Iron Dynasty

Chapter 1139

Moscow, the Kremlin.

Brooke was anxiously waiting for an audience with Empress Catherine. The cold reaction of the European nations to Britain’s situation made Britain’s current predicament difficult. Having been to the Eastern Empire many times, he was very clear about the Empire’s powerful strength, and Britain alone would not be able to stop their attack. It was foreseeable that the British navy would be annihilated under the Empire’s attack, because it had been proven that Britain’s hundreds of warships were vulnerable in front of the Imperial Navy.

Now their only hope was a land war, and among the European nations, only Tsarist Russia bordered the Empire. Just as he was worried about the future of his country, Empress Catherine entered the palace through the inner door, surrounded by a group of Russian nobles.

Brooke eagerly stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I hope you can reconsider the alliance. Both Britain and Tsarist Russia are currently facing a direct threat from the Eastern Empire. Only by joining forces can we stop the evil Eastern forces from invading Europe.”

Catherine was over thirty years old, with long brown hair and deep blue eyes. Although her appearance was ordinary, she exuded a noble and kingly aura.

“Brooke, you are really persistent. But Tsarist Russia can’t even protect itself, so how can it help Britain?” Catherine sighed. Since the rise of the Eastern Empire, she had spent every day and night in worry. Tsarist Russia’s former territory, Siberia, was being lost inch by inch under the Eastern Empire’s encroachment, and now the Eastern Empire’s power had even entered Tsarist Russia’s backyard, Central Asia.

“Your Majesty, Siberia is just a far-eastern territory of your country. Losing it will not significantly damage your country’s strength. Now you are just too afraid to easily fight the Eastern Empire again,” Brooke said. “But Your Majesty, weakness cannot prevent war; it will only make it come sooner. Britain’s current predicament is the result of weakness.”

Catherine frowned upon hearing this. She was very displeased with Brooke’s words criticizing her for being weak. “Is there anyone in this world more courageous than the Slavs? While you cowards are scrambling to curry favor with the Eastern Emperor, only Tsarist Russia has not bowed its head. And your current predicament is entirely your own doing. You British people always like to play clever tricks and are self-righteous. This time, you have just shot yourselves in the foot.”

The weather in Moscow was very cold, but Brooke suddenly felt his face burning. He was very clear that the current European countries’ dislike for Britain was no less than their dislike for the Eastern Empire. In the years that Britain had dominated the seas, it had not bullied other countries any less.

Brooke did not dare to show any displeasure at Catherine’s accusations. He was very clear that Britain’s strength was built on its powerful naval force, and in terms of land power, they were nothing in Europe. Now that they had lost the sea, they could only pin their hopes on the land.

“Your Majesty, you may have misunderstood. My point is that if we don’t take a united approach, we will only be defeated one by one,” Brooke said. After a pause, he continued, “If Your Majesty agrees, Britain is willing to hand over all of our most advanced technologies to you.”

A strange look flashed in Catherine’s eyes. She had learned that Britain had successfully replicated some of the Empire’s weapons. If Tsarist Russia could also master these weapons, with its large population and vast land, it could ensure that the Tsarist Russian Empire would not be annexed, even if it could not defeat the Eastern Empire.

“I also want your scientists, especially that Kordia,” Catherine said with a strange smile. The steam engine technology had been widely promoted in Tsarist Russia, and many steam engine factories had been built in Moscow. She knew exactly what she was lacking.

“That’s impossible!” Brooke almost jumped up. Kordia and the other scientists were Britain’s capital to catch up with the Eastern Empire. How could they just be given to Tsarist Russia for free?

Catherine said flatly, “Do you think you can protect them? The Eastern Empire has already arrived, and the British navy is no match for them. I’m afraid your next step will be to face a prolonged blockade by the Empire.”

Brooke’s heart suddenly sank. Catherine’s words hit home. Britain was an island nation, and its main source of income was maritime trade. In recent years, Britain had become the richest country in Europe by trading with Europe and plundering resources from its colonies. Once Britain’s coastline was blockaded, the British economy would enter a state of rapid decline.

From what he knew, the Eastern Empire would not land on the British mainland savagely. It would definitely first blockade the British coast and destroy British ports. Even if this blockade lasted for one or two years, Britain’s food supply would probably be a problem.

Brooke’s expression was noticed by Catherine, and she said triumphantly, “You now have a chance to consider. Will you let these scientists fall into the hands of the Empire or come to Tsarist Russia?”

This was such an important issue that Brooke did not dare to agree. He said, “I will return to Britain as soon as possible to report.”

“Then I will wait for your news,” Catherine said with a smile, seeing him off.

After Brooke left, the many Russian nobles around Catherine all burst into laughter.

“I never thought the British would have a day like this. It’s so gratifying,” a middle-aged man in a dark blue military uniform said. He was Marshal Igor of Tsarist Russia, a close minister highly valued by Catherine.

Catherine also had no good feelings for Britain. She was happy to see Britain’s decline, which meant she had one less enemy in Europe. It was naturally more profitable to take advantage of Britain’s decline, but she also hoped that the Eastern Empire would get bogged down in the war with Britain.

“None of the British are good people, but the Eastern Empire is also a great threat. In this regard, we still have common interests. Now that the Eastern Empire has taken root in Central Asia, this is very dangerous for us. We might be able to drive them out of Central Asia while they are attacking Britain.”

Standing next to Igor was another middle-aged man in a military uniform. He was Ivanov, a fourteenth-rank civil official in Catherine’s office. In Tsarist Russia, civil officials were divided into fourteen ranks, and they needed to be promoted through merit from the first to the fourteenth rank. There were very few people who could be called fourteenth-rank civil officials. Therefore, Ivanov was as high-ranking as Igor, and the two were known as Catherine’s right-hand men.

He said, “Perhaps we can send an envoy to the Ottoman Empire. They just lost a war to Persia and now hate the Eastern Empire behind Persia to the core. They also ceded a lot of territory to Persia, and I heard that one of the pieces was given to the Eastern Empire as a thank-you gift. I think they will be happy to form an alliance with us.”