Chapter-22 Ionian Islands (Part-1)

21th January, 1832

Otto sat in his office, as he was reading some documents. He spoke,

"Kapodistrias, my Butler advised me to take a secretary. What do you think about it?"

Kapodistrias spoke after some thought,

"Your Majesty, you should take a secretary. I think that it will elevate your burden and increase work efficiency."

Otto nodded.

"Alright. I will do that. Let's arrange an exam for this. This exam will focus on testing every candidates quick wit and flexibility to manage any problem. The first placed one will become my secretary. Other passed one will be added to our bureaucracy."

Kapodistrias asked,

"But could you please elaborate on the exam pattern and your preferences? What kind of candidate are you looking for?"

Otto answered,

"Sure, Kapodistrias. According to my plan, the exam will have two major parts and three minor parts. First of all, Written exam and interview part are the major parts. Let's talk about written part. It will have three minor parts or sections. The first section will test the candidate's quick wit. They will be given a series of puzzles and problems to solve, and their answers will be scored based on their speed and accuracy. The second section will test the candidate's flexibility. They will be given a series of tasks to complete, and they will need to be able to adapt their approach as the tasks change. The third section will test the candidate's problem-solving skills. They will be given a series of problems to solve, and their answers will be scored based on their creativity and effectiveness. They should also be able to work well under pressure and be able to meet deadlines. I believe these three skills are essential for anyone who will be working for our Kingdom's administration. In addition of exam, I will be interviewing first five top scorers. I will be looking for candidates who are eloquent, confident, and have a strong personality. I believe that these qualities are essential for a successful secretary."

Kapodistrias nodded in understanding.

"Alright, Your Majesty. I will arrange those according to your wishes. But what about date of the exam?"

Otto thought arranging it in two months would be better. So, he decided,

"Arrange it in one month. I hope all the procedure of selection will be done in three days. Additionally, I would like to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, must have the opportunity to participate."

"Okay. That will be done, Your Highness." Kapodistrias replied

Otto nodded.

Then Kapodistrias revealed,

"Your Majesty, I have received news that a large-scale protest has broken out in the Ionian Islands. It has been several days. The protesters are demanding independence from the British protectorate. They also want to join our kingdom. The situation is tense, and there is a risk of violence. From our informants, the first protest has broken out in Corfu. The situation started when some citizens there blocked the residence of British Governor General Sir Frederick Adam.

The protesters were angry about the British government's refusal to grant the islands self-government for a long time. They also felt that the British were favouring the wealthy landowners at the expense of the common people. These people informed British governance body in Ionian Islands several times about these demands. But the British didn't accept their demand for a long time."

He continued,

"So, they changed their demands into these new demands now. They have demanded independence from British rule and integration into the Kingdom of Greece. At first, the protests have been met with a mixed response from the Ionian population. Some people support the protesters, while others are concerned about the potential for violence. The British government has been reluctant to give in to the protesters' demands, but they have also been careful not to escalate the situation.

But more people are joining in support of their causes with the passage of days. Frustrated protesters then have started to block other important offices. A lot of protests have broken out in other islands as well, including Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Ithaca. It is a matter of time that this peaceful protest will go violent."

As Otto listened intently to Kapodistrias's report, he furrowed his brow, concern evident on his face. Even though he had already known about this from Michael. He had only concern in his mind about the response of British. He hoped to solve this situation without bloodshed. He also ordered Michael to spread this news using his newspaper in Britain and France to gain sympathy and support from their people. He also told them to exaggerate the matters if it needed. If everything is alright, the news had already spread in British islands. It would take some time to take effect. Now obviously those from opposition party in Britain would try to embarrass ruling party using this revolt in Ionian Islands to gather support for them for the next election. Otto would use this to amplify the situation more to get back Ionian Islands as fast as possible. Otto already informed the leaders of revolt to not to take up arms before British and told them to be ready for any sudden assault from British.

"Kapodistrias, this is a delicate situation," So, Otto responded, his voice tinged with apprehension. "We must handle it with utmost care. The aspirations of the Ionian people align with our own objectives, but we cannot afford to incite violence or jeopardize the stability of the region."

Kapodistrias nodded in agreement, acknowledging the gravity of the circumstances. "I concur, Your Majesty. While we sympathize with the protesters' grievances, we must ensure that any actions we take are peaceful and lawful. We cannot risk further escalation. It may risk us war. We need to engage with British diplomatically."

Otto pondered for a moment, then said,

"We must first communicate with the British authorities in the Ionian Islands. Let us emphasize our commitment to peaceful dialogue and our shared interest in maintaining stability. Perhaps we can offer our assistance in facilitating negotiations between the protesters and the British governance body. It will be our win if we can get back Ionian Islands. "

Otto leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "Furthermore, let us send faithful emissaries to the Ionian Islands, people who can directly engage with the protestors and convey our commitment to their cause. We must assure them that their demands are not falling on deaf ears, that we stand by them with them in their pursuit of Self-determination."

Kapodistrias nodded, impressed by Otto's strategic thinking. "Your Highness, I will personally supervise the selection of these envoys. We will choose individuals who possess diplomatic intelligence and a true understanding of the people's aspirations. With their guidance, we can navigate these turbulent waters and pave the way for a peaceful resolution."

As their conversation continued, Otto and Kapodistrias delved into the details of their plans, strategizing how best to deal with protests in the Ionian Islands while upholding their principles of diplomacy and nonviolence. They decided to meet with British Ambassador first to talk about the situation.