An ultimatum from Italy, a big deal for Istanbul. Although the Ottomans had already made the decision to fight against Italy, when Italy really sent an ultimatum, it was still very shocking news for the senior officials in Istanbul.

Now, of course, for them, in the face of the Italian ultimatum, the next thing to think about is the outbreak of war.

So this time His Majesty the Sultan convened a meeting, and the focus of his conversation was not at all an Italian ultimatum.

"Harim Pasha, can other countries fight for it?"

Still in the new palace of Dolmabahce, and chaired by His Majesty the Sultan Hamid himself, Camille Pasha, as the Grand Vizier, questioned Harim Pasha, who was in charge of foreign affairs.

Although both were government officials, the efficiency of the diplomatic department was so poor that the other countries were on the sidelines, except for winning the support of France. And what's worse is that there are countries that play the idea of robbing while the fire is hot.

If this is not a failure of the diplomatic department, is it a failure of the entire government?

In the face of the Grand Vizier's questioning, Harim Pasha couldn't open his mouth, because there was really no way to explain this matter. But it still needs some rhetoric, so Harim Pasha thought about it for a moment and spoke. "As for other countries, Germany and Austria don't have to think about it at present, and only Britain and Russia can fight for it at present."

Speaking of which, Harim Pasha secretly glanced at the people at the scene.

However, it seems that the situation is not very good, and in the face of his words, the important ministers, including the Sultan, frowned a little. Harim Pasha knew very well the reason for their frowning, and that was that he spoke of Russia.

As for the grievances and grievances between the Ottomans and Russia, I can't finish talking about them for three days and three nights.

"Harim Pasha, if you talk about the thoughts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, maybe there are good ideas."

The words of the Grand Vizier Camille Pasha can be regarded as breaking the atmosphere of the scene and relieving him.

Harim Pasha gave the Grand Vizier a grateful look before continuing. "At present, the only countries that our country can fight for are Britain and Russia, and as long as we have the support of these two countries, then this will be of great help to our country in the war against Italy."

Harim Pasha meant to ask Russia for help, but given the current mood and opinions in the Ottoman country, he had to add a British as a cover. In Harim Pasha's view, although Russia is eyeing Istanbul, it will also mean that the Russians do not want other countries to think badly about it, and the Ottoman Empire can take advantage of this attitude for its own benefit. If nothing else, as long as Russia sends some ordnance? It's also a huge help.

Of course, the strength must be well controlled? Otherwise, 10,000 British and French thought that the Ottoman Empire had fallen to Russia, and it would be really troublesome.

After Harim Pasha's words were finished? Silence? Everyone was pondering the meaning of his words.

"Harim Pasha, your proposal is good? However, in view of our relations with Russia, let us put our main diplomatic objectives on our British friends. ”

It was His Majesty the Sultan who answered him this time? It is clear that Harim Pasha wants to ask Russia for help? His Majesty the Sultan was not willing.

And with the words of the Sultan, everyone present secretly breathed a sigh of relief, such a result is the best, even if they are not allowed to express their opinions? This problem has been solved again.

It's just that no one noticed? A hint of unwillingness flashed in Harim Pasha's eyes.

However, in addition to seeking the support of Britain and Russia, the Ottomans also had an urgent problem to solve, and that was the Bosnia-Herzegovina issue.

The telegrams from Vienna were in double digits, and Istanbul needed to decide how to reply to Austria-Hungary.

About the telegram from the Ambassador of Vienna? The important ministers of the Ottoman Empire were also a little helpless.

Refuse, afraid that Austria-Hungary will do it itself? At that time, the whole empire will not look good. Promise, this made Osman lose face again. So before that? Istanbul is all about procrastination.

It's just that now it can't be delayed, and the telegrams of the Vienna ambassador are becoming more and more frequent? This also meant that the patience of the Austro-Hungarians was running out.

So take advantage of this opportunity? Harim Pasha has raised questions about Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"So about the question that Austria-Hungary wants our country to transfer the suzerainty of Bosnia and Herzegovina? Don't know how to reply? ”

Faced with another question raised by Harim Pasha, this made the important ministers present even more speechless.

The reason is simple, at present the Ottoman Empire has only nominal suzerainty in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the rest is administered by Austria-Hungary. This is actually a matter of one sentence, but this sentence did not hurt Osman at all.

So the time has come for this problem to be solved.

"What are the conditions for the Austrians at the moment?"

It was the Grand Vizier Kamil Pasha who asked this, and in the face of the head of the Ottoman Empire, Harim Pasha could only answer truthfully.

"At the moment Austria-Hungary is willing to give £2,400,000 as compensation, and according to our ambassador's report in Vienna, the Austrians are already somewhat impatient. The head of its government, Count Karnoki, has already said that if our country does not agree again, they will deal with the Bosnia and Herzegovina region on their own and will no longer talk to our country. ”

Harim Pasha's words made the scene silent for a while, and even the toughest Minister of War Nuri Pasha was silent. The field marshal was not a fool, and at this time he was shouting against it, and what good fruit could be eaten, but it might lead to the possible intervention of Austria-Hungary. When the time comes, facing the pressure of war between Italy and Austria, the fool also knows that it is impossible to win.

Not to mention the possibility of triggering a chain reaction throughout the Balkans, given that countries such as Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria were eyeing the Ottoman Empire's territory in the Balkans. Whether Istanbul can be kept at that time is a question.

Therefore, at this time, you must not speak freely.

This time, the atmosphere of the scene became more solemn, and the silent scene reappeared.

Looking at the performance of the ministers in the hall, Abdul Hamid II, as a sultan, felt a little elevated. Needless to say, he also knew that these people were waiting to make their own decisions.

As soon as he thought that these people would leave to himself any problems that he could not handle, Hamid II had the idea of replacing the group of people in front of him. But this kind of thinking is just a matter of thinking, if you really want to do this, there will be no one to deal with the affairs of the empire for him.

Although they can't be replaced, as a sultan, he can still give a little punishment. So he pointed with his hand and pointed at Camille Pasha, who was the Grand Vizier, and asked. "My Grand Vizier, what should you do about this?"

Faced with the Sultan's naming and handing over the problem to himself, Camille Pasha changed color slightly, but under the Sultan's gaze, he could only speak hard. "Your Majesty, I think it's better to talk?"

Camille Pasha's words caused the Sultan to be furious. "Why is this sentence again, the Chamber of Commerce you tell me to talk, you want to talk, now the Austrians don't want to talk, you still talk about it."

In the face of His Majesty's Sultan's anger, Camille Pasha sweated a little on his forehead. He knew, however, that His Majesty the Sultan was furious, and that there was no other way but to satisfy his demands, so he could only excuse himself.

"Your Majesty, the last time we talked was to squeeze the Austrians out of more conditions, so we did not set a goal to achieve them, but this time it is different, I will send a telegram to the ambassador of Vienna to agree to Austria-Hungary's conditions in the appropriate reality."

Seeing that the Grand Vizier had taken on his share of responsibility, Abdul Hamid II turned his attention to the others.

"The Great Vizier is very good, I have no opinion."

"I'm okay with that."

The successive answers made Camille Pasha take on this responsibility.

After the issue was resolved, the meeting resumed, but many people frequently looked at Foreign Secretary Harim Pasha for fear that he would have another problem.

Harim Pasha, who was concerned, could only smile wryly, didn't he mention this question himself, just as if it hadn't happened?

After solving these two problems, the next thing was much better, because it was about preparations for war, which made the Minister of War Osman Nuri Pasha sing the leading role.

The army minister successively pointed out several problems existing in the army, such as insufficient supplies, insufficient ammunition stocks, training of officers and men, mobilization of troops, and various problems. However, the problems of the Minister of War are much easier for the government to solve, and most of these problems can be solved with money.

At present, the war bonds issued by the Ottomans in Britain and France are not bad, so the Ottomans are financially well-off.

Time was lost in such discussions, and the two days given by Italy passed in this situation.

And Istanbul, of course, did not forget about the threat from Italy, and less than three hours before the last time, a telegram was sent to the ambassador to Rome, Akhtar Mohammed Mansou.

Looking at the telegram in his hand, even Manersu, who had been prepared in his heart, was not at all uncomfortable. However, the order from Istanbul left him with no choice.

However, before he was ready to go out, he had already ordered the embassy to immediately burn the classified documents and prepare the other packs, because they would not stay long.

When the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived, its Foreign Minister, Jemini Bacona, was already waiting, and he looked at his pocket watch. "Very well, forty-five minutes to go, I would like to know what is the attitude of Your Excellency in bringing your country?"

Facing Bacona's words, the expressionless Mansu nodded slightly and spoke. "China will never agree to your country's unreasonable demands, and this is our answer."

After speaking, he took out the official reply message from Istanbul and handed it over.

After receiving the message from the ambassador, Bacona glanced at it slightly, put it aside, and then he took out a declaration of war that had been prepared and handed it to Ambassador Mansou.

"I'm sorry, since your country has made such a choice, then my country has no choice but to see you on the battlefield."

Faced with this declaration of war in front of him, Manersu silently took it. "I'm sorry, but since this is your country's choice, let's see you on the battlefield. Let the guns decide who is on the wrong side in the area. ”

In front of him, the hard-hearted Ottoman ambassador, Bacona showed a hint of appreciation. "Manersu, you have seventy-two hours to evacuate, I don't think you will forget."

Faced with Bacona's words, Manersu replied indifferently. "We will not forget that this is an essential quality of a qualified diplomat. Goodbye, Your Excellency Bakona, and I hope to see you in Istanbul. ”

"Don't worry, I'll be waiting for your representative in Rome."

In the evening, the front pages of the major newspapers carried the headline that Italy was now at war with the Ottoman Empire because of its rude refusal to make reasonable demands.

And at this moment, the date in the newspapers is so eye-catching, March 4, 1890, Italy and the Ottomans went to war.