xymnovel Chapter 281 From Territory to Human Rights
Chapter 281 From Territory to Human Rights
Chapter 281 From Territory to Human Rights
Just as the Marquess of Salisbury raised his silver gavel, about to strike it.
A calm voice resounded throughout the venue.
"I completely agree with the opinions of all the representatives."
Constantine stood up.
This was his first public speech since the start of the meeting.
His movement to stand up was slow, yet it possessed a natural attraction, drawing all eyes to him within the conference room. He didn't look at anyone, but merely surveyed the entire room, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable power.
"The dignity of the law must be upheld, and freedom of belief must be guaranteed."
He turned to the Marquess of Salisbury, who sat at the head of the table, and gave a slight bow. His posture was humble, befitting the etiquette a young crown prince should show before a seasoned politician.
But what he said next was like a precise scalpel, cutting to the very core of the entire meeting.
"Greece is not after land. Our people have suffered too much hardship and bloodshed over the past few centuries."
"We are not here to argue about which cities to occupy more of, nor to divide whose spoils. We are here to seek a lasting, just peace that can be accepted by all civilized people."
His words silenced everyone.
Count Andreas held his breath. Watching the Crown Prince's retreating figure, he finally understood that Venizelos's earth-shattering performance earlier was all just a prelude to this moment.
The real killer move is only just being revealed!
Constantine seized the legal high ground created by Venizelos and the opportunity offered by the French, and took advantage of it to subtly shift the core issue of the entire conference.
"Therefore, I propose..."
His voice suddenly rose in pitch, becoming loud and clear.
"Our discussion should no longer focus on the cession of territory or the amount of compensation. These are outdated, barbaric postwar logics!"
He paused for a moment, giving everyone time to process it. Then, he revealed his open strategy.
"I propose that we discuss how to establish an effective international monitoring mechanism, with the participation of all of you present, to more effectively protect the lives, property, and freedom of belief of the people in the newly liberated areas!"
"Isn't this the true purpose of this meeting?"
This suggestion, like a spark thrown into a hot oil pan, instantly ignited the entire room.
It instantly elevated Greece from a greedy "profiteer" of war to a moral high ground as a "builder" of a new postwar order.
He kicked the ball back to all the great powers in a way that no one could refuse.
Aren't you trying to demonstrate your responsibility as a major power?
Aren't you supposed to be upholding civilized order?
Okay, let's talk about how to maintain it.
Anyone who opposes this proposal is uncaring about human rights, uncaring about peace, and only interested in pursuing their own dirty geopolitical interests in the Balkans!
This is an open conspiracy that no one can openly oppose.
"I agree!"
The French ambassador was the first to speak. He stood up, faced Constantine, and patted his chest in salute.
"His Highness the Crown Prince's proposal is imbued with humanitarian brilliance and statesmanlike vision! It perfectly aligns with the consistent values of the French Republic!"
"Of course! We must do it!" Russian Ambassador Orlov echoed loudly. "We must send in observers! We must build churches!"
"Ensure that every Orthodox Christian can freely pray to the Lord in their own land!"
The Marquess of Salisbury was so taken aback by this sudden turn of events that he was speechless.
What could he say?
Do you oppose this proposal?
Then everything he said before, his words about "order" and "peace," would become a complete joke. He would admit in front of the whole world that the British Empire only cared about interests, not humanity.
He had fallen into a trap he had dug himself.
His eyes, covered by thick eyebrows, were fixed on the young crown prince who stood calmly in front of his seat.
Constantine didn't look at him, nor at the echoing allies. His gaze was fixed on the massive U-shaped conference table. Like a master chess player, he made the decisive move, then quietly awaited the collapse of his opponent.
The Marquess of Salisbury's chest heaved violently.
He finally picked up the silver hammer.
"Thump!"
"Meeting adjourned!"
He practically spat out those two words through clenched teeth. Then, he shoved his chair away abruptly, turned and walked away, his wide robes drawing an angry arc in the air.
He didn't look at anyone else.
But he knew he had made a fatal mistake from the very beginning.
He believed his opponent was merely a military brute who had won by sheer luck on the battlefield. He brought his strongest fleet and thickest armor, ready to crush his opponent.
Unexpectedly, the other party not only brought the sharpest sword of law, but the crown prince himself was also someone who knew how to use leverage against others.
A strategist who can turn a seemingly hopeless game into a game of great potential.
He knew that this game of cards in London had only just begun.
Moreover, it was far more difficult than he had imagined.