As for Carl Nesselrode, Nicholas I appointed him to act as the spokesperson for the Russian Empire, with the primary task of keeping the Kingdom of Britain as neutral as possible.

"Your Majesty, this may require some external assistance!" Carl Nesselrode responded tactfully to Nicholas I, with the aim of prompting Nicholas I to provide some funding.

After all, exchanging some "small gifts" between ministers of foreign affairs can promote mutual friendship.

The use of personal friendships to advance diplomatic development has long become the norm.

"Choose whatever you have your eye on! As long as it achieves the goal!" Nicholas I, of course, understood Carl Nesselrode's implication and, with financial confidence, immediately responded to Carl Nesselrode.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Carl Nesselrode responded with a slight bow to Nicholas I.

Nicholas I, having assigned their respective tasks, waved his hand to signal the three present to leave.

Dolgorukov and Orlov left the Catherine Palace, while Carl Nesselrode, led by the Imperial Palace Chief Steward, proceeded to the Romanov Clan's collection room, where treasures plundered from various countries were stored, the majority of which were taken from France.

Back then, when Holy King Alexander I led his troops to France, everything was left in ruins wherever they went.

Apart from a few military men like Surt, who held command and had prestige, who weren't plundered by the Russian Empire, all the collections looted during the Napoleonic Wars fell into the hands of the Romanov Clan.

It can be said that the collections owned by the Romanov Clan are among the world's foremost.

Any two pieces casually taken out are rare treasures.

After the three ministers had left, Nicholas I ordered a military attendant to summon the Minister of Finance of the Russian Empire.

The Minister of Finance, called over by Nicholas I from the Imperial Treasury, looked with trepidation at the Tsar in front of him and respectfully addressed Nicholas I: "Merciful Your Majesty, I do not know why you have summoned me!"

Looking at the Minister of Finance in front of him, Nicholas I immediately inquired about the current state of the Imperial Treasury.

"The Imperial Treasury is currently in a good phase!" How could the Minister of Finance dare to tell Nicholas I the truth? He could only feign calmness and say to Nicholas I.

"Very well! Your Ministry of Finance must issue bonds as soon as possible, the war is about to start!" Nicholas I did not waste words and gave the order directly to the Minister of Finance.

"Yes! We will certainly comply!" The Minister of Finance, not yet fully reacting, responded offhandedly. A few seconds later, having recovered himself, the Minister of Finance displayed an astonished expression, staring at Nicholas I wide-eyed: "Wa... War?!!!"

"That's right! What's so surprising about it!" Nicholas I showed a hint of annoyance as he looked at the startled and jumpy Minister of Foreign Affairs in front of him.

"But…" The Minister of Finance raised his head, hesitating as he looked at Nicholas I.

"But what?" Nicholas I displayed an obvious impatience, "Is there a problem?"

"No… nothing!" Nicholas I's attitude made the Minister of Finance dare not reveal the real situation of the Russian Empire, fearing that he might be thrown directly into Siberia by an enraged Nicholas I.

The Minister of Finance did not believe that he carried the same weight in Nicholas I's mind as once did Prince Menshikov. Even someone like Prince Menshikov, who was deeply trusted by His Majesty, was "dismissed" for ineffective work, staying at home quietly drowning his sorrows in alcohol. (The Minister of Finance did not know that Menshikov had received a new appointment and was about to leave St. Petersburg.)

He could only do his utmost to satisfy all of Nicholas I's wishes to maintain his position more securely.

"How about issuing 10 million rubles in war bonds?" Nicholas I raised a finger and asked the Minister of Finance.

The Minister of Finance swallowed, struggled for a moment, and then responded to Nicholas I: "Of course, we can!"

"Good! Then issue 10 million rubles first!" Nicholas I's face once again broke into a smile.

Afterward, under Nicholas I's orders, the Minister of Finance left the Catherine Palace.

Having just stepped out of the Catherine Palace, the Minister of Finance immediately returned to his worried expression, unclear about how he should conjure 10 million rubles for the Tsar.

According to the current credibility of the Russian Empire and government finances, 10 million rubles, let alone being a challenging matter, 5 million rubles would already be difficult.

Not to mention that 10 million rubles would not be enough to support Nicholas I's grand vision, with further funding being an added problem.

The finances of the Russian Empire were gradually collapsing under the machinations of Nicholas I.

However, Nicholas I was completely unaware of the financial collapse, as no one dared to inform him of the true state of affairs.

Court politics filled with deception became the norm in the Russian Empire, and Nicholas I, entangled in a cocoon of misinformation, would never understand this.

Only those outside the cocoon could truly glimpse the reality beneath the empire's grand facade.

...

Meanwhile, as the Minister of Finance was at a loss over issuing bonds for the Russian Empire, Prince Menshikov, returning to St. Petersburg from Tsarskoye Selo, informed his wife about his renewed favor with the Tsar.

Madam Menshikov revealed a gentle smile and said, "I knew that His Majesty the Tsar would reuse you once again!"

"Indeed!" Menshikov also sighed and then added, "It's all thanks to Prince Dorogorukov. Without him, I might never have stood before His Majesty again, let alone be appointed as Governor!"

"We really should thank him properly!" Madam Menshikov also nodded and replied to Menshikov.

"However, I must now depart for Sevastopol! I'll leave the gratitude to you," Menshikov said, resting his hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Your Majesty is sending you off so soon? Has something happened?" Madam Menshikov looked at Menshikov in surprise and asked with concern.

"His Majesty wants to quickly teach a lesson to the arrogant Ottoman Empire!" Menshikov clenched his fist and said excitedly, "I can't wait to teach them a lesson!"

"Then be careful! Don't be rash like last time!" Madam Menshikov warmly grasped Menshikov's hand and 말했다 softly.

"Don't worry! Last time it was a political matter, in which I am not adept. This time it's a military matter, where I excel! I won't make the same mistake!" Menshikov responded firmly.

"Just make sure to come back safely!" Madam Menshikov didn't care whether it was military or political; she simply hoped for the safety of her husband and children.

"Don't worry, I will return victorious!" Menshikov replied with stirring grandeur.

That afternoon, Menshikov left St. Petersburg in a carriage, escorted by a battalion of the Guard Army.

Traveling by carriage, Menshikov would head south to Odessa, the jewel in the crown of the Russian Empire's south, and then proceed to the Sevastopol Fortress via ships docked at Odessa Port.

Given that Nicholas I had assigned Menshikov an urgent task, Menshikov and the Guard Cavalry Battalion dared not delay and pressed on, day and night, arriving in Odessa after more than a week.

There, Menshikov encountered his "old friend," Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet.

At this time, Admiral Korolev and his fleet happened to have finished a round of patrols in the western Black Sea and were resupplying water and necessary materials for the warships in Odessa.

Regarding Prince Menshikov's arrival in Odessa, Korolev felt a bit surprised and promptly inquired about the purpose of Prince Menshikov's visit.

Menshikov did not hide anything and immediately told Korolev, "His Majesty has appointed me as the Governor of both Crimea and the Caucasus Region, responsible for all military affairs in the Black Sea and the Caucasus Region! In other words, Admiral Korolev, from now on, you and your fleet are under my command for battle! Do you have anything to say?"

"My fleet and I are willing to follow His Majesty the Tsar's orders and fight alongside you!" Admiral Korolev replied without hesitation, offering his allegiance to Menshikov.

"Good! Admiral Korolev!" Menshikov nodded approvingly at Korolev.

Immediately, Menshikov began to inquire with Korolev about the situation of the Ottoman Empire's fleet in the Black Sea Region.

Admiral Korolev immediately reported to Menshikov what he had observed during patrols in the western Black Sea: recently, the Ottoman Empire had also frequently dispatched sailing battleships to serve as escort convoys, transporting supplies and personnel to the Varna Region and the Caucasus Region.

"Why didn't you sink them? Your position as Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet is to sink these fleets!" Menshikov sternly questioned Korolev.

"Reporting to Governor Menshikov, Governor Voronov had explicitly ordered our fleet not to take any action without gubernatorial orders, otherwise, we would be kicked out of the military forever!" Korolev responded to Menshikov.

"Voronov? He is no longer the Governor of Crimea! From now on, all orders come from me, Alexander Menshikov! Understood?" Menshikov reasserted his authority to Admiral Korolev.

"Governor Menshikov, please issue the orders! My fleet and I will become wolves on the Black Sea, tearing apart the arrogant Ottoman Empire!"

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