Chapter 148: A Diplomat's Professionalism
The Minister of the Navy took a moment to process before he understood that the Crown Prince's naval bases referred to Algiers, Tunisia, and other places where the Barbary Pirates were entrenched.
"But, the impact we can have on the Ottoman Empire in the Barbary Sea region is limited. The Gulf of Sidra would be more..."
Joseph saw him about to argue further and subtly shot Archbishop Brienne a look. The latter immediately cleared his throat. "Marquis de Castries, as you know, our finances are very tight, so there are no additional appropriations for this operation."
'No funding?' The Minister of the Navy ceased his protests at once, grumbling, "Even demonstrating our power near the Barbary Sea requires expenses."
Joseph chuckled. "That's why we need to bring America and Spain into a joint operation."
Queen Marie looked at her son with interest. "Joseph, why do you need the Americans and the Spanish?"
"Because the Americans can pay," Joseph said. "Their merchant ships in the Mediterranean are frequently attacked by the 'Ottoman' navy. We can have them provide 600,000 livres in funding for us to help protect their merchant shipping.
"Oh, and by the way, since it will be a joint operation, America will also need some decent warships. I believe they'd be willing to buy two frigates or so from us."
The America of today was not yet the world police it would become; they had only recently founded their nation, were as poor as ghosts, and their navy was practically nonexistent. Selling them two of France's older frigates would mean they'd be the mainstays of their fleet.
"They can provide warships. Spain has significant interests in the Barbary Sea, and they are even more eager than us to expel the Ottoman presence there."
Archbishop Brienne seized the opportunity to agree. "Your Majesty, I believe His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's proposal is highly feasible."
Queen Marie nodded with satisfaction. The Americans paying, the Spanish providing effort, and France gaining benefits from Russia—could there be a more profitable deal than this?
She turned to Archbishop Brienne. "Archbishop Brienne, please formulate a detailed plan for uniting with Russia against the Ottoman Empire and for the operations in the Mediterranean, and submit it to me as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, the corresponding plan has already been completed." Archbishop Brienne placed a thick stack of documents before the Queen.
"Oh, your efficiency is truly astonishing."
"Thank you for your compliment." Archbishop Brienne smiled faintly and continued, "I intend to send Vicomte de Léonidas as His Majesty the King's representative to Russia. If Empress Catherine's terms are suitable, we might even agree to declare war on the Ottoman Empire."
Queen Marie was about to nod when Foreign Minister Vergennes, who was standing nearby, frowned. "Archbishop Brienne, I was the one who brought back Empress Catherine's letter last time. Why should Vicomte de Léonidas go this time?"
Archbishop Brienne thought to himself, 'Of course, it's to prevent this diplomatic credit from falling into your hands.'
But on the surface, he said earnestly, "Count Vergennes, there are other, more important matters to entrust to you."
"Oh? What could be more important right now than serving as envoy to Russia?"
"You will represent His Majesty the King of France and travel to Constantinople."
Constantinople was the Ottoman capital, Konstantiniyye, which would later become Istanbul. However, "Konstantiniyye" was the name used by the Turks after they occupied it; people in Catholic countries still preferred the Roman name—Constantinople.
Vergennes was taken aback. "What am I to do in Constantinople?"
"It's very important," Archbishop Brienne said gravely. "We must minimize the possibility of the Ottoman Empire turning its attention to the Mediterranean.
"So you must go and declare to Hamid I that we are acting to ensure free trade in the Mediterranean, thereby combating the Barbary Pirates."
Several cabinet ministers inwardly chuckled at this. Just moments ago, they were emphatically speaking of striking the "Ottoman navy," and in a blink of an eye, it had become "Barbary Pirates."
Vergennes immediately realized he was being set up. 'How could the Ottoman Empire spare the time to "turn its attention to the Mediterranean"? Wasn't Russia putting enough pressure on them in the north?'
'But what else could he say? Say "I won't go"? Wouldn't that just give Archbishop Brienne an excuse to dismiss him?'
Just then, the Duke of Orleans, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. "Archbishop Brienne, if we are to unite with Russia, we will certainly provoke the Ottoman Empire. Sending Count Vergennes to Constantinople now might not be very safe."
The Ottoman Empire had detained or even killed envoys from Catholic countries multiple times for various reasons. Of course, the latter were often less than polite to Ottoman envoys as well.
Joseph immediately looked at Vergennes and said earnestly, "Count Vergennes, this is your chance to display your professional competence as a diplomat!"
Vergennes, fuming, grimly nodded. "I will complete the diplomatic mission."
Archbishop Brienne then spoke about some operational details for the Barbary Sea. After Queen Marie signed the action plan, he smilingly took out another document. "Next, we need to discuss His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's proposal to establish grain reserves in major cities."
Joseph suddenly thought of something and said to Vergennes, "Count Vergennes, once you arrive in Constantinople, you must immediately notify our ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and have him and the embassy staff return home as soon as possible."
"Huh?"
"We might declare war on the Ottoman Empire, and if that happens, they would be in great danger."
Vergennes's face turned green with anger—'So after all that, you *do* know that place isn't safe! Why aren't you telling the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire to have "professional diplomatic competence" now? I'm the only one who needs to be competent, then?!'
He gritted his teeth and spat out a few words: "Very well, I will remind them."
Subsequently, everyone began to discuss the proposals related to grain. As their interests were largely aligned in this area, all the proposals passed smoothly.
Joseph also managed to secure a special appropriation of 3 million livres to purchase grain. This was all the funds the French treasury could currently provide.
The cabinet meeting concluded, and all the ministers departed fully satisfied, except for Vergennes and the Duke of Orleans, whose expressions remained sullen.
As Joseph walked out of the golden gates, he recalled the message Flesselles had sent him that morning, stating that all preparations for the Paris Festival were complete. He decided to visit the Tuileries Palace to check on the situation.
He had just turned the corner of the long corridor when he suddenly felt a resentful gaze fixed upon him.
He quickly turned to look and saw the Princess of the Two Sicilies bowing her head and curtsying silently nearby.
'What's wrong with this young lady?'
Joseph suddenly slapped his forehead. 'That's right! I promised to show her around Paris, but I'd been so busy lately I'd completely forgotten.'
He hurried forward, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed, smiling. "Beautiful Princess, may I have the honor of accompanying you on a tour of Paris?"
The melancholy in Princess Maria's eyes instantly vanished, and she smiled radiantly, nodding repeatedly. "Thank you for your invitation, Your Highness, I would be delighted!"
(This chapter ends)
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