Chapter 1035 Unexpected Rupture

The compensation of nearly 14 million pounds is indeed a headache, but it is still acceptable compared to the insurance money of more than 200 million.

And this money will be recorded in the country's account, and they and the financiers behind them do not need to bear it, so they can't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

However, this result is not what Prince Albert wants to see, because including the previous investment and losses in the war, the total loss of the British side in the whole war will exceed the 41 million pounds mark.

If the previous 27.55 million pounds was paid for tuition, then the current 14 million pounds is purely an unprovoked disaster.

Moreover, most of the merchant ships entering the war zone are not innocent. They will most likely do some shameful things under the banner of Britain and rely on strong ships and powerful guns.

You must know that it is not too easy to destroy evidence on the vast ocean. There were no reconnaissance satellites back then. It is like looking for a needle in a haystack to find the truth.

From ancient times to the present, the priority of evil people before committing crimes has never been the size of the crime, but whether they can escape punishment or use some means to avoid the punishment they deserve.

Therefore, there were many cases of killing, robbing, and destroying bodies during the Mediterranean naval battle. Some British people even thought of their own people. After all, as long as no one found out, there would be no problem. Even if the other party escaped, they could blame the Austrians.

War is the best amulet for these people, which is one of the reasons why the British later took the initiative to ban privateering licenses.

Some people think that the war is becoming more and more specialized, and civilian ships cannot provide enough combat power.

However, at that time, Britain had no restrictions on merchant ships purchasing weapons, and many of the cannons equipped on merchant ships were more advanced than the standard equipment of the British Navy.

It was so advanced that some merchant ships could capture warships and sell hundreds of white soldiers to African natives.

However, the Irish suffered more at this time, after all, privateers were never picky.

Some ships carrying refugees were also attacked. The privateers killed all the rebels and missionaries, and then sold the rest to the native leaders of North Africa.

"White slaves" are not unfamiliar in North Africa. After all, many of their ancestors relied on this business to become powerful for a time, and many of them may have the genes of these "white slaves" in their blood.

Even though the Ottoman Empire has long declined, raising white slaves is still regarded as a symbol of power and wealth, and a brave act to win glory for the country.

It's just that these yellow-faced and thin refugees, who have experienced long-term drifting on the sea, can hardly sell at a high price, but it is still very good compared to other goods they plundered.

Although the price is not as high as that of black slaves in North America, it can still be sold at a high price of 80 pounds, and some women of childbearing age and good health can be sold for more than 150 pounds.

These Irish people may never dream that they can be so valuable, but their fate will be miserable.

Men will receive special slave education, and women will have to give birth endlessly until they are no longer valuable in this regard.

(At this time, due to the obstruction of the slave trade, the price of black slaves has been rising continuously, from 150 US dollars in the early 19th century to 600 US dollars.

If you think it is exaggerated at this time, it is too early, because as time enters the 1850s, the price will double again.)

If it is a traditional monarchy, it is the responsibility of the country to save the citizens, even if these people are to be executed, they must be executed by their own people.

However, as a constitutional monarchy, the British royal family does not care about reputation as much as the traditional European royal families, and they are not willing to be the scapegoat.

So Prince Albert asked back.

"How does your country judge which losses are caused by our country or our merchants?

If your country has no basis, can our country seek compensation for the loss of 27,550,7121 pounds?"

Prince Albert's words are very wise. He does not compete with domestic political and economic interest groups, but kicks the ball to the Austrian side. After all, whoever advocates, whoever provides evidence.

If the Austrians cannot produce evidence, then the compensation will be waived; if the Austrians can produce conclusive evidence, then whoever caused the Austrians to suffer losses should pay the compensation.

In any case, the British royal family can save a lot of money and will not offend anyone. If they want to hate, they can only hate the Austrians.

At the same time, it is also a warning to the politicians at home and the Austrians in front of them, telling them that Britain is not easy to bully.

In fact, there is nothing wrong with Prince Albert's handling method, but the timing is not right.

Baron Brook nodded after hearing this, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Archduke Franz's prediction was completely correct, and the other party would definitely make a fuss about the compensation issue.

He directly signaled the members of the delegation to carry out seven or eight large boxes, and the boxes were opened to contain full documents and price lists.

The members of the British delegation were shocked, wondering if the Austrians had really collected all the evidence? What kind of work efficiency is this?

"Here is a list of some merchant ships and their cargoes, as well as price certificates from the same period.

In addition, there are certificates of the detailed origin and price of those goods, including certificates issued by the shippers and consignees, as well as further losses caused by them.

This also includes 2,324 eyewitness testimonies and records from third countries, as well as 600 complete interrogation records proving that it was your Mediterranean Navy Commander who ordered the burning of our ships and cargo detained in the port before evacuating Malta.

The total loss of this part of the merchant ships is 97,231,852 florins."

Prince Albert was soon sweating profusely. He did not expect that the Austrian side could really find these evidences, and even predicted his next step, and there was even a buyer's contract.

In fact, these things were originally in the hands of Austria. After all, these were statistical lists of the Royal Development Company, and they could be used as evidence by finding a few hundred people to change them at will.

Franz did not intend to prove anything from the beginning. After all, according to the ancestral precepts of the Habsburg family: "The royal family never proves itself", he naturally could not violate this ancestral precepts.

"Whoever claims, whoever proves. "This Roman proverb can indeed be regarded as a great progress of mankind in Rome more than 2,000 years ago. However, it may not be considered a "golden rule" in the 19th century. People need to add a scope of application to it.

But it is not applicable in this war that affected the entire Mediterranean. Although the war did not last long, the British army's attack range was very wide. Even the Austrian merchant ships that stopped at Cairo Port to avoid the war were not spared, not to mention those ocean-going caravans that did not know about the war.

It is ridiculous to let the victims of the war prove themselves, just like some Japanese historians said that the atrocities committed by the Japanese army in the East were It is just like the slander of Asian countries. Comfort women were voluntary. The massacres were not of civilians, but of soldiers who died in battle.

The evidence provided by the Austrian side weighed nearly a ton. Prince Albert gave up after just a few glances. He chose to settle for the next best thing.

"Our country can pay this part of the compensation supported by evidence after careful review, but it is still necessary to specifically subdivide the responsibilities. After all, there is some evidence showing that it was the behavior of unofficial ships.

If your country wants more compensation, then you must provide more evidence."

Baron Brook sighed. It seems that this is the so-called national atmosphere.

"No problem. We will collect as much evidence as possible to prove all this, but your country's ships, goods and personnel will also need to cooperate with us for a while."

Baron Brook agreed to provide more evidence, which made the members of the British delegation happy, thinking "There are such idiots!".

However, the next sentence ignited the anger of the British delegation. The Austrian Empire refused to release the seized ships and personnel. Wasn't it all in vain?

"Are you kidding us? "

British Admiral George Eden slammed the table and stood up.

"Do you Austrians really think that you can keep winning after winning twice? I tell you! We in Britain are fully capable of destroying the fleets of all countries in the Mediterranean!"

Members of the Austrian delegation sneered. They were all experienced businessmen and were completely immune to such empty threats.

As for whether they were playing tricks on the British, those who wanted to play tricks on the Austrian Empire should know better.

Baron Brooke stood up and said.

"Is that what you want to say? Your fleet is very powerful, and we know that very well.

But we are here to negotiate, not to fight.

If you want to prove something on the battlefield, then go ahead. "

The second negotiation between Britain and Austria broke down again. George Eden's words were instructed by Prince Albert.

He felt that the Austrians had come to London early and did not leave even though they were met with a cold reception. They must be very eager for peace.

Prince Albert felt that he had found the weakness of the Austrian side. As long as he took advantage of it, he would be able to gain greater benefits in the negotiations. However, he did not expect the Austrian representative to be so tough.

What Prince Albert did not know was that this was not to deal with him, but Franz knew Palmerston too well and was afraid that Baron Brooke could not withstand the pressure, so he made a plan in advance.

After reading Palmerston's resume, Franz felt that Palmerston must have been a child king when he was young. He was really good at bullying others.

Especially when dealing with those weak and cowardly people, he would spit on them and fart to humiliate them.

So Palmerston liked to compare politics to a sport rather than a subject. After all, it was as simple as eating and sleeping for him.

Although Prince Albert also wanted to lower the price by flipping the table, he really wanted to negotiate, and His Royal Highness was not as shameless as Palmerston. The peace between Britain and Austria came to a standstill again.