Chapter 10, what to do? Natalie is about to become the Empress of the Ming Dynasty

What is offshore balancing? asked Tsar Nicholas I

The favorable international situation has been completely ruined

"Since the Suez Canal is in the hands of the British and the French, the British will certainly not allow a revival of Rome!" Zhuge Weida said, "Because once the Suez Canal becomes Roman territory, the shortcut to the Indian Ocean will be under Roman control... the throat of the British Empire will be grasped in the hands of Rome. Nikolai Pavlovich, do you think the British Empire would hand over its throat to others? Would the British Empire allow a revived Rome to become a leading nation in Europe?" Nikolai Pavlovich, do you think the British Empire would hand over its throat to others? Would the British Empire allow a revived Rome to become a leading nation in Europe?"

What? Become the Empress of the Ming Dynasty? How could it be the Empress of the Ming Dynasty? Shouldn't it be Lady Zhuge? Zhuge was completely dumbfounded after hearing what Nicholas I said!

"Of course, it is the Suez Canal Company," Wei Yuanda said, "and most of the company's shares are controlled by British and French capital, so the management of the company is also in the hands of the British and French."

Wei Yuanda, standing beside Zhuge Weidao, is about to explode with anger! This is because what Zhuge Weidao said may be a fact, but it is certainly not the diplomatic policy of the Ming Empire. Prime Minister Zheng and Prime Minister Zhuge are also aware that the diplomats they dispatched are promoting an alliance and marriage between England and Russia, which is enough to infuriate anyone!

Those petty individuals in Europe who look down on others may disdain the Rus, claiming that the Rus are merely white-skinned Tartars. But do they dare to speak of Rome in such a manner? Rome is the idol worshipped by those Frankish barbarians; it is the origin of their civilization and the homeland of their souls

Oh, my million-dollar fortune is actually here! Zhuge was overjoyed in his heart.

"Ah, love!" Natalie replied very succinctly

However, Wei Yuanda could not openly beat Zhuge Weidao in front of the Tsar, nor could he claim that Zhuge Weidao's words were mere nonsense. Furthermore, he could not state that the Ming Dynasty feared an alliance between the Rus and the British the most, even though the primary objective of the Ming Empire's foreign policy was to prevent an alliance between the British and the Rus.

This matter is not up for discussion, even if Alexander were to marry Victoria, or if Alexander were to become the King of England

What kind of Zhuge is this

"Completed!" Wei Yuanda took over the topic with a wry smile, "It was your father who proposed the construction plan while he was still alive, and he also organized the investment and financing, taking ten years to complete it. Moreover, you have inherited valuable canal stocks!"

Upon realizing this, Zhuge Weidao felt as if the wound on his head had truly burst open, causing him to experience a moment of darkness before losing consciousness. When he awoke again, he found himself placed on a comfortable and soft bed. It seemed that someone was sitting by the bed, and upon noticing that he had regained consciousness, they hurriedly stood up and brought a bowl of very strong traditional Chinese medicine to Zhuge Weidao's side, gently saying: "One hundred and eight young master, it is time to take your medicine"

Thinking of this, he spoke in a very assertive tone: "Nikolai Pavlovich, the reason I say that our Great Ming Empire is not afraid of the marriage alliance between the Rus and the British Alliance is that we have a very clear understanding of our offshore balancing strategy against Britain."

However, the Empress of the Ming Dynasty ultimately must embody the virtues of a mother to the world; how unbecoming it would be to have a foreign empress

Wei Yuanda is determined to strike Zhuge Wei Dao to death with a single punch

Natalie Pavlovna felt somewhat uneasy under Zhuge's somewhat angry gaze, and could only ask softly: "Weidao, why are you here? Why are you looking at me like that?"

How could such an idea be proposed to the Tsar? If Grand Duke Alexander and Princess Victoria were truly to be betrothed, it is possible that Russia and Great Britain could have a "shared monarch" in the future. Even if the two countries could not form a federal union under a shared monarch, the two Romanov dynasties might still be closely linked, supporting each other. If such a situation were to arise, then the Ming Empire would have to face two adversaries in the future.

Zhuge was contemplating his future happy life when Nicholas I spoke to him: "Widao, you are the best friend of Natalia Pavlovna, and I am entrusting her to you... I hope you can help her become the Empress of the Great Ming!"

Because he never considered that his task was to coax Grand Duchess Natalia Pavlovna to become the Empress of the Ming Dynasty—he had never thought in that direction at all, Natalia is a foreign woman! Although the current Son of Heaven of the Ming Dynasty is merely a puppet, it is still an election, and there is no rule of succession from father to son. Moreover, there are many candidates, so there is no need to worry about electing a mixed-blood emperor

Tsar Nicholas I no longer dared to question Zhuge's intellect—this mind, though flawed, was that of a genius, capable of articulating the British's malicious intentions so clearly, while also exposing the ambitions of the Russian Empire

Zhuge Wei Dao looked at Natalie's innocent expression, and he felt a surge of anger rising within him: "Natalie Pavlovna, do you love me or not?"

"Then why do you want to be the Queen of England one moment and the Empress of the Ming Dynasty the next?" Zhuge asked angrily.

Whose Zhuge are you, exactly?

Zhuge, who is suspected of having lost his mind, feels that Wei Yuanda's performance is lacking. Why is he so hesitant? Our Great Ming is invincible under heaven, what is there to fear? What is Britain in comparison? And what is Russia? Now that there is no American imperialism, it is the perfect opportunity to strike Britain hard. If Russia behaves itself, that is one thing; if not, what can they do? Do they still want to march towards industrialized Great Ming via the Siberian Railway?

The thought that Natalie, who was so close to being his, was actually going to marry the queen caused a sharp pain in Zhuge Weidao's wound, making him see stars and sway as if he were about to fall. However, Natalie, who had been watching her beloved strategist intently, reacted quickly and rushed over to support Zhuge Weidao, asking with concern: "Weidao, what’s wrong? Are you so happy that you’re about to faint, or has your wound reopened?"

"So who controls the canal now?" Zhuge asked again.

Hearing Zhuge's question, tears of grievance filled Natalie’s big blue eyes. Pouting her small lips, she said with a sense of injustice: "For Dao, I love you, and I love only you. The reason I am marrying the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is also your arrangement... Everything I do is for you!"

Zhuge's words improved Wei Yuanda's expression considerably, and at the same time, made people view this "amnesiac Zhuge" with new respect... Zhuge is indeed Zhuge; even with amnesia, he can still use his eloquence to sow discord and hit the nail on the head!

When, of course... Wei Yuanda was striving to maintain his composure, but in his heart, he was already drafting a report to Prime Minister Zheng and Prime Minister Zhuge—he needed to clarify to the higher-ups that this disaster was all caused by Zhuge's reckless actions, and he had not consulted with me at all. You cannot let me take the blame for this!

Zhuge focused his gaze and realized that it was the bad girl, Natalia Pavlovna!

Great! Finally achieved it

Nicholas I silently shook his head

Zhuge was overjoyed in his heart and glanced at Natalie. Today, Natalie was wearing a long dress made of blue velvet, and underneath the dress, she must have been wearing a corset, accentuating her figure even more. The neckline of the long dress revealed a large expanse of snow-white skin, ... one could even see the gap formed by two peaks pressing together ... ! ... It was truly enchanting ! One could even see the gap formed by two peaks pressing together ... ! ... It was truly enchanting !

"Happy? How can I be happy?" Zhuge was both angry and anxious, thinking to himself: "This is even worse than being a royal mistress of the British Empire! The European royal circles in this era are much more chaotic than in the 20th and 21st centuries. And no matter how fallen the Ming royal family is, it is still an Eastern feudal dynasty, which must be very strict in its governance..."

What kind of medicine should I take?

Thus, the amnesiac Zhuge believed that it was he who had to engage in such undignified matters, little did he expect... the unfortunate one was actually the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty

Zhuge smiled and said: "I cannot say it is one hundred percent certain, but the possibility is still extremely high... It is definitely worth a try. Once successful, the Romanov dynasty may have the chance to take over Britain. The Rus' nation may not necessarily benefit, but the Romanov dynasty will certainly be the winner"

Zhuge also said: "Moreover, the revival of Rome can not only enable Russia to become a leading nation on the European continent, but it can also allow Russia, no, the Third Rome, to become the dominant power in the Near East and North Africa... the Suez Canal... By the way, has this canal been completed?"

The true ambition of the Rakshasa is to become Rome

The so-called offshore balancing refers to the hegemony that is distanced from the realm of right and wrong. For instance, the British Empire, located on the British Isles, typically prefers to have regional powers counterbalance nations eager to pursue hegemony, while it itself observes the struggle from a distance. However, at times, this strategy of shirking responsibility proves unfeasible, compelling these hegemonic nations to intervene in order to balance the rising powers. An example of this is the wars against Emperor Napoleon that occurred over a decade ago. The British Empire, in its effort to prevent Napoleon from dominating Europe, organized the anti-French coalition at any cost, continuously bribing and supporting strong nations on the continent to fight on their behalf, and sometimes even intervening directly until Napoleon's empire was destroyed. Yet, this strategy of evading responsibility is not always viable, and these hegemonic nations are forced to intervene to balance the rising powers. For instance, the wars against Emperor Napoleon that took place over a decade ago. The British Empire, in its effort to prevent Napoleon from dominating Europe, organized the anti-French coalition at any cost, continuously bribing and supporting strong nations on the continent to fight on their behalf, and sometimes even intervening directly until Napoleon's empire was destroyed. However, now, on the European continent, a new Napoleonic empire is forming, and it is even approaching completion. This empire is the Russian Empire. Once your Russian Empire seizes the Balkan Peninsula and Constantinople, the glory of the Eastern Roman Empire will reappear in Europe. At that time, what basis will the barbaric nation of England have to counterbalance the resurgence of the millennium-old empire?

Why does this plot seem so familiar

Once the Rus restore Constantinople, they can rightfully inherit the legal authority of the Eastern Roman Empire, transforming from the White Tatar into the inheritor of a millennium of Roman glory, ... becoming the successor to the legacies of Caesar, Augustus, and Constantine, and the possessor of the city on the hill, Constantinople ...! ... All of Europe can only submit at the feet of the Rus, no, of Rome!

This outcome is not surprising, as the Mediterranean is the domain of the European powers, and the Indian Ocean is largely under the rule of the British Empire. If the Ming Dynasty wishes to control the Suez Canal, then either this canal cannot be constructed, or if it is built, it will be confiscated by the Turks. Therefore, securing a small share of the benefits is a more pragmatic approach

Nicholas I pondered for a moment and also felt that this was indeed the case. The Tsar of the Russian Empire has a difficult position; one misstep could lead to an untimely death. In contrast, the constitutional monarch of Britain enjoys a much more stable situation, and with such a marriage alliance in place, even if conflict arises in the future, it would be relatively easier to negotiate peace.

Nicholas I finally made up his mind, and then said to the young lady beside him: "Natalia Pavlovna, I have decided to have you accompany Major Zhuge to the Great Ming Empire..."

How can this be possible

Although Wei Yuanda tried hard to conceal it, Nicholas I was not foolish and immediately sensed that something was amiss. However, he found it somewhat strange that Wei Yuanda and Zhuge Weidao seemed to be speaking independently of each other. Shouldn't they have discussed their approach beforehand? ... Could it be ... ? ... That Zhuge Weidao's mind is truly a bit unhinged?

Zhuge smiled and said: "Perhaps the Ming Dynasty is Britain's greatest rival, but the rise of the Rus Empire is an imminent threat to Britain... Therefore, the alliance or marriage between Britain and Rus must be predicated on delaying the development and rise of Rus. Thus, our Ming Empire has nothing to worry about; you may proceed with your alliances and marriages!"

At this thought, Zhuge was suddenly awakened, sitting up straight, startling the figure holding the medicine bowl, who exclaimed in a frightful tone: "Dear Weidao, are you alright?"

So... will the British really be willing to betroth their Victoria Princess to my Alexander Nikolaevich? Nicholas I still seemed somewhat uncertain.