Chapter 16

The modernization process is in its early months, and it will take several years to stabilize. It may take a few decades to have a significant portion of the population mobilizable, which will be of great value for a continental country like Russia.

The approaching mid-year of 1826 marked the coronation of the new Tsar, which was undoubtedly the most significant event in the world that year. The ascension of a new leader for a great power like Russia, which boasted the largest army in the world, attracted numerous diplomats seeking to understand the country's opinions and positions under its new ruler.

The new Tsar was adored in the city of Moscow due to my planning and efforts, which drew crowds to the streets for his coronation, the public opinion throughout the empire had been influenced by me through my newspapers, and it was only a matter of time until my urban planning reforms reached all the major cities of the country.

Previously, coronations were events reserved for the high-ranking elite, prominent nobles, and emissaries from other nations, held in the private cathedral of the Dormition of the Kremlin. However, we decided to change this tradition and make it a public event at the grand Cathedral of St. Basil in Moscow, The distribution of food to the subjects and a strong military presence ensured that the event exuded an aura of benevolence and authority, aiming to elevate the international prestige of the country and improve its image among other nations.

Patriarch Filaret of Moscow was responsible for placing the crown on my father's head as he sat on the throne in front of all the nobles and diplomats present in the cathedral. The ceremony and the procession of the royal family proceeded without any unforeseen incidents, after all, Moscow was now truly my city, with my father reigning in the capital.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The gala celebration of the coronation lasted the whole day. Unfortunately, due to my young age of almost 10 years, I had to leave early, however I didn't miss the opportunity to socialize with the noble heirs and beloved subjects.

The most emblematic visits during the festivities were those of the envoy from the Ottoman Empire, Grand Vizier Mustafa Pasha, who served as the prime minister to Sultan Mahmud II.

My late uncle had been heavily criticized internally for his refusal to support the Greek revolt against the Ottoman Empire, however he was a visionary who recognized the British conspiracy to weaken the Ottomans, aiming to increase their economic dependence on the British and escalate tensions between Russians and Arabs, the Grand Vizier wanted to know the new Czar's stance regarding the Greek rebels.

"Indeed, today's celebration is magnificent. The prestige and wealth of the Russians are certainly underestimated, I was impressed by the size and beauty of the city of Moscow," commented the Grand Vizier in a private room reserved for an important conversation between two diplomats from two major countries.

Count Pyotr was truly pleased with this sincere compliment, "It was the work of our great monarch, during his time as Prince of Moscow, he was certainly a visionary man," he responded.

"But what is the intention of the Grand Vizier in requesting such a diplomatic meeting today?" asked Count Pyotr directly, as Russians were known for being straightforward and sometimes rude, which are not ideal qualities for a diplomat.

The Grand Vizier, after a brief moment of reflection, responded to Count Pyotr: "The intention of my diplomatic meeting is to discuss matters of mutual interest between our countries, I wish to establish friendly relations and promote trade and cooperation between the Ottoman Empire and Russia, additionally, we are interested in knowing the stance of the new Czar regarding the Greek rebels and how it may affect our bilateral relations."

My father was well-known for being very fervent in his convictions, he had a strong desire for war and a great longing to visit the capital of Orthodox faith, Constantinople. His greatest dream was to hoist the Russian flag atop the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, It was a significant effort on my part and that of my beloved mother to persuade him against starting an unnecessary war with the Turks solely based on his religious fanaticism.

"The Czar indeed holds great fervor for the Orthodox faith and empathizes with the suffering of our Slavic brethren under the rule of the Sultan, however he refrains from supporting rebellious and criminal groups," responded Count Pyotr, relieved that he wouldn't have to face another major war in his lifetime.

"It brings me great joy to hear this declaration Count Pyotr, I hope that our countries can have a fruitful collaboration in the future," commented the Grand Vizier.

"Our great Czar also wishes to increase trade with your country by selling our industrial products, we are considering the possibility of selling weapons and military supplies to your country, provided that we can establish a trade agreement with low tariffs on Russian goods in the Ottoman market," continued Count Pyotr.

With the international support of the British and the French towards the Greeks, the Ottoman market was nearly depleted of weapons and military supplies.,the Ottomans refrained from embargoing the two major powers out of fear of becoming completely bankrupt and deprived, this presented a great opportunity for me to further expand my consumer market and test my weapons in this complex web of conflicts that the Ottoman Empire is becoming.

My plan for the Turks was not a gradual weakening, and increase of influence like the British, the Greek Revolt and the conflicts in Egypt, was a British scheme that leveraged its influence in the Mediterranean and the dependence of the Turks on the British market. My plan was more complex and required a lot of time and investment, infiltrating loyalists and igniting the diverse peoples and ethnicities within the country, I needed the Ottomans to live in eternal conflict, to expand my market and my reach in the inner communities.

The Grand Vizier bid farewell to Moscow, pleased with the Russian stance and the agreement reached, which he believed would finally resolve the issue with the rebels. "Surely, I will earn many rewards from the Sultan for finally resolving the Greek question," he thought enthusiastically as he admired the Russian landscape during his boat journey along the Volga, heading towards Constantinople.

While my get rich plan is just getting started, I will follow in the footsteps of the British, I'll be lucky to be the world's biggest arms and drug dealer, my second step will leave on a naval military train in a month, my uncle Miguel Pavlovich a bachelor inveterate and a man who enjoys the pleasures of life, he will be a diplomat for my investments and products at the behest of my father, in the end who better to be a diplomat among rulers than a bachelor who likes to make friends.