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Chapter 207: Pursuing the Pirates

Out at sea, the combined fleet had daringly completed its fire suppression mission. To avoid unnecessary damage, Rear Admiral Cisneros, the fleet commander, had ordered them to retreat beyond the effective range of the port's artillery battery.

Hardly had the sails of several warships been adjusted when he heard the sudden silence from the battery.

Somewhat bewildered, Cisneros made his way to the forecastle of the 'Advance,' pulled out his telescope, and immediately saw the blue-purple iris flag already fluttering above the artillery battery.

"They're incredibly quick, aren't they?" he exclaimed, looking at his adjutant. "Have they even been ashore for an hour?"

The adjutant checked his watch, shaking his head.

"Not yet, Admiral. Only forty-eight minutes have passed."

Cisneros's eyelid twitched. Marching from the shore to that battery without pause would have taken over half an hour. 'Did this Berthier actually lead his soldiers in a full-on sprint right into the pirate battery?!'

He had assumed that this rookie legion, formed only half a year ago and accompanied by a group of police, would be fast if they could take the battery before nightfall. 'He didn't expect the battle to be over before noon!'

'This is likely no ordinary rookie unit...'

On the Guards Corps' side, the medical officer directed men to carry the wounded into tents. Berthier, meanwhile, reviewed the battle statistics report his adjutant had just delivered, walking towards the artillery battery on the slope.

Eight police cadets were killed, and ten wounded. Berthier's Guards Corps suffered three killed and five wounded. This was primarily due to the police cadets, in their first taste of battle, becoming overly excited and charging too quickly. Otherwise, casualties could have been even lower.

As for the results of the battle, 282 pirates were captured alive, and approximately 90 were killed. The Port of Bizerte's artillery battery had been captured. The captured supplies, including cannons and firearms, had yet to be fully inventoried.

Due to the nature of the port, after seizing the coastal defenses, the docks and the town beyond offered almost no resistance.

In other words, the Port of Bizerte, one of the Barbary Pirates' two main bases in Tunisia, had already been secured.

He ordered his adjutant to do everything possible to treat the wounded. The units that had led the beach assault were to rest on the spot, while the two battalions that had newly disembarked were to enter the town and search for pirates.

Before nightfall, the Guards Corps had fully secured the entire Port of Bizerte, capturing over 40 pirates who were on their list, while many more pirates had already fled the port.

The corps adjutant, looking at the still bright sky, said to Berthier:

"Commander, sir, should we dispatch cavalry to pursue those who fled? They shouldn't have gotten too far yet."

Berthier, however, shook his head. "Issue the order: the entire army will rest for a day and a half in Bizerte, to resupply on food and wine."

"Huh? Rest for that long?"

The adjutant asked, perplexed, "Sir, if we do that, the pirates will probably get too far."

"It doesn't matter. We need to give them time to run," Berthier recalled Joseph's plan, a slight smile on his face. "The day after tomorrow, at noon, we'll set off south."

Bizerte faced the sea to the north. To the south, there were only two destinations: Kairouan and Tunis City. With the Kairouan fortress currently embroiled in fierce combat between two armies, the pirates would have no choice but to flee to Tunis City. And that was Joseph's true objective.

...

Two days later.

Tunis City.

Inside Kahlil Palace, dozens of disheveled naval officers prostrated themselves on the ground, pleading incessantly with tearful voices:

"Great Bey, those Europeans suddenly attacked the port! We absolutely cannot let this stand!"

"They even openly threatened to kill us! This is an outright insult to you!"

"Great Bey, you must protect us! For years, the navy has contributed significant taxes to you..."

"Please, assemble your army and chop off the heads of those infidels!"

Hammuda Ali frowned, vexed. Lately, troubles just kept piling up.

If Younis hadn't suddenly launched a rebellion, and he hadn't dispatched Janissaries from across Tunisia to suppress it, leaving fewer than 500 soldiers guarding the port, the Europeans would never have captured the Port of Bizerte so easily.

He waved for the naval officers, freshly fled from Bizerte, to quiet down. He turned and gestured for the middle-aged official beside him to follow him into the inner chambers, and asked with a frown:

"Sinanuddin, the European army is already on its way here. What do you think we should do about this?"

The middle-aged official was Sinanuddin, Tunisia's Qadi, a position akin to a vizier. He pondered for a moment, then bowed his head and said:

"Great Bey, the Europeans have come to eradicate the pirates. It's because our navy plundered their merchant ships and demanded exorbitant ransoms."

"So, what are you suggesting?"

Sinanuddin whispered:

"Bey, strictly speaking, the navy isn't under your direct control. If sacrificing them can avert European condemnation, it's not entirely out of the question."

The Bey, Hammuda Ali, nodded thoughtfully at the Qadi's words.

"You have a point. Then have the Janissaries lock up those men outside. Go tell the Europeans that they can be handed over..."

Before he could finish, Hafsa, who had been idly plucking her harp nearby, suddenly stood and quickly approached. She curtsied to him, her voice filled with urgency:

"Bey, Qadi, we absolutely cannot surrender the navy!"

"Oh? Explain your reasoning," Ali turned to her.

"You are the protector of all Tunisia. If you cannot protect the navy at this critical moment, it will cause all of Tunisia to doubt you."

Sinanuddin quickly interjected, "But the Europeans..."

"You needn't worry," Hafsa said dismissively. "I hear they only brought two or three thousand men. We have our Janissaries and naval soldiers; we have nothing to fear from them!"

Before Sinanuddin could retort, she immediately continued:

"Moreover, the Bey's main army is currently engaged in battle with the rebels. If you show even a hint of weakness, it will cause those who are still undecided to side with Younis!"

Hammuda Ali immediately looked hesitant upon hearing this.

Ever since Younis launched his rebellion, Hafsa's judgment of the situation had been exceptionally accurate, showcasing her extraordinary strategic insight.

And indeed, as she said, he had to display a strong front to subdue the various factions within Tunisia.

As for the Europeans, the navy had certainly plundered their merchant ships, but if they were paid enough money, their anger should be appeased.

With that thought, he looked at Sinanuddin: "Qadi, take thirty thousand riyal and negotiate with the Europeans. We must protect the navy.

"Also, assemble the Janissaries and bolster Tunis City's defenses."

"But..." Sinanuddin tried to protest further, but seeing his resolute stance, he could only bow respectfully and depart.

A faint, almost imperceptible glint flickered in Hafsa's eyes. Although she didn't know why Haj wanted her to persuade Ali to protect the navy, she had clearly succeeded.

...

The Port of Bizerte was only 70 kilometers from Tunis City. After three days of marching, the Guards Corps had already reached the outskirts of Tunis City.

In coordination with their advance, the combined fleet also sailed south towards Tunis Harbor simultaneously, leaving behind only a frigate and a few smaller vessels to blockade the Port of Bizerte. After capturing the port's artillery battery, a small number of warships would be sufficient to maintain the blockade.