Chapter 165: Big Bluff vs. Old Fox
"This is great! Those damned pirates are finally going to be..."
Jefferson, who handled American diplomatic affairs, had just excitedly spoken half a sentence when Franklin cut him off with a dry, weak chuckle. "Heh heh, Special Envoy, I imagine you've still got something left unsaid, haven't you? Surely, for the sake of our meager few American merchant ships, the French Navy wouldn't go to such great lengths."
Franklin was an old fox. During the American War of Independence, he had shuttled between Britain and France, using France to threaten Britain and Britain to entice France. He had sweet-talked and cajoled Louis XVI into providing tens of millions of livres in loans, as well as vast military supplies and tens of thousands of French soldiers, which ultimately supported the independence of the thirteen American colonies.
He wasn't as easily fooled as the younger Jefferson.
Talleyrand nodded with a smile:
"Of course, His Majesty the King also acts for the sake of free trade across the Mediterranean, bringing prosperity to all littoral nations. However, for America, which possesses little naval power, this is precisely what is most urgently needed."
Franklin glanced at Jefferson, who quickly smiled:
"Of course, Special Envoy! I am deeply grateful for this!"
"Ah, our King is always so benevolent, and he keeps friends such as yourselves, far across America, in his thoughts." Talleyrand then painted a vivid picture of how majestically the Royal French Navy would sweep across the Barbary Sea, eradicating the Barbary Pirates.
"You can imagine how many fewer merchant ships America would lose each year without pirate interference, not to mention the tribute and ransom paid to the pirates.
"As for the long term, increased trade with the Mediterranean coastal nations will undoubtedly bring even greater prosperity to America."
Franklin merely nodded impassively, for he knew the lame man hadn't yet gotten to the point.
Sure enough, Talleyrand sighed as he spoke:
"The Navy has already submitted a plan for eradicating the pirates. Now, there's just a small issue remaining."
Jefferson instinctively asked, "What issue?"
"As you know, our government's financial situation isn't terribly optimistic. And undertaking such a large-scale military deployment will inevitably require substantial funds. Therefore, as a beneficiary of this pirate eradication campaign, America might consider shouldering some of the costs."
Franklin finally spoke:
"What you say is quite reasonable, so regarding the expenses, how much do you believe America should contribute?"
Talleyrand replied with a smile:
"Each year, America incurs losses of three to four hundred thousand dollars due to the Barbary Pirates. Now, by simply providing the Royal Navy with two hundred thousand dollars in funding, you can be rid of this nuisance."
Two hundred thousand dollars was equivalent to one million livres.
Talleyrand, having long mingled among the elites of Versailles, was intimately familiar with the art of negotiation and had left room for bargaining from the outset.
"That much?" Franklin frowned, pondering. 'You may not be aware that the revenue situation in our various states is currently not very good. We also just experienced Shays' Rebellion last year. It would likely be very difficult to raise such a large sum.'
He said, giving Jefferson a meaningful glance.
"Oh, yes, the state assemblies would most likely not approve such a large amount." Jefferson quickly chimed in. "If it were fifty or sixty thousand dollars per year, I believe they would seriously consider it."
Talleyrand scoffed inwardly, 'These American bumpkins are truly poor and stingy, and always calculating.'
He shook his head, smiling:
"Oh, I'm afraid you misunderstand. This isn't a long-term expenditure. The operation will conclude within a few years. After that, you won't need to pay any further funds.
"This time, we're not just targeting pirate ships on the high seas—yes, we've done that for centuries, but the pirates still run rampant. So, this time, we intend to solve the problem fundamentally—by dispatching troops to completely wipe out the pirates' strongholds on land!"
He spread his arms, palms upward, closing his eyes as if in deep enjoyment:
"From now on, the Barbary Pirates will be history. The Mediterranean will transform into a paradise for maritime trade."
Franklin's cloudy old eyes suddenly lit up:
"Are you saying that the French army will land in North Africa?"
"That's not quite accurate," Talleyrand promptly corrected him. "It's merely about operating near the Barbary Pirate strongholds. We even hope that the various North African nations will participate in eradicating the pirates."
Franklin hadn't anticipated such a large-scale undertaking from the French government and was already somewhat swayed. If the Barbary Pirates could truly be eliminated within a few years, America would significantly reduce its losses in the future.
In comparison, paying a few installments of two hundred thousand dollars wasn't entirely unacceptable.
However, the old fox still feigned a troubled expression:
"God as my witness, we are very willing to support His Majesty the King's initiative and to bear some of the costs, but two hundred thousand dollars annually is indeed too much."
Talleyrand smiled kindly:
"Mr. Franklin, let me be frank with you. His Majesty has given me a flexible margin of twenty thousand dollars. Truth be told, I long to return to Paris as soon as possible. So, let's not waste any more time. One hundred eighty thousand dollars a year, and you gain eternal peace for your shipping lanes, while I gain the vibrant city of Paris."
"Ah, could you perhaps make it a little less? You know, America has only recently gained independence, and we've endured the ravages of war..."
"You're truly making things difficult for me. Remember, French soldiers will be confronting these pirates with their very blood and lives to aid you!"
Following this, the two parties haggled over the "price" for a while, until Franklin reluctantly agreed to submit the annual fee of one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars to the Federal Congress.
One hundred seventy-five thousand dollars was approximately eight hundred seventy thousand livres. This was already significantly higher than the six hundred thousand livre baseline Joseph had given Talleyrand, but still far less than the amount Americans lost due to the Barbary Pirates.
With the main issue settled, Talleyrand smiled again:
"Actually, I have another sincere suggestion."
"I eagerly await your counsel, Special Envoy."
"America needs to equip two warships. Oh, small frigates will suffice. To join the Royal Navy in combating the pirates."
Franklin instinctively began to shake his head—as America had only disbanded its navy a few years prior to save military expenses, and was utterly unwilling to maintain warships again.
Talleyrand immediately cajoled:
"You must understand that even if the Barbary Pirates are eradicated, smaller pirates will still emerge like flies from carrion from time to time. You can seize this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the Mediterranean environment and escort your own merchant ships in the future.
"Two frigates wouldn't cost too much. In the future, you could even earn money by escorting the ships of smaller nations like Denmark and Tuscany."
"Your suggestion is very pertinent," Franklin nodded. "Tell you what, Special Envoy, I will also submit your suggestion to Congress. As for the final decision, it will depend on the outcome of the Congressional vote."
"Oh, of course," Talleyrand said. "I recall the Royal Navy recently commissioned several new frigates. If necessary, I can connect you with the right people. The price would certainly be much cheaper than building new ships."
"Thank you for your kind offer."
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