Chapter 145: I'm Coming for You, Barbary Pirates!
Chapter 145: I'm Coming for You, Barbary Pirates!
"North Africa?" Archbishop Talleyrand seemed surprised by the Crown Prince's sudden inquiry, pausing slightly. "I know some things about it, Your Highness. What would you like to hear?"
"Anything, the more detailed, the better."
Archbishop Talleyrand, limping slightly, walked beside Joseph and deliberated, "Generally speaking, North Africa is located on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. From west to east, there are several countries: Morocco, Algiers, Tunisia, Tripoli, and Egypt."
"Ah, how should I put it? Except for Morocco, the others might not truly be considered 'countries.' Depending on the circumstances, they can shift between being Ottoman provinces and independent states..."
He suddenly realized the Crown Prince probably wasn't looking for basic geographical concepts, so he quickly shifted to their political systems. "Currently, Morocco is under the rule of the Alaouite Dynasty. However, in recent decades, rebellions have been frequent there, and court struggles are very intense. Their Sultans often die unnatural deaths just a few years after ascending the throne. In short, Morocco is now extremely weak, relying on sending out pirates to raid Mediterranean merchant ships to maintain its finances..."
Archbishop Talleyrand quickly glanced at the Crown Prince, seeing his interest, and then continued, "To the east of Morocco lies Algiers—a state established two hundred years ago by pirates. Or, perhaps, they could also be called the Ottoman Navy; it's all much the same."
"Those pirates controlled the Berbers who originally lived in Algiers, but they faced immense pressure from the Spanish Navy. So, they voluntarily became an Ottoman province to secure Ottoman support."
"After that, the Ottoman Empire dispatched an elite Janissary corps there. After more than a century, the Ottomans lost control of distant Algiers. The Janissaries stationed there became the rulers. Currently, Algiers' Janissaries, pirates, and locals form a council, which elects the Governor of Algiers."
Joseph smiled and nodded. "You're being very thorough. Please continue."
"Oh, certainly, Your Highness. Directly east of Algiers is Tunisia, a place that, while not large in area, is incredibly fertile. Nearly the entire country consists of rich farmland and abounds with resources."
"However, Tunisia only ended nearly half a century of repeated coups twenty years ago. The Pasha there now—ah, similar to a Governor—is Hamouda Bey."
"Due to the previous wars, Tunisia has lost its former prosperity, and because Algiers was involved in Tunisia's earlier coups, relations between the two are extremely poor. Algiers frequently raids the Tunisian border."
"Nevertheless, our textiles, glass, wines, and other goods are very popular in Tunisia. It's our largest market in North Africa."
"Of course, Tunisia is also one of the Barbary Pirates' strongholds. Our merchant ships are plundered from time to time, and our navy regularly has to clear them out."
"Actually, we're rather fortunate, as Toulon hosts a powerful fleet. Merchants from Denmark, Sardinia, and even the Americans suffer far more raids. Oh, did you know that to avoid pirate attacks, the Americans pay the pirates millions of livres in tribute every year?"
Joseph frowned slightly. "Why do I keep hearing you mention pirates?"
"Oh, yes, Your Highness," Archbishop Talleyrand nodded. "The Mediterranean was originally a haven for the Barbary Pirates."
"They were once part of the Ottoman Navy, tasked with attacking merchant ships from Catholic nations. But later, as the Ottoman Empire weakened, it gradually lost control of its navy. Those naval forces then became pirates. They established strongholds across North Africa, even directly governing as Governors—like in Algiers."
"The Barbary Pirates had received formal naval training, making them far more formidable than common pirates. They patrolled the Mediterranean, attacking all merchant ships, unless that ship's nation had already paid them tribute. Each year, European countries spent considerable sums to ransom people kidnapped by the pirates."
"Furthermore, the Barbary Pirates would raid European regions along the northern Mediterranean, abducting residents as slaves and selling them in North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, or Arabia."
"The Spanish Navy has repeatedly struck against the Barbary Pirates for over a hundred years, but the pirates are entrenched in various North African states—Tripoli being one of their bases—making it impossible to eradicate them."
With Archbishop Talleyrand's repeated mentions of the "Barbary Pirates," Joseph suddenly recalled the famous Barbary Wars that would erupt more than a decade later—when the Americans, having suffered intolerable depredations from the Barbary Pirates, dispatched nearly their entire naval force to the Mediterranean to fight them.
However, it wasn't until several decades later, with French assistance, that the Barbary Pirates were completely eradicated. During that period, America once spent 20% of its national revenue to pay ransoms to the pirates!
A new idea sparked in Joseph's mind, and he clapped Archbishop Talleyrand on the shoulder with excitement. "Thank you for the reminder, Archbishop Talleyrand! I think it's time we resolve to eliminate these scourges of the Mediterranean."
He had previously been constrained by Emperor Napoleon's historical route of invading North Africa, which involved starting with Egypt. However, France's current strength was insufficient to reach for Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire was still strong, sure to reinforce Egypt—which was nominally still an Ottoman province.
But the Barbary Pirates offered Joseph a new line of thought.
They could start with the Barbary Pirates, strike at their strongholds in North Africa, and then claim the pirates' territory as spoils of war.
Moreover, eradicating the pirates was a universally desired outcome. The Americans, especially, having suffered greatly, would undoubtedly offer strong support. The Spanish would likely also contribute.
In that case, if the British wanted to intervene, first, they wouldn't find an excuse—they certainly couldn't declare, 'I oppose the eradication of the Barbary Pirates,' could they? Second, they would offend both America and Spain. Considering the factor of a Franco-Russian alliance against the Ottoman Empire, Russia would surely support French actions in the Mediterranean.
If Britain truly insisted on acting unilaterally, he might even be able to form an "Anti-British Alliance" or something similar, which would be a massive windfall.
Thus, France's North African strategy gradually began to take shape on a country path outside the Petit Trianon.
Archbishop Talleyrand, however, expressed his confusion. "Your Highness, the Barbary Pirates are a formidable force. Eradicating them would require significant funds, and given France's current financial situation, I'm afraid..."
Joseph smiled and shook his head. "No, Archbishop Talleyrand, this operation against the pirates will only make money, not require extensive funding."
He stopped walking and looked at Archbishop Talleyrand. "Perhaps you would be willing to accept a diplomatic post."
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