Inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in St. Petersburg, a negotiation has just ended.

"Ambassador Golek, although there are some differences between your two countries, I believe that mutual understanding is the most important outcome of this meeting. I look forward to my next meeting with the Ambassador and hopefully that when we can bridge our differences. ”

Russian Foreign Minister Ramzdorf stood up and shook the hand of the Italian ambassador Golek and said the above words.

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, I hope that the next meeting will reduce the differences between our two sides, and we will meet again."

Ambassador Golek replied and left.

As soon as the Italian ambassador left, Ramzdorf called in his servants. "Prepare the carriage, I'm going to the palace."

Negotiating with Italy for the purchase of warships was also important for Russia, so Tsar Nicholas II needed to be informed of the situation.

When Ramzdorf arrived at the palace, he found that not only the tsar was waiting for him, but also the Minister of the Navy Tertov, the Minister of Finance Vyshnegradsky, and the chairman of the Council of Ministers Pobedonostsev were all here.

"How is Ramzdorf talking to the Italians?"

The chairman of the Council of Ministers, Bobedonostsev, opened his mouth to ask the foreign minister who had come in. Bobedonostsev, who was born as a teacher of Nicholas II, was very trusted by the tsar, so he became the head of the civil service and served as the chairman of the Council of Ministers, and in the years after Nicholas II ascended the throne, Bobedonostsev adopted a high-pressure policy internally, removing a large number of open-minded officials to ensure the stability of the ruling class. But his move also caused hostility from the bourgeoisie, and many people were eager to get rid of it as soon as possible.

"Not much better, the Italians insisted that if we bought only one battleship, then we would have to pay 10.5 million rubles, and the price of two battleships was reduced to 19.5 million rubles. Moreover, the price of selling the drawings and technology of the battleship was reduced to 4.5 million rubles. (1 ruble for 2.8 lira)

Hearing the words of the Foreign Minister, Tsar Nicholas II spoke. "You mean that Italy is not willing to sell one battleship alone, but insists on selling two together?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Italy has reduced the price of the two Genoa-class battleships and the drawing technology from 26 million rubles to 2 million rubles, but the price of a single ship has not been reduced, biting the price of 10.5 million rubles."

Upon hearing the words of the Foreign Minister, Nicholas II looked at the Admiral Tertov, the Minister of the Admiralty, and it became clear that he wanted to hear the opinion of the Navy.

"Your Majesty, if you talk about the purchase of a single ship, then the price given by the Italians is on the high side, but if it is a double ship, then this price is also in the past, as for the drawings and technology, I think it is very helpful to the Navy and the shipyard. As we all know, Italy's performance in recent years is very good, although its cost is relatively high in various countries, but it is very good in terms of cost performance. So our Navy believes that it is possible to continue talks with the Italians. ”

The words of Admiral Tertov gave Nicholas II some ideas. But just as he was about to speak, he saw Chancellor of the Exchequer Vishnegradsky suddenly speak to stop him.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Finance has no opinion on the purchase of Italian battleships, but the price of two battleships plus technical drawings, etc., is as high as 24 million rubles, which is too high. Our Ministry of Finance has prepared only 20 million rubles for two warships, which rises to 24 million, what should we do with the extra shortfall? ”

The Chancellor's words made the atmosphere scorching, because everyone knew that it was making waves.

And Admiral Tertov, who looked at the young tsar who hesitated again, secretly said bad in his heart, and hurriedly explained. "Your Majesty, this purchase of warships is very important for the safety of the Far East, and the relations between our country and Japan are now very tense. This unreasonable country already had four battleships in the Far East, while the country currently has only two battleships in the Far East. It is completely at an absolute disadvantage, so our country urgently needs to replenish its strength in the Far East. As for the purchase of technology and drawings, it is also important to improve the level of shipbuilding in our country. Both are urgently needed by His Majesty's Navy. ”

Faced with Admiral Tertov's affectionate speech, Nicholas II was a little moved, and he turned to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer. "Won't the Ministry of Finance come up with four million rubles?"

In the face of the tsar's words, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Visnegradsky immediately cried out. "Your Majesty, the money of the Ministry of Finance has a place to go, and there is simply not one more ruble of spare money for the Navy."

In the face of the grievances of the Minister of Finance Veshnegradsky, the chairman of the Council of Ministers Pobedonostsev spoke at this time. "4 million rubles is not much, can't the Ministry of Finance squeeze it yet, it should be able to send it."

Vyshnegradsky, who was born as a teacher of the Tsar, spoke with great weight, both because the indecisive tsar respected his opinions and because he was a major supporter of the expansion of the empire in the Far East.

Of course, on the other hand, he is also very familiar with various government departments and knows that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has selfish intentions. Because the American businessman Crump was highly recommended by this at that time, to say that the two had no financial relationship, he bullied the young tsar for not understanding the situation. The old fox is very clear about him, of course, this sudden incident is mostly to retaliate against the Navy's strong opposition to building ships in the United States at that time. You must know that the government had already negotiated with the American businessman at that time, and the meat in his mouth was stirred yellow, which must have caused the Chancellor of the Exchequer to be dissatisfied.

"There is still a squeeze, and of course it would be better if His Excellency Ramzdorf could keep the price down."

In the face of the chairman of the Council of Ministers, who is very weighty and difficult to fool the lord, Visnegradsky can only give up, unwilling to offend this important minister. Unlike the Minister of the Navy, who has a desire for himself, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers is the head of the Ministers (somewhat similar to the Prime Minister's position) and is not a person to be offended.

And after the Chancellor of the Exchequer backed down, the meeting was about the same.

And the great little Tsar Daddy has finally made a decision. "In negotiations with the Italians, we can try to purchase two warships, and the drawings and technology of the battleships are also needed by our country. Of course, you still need to worry about the specific negotiations, Mr. Ramzdorf. ”

To the tsar's order, Ramzdorf could only answer. "Yes, Your Majesty."

After the meeting, they naturally went back to their respective countries.

Ramzdorf, on the other hand, had come to the meeting after negotiating with the Italians today, so he planned to go home early.

But when he got home, he got a message from the butler.

"You said Ambassador Rivera was waiting for me?"

"Yes, sir, Ambassador de Rivera has been waiting for you at home for an hour."

Of course, Ramzdorf knew who this Ambassador de Rivera was, and as the ambassador of Russia's most important ally, Ambassador de Rivera was friends with many high-ranking Russian officials, including Ramzdorf, of course.

"Ambassador de Rivera, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

As soon as he arrived in the meeting room, Ramzdorf looked at Ambassador Rivera sitting in the hall and immediately greeted the French ambassador with a smile on his face.

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, I'm sorry for the interruption."

As soon as he heard Ambassador de Rivera's words, Ramzdorf had three guesses in his heart, and he said enthusiastically without moving. "It's nothing, it's too late for Your Excellency the Ambassador to come."

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, I have come here this time to ask for something."

Ambassador Rivera's words wary of Ramzdorf, but he said it. "Is there anything I can do to help, Your Excellency?"

"I heard that Your Excellency is talking with the Italians about the purchase of Genoa-class battleships and technical drawings, and my country wants to share your country's worries and is willing to bear half of the cost of technical drawings, I don't know what Your Excellency thinks?"

The French ambassador went straight to the point and directly expressed his intentions.

It was not surprising that Ambassador de Rivera knew about the negotiations with the Italians, for the close relations between the two countries over the years had made many people friends with France, and it was not difficult for Russia to inquire about the purchase of warships with Italy.

Of course, France must have ulterior motives in being so kind to bear the cost of a technical drawing for Russia.

However, although he knew it in his heart, Ramzdorf did not leak the wind on his face. "This is great, thanks to your selfless help, I will say that the alliance between Russia and France is the strongest friendship in the world."

"Yes, the friendship between your two countries is the strongest, so it should be okay for your country to purchase the technology and drawings of the Genoa-class battleships and share them with our country."

Well, Ambassador de Rivera has now finally explained his intentions, and yes, this time Ambassador de Rivera is so generous, he is here for the technology of the Genoa-class battleships.

After Russia decided to buy ships from the Italians, the French side had this in mind. On the one hand, Italy is France's main rival in the Mediterranean, and getting to know the latest battleships of the opponent will give France a more direct understanding of this opponent.

Second, although France has always believed that its naval technology is not bad, the ten-year green water navy has really made the French Navy lag behind several major powers in warship technology and naval tactics. And through the hands of the Russians, understanding the technology of absorbing Italian battleships, for the current France, can take a few fewer detours.

However, although France has various plans, it needs the cooperation of Russia.

But with the Foreign Secretary, it's a little stuck. "Ambassador de Rivera, your country's approach will make it very difficult for my country. Because if this news spreads, it will put our country in a very embarrassing situation, which is quite risky for our country. ”

Faced with Ramsdorf's embarrassed expression, Ambassador de Rivera, who had been in Russia for several years, decided on something more convincing.

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, a small meaning is not a respect."

As he spoke, a cheque from the Banque de France was handed to Ramzdorf. Ambassador de Rivera still has one on him, but this one is for Admiralty Tertov, after all, this requires the cooperation of the Russian Admiralty.

Ramzdorf then glanced at the beginning of the five characters plus the last six zeros, and the currency unit was francs. True, it was a cheque for half a million francs, and this cheque immediately cured the Foreign Secretary's difficulties.

"For the sake of friendship between our two countries, sometimes we have to break some conventions, and I think it should be reasonable."

"Of course, it should be very worthy of recognition and praise."

"Let's make a toast to the friendship between our two countries."

"yes, a toast."