142 Treaty of Constantinople 1

(Valide Sultan Kösem / Grand Vizier Tabanıyassi Mehmed Pasha POV)

"Your son made it himself!!!" (Grand Vizier)

"He was your Sultan and my son!" (Valide Sultan Kösem)

"He was a drunk, he ordered the executions of the officers, and the Janissaries revolted, he ordered Ibrahim and you to be killed... we had a choice either he had to die or the empire." (Grand Vizier)

"Now what? Tatars, Poles, Persians... rebellions. No matter what the reason, you did wrong. Do you think your head is safe?" (Valide Sultan Kösem)

"I surrendered our troops, but we retained the army. When Ibrahim comes to power, we will appease the Janissaries and the nobility and we deal with internal problems... but first we need to focus on the peace treaty." (Grand Vizier)

"Peace? What are you going to give the Pole and the Tatars?" (Valide Sultan Kösem)

"As little as possible, but even if they take more, it will still be less expensive than the war... Your son is hiding now and won't believe his brother is dead until he sees the body but we don't have time to wait until he officially becomes a sultan, we must negotiate ourselves on behalf of the Empire... and we need another heir to the throne. You have to convince him to focus on it and to leave the government to those who understand politics better." (Grand Vizier)

(End POV)

I had a few ideas about the peace treaty, of course the independence of Moldova and Crimea was a priority, as for Transylvania and Wallachia I was indifferent to their fate at that moment, but they fought for their freedom and helped Potocki, so I will have to include them in my plans... I really regretted that I didn't manage to bring all this to the end, problems not resolved now may come back in a few or several dozen years... when I am already a few meters underground, or maybe the few years that I managed to buy would be enough for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to survive... but these were just stupid thoughts, to survive, it must evolve, and in its present state it will not do it.

The date for peace talks was set in three days, the Ottoman side was to be represented by the Grand Vizier, Grand Judge, Grand Admiral and a few less important officials. On our part, the main negotiator was Hetman Potocki, then me and the representatives of the allied armies. I could still try to torpedo the deal between us and the Turks, but I wasn't sure what the consequences might be... and I didn't want to get into another shit.

I was standing on the shore of the Bosphorus, watching the calm surface of the water in the company of Selim and Saddat, the war was coming to an end and some decisions had to be made.

"You will cross the Bosphorus with a group of people and you will go to Trebizond, all the wealth we have accumulated there must be transported to our side of the Black Sea ... children up to three years old too. Kill the rest of the inhabitants and burn the city." (MC)

"Why such a sudden decision? Something happened?" (Saddat)

"Nothing happened, but I don't know what we can negotiate, so it's better to secure our profits... as long as the paper is not signed, the war continues." (MC)

If the war ceases to be profitable, then people will stop waging it.

The next day, I met Hetman Potocki to determine the strategy and our goals.

"The negotiations are conducted by you, Moldova becomes our vassal, Crimea will gain independence and our guarantees. Wallachia and Transylvania only independence, we do not guarantee them. When you get it all, leave the negotiations and leave me alone with them." (MC)

"Re vera, are you planning something?" (Hetman Potocki)

"I'll try to skin the cat... but even if I fail, nothing is lost." (MC)

"Anything I re vera need to know before the negotiations?" (Hetman Potocki)

"Not really, but don't tell the Turks anything about the Austrians, I'll tell them myself." (MC)

"Changing the subject re vera... Knowing your attitude towards Prussia re vera, I thought you would be more angry because of them. Re vera i even talked to Tomasz and re vera we both did not want to inform you about it before the war... (Hetman Potocki)

I was angry, but I was also a few thousand kilometers from Królewiec and there was nothing I could do about it, but after returning to Poland, it will be one of the first things I will do.

"I was about to ask you yesterday, re vera but I had more important things on my mind..." (Hetman Potocki)

Potocki touched his face and ran a finger across his cheek.

"Who did it to you?" (Hetman Potocki)

It was obvious he was asking about my scar.

"Turkish barber, they are said to be the best in the world, but I just came across one with a heavy hand... and Prussia? I believe that this matter will solve itself..." (MC)

I got up from chair.

"...I have a few things to do, I'll see you later." (MC)

I said goodbye to Potocki and returned to my tent... Later that same day, Saddat and Selim went on their mission, and two days later an Ottoman delegation arrived at our camp.

Everything proceeded according to a set scenario, of course there were minor diplomatic scuffles, the Turks pretended to be difficult negotiators, but it was clear that only appearances. I sat on the side and watched the course of events, Potocki managed to get what he had agreed with ease... so now it was my turn. Potocki got up from the table, as did the representatives of Crimea, Moldavia, Transylvania and Wallachia.

"We will take a short break re vera, but Hetman Jazłowiecki would like to discuss other things with you, re vera so please stay in your seats." (Hetman Potocki)