Chinese Empire to launch a new round of attacks. At that time, the army of the Chinese Empire will probably advance directly to the Ural Mountains.

"Duke Gorchakov, let Putiyatin negotiate with the Chinese again, and find a way to lower the Chinese's requirements!" Alexander II said. He knew that there was no way to do it without bowing his head now. Although he was unwilling, in order to avoid greater losses, compromising with the Chinese Empire had become the best way.

"Yes, Your Majesty! However, the Chinese have just won on the battlefield, and it is unlikely that they will be able to make concessions. However, I will let Minister Putiyatin do his best. Duke Gorchakov said.

Tsar Alexander II nodded, he never thought that the situation would turn out like this. He wanted to build Russia into a powerful empire, and he wanted Russia to replace Britain as the hegemon of the world. But now it seems that this qiē is so difficult. Russia is not only not getting closer to the throne of world hegemony, but is getting farther and farther away.

"Ladies and gentlemen, when this war is over, we will immediately implement social reforms. Russia can no longer be hindered by serfdom, we need to develop quickly, otherwise, not to mention defeating our enemies, even if we keep our country, it will be impossible! Alexander II said. He knew that even if he could reach a peace agreement with the Chinese Empire this time, it would not mean anything. This is nothing more than a temporary truce. Regardless of whether Russia regains its strength or the Chinese Empire re-prepares for the offensive, the war will begin again. Therefore, Russia must seize the time to develop itself, otherwise, the next war is likely to be a war of national destruction. Alexander II did not want to be a dead king.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The ministers said one after another. After this war, they realized the weakness of Russia, and the powerful European hegemon was nothing more than a paper tiger, and the light one was defeated by the Chinese Empire. If Russia wants to counter the powerful Chinese Empire, it must accelerate its development. Now it seems that the social and military reforms proposed by Alexander II will be the only way for Russia to become strong.

At this time, a waiter from the palace anxiously pushed open the door of the office.

"What's going on?" Alexander II asked with a frown. They're having an emergency meeting, aren't they not going to be bothered?

"Your Majesty, the Ottoman Turks have declared war on us, and their army has crossed the border. Our army was caught off guard and suffered heavy losses. (To be continued......)